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chirpsythismorning · 3 days

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Fun fact: In the original pitch for Stranger Things, El had a little brother.

After being rejected by almost 20 studios for the Montauk pilot, the Duffers were finally green-lit by Netflix. It was at this time that they began casting and then writing the first season officially, which included reworking a lot of that first episode.

This led to the removal of the brother reference, and with it, removing any sort of arc El could have had about her apparent brother.

But the thing about this moment, is that it might not have been scrapped entirely...

Going into the final season, no one can explain why or how El recognized Will back in 1x02. And while there are plenty of things on the show that are left unexplained, with a small portion likely left that way with the intention to uncover it later, what sets this moment apart from the rest is that there are very few possibilities here.

Because for starters, the story presents El's ability to see people in the void in s1 as requiring either a picture of that person for reference, or having met that person before.

But when El see's this picture of Will, she's never met him before. Or maybe she has, but we wouldn't know because they never showed us. They could have just not done this scene at all, given that it's clearly a copy/paste/edit of something scrapped from the pitch. Or they could have even still included it, but explained it.

One explanation could be that the lab had shown El a picture of Will before, similar to what they did with the Russian agent they wanted to spy on. But then that begs to question, why would the lab show El a picture of Will? Why would they want to see what he was doing? That alone is incriminating in and of itself, implying that Will is more connected to the lab than we realize.

The only other, and frankly most likely explanation, would be that El stumbled across Will at some point on her journey between escaping the lab and Will going missing. This is actually something that happens in The Other Side comic, which explores all the things Will may have experienced during his time in the Upside Down.

Though it’s worth noting the comics aren’t technically canon, and I highly doubt they would outright spoil everything in relation to Will’s time there, years before it was intended to be revealed. But still, let's humor this for a moment given that I do think Will's time in the UD is going to be very relevant in s5, which means it's highly likely they will finally address how exactly El saw him.

Basically, in the comic, Will see’s El walking through the woods, almost apparition like, glowing as she passes by, while also sporting the Benny’s burgers shirt. This means they would have crossed passed within a short span of time, between when El escaped Benny’s when the agents arrived, but before she was found by the boys.

Though it’s worth noting that we’re seeing this all from Will’s perspective. This means from the UD, Will was capable of seeing El on the other side, despite them being on different sides. And not only that, but she also looks back at him.

What confuses me about this, is that it doesn’t make sense for El to be in the woods, only to randomly decide to pop in to the void for a moment. She was trying to escape the lab and everything that came with it. I doubt she had any desire to lurk back there for some reason, not until someone encouraged her to. Not to mention, it would make no sense for her to go there and see Will if she wasn't even looking for him in the first place. And so this would mean Will and El could see each other, with Will being in the UD, and El being on the other side.

While it does seem pretty far off, given that you would think Will and El wouldn't be able to see each other from different sides, it is true in the story that El not only recognizes Will, but knows that he is in danger. She mentions that he is hiding specifically.

Which means she has likely seen him within the last 24 hours regardless.

This, in combination with Will being able to respond to El in the void at the end of the season in Castle Byers, when no one else outside of Terry and flayed-Billy have been able to, seems to imply that there is indeed something special about Will that makes him capable of communicating with El from the UD. Not only that, but El also seems to have an ability to be in this constant knowing state of how Will is doing, without even checking again to confirm. She's just certain of it. And she seems terrified about it.

Going forward, El never uses a picture of Will to find him. She never did. And more often than not, they don’t show us what she see’s either, not until the very end. And that’s the moment they reveal that he was able to communicate with her.

Again, there was really no reason to have El recognize Will. If anything it complicates things. But the fact that they chose to introduce this concept, with a scene from the original pitch that was related to El’s younger brother, with her pointing at his name cryptically, startling Benny, only to revamp it and have El not say anything at all while pointing at the picture of Will, startling Mike… It just really makes you stop and think.

Which brings me to the other aspect of this that might have people doubting, which is that El’s brother was originally younger than her.

We know Will is not younger than El, so how could this apply to him?

Well, it might be helpful to consider that in the original script, El was actually 10 years old, while the boys were always 12. Meaning that for some reason, they decided to age her up to the age of the boys, aka the same age as Will…

Ever since @erikiara80 shared this brother discovery with me, I have been sort of reeling. It then led to other little discoveries of changes they made between Montauk and Stranger Things.

It’s important to understand that the Montauk bible and the original script precedes what we ended up with in the final product, with it finally changing and evolving months, maybe even a year since that original vision. Even casting occurred before writing started for the first season. We know this because casting announcements were made in June and August of 2015, with writing not starting until August going into early 2016, simultaneously while they were filming.

And believe it or not, what I've discovered is that a lot of the changes they made between their original plans and what we see in the final product, have to do with not only Willel, but also Byler.

If you've read the original script for Montauk, you'll know that Mike's crush on Jennifer Hayes was focused on right from the jump, along with the birthmark on his face being focused on, which was the main cause of the bullying he experienced.

This has actually been talked about recently, and some of the claims people make do fit with what I am genuinely starting to consider here, which is that the initial plan for what makes Mike an outcast shifted.

I think when they completed casting, and started actually deep diving into what they wanted this world to look like, both from a short-term and long-term standpoint, they were presented with some pretty interesting discoveries, arguably already hiding in their initial plans without realizing it.

And this is where it sort of becomes a 'chicken or the egg' situation. Because which one came first? Byler or Willel?

I can't say for certain, because obviously this is all just speculation. But in the case that Willel came first, I think Byler would come very naturally after that.

The Duffers themselves are twins. Then they hire Noah, who is a twin. Then they're thinking and planning for El's past and how her family all fits into this, and they're thinking... wait a damn minute... We could totally Star Wars this bitch!

And then when they think it couldn't get any better, they uncover another layer that they hadn't planned or really considered in their initial plans.

While Will was always going to have sexual identity issues according to the Montauk bible, meaning that the writing process for him likely involved sitting down imagining scenarios that encapsulated this arc for Will from the beginning, they were simultaneously now finding very interesting aspects of Mike's character that made it hard not to at least consider the possiblity that Mike is not exactly straight.

Just think about it. The Byers and Wheelers are basically polar opposites on the spectrum of what a family looks like. While Will's discovery and acceptance of his queerness is interesting to explore because he comes from a low-income, single-mom household, all while having been bullied for years based on his perceived queerness, he also has a mother and brother constantly reinforcing that they will accept him no matter what. They've been sort of hitting us over the head with it for years, and so it wouldn't be very satisfying for his entire arc to merely lead up to something we've known all along. It's pretty much a given at this point.

On the other side of the spectrum, Mike comes from a more upper-middle class family at the end of a cul-de-sac, more aligned with what a nuclear family looks like. Mike's family is also presented as being more conservative, and while Karen does give that very queer-coded speech to Mike in s1 (I'm convinced they only wrote this after deciding to explore queer-coding more heavily with Mike), it also comes with comments from Ted and even still Karen that hint that they are probably not as open-minded and accepting as Will's family is to him. Which means Mike's arc would be a lot more about acceptance around him from his loved ones who we have been led to believe might not be as accepting of his queerness in contrast to Will.

And so as they're putting this story together, and they're being presented with something very interesting. Two similar experiences that play out in different ways because of the characters circumstances.

Will goes missing, and his twin sister with a buzzcut pops up and has the ability to help them find Will.

This leads to several moments where El is being compared to as not only a boy, but Will as well.

Now suddenly, their initial plans to have Mike's arc be about having a girl be interested in him and to hopefully have his first kiss and feel like less of a loser, starts to look a lot like what the experience a queer kid in his position might encounter growing up in the environment that he did.

And if you don't want to take my word for it, just hear the Duffer's themselves hinting at what they initially planned for Mike and the fact that it changed.

The changes don't stop there.

Believe it or not, 'It was a seven', did not exist in the initial pitch. When the boys went outside bickering over Nancy, they leave right after that.

Another thing that changed from the first script, was Scott Clarke's introduction:

And so you might be thinking, who cares? What does that have to do with anything?

Well, it's interesting because the line we end up with on the show is arguably one of the most on the nose Twelvegate proofs to date. Mind you, this is from the first episode:

Why chuck the original version, which was arguably more interesting and fascinating in terms of it hinting at the mysteriousness surrounding this story, only to replace it with him listing off tips about their upcoming test?

Well, I think it's the irony of it all. Here Mr. Clarke is practically telling us where to look to figure stuff out for ourselves what is going on, with all the kids filing out and ignoring him...

I relate to Scott a litttle too much in this shot here, any time I try to drop Willel evidence.

And the changes go on, as they obviously would.

Things like Terry Ives not even being El's mom, but actually a man who more so aligns with the characterization of Murray.

And one very interesting one I almost overlooked was in Hopper's introduction, where instead of a kids drawing done by who we assume to be Sarah, we actually see a picture on the wall of him and his wife and daughter... Interesting that they decided to switch it something that is a lot less definitive in presenting what Hopper's past looked like...

If you've made it this far, congratulations.

If you still think I'm out of my mind, just remember that El was going to have a brother in the original script, but they scrapped the scene and gave a near identical one to introduce her connection to Will instead 😘

#byler #stranger things #willel twins #twelvegate #montauk #as you can see #i am out of my mind #and i'm okay with that #i've spent the last couple months trying to make a video going over all the willel twin evidence #and i can't decide if it's even possible to do without going over an hour #like there is just so much shit that fits too perfectly into this family being ripped apart by mind control and time shenanigans #i hope to have it done soon #trying to make it less than 20 minutes #but it's probably going to end up being closer to an hour #especially with this stuff from the montauk pitch being added to the mix now #anyways #willel and byler are the curtain behind the curtain #if you are open to one of them #you are bound to stumble across the other #and they don't want that to happen #stay tuned for the inevitable twin imagery to continue in s5 related to willel leading up to the big reveal #bc it's arguably the most consistent thing about this damn show #and tbh this all just makes the queer-coding for mike in s1 a lot more concrete to me #them exploring will's queerness through his dad's expectations for him to do more 'manly' things like play baseball #and jonathan saying he shouldn't like things just bc people telll him he's supposed to #how they connect that narratively with the boys being at a baseball field when mike's being pressured about his supposed feelings for el #with the bullies showing up and literally being homophobic seconds later #the fact that jennifer hayes did in fact exist in the original pilot and was the girl mike had a crush on #only for them to scrap that and just make it about her having a crush on will...#never once introducing this idea of mike liking her...

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spoonyglitteraunt · 1 year

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The Hero is secretly gay. Unfortunately, the Villain doesn't know this and keeps kidnapping the Hero's best female friend, thinking that she's the love interest. Even more unfortunate, she's finally had enough. - writing prompts

That’s it!

She slammed the door closed behind her and threw her handbag on the nearby table. Too aggravated to sit and rest she stomped across her living room.

She was done. Completely and utterly out of patience. Zero fucks left to give. Ready to kick some henchman shins and track down ALL their mothers to tattle on them. D. O. N. E. Done.

This was the twelfth time in half as many months. Thirteen if you counted the one where she had downright refused to pay him and his nonsense any attention. Which had baffled him so much he’d stuck in his tracks long enough for the heroes to show up and foil his little pull before it got off the ground. They were currently averaging one kidnapping a week and she’d had enough. They had done it all. Surprise ambushes, drive by pickups, resigned walkouts. Everything short of pencilling it down in their schedule. Thursday morning, eight o’ clock, villainous acquisition time. Set to repeat weekly. Until at nauseam.

She had tried to be understanding, accommodating even, she really had. But there is only so much a person can take and they had long surpassed that point. She was lucky she still had a job what with all the surprise absences. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was a constant source of content – and she suspected unending amusement – for the paper she worked for, she probably would have been fired by now. Few bosses would be happy with a near weekly disappearing act. Regardless of whether she had any say in the matter. And the only say she'd had were some very colourful words her parental units would be shocked to hear.

No, something had to change and as usual it would be left to her to do so. Because heroes forbid she’d not have to be the proactive one in this dynamic for once.

A heavy and rapid knocking sounded at her door. “Darlin’, you in there? Y’alright?”

Speak of one half of this screwed up custody battle.

“Please open up.”

She huffed and proceeded to pace. Ignoring his attempts to get her to open while simultaneously avoiding accidentally knocking her door down with his enhanced strength. If she knew him – and she did, for well over two decades now – he probably hadn’t taken the time to properly de-transform yet. Too intent on checking up on her first. She wished he had lingered to wrap things up with the police instead. Given her some time to cool down.

It wasn’t his fault, not really. She knew this. Knew that Samuel “Bear” Friedman, contrary to his hero name and transformation, was an utter softy. Especially when it came to the people he cared about. He hadn’t asked for any of this either. He seemed more distressed by it all than the not-so-maiden he kept having to "rescue". But the fact remained that if it wasn’t for him she wouldn’t be spirited away on the regular by a villain who might be as colourful as the Ghibli film, but not nearly as entertaining.

Sure, it was the risk you ran when being in contact with a hero. Everyone knew that being in their life could someday mean you’d end up as a bargaining chip for the superpowered. But no one had warned her that this would practically devolve into become her second job. One she was apparently doing for the involuntary exposure and no pay.

The ridiculousness of it all was that she wasn’t even his partner. A fact she had tried to explain to Magnemind on several occasions. Not that he was listening. The villain had it in his head that Bear and her were “a thing”, and she was just trying to talk her way out of being held captive. Which, fair, she was. But that didn’t make it any less of the truth. Sam was about as straight as he was capable of keeping plants alive. His internet search history evidence to both.

“Please, darlin’. You worryin’ me here,” Bear’s deep voice rumbled as another round of carefully controlled knocks shook the wood.

She barged over and ripped open the door. The giant bearded man – who yup was very much still in his hero form – shrunk back from her glare. How she with her below average human size and strength could cow a man who was bear shaped both in and out of his transformation, with just one look, was anyone’s guess. It usually amused her to no end. Followed by several rounds of teasing. Right now however, she wished he didn’t look like such a kicked puppy. It made being angry with him seem even more unfair than she already knew it was. Damn her superb pack bonding instincts.

Huffing again she turned away and stomped back into her apartment without another word. Straight to her couch. Where she plopped down face first into the cushions with a loud groan and all the dramatics she could muster. She knew it was very not adult of her, but it none the less somewhat soothed the annoyed part of her brain.

It took a few seconds before Bear decided she wasn’t going to rescind the unspoken invitation and stepped inside. He closed the door as gently as he could with his clawed hands and padded over to take a tentative seat next to her.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I dunno why he keeps doin’ it either. But I talked with the others and we’ll start—“

She tuned him out as he rumbled on about what measures they’d take this time to try and keep her safe. They always had more measures and they never worked. Magnemind’s main power may be the whole magnetic force thingy, but the mind part was in there for a reason. Dude was smart. Whatever they had come up with, he’d found a way around it like it was baby's first puzzle game. Sometimes she wondered if he had a secondary power set they weren’t aware off. Something beyond playing the world’s most annoying magnet. Either way, fact of the matter was that as long as the heroes had no clue what he was trying to accomplish they’d keep playing catch-up. And they didn’t.

But she did.

And it was time to take matters into her own hands. Enough with being considerate and waiting for others to get a clue. Not when they were clearly still playing Frustration. It was time to Scrabble the board and put down a quixotry. Time to show she needed no saving throw. Just some common sense. But first things first.

A nap

---------

She sat herself down on the plastic folding chair in the middle of the empty warehouse. Having checked everything trice over, and then once more just to be sure. Unlike some people she learned not to underestimate others. This was going to go exactly as planned. Probably. And at the end everyone would walk away from this better for it. Or at least less future kidnappy. Or she'd swear this would turn into her villain origin story. And no one would want that. She wielded the scariest powers of all. Unrelenting grudges and the I am very disappointed in you frown that all women on her mother's side were experts at. It had made many an adult ashamed of themselves throughout the years. It practically bordered on crimes against humanity.

Still, it wouldn't do to get ahead of herself. She'd try the reasonable approach first. Or at least the moderately functional one.

It took about half an hour before she heard one of the side doors open with a loud groan. And then disconnect from its hinges. Followed by a deep, low curse and finally the scrape of metal against stone as door met wall. Its new resting place.

Her bestie, everyone. Mr subtlety himself. Good thing he hadn't been given a stealth power, because oh brother, Bear. And yet, she wouldn't have him any other way.

"Darlin'?" he rumbled upon spotting her and rushed over to check on her. "Are y'okay? I was so worried. The message was weird and I wasn't sure if it was you or not. Seemed too early for 'nother attempt, and usually he doesn't use your phone, but—"

"Bear." She patted his large arm to stop his rambling and frantic checking for wounds and bindings. "I'm fine. Stop fussing and sit down," she said, and waved at the chair behind him to her left.

He checked her over again, but as she was obviously unharmed and utterly calm. Not her usual state of annoyed at being taken. He did as she asked, although reluctant. And not solely because of the somewhat too small chair for his huge frame.

Even after all these times he still fretted needlessly. Not like she'd ever gotten hurt on these involuntary excursions. She'd at least give Magnemind that much. He was as gracious a host as an abductor could be to their ill-gotten guest. Speaking of whom.

"Would you like to join us down here? The chair is not as uncomfortable as it looks. Okay, no, it is. But the sooner you get your butt in it, the sooner we can all be done with this, and hopefully collectively move on with our lives."

Sam stared at her in confusion. Clearly wondering if this was the long afeared mental breakdown they kept expecting her to have – she didn't do breakdowns, too busy throwing the superpowered lemons back in the life manager's face, thank you very much – or this was indeed some kind of code he wasn't following.

"How do I know this isn't some sort of entrapment?"

The voice echoed around the wide space as if coming from everywhere, like a poor rendition of phantom of the warehouse. Good thing they were lacking big light fixtures hanging from easily to untether ceilingwear.

Sam instantly braced upon hearing Magnemind's voice. Teeth bared and nails sharpening into claws as he jumped up from his seat. Toppling the folding chair over

She paid it no mind however. Instead looking up at the rafters above them, where the shadows were just deep enough to hide a lanky magnetic man.

"You've been sticking up there since before I got here. If this was a trap you'd have spotted it by now. And Bear came alone. As you are well aware from the surveillance cams you put up outside. Plus I went through the trouble of dragging some fully plastic chairs in here, so they wouldn't stick to your butt if you get a bit carried away and activate your abilities. Besides I think you owe me one all things considered, so come down here and stop being so theatrical."

"What're you doin'?" Bear whisper-rumbled incredulous. Clearly not happy with any of this. Ever more questioning her sanity.

"Solving this mess. Now sit down, please. I may have all day, but I'd much prefer to get home in time to watch my shows."

"You don't watch TV." Bear grumbled.

"Hush you, random youtube essays are shows too."

He uprighted the chair with a sigh and once again sat down ever so daintily, so as not to break it with his bulk. He knew not to bother trying to convince her to leave or stop whatever she had planned. They had been besties long enough to know that he may be the big strong superhero to everyone else, she was the unmovable force in this friendship. Especially when she dug her claws in.

Luckily it seemed that Magnemind had picked up as much too from their time together. For he didn't make her wait either. Slowly floating down from the ceiling shadows until he was seated on her right, across from Bear.

What followed was a grumpy stare off between the two opponents. Not unlike two pouty school children sitting in detention. Both convinced the other was the one to blame for their predicament. She barely avoided spraining her eyes with all the rolling she was doing. To think anyone took either of them seriously. Good thing she didn't, or they'd never get out of this mess.

"So, we're going to have a grown up conversation, between grownups, like grownups. No more taking the other one's toy because we never learned to use our words like big boys. Especially not since the toy is damn tired of it. We're going to talk this through and when we walk out of here you're either going to have this shit worked out, or find another way to get each other’s attention that doesn't include me."

"’m not the problem here, he’s."

"Excuse you, but I did not start this. And I am not taking any toys. And I am without a doubt in possession of a larger vocabulary than—"

She swatted them both on the forehead with the cardboard tube of a former roll of wrapping paper that she pulled out from under her chair. Wrapping paper which she may or may not have bought, unrolled, and carefully stashed for later use just so she had something harmless, but satisfying, to smack them with when they were being obnoxious. Which she knew they would be.

"You. Stop interrupting me. I know you had no say in this, but your bungling of getting it solved, and never clarifying what we are when asked, didn't help matters. So let me talk." She told Bear with a glare, but his instant sheepish look of regret made it once again hard to stay annoyed at him.

"And you. Do not argue the size of your vocabulary or anything else for that matter. I don't care what's in there. You may not have started it, but I'm finishing it. And the least you can do is to listen to me monologue for a change," she added, waving the tube in his face to show she was willing to bop him again if needed.

His eyes flitted from her, to the former retainer of festive paper under his nose, to Sam, and back. Not entirely sure what to make of this situation.

She was probably the only person in the city who had the nerve to lecture and carboardly assault both a beloved hero and rising villain. It was just hard to still feel intimidated when you'd been friends for years with one, and been timeshared out to the latter on a frequent basis. The shine wore off eventually.

Finding no further argument in either of them she continued.

"Now, as I was saying. First things first. He and I? Not. A. Thing." she said, gesturing with the tube between her and Sam for emphasis.

"Oh, please. I have told you before your little act is less than convincing. Not when you spend all your time together outside of work, and he comes running as soon as I tell him I have you. And— Ow, stop hitting me with that thing." He rubbed his head as if it had hurt anything beyond his pride.

"Then stop being an ass and not listening. And it's called friendship, you walnut," she grumbled.

"How do you know what I do outside of work?" Sam asked, mouth twitching in that way she knew spelled rising embarrassment.

Magnemind flushed as he briefly made eye contact with the hero across from him and looked away. "Never mind," he mumbled, "it's just... don't take me for a fool. Friends aren't that close."

She wasn't sure to feel annoyed at his refusal to listen, or sad for the fact he couldn't even imagine such closeness. Which may say more about his life than he probably meant it to.

Maybe both. Definitely both.

"Tell, him." She motioned at the villain while looking pointedly at Sam. Maybe Magnemind would believe him about the friend thing. And the rest really wasn’t hers to share without permission. But all her friend did was give her that puppy dog look again. The one that was halfway lost cub and halfway pleading golden retriever. The one he had perfected over the years and basically was friend speak for, help! I’m a conversationally challenged awkward nugget and need you to take over the talking here!

How a man that big and strong, a brave professional hero no less, could be such a doofus in social interactions was beyond her. Or it would be if it hadn't been the same since he was the big, bulky new kid in school who got cornered by the playground bullies. Unable to defend himself verbally, and too unsure of his strength to risk doing it psychically. Six year old her had taken charge and defended him then – by dumping an entire bottle of dirty toilet water on the bullies, much to their horror – as she ever did since. It was how they worked and she could never let him down. Even if it was awkward and silly. He was still her friend and it was his choice. At least she had the standing permission to tease him about it later though. Bestie privileges and all.

"Fine. Okay, we’ve got this.” She turned back to Magnemind. “We are that close because we've been friends for ages and because we've been through a lot. Also because we're two of the same.'

"Same what?'

"Look, Sam here was called a bear long before the media coined it as his hero name. If you get my drift."

"What, that doesn't make any— oh. Oh."

And the penny finally dropeth.

Magnemind's eyes widened dramatically, and humorously, as he took in the new information. Staring at her now thoroughly blushing friend. A bushy beard could only hide so much.

"So, now we're on the right track. Let's do proper introductions, kay? Magnemind, meet my friend Sam. He looks intimidating but he's an utter softy at heart. Single and looking, but incredibly clueless as to when someone is flirting with him. Also a blushing shy mess when he fancies someone."

Sam whined at her words, but didn't contradict her. It was all the truth after all. And he did want her to do the talking.

"Sam, meet John Steward."

"How do you know my name?!"

She stared at him. Deadpan. "I work as a fact checker for newspaper journalists, some of whom are chronically allergic to research. You don't think I know my way around a search engine? Now shush, don't make me bop you again. We're getting somewhere here."

He shrunk in his seat. Probably more from her knowing his identity than the not so dreaded cardboard weaponry.

"As I was saying. Sam, meet John. Gremlin human in equal need of social skills, whose idea of pining is apparently abducting their crush's friend, in hopes of just getting to spend five minutes mooning in the presence of their love interest. While lamenting their assumed unrequited and doomed love."

This time it was Magnemind's turn to imitate the culinary ingredient of contested classification, as he hid his face in his suit's scarf. Unable to refute the truth. And Bear's turn to process the new info. They were almost circled through this mess and whatever happened afterwards hopefully would no longer include her.

"So, for the record. We've got two single men in this room who are both very much interested in the men loving men category. And in the humble opinion of someone who has spent significant time with both – even if sometimes under clearly voiced protest – they'd be an exceedingly good match interests and personality wise. If they can both get over their crippling shyness and self-sabotage as queer doofuses, that is. Doofuses who both have zero clue about potential interest pointed in their direction unless they're smacked on the head with it."

She couldn't resist thumping them both again to the sound of mutual embarrassed groans.

"Now lastly. Before I go get an in my opinion more than well-deserved rest, some interesting facts. First let me point out that someone in this room mainly turned to villainy because people kept discriminating against him, refusing to let him study the area of his natural skills, and harassing him over it. Also that to date his worst crime has been to liberate certain property and donate it to the less fortunate. That and some negligible cases of kidnapping with zero bodily harm, just a considerable amount of annoyance." She glared at the villain. Who at least had the decency to look contrite.

"Charges which can be ignored on account of the sole victim being magnanimously willing to withdraw any complaints. If they are compensated with a few good meals and the accused doing their best not to make their friend unhappy," she added, before glancing to her left.

"I will also remind the room that reforming a former villain would be excellent PR for any hero. Especially if down the line the public got a chance to, as we say, ship it. They could very easily claim responsibility and supervision of said reform. Which obviously would require a lot of time spent together to oversee the villain's adjustment back to a productive member of society.”

The boys were now both blushing messes. But they were smiling blushing messes. And by the way they were exchanging flustered glances, her work here was nearly done.

"Lastly, just randomly musing here you understand. But one could certainly see what the combined power of a star couple of powerful and beloved heroes could accomplish in societal changes. If they put their brilliant mind and golden retriever charm to it. Just something to ponder."

She pushed herself up from her seat, brandishing her papery magic wand of fairy godfriendery. "Well, I'll leave you two to your enemies to lovers shenanigans."

She nodded to Magnemind. "John it was nice seeing you, but if I don't get advanced warning of future meet ups I'm not responsible for any contact between my shoe and your leg."

"Sam, I love you, but next time sort out your own love life. Being a disaster gay doesn't hinge on being entirely clueless. If you bring home any more strays that use me as a game of telephone flirting, I'm perma-stitching big neon rainbow patches in all your clothes. Including the hero suits.” She patted him on the shoulder as she passed on her way to the exit.

"Now, have fun, and don't do anything I would do," she added, as a final goodbye as she walked away. Giving a last wave without looking back. No need to see the sickly sweet back and forth of blushing affection that was no doubt already going on behind her back.

Time for her to go get that well-deserved nap. She’d earned it. And hopefully it was the start of many more to follow. Now that this mess was finally sorted out.

Until the next one probably. She had no doubt

And as she walked out the doorway, with its lack of door, the last thing she heard before passing out of hearing range was:

"Uhm, has anyone ever told you that you're uh, un-bear-ably handsome?"

"Heh, no. But you're very attractive."

And thus no good deed ever goesth unpunished.

---------

Postscript:

She blinked her eyes as the bag got pulled off her head, undoubtedly scarecrowifying her hair. Really? This again?

"John, love of my bestie’s life, Steward! I swear to the fridge magnets of old if we are back to this, your shins are going to acquire some new decora— oh you're not John."

The person across from her blinked owlishly. Literally. On account of the owl features on their face. "No, I am not he."

"Ok... so...?"

"Oh! My sincerest apologies. I should introduce myself. I am an acquaintance of Magnemind. My name is—"

"Duskowl, yes. One of the ones Bear and Magnemind are trying to recruit. I mean "reform". I know. My question is more why am I here. Wherever here is."

"This is my lair and I invited you here to be my mate."

"Excuse you?!"

"Oh, uhm. Magnemind gave me your contact information and said to me you were open to courtship. Including one such as me?"

"Look birdie, I'm flattered and all that. And I do swing all ways but this is a bit— Oh, oh no. John gave you dating advice didn't he?"

"Yes. He explained all about how he had wooed his mate."

"I bet he freaking did."

"Although he pressed upon me the importance of not abducting any significant people in your life. Especially not Bear. Not if I did not wish to lose my feathers and find out just how realistic The Owls of Ga'Hoole film was. Which I do not. But I would never dare touch my mentors in such a way "

"So you just abducted me instead. On my way to work. Per his advice."

"Yes."

"That's it! Next time I see him, magnet boy is getting a time out in an empty room while I rearrange his entire collection of novelty magnets."

Halfway across the city, John "Magnemind" Steward got a sudden chill down his back accompanied by an unexplained feeling of dread and impending doom.

#my writing #short story #prompt fill #superheroes #super villians #queer shenanigans #mutual pining idiots in love #this MC just popped right out of my brain and would not be stopped #no I do not regret all the silliness but yes I will blame it all on them #curtsey of @aka-click who apparently learned to get a better handle on my muse than I do #also yes I seem to be chronically unable to not write a little after bit #don't ask me I just live here in this brain

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