hit mtv show about asses (also alphas)

BUT MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE CASTING

The news that National Geographic has now been placed in the hands of Rupert Murdoch prompted a predictable outcry, roughly akin to what happens in the movies when the clearly evil tycoon takes the orphans away. A bastion of popular science is now controlled by a very prominent climate change denier who, despite his company’s assurances of editorial integrity, has spent decades interfering with the independence of his properties. A tabloid king could now apply the values of the New York Post to one of the world’s oldest magazines.

Girls like girls like boys do, nothing new I’ve been crossing all the lines, all the lines Kissed your girls and made you cry, boys

Aesthetic Meme

Ok, so I went back to watch that scene since you made me curious and here’s the smile

and I’m just sad now. Really sad.

Look at him. He’s obviously confused, but he doesn’t know Shaw is a monster yet. In fact, he’s obviously hoping for the best. He’s just arrived at the camps and been immediately picked out by Shaw, so while I’m sure he’s already seen that it’s a horrible place to be, he probably doesn’t know the extent of it yet.

And he tries his best to move the coin, and he can’t, so he tells Shaw he did his best and then smiles shyly. 

It breaks my heart. He’s obviously a very good boy. He listens to adults and does as he’s told. 

We know he’s a mama’s boy. In the very beginning, we see both a man (could be his father or a male relative) and his mother yelling for him, but Erik’s completely focused on yelling for his mama only. When Charles searches Erik’s memory for the brightest spot, it’s a memory of him with his mother.

The image I have of little Erik is a boy who is very loved, is doted on by his mother, and thanks to this, completely idolizes her. To Erik, his mom is the best person in the world. And Erik tries very hard to be a good boy to make his mother happy. 

In fact, looking at how Erik smiles at Shaw, I feel, if anything, he is a people pleaser. A child who derives happiness from the praise and acceptance of adults. It’s such a radical change from post-Shaw Erik that it’s jarring. 

Young Erik who is so shy and eager to please vs. adult Erik who aggressively doesn’t care a bit about what others think, who goes out of his way to make sure he’s intimidating and making people uncomfortable. 

I also have feelings about baby!Charles. Just look at him. Look at that grim determination on his face. This is the face of a child that, rather than alert his parents to an intruder in his house, grabs a baseball bat and stalks downstairs in the middle of the night. This is a child that is in tune with a power that other people fear and misunderstand, a child who has learned that none but his own mind can be trusted. A child who has been disillusioned with his own parents’ flaws. (He figures out it’s Raven because his own mother wouldn’t ever offer to make him a hot chocolate—let alone step foot in the kitchen.)

This is a child who feels isolated, neglected, and used to doing everything on his own. 

Due to his upbringing, Young Charles probably had manners drilled into him, but it is rote for him, and the relationships he forms are shallow because he doesn’t feel that anyone cares or will understand what he is. He is privileged, yes, but it is a cold, given fact, and would serve to separate him even more from his peers.

When he finds Raven, my god, how quickly he tries to keep her. It is a joyous, relieved declaration. “You’ll never have to go hungry again.” I’ll take care of you, so you will stay with me.

It’s interesting to explore a Charles that grew up without Raven. Even with her, he still had trouble attaching himself to other people. (“You’re my oldest friend.” “I’m your only friend.”)

Which is why when Charles meets Erik, it’s an immediate infatuation. Underneath Charles’ bravado, he is still the same little boy who thought that he was alone. Erik is the first mutant he has encountered with a power that parallels his. Raven may be his sister, but it is Erik who he sees as his equal.

My entry for the 2015 Sterek Haven Big Bang! Fic by the wonderful authorkurikuri!