There is hope for us

It's true. Henry is both a victim and a predator. He basically became what was done to him. And that makes him such a complex character!!

It's always been understood that there was this strong connection with the SA/CSA, whether intented or not. And it's always been understood that this is precisely what Vecna's thing represents! And I'm the first to say that the way they showed Henry in season 5 (mr whatsit, the kids, etc.) was very disturbing. Because that's the feeling they wanted to give! Uncanny: something that looks okay (the colors, the food, the gifts) but isn't.

The thing that hasn't been understood by everyone yet, however, is the fact that Henry had been FLAYED since he was 7 years old. With calm moments (as shown in The First Shadow), yes, but the moment he starts feeling like he deserves it, he lets the monster take control.

Do you remember how he was like in the lab in the series? Calm, almost kind, HE WAS CRYING because he was being tortured with teasers, begging them to stop, he couldn't even look that pig Brenner in the face (also can we talk about how, especially in TFS, Brenner and Henry's relationship is full of csa allegory?) And do you remember what he's like as soon as Jane takes away his Soteria, that thing in his neck? COMPLETELY CHANGED! I've been saying since 4th season that this was like a way to keep the mind flayer out of his brain, to take away his powers and everything (it definitely wasn't a gesture of affection from Brenner, BUT it would have been useful in a normal situation!). It changes everything. The expressions, the voice, the smile. It's clear that it's not totally him.

It's true that everything Vecna did (which in the end is nothing but Henry's flayed form, the most monstrous part of the mind flayer invasion) did horrible things and certainly all SA related. But again, he was flayed.

As Will was when he went crazy and wanted to kill everyone and they had to tie him up.

As Billy was when he did those things to Heather and the others.

The infamous "stay very still, it will be over soon" thing is a classic reference to SA. I'm pretty sure that's something csa (or child abuse in general) related that the mind flayer used from Henry's mind (who was the one that shaped it and let it take control, so basically Henry's mind became his little puppet) from his lab times. Something that was told him and that turned into a double weapon. And making Henry the monstrous things he experienced.

"It was never you", as Will said. It was always the Mind Flayer.

Why is there all the house theme with Billy flayed, meeting Heather's mom and dad? I truly believe that's because the mf knew that Billy's relationship with girls could have been used.

I think it is the same thing for Henry.

Basically using his own traumas to make him the predator.

I love Will and Holly so much, they are basically my favourite characters, and everything that happened to them and others was SA related. But that goes for Henry too: he's a villain, but this needs to be acknowledged. It doesn't matter if you like him or not! ❤️

Today's the 22th of March... Here's some Creelby for the occasion, and a new tarot card!

Upright, on Patty's side: resilience, courage, persistance and test of fate.

Upside Down, on Henry's side: struggles, overwhelmed, and paranoia.

This is actually the third Stranger Things card I do!

Which begs the question...

🎥 (x) Panel clip:

JCB on Vecna's death:

Purple Rain

This sequence going to doomed Creelby has lived within my head ever since I learned about her.

Looking back, and they aren't following.

All there is, is a glimpse of a little boy who only wanted to be loved.

#this beautiful vampire is such a mood Jamie Campbell Bower for Rolling Stone UK

As I mentioned before, Patty is a flowers girl, not really chocolates. Henry knows to show up to her house with a bouquet on Valentine’s. The only chocolates Patty likes are Cella’s.

Patty is more gifts oriented while Henry is more activity oriented. Patty gets Henry a special edition of a Captain Midnight comic and board games/brain teasers while Henry plans outings such as painting pottery and playing games at the arcade. They do swap dynamics though, Henry gets her a beautiful locket one year and Patty gets him tickets to see a play in Chicago.

Henry and Patty have very different tastes when it comes to food, but that’s okay because that’s what take out is for 💗 They’ll grab their separate foods and go to the drive-in movie and enjoy it either way.

I mentioned this one before too, but Patty is leaving a million red lipstick kisses all over Henry like:

Henry isn’t afraid to kiss Patty either though. All over her face and cheeks, her hands and arms. He loves his girl.

I think they’d love to go dancing (of course only after Patty actually teaches Henry how).

I think when the proposal finally happened both Patty and Henry were at their tipping point (Patty was getting fed up waiting for him to propose and was about ready to do it herself, Henry was too nervous and couldn’t find the right moment, they’d both been waiting for MONTHS).

They had a spring wedding and here’s what I think they could have worn:

— These are personal headcanons of mine on how I would interpret Henry if he were to be free from the mind flayer :)

⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔

• First off, Eleven would be the one to redeem Henry. not Will.

• Kali would also take a role in freeing him from the mind flayer, but it’s mostly Eleven.

• Henry would fall into a coma for a while after being released from his Vecna form.

• When he wakes up, he no longer has his abilities since they originally came from the mind flayer, to which he’s salty about since Henry likes feeling powerful.

• Very physically weak. probably struggles to do basic things like eating, walking, and sleeping.

• Like, I’m talking insanely weak. can barely walk, is always in chronic pain, and even throws up after he eats :(

• He suffers from frequent nightmares, so he’s extremely insomniac.

• He also gets overstimulated easily.

• Definitely suffers from severe depression, PTSD and social anxiety.

• Henry’s hatred for humanity and his twisted worldview remains, but without the genocidal part.

• Is INCREDIBLY stubborn at first. He’s overwhelmed with hatred and has trust issues and a shit-load of trauma. so obviously, he’s going to be avoidant and cold.

• In the beginning, Henry would push everyone away. denying any form of help until El and Kali finally make him see the light. (Joyce as well since they knew each other in high school.)

• It’s only after a whole year that Henry begins to finally accept the help and love that’s being offered to him. love is such a foreign concept to him.

• Very, very, VERY affection/touch starved without realizing it

• Like when El hugs him, he starts to cry.

• Doesn’t like anyone else touching him, though.

• Speaks in a very alienated and articulated way.

• Still gives evil speeches on how much he hates society (but without the urge to murder everyone anymore)

• Henry honestly still struggles with the darkness inside of him and has intrusive thoughts about hurting others due to his trauma.

• Lowkey a Will Byers hater. keep them away from each other.

• Has MAJORRRR mommy issues (this is just canon)

• Joyce high-key triggers those mommy issues.

• Henry is only close with El, Kali, and Joyce.

• Realistically, the others are still skeptical of him because he committed horrible acts at the end of the day. (actions he did himself that weren’t influenced by the mind flayer)

• When El tells Henry about Angela, he praises her for bashing her nose with the roller skate.

• Henry enjoys drawing and painting.

• He most likely vents through his artwork. drawing morbid pictures of his experience with the mind flayer, hawkins lab, and his abusive parents when he was little, along with his hatred for the world.

• Kali understands Henry the best regarding his worldviews since she was in the same boat as him since they were both individuals who took out their anger on the world because of the hatred they had towards people back then.

• Loves visiting insectariums

• Can’t drive for shit LMAO

• Doesn’t understand D&D

• He thinks it’s stupid

• Naturally likes the cold weather now and can’t get used to the hot weather.

• Acts somewhat childish since the mind flayer took hold of him at such a young age.

• Doesn’t want to be employed due to his social anxiety

• CANNOT attend any doctor’s appointment for the life of him.

• It reminds him of the lab.

• Oddly enough, he doesn’t have a phobia of needles, since they’ve been punctured in him throughout his entire life. he would probably get flashbacks, though.

• Has beef with Hopper because he’s jealous of him since Hopper was the one who got to raise El.

• Most likely would need to attend therapy regarding his mental health. he can’t bring up his supernatural past though.

• Henry is extremely awkward when it comes to comforting others despite being insanely emotionally intelligent. even though he worked as an orderly where he was surrounded by children and trained to comfort others, that comfort was never genuine, so he honestly just has no clue on how to be normal.

• But all the things he struggles with in life eventually gets better, and he improves each and every single day!

• Henry debates on whether or not to go and visit his father, Victor Creel, in the psychiatric hospital, but it wouldn’t be good for either of them since Victor is basically insane now.

• Henry definitely asked Joyce about Patty and was disappointed to find out that Joyce has no contact with her whatsoever.

• Sadly, Henry will probably never fully recover since the trauma he experienced may have permanently altered the way he operates as a human being. however, having people who actually care for him and be present in his life makes it better, and he eventually mends himself back to health, finds better coping mechanisms, surrounds himself with outcasts who understand him, accept him, and most importantly give him the love he deserves so that he can live out the life he’s always dreamed of.

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