#leo apologist

[kidrunaway]

I just got reminded of someone once saying that Leo's backstory isn't even that sad, and he has no reason to be the way he is. Quite literally a comment I once got on tiktok.

I hope you know that by saying Leo's backstory isn't even that sad, is so fucking invalidating. You're not only invalidating his trauma, but also billions of other people within the ACTUAL WORLD, who grew up without a father. Growing up without a father can be so hard, not only does it have an effect on your childhood and you, but also your mental state. So many things can change within you just by not having a father figure. We don't know what else happened within Leo's life, but I like to think that he got hooked on red ice AFTER meeting his dad.

I truly believe that some of you misunderstand him way too much. What he did to Markus was NOT justifiable. But I do think that it's explainable. (Before you guys think I'm shitting on Markus, I'm not, I love him so so so much he's my absolute fav character!!)

So yeah please give Leo a chance. In each ending we get, something clearly changes within Leo. Especially after you push him. I've noticed a lot of people missing his message and thinking Leo is dead LMAO???? No he isn't dead. He apologizes for his actions, says he's gonna stop with drugs because it turns him into somebody he hates, and says he's proud to be Carl's son. The fact that he's trying to get over his addiction because he knows he went too far is amazing.

I really do believe we have to start giving him a little bit more love. Again, his actions are not justifiable and what he did to Markus and his dad was fucked up. But we have to acknowledge his reasonings.

[leoalvarez-clowncarcommittee]

Ok I am going to write an actual FULL essay with sources and citations for my Leo-Apologist essay BUT I wanted to make a post going over my main points in the meantime. (The full essay with be sorted and cited like an actual essay lmao)

Leo in TJ's Route: during TJ's Route, the interference of Mirror Man prevents the Hysteria from taking place in 2015. Leo is completely and utterly normal in that route. He doesn't harass Chase, doesn't even call out of work, and asks Chase for another chance to reconnect, just the two of them another time. He isn't obsessive, controlling, or dangerous without the affect of the Hysteria.

Leo in Carl's Route: Leo is mostly absent in this route and we don't know how he reacts during the full on hysteria itself. However we do see him on Friday sit down and actually talk with Chase. The two talk for two hours and work out a lot of their issues, catch up, and even decide to try with the group activity on Saturday (which only goes into flames by Sydney some malevolent force holding Chase at the bottom of the lake, reigniting everyone's trauma in the most literal sense.) When Leo and Chase actually get to talk and discuss ANYTHING they work out a lot of their shit. It only takes them working together for even a second to start to move on.

Leo's intensity in Jenna and Flynn's Routes: Leo is far and away his "worse" in these two routes. With the incident at the family plex and barging into Flynn's house. Chases' text explain Leo's decision in Jenna's route to grope him, and their previous relationship dynamic made that a "normal" event. he probably should have asked, especially after the conversation outside the hotel, but it's within the realm of reason even before the supernatural. Leo's aggression in Flynn's route is much harder to justify, but Leo's previous relationship with Flynn and their problems could understandably set him on edge. If you talk to Leo during the route he also is able to move on and admit his mistakes and negative emotions which required banishing his Tulpa in Jenna's route to accomplish the same goal.

The Micha of it all: Seriously shut the fuck up lmfao. Micha was 14, and Leo 17. It's not fucking great, but they're both in highschool. They're gay and VERY stupid so like what fucking options did they have. Also Micha is almost the exact same age as Carl, and Carl and Chase are within the same school age group, so Micha and Chase are only off be a few months at most in age. The video taping isn't great but they didn't distribute it and THEYRE TEENAGERS AND STUPID. This is the Tumblr sjw/zoomer problematique-ization of everything argument and I don't listen to it because if you read the novel and remember the dates and ages and live in remotely the real world it's a moot point.