#theyburn

[bravoactual]

Soap: carries around demolition equipment (even though he's a sniper) Ghost: *heart eyes*

[bravoactual]

TFW you're so damn devoted that when you and your unrequited love are reborn in an alternate timeline, your love is convinced you're soulmates

[bravoactual]

This is just a character analysis of Otter where I compare him to my Roach HC to see how they'd react to each other in my WIP. Also a bit on the Wyatt/Otter dynamic... spoiler... they're gay for each other. (1.1k) Minors DNI. 🙏

I'd already had Roach's backstory and personality mapped out before I read up on the MW19 characters. Otter's backstory was really similar. I think the key difference being Otter was orphaned at 3 whereas Roach was abandoned at birth. Otter met his developmental milestones and was supported by his single mum. I think Otter was an absolute terror as a toddler, already displaying oppositional defiant traits and destructive tendencies. (I think some of these were more genetic predispositions inherited by his john doe father.) But I think he loved his mum fiercely. A legitimate mummy's boy. When she died and he was orphaned, the traits that interfered with his social affect worsened. Especially his ability to attach to others.

Though, thanks to the stability and care from his mum, Otter is more personable, at least initially, and better than Roach at using tone/facial expressions. Even if Otter left a bad taste in people's mouths, he still had an easier time fitting in. Especially in the punk scene. He thrived there with a culture that actively encouraged misfits, though I think he gravitated toward the more extreme crowd (which were also the most accepting of him). Otter is a high, high risk for addiction, especially as a teen, but he lucked out with his peers being straight edge and subsequently himself as well.

Otter would've never joined the military, not only does he despise imperialism and Royalists, but the actual hierarchical structure triggers his oppositional defiance in every conceivable way. Thing is, he's quite smart and resourceful and surprisingly self-disciplined, so when he went viral for stopping the stabbing in London and was approached by the recruiters, he knew it'd be his best opportunity to keep his ass out of prison. So although he grinds his teeth at every aspect that involves subordination and protocol, he genuinely enjoys combat and, yes, killing people.

I think normally, as a civilian, Otter is extroverted, makes a good first impression and maintains acquaintanceship exclusively. If he used labels (which he doesn't) he'd be aromantic. His sexuality is 'yes'. He's different as a soldier. He's constantly agitated from keeping himself in check, too mentally exhausted to socialize because of it. And his piss poor mood just exasperates all the aspects of his personality people find unsettling. He's more of his usual self on deployments.

Price described Otter as ruthless, capable, overzealous and a loose cannon. Rank means absolutely nothing to Otter, which is why he's still a corporal. He doesn't want to be a leader or a follower. He doesn't respect anyone. The closest he gets to respect is grudging deference and that's only if he suspects (or experiences) being physically overpowered/bested by said person. That's where Price's comment about needing 'a firm hand' comes in.

Otter values strength, tenacity and cunning in that order. Enter Wyatt, who displays inordinate amounts of all three. Their friendship started like a horse(Otter) trying to shake off a horsefly(Wyatt). No matter how nasty Otter was to Wyatt, Wyatt thrived off the abuse. (Is Wyatt into degradation with a side of masochism? 100%, but being a cunt is also his love language). Eventually Wyatt's badgering led to them beating the shit out of each other. Wyatt won their brawl and after that, Otter accepted his fate and stopped resisting Wyatt's attention/company. Wyatt unexpectedly grew on him over the months they were deployed in Afghanistan together. (Must've been 6+ months at least, if Wyatt was able to get through to Otter enough for their friendship to be mutual.) Once the joint op ended, Otter had a harder time adjusting to the way his routine was before Wyatt, though he'd never admit that.

Wyatt tangent: Wyatt is possessive of Otter, which was his first cue that he likes Otter as more than a friend or fuck buddy. He knows Otter has 0% romantic feelings ever and wholly accepts that they'll only ever be platonic. They end up negotiating being exclusive sex partners, which sates Wyatt's possessiveness and Otter's desire to have Wyatt close by. Wyatt is literally the only person Otter loves (he won't admit that either, but Wyatt knows). Wyatt calls them bestfriends, Otter calls them nothing, but he thinks of Wyatt as his (life?) partner. Subject to change if Wyatt loses interest (Wyatt won't).

Enter Roach, an attention magnet with terrible social affect. Roach thinks Otter is feral, but Otter isn't sure what to think about Roach beyond that he's a bit odd. Everyone else knows how to handle Wyatt, but Roach just doesn't get it. Wyatt pushes social boundaries while Roach stumbles over them. Roach's temper makes everything worse and nothing gets Wyatt going like an overreaction. The way Roach acts like Wyatt is pulling his teeth reminds Otter of himself and Wyatt back in Afghanistan. He doesn't get jealous, but he thinks that Wyatt might finally move on. Otter has no idea what Wyatt's like when he's dating someone and he's worried that he'll be left behind and forgotten (cue abandonment issues). When Otter, Wyatt and Roach are deployed together, Roach's hostility peaks and Otter, even though the very thought annoys him, intervenes before Wyatt can send Roach over the edge. Or at least he tries to. Otter doesn't have 'delicate gloves' so to speak, he abhors every aspect of sensitivity and emotions. Otter grew up wary of 'owing favors', since that was often just a manipulation tactic in foster care and, of course, he has a hair trigger response on his crassness. Otter's intervention just makes everything worse (see, that's why he doesn't get involved!).

There's just no way Otter and Roach could get along normally, despite the fact that they have so much in common their values are way too different. Otter is happy exactly where he's at and wants to stay the same until he dies. Roach doesn't have that option, he's a bit obsessed with figuring out how to be a 'proper' human. Otter feels safe in his anger, whereas Roach is overwhelmed. Otter became selfish to survive and Roach became violent. Otter really doesn't experience empathy in his daily life (Wyatt is legitimately an outlier), but Roach does.

The only way for them to get along is with Wyatt's interference. First with Roach realizing that Wyatt is a genuinely caring person and Wyatt respecting Roach's boundaries. Then Wyatt oversharing Otter's past (even Wyatt only knows the bare basics). Once Roach understands he takes a complete 180 with his approach to Otter. It's slow going, but Otter feels comfortable around Roach. Even though he still thinks Roach is odd, he has plenty of strength, tenacity and cunning that Otter can't argue on.

End game, Roach becomes Otter's least hated colleague (Sorry Wyatt, but Otter's love is just as strong as his hate). Also, I just have to leave this here. I love it so much.

[bravoactual]

just one last little somethin somethin about my wip before i go sleep. (350 words) minors dni! tw for gore/wound mention

in the original draft for chapter 11, ghost treating soap's wounds from the explosion had waaaaay wayyy more sexual subtext. ghost was originally more emotional and i didn't understand as much about tactical combat casualty care. caring for wounds is so methodical and it really changed the tone of the scene, but appropriately. ghost is an sas operator, like of course he's afraid, but he leans into his fear.

about the subtext that remains. i already brought up poor touch starved könig connecting roach's gentle touch with the fact he's wounded. könig being touched by the source of his unrequited crush is a bit innocent and simple. cautious, newfound feelings. ghost's feelings for soap, which have been smoldering for a literal lifetime, are so emotionally complicated. love is precious to ghost, but its always been sautered to painful moments in his life. love is pain? not quite. more like, for ghost, love is salvation at the end of pain.

he operates in a reality where soap will never love him. it keeps ghost safe. he wouldn't be able to touch soap otherwise, for fear of ruining or breaking him. (yes its just trust issues all the way to the marrow of his bones.) ghost doesn't become bitter or resentful, his self-imposed rejection just feeds into his devotion. (this could turn bad so quick, but ghost, the lucky lad, checks every single one of soap's boxes.) its why he keeps his careful distance.

then comes the wounds. ghost destroys his careful distance to save soap. like, the first time ghost is inside soap is when he digs out shrapnel. and of course, soap is warm and wet and soft inside. the first time ghost makes soap moan is from mutilating him. if there was even a chance in ghost's reality that soap could ever love him, he wouldn't be able to do it. not so brutally.

[nickihiraoka]

Stop trying to outshine everyone. Instead, let’s learn to burn together like the true stars we all are. ✨ • Also, if you haven’t seen Encanto yet, go see it. The entire movie is beautiful, and it allows you to see so many different perspectives through each characters eyes. Plus, the music is BOOOOMB. 💕 • • • #wedonttalkaboutbruno #allofyou #encantoreference #starsdontshine #theyburn #disneysongs #onedayatatime #changeofperspective #buildtogether #familyovereverything #LMMisagenius #musicalmastermind https://www.instagram.com/p/CaLl2ngLHgl/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lilocharms]

Buahahahaha.... my eyes!!! #myeyes #theyburn

[cloverhearts]

Happy friends, happy life ⛷️ #mylegs #theyburn #skitrip (at Blue Mountain)

[vintgdays]

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Waking up after doing crazy choreography all night... #musicaltheatre #mylegs #ugh #theyburn