Tag: my sisters always said my head was full of dreams ( theodore headcanons )

Lieutenant Groves is so often seen as harmless that it is easy to forget precisely how a man achieves rank within the Navy. His charisma is disarming – there is a genuine desire to look after those around him, a startling ease with which he offers over the hand of friendship and companionship.

Nobody is too high above or too far below his station to earn a smile, an anecdote or even simply his time that perhaps, could be spent on other things. Groves makes certain that everyone he meets feel valued, and his seemingly unstoppable optimism can be as much a balm as an irritant depending on one’s point of view.

It is easy to forget that he is not a mere seaman, or man of lesser rank because he rarely seems to attend to these matters himself when all is calm. He is even known to go so far as to give someone a break and take their place in demanding physical labors if he notices them growing dangerously weary at the task.

While some have taken advantage of his kindness, he has never been embittered by it nor has he brought them to task; it was, after all, his choice to place good faith in them.

However. He is a lieutenant, and he came by that role honestly, through various means. While his  predominant skills lie in navigation and in the breadth of his understanding of naval procedures and operations ( not to mention his familiarity with the articles of war ) when it comes to combat he is remarkably fearless and deadly for a man so notably kind.

As a man who considers respect something to be earned rather than demanded, Groves tends to remain quite humble when not focused on action; however, for those new and confused as to how a man such as he could even survive the sea, let alone become lieutenant in the His Majesty’s Navy, the transformation that comes over Groves in the midst of battle conditions will doubtless clear the haze.

Theodore’s default mode to anything not pointing a gun or sword at him is Befriend. He is very literally That Romantic Sailor Trope – however, unlike 98% of sailors in his timeline, Theodore is actually a very accomplished swimmer and is not in the slightest bit afraid of the ocean or anything in it. ( He loves sharks. He would play with dolphins given half a chance to do so )  

He lives and thrives on the idea of adventure ( loyalty and duty to the crown are foreign concepts ; though he respects and understands them, he volunteered for the Navy not out of love for riches and England, but rather a thirst to sail and live excitingly )

Because of this he is not fettered or inhibited by things such as rank or dignity – if he likes someone, that is the end of it. He will not hesitate to offer to teach others how to swim if he notes or learns that they don’t know how — Theodore is practically someone born of our era in the fact he is quite ignorant of how few sailors actually know the fundamentals that could literally save their lives.

The most important thing to note about Theodore Groves though, is the charisma that all but seeps from his pores. He is endlessly optimistic, in ways that some may see as naive or even idiotic – but the way he is able to maintain cheer even when all hope seems lost is something that has a truly endearing quality about it. ( A prime example of this being his opinion of Norrington after he gave Beckett the heart of Davy Jones and the seas so swiftly fell under tyrannical law ; while many were horrified, Theodore saw the fantastical elements around them and was thrilled. What a time to be alive – what an adventure! The tides will shift – they always do, it is an inevitable fact of life – the question is what will cause that shift and will they be around to see it ? what comes after this ? )

He fundamentally lacks in fear because that which should be terrifying is viewed with wonder – that which is hopeless is seen as an opportunity for adventure, to strive for something better than what is, and to never settle with unhappiness. He has a pure and eager heart, and his ambitions lay no farther than to live a life that is never dull. A life that – when reviewed by others – can be testified as lived to it’s absolute fullest.

And though it is eagerness that is his ultimate downfall – the determination to conclude an adventure and strive on to the next leading to an untimely death – in that moment Theodore acknowledged that he had lived the life he wanted most of all – one in which he could die without any regrets.

While there was much more he would have liked to do – much more to see and discover ; to feel in both heart and body – when he died, he believed it was alright that he do so. And it is that sense of peace that drives him – that leaves him so fearless. Theodore knows death is always around the next corner – what matters is meeting it without sorrow. To live every moment as the last is the very embodiment of who he is and what he was, and that is why his canon goes unaltered.

( That is not to say the MUN is adverse to Theodore experiencing more and actually living to see 30, but it is good to understand the type of man he is, and the way he seeks to live )