Quotes / Living Emotional Crutch

Anime & Manga

"Two people so at odds with each other but so dependent (or afraid that the alternative will be worse). For her part, Asuka's mental state is as much a wreck as her professional life. It can be that Asuka deep down is waiting for Shinji to man up and straighten her out…"

— Grummancat explaining why neither Shinji nor Asuka would think of breaking up when their relationship was going through a very tough patch, Evangelion 303

Yeah. And, she might be there. The most important person in the world to me who I can't let die.

— Conan talking about Ran to Takagi, Case Closed

Throughout that mission, Naruto realized that Hinata's being was irreplaceable and essential to him.

— Sakura, Sakura Hiden: Thoughts of Love, Riding Upon a Spring Breeze

I can't afford to lose you.

— Roy to Riza, Fullmetal Alchemist

There's no meaning in a life without Kaname.

—Sousuke Sagara, Full Metal Panic!

I never mentioned this before, but I used to hate it when morning came. So I'd stay up late and play games. Even now I occasionally recall those unpleasant memories. But I'm no longer afraid of the morning. Probably because you... (Beat)... Ah, hurry up. It would be great if this night ended soon...

— Nanami to a sleeping Kaoru, Real Mo Tamani Wa Uso Wo Tsuku

Fiore: Now die. (prepares to stab Usagi)
Minako: NO! Please don't... please don't take Usagi away from us we need her!
Makoto: She means a lot to us, and we can't live without her!
Ami: She gave us something truly precious, something that is irreplaceable.
Fiore: What is this? She's just a liar, she doesn't give, she only takes!
Rei: You still don't understand, if each one of us hadn't met Usagi... we'd still all be alone!

— Sailor Moon R: The Movie

Comic Books

Guy: Come on, babe. Give me a shot. I need this— out there... It's no easy. I need a reason to keep it together.
Tora: Guy, you have your good qualities. But you must see why the idea of being your sole link to sanity is less than appealing to me. The weight of that — we'd never get out from under it.

— Red Daughter of Krypton

Fan Works

Icy regret clutches your innards. “Oh, fuck, oh, man, your moirail’s taken up the paint.”
“No! No, don’t you—she ain’t—you can’t think that, you can’t, she ain’t. No!” He fucking jitters in place, his hands going everywhere—down to his flicknife—and you’ve almost got your sickle out before he realizes what he’s doing and holds his hands out to you, desperate and bare and finger-splayed, and you relax minutely.
“She’s not,” he says, barely a plead. “You got nothin' on her, she’s a good girl. I keep her clean.”
And this, then, is the problem of Eridan Ampora: arch-agent, dumbass, smart as a steel trap and thick as a fucking brick. His moirail’s the only thing that keeps him going and she’s a complete mystery that no one’s ever fucking seen.

— Lost Teeth Like White Jewels

Maya paused, taking a breath to remember what Sempai had told her regarding Shinji and Asuka. She had told Maya those too had developed a codependent relationship, they could not function correctly around each other or anyone else for that matter, they were simply too alien to the entire human experience, too deeply hurt to risk getting close to anyone, but due to the vast amount of traumatizing experiences they had both suffered together, neither Shinji nor Asuka would even think of leaving, since they believed nobody else would ever be able to understand their pain. To be without the other, it was beyond unthinkable in their minds, even when they were not consciously aware of it. Asuka had managed to put up a good show during the incident of the 14th, but almost everyone who had in any way interacted with the volatile redhead through that period clearly noticed she was affected.

— Scar Tissue

Your brother denied me Shinji, the first person who understood me, the first person who knew how to take the pain away simply by being!

— Asuka Langley Sohryu, Thousand Shinji

"I think I can keep being the Supergirl that everybody believes in, the one that inspires people, but only if I have somebody I can show the real me to. Somebody I can talk to, and tell about the times when I was really tempted to do something cruel or selfish, without horrifying him, [...] You've seen the worst parts of me. You've seen me at my nastiest, and you've seen me as a broken mess. And you're still here, practically bending over backwards to help me through a rough time. Still caring about me. So, I'd like that person to be you, if you think you can stand it."

— Asuka to Shinji, Superwomen of Eva 2: Lone Heir of Krypton

After a minute or so passed, we stepped out of the hug. I chuckled a little as I wiped away my tears. Finally, after everything that had happened, I had found someone that I could lean on, someone I knew that had my back and a small smile came to me. I drank in her appearance, glad to see her familiar form once more.
I hadn’t found Mom, Dad, or Anne. They weren’t even in the same city anymore, let alone the same state. I had thought I would have been all alone here, with no one familiar to reach out to, that I’d be stuck by myself with whoever or whatever I was now.
But, just when I had been ready to give up any hope, just when I was resigned to being alone, I had found Taylor. She had always been dependable like that.

— Quicken

Asuka was the strongest person he knew, maybe that had ever or would ever know. In a sense she was his example of what it was to be strong, the foundation of his own strength. He would stand as long as Asuka stood with him. But if she collapsed he wouldn't be able to keep himself together.

— Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genocide

"A big part of the reason Shinji and Asuka can function is because they can recharge their batteries, so to speak, with one another when they're not working. They can make it through the day, come home all stressed out, and then lean on one another to make it through step by step."

— Ghosts of Evangelion

I exist, live, breathe for my Charge. Princess Zelda of Hyrule is the reason I walk the earth and the reason my eyes open every day. She is the blood in my veins and the heart in my chest. She comes before family, before the country, before any and everything else. Some would say they would die for those in their care...but would they live for them? Would you endure the worst torture, the horrors of darkness and pain beyond agony to protect someone? I would.
She is all that I know and ever will know; I will protect her with everything I am and shall be, even when she does not wish me to. I am a Guardian and that is my duty...but also my passion. She is my daughter and sister, my friend and partner. You may misunderstand my words, for what a Guardian and Charge are to each other goes beyond what I can speak...but know this: No matter the circumstance, she ALWAYS comes first. I will never know anything else.

—Impa, Their Bond

'A Source, like Wilbur, will often find itself lost. Wandering a haze of memories, unsure of itself and its purpose before something comes along and guides it. A Source, however, can become aware whenever their task is finally chosen for them – And something called an Anchor shows up in their life.'.
'An Anchor is a person the source loves and cares about that keeps them grounded to their reality. Kristen was a Source – And I was her Anchor. For the longest time, we all thought one of us will be Wilbur's – Someone from our family. But it was only in this world he became so dazed and unaware, and it was only then that he met Sally. She anchored him to reality, and then... She left him. And he finally got ready to carry out his task.'.

—Phil, Between Dreams and Memories Universe

Shinji tried to be a good person when he could. His past life had been convenient. He had placed his hopes in Asuka, put the blame on Misato, and taken comfort in Hikari. But he could no longer live that way. His conscious wouldn't let him. Instead he tried to care of his friends. He did nice things for Misato when he could. He realized that whatever he felt for Asuka, it didn't have to eclipse everything in his life. Putting all his hopes and dreams onto one person wasn't fair. It wasn't healthy, kind, or safe.

— When She Smiles (Fresh C)

Films — Animation

Dory: No. No, you can't… STOP. Please don't go away. Please? No one's ever stuck with me for so long before. And if you leave… if you leave… I just, I remember things better with you. I do, look. P. Sherman, forty-two… forty-two… I remember it, I do. It's there, I know it is, because when I look at you, I can feel it. And– and I look at you, and I… and I'm home. Please… I don't want that to go away. I don't want to forget.

Marlin: I'm sorry, Dory. But I… do.

— Finding Nemo

Bo: Nobody wants this!
Woody: I do!
Bo: Why?
Woody: Because!
Bo: Why?!
Woody: Just because!
Bo: Why?!
Woody: Because it's all I have left to do! ...I don't have anything else.
Bo: So, the rest of us don't count?
Woody: That's... That's not what I meant. Bonnie needs Forky.
Bo: No. You need Bonnie. Open your eyes, Woody. There's plenty of kids out there. It can't be just about the one you're still clinging to!
Woody: It's called loyalty. Something a lost toy wouldn't understand.
Bo: ...I'm not the one who's lost.

—Toy Story 4

Films — Live-Action

Everytime he [Spock] goes into a negative place, or he starts being a little bit of a pessimist, he allows Uhura and Kirk to snap him out of it. And I really like that.

— Zoe Saldaña on Spock's relationships with Kirk and Uhura, For the Love of Spock

Things are different now. I have to protect the one thing I can't live without. That's you.

— Tony to Pepper, Iron Man 3

Please... just help me save Padmé's life. I can't live without her.

— Anakin to Palpatine, Revenge of the Sith

Literature

Only with Maya can I really be myself. We share the burden together and she is always on my side, by my side. I don’t want to need her, to depend on her, but I do, I really do.

— Lochan Whitely, Forbidden

The last good time always comes, and when you see the darkness coming toward you, you hold on to what was bright and good. You hold on for dear life.

— Joy Land (2013)

Live-Action TV

Sharon: Look, I'm startin' to get worried about you, y'know. This Gerald is controllin your mind, and if you didn't fancy him so much, you might be able to see it!
Dorien: Sharon's right. You see Gerald as a crutch.
Tracey: Don't be so disgustin'!
Dorien:' I'm talking about a psychological crutch. Someone to lean on.

— Birds of a Feather, "Trust"

"You were right. Sometimes I need someone."

— The Doctor to Donna Noble, Doctor Who, "The Fires of Pompeii"

You take care of me, Simon. You've always taken care of me. My turn.

— River Tam, Firefly

You know Sam and Dean Winchester are psychotically, irrationally, neurotically co-dependent on each other, right?

— Zachariah, Supernatural

Music

I miss you so much, a self-inflicted coma.

— Hawthorne Heights, "Decembers"

Crashin', hit a wall. Right now, I need a miracle.
Hurry up now, I need a miracle.
Stranded, reaching out. I call your name, but you're not around.
I say your name, but you're not around.

— The Chainsmokers, "Don't Let Me Down" feat. Daya

And in the middle of the flood I felt my worth
When you held onto me like I was your little life raft
Please know that you were mine as well…

— Snow Patrol, "The Lightning Strike"

I lose my mind which I can’t find
Cos I don’t know it’s missing at all
Won’t you hold my hand and don’t let go
Or I will fall down through the clouds
Over the waterfall…

— Emily Maguire, "Over The Waterfall"

'Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need
(...)
If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?

— "Clarity", by Zedd

You make me happy when skies are grey.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.

Please don’t take my sunshine away...

— Pine Ridge Boys, "You Are My Sunshine"

Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself
When nobody else can help
Because you live girl
My world
Has twice as many stars in the sky

— Jesse Mc Cartney, "Because You Live"

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away

— Johnny Cash, "You Are My Sunshine"

Sin City's cold and empty, no one's around to judge me
I can't see clearly when you're gone
I said, ooh, I'm blinded by the light
No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch
I said, ooh, I'm drowning in the night
Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I trust

— The Weeknd, "Blinding Lights"

I'm ready to hope, swing me out of the low
Wide awake in the glow, can't do it alone
I'm ready to fly, uncover the light
Impossible heights...

— Oh Wonder, "White Blood"

It should've been me
I think I need you to survive
So now it's your responsibility to make me stay alive

— RI Producer, "It Should've Been Me"

Theatre

Why, then, we kill all our women. We see how mortal an unkindness is to them. If they suffer our departure, death’s the word.

— Enobarbus, Antony and Cleopatra

Video Games

Shepard, our immovable center. A place for a person to stop and catch her breath.

— Dr. Chakwas, Mass Effect 2

Houy: You're not leaving me, are you, big sister?
Moutemouia: I will never leave you, my love. Never.
Houy: Promise?
Moutemouia: I swear on my own children, little brother. I swear on all the stars in the sky, on all the grains of sand in the desert.
Houy: ...Okay, then.
Moutemouia: (Privately, to the player) ...And sadness for my little brother. He never knew anything but this half-life, and now even that is being stolen away from him. We are all that he has. If it weren't for him, I would just let go: I would let the deep voices in and allow them to still my song. I would rest. I would sleep... But I would miss him too much.

— The Secret World

Faerghus destroyed my homeland. Burned it all to the ground. Slaughterd my people. My father, my mother, my sibling, all were killed. We recieved no aid. No respite. Faerghus murdered our dignity and torched our pride. His Highness is different. He is the only one who sees my people as human. He risked his life to save mine. And it is thanks to him that I no longer wish for death.

— Dedue Molinaro to Felix Hugo Fraldarius, Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Visual Novels

If I had not met Saya—if I had been all alone in this twisted, filth-ridden world—I would no doubt have succumbed to madness. It is no exaggeration to say that Saya alone is keeping me alive.

—Fuminori Sakisaka, The Song of Saya

Web Animation

Well, I realized that if you die… My life is meaningless.

— Eggman, Sonic for Hire

I had one thing and you've taken it from me
A single light, a single friend, but you've made that end
There was one thing to help me escape the misery
And now it's all disarrayed
You took my whole life away
You sent me back to nothing
Now you'll pay

— Neo's Image Song "One Thing", RWBY

Web Video

"But like, a part of me feels bad for her. I mean, she just, she was obsessed. You know, this is like some real life stuff. Sometimes, you get in this weird situation: you with somebody that's like, they're completely like: 'Yo, I need you.' and then you probably like: 'Yo, I don't even want to really be with you no more.' but don't really have the heart like Mark to be like: 'Nah, like I can't do it.' just cause like you don't want to hurt them. Like you still have love for them, you don't wanna hurt them but like, emotionally you're checked out. That's just what it is. Really, you only got one choice: honesty is the best policy. You try to sugarcoat things, you try to- (sighs) They just gotta hear that cold hard truth sometimes. And then they persist, you get the law involved."

—CoryxKenshin, Crimson Snow playthrough

"This woman is pitiful. She knows it's over, but she'll just do anything. She just wants him back, and the whole song is about wanting lies, sweet little lies, if that's what it takes to hear what she wants to hear. It's kinda sickening, really. But, love is inherently humiliating, isn't it? And everyone still chases after it for that sugar rush of endorphins, which is basically the song. You get where she's coming from. They really make the best case for co-dependence. If anything, Nina Persson makes it seductive, even. I mean, who could say no? Well, you really want me back, you'll do anything, I don't have to stick around, I don't even have to try to make it plausible? I'm just saying, it'd take a strong man. To be clear, doing so would definitely make you the bad guy. You would absolutely be taking advantage of this sad wreck of a woman. Shame on you. And even just on a self-interest level, it'd be dumb. Like, any woman with this little self-esteem would be a clingy disaster in real life."

— Todd in the Shadows, One Hit Wonderland review of The Cardigans' 'Lovefool'

Western Animation

She only started to believe in herself through Rose’s eyes. If this theory is right, she only began to believe that was capable of agency and nobility and autonomy because Rose believed it of her. (...) While Pearl’s relationship with Rose is still deeply, crucially important to her, it’s no longer the sum of her self-belief. Rose helped her get from a point of nonindividuality ("a pearl") to a point of love-based dependent individuality ("my pearl"), but her story didn’t stop there.

— Fan analysis of Pearl

"No matter how hard I try to be strong like you, I'm just a Pearl! I'm useless on my own! I need someone to tell me what to do! When we fuse, I can feel what it's like to be you; confident, and secure, and complete. You're perfect. You're the perfect relationship. You're always together. I just...I wanted to be a part of that."

— Pearl to Garnet, Steven Universe, "Friend Ship"

Elderly Woman: She [Lisa] said you were traveling.

Dracula: I was. The way men do. Slowly. No more.

— Castlevania (2017), "Witchbottle"

Other

To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.

— Dr. Seuss

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