#Epic song choice Darling

[undead-merman]

You don’t have to write anything about this if you don’t want to but I can totally imagine siren Satan finding a way/trying to find a way to make his darling a siren to complete his “fairytale”

I included a Mer option as well. Warning contains death

Siren Satan’s Fairytale Ending with GN-reader SFW

His dream

It’s something he refuses to admit, sometimes even to himself. It’s embarrassing and childish, but he can’t stop thinking about it. A future he craves.

He'd always wanted to leave the sea and explore the world humans describe, with its sprawling mountains, ever-expanding deserts, vast forests, and swamps, all while meeting someone he thought was his true love. Romantic quests to find and settle down in the perfect home.

But when you come into his life, you turn everything on its head. He always thought he’d be a lone creature, just as all sirens are, but unlike his nature, he finds he loves your company. How did he live before without you? You bring so much joy and warmth to his life. 

Now his dreams have changed. He loves this life with you. How excited he is to show you the world of the seas. Giant shipwrecks, sunken cities, mer cities, great kelp forests, colorful reefs, everything he can. But he can't. Forbidden lovers from land and from the sea. 

So he wants to turn you. A mer would be nice. They'd suit you and your colorful personality. There are methods to turn you to one, but they are difficult to obtain. 

It's easier to turn you into a siren, but it's not pleasant at all. It's painful and he has to do some terrible things. He's hurt you enough. 

Plans in motion

At some point, he just asks you It's best to be direct with your partner. He explains his reasoning but not the embarrassing reason behind it. 

What would you prefer to be? He warns you of each. He doesn’t want to make that choice for you. You’ll be in that form for the rest of your existence. Take your time, decide. It’s a hard decision to make. But you're going to choose. There’s no staying human. The thought of you being able to leave him is sickening, so you’ll turn one way or another. 

No matter what you pick, he’s happy and constantly offers you comfort. He knows the change is going to be hard, it’s going to be scary, but he’ll be there. He’ll hold you and love you when you need it.  

The change

Going the siren route is scary. Having to suffer a watery death. Satan makes it as painless and as quick as possible, holding you close and kissing you as your last breath leaves you. It really hurts him. This moment would be burned in his head. Forever haunting him. But the way your body shifts before his eyes is awe-inspiring. You look so enchanting hauntingly beautiful, an experience that will always be at the forefront of his mind. He could see it as if it were burned into the back of his eyelids.

You don’t wake up instantly after. You sleep for a while. A terrible and lonely wait for him as you lay there like the ‘sleeping beauty’ from some of his books. The silence that permeates his home seems much more deafening than before he met you. Was silence always this loud? 

He’ll wait by your side until you wake up, rarely leaving for food. To cover the silence, he reads to you. Reading the epics and stories you both enjoyed, smiling when your favorite character’s lines came up. He even sang to fill the silence. A song of woe and longing of bitter love and hope for you to return to him quickly. 

If you choose the mer option, he agrees it's best for you. A colorful, honest mer suits you just fine. 

It takes a very long time for him to find what he needs. He might have to travel to find it. But he takes it as a chance to do some adventuring with you. He'll help you build a craft so you can have the supplies you need. He enjoys the trip; it’s thrilling to watch your face light up as he helps push the small raft. 

Once you find what you need, Satan insists that you wait until you get home. Satan appears to be even more excited on the way home. He hums to himself and just has a grin stuck to his face. He’s so excited that he doesn’t even retain his glamor. 

Once you're home, he sets it up so you're comfortable. It won’t take long from what Satan tells you. You’ll black out for a bit, but you’ll be up in no time. 

Seeing your scales fill in and your fins grow out is enchanting. It makes his heart race as he sees what color you take on, your features shifting. He feels so proud that you look just as perfect as he imagined. 

Either way, he’s prepared for his new life with you and, whatever you need to adjust to, he’s there for you every step of the way. He loves you, he finally has his future right in front of him. 

#obey me #obey me satan #obey me monster headcanons #satan x reader #siren satan #tw death #yandere satan #yandere

[infifashion]

Valentine's Day Movies

Step into our snug enclave of romantic cinema with 25 Essential Valentine’s Day Movies. As Cupid prepares his bow, we’ve curated a selection of films that celebrate love in its diverse and delightful forms. Get ready to chuckle, sigh, and perhaps shed a tear as we traverse tales of heartwarming connections and amorous adventures. Perfect for a cozy evening in with your nearest and dearest, these Valentine’s Day movies offer a comforting embrace for the soul. So, settle in and let the enchanting world of romantic cinema envelop you!

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge This enduringly beloved romantic Valentine’s Day movie, directed by Aditya Chopra and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, remains etched in hearts worldwide. Set amidst the picturesque backdrop of Europe, the film follows the journey of two young lovers who find each other amidst family ties and tradition. With its memorable songs and iconic performances, it's a tale of love that endures through time.

Memorable Moment The film's legendary scene, where Raj tests Simran's affection with the iconic "Palat" gesture, has become immortalized in cinematic history.

Jab We Met A darling of Valentine’s Day movies, this delightful tale revolves around two contrasting souls who cross paths during a train journey. Aditya, a melancholic businessman, finds himself captivated by Geet, a spirited and talkative young woman. Their ensuing road trip leads to unexpected discoveries, blending romance, humor, and self-realization into a cherished gem of Indian cinema. Coupled with its popular soundtrack, it's quintessential Imtiaz Ali magic.

Memorable Moment Geet’s declaration, “Main apni favorite hoon” ("I'm my favorite"), remains a cherished line, showcasing her delightful self-assuredness.

Titanic The epic romance of 1997 chronicles the ill-fated voyage of the RMS Titanic, where love blooms amidst tragedy and social divides. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film's grandeur, tragic romance, and historical accuracy captivate audiences, earning it a top spot among Valentine’s Day movies.

Memorable Moment As Rose seeks solace on the ship's edge, Jack joins her, their intimate connection symbolizing freedom and defiance of societal constraints.

Aashiqui Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, this romantic drama resonates for its evocative music and poignant narrative. It follows a young singer's struggle for recognition in the music industry, intertwined with rekindling love with his former girlfriend, an orphan. Their journey explores the trials of young love and the sacrifices demanded by dreams and affection.

Memorable Moment The tender jacket scene, where Rahul shields Anu from the cold, remains a timeless expression of care and affection.

The Fault In Our Stars This poignant love story traces the journey of two teenagers finding love amidst the challenges of illness and mortality. With its emotional depth and powerful performances, it's a poignant choice for a Valentine’s Day movie night, offering moments of both sorrow and joy.

Memorable Moment Hazel Grace Lancaster's heartfelt line, “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once,” encapsulates the tender essence of their romance.

#Valentine's Day Movies

[blondrichclosetwitch]

You met a young man who was a wild child who harmonized his keys in his droning mind

And turns the page in a future age

Some trees will bend and some will fall but then again so will us all

Her ancient eyes were upon me

She had found me at last

Well I started to scold her aw she just started to laugh

She loves him, but just for a short while

Keeps all your dead hair.

“There is nothing we cannot fix” I said.

Now it's me who has to pay

Spin in the garden, in roses not red

And you’ll wear your makeup and I’ll hide my mess

But for you, friend of Joy.

“So please stop asking what it's got to do with you.”

“I'm not waking up tomorrow morning and finding that there's nobody there.”

“You’ll have to excuse me for being blunt speaking and Frank talking. we don’t care who likes this or not, as long as we know this is the truth. a lot of what I say might sound bitter but it’s the truth. it might sound like I’m stirring up trouble but it’s the truth. much of it might sound like it’s hate.

If you’re afraid to tell the truth then you don’t even deserve freedom.

He don’t like the truth when you know the truth about him. When you know the truth about how he got the way he is. All you need is the truth. They can’t put you in jail for telling the truth. “

Love you so much it makes me sick

You know so much, it’s making you cry. You refuse to talk, but you think like mad. Oh what have you done?

Everyone thinks I'm a liar. What do we do?

This is a time for action because the future is in reach* (there’s a bunch in that song but Stella’s choice)

I really love the things that you do

Oh, you’re my best friend

Starlight darling falls down like the weight of a stone (speaking of I found out yesterday my meniscus is torn from that fall on the roof)

Stella was born on an 8 & died on an 8. It’s considered a complete cycle.

“Can you believe that? Sick. Holding on to his picture. Dressing up every day.”

Why did she do it? Was she scared? Was she bored?

Call me a prophet if you want

Tryin to seem sane makes you seem so strange

14 miles on the Tanton trail

I know what no one else knows

A young girl’s dreams no longer hollow

Blues for D

And it's crazy to think that I could be reborn

And I knew how you took your coffee which I might have prepared for PJ

Four

Took those yesterday

Though Stella says four was Maggie’s brainchild

She said as of today (those were new yesterday) the count was 804.

Now mind you I’m a little more grounded now…but picture if you will…

It’s2019. You’re paranoid and freaked out at realizing that this chick has the power to psychically lead you around. Oh, the text messages to my shrink were epic a l’époque.

And then graffiti that only you understand starts to show. And then the word FOUR with an eye in the middle starts popping up everywhere, after you pointed out that you & Jakk are both 4, the path of service.

Do you think that maybe that might be psychologically damaging?

Kinda gives “Sinister Purpose” new meaning.

#today is a 10/1

[write-it-motherfuckers]

🖤~Song Of The Day~🖤

The song of the day is:  The Soldier -by- Lacey Sturm

Suggested by @ahumanbeing0331

The challenge is to write something based off of this song, be it the name, the lyrics, or the tune itself. Let your imagination go wild and see where the music takes you.

Have at it Darlings!

#write-it-motherfuckers #writing prompt #writing prompts #writing #prompt #story prompt #story prompts #story #prompts #story time motherfucker #song of the day #Epic song choice Darling #I love it #Thank you for introducing me to it

[witchersgoldenbard]

Do you have any geraskier fic recs for the weird slump that happens when you’re anxious about the semester, but that surfaces as deciding you’re a fucked up weirdo and then crawling into bed and hating yourself? Bc that is where I am 🥺 I’m in the US so the semester starts next week for me, and I am barely functional

hello my darling nonnie, i am sorry you’re in a slump, please know i am sending you all the hugs and cuddles 🥺💛 you’re not a fucked up weirdo, you’re lovely and deserve all the snuggles! In lieu of snuggles, i’m giving you some of my personal favourite geraskier fics – which are not nearly as many as i would like because i spent a long time in a (reading) slump myself. i tried to sort them for you becuase they got... a bit out of hand 💛

Canon-world AUs

of music and motion and love by WriteThroughTheNight

T | 12k | Jaskier and Yen are siblings, many feels, magic jaskier

When Jaskier was four, he slipped his mother’s watch and went to the field to gather a bouquet of dandelions. He climbed back into the yard, as stealthy as a child really cared to be, and crept over to the barn. In the barn, lived a secret. OR Jaskier comes from a far humbler background, and would really like to know why Yennefer never came back for her youngest brother.

the heart is a winged beast by @greyduckgreygoose

E | 99k words | warlord!geralt, mutual pining, intrigue

After the turmoil of war robbed him of his birthright, Jaskier endures life as a simple Bard in the court of Kerack, under the protection of his cruel, ambitious cousin. Until the night that Jaskier catches the attention of the Geralt of Rivia, Lord of the Clan of the Wolf, and is terrified to be gifted to the barbarian mercenary as a bed-warmer. However, Jaskier soon learns that the White Wolf is not the man his dark reputation makes him out to be. He might, in fact, be Jaskier's only hope of escaping his harsh circumstances. If only Jaskier can convince Geralt to allow him to remain at his side... if only Jaskier can avoid losing his own heart in the process...

Geralt Deserves Soft Things (series) by Bedalk05

mostly T | 200k words | wolf shifter jask, soft boys, all the feels

This series is almost entirely pure fluff, featuring shifter!Jaskier and a whole lotta cuddles and feels all around. Most of these can be read as a stand-alone if you’d like.

(i honestly love this so much, some of the first geraskier i read. perfect comfort 💛)

Modern AUs

Yours, Dandelion by dapperyklutz

T | 17k words | teenagers, soft boys, all the feels, pining

Jaskier has a secret. Well, he has two. The first is that he's in love with Geralt Rivia, captain of the rugby team and his childhood best friend. Only, they're no longer best friends. His second secret is that he writes poems dedicated to Geralt and anonymously posts it at the school's Freedom Wall under the pseudonym of Dandelion. And the thing is, Dandelion has become so popular - more popular than Jaskier - that it's getting more difficult to keep his silence when it's clear that Geralt is starting to develop feelings for the mysterious lovesick poet. How naïve was Jaskier to think that it would be so easy.

velvet and steel by balladofwolves

E | 21k words | mob!au, singer!jask, slow burn, action, epic

Reckless up-and-coming singer Jaskier lands himself in hot water when one of his more political songs goes viral, and nearly gets him killed. Queen Calanthe of Cintra wants his head, but Jaskier is placed under the protection of the Order of the Wolf, the most powerful crime organization in the Continent-- And finds himself falling in love with none other than Geralt of Rivia, the White Wolf himself, and leader of the Order. Jaskier’s never been known to make good, or safe, choices.

Opposites Attract by tinyjaskier

T | 28k words | autistic geralt, adhd jaskier, college au, softness

When Geralt is paired with Jaskier by the University accommodation team, he’s sure there must’ve been some kind of mistake. The guy is loud, unorganised and messy. Geralt likes peace, order and cleanliness. He’s going to drive him absolutely insane. But, there’s no more accommodation left. How will they cope?

Soulmate AUs

Nothing to Lose But My Secrets by @handwrittenhello

E | 45k words | enemies to lovers, warlord!geralt and assassin!jaskier

Jaskier is the best assassin in the Northern Kingdoms. On the most important mission of his life - kill the Warlord of the North or die trying - things go terribly wrong, and he's taken prisoner. During his time as a captive in Kaer Morhen, he's forced to confront some uncomfortable truths: witchers aren't what the stories say, his soulmate is most definitely somewhere in the keep and he may have found himself on the wrong side of this war.

Batshit by fungumunguss

E | 80k words (though the main storyline is like 60k?) | modern au, witchers in modern times

Jaskier is attending Comic-Con to promote his show, "Dandelion" a musical thriller. While everything on the show is fiction, Jaskier has a penchant for danger and very quickly finds himself in a bit of trouble and into the arms of one delectable man who he feels drawn to. His heart whispers soulmate, but after his previous disaster with his soul mark, he can't bear to believe it true. The punch in the gut tells him that much.

Other

The Reanimator of Rosemerrow by @cap-sweet-and-salty-sadness

E | 35k words | supernatural & horror elements, modern witchers

In 1819, Jaskier accidentally buys an old abandoned inn in the middle of nowhere, England. Haunted, as if this mountain of dust and debris wasn't already enough of a problem. At least he has a handsome carpenter to help him renovate it.

endless wonder by @kotemorons

M | 50k words | Warehouse 13 AU, a/b/o (but not really), magic

Jaskier knows three things for sure: One, most of the items stored in Kaer Morhen actively want to kill him. Two, all of the people he works with are absolutely gorgeous, terrifying alphas that want nothing to do with his flirty omega self. Three, he wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, did he mention the end of the world?

The Lesser Evil by @dont-tempt-me-frodo

E | 79k words | pirate captain!jask, assassin!geralt, epic, all the feels

1674 and piracy is rife throughout the Caribbean. Plenty of work for a Pirate Hunter such as Geralt. But when he takes a contract to hunt down a pirate captain who is interfering with important trade, a harsh truth arrises that will question his morals and he will be forced to choose between two evils, and risk the one thing he never thought he would find. Love.

💛 i also asked some of my friends for their geraskier fic recs, so here, have some more! (though i didn't sort them this time, sorry)

Life's Blood by @resident-lambert-hoe (T | 3k)

It had taken fifty-years of fighting tooth and nail for Geralt and Jaskier to be allowed to legally marry. After the deed was done, they chose to commemorate it in their own way. tattoo au

Secret by @mordoriscalling (M | 8k)

Based on artistsfuneral's take on the prompt "love confessions: in a language you didn't know they understand".

Taming the Wolves by @saltytransidiot (T | 9k)

When Geralt offers to bring Jaskier to Kaer Morhen that winter, the bard is overjoyed, but anxious as well. He desperately wishes to make a good impression on his lover's family. It turns out easier than he had thought, although Eskel isn't convinced just yet.

Sweet Nothings by @saltytransidiot (M | 10k)

Kaer Morhen is a warmer place than Jaskier had envisaged, and Geralt's family is nicer, and bigger, than Geralt had ever spoken about. Walking into the keep brings up some feelings that Jaskier hadn't realized were bubbling, and he has to delve deeper into his own feeling and who he really is. (God Jaskier)

Sweet Sorrows by @saltytransidiot (M | 19k)

Ciri doesn't find Geralt at the end, she finds Jaskier. She has known him all her life, and she trusts him. He decides to bring her to Kaer Morhen so that she will find Geralt. He dreads the moment it will happen.

Three Steps from the Sky by @bunnyofnegativeeuphoria (M | 30k)

Dear Reader, I present to you a tale of love, the value of faith and communication, and quite a ridiculous amount of horse content.

No King Among Wolves by IndigoDream (M | 32k)

Prince Julian of Kerack has been having nightmares recently. On the day of his twenty-first birthday feast, a week before his official coronation, he tries to ignore those nightmares and focus on the party. However, when a princess of Creyden greets him, accompanied by her witcher bodyguard, Julian starts feeling like he can't escape the dreams anymore. --- Jaskier was a son, a brother, a prince. One sweep at his mind, and he is only a Prince.

we could be married (and then we'd be happy) by @a-kind-of-merry-war (E | 50k)

Geralt and Jaskier have been playing this game for nearly a year, now: staging a proposal in an expensive restaurant to see if they can get a meal on the house. But pretending to be engaged to the person you're secretly in love with is starting to take its toll on both of them - especially when they're caught in the act.

To give without knowing by @flowercrown-bard (T | 108k)

Jaskier finds a wooden figure that Geralt carved and threw away in the woods and thinks it's a gift from the fae.

my dear friend (hehe) also compiled a list of geraskier fic recs

so! i hope you're not overwhelmed now, dearest nonnie. i hope you find something that lets you escape your slump. i love you 💛

#geraskier #geralt #jaskier #geraskier fic recs #the witcher fanfiction #witcher fanfic #witcher fic rec #nonnie asks #i love you nonnie #also just go to the profiles of all these writers they're lovely and have many more stories #also IndigoDream i kiss your hand darling #💛 #nat rambles #nat recs #thanks everyone who gave me their recs! #i would have asked more people but then that would have escalated even more but feel free to reblog this with your own recs

[dangermousie]

2020 End of Year Post - cdrama edition

This is only going to cover cdramas that aired in 2020; if I had to make a post about all the cdramas I watched this year, I would still be doing it in three months...

Overall it’s been a fairly decent cdrama year (certainly better than the very lacklustre kdrama year.) It’s no miracle that 2019 was (so many excellent dramas!) but overall pretty solid.

DRAMAS WATCHED

(In order of liking from least to most as opposed to pure quality; I am including if I’ve seen enough to make up my mind; yes I realize that’s inaccurate, but that’s my list)

44 The Legend of Jing Yan - the worst cdrama I have seen this year, and possibly the worst drama of 2020, period. The hero and heroine were both uncharismatic, incapable of acting and saddled with such shrilly moronic characters, the only suspense was how they haven’t both perished long since from forgetting to breathe. Nor was anyone in the rest of the cast much better; the screenplay was written by a lower mammal and the cinematography was the best a third-rate wedding cinematographer could offer. Stay the HELL away from this one.

43 Unicorn Girl - the only unicorn about this bland yet irritating piece of pap was the fact that I was supposed to believe the leads are hockey players.

42 Autumn Cicada - I like spy stories, Allen Ren, and Republican Era settings. I can tune out Communist propaganda with the best of them. Yet, the propaganda ate the story to such a degree that there was nothing left; pre magic change Pinocchio was less wooden then this narrative.

41 You Complete Me - no you do not.

40 Skate into Love - the only positive thing I can say about this is that at least it’s better than Unicorn Girl, if for no other reason that only one of them is supposed to be a hockey player.

39 Irreplaceable Love - how do you make a story about fake siblings with a mad mother falling for each other boring? I don’t know, ask the makers of this.

38 Eternal Love Rain - I hate to rain on their parade, but these two actors cannot act, have about as much chemistry as a piece of bread, and are trapped in a story perfect for entertaining the mental abilities of the leads of Jin Yan.

37 For Married Doctoress - ummmm, you could do worse I guess. It only made me break out in mild hives. The sadistic ending did make me laugh though.

36 Dance of the Sky Empire - why you get Xu Kai and waste him in this insipid mess of a story is beyond me.

35 Love Designer - it’s inoffensive except to my sense of entertainment. There is nothing wrong with it but oh God is it bland.

34 Love a Lifetime - It felt like a lifetime watching this, but I didn’t love it. The story is incoherent, the actors have no chemistry and it’s all an epic waste of time.

33 Love is Sweet - so sweet it gave me diabetes. I like Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu, but there is literally no plot. I don’t need to sink into a plotless morass to watch pretty people engage in PG-rated make-outs. I am an adult with access to stronger stuff if I am thus inclined, though to be fair they could get x-rated and I still wouldn’t be able to sit through so many episodes of plotlessness for that.

32 Fake Princess - I love Zhao Yi Qin, but the guy needs to pick better projects. The female lead in this one has the voice and personality that can strip paint but the story is also doing nobody any favors.

31 The Changan Youth - I lost my brain checking this out. I had to go and read a dense treatise on medieval coinage or Mayan farming to try to recover it.

30 My Dear Destiny - kinda cheesy fun. It honestly shouldn’t be as low except it really feels like community theater.

29 Handsome Siblings - why is the Nic Tse version so good and this one so bad? True mystery for the ages. Chen Zhe Yuan is the sole reason this isn’t lower, because that kid tries SO HARD to make this drama bearable and almost succeeds. I can’t wait to see him in Sha Po Lang which actually will give him something to do.

28 In a Class of Her Own - see my comment on The Changan Youth. But at least Song Weilong is gorgeous to look at.

27 General’s Lady - inoffensive, pretty and so utterly pointless.

26 The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion - those two leading actors are a no go to me but at least they considerately acted with each other instead of ruining two dramas for me. It’s very pretty though.

25 Jiu Liu Overlord - it’s a mess and I bailed, but I placed it this high merely due to the fact that Lai Yi finally gets a leading role and he’s sexy as fuck and I am shallow. Whoever styled Bai Lu should never work again except at a circus, however.

24 Cross Fire - not my genre and Luhan will always look too much like my cousin for comfort, but it’s a surprisingly gripping and dark drama. I liked it!

23 God of Lost Fantasy - if you want to watch a mediocre wuxia/xianxia, this is not a bad choice. Probably better than Legend of Fei actually, because at least it doesn’t have an A-list cast to waste and gives us Sheng Yilun himbo and shirtless.

22 Renascence - the insane cuts (it went from 70 eps to 36!!!) made a fairly cheesy story into a total mess. But I had a good time until I finally bailed mainly because of the male lead (Chen Zhe Yuan yet again carrying a not-good 2020 drama on his shoulders; the guy should be nicknamed Atlas) and the insane but in a fun way story. The female lead (both the character and the actress) were not up to par but oh well.

21 Legend of Fei - only this high because objectively there is nothing I disliked it. But there is nothing I liked either. The most uninspired drama on the list. If you could eat cardboard, this is what it would taste like.

20 Ever Night 2 - compared to EN1, it’s a waste of film. On its own merits, it’s not very good (the cast replacements are uniformly inferior and Dylan Wang is so wrong for Ning Que I cannot even put it into words; the script is useless.) But it had some parts I loved so very VERY much (all the shippy stuff was perfection) so I don’t feel too bitter.

19 Castle in the Sky 2 - a lovely if not too complex fairy tale. It is inferior to its prequel because it doesn’t have Zhang Ruo Yun who elevated it, but it’s still a solid bit of fun.

18 The Great Ruler - it’s very high fantasy, very pretty, and surprisingly involving.

17 (tie) Legend of Two Sisters in the Chaos - the secondary couple steals the show but the rest is not too bad if not too involving.

17 Legend of Awakening - a solid bit of fun with a seriously BDSM streak (theme this year apparently - but come on, the lead’s powers only activate when he’s in extreme pain!) It’s a bit generic and the costuming is done by a blind person, not to mention the OTP is a NOTP, but the rest of relationships (romantic and platonic) are wonderful (I live for the found siblings story in this one) and I like most of the characters.

16 Consummation - a rare modern cdrama I liked; a sweet coming of age story (and love story) even if wrapped in a pretty weird virtual reality concept.

15 Oops the King is in Love - this is how you do a low budget, sweet, silly piece of fluff. Our heroine pretends to be a eunuch and crosses paths with a powerless young king and they are adorable, even more so than the drama.

14 Song of Glory - pretty solid, though draggy and I didn’t love the toothpaste filter. But A+ cast, excellent leading couple chemistry, Li Qin being a BAMF and a leading man (Qin Hao) who is actually an adult.

13 And the Winner is love - objectively kind of a mess (and the heroine has the brainpower of a gnat), but the OTP chemistry is excellent and Luo Yunxi fighting and flirting with a fan as finally a leading man is worth the price of admission.

12 Miss S - snazzy and snappy and stylish and whatever else starts with S.

11 Eternal Love of Dream - I don’t know if it would work for you as well if you weren’t a hardcore shipper for this OTP in Three Lives but I was and this was such a darling, wonderful, shippy delight; plus I love this type of high fantasy.

10 (tie) Maiden Holmes - solid and sweet and a wonderful OTP. Proves that functional doesn’t have to mean boring. If you watch one cross-dressing drama this year make it this one.

10 Qin Dynasty Epic - srs bsns history epic. I am not far into it but it’s so good and smart and visually stunning (if you love battles, this one is for you.)

9 Love Lasts Two Minds - I adored this so much more than I should objectively have, but it’s so beautiful (and no I am not just referring to Alan Yu’s face) and the OTP has wonderful chemistry and the story is solid, and the whole trope of her memory being wiped but falling for him all over again while he’s constantly and utterly devoted is a fave; plus he’s in pain and semi-dyng for most of it so sluuuurp (happy ending, don’t worry)

8 To Love - yes, a modern drama is this high! But it involves intensity, tragedy, genuine adults and sexiness that is Lin Gengxin. And there is an actual plot and darkness OMG!

7 Legend of Xiao Chuo - so beautiful, so fun, so full of gorgeousness of Shawn Dou. Plus, Liao is a rare setting for a cdrama and there are a lot of characters and stories I liked a LOT. Less ship content than I wanted but more than I expected.

6 The Romance of Tiger and Rose - so so delightful. I was literally laughing out loud. I have no idea if it will work as well if one isn’t a seasoned watcher of period cdrama/reader of web novels, with bonus for watching/reading Goodbye My Princess, but it was a complete delight for me (and yes, I shipped for real, as well. Best of both worlds.)

5 Twisted Fate of Love - Jin Han gets a leading period drama role! And he’s enjoying it to the hilt, excellent as a smart, twisty bastard who is also charming and so madly in love with heroine. Sun Yi is beautiful and tough and her chemistry with JH is on fire, the story never drags, and it’s so twisty and fun and just awesome.

4 Love In Between - the most underrated drama on this list. It has no big names or big budget, but it’s wuxia that’s clever, driven, tragic, hopeful and so beautifully shot. Three separate (amazing) OTPs, a leading man who is so not typical (a doctor who cannot fight and who never acquires this ability) and who is intense and smart and damaged, a heroine who puts her quest ahead of her emotions, an unhealthy degree of involvement by yours truly. This is a drama Fei should have been.

3 Love and Redemption - such a lovely, addictive, utterly romantic fairy tale. I was obsessed with it for a reason. All the tropes you love and some you didn’t know you did, a star-crossed OTP to the nth power (and a secondary OTP I hardcore love), a twisty yet coherent plot, some insane chemistry and so much whump and hurt/comfort they must have bought blood packets in bulk.

2 Go Ahead - yes, I can’t believe it either. A contemporary slice of life cdrama made it this high on my list. But the way it feels so real, the found family perfection, the characters I love and loathe, the perfect cherry of a wonderful OTP that hits my narrative kinks on top, and just a perfect storm of loveliness all around with this one.

1 The Wolf - is that any surprise to anyone who’s checked out this tumblr for the last couple of months? Tragic, intense and gorgeous; so romantic and angsty and passionate it made me lose my mind (though some of it was gone the moment the camera panned to Darren Wang) - all my favorite tropes and then some; this is a drama that may not be perfect but it is 100% and then beyond perfect for ME.

FAVORITE DRAMA

The Wolf - I have seen objectively better cdramas; even this year. But it has been literal years since I have been this hardcore obsessed, this utterly pleased, this emotionally catered to and devastated at once. A beautiful dark fairy tale that manages to own me despite the storytelling gaps due to censorship, it took me for one of the biggest emotional roller coaster rides of my drama watching career. Visually gorgeous, poetic, intense, and so romantic it took my breath away, this is not just my favorite cdrama of 2020, it’s my favorite drama this year period, and the one cdrama this year to make it into my permanent Top 10 cdramas list.

WORST DRAMA

Legend of Jin Yan - see my write up for it for why as I refuse to waste more time on this stupid mess.

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER

Wolfie, The Wolf - he is such a haunted, tormented, complex, dark mess; loving and violent, severely damaged and with a hidden yearning softness, longing and aloof. And the amount of charisma and sheer masculine sex appeal Darren Wang brings to the role is insane and not something I see much of in a cdrama. Plus, that character arc with its rapid fall and slow painful redemption is A++++

Runner Up:  Sifeng, Love and Redemption - has a male lead ever loved more utterly and selflessly, suffered more thoroughly and beautifully, and managed to have such chemistry with both his leading lady and his leading man (that his leading lady temporarily turned into) at once? The answer is no.

Almost made the cut - Feng Xi, Twisted Fate of Love, Han Shuo, The Romance of Tiger and Rose, Qing Ci, Love in Between.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER

Xiao Qian, The Romance of Tiger and Rose - so funny, so much the reason this drama was such a delight. I adore her beyond words.

NEEDS TO BE MURDERED

Murder Daddy, The Wolf - I am sad the censors robbed us of seeing him die on screen. He was fully human but nonetheless managed to be the worst monster in a drama full of literal ones.

Ling Xiao’s Mom, Go Ahead - I hate her so much I don’t want to look up her name. She abused the kid, the disappeared and came back to abuse him some more. I mean she literally gave her child mental health issues. She is the WORST.

FAVORITE SHIP

Xing’er x Wolfie, The Wolf - are you kidding me? Who else could it ever be for me? They destroyed each other and saved each other, sworn enemies and childhood lovers, soulmates and epic messes, they couldn’t live with or without each other. The longing, the passion, the intensity, the angst, the epicness. LIKE THERE ARE NO WORDS!!!!

FAVORITE SECONDARY OTP

Si Yuan, Shen Manqing, Love in Between - I loved them as much and often more than the main OTP. So much angst and passion and a happy ending! She is a seeming sect darling (except the sect is horrible and also sexist so her only worth is as a marriage candidate) and he’s an information broker who is actually one of the members of a destroyed sect that’s blamed for the massacre of her family. That chemistry and yearning is insane. The scene where she touches his face when he’s unconscious was in serious running for my favorite scene of 2020.

NOTP

Legend of Awakening - I have never seen a couple that didn’t just have no chemistry but exhibited actual revulsion towards each other before watching Chen Feiyu and Cheng Xiao try to act as lovers in this one. It was almost entertaining to be honest.

FAVORITE SCENE

It’s a tie and both are from The Wolf. One is a sequence where Wolfie marches to the walls alone, seeking death at Xing’er’s hands and the whole sequence with the battle and rescue follows. The other is the intercut between Xing’er going to her wedding and Wolfie going to his execution, and the auto-da-fe being intercut with her wedding.

BIGGEST CRUSH

Wolfie, The Wolf - Ummm have you seen this tumblr lately, it’s basically a drool shrine to the man.

BEST SCENE STEALER CHARACTER

Yelü Yansage, The Legend of Xiao Chuo - I have loved this actor since The Myth and he continued to competently steal every scene he was in.

NEEDS A SEQUEL

To Love - come out of the coma, dammit!!!!!!!

NEEDS A DIRECTOR’S CUT

The Wolf - duh. It started out as 59 eps and got cut to 49. I reaiize some stuff is never gonna get put in due to censorship, but some of the stuff that got cut got for time reasons because they were deluded and hoping to get a TV broadcast so ep count had to be under 50. I mean I doubt the censors would care if they kept scenes of Wolfie building her a swing or whatever. I really really want a director’s cut the way Goodbye My Princess did even if like with GMP it’s only three extra eps. Hell, I will take extra three minutes, as long as those three minutes are Darren Wang shirtless or with a sword. Ahem.

NEEDS SCISSORS TAKEN TO IT

The Song of Glory - it’s a fairly solid drama but honestly it didn’t need to be as long as it was and kind of got draggy and I got lost interest. (I could have gotten snarky and said all the dramas I didn’t like needed scissors taken to them in their entirety but decided to play nice.)

TOO MANY SCISSORS TAKEN TO IT

There are a number of dramas I could complain about with regard to this (hi there, darling The Wolf!) but this award goes to Renascence - poor Renascence was never going to be a masterpiece, but it had the potential to be a bit of good cheesy fun until it had its run time cut by more than half and became an incoherent piece of insanity.

TROPE THAT NEEDS TO DIE

Dumb shrill innocent heroine who can’t tie her shoes - see basically all the cdramas I didn’t like this year.

FAVORITE TROPE WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF

Male lead torture - I mean it’s always open season on that in cdramas, but between Love and Redemption, The Wolf, Love Lasts Two Minds, Love in Between and so on, it was a banner year!

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Legend of Fei - what a waste of that cast; what a waste of our finite time on this Earth. What a waste of my intelligence to hope for something better and stick with it for a dozen eps. I have had stale wonderbread that had more personality than this drama.There is absolutely nothing that stands out about this drama in any way,  from half-dimensional characters, to actors who are sleepwalking, to a plot that moves at the speed of an arthritic snail, to uninspired cinematography and direction, to lack of any chemistry between anyone in the cast. If paint-by-numbers was done by a group of particularly linear robots, it might come across the same way as this drama.

BIGGEST GOOD SURPRISE

The Wolf - honestly, I did not expect it to come out AT ALL EVER let alone to become my favorite drama of 2020. I was not familiar with the leading man (hahah), I liked Li Qin but wasn’t yet obsessed with her, and Xiao Zhan was excellent in The Untamed but I was hardly going to follow him from drama to drama (and I don’t do SLS any way.) And the trailer was enjoyable but unlike seemingly everyone, I didn’t think it was going to be some epic masterpiece. And then it came out and while it wasn’t objectively an epic masterpiece, it pulled out all the favorite tropes, shippy and narrative kinks from the deepest darkest recesses of my id. And I fell harder than I have in years. 

2020 DRAMAS I HAVEN’T SEEN THAT I MOST WANT TO WATCH

None. Covid Year gave me PLENTY of time

BEST NON-2020 DRAMA I’VE WATCHED IN 2020

Novoland Eagle Flag and Joy of Life - they are in my Top 10 dramas from anywhere now. They are quite different except being smart and giving me protagonists to obsess over.

ETA: Also The Untamed because @idlewilds3 pointed out I actually watched it in 2020 even though I didn’t think so because this hellyear has lasted about three decades.

MOST ANTICIPATED IN 2021

I am gonna limit it to dozen and leaving out ones that aren’t necesarily supposed to air next year (Joy of Life 2, Love in Flames of War, Novoland Princess from Plateau.)

Monarch Industry, Novoland Pearl Eclipse, Silk Washing Stream, Dream of Changan, Sword Snow Stride, Wu Xing Shi Jia, Ancient Love Poetry, Immortality, The Long Ballad, Mirror Twin Cities, The Imperial Age, Fall In Love

#cdrama #legend of awakening #the wolf #go ahead #love and redemption #love in between #legend of fei #the legend of jin yan #the romance of tiger and rose #twisted fate of love #castle in the sky 2 #legend of xiao chuo #the legend of xiao chuo #oops the king is in love #unicorn girl #autumn cicada #you complete me #dance of the sky empire #skate into love #irreplaceable love #eternal love rain #for married doctoress #love designer #love is sweet #renascence #my dear destiny #the chang'an youth #god of lost fantasy #cross fire #handsome siblings

[loversamongus]

Friends, Fevers, Family Movies

a/n: first one shot for @fromthewatertribe‘s 1k follower event! This turned out to be A LOT longer than I expected and it was also originally for a whole other prompt??? And then just??? Evolved into this??? I knew I wanted to write something that featured a Sokka friendship (and a Katara one!) but also feature good ol’ Zuko fluff. So here ya go. Word vomit. TO CELEBRATE NINA BEING AWESOME.

Also important: written as a world without covid, but does mention the flu. prompt: go to bed, you idiot.

words: 2k

relationship: Zuko x reader

Sharing an apartment with your best friends has its highs and lows. On the bright side, you truly lucked out between the epic prank wars, overly competitive game nights, and the bureaucratic division of chore responsibilities. However, there’s also the constant paranoia that someone can jump out of your closet in a gorilla costume, the frustrated search for the last blue Sorry piece after a certain sore loser flipped over the coffee table, and Katara’s insistence on hand washing all dishware even though the kitchen has a perfectly good dishwasher. The three of you never experience a dull moment.

And you’re so grateful to be living with them. Sokka and Katara are your best friends but now it’s like having a brother and sister of your own. Due to the smaller size of the apartment, you and Katara share a bedroom but neither of you would have it any other way. Though you both have your own corner of the room, you’ll spend hours laying on the gray shag rug in the middle between your beds just talking.

“Today, at the diner, a man had the AUDACITY to call me ‘pretty girl’ and like, yes I am pretty but I don’t need an old coffee-breathed, wrinkly limp noodle to tell me that so I assumed he was just stating the obvious and that I should also call him by obvious nicknames in order to better communicate with and understand the customer, as my manager puts it.”

“And what did you call him?”

“When I came back with their food, he said, ‘Can the pretty girl also get us some mayonnaise packets?’ And I said, ‘Not a problem, ‘crusty man.’”

Katara tried her darnedest to flash you a severe look but couldn’t help choking on a fit of giggles.

“Suki approves of it and we spent the rest of our shift calling each other different names when we crossed paths!”

The rest of the night would linger on with more work day stories, giggles, and Sokka occasionally pounding on the door for you both to shut up already because he is trying to sleep goddamnnit and can’t do that while the apartment is filled with your shrill girlish squeals.

Finally, when you both struggle to fight off sleep, you wave the white flag and drag yourself into bed. But just before you drift off, you hear Katara whisper your name from across the room. You’re not even sure if she’s awake, you’re both so tired, but you answer anyways.

“Hmm?”

“What do you think of Aang?”

“He adores you (yawn) it’s so sweet. I like him for you.”

There’s a silence and you think you’re free to finally fall into your dreams until Katara speaks again.

“What do you think of Zuko?”

“Hmm? I dunno, he’s our (yawn) friend and I like when he brings over (yawn) fireball for game night (yawn) why?”

Your exhaustion overpowers you before you could hear Katara respond, “Because he adores you, it’s so sweet. I like him for you.”

Although also your best friend, living with Sokka feels much less sweet and much more chaotic. Somehow you’re at each other’s throats more so than he is with his own blood related sister. It may have started when the Sock Battle started, a game in which Sokka made it his mission to hide his stenchiest pair of socks somewhere in your stuff. By now, you’ve found his socks in your pillowcases, in textbooks, in your gym bag, and in a picture frame next to your bed. You deliberately retaliate in any way you can during game night. While these instances often have you second guessing your friendship with him, you and Sokka could both put the bickering aside with a Disney movie and a bucket of buttered popcorn.

You could have killed him though when he gave you the flu. Katara was spared thanks to her daily regimen of vitamins and obsession with cleanliness, and Sokka had even recovered rather quickly. But you were not as lucky. Even though it was only the beginning of October, you had Katara dig out your flannel holiday pajamas to warm you up from the chills. The darling that she is, Katara made you her famous homemade soup and set it by your bedside table before heading out to see Aang. In the meantime, it was time for payback.

“Sokka, I need you to refill my water bottle.”

“Do it yourself.”

“Fine and when I get over to the kitchen I’ll lick every bag of beef jerky you own.”

“Oh my god, fine. Give me your water bottle.”

“Sokka, I need to charge my phone. Give me your charger.”

“No? Yours in your room, go get it.”

“If only my legs weren’t so weak from this terrible flu I’ve contracted from someone I trusted to be more hygienic.”

“Here, take it.”

“Sokka, you need to light a candle in the bathroom. Ooh do the rose petal one.”

“Ugh, no. You know I hate yours and Katara’s girly scented candles.”

“Okay, but then don’t complain about the smell when you go in.”

“It can’t be that bad— OH MY GOD DID SOMETHING CRAWL OUT OF YOU AND DIE?! OH MY GOD IT’S TRAVELLING. IT’S TRAVELLING THROUGH THE APARTMENT.”

By the fourth day of having the flu, Sokka was sick. Not of the flu. Of you. Katara had been spending as much time with Aang as she could to avoid catching anything from you so the responsibility of taking care of you fell on Sokka. And he was finally reaching the breaking point after you left used tissues all over “his side” of the couch. You snuggled into your pile of blankets as you watched your best friend grumble about the living room, every so often glancing at you while muttering incoherently.

After picking up the last of your snot filled, flu infected tissues, Sokka stood in front of you and took a long, exaggerated breath.

“I am leaving this Land of Disgusting to eat at the diner before driving Suki home.”

“Sokka, you had me at ‘I am leaving.’”

“Shut up. You still have a fever so I’ve called in reinforcements to look after you while Katara and I are both out. They’ll be here shortly after I’m gone. Can you handle yourself for 10 minutes?”

“Aye aye, captain.”

Before leaving, Sokka grabbed one more blanket from your room to bring to you on the couch. You realize how lucky you are to be such a pain in the ass and still be so loved by your little family. These happy thoughts, along with the utter amusement over the possibility of Toph being the one taking care of you, lulled you into a short, soft nap.

When you open your eyes next, the living room is dark, save for the small lamp in the corner of the room. As you go to stretch out your legs on the couch, your feet kick into something that wasn’t there before.

“Sokka?” you ask wearily, assuming your friend is back from dropping Suki off home.

“Nope.”

It wasn’t Sokka’s voice. Nor was it Toph’s. Trying your best to sit up under the weight of five blankets, you turn your head to see Zuko’s face illuminated by his phone’s screen as his thumb continued to scroll.

“Oh. Hi.”

He looked over at you. “Hey. Can I get you anything?”

It takes you a moment to get over the fact that Zuko is the reinforcements, the one called to take care of you while your roommates are out of the apartment. But finally you respond, “Actually, my throat is really dry. Can you grab my water bottle for me?”

He reached over to the coffee table to grab your water bottle for you. Then, after handing it you, Zuko went back to looking at his phone.

“Katara says you have to take your medicine once you’ve woken up.”

“Ugh noooooo. I don’t want to.”

Taking pills has never been your been your strong suit. Maybe it’s your irrational fear of choking on them or just your innate ability to be stubborn about everything but you try to put up your best fight.

“You have to. Or else we’ll have to cancel another game night or you just won’t be able to play with us. And then who would kill Sokka first in Among Us.”

“You’ll have to continue my legacy, that’s all.”

“Just take the pills. I already cut them up for you.”

“Fine... thank you.”

After you swallow the last pill, you lay back down on the couch but Zuko gets up.

“Where are you going?”

“Since you’re up now, let’s watch a movie. There’s nothing else you should really be doing in your condition.”

“I have my DVDs on my shelf in my room. Pick me a Disney movie?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Oh my god, please? I am very sick and frail and only the nostalgic joys of my childhood can cure me.”

“....fine.”

You muster up a squeal that quickly turns into a cough as Zuko leaves the room. After a few minutes he comes back with Toy Story 2, a choice that makes you raise an eyebrow considering its heartbreaking song is not something you’d expect Zuko to want to watch. Nonetheless, you hardly protest as the two of you settle in on the couch for the movie to begin.

To your surprise, the animated movie managed to steal a couple chuckles from Zuko. After all the bickering throughout the week with Sokka, it was a welcome and pleasant sound ringing in your ears. Despite your better judgment, you shift closer to him, especially when you know Jessie’s big song is getting closer. He doesn’t move away though and even wraps an arm around you. When a chill runs down your spine, you wonder if it’s due to the fever.

“Are you crying?”

“It’s just SO sad, how could you not, Zuko?! Somebody needs to LOVE HER AGAIN.”

Grinning, he hands you the tissue box, which you fully accept both for your tears and flu-inflicted runny nose. But once the song ends and you’ve let out a good cry, your eyelids start to feel enormously heavy. Zuko must sense this because he scoots a bit closer to you, allowing you to rest your head on his shoulder. You hesitate for a moment, not wanting to pass the flu onto Zuko, but for some reason he feels warmer than the mountains of blankets you’re buried under.

The rest of the movie plays on and you struggle to keep your eyes open, often shifting against Zuko to wake yourself back up. You know there’s more to the movie but Zuko picks up the remote and turns off the tv. Before you could even question what he’s doing, he’s lifting you up and walking you to your room.

“But we didn’t see the end of the movie!”

“You weren’t going to stay up to see the end anyways.”

“But you needed to see Jessie and Bullseye find new homes! With Andy! And Wheezy!! Wheezy gets fixed!!”

He helped you under the covers and sat beside you on your bed for a moment. You still feel enough energy to offer up a few more protests.

“Only the end of the movie can cure me with its pure, unadultered childhood joy! You can use some, too! Disney fixes all things!”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, but before getting up, Zuko leaned in to kiss your forehead lightly.

“Go to bed, you idiot.”

You didn’t even register when he left your side because you were asleep again within minutes. In fact, when the sunlight from the bedroom window wakes you up hours later, you could have sworn it was all just a fever dream anyways. Disney movies cuddled up with Zuko? Definitely sounds fake. However, later on in the morning, you do begin to suspect it was all real when you find your Toy Story 2 DVD still in DVD player and catching Katara and Sokka trying to discreetly give each other a high five.

#nina's 1k event #zuko x reader #lol what is consistent verb tense i do not know clearly

[orionsangel86]

“I Think It’s Time For Me To Move On”

...And Other Things That Have Destroyed Me This Weekend...

So there is this common trope within love stories which generally happens at the end of the second act in which everything goes wrong and we all think that the lovers are doomed to failure. Its pretty much standard in every Jane Austen novel, every romantic film every made, every single bloody love story. Go ahead, name one. I guarantee you the break up moment is there.

Within the epic love story of Dean and Cas, there have been many break up moments, and all have had their emotionally devastating impact on the relationship and the show...

But THIS was a different level. 

(For a nice summary of Destiel break up moments and understanding of this trope, @tinkdw​ wrote about it here.)

I didn’t think that there would be another moment within Dean and Cas’s relationship that could hit me this hard. The mixtape in 12x19, the wrapping of Cas’s body in 13x01, and the return of Cas in 13x05 are moments that I consider to be the very top of the scale in making this pairing undeniably romantic. Moments that pushed it beyond a platonic interpretation. These three moments have been the things I cling to when the show has otherwise made me doubt any conclusion to the DeanCas story, and since there hasn’t been another one of those moments since 13x05, until now I have been somewhat nervous that the story was dropped, or being forced back behind a platonic screen. 

15x03 has ripped that screen away. 

Emotional meta under cut...

This entire episode was an emotion fuelled dramatic roller-coaster that killed off three characters including our beloved witch queen in a scene that almost stole the show and practically canonised the SamWitch ship. Rowena’s death should have been by far the most torturous moment for viewers to endure, and it was extremely torturous and had me sobbing on a plane 3 hours into a 7 hour flight. That incredibly heartfelt moment between Sam and Rowena will probably go down as one of the top tear-jerking moments on this show. It was tragic in the best way - the way Supernatural is famous for.

But lets not gloss over the fact that in an episode where THAT should have been the climax, where THAT should have been the emotional highlight and end point, instead we get a further MORE dramatic stand off between Dean and Cas that pulled focus and ripped all of our hearts out just as violently as poor Ketch in the first act (a very clever and smug piece of meta foreshadowing there Mr Berens).

On a meta level, this is HUGE as a writing choice because they MUST know how this looks. This was the climax of the third episode of the finale season. The way Supernatural has always structured itself since Carver era is that the first three mytharc episodes of each season establish the direction of the story and set the foundations for the character level focal points and dramatic key notes to come. 

That the writers have chosen to end the foundation episodes with a DeanCas break up moment that was more dramatic than a Spanish Telenovela has just stunned me and left me reeling because I just can’t see how else this can go. This break up scene absolutely DEMANDS a huge reconciliation of the sort that will be part of the A plot of the season - the FINAL SEASON. Guys. Part of the reason I have been so quiet and so disillusioned with the show during late season 13 and season 14 was because they pushed any Destiel plot into non existent territory - it became kinda irrelevant and Dean and Cas just acted like friends (homoerotic friends yes, and sometimes like an old married couple, but it was mostly played as an afterthought imo), so for this to suddenly be brought to the forefront of the emotional story again is excellent news for us. 

The thing is, like with those huge moments I listed above, the break up scene is basically undeniably romantic when you break it down to its components:

1. It’s only Dean and Cas. 

Once again we have another scene of high stake emotions that excludes Sam. In a platonic reading of the show, it makes zero sense for there to be such a hugely disjointed relationship between Cas and Dean and Cas and Sam given he has known them both for so long now that if they were all “just friends” then surely Sam would also feel the impact of Cas’s choices as heavily as Dean. In a platonic reading, Dean comes across as an asshole, Sam comes across as being weirdly uncaring about his friend of 10 years, and Cas comes across as not even bothering to get Sam’s opinion before leaving. A romantic reading makes sense because quite literally THIS IS A ROMANTIC BREAK UP.

2. The words spoken. 

“Well I don’t think there is anything left to say.”

“I think it’s time for me to move on”

From Cas’s perspective at least, name one time in a piece of media where such language has been used for a platonic breakup sincerely? There have been heartfelt break up songs that use these exact words. (I should know I’ve spent the last 24 hours listening to them all).

That last line in particular is so heavy. It’s the last line of the episode and nothing about it is platonic. This is relationship terminology my dudes. “I need to move on, and get over you.” This is Cas’s bloody Adele song. My heart breaks for him, but if I was his sassy and fabulous best girlfriend right now I’d be sitting him down, sipping a cocktail, flipping my hair and telling him “Babe, you’re too good for him. Good Riddance. Let’s go out, have some cocktails, something pink and fruity. No dive bars for us darling. I’ll take you to Heaven... the fun one in London.”

In all seriousness though, from Cas’s perspective, this was him admitting defeat and giving up the fight for love. How anyone can possibly say Cas isn’t in love with Dean after this, well I just don’t know what show you are watching. This is the face of a heartbroken man who has just accepted that his love is unrequited. 

3. The many faces of Dean Winchester

On the other end of the scale, Dean was mostly silent after his poisonous words “And why does that something always seem to be you?”

Forgive the terrible gif quality I’ve no time for fancy gif work!

Look at his face here. He knows what he said was fucked up and he immediately regrets it. The way he swallows around that regret and then turns away.

and after Cas says that devastating final line and walks away? We get THIS reaction from him:

The jaw clench as he looks down. The sorrow on his face as he realises he has well and truly fucked this up. LOOK

Finally, he looks up, makes himself look up and watch Cas leave. If that isn’t the face of a broken man I dunno what to tell you. Anyone who thinks Dean is totally heartless and uncaring right now needs to reassess because this is NOT the face of someone uncaring. This is the face of someone who has just lost everything. Again. 

4. The FUCKING MUSIC

Seriously. The sweeping heavy drama of the low strings that come in right after Dean says that horrid line, that carry the weight of the look of horror and heartbreak on Cas’s face as they amplify the emotion there. As they blend seamlessly into the slow and subtle version of the Winchester family theme behind Cas’s heartbreaking speech and Dean’s stubborn stoic face hiding a multitude of emotion, until the violin dominates as Cas says “I think it’s time for me to move on” and the Winchester Theme swells to its climax, ripping all our hearts out just like poor Ketch as Dean watches Cas walk out of his life surrounded by darkness. 

I MEAN.

A friend on Twitter reminded us all of this point about the importance of this theme via @justanotheridijiton​ here which is essentially:

“The Winchester theme is not simply an aural marker to let the audience know when and how Sam and Dean love each other (any Supernatural fan knows that is the baseline of their relationship), but to provide narrative information, especially when the image and dialogue are incomplete or inconsistent with the true situation...  Seasoned fans will recognize the theme and its history of being paired with images indicating deep emotional bonding and a desire to do the right thing by the Winchester code. Here we trust our ears over our eyes to reveal the truth.”

So here is yet another key indicator that any surface read that this is actually an ending between Dean and Cas and that Dean really is just an angry asshole is utter bullshit. 

Honestly, this was PAINFUL, but it was painful in the best way. It was 13x01 levels of pain, but this time it was Cas choosing to walk away which makes all the difference. Dean’s greatest fear isn’t his loved ones dying on him after all, but of his loved ones choosing to leave him. This was exactly the kick up the ass Dean needs in order to win Cas back, classic love trope style. 

Hence my excitement at what is to come. Yes we won’t see Cas again until 15x06, but in the meantime I fully expect a good helping of angst and wallowing from a depressed Dean who has to deal with the fact that he has just lost the love of his life and it is all his fault. That he just pushed away the one person who promised they would always stay by his side. That has got to hurt. 

So yeah, this episode emotionally destroyed me, and I’ve only really covered the primary reason, let alone all my feels over SamWitch, Rowena’s death, Belphegor’s taunting of Cas over his deepest fears and then having to suffer through smiting a creature wearing the face of his son until his body was nothing but a burnt corpse... I wonder if Bobo had a bet going in the office over how much he could hurt us all? He was certainly enjoying scrolling through the Supernatural tag on Twitter and liking everyone’s reaction tweets including some brilliant Destiel related ones. I do love Bobo. Our Angst Goblin King. 

If anyone had asked me a few weeks ago what my thoughts were on the chances of getting explicit canon Destiel by series end, I would have said somewhere in the realms of 30-40%, considering it a battle of wills between DabbBerens and CW studio execs who I still feel are against it in general. I would have considered everything that happened after 13x06 as the writers getting a big NO on Destiel from the network and therefore having to pull back on any Destiel related plot points (purely my own speculation on BTS matters of course).

Now I am wondering if Dabb kept fighting the network? If he managed to wear them down into begrudging acceptance? I’m currently up to around an 80% chance of textual canon DeanCas if we continue on this path. If Dean is clearly shown to be mourning and hating himself over Cas next episode, and if this DeanCas dramatic plot line continues to be a focal point of the emotional story arcs... well...

I’m side eyeing 15x07 a lot right now. Only in my wildest dreams would I think that they might actually introduce an old boyfriend for Dean in a “coming out” episode, but the placement, timing, and potential is all there and I’m kind of once again donning the clown mask because I’m just in awe at everything that they are doing. I guess we’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, I’m gonna paint my face in red and white and wear my rainbow wig and listen to break up songs on Spotify whilst trying to shove my heart back into my chest where Bobo Beren’s gleefully ripped it out with his hands like the demonic angst goblin he is. Wish me luck, I’m not sure I’m gonna get through this season with my emotions intact.

#destiel #supernatural #spn meta #destiel meta #spn speculation #season 15 #15x03 #castiel #dean winchester #spn spoilers #my meta #destiel dreaming #destiel break up

[trensu]

Episode 32: The One where the Moonlit Rooftop BETRAYS Us

Remember how the last episode brutally tore the heart right out of our collective chest?

Well get ready to dial that pain up to ELEVEN BC THIS TIME AROUND THEY RIP THE HEART RIGHT OUT OF US AND THEN CRUSHES IT BENEATH THEIR HEEL

And i can’t even skip most of it!! Bc it is crucially important to know what state of mind our beloved sunshine boy is in for everything to make sense!! 

Especially for what’s going to happen in the next episode!

So we HAVE TO SUFFER. THERE’S NO WAY AROUND IT.

We start our episode at the super fun jin ancestral hall in lanling where jyl is mourning the death of her husband!!

Enjoy this bc this is literally the least painful moment in the entire episode!!!

My precious sunshine boy is lurking behind a pillar, guilt-ridden and alone

He can’t get any nearer bc of the guilt

But he can’t stay away bc that’s his sister, his most precious person

Too bad madam jin spots him

AND THEN JYL SEES HIM AND STARTS CRYING

WWX’S FACE HERE, OH GOD, I CAN’T EVEN DESCRIBE IT

STRICKEN? HEARTBROKEN? DESPAIRING?? WHATEVER IT IS, IT MAKES ME WANNA CRY

So he flees, he can’t face his sister, not when he’s the reason she’s grieving

We’re in the middle of a forest again! It’s even less fun than the last time we were in the forest!

MY DARLING WWX IS HALLUCINATING

HE’S HALLUCINATING HIS SISTER

HE’S SO DESPERATE FOR ANY SCRAP OF KINDNESS OR AFFECTION HERE. 

HE’S SO ALONE.

THE RESENTFUL ENERGY IS TAUNTING HIM “LET US OUT, LET US HELP YOU. YOU CAN ONLY RELY ON US”

HE’S SCREAMING BACK AT THEM, “GET LOST, GET LOST, LEAVE ME ALONE”

IT’S AWFUL. I WANNA DIE.

Now we’re at Qishan, listening to a bunch of cultivators gossip

Again.

The Wens’ bodies are hanging from rafters, all out on display in the open

Because slaughtering them wasn’t horrifying enough, they had to humiliate them after death too. Fucking jin clan.

Wwx appears behind the group and scares the shit out of them (GOOD)

He calmly pulls out his demon flute and starts playing

Within three notes he’s got the entire group of gossips pinned to the ground. Then he played a little extra just for kicks.

THAT’S MY BOY, SHOW ‘EM WHO’S BOSS

Now he’s like, why’d y’all stop talking? Weren’t you saying how you were gonna stop me?

And some idiot rando is like, you think you’re hot shit bully us weaklings?? You should go fight the clan leaders at their big celebration.

Wwx starts to choke him out bc he’s annoying him but wwx gives us this epic line

“Every injustice has its perpetrator.”

And he ditches those basic bitches to hunt down the guys that killed his people

Now we’re watching all this pompous sect leaders celebrating the murder of innocent lives, but we’re not gonna get into it bc they piss me off and nobody needs to pay attention to jgs’s speeches ever

Although i will mention that lxc and jc both look very conflicted at the events that are going down

HANGUANG JUN!!!

We’re back with the basic bitches and lwj appears!!

Lwj: where is wei ying?

Of course his first words in the episode are about wei ying. 

And they’re all aw, you just missed him bro, he left about an hour ago 

Lwj: where did he go?

And they’re like, Nightless City to hang out with the sect leaders!

Lwj’s face here is just, Worry and Dread. 

We’re back with the sect leaders. Jgs is talking again

Thankfully, wwx interrupts him with his mental breakdown!!

AND HE INTERRUPTS BY SHOWING UP ON A MOONLIT ROOFTOP

MOONLIT ROOFTOP, HOW COULD YOU??

YOU WERE SO KIND TO US BEFORE!! WE TRUSTED YOU!! WE LOVED YOU!!!

WHAT DID WE DO WRONG?? HOW COULD YOU BETRAY US THIS WAY??

Jgs: what are you doing here?

Wwx: why can’t i be here? don’t you guys want me here? I’m saving you the effort of hunting me down!

Then there’s a lot of back and forth with rando cultivators throwing accusations at him and wwx making Valid Points left and right

As we all know, Valid Points don’t make a smidge of difference against the incredibly stupid and obstinate. 

We won’t get into too much detail here bc it honestly doesn’t even matter what they’re saying, but there are a couple cool lines that i wanted to include

Somebody says something about him having a grudge against Jin Zixun a year ago

Wwx: Little characters like him i forget in 3 days, much less a year.

Which, like, LOL bc he’s right, jz was an insignificant little worm except worms are good for soil so he’s MORE insignificant than a little worm (i’m sorry worms, i shouldn’t have insulted you that way!!)

Later somebody says something about how they had admired wwx before but now they hate him

Wwx: Both your hatred and admiration is so cheap!

WE DO GET A COOL SCENE HERE THO

Some basic bitch shoots him with an arrow and it hits him right in the chest

Wwx barely even flinches

He tears that arrow right back out and covers it with resentful energy

Then LITERALLY THROWS IT BACK AT THE GUY WHO SHOT HIM AND PIERCES HIS CHEST

IT WAS AWESOME

And then he gives us another cool line.

Someone calls him vicious for shooting the guy who shot him before and he says “you’re already branding me as someone who uses wicked tricks, you can’t be counting on my mercy to let it go, right?”

It’s basically a whole ‘you want a bad guy? I’LL SHOW YOU A BAD GUY’ moment. Which looks cool, right, but is also super upsetting bc THIS IS MY PRECIOUS SUNSHINE BOY

MY PRECIOUS SUNSHINE BOY WHO ONLY EVER WANTED TO PROTECT THE WEAK AND DEFENSELESS

Now there’s a battle breaking out! Between the cultivators and the resentful spirits wwx summons 

WWX LOOKS SICK AF PLAYING HIS DEMON FLUTE AND SUMMONING SPIRITS, LIKE ALWAYS.

But we don’t care about this battle.

This battle doesn’t matter. Even if it does look pretty cool.

Because all the important stuff happens on rooftops, as we already know.

And on the rooftop WE SUDDENLY HAVE LWJ SHOW UP WITH HIS GUQIN

HE’S PLAYING MAGIC MUSIC.

HE’S FACING DOWN WWX.

Wwx: lan zhan, you’re here. You should have known i’d be immune to the Song of Clarity

Lwj whooshes his guqin away.

Wwx: lan zhan, i knew one day we were gonna have a real fight.

anD WWX STARTS PLAYING HIS DEMON FLUTE AGAINST LWJ

LWJ DRAWS BICHEN AND STARTS DIVING SWORD FIRST TOWARDS WWX

AND EVERYTHING HURTS

WWX SLAMS HIM BACK WITH RESENTFUL ENERGY BUT LWJ PUSHES RIGHT BACK

Lwj: wei ying, stop it!

Wwx doesn’t respond. In fact, he’s kept his eyes closed and unresponsive since he started playing his flute, PROBABLY BC HE CAN’T BEAR TO WATCH HIMSELF ATTACK HIS SOULMATE

I ALSO CAN’T BEAR TO WATCH HIM ATTACK HIS SOULMATE BUT HERE I AM WATCHING BC APPARENTLY I ENJOY SUFFERING

Lwj: wei ying, stop it now!

Wwx: lan zhan, do you think i have any other choice now?

Lwj: the situation has changed!

Wwx: what?

Lwj: trust me. It’s not that simple.

Wwx: what do you mean?

But before we can get any answers or clues or anything useful, we get interrupted by jyl’s voice crying “a-xian!”

And thus begins the world’s WORST, MOST PAINFUL GAME OF MARCO POLO EVER

Because jyl is on the battlefield, still in her mourning robes. And she’s calling for her brothers. 

Both jc and wwx hear her and instantly start looking for her

Wwx ditches the rooftop (and lwj with it), gives up his high ground and dives into the battlefield to look for his sister

He gets attacked by some cultivators and we hear the strum of a guqin

Lwj followed him! And defended him against attacks, BC THAT’S WHAT HE DOES FOR HIS SOULMATE. THAT’S HIS WHOLE THING.

Lwj: wei ying, your flute!

What he means is, keep playing, i’ll protect you from attacks while you get to your sister

And wwx starts playing again, bc EVEN AFTER he and lwj fought one another with all they had, he still trusts lwj

Jyl, jc, and wwx all take turns calling each other’s names. MY YUNMENG SIBS ARE TRYING TO REUNITE

Meanwhile we see lwj flitting about the edges of the screen blocking attacks left and right, and keeping wwx safe

SUDDENLY, we hear the sound of a second flute pierce the air! And the puppets get more vicious. WWX IS NO LONGER IN CONTROL

Btw, apparently, we the audience are the only ones who can hear this second flute BC NOBODY ON-SCREEN SEEMS TO QUESTION THE FLUTE MUSIC PLAYING EVEN WHEN WWX VERY OBVIOUSLY DOESN’T HAVE THE FLUTE AT HIS MOUTH TO PLAY IT

IT’S SO FRUSTRATING. I THOUGHT THESE CULTIVATORS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SOMEWHAT INTELLIGENT BUT NOTHING THEY’VE DONE EVER SHOWS THIS

And oh fuck, once the second flute takes over the puppets we get the SAD BACKGROUND MUSIC FROM “THE ONES WHERE WE GROSS SOB FOREVER”

FUCK

I CAN’T 

I’VE BEEN FUCKING PAVLOV’D TO INSTANT TEARS AT THIS MUSIC, DAMN IT ALL.

NOOOO, NONONONONO I’M NOT READY, I’M NOT READY, I’M NOT READY

The yunmeng sibs are still crying out for each other as this Sad Music plays aND I JUST CAN’T.

They finally set eyes on one another, only to see a puppet come up behind jyl

Jc is begging wwx to stop the puppet bc he thinks wwx is still in control

Wwx is so desperate here that he doesn’t even use his flute, he just starts SCREAMING at the puppet to stop, “GO AWAY, DON’T TOUCH HER”

And lwj sees this all happening! He follows wwx’s line of sight and sees that jyl is about to get cut down by a puppet

LWJ SEES THIS AND IMMEDIATELY TRIES TO GO TO HER AID

BC HE KNOWS JYL IS WWX’S PRECIOUS PERSON. TO PROTECT HER IS TO PROTECT WWX’S HEART

Also i like to think that lwj and jyl bonded over their love for wwx way back in “the one where jyl captains the ship” so he’d want to protect his friend anyway

But he gets intercepted by two other puppets who attack him and keep him stalled far away from jyl and wwx 

FUCK

WHY

GOD DAMN IT

The puppet cuts down jyl from behind

AND IT FUCKING HURTS ME IN THE DEEPEST PART MY SOUL

And wwx is in a state of shock bc HIS SISTER, HIS BELOVED SISTER IS HURT, HIS SISTER IS HURT

Wwx makes a mad dash towards her

But Lwj intercepts him and says “wei ying, stop your puppets! Stop them!”

Wwx doesn’t listen to him. He flings lwj’s arm away and keeps running

Wwx finally makes it to where jyl fell, where she’s now being cradled in jc’s arms

Wwx reaches for her but jc shoves him away

Jc: you said you could control them, you said there was no problem

He’s not even really yelling here, but his voice is all cracked, hoarse, and pained

Wwx: it’s not me, i don’t know! i didn’t make them kill people, why can’t i control them? I lost control of them!

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING

I’M HURTING SO MUCH RIGHT NOW

I’M SICK OF CRYING, SHOW, I’M SICK OF IT. PLEASE STOP. WHY MUST YOU HURT ME

Jyl is still alive!

Jyl: a-xian, xianxian

She reaches and puts her hand on the side of his face

Jyl: you ran so fast, i didn’t have enough time to look at you and talk to you

AND I’M FUCKING SOBBING BC SHE SOUNDS SO WEAK AND WWX HAS TEARS STREAMING DOWN HIS FACE AND EVERYTHING FUCKING HURTS

Jyl: i wanted to tell you--

But she doesn’t get to finish that sentence bc she sees someone aiming for wwx’s back and she shoves him out of the way to protect him

She gets a sword to the chest

And the rando cultivator holding the sword is all it’s not my fault, i was aiming for you, wwx this is your fault!

FUCK YOU RANDO CULTIVATOR FUCK YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL

Wwx starts to choke him out, which is good bc i wanted to do that myself too

And jc is sobbing, rocking his sister’s body

AND THIS IS WHERE THE EPISODE ENDS

WHAT

THE 

FUCK

NO, I CNA’T, I CAN’T, I’M HURTING SO MUCH, COME BACK AND MAKE IT BETTER GOD DAMN IT

I HAVE NO MORE TISSUES!! TISSUES ARE CURRENTLY A HOT COMMODITY, I CAN’T JUST GO OUT AND BUY MORE

FUCK, JUST LEAVE ME HERE TO DIE. I CNA’T ANYMORE.

Return to Masterpost

#WangXiantics #wangxian #the untamed #cql

[bedeliainwonderland]

I was tagged by @tsar-devitsa, thank you so much darling 🖤

Zodiac: Scorpio sun, Libra moon, Aries rising

Height: 162 cm (we only do metric system in this house).

Last thing I googled: Birth chart calculator to get my rising sign lol.

Song stuck in my head: Fever by Dua Lipa & Angele.

Number of followers: 872

Amount of sleep: 7 hours on weekdays if I’m lucky, 8-9 on weekends.

Lucky number: 13 and 7

Favorite song: it’s an impossible choice! Sinnerman by Nina Simone because that song is a transcending experience, Ride by Lana Del Rey because it’s my go to song when I am upset and just want to scream, In The Springtime of His Voodoo by Tori Amos because hearing her sing it live was the best, tears inducing performance I have ever seen, Cat People by David Bowie, it’s my dance with dimmed lights with a glass of wine song, and just plain epic.

Favorite instrument: piano and any piano adjacent instruments, yes harpsichord for example (Hannibal would be proud).

Dream job: Not needing to have on.

Aesthetic: Quirky, all things weird and cute at the same time. Bold colours and unusual designs. Italian cities in summer. Opulent theatres/ opera houses. Abandoned buildings of faded grandeur. Old cemeteries overgrown with foliage. Caught between the light/ glamour and darkness/ decay.

Favorite author: Angela Carter, Margaret Atwood, Daphne Du Maurier, Neil Gaiman, Mikhail Bulgakov, Stephen King (feels like I copied half of your answer, but hey, good taste all around here! :)).

Favorite animal noises: purring kitties! basically any kitty sounds, and chirping red pandas (they emit these when they are mating, it’s beyond adorable).

Random: I am not doing great at the moment, so I don’t think there is anything interesting to tell. I am looking forward to getting my tattoo done eventually (it will be a red panda on my back left shoulder). I already have one tattoo: a lotus flower between my shoulder blades. 

I tag @wvnjo @bedannibal-lectaurier @celta-diabolica @stellagibsonsgirl @halewynslady @awayfromsight and anyone else who wants to play.

#tag game #about me

[stellar-alley]

•The One With The Maniac•

So this oneshot is gonna be just a little bit different from my others. It's going to be based on a song! I'm hoping to do a couple of different songs oneshots. This one-shot is gonna be based on Conan Gray's Maniac. I hope you guys enjoy!

Also, just a little disclaimer if the Losers are kinda out of character...

Summary: Based off of Conan Gray's Maniac. Richie wants Eddie back so he shows up at his home all alone, with a shovel and a rose.

~

Maniac

You were with your friends, partying When the alcohol kicked in Said you wanted me dead

Friday's sun was setting over the small town of Derry. Two teens finished off a six-pack of beer as they sat side by side in the back parking lot of their local mall.

"Rich, Truth or Dare?" The redhead asked the trashmouth as he passed her his cigarette before responding, "Dare" he smirked.

The girl took her time, pondering about the dare. She blew smoke into the cool April air before she spoke, "If you could kill one person at school, who'd it be?".

"Bev! I said a dare, you've gotta get your ears checked darling-"

"Answer the question and you'll get your damn dare" She responded, a glare in her eyes. He tended to do this when he didn't get what he wanted.

"Fine... If you've gotta know, it's that asshat from the cafeteria. Eddie fucking Kaspbrak" He responded with a rolling of his eyes.

"Isn't that the guy who ruined your shirt?" She asks, although her voice is soft, not much emotion since she's paying more attention towards the cigarette between her fingers then the conversation she was having. "The guy you dated?" She wondered allowed,  without realizing the line she had just crossed.

"Yeah, the total creep. And the nerve of that kid! Coming up to me in the cafeteria, ruining my favourite shirt. I wish I could've given him the beating he was asking for" Richie mumbled as he pulled another cigarette out from his pocket and lit it. He was tired of always having to wait for Beverly to pass hers back.

It wasn't as big of a deal as Richie made it out to be. Eddie was walking through the cafeteria with his friends, The Losers. The trashmouth was in the mood to have a little fun. So just for shits and giggles he stuck his foot out from beneath the lunch table and waited for trouble. Eddie hadn't noticed the hazard when he walked by, but that didn't mean he didn't trip and spill his mystery soup (not event the lunch ladies know what's in that shit) all over Richie and his favourite shirt.

Well, that's what he claims, the shirt was the one he won during his first track meet, the meet that changed his entire high school career, he did come in third after all. It's what got him from the losers table to the table everyone wished they sat at with the popular kids. (cliche ikr?). But his real favourite shirt wasn't technically a shirt at all, it was a button-down shirt, some may even call it a Hawaiian shirt. It was white with dark blue palm trees, but he never told his friends that, well at least his new friends... They didn't really know much about him, aside from the whole 'track star' thing and Richie wanted to keep it that way.

"Then do it... Anyone who ruins Richie Tozier's favourite shirt deserves it" Her response was laced with mockery, practically holding back the laughter.

Richie suddenly sat up a little straight, puffing his chest out in an attempt to seem more manly. "What? You think I won't?" He scuffed as Bev rolled her eyes.

"I know you Rich. Your bark is worse than your bite. You say you'll do it, and never will" She glanced away right when Richie jumped off the ledge, landing on the pavement before subtly stumbling over his feet. He quickly caught himself and tried to play it off. The two had been sitting on a ledge in the back parking lot of their local mall.

"Yeah. Well, guess what, today's the day you're wrong. Get ready to eat your own words, Marsh!" Richie practically shouted.

He'd already turned to walk away when Beverly shouted to him "Take pics for me". There wasn't much emotion in her voice though as she knew that Richie wasn't going to do it. The two had been friends for years and she would bet that Richie would make up this elaborate plan but end up spending the night alone in his room, then wake up with an ache in his wrist. So she simply watched his back as he slowly disappeared into the night.

So, you showed up at my home, all alone with a shovel and a rose

The front door opened almost immediately after Richie knocked on it.

"Hell-oh..." The voice stopped mid-sentence. Their eyes grew wide with shock "What the hell are you doing here?", the boy at the door hissed. Before either of them could get another word out, the boy at the door glanced over his shoulder and slipped outside, gently closing the door behind him.

Standing before Richie was his ex-boyfriend. The two had been best friends for the majority of their lives and decided to start dating in their sophomore year of high school. It went extremely well since the boys were head over heels for each other, powered by the countless years where they never admitted their love for each other.  Let's just say they had an epic love story, but the ending came too soon.

Richie was tall. Well taller than the boy who stood before him, he had a couple of inches on him for sure. Richie's hair was a mess of dark curls that flopped onto his rugged face. Unlike the other boy who's hair was layers of neatly combed brown waves that perfectly framed his soft face, where his confused eyes stared daggers at Richie.

"Eddie I'm so-" Richie started.

"No, stop-"

"Please just let me explain".

"Start with why you have a fucking shovel" Eddie jetted his hand out to motion towards the shovel that Richie had held over his shoulder.

"Oh yeah, shit" He cursed before carelessly dropping it, letting it clatter on the front porch. Now with the shovel gone, the only other thing in his grasp was the rose. "Eddie, please... I messed up and I'm sorry..." His voice drifted off as Eddie crossed his arms over his chest.

'Cause people like you always want back what they can't have But I'm past that and you know that So you should turn back to your rat pack, tell 'em trash

"Yeah, Rich. You and the rest of the fucking world! You're the guy who wants everything that you can't have. You know that I don't swoon over you like everyone else at that damned school and it drives you completely insane" Some could say Eddie wore a smirk on his face, but it was really his way of bitting back the tears that were begging to escape.

Tell all of your friends that I'm crazy and drive you mad

"Fine. Okay, whatever. You're so fucking stubborn. Eddie, I'm apologizing! I never do this and what, you can't even accept it! I'm trying to fix something here" Richie stopped to let out a breath of air, a heavy sigh. "This is exactly why we never worked, cause you drive me insane. I can't believe I let things get this out of hand, I should've dumped you when you started stalking me-"

That I'm such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath

Then tell them you hate me and dated me just for laughs

So, why do you call me and tell me you want me back?

"Richie, you are the one who told your friends that it was a joke, that we weren't dating, then you went and cheated on Sally fucking Jenson..." Eddie's voice cracked as the memories of the past years flashed through his head.

The taller boy angrily ran his hand through his tangled curls. "I had to! I had to put on a show for the rest of the world so they'd get off my fucking back. What was I supposed to do? My boyfriend wouldn't even go public with me because of his overprotective mother" Richie knew the moment he said the words that he had just dug his own grave. "Shit, Eddie-" But he got cut off by the boy with watery eyes.

"What Richie, what do you want me to say? You knew that if I came out as being gay that my mother would fucking disown me. But you couldn't handle that..." his voice drifted off when a tear rolled down his cheek. He inhaled a shaky breath before continuing, "Y-You needed someone to show off to the whole school. Cause that's who you are, Rich. You're the Prince, but I'm not your fucking princess, not anymore...".

Richie didn't get another chance to say anything as Eddie's words were followed by the loud sound of the door slamming in his face.

You maniac You maniac

He knew to get behind the wheel was a mistake, especially after a couple of beers. But he had no other choice, he needed to get home somehow. On the drive home, he couldn't get Eddie off of his mind. He was furious, well... he wanted to be. He wanted to be so mad that he'd go and out Eddie to his mom, just to see his expression. But no matter how mad he wanted to be, he just wasn't. Because he knew Eddie was right. He knew that he called Eddie a crazy stalker to his friends because of the one time Eddie followed him to the mall where he went on a date with Sally Jenson. That led to some bullying by his friends and he felt really bad, but what was he supposed to do? Stand up for his now ex-boyfriend and risk losing his rank? But those asshats never really got him, or his stupid jokes... Only the Losers ever did. Only Eddie really loved him, not the jocks he hung out with now.

Sadly to realize this, Richie's mind needed to focus more on his inner dialogue instead of the road he had just driven off of. The sudden force caused his head to slap against the steering wheel, sending a wave of pain through his head.  This mind was spinning.

Am I dead? SHIT wow... Heaven looks a lot like my shitty car- OH NO, IT'S HELL! Wait-

His thoughts were cut short by the soft music still playing from his car radio. Slowly the sweet sound of Sufjan Stevens' Mystery Of Love pulled him back to reality. He realized that he'd driven off of the road and landed in a grassy ditch.

Okay, Richie, you've got this... Just look around and see what happened

After calming himself down, that's exactly what he did. Looking around at the wreckage, it was clear he'd dented his hood and the bumper of his car, but everything else seemed to be intact.  That thought changed when he felt something under his nose. Quickly wiping under his nose with the hem of his sleeve, he realized his nose was bleeding.

"Fuck..." He mumbled, resting his head on the steering wheel.

You just went too far Wrecked your car, called me crying in the dark Now you're breakin' my heart

The phone rang one and a half times before it was answered. Richie was greeted by a voice that sounded normal as if he hadn't been screaming at his ex-boyfriend only a little over an hour ago.

"Hello?"

Richie wished he could've sounded as good as Eddie had.

He tried to steady his breathing, to sound strong, but he was only able to produce shaky words with a weak voice, "Eds... baby, light of my life, I fucked up"

The words sent shivers down Eddie's spine. He hadn't heard that phrase in a very long time. To others, the words 'Light of my life', are just other words of endearment. But to Eddie and Richie, it was a code, taken directly from The Shinning. It meant that the other needed help, that they were in an uncomfortable situation and needed to get out. For example if Eddie was about to have a panic attack in class and needed to let Richie know he'd signal him over "Light of my life, I need to go use the bathroom" and then he'd help Eddie. Or if Richie got invited to someone's house and he really didn't want to go, he'd use the code phrase and Eddie would come up with some fake thing they had previously planned to get him out of that situation.

Eddie jumped from his bed and retrieved his coat from the closet, simply asking "Where are you?", before leaving the house.

~

When Eddie left Richie on his front step, he rushed to his room, hoping to avoid his mother so she wouldn't see the tears streaming down his cheeks.

Fuck, FUCK! I was just getting over him... But of course, he's gotta come back right when I'm getting better.

There was a while where Eddie just laid on his bed on top of the covers. He was curled up into a ball, holding one of his stuffed animals close to his chest as he filled its fur with the tears that fell from his eyes.

By the time Eddie's phone lit up with a call from Richie, the other boy had already cleaned himself up and was reading in bed. As he attempted to escape his current situation.

So, I show up at your place right away

Wipe the tears off of your face

While you beg me to stay

Eddie pulled over onto the side of the road near the area where Richie's car sat in the ditch. The car visibly looked okay from behind, well aside from the smoke coming from the front of the car. Eddie slowly approached the vehicle, examine the damage as he got closer. The hammering of his heart in his chest only worsened the closer he got to the car.

His heart sunk when he realized that the driver's side door was already open. What he saw next caused everything to stop, his breathing, maybe even his heart. Richie wasn't there. Eddie quickly stuck his head inside.

"Richie?" His voice filled with urgency and worry as he examined the car. He wasn't in the back, or anywhere! The blood on the steering wheel only made things worse. "RICHIE!" Eddie shouted, getting out the car. His mind was racing as he raked his hand through his hair. Suddenly it felt like he couldn't breathe, no matter how hard he inhaled he could never catch his breath.

"H-Hey Eds..." The voice was weak, tired, but loud enough to reach Eddie.

The boy's head snapped towards the source of the voice, "RICH" Eddie almost exclaimed. Richie had gotten out of the car and dragged himself on the grassy little hill that led to the road. He was sprawled out in the dark green grass, with a bloodstain on the neck of his shirt.

Eddie ran to him, sliding onto his knees to be beside Richie before asking, "Holy shit... What happened?". After only a moment of being beside him, Eddie smelt something, he leaned closer and inhaled through his nose, "Fuck, Richie have you been drinking? I can't believe you honest-". But the shorter boy stopped when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around him. Richie had sat up and hugged Eddie tightly. At first, the other boy didn't know how to respond, but he slowly gave in and returned the hug. At that moment he felt his breath finally return to his lungs.

He realized in that moment that no matter what he was feeling or where they were, Richie was always able to calm Eddie down. Whether his head was in the clouds or he was in the middle of an anxiety attack, Richie was the only one who knew what to do, and it always worked.

Richie eventually pulled Eddie down onto the grass with him, where the two laid together, their limbs all tangled up and their fingers laced together as they held hands.

Well, people like you always want back what they can't have But I'm past that and you know that

Eddie's head was laying on top of Richie's chest. Slowly rising and falling with the deep breaths that Richie was taking. He slightly shifted his position, he tilted his head up to look at Richie. His eyes were clouded as he stared blankly up into the dark sky. "Are you really sorry?" Eddie's voice was low and soft.

The words caused Richie's eyebrows to knit together in confusion. He slowly sat up, leaning on his elbows causing Eddie to slid off of his chest, he laid beside him. "Eddie, I meant every word I said. I am really sorry about everything I did. I-I let the popularity get to my head, but you know I'd leave all of that behind if that meant I'd make you happy, you know that, right?".

Did Eddie know that? Did he trust him enough to not act out, to not cheat again or spread lies? What was he kidding... The two losers had been best friends since fricken kindergarten, he wasn't going to let Richie's title of Derry High Track Star change that. Cause deep down he was still his Trashmouth.

There was a moment where the two just stared at each other as if Richie hadn't just gotten into a car accident. It was like the rest of the world stopped for a couple of minutes, giving them time to just think.

"Prove it, Trashmouth" Eddie's demand caused a small shiver to run down his spine, no one has called him Trashmouth in a long time. "Prove that you're sorry".

"Whatever you want, my dearest spaghetti" Richie said, slowly closing the distance between the two.

Eddie didn't protest when Richie got closer. He almost didn't even react, he just sat there in shock when Richie's lips brushed up against his own. The kiss was very short and sweet as if the trashmouth was just carefully testing the waters. But Eddie had been testing the water for so long now, trying to figure out his feelings. Sometimes you've just gotta dive right in. That's what he did.

A moment after their lips parted, a smile filled Eddie's face before he leaned back in and kissed Richie Tozier. This kiss was different from the last, it was passionate and forceful, Eddie practically pushed Richie back onto the grass.

The kiss was filled with emotion. It was every moment that the boys didn't spend together over the past two years. Every time they wanted to call, every time they missed the other's touch, every sad night alone and sob session. Finally reunited under the stary night sky. After a childhood of yearning for each other, plus two more years.

So you should turn back to your rat pack, tell 'em trash Tell all of your friends that I'm crazy and drive you mad That I'm such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath Then tell them you hate me and dated me just for laughs So, why do you call me and tell me you want me back?

Their lips parted for a moment and Eddie took the chance to ask "What about your rat pack?". His voice was quiet and mumbled before the two kissed again.

This time Richie leaned away, he gave Eddie a look and asked  "Why now Eds? Gotta ruin the moment" he smirks up at the shorter boy who laid on top of him, "What about them?".

Eddie pulled away, he mirrored the smirk that Richie wore, "What are you gonna do with them? They aren't exactly my biggest fans. What do they think I am again? A stalker? A watcher? A psychopath?". A playful tone filled his voice before he leaned down and kissed him again.

In response, Richie wrapped his arms around Eddie's waist and rolled over, so now Richie laid on Eddie's chest, his legs slowly wrapping around Richie's. "Fuck them Eds. It's you Eddie, it's always been you..." Richie's voice drifted off as he buried his head deep into the crook of Eddie's neck. His eyes closed while he soaked up the warmth from the other's body. He released a shaky exhale as  Eddie wrapped his arms around Richie's tired body.

"I-I love you Eddie" He whispered. For the first time in a long time, he was serious, no dirty undertones or jokes, he was sharing his true feelings with the boy he cared for most.

"I love you too Richie" he could feel Eddie's cheeks curl into a smile against his own. But he could also feel the smile when it faltered, "Never leave me again" the cold voice said as Richie leaned away so he could look Eddie dead in the eyes.

"It's you and me against the world, you maniac".

Word count: 3486

I hope everyone liked this one shot! I know it was kinda out of character but I really enjoyed writing it and giving the two different backstories and all. I also really enjoy Maniac by Conan Gray and I'm so happy I got to make my own story based on it.

Anyways I really hope you guys enjoyed this song based oneshot, and be prepared cause I've got more like this plan. And if you have a song that you want me to turn into a Reddie one shot then comment or message me! I take requests (;

That's all from my guys,

Until next time

so long and goodnight

#eddie kaspbrak #reddie #richie tozier #beep beep richie #beverly marsh #it chapter 1 #it 2019 #it 2017 #it chapter 2 #it #losers club #the losers club #gay #maniac #conan gray #conan gray maniac #oneshot #finn wolfhard #jack dylan grazer #bill hader #bill denbrough #mike hanlon #ben hanscom #stanley uris #stan uris

[thesterekcollection]

MasterPost Sterek List

Sterek MasterPost

# - A - D       E - I        J - R      S - Z

#

"Five Days in Detention" (A Future Song by Stiles Stilinski) by alisvolatpropiis | 3.4K

(after all) you're my wonderwall  by alasse | 17.5K

(Fake) Winter Weather Brings Us Together by tylerfucklin (Deshonanana) | 10.5K

(I Ain't Scared of the Fall) I've Felt the Ground Before by planiforidjit | 41K

(Never) Let Me Go by Jerakeen | 5.8K

(not so) Pure Imagination by theroguesgambit | 33.1K

(they say) this should feel something like fire by pr1nc3ssp34ch | 11.1K

(We Left Ourselves) In the Drift by omelet | 12.8K

[Sleep]Walking After You by relenafanel | 56.5K

(You Drive Me) Crazy by I_glitterz | 5.6K

#nofilter by Patchouli (lifelesslyndsey) | 17.2K

28 Days by mountain_ash | 8K

5 Times Stiles & Derek's Classmates Noticed They Were in a Committed Relationship and 1 Time Stiles Noticed by Survivah | 2.8K

5 ways cosmo can help you win your man by stilinskisparkles | 5.7K 

A

A (Sort of) Fairytale by briecheesei, daunt | 25.8K

A Blossoming Romance by Trelkez | 7.5K

A Broken Heart Is Blind | 5.3K

A Bro's Guide to Surviving an Assassination by Tupping Liberty | 30.8K | Explicit

A Californian Werewolf in New York by dancinbutterfly, knight_tracer

A Cinderfella Story by yerawizardjane | 19.3K

A Crumpled Bouquet of Pink Flowers by Vendelin | 2.4K

A Desperate Arrangement by mikkimouse | 115.5K

A Hale for the Holidays by rlnerdgirl | 38K

A Handprint on the Door by mrsvc | 5.2K

A Heart is a Heavy Burden by lielabell | 41.2K

A Life Less Ordinary by Jebiwonkenobi | 19.2K

a little advice for aspiring fires by The Byger (Byacolate) | 42.1K

A Little Fur Goes A Long Way by janonny | 2.6K

A Little Sugar by exclamation | 4.9K

A Long Way To Go by tekmessa | 10.5K

A Mating Moon by unpossible | 37.3K

a mountain to climb by grimm | 126.4K

A series of unfortunate blind dates by jazzhandsy | 6.4K

A Ship Without a Mate Sinks by sarcasmandirony | 43.2K

A Simple Life by Survivah | 13.7K

A Strong Heart and a Nerve of Steel by lupinus, uraneia | 21.2K

A sudden simple twist of fate by heydieydoey | 14.5K

A Thousand Fiery Suns of Angst - Just Press Play by apocryphal | 21.2K

A Whole Strip of Condoms  by eeyore9990 | 20.2K

A Wild Heart's Desire by mikkimouse | 13.4K

A Wildness Warily Awakened by Etharei | 64.5K

Abominable by Revenant | 20.2K

Absence Makes the Dick Grow Fonder by tylerfucklin, (orphan_account) | 4.1K

Accidentally in Love by Scruffy_Wolf | 9.3K

According to Plans by eldee | 72.7K

ADHDecaf by pleaseletmetouchyourbutt | 2.7K

affettuoso by bleepobleep | 13K

Ain't Nothing so Good as the Cake and Eating it by sofonisba_found | 51K

All I Want is The Taste That Your Lips Allow by ionsquare | 28.1K

All Stirred Up by jsea, marguerite_26 | 49.4K

All That I Want Is Here by sheafrotherdon | 6.3K

All You Ever Needed to Know About Knotting by KuriKuri | 4.7K

all you're giving me is friction by drunktuesdays | 4.7K

All's Fair in Orgasms and War by bleepobleep | 63.2K

an exaltation of larks by llassah | 25.3K

And Also, I Love You by alisvolatpropiis | 7.1K

And Dwell Beneath My Shadow by lielabell | 8.6K

and home before dark by verity | 3.1K

and i can easily understand, how easily you could take my man by bleepobleep | 1.9K

And We'll Be Complicated by ingberry | 18.5K

And You Say You're Alone by taelynhawker | 30.3K

anything, anything by drunktuesdays | 5.2K

Around the Bend by lupinus, uraneia | 14.8K

awful, wonderful you by stilinskisparkles | 16.9K

B

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon by secondstar | 21.3K

Babcia Knows Best by thepsychicclam | 11.8K

baby daddies by stilinskisparkles | 5.8K

Baby Yoga For Beginners by otatop | 7.6K

Baby You're Beautiful by supernaynay | 1K

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jebiwonkenobi | 2.7K

Back to Beacon Hills by surrenderdammit | 10.4K

Badly Timed Boners and A Failure To Communicate by eeyore9990 | 22.8K

Be True To Who You Are by dedougal | 3K

Beauty and the Ex by aggybird | 26.3K

begin again by bleepobleep | 2.5K

Behind the Mask by exclamation | 110.5K

Believer and a Homecoming by Isdme | 11K

Beltane by DevilDoll | 8.2K

Best Thing by 74days | 59.7K

between the click of the light and the start of the dream by thepsychicclam | 105.1K

Between the Stacks by dinglehoppersaplenty | 10.9K

Big Block of Cheese Day by raktajinos | 14.4K

big light by stilinskisparkles | 4.7K

Big Spoon by Emela | 3.4K

Binomial Coefficients by DevilDoll | 20.7K

Bite Down Hard by KuriKuri | 25.7K

Blind Date With A Book by thepsychicclam | 30.3K

Blizzard Boyfriend by literaryoblivion | 1.8K

Bloodsport (Brothers) by NARKOTIKA | 90.4k

Blushing Pretty by the_deep_magic | 3.2K

Bodies Can Be Bought But the Heart Cannot Be Owned; Only Given Freely by kyrene | 102.9K

Bonding for Beginners by Ember | 43.2K

Bones Straining Under the Weight by weathervaanes | 15.6K

Boy in Blue by kaihire | 3.5K

Break the Ice by YouRunWithTheWolves | 11.8K

Bubbles by always_addicted | 58.1K

Build an Ivory Tower by teot | 8.3K

Bullets and Claws by Miya_Morana | 12.2K

Burn It Out by Omni | 6.3K

Burning Glances (Turning Heads) by Yiichi | 28.4K

But In Case I Stand One Little Chance by mikkimouse | 8.6K

But Moses Supposes Erroneously by blue_fjords | 21.9K

But Not With Haste by uraneia | 19.9K

But The World Won't Stop Turning by thepsychicclam | 19.9K

But Then What... by Stoney | 24.3K

By a Law Divine by mirrorkill | 23.1K

By A String of Blue Lights by Lapin | 6.8K

By Any Other Name by entanglednow | 33K

By Moon And Stars by kellifer_fic | 15.9K

By The Hour by janonny | 16.4K

C

C'mon Now Sugar by teamfreewolf | 39.9K

C’était Salement Romantique by swing_set13 | 2.2K

Caged Humanity by Ember | 55.2K

Call Boys Need Love Too by Brego_Mellon_Nin | 20.3K

Call Me A Safe Bet by cutloosemcgoose | 3.4K

call it a wild card by stilinski | 18.4K

call me, maybe (but not in the library) by bibliosexual | 23.8K

Can I get Your (call) Number, Baby? by lielabell | 4.9K

can't be hateful, gotta be grateful by halfFizzbin | 6.2K

Can't Be Saved (Not So Frail) by weathervaanes | 16.3K

Canon in D Major by rufflefeather | 4.2K

CAPTIVE by writeonclara | 23.5K

Cause I Built a Home (For You, For Me) by noneedforhystereks | 59.7K

chantes une nouvelle chanson pour moi by pr1nc3ssp34ch | 13.1K

Cherrybomb by the_deep_magic | 13.1K

Chocolate & Pomegranates by Dexterous_Sinistrous | 9.6K

Choice by Omni | 8.6K

Chosen by exclamation | 99K

Circle Yes or No by blacktofade | 23.1K

Climb by hiasobi_writes | 3K

Closer Than Most by Finduilas | 46.9K

Coaches Cupcake Coffee House by ChildOfTheRevolution | 4.8K

Cockblocking For Dummies by KeriArentikai | 3.4K

Come Fly With Me (Or Don't) by stilinskisparkles | 15.3K

Come with Me and Walk the Longest Mile by DevilDoll | 39.2K

Coming Home by sheafrotherdon | 9.9K

Commands and Contrasts by ravingrevolution | 88.3K

Consort to the King by Ember | 26.2K

Constantly on the Cusp by alivolatpropiis | 40.8K

cool story, bro by drunktuesdays | 13K

Cornerstone by Vendelin | 83.7K

Crash Landers by gyzym | 31.1K

Cross My Soul by ecarian | 31.9K

CSI: Beacon Hills by jerakeen | 8.2K

Cupboard Love by mklutz | 32.6K

D

Darling It Is No Joke by thehoyden | 13.2K

Defiance and Progress by rosepetals42 | 92.1K

DELETE ME by trilliath | 5.2K

delicate in every way but one by callunavulgari | 3.3K

Denial by ericaismeg | 4.9K

Deputy Derek Hale, Alpha by eldee | 12.6K

Derek Hale's No Bad Very Good Day by Venivincere | 11.1K

Derek Hale's Possible Heart by MellytheHun | 4.3K

Derek's Epic Love Story by arrowofcarnations | 11.5K

Desperate But Not Serious by sofonisba_found | 13.2K

Detective Stiles Stilinski and the Case of Derek Hale’s Mysterious Mate by dearericbittle (dutchmoxie) | 5.5K

Diamonds Are Forever (but flowers are cheaper) by tylerfucklin (Deshonanana) | 9.4K

Didn't See That Coming by knittersrevolt | 83.8K

Dirty paws and furry coats by queerly_it_is | 57.6K

Disappear Here by AgnesBlue | 28.5K

Divided We Stand by KouriArashi | 156.7K

Do It Again In Reverse by Trelkez | 3.5K

don't carry it all by grimm | 7.2K

Don't forget the Tic Tacs by rachtay13 | 11K

don't go changing (to try and please me) by Menacherie | 2.6K

Don't Speak by fatale | 68.9K

Don't Worry Baby by kalpurna | 20.2K

Don’t Be Anything But Okay by skoosiepants | 4.8K

Double Negatives by coffeeinallcaps | 16.3K

Dragon's Breath by trilliath | 56.1K

Driver's Education by arrowofcarnations | 9.2K

Dude, Werewolves by mysecretashes | 29.6K

Dude, what's a bulwark? by kellifer_fic | 12.1K

#sterek #sterek fic recs #masterpost #a #b #masterpost 1

[thearvariblues]

The Bard and The Wolf - Chapter Two

(AKA Geraskier in the Metal Band AU you didn’t know you needed)

The second chapter of my Fic That Was Supposed To Be Short But Definitely Won’t Be. You can also find it on AO3, if you want! :)

The masterpost for this fic can be found HERE.

2 – Breathe, Buttercup

Silence fell when he walked into the Kaer Morhen’s rehearsal room, and he immediately started to question his choice of clothes.

Yes, he was wearing the same tight black pants as he did the last time. But he’d rummaged through his wardrobe and found a V-neck black T-shirt and a long black vest to go with it (and it might have been a ladies’ vest, but he quite honestly didn’t care), and also a pair of heavy leather boots he used to wear when he was sixteen. His eyes were framed by black eyeliner, and he couldn’t resist putting a little bit of lip gloss on his lips.

He was convinced he looked stunning, until he saw all the band members staring at him.

God, was he trying too hard? Come on, those were metalheads, he clearly wasn’t one of them, why was he even…

And Geralt’s face was completely blank, Christ, but his amber eyes went a little wider. Was it disapproval? It had to be disapproval.

Luckily for Jaskier, someone decided to speak before his anxious brain could force him to turn on his heel and run.

“Oh, wow,” Renfri said. “You look gorgeous, buttercup.”

“Uhm,” Jaskier blinked, his racing mind coming to a sudden stop. “Thanks.”

“Yeah,” Lambert grinned. “Definitely looks much better than the pink shirt you were wearing last time.”

“That was magenta, not pink,” Jaskier said automatically.

“Right,” Lambert laughed. “As if there’s any difference.”

“Well, actually...” Jaskier started, but then Geralt smirked.

“Actually, there’s a massive difference, according to Ciri,” he said. “When I said I wasn’t sure if the pink shirt would fit our image, she rolled her eyes and said Jeez, dad, that was MAGENTA. I got a bit lost after that, so I don’t know what exactly the difference is, sorry.”

“Honestly, I don’t really need the explanation. He was pink. He’s not pink anymore. That’s good enough for me,” Lambert said.

“Ciri’s gonna be disappointed, though,” Renfri commented. “She was so looking forward to taking you shopping to find you something proper to wear...”

“She still can. I mean, those are my only black clothes,” Jaskier smirked, gesturing to his attire. “And it took me ages to dig out that T-shirt. Also, there definitely isn’t any mysterious hole on the back I had to cover with the vest, oh, no. And I have literally no proper accessories, except for the boots, and they’re like twelve years old.”

“Well, look who’s taking his new role as a metal singer very seriously,” Eskel nodded. “I’m starting to be glad Geralt insisted on giving you the chance.”

“I think that’s enough,” Geralt said, shooting Eskel a seemingly warning glance. “We should start.”

“Oh, good. Are we gonna introduce ourselves like we’re in school?” Eskel smirked. “Name, instrument, favorite drink...”

“No need,” Jaskier said. “I mean… For names and positions. Eskel, drums. Renfri, guitar. Lambert, bass.”

“And how do you know that?” Lambert said, cocking his eyebrow.

“I’m least likely to have sex with you. So you have to be the bassist, obviously,” Jaskier shrugged.

“And since he knows the lyrics to White Wolf, he’s obviously seen us play live before, Sherlock,” Renfri grinned. “Just out of curiosity, who are you most likely to have sex with?”

“A gentleman doesn’t tell, darling.”

“Is it Geralt?”

“Enough,” Geralt growled. “I wasn’t even going to say we should introduce–”

“I think Jaskier should definitely introduce himself,” Eskel said. “We should have more information about him before we decide whether we want him in the band or not.”

“Right. Sure,” Jaskier nodded. “It’s fair. So, my name is Jaskier, as you all know. Yes, technically it’s a stage name, but it’s also the name I prefer. I like fine wine, fine music, fine… company.”

“If this is the way you’re trying to tell us you’re gay...” Lambert smirked.

“Bisexual, in fact,” Jaskier smiled. “Pansexual, technically speaking.”

“Cool,” Lambert nodded. “I mean, that’s fine. Renfri and Geralt swing both ways, too, you know.”

“You really don’t know when you should keep your mouth shut, do you, Lambert?” Geralt sighed. “Please. I am trying to get somewhere here…”

“Can you play any instruments besides the guitar, Jaskier?” Lambert went on.

“Yeah, I mean, of course. I can play many instruments, really, really badly,” Jaskier grinned. “But I can definitely play the piano. And keyboards, of course. Also violin. Guitar, piano and violin are the only ones I play good enough to be able to teach them. Oh, and I can play the lute, of course, how could I forget!”

“Oh dear God, he can play the lute,” Lambert sighed. “I mean, of course he can, he’s a bard, after all, but still…”

“Just out of curiosity, what do you do for a living, Jaskier?” Eskel asked.

“I, uhm, teach music?” Jaskier replied, biting his lip. “There’s several people I tutor, and of course I am also a lecturer at the local university. Uhm. I didn’t mean of course, of course, I mean I happen to be a lecturer...”

“Breathe, buttercup,” Renfri said, clasping his shoulder. “Nobody’s judging you. Right, guys?”

“Sure not,” Eskel smiled. “So… you have a degree?”

Jaskier bit his lip.

“Yeah. Yeah. That’s right. A degree.”

“Jaskier?” Renfri said, lifting her eyebrows.

“It might be more of a doctorate,” Jaskier muttered. “In music education.”

“But that’s awesome!” Renfri beamed. “Finally someone who could teach Lambert to keep the rhythm!”

“Ha ha, Renfri, ha ha,” Lambert snorted. “Or he could teach you more than four chords, eh?”

“Nah, I don’t need more than three, usually,” she shrugged. “Right, Geralt?”

“Maybe you will, now,” Geralt smirked. “If Jaskier decides to become our songwriter, too.”

“Oh, I could?” Jaskier said, turning to Geralt with his eyes sparkling. “I mean, you don’t have a songwriter?”

“Yen wrote most of our lyrics, and we made the music together as a band,” Geralt sighed. “I’m not the best with words.”

“No shit,” Lambert smirked.

“Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh, boy, I’m gonna have a field day here. Oh, yes, baby, this is Jaskier’s time to shine!”

“Aaand you’ve just released the beast,” Eskel chuckled.

“I’m gonna write you so many great songs!” Jaskier laughed.

“Right. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Geralt said. “Before you do that, we need–”

“Renfri, honey, you’re gonna need way more than three chords, I assure you. But don’t worry, I’m a great tutor! I’m only gonna beat you a little.”

“Jaskier,” Geralt sighed, trying hard to stifle a laugh.

“Oh, my dear hearts, I’m everything you’ve been waiting for! I’m gonna–”

“Jaskier.”

Jaskier’s speech came to a sudden hslt, and the bard shut his eyes firmly and bit his lower lip.

“Geralt?” he peeped.

“Before you do all that,” Geralt smiled, “we need you to try and play a few songs with us. All right?”

“Yeah. Of course, of course,” Jaskier nodded vehemently. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, of course. You may yet find that I am just a shitty folk singer, completely unfit for your epic… metal… songs. Right. For the record, you do have lyrics for your songs somewhere, right? Because though I really love Song of the White Wolf, I’m afraid I really don’t know your other songs that much, and...”

As Jaskier was rambling, Geralt’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the screen. A text from Ciri.

So… Are you keeping him? it said.

Geralt looked at the bard, who was currently talking about the importance of singers knowing their lyrics even in their sleep, and smiled as he typed the reply.

He’s an idiot.

Is that a yes, dad?

Geralt chuckled.

It’s a yes.

*

Jaskier accepted a glass of alcohol from Renfri’s hand. He was a quick learner, because he didn’t even think about asking what exactly was in it.

“So. I don’t want to sound too eager, but...”

“You’re in,” Geralt said. “If you want.”

Jaskier stopped with his glass halfway up to his lips. Those were currently too busy grinning to be able to drink at the same time.

“Seriously?” he asked. “You’re not kidding, right? It’s not some kind of a horrible, cruel joke? Valdo Marx isn’t gonna jump up from behind the couch and laugh at me for believing I could be a part of Kaer Morhen?”

“You’re really in,” Geralt answered him. “And no, we are not going to slap a wig on you and pretend you’re Yennefer, either.”

“Good. That’s good. I don’t really think I could pull that off. So… What now?”

“Now we keep practicing,” Geralt said. “For the Battle of the Bands, you mean?”

“More like for the gig next week,” Renfri muttered.

“A gig next what?!” Jaskier exclaimed. “You’ve gotta be kidding me! You’re expecting me to be able to sing a gig with you next week?”

“Relax. It’s a short one. Only thirty minutes,” Eskel said in a vain attempt to sound encouraging.

Jaskier raised his hand and put it firmly on his chest.

“Right. Only thirty minutes. Oh, dear. I’m having a heart attack. I’m dying. You are expecting me to learn… I mean, there’s just no way...”

“Come on. You’re a clever guy, aren’t you?” Lambert smirked.

“Next week. Next week...” Jaskier groaned.

“Don’t panic, buttercup. It’s gonna be fine,” Renfri said, clasping his shoulder. “We can meet tomorrow and keep practicing.”

“No, not tomorrow,” Geralt shook his head. He was the only one to have the decency to look somewhat apologetic. “I’m playing D&D tomorrow, and if I cancel it again, Vesemir’s gonna find me and skin me alive.”

“Oh, that’s just great!” Jaskier said, spreading his arms wide. “The fate of the band is at stake, we desperately need to practice, but the lead singer… Wait. Did you say D&D?”

*

And that was how Jaskier ended up sitting in a living room of a guy called Vesemir (an old friend of Geralt’s, apparently) the next afternoon, being introduced to a bunch of new players who also decided to join the campaign.

“I’m not really new,” he explained to Vesemir. “I just… kinda used to play with the guys from my former band, and since we’re not exactly on speaking terms right now, I’m looking for a new group, that’s all.”

“Great. Less explaining for me then,” Vesemir nodded. “Now, about your character...”

“Oh, yes, a very surprising choice,” Geralt muttered. “A human bard named Jaskier, who would have guessed.”

“Oh, look who’s talking, witcher,” Jaskier growled.

“My god,” Vesemir laughed. “Now, this is going to be interesting.”

“What is going to be interesting?” Geralt asked, rolling a dice in his fingers.

“Nothing, nothing. If you’re ready, gentlemen, we could start. Our story begins in a little village called Posada...”

*

“Good, you’ve passed the perception check, so… As you are threatening the sylvan, you suddenly realize there’s someone standing behind you. What do you do now?”

“I turn around and defend myself, what do you think?” Geralt growled and rolled the dice.

“One. Oh, great job,” Jaskier sighed.

“Shut up, Jaskier. I’m not the one who’s been unconscious for the past five minutes!”

“Yes, my poor eighteen-year-old baby bard got knocked out, that’s why he needed the mighty witcher to protect him!”

“Well, that didn’t really work,” Vesemir smirked. “Geralt, the last thing you see is a fist heading straight for your face. And then everything goes black.”

“That’s what you deserve for rolling a fucking one.”

“I really hate you, Jaskier.”

*

“I want to break the bard’s lute,” said the guy playing one of the elves. Jaskier didn’t remember his name, but he’d just started to hate the guy.

“No, not the lute! Not the lute!” he yelled.

“Why exactly do you want to break his lute?” Vesemir asked the guy.

“Because I hate humans?” the elf replied.

“Fair enough,” Vesemir shrugged. “No, you don’t need to roll for that. In your anger, you break the lute in half, much to the bard’s displeasure.”

“Displeasure? Displeasure?!” Jaskier growled. “This isn’t just displeasure. I’m gonna murder you.”

“You realize it’s not a real lute, don’t you?” Geralt muttered.

“Of course. I would tear anyone who would try to touch my real lute to pieces. But a lute is a lute. You don’t just destroy lutes, not even fictional ones!”

“He just really loves lutes,” Geralt explained to Vesemir.

“You don’t say,” the man replied. “Geralt, what do you do now?”

“I try to convince the elves to leave the bard alone. Apparently,” Geralt sighed when Jaskier looked at him with big, blue puppy eyes.

“Oh, thank you, thank you. Fucking finally!” Jaskier clapped his hands. “Now, just don’t screw the… Aaand it’s a one again.”

“Jaskier, I’m really starting to regret taking you here...”

*

Some thirty minutes later, the game had ended and the “elves” had left the apartment. Jaskier wasn’t convinced they would be coming back. They seemed like the types who only wanted to try playing, and trying once was more than enough for them. But Jaskier definitely was coming back. If Geralt didn’t mind.

“Right,” he grinned when he realized Geralt wasn’t about to get up and leave any time soon. “Thanks for the magic lute, I guess.”

“Who said it was magical?” Vesemir smirked.

“I’ve told you I wasn’t a newbie. I know how these things work. That lute is definitely magical.”

“Geralt, seriously,” Vesemir laughed. “Where did you find this guy?”

“On the pavement in front of our rehearsal room,” Geralt said. “His band just kicked him out and he desperately needed a drink.”

Vesemir’s eyes narrowed.

“Geralt?” he muttered.

“All right,” Geralt sighed. “Jaskier, this is Vesemir. He’s kind of… our band’s manager.”

“Not kind of,” Vesemir said. “Geralt. Talk.”

“Yennefer’s left the band. Yes, again. For good, this time.”

“Oh, great. And you were going to tell me when?”

“Right now, as you can see. I mean… hear.”

“Awesome. So Jaskier here is…”

“Our new singer.”

Jaskier raised his eyebrows. Oh, boy, was Geralt really starting to seem scared of this guy?

“Geralt, I’ve already told you,” Vesemir sighed. “You can’t choose new band members by picking up random weird kids from the street!”

“Why not? That’s how we got Renfri after Coën left.”

“You mean Renfri, who hadn’t even held the guitar in her hand before she joined the band?”

“She got good, though, didn’t she?” Geralt grinned.

“So what about you, eh?” Vesemir said and turned to Jaskier. “Can you sing, or do you just look pretty?”

Jaskier smirked and took a deep breath.

“When a humble bard...” he sang softly. “Graced a ride along… With Geralt of Rivia… Along came this… song...”

“Yeah,” Geralt smirked. “He can sing, but also play and write lyrics and music.”

“No, that’s too good to be true,” Vesemir shook his head. “After all these years, you’ve finally found someone who can do that? Well, welcome on board, kid!”

“I’m not really a kid,” Jaskier commented. “And about that lute…”

“Yes, yes,” Vesemir nodded. “It’s definitely magical.”

“Yes! I knew it!”

*

The next day, at four PM, Jaskier was doing his very best to try and ignore Ciri, who was busily buzzing around him with her phone’s camera pointing in his direction.

“Just act natural,” Geralt said, for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. “Focus on the guitar and pretend to sing.”

“I’m trying,” Jaskier growled. “Why are we doing this, anyway? I mean, I know, you want my photo for the post about me becoming the new singer, but can’t you just use an older pic of me?”

“Shut up and play,” Lambert sighed. “Though I still think we should take a photo of you both, Geralt. Our two singers.”

“That’s not happening,” Geralt’s husky voice rasped and Jaskier lost his concentration once again.

“Why not?” he asked. “We’ve got such a good chemistry together, and I’m just… me. I’m telling you, Geralt, if you only post me, it’s gonna be a horrible shitstorm.”

“I agree with Jaskier,” Ciri said. “You should definitely be in the pic with him.”

“No,” Geralt growled. “Just play. We have been here for an hour already.”

“Twenty minutes,” Renfri said and reached for her own guitar. “And only because you’re a stubborn cock. Hey, buttercup. Teach me that song, what was it called? The Fishmonger’s daughter?”

A huge smile spread across Jaskier’s face as his fingers started to dance on the strings.

“Oh, fishmonger, oh, fishmonger, come quell your daughter’s hunger,” he singed softly. “To pull on my horn as it rises in the morn. For ‘tis naught but bad luck–”

“And I’ve got it,” Ciri announced. “What do you think, Renfri?”

“That our buttercup looks absolutely adorable,” the guitarist smiled, looking over her shoulder. “Good job, Ciri. Now we only need to write the post.”

“Great,” Lambert commented. “That’s gonna be a piece of cake, isn’t it?”

Continue with Chapter Three

#witcher fic #witcher fanfiction #geraskier fic #geraskier #geralt x jaskier #the bard and the wolf #my fics

[tangled23works]

No Time To Die

The bonus chapter of my @olicitytropes fic is finally ready! Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

Or keep reading here:

Felicity’s morning could have gone better if she weren’t stuck in a semi-formal brunch with the Queen family. Among the potted plants and decorations stood three people who couldn’t have been more awkward if they tried. On the surface, they were just waiting for Thea and Roy to start eating. The side looks and pursed lips however were telling a different story.

Thea’s insistence was the only reason why Felicity had woken up this early on this beautiful Sunday morning and driven to the orangery, a structure built inside the Queen property but not attached to the mansion. This place was always used for Sunday brunches when the temperamental Starling weather allowed it.

Felicity stared at the building in awe every time she visited. The roof was glazed and the sides were all covered in tall windows to allow the sunlight in. Moira Queen had surprisingly developed a green thumb somewhere along the way and had filled the space with orchids. The plants were really mercurial and demanded a great deal of attention but Felicity had heard her say that gardening was the only thing that got her through Oliver’s absence. The word of course conveyed none of the actual hell that the family had survived while losing both Oliver and Robert in a boat accident.

Felicity had been just a junior IT analyst when she met Thea two years ago. Needless to say she had been intimidated at first by Thea’s perfection, lack of incoherent babbles and overall coolness. It didn’t take long though for her to realize that there was something wrong with the 17-year-old girl. Thea’s pupils were always dilated, her visits to QC were not frequent but always ended in disaster and one rainy afternoon she had found her in the company’s bathroom trying to inhale some kind of white powder. Felicity had freaked out so much, she had called her friend Roy for advice. 

Considering the events of last week, she might owe Roy a gift. A really big gift. Felicity might have been the reason he met the love of his life but he had helped her out of a tight spot again. Twice now he had run towards danger when she needed him. Felicity sighed, making a mental note to buy Roy tickets for the Starling Jets VS Central City Rockets game. He would try to refuse but she was certain that deep down, he was dying to go.

“You’re here!” Thea squealed as she finally arrived.

Sometimes Felicity felt so much older than her 19-year-old friend.

“Your majesty called?”

Thea smacked her arm affectionately. “You know you love me, Liss.” Then she leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, “Ollie’s in a mood.”

Felicity resisted the urge to roll her eyes. When was Oliver NOT in a mood?

“Where’s Roy?”

“He couldn’t make it.”

Thea didn’t say it out loud but they both knew where Roy was. Iron Heights penitentiary. Visitors were only allowed every two weeks on Sundays.

“It’s just gonna be the four of us?”

Thea twined her arm around Felicity’s. “Mom threatened to invite the Bowens but Ollie vetoed her suggestion.”

They approached Moira and Oliver who appeared to be in the middle of a standoff. They reminded Felicity of that famous scene in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly where everyone was ready to shoot their gun but waited for the others to attack first. Huh, that was probably the reason why Thea had invited Felicity in the first place. As a buffer between her mother and older brother.

“I’m here,” she announced. A little too enthusiastically in Felicity’s opinion.

“Good. Raisa’s pancakes are better eaten warm,” Moira said, sounding cold and extremely polite.

Oliver’s expression was thunderous but at least his welcome was warmer and less threatening.

“Hey, Speedy.”

“Ugh, worst nickname ever!”

According to Thea, Oliver was not staying at the mansion these days. No one knew where and with whom he spent his nights but he at least had - begrudgingly - agreed to be accompanied by a bodyguard.

The light was shining on his handsome face and Felicity got distracted by his jawline. It reminded her of something but she couldn’t figure out what… The biggest injustice in the world was that she routinely made a fool of herself in front of Thea’s brother; the most handsome man she had ever met. In one infamous occasion he had declined a Mimosa and asked her simply to pass along the juice which had caused an epic babble about how she had noticed that he paid attention to what he put in his body. Thea and Roy, gleeful jerks that they were, still teased her about that one. 

“How are you, Oliver?” She spoke slowly and carefully. That way she would have fewer chances to embarrass herself.

“Fine. I did not expect to see you here.”

Could he be any less welcoming?

“Shut up, Ollie,” Thea interjected. “Since I can’t go anywhere these days, I’m allowed to invite my friends over.”

“You wouldn’t be under house arrest if you hadn’t wrecked my Porsche.”

Thea stuck her tongue out at her brother and he shook his head at her antics. Their bickering made Felicity smile. Oliver always seemed uptight and tense as if he expected someone to jump from behind the furniture and attack him. Thea’s foolish behavior was the only thing that could make him laugh.

“Children, please. Let us enjoy this beautiful morning without further discussion about this family’s propensity for accidents.”

They sat at the beautifully set table and Raisa served them a spread worthy of any high end restaurant. Felicity inhaled her cup of coffee - hey, it was only her first - and smothered her pancakes in Nutella. If she had to suffer through brunch with Moira and Oliver, then she could at least enjoy it.

She looked up and found him staring at her plate with a raised eyebrow.

“What?” She tried to raise an eyebrow of her own and failed.

“Nothing.”

He got a serving of scrambled eggs and salmon on his plate. A more healthy choice but one that could make Felicity gag. Especially this early in the morning. It was so ironic that Starling City’s prodigal son, the one who used to end up intoxicated in various events, was now such a health freak.

“I can feel you judging, Queen.”

“I can see your blood sugar rising, Smoak.”

Thea started coughing which probably meant that she was laughing her butt off. On the inside, of course.

“I hope that you don’t mind but I asked Walter to join us.”

Oh, boy. It was no secret that QC’s CFO, Walter Steele was enamored of Moira Queen, CEO. The relationship (and Felicity wasn’t sure she could actually call it that) had come as an unwelcome surprise to Oliver when he had returned from the dead. According to Thea, her brother had asked Walter point-blank if he intended to sleep with his mother. Walter had reacted with dignity to the accusation but his next visits were infrequent and always when Oliver was out of the house. Thea was kinda mad about it because she loved Walter and viewed him as a surrogate father.

“Is this visit necessary?” Oliver asked. He put down his fork and seemed to be concentrating on a point beyond Felicity’s left shoulder. During their interactions he rarely ate more than a bird as her bubbe used to say. 

“Yes, it is,” Moira replied, decisively. “There is your mandatory court appearance to discuss. Or have you forgotten?”

“What does it have to do with Walter?”

“It affects QC. Darling, your name is on the building. One day you might decide to follow in your father’s footsteps-”

The chair fell down with a bang as Oliver got up suddenly.

“I didn’t study business management in any of the four colleges I dropped out of,” he remarked.

“Did I tell you that Felicity met the Hood?”

Thea’s question fell like a grenade. Felicity blushed scarlet when both Oliver and Moira focused on her. 

“Meet is an overstatement. I didn’t actually meet him. I just saw him,” Felicity said while trying to kick Thea under the table.

“Don’t be modest, Liss. You saved his life. My best friend is a badass!”

“Thea!”

“Sorry, Mom. I would have said she’s a badbutt but it sounds ridiculous.”

Oliver’s lips curved. Of course it didn’t exactly reach his eyes but for him it was like a full blown chuckle. He sat back down and focused on Felicity.

“So, Miss Smoak how did you meet the vigilante?”

Felicity fidgeted under the scrutiny of both Moira and Oliver. Describing her encounter with the vigilante seemed disloyal. It sounded silly because he hadn’t actually prohibited her from discussing their meeting but she was protective of him. And she was sure that Oliver would end up mocking the Hood. Felicity couldn’t imagine two people as different as Oliver Queen and the man who dressed up in green leather and fought bad guys in the Glades. One had lived a pampered existence, with the exception of a few years in a jungle of course, and the other risked his life everyday to save the lives of people he didn’t know. In fact she was willing to bet that underneath his cashmere sweater Oliver Queen had a body built at the gym, nice to look at for sure, but nothing like the Hood’s lean, mean, fighting machine.

“Oh no, I’ve lapsed into song lyrics.”

“Excuse me?” Moira was looking at Felicity as if she had grown a second head.

Felicity turned to Thea who was fighting another smile, “I didn’t say that outloud, did I?”

“Yeah, Liss.” Felicity resisted the urge to bang her head on the table while Thea, the traitor, kept pushing, “You didn’t answer Mom though. Tell them how you met the vigilante.”

Felicity poured milk into her second cup of coffee.

“It’s not a big deal. I found him hurt on the street and kept him safe until he was well enough to leave.”

“But you took him into your house, Liss. You were really brave-”

“And incredibly stupid. That man is a psychopath.”

“He isn’t, Ollie! He saves people!”

Moira put down her fork, gently. “Nevertheless, Miss Smoak took a great risk welcoming a man like that into her home.”

Felicity’s cheeks were burning. She just knew that the older members of the Queen family would disapprove of her actions. After all, the Hood hated one-percenters with good reason.

“What would you have done in my shoes, Mrs Queen? I couldn’t very well leave him alone to die in the Glades.”

“If I had found the Hood, I would have called the police,” Moira replied with a superior smirk that grated on Felicity’s nerves.

Thea must have sensed that Felicity was about to go off on a tangent so she interrupted them quickly.

“What do you think, Ollie?”

“I think that this guy needs a better nickname than the ‘Hood’.”

They all laughed at his irreverent comment.

“How about the ‘Bow’?” Thea suggested with a twinkle in her eyes.

“The ‘Quiver’?” Oliver countered.

“The ‘Arrow’,” Felicity said. Which actually was a decent code name. Much better than the ‘Hood’ and a lot more defining than the ‘Green Guy’ which is what detective Lance usually called him during press conferences. “Nicknames aside, I still think that he can potentially be great for our city. He might be obsessed with stealing from the rich to give to the poor but in my eyes and in the eyes of everyone that lives in the Glades, that man is a hero.”

Felicity’s passionate speech was met with silence.

The Queens were celebrating Oliver’s official return from the dead with a lavish party. There was just one issue. The man of the hour was not home yet.

Oliver leaped the gap between the two buildings and landed on the roof with ease. 

Tonight he was not Oliver Queen. He was the Hood.

He heard someone gasping and the subsequent click of a photo being taken but he didn’t stop long enough to check. It was dangerous to engage in Hood activities before night fell but he didn't have much time. After all, he had a party to attend.

The tip had come as Oliver was leaving the court. After being officially recognized as Oliver Queen, returned to the living, he had been antsy. He wanted to be active, to be doing something useful for those who needed him. He didn’t want to be the son of a dead man and heir to Queen Consolidated. He wanted to direct this anger, this feeling of being trapped somewhere. He wanted to fight. So when his phone had beeped with the information that someone was abducting teenagers in the Glades he had jumped at the chance.

Oliver ran along the roof and shot an arrow with a grappling hook to cover the distance between this building and the next. The buildings in the Glades were not constructed as thoughtfully as the rest of the city. Sometimes they were literally one on top of the other, other times they were so far apart that they required special arrows.

Arrow was what she had called him. 

It was weird but during the last three weeks no matter if he was dressed in Armani suits or green leather, he couldn’t help but think of her. 

Felicity Smoak. The bane of his existence. The woman who had protected him that night after his fight with Helena and then defended his alter ego passionately to him and his mother.

She had called him a hero. If only she knew how wrong she was… Oliver Queen was not a hero. At best he was this city’s revenge against the people who had wronged it. At worst he was a man made for darkness.

But Felicity knew nothing about it. This was his mission. His burden to carry. And somehow, she was dangerous to him. He could sense it with the part of his primordial brain that had saved his life countless times on the island.

Vowing to stay away from her, he climbed on a balcony and saw that he was over Tempest, a well-known dive bar where low-life criminals hung out. His leg was bothering him again but he ignored it. The first thing he had learned on Lian Yu was how to shut down pain. It was a military trick and Slade had warned him it could be dangerous if you were fatally injured and ignored your body’s signals but since this wound was already healing, Oliver would be fine for a few hours.

In the alley behind Tempest, a lone figure was waiting.

“What took you so long?”

Sin was far too young to be living alone in the Glades and definitely too young to be going out for a drink at Tempest but she was also his best informant. He had promised Sara he would keep an eye on her when he got to Starling and he would make good on that promise.

���You said they’re taking teens off the streets.”

“Yeah.”

When she didn’t volunteer anything else, Oliver crouched low and jumped from the fire escape. He landed with a soft thud which made her smile.

“You said you were hurt.”

“I was. Now I’m better.”

He wasn’t used to people asking about his wounds. Oliver Queen might have a few friends but the Hood had none. And that was how he liked it.

“My friend Max was taken last night. They found him in an alley with blood leaking from his eyes, nose and ears. They say he OD'd but they’re wrong. Max was a pickpocket but he wasn’t a junkie. He didn’t even smoke weed with the rest of us.”

Oliver shook his head at the thought of Sin smoking at all but that was a fight for another day. If someone was indeed taking teens off the streets, he had to take them out. And fast.

“I’ll look into it,” he promised.

“Good,” Sin nodded with satisfaction. 

The faith she had in him reminded him of Felicity Smoak again.

“Did you find anything more about the book?”

The question was not unexpected. Ever since she had tried to pick his pockets and found the old notebook, she had been fascinated by it. Oliver could understand her obsession well. Back on the island he had examined it compulsively every day, trying to figure out why his father would give him an empty notebook and order him to keep it safe. There was nothing written on it so the reason for secrecy was lost on him.

“There’s something else,” Sin said.

He tilted his head in question. Sin was familiar with his lack of verbal communication so she didn’t hesitate.

“There was a man poking his nose into a warehouse around here last week.”

“What kind of man?”

“One of the bigwigs you always see on TV. Like the Queens or the Merlyns.”

Now that was interesting.

“Describe him,” he ordered.

“Ted saw him. Black, polite, asked Ted for directions.”

That didn’t give him much. 

“Anything else?” he asked roughly. He was beginning to feel a little impatient.

“Yeah. Ted said the dude was British. Spoke with a real funny accent.”

The blaring sound of police sirens interrupted their conversation.

“You better pick up your feet. You might be hang-up on that book but your friend detective Lance is hang-up on you.”

Oliver appreciated the warning but it was unnecessary. He was well aware of Lance’s current obsession with the Hood.

He gritted his teeth and climbed back up the fire escape as fast as he could. Sin gave him a mock salute and disappeared quickly.

The sirens sounded closer as he resumed his running and jumping from one rooftop to another. 

Escape via the roofs seemed ideal until he came up to a gap even he couldn’t cross by arrow. Growling under his breath, Oliver was forced to jump down and cross the empty street.

“I see him,” a voice yelled.

Running away from detective Lance wasn’t Oliver’s idea of fun. Especially since he had to be back at the mansion for his ‘welcome back’ party.

He flattened himself against the nearest wall and waited for the threat to pass. Lance and his men were like a dog with a bone. According to his mother, the Mayor wasn’t happy with the fact that a vigilante was loose on the streets targeting this city’s upstanding citizens. So the Mayor kept pushing Lance for results and Lance kept hunting Oliver with maniacal dedication.

“We’ll get the bastard tonight,” Lance vowed but his voice came from far away and Oliver felt safe enough to attempt another escape.

However, the detective had become wiser during the weeks they played their cat and mouse game. This time he had actually asked his officers to double back so when Oliver emerged from the alley, he fell into a trap.

Oliver didn't know who was more surprised. Him or the poor officers.

The man in front of him recovered first and pointed his gun at him.

“Don’t move!”

Not moving was not an option. The bow would be no use in such close quarters. Hand to hand combat was the only choice.

Oliver stretched his arms overhead and jumped, grasping one of the nearest fire escape rails. The move saved him from getting shot because the officer had fired his gun reflexively.

Oliver used the momentum he had gained and kicked with his feet the man closer to him. When the officer fell unconscious to the ground due to the force of the hit, he swung and dropped, rolling away as he hit the asphalt. He didn’t want to hurt them but they left him no other choice. Detective Lance would have heard by now the shot so he was about to have more company.

The blow from behind brought him to his knees. One of these fuckers had managed to get close to him when he wasn’t paying attention. Oliver twisted and grabbing the officer’s legs, he managed to topple him to the ground. His head hit the pavement with a sickening thud but there was no time to regret the action. 

The third officer was approaching and he didn’t seem in a mood to retreat. Oliver charged him and it was clear from the surprise on his face that he wasn’t expecting that. Oliver slammed his fist into the man’s face repeatedly but the officer was clever enough to try to knee him in the balls. He avoided the sneaky attack and felt a savage satisfaction when the next punch broke his attackers nose.

Only the sound of sirens coming closer than ever stopped Oliver. He was running before he had the time to process his next thought. A dumpster at the corner of the street gave him enough leverage to jump and then he was climbing again, his fingers straining for holds before he managed to reach the roof.

He stayed hidden only for a few moments just to make sure that he hadn’t killed any of these idiots and then he ran like hell. He had to have an important talk with his mother’s suitor. Luckily, he knew exactly where to find Walter Steele.

There was no ‘Oliver Queen is back from the dead’ party without Oliver Queen himself.

#olicity fic #my fic #no time to die #stay safe people #and keep reading

[jasnrob123]

Jaime/Brienne updated Rec List

Anything by Astolat, especially Pretty https://archiveofourown.org/works/14612130

Brave New World series by queenofthorns https://archiveofourown.org/series/49823 The Spaces Between series by LadyEm https://archiveofourown.org/series/1370851 Tales of the West and of the North by LadyEm https://archiveofourown.org/series/1460266 Honor Thy Regard series by SigilBroken https://archiveofourown.org/series/48322 In This Light series by SigilBroken https://archiveofourown.org/series/53759 Game of Throne works by Aslolat https://archiveofourown.org/series/990141

The Gentlest Schism by SandwichesYumYum WIP from 2015 https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/4960371 (So beautiful, so painful and a lifetime of love)

The Seven Bind Their Fate by RoseHeart https://archiveofourown.org/works/1241512/chapters/2550229

The Covering Sky by Rellie https://archiveofourown.org/works/813223/chapters/1537534

A Dance with Ice and Fire by ShirleyAnn66 https://archiveofourown.org/works/6129911/chapters/14048249

This Is Why We Fight by lashieldmaiden https://archiveofourown.org/works/18735541 (Brienne rides South to call Jamie on his bullshit)

Ostructed View by AlynnaStrong https://archiveofourown.org/works/11113137

Anything by Lady Rhiyana but check ch 32 https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/54487504

An attendant to a Knight by lionheartedghost (Pod-centric nice POV change) https://archiveofourown.org/works/19006282

All the Roads Are Winding (Physics experiment prove multiverse for Jaime & Brienne) by ShirleyAnn66 https://archiveofourown.org/works/8737036

Fever (bull riding AU) by Lady_in_Red https://archiveofourown.org/works/1124643/chapters/2266936

Sapphires by NighReaderEnigma (77 chaps) sweet mild angsty https://archiveofourown.org/works/18837673/chapters/44704381

41 Nights series by rhye https://archiveofourown.org/series/1355197

the jaimebrienne spite coundown by janie_tangerine https://archiveofourown.org/series/1304693

Just kiss already says Everyone but Cersi Ten Broken Beds by Miss_M https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/2168664 The importance of Kocking by Miss_M https://archiveofourown.org/works/3372767 Full Fathom Five by hardlyfatal https://archiveofourown.org/works/12001872 when you invest your love you invest your life by janie_tangerine https://archiveofourown.org/works/239883 Diplomacy by Gwen77 https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/19237405 Not Together My Ass by rhapsodybree https://archiveofourown.org/works/20245804 It's Just a Fact. Everybody Knows. by sameboots shttps://archiveofourown.org/works/19828030 Second Impressions by coolhandjennie https://archiveofourown.org/works/8683417/chapters/19906354 As Invisible as Possible (until you notice me) by Kelly123 https://archiveofourown.org/works/875786 Drunken Shenanigans with Jaime and Brienne by BrienneofThrace https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/1953279 i fear no fate (for you are my fate) by sameboots https://archiveofourown.org/works/18636544 (a love) a latern in the dark by sameboots https://archiveofourown.org/works/18762214/chapters/44509591 I Will Not Close My Eyes by RoseHeart https://archiveofourown.org/works/863430/chapters/1957047#main more like the man you were meant to be by Janie_tangerine https://archiveofourown.org/works/12234609 What a King Should Look Like by angel_deux https://archiveofourown.org/works/20141131 The Right Questions by Aviss https://archiveofourown.org/works/19266907 Sworn Sword by Lady Sapphire https://archiveofourown.org/works/17344574 Home is Wherever I'm with You by BrienneofThrace https://archiveofourown.org/works/823035 I'm not that girl by Lady _in_Red https://archiveofourown.org/works/1004852

Remember Spring Swaps Snow for Leaves (sad and lovely) by Orphan Acct https://archiveofourown.org/works/8083705

still looking forward (Jaime & Brienne cops) by blindmadness https://archiveofourown.org/works/7029151

Uncle Jaime and the Sports Bra That Started It All by Kelly123 (modern) https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/1593961

Battle is the Great Redeemer (timeloop) by Lady_In_Red https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/47923150 The Shape of Time (timeloop) by LSquared80 https://archiveofourown.org/works/18882301

the summer queen by honey_wheeler (well rounded character cast still touches on Jaime/Brienne) https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/1043327

The Treaty by MotherofFirkins https://archiveofourown.org/works/1144961 Outstanding Rec List by shipping-receiving at Tumblr https://shipping-receiving.tumblr.com/post/185013445780/jaime-x-brienne-fic-recs-master-post

JB Appreciation Week 2019 collection https://archiveofourown.org/collections/JBWeek2019 also earlier years are posted too collections/JBWeek2018 etc.

AMAZING short one- little talks by robotsdance https://archiveofourown.org/works/20905916

Aww this would have been lovely!  You make me happy by oathkceper https://archiveofourown.org/works/19871227

the battliefield between us (isn't here tonight) (Jaime and Brienne marry during the war in secret) by robotsdance https://archiveofourown.org/works/20088457

The Only Prayer by sea_spirit https://archiveofourown.org/works/16192616

In Her Eyes by sea_spirit https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/36210807

The Winterfell Collection by Kirazi (Fluff after the longest night) https://archiveofourown.org/series/1352434 Seven Days of the Seven by greyathena https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/37948037

O-T-P: A Saga of Epic True Love and Stuff (teenagers get J/B OTP) by QuizzicalQuinnia https://archiveofourown.org/series/332755

series- time is just a symptom of love by renlybardatheon (tamilprongspotter) multi-verse https://archiveofourown.org/series/1461547 series- we should kind of forget about season 8 by angel_deux https://archiveofourown.org/series/1476620

ardently admire by NotusLethe https://archiveofourown.org/works/18666865

blessed and cursed and won. by cereal https://archiveofourown.org/works/18605230

Same Time, Next Year by angelowl https://archiveofourown.org/works/20438255

Works and Days series by mussimm https://archiveofourown.org/series/504271

Runaways by AlynnaStrong (Jaime&Brienne run away to be knights) https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/39904107

all I've ever known series, (Jaime meets Brienne at 6 when he's a knight) by thesarcasticone https://archiveofourown.org/series/1511672

Bow Down by WackyGoofball (slight plot change at Riverrun. Author wordy but good change to story) https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/31043382

Promises and Porridge by GilShalos1 (3 parts but 1st is best and banter about Pod's delicate ears is the best) https://archiveofourown.org/works/18703801/chapters/44359552

Choices by Gwen77 (excellent post 8.05 fix, last chapter a little rushed) https://archiveofourown.org/works/19120546

Imaginary by PrioritiesSorted https://archiveofourown.org/works/4589832

Ten Days by SandwichesYumYum https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/14224648

So Many Vows by MotherofFirkins https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/2198898

Always Been a Pencil series by Vera https://archiveofourown.org/series/1337353

(every single one of us) still left in want of mercy by Roccolinde archiveofourown.org/works/20289736 and companion POV you have come by way of sorrow (you have come by way of tears) by Roccolinde

Not a Song by Holograms https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/49059749

One Good, Honest Kiss by winterkill (modern AU, well done friends to lovers) https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/51821368

The Opinions of Sheep by winterkill (Brienne squires for Jaime after page training, slow burn) https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/50589296

Butterfly Effect by Aviss (Jaime doesn't join Kingsguard making all the difference) https://archiveofourown.org/works/21537844

The Unwilling King series by Aviss https://archiveofourown.org/series/1596448

READ THIS NOW, so good! Jaime meets young Brienne over the years. songs of kissing and love by sameboots https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/50621756

Points of a Pistol by Aviss https://archiveofourown.org/works/20045944

A Date For Sevenmas by majoris 7 dates with fake dating https://archiveofourown.org/works/21973369

Your Kiss is on my List by winterkill https://archiveofourown.org/works/21668866

VERY WELL DONE, Souls to Hear by Albatros_assoiffe https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/53472085

i went looking for knives and i was looking for you by 152glasslippers

Surety of Promise by Diary https://archiveofourown.org/works/6354703

Fault by EwanMcGregorIsMyHomeboy12  https://archiveofourown.org/works/19867762

Darling, Let's Hurt Tonight by kataurah https://archiveofourown.org/chapters/49302401 sweet and lovely and packed into just 3 chapters.

#jaime/brienne #braime #brienne of tarth #jamie lannister #game of thrones

[devincopeland]

To Covet

“You are my forbidden fruit,” he says, “I must bite.”

And with the supreme spirit of Dionysus lifting up her skirt,

She gives him his feast - unleashing the words of Wordsworth, 

Igniting the essence of Kant, flooding the Raft of Medusa.

Four eyes meet, electric; four hands clutch, prized; Four legs entwine, utterly - transcendence in the form of flesh.

“But we are not each other’s to have,” she whispers, 

“You must return to her golden hair, and me to his.”

“No,” he says, “Stay. His flame is not of your fire. 

And I’ve carved our initials into this apple. Eat.”

But with the careless whimsy of a child merely seeking sun, 

With time’s panicked pace incomprehensible,

She simply flies away - Leaving him to his mountains and the golden hair.

Days begin to collect in heaps like the fallen leaves of autumn, 

Smothering everything, but his face.

His face trespasses into dreams; it transforms memory into poems, 

Cooley becoming slippery ice under her every step.

She thinks over and over again, barrel rolling through the years,

Oh, Scarlett! Is Tara not burned to the ground? What have we done?

This madness must be unbound. She begins pouring ink atop the snowcapped peaks - thawing white with blue.

“I am your Cleopatra,” she says. “Together, our blood’s rhythm is a war cry;

Our flesh, the authority of an empire; Our coupling, the anchor of deep, rich roots –

Fervent, fecund, formidable - like our fucking. 

Take my hand,” she says, “Come.”

But she’d scattered too many words around, Emptied her basket impatiently, like a careless flower girl who ignores the ceremony.

The locked door did not open with her extravagant bouquets. 

Her waiting became searching for mid-night at noon.

He said nothing. No ink river rushed into her tributary of testimony. He simply sent a song - so subtle the tune was lost to the evening wind.

His soul, the color unknown, had become heavily guarded by a local proletariat,

And she was forced to capitulate, to join rebel forces overseas - seek silence, or death.

But the Fates would not let such a hollow hole be filled; They used it as a lens for the lovelorn, to bring into focus the two Circles of Confusion.

And so the waning merely became waiting and waxed into planning; Planning became passion.

Across continents of skies, pulled from the deep valleys of time, The Fates demanded must in the name of lust.

“There shall be a splitting of atoms”, they said. “Bring forth the light, break dawn on this longing and hunger and absence.”

And with that, with such depth of marrow in their bones, the two bodies finally appear, 

Sitting next to each other on a cold balcony in the late 

January freeze.

Four eyes tangle in the years of divide. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she says, but thinks, ‘Do I know this face?’

A bridge of flesh must be built. Of course. They try lifting left hand to right, but the palms don’t fit.

The universe flips backwards and upside down – Made dizzy by the brazen, harsh air of the Fates’ fool’s errand. Could it be?

No one smiles. Choices were made like his skin, Now inked with history - as permanent as the published page.

“The muse did exist,” he says, “But it was only a slipped legging and your broken stiletto heal.”

At the thought of if, the record player suddenly awakes, Sloppy and then as fluid as April rain – suturing the air with something like memory.

“The Muses you say? Those erratic darlings?” she asks. “No! It was The Fates all a long spinning our thread bare blanket of life.”

“Use shears,” he gravely answers, “Cut loose those intolerable Fates. Leave them to their futile journey through this epic poem of cataclysm.”

Breathless, eclipsed by a New Moon of ugly darkness, 

She sits on the edge of the chair staring.

He does not press his body up to hers. His stomach is not pushed to her lips. He will not force his way between her thighs.

The tongues merely conduct coded casualties - untouched. 

So she pulls her best coat tighter,

Synching it around a single self, 

Around the corpse of a perfect dream.

There had been so many times with silks and scrapes, 

Arching and aching and urging they’d fallen down together.

They had known of a brilliant kingdom, where love had a true definition And passion was a birthright.

But now pacified, burned and buried, The power of this once fantastic intimacy had become vague courtesy,

Where they found unimpressive, mute demons in different sheets, 

Selfishly gathered, but not for themselves.

#Poem #poetry