#{ jess mariano }

[redamanccys]

im not gonna lie i never really thought about it this way and this really just made me understand her more thank you for this

every time i rewatch the scene where rory speaks to lorelai after losing her virginity to dean, i am more shocked with how frequently people use it to give a bad faith reading of her character. the ‘my dean’ of it all is so often used as a “gotcha” moment to somehow prove what a selfish and horrible person she is, but when taken in the context it takes on a completely different meaning.

was rory right for sleeping with dean whilst he was married to someone else? of course not. does she have some sort of claim to dean? no. BUT that’s not what rory thinks either, not really.

she says, “i’m lucky too, because Dean, he’s … well aren’t you glad that it happened with someone whose good, and really loves me?”

this isn’t about rory’s entitlement, it’s about her compulsion to always be perfect (a narrative that season 4 in particular was stressing throughout). dean, in rory’s mind, is synonymous with a period in her life that she associates with stability - the certainty that she herself is a “good” person.

at this point in season 4, rory hasn’t come to terms with jess’ departure. jess, who lorelai et. al reiterated to her was not “good” and could not “really love [her].” it’s almost as if she’s trying to reassert the balance - to reclaim the stability she associates with her pre-jess relationship (which in reality was never really present, but that’s a whole different tangent).

the word “good” in this scene is so loaded, because we as viewers are not meant to be agreeing that dean /at this point in the show / is a “good” guy. the goodness rory is so desperately clinging onto is her own.

it feels so clear to me that rory in this scene was never meant to be portrayed as a selfish homewrecker, but rather someone on the cusp of a breakdown. a nineteen year old girl unsure, and uncertain, and desperate and afraid.

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

#Charmers™

[anggiazs]

A moment of silence to appreciate season 6 Jess, with his still disheveled, soft-looking, amazing hair and his beloved jean jacket. A responsible adult that got his shit together and became a published author at 21. Somehow the wise and rightfully the put together one by the end of the show. A true icon. And those eyes? Looking at her like THAT? *melts*

[weepynymph]

Inspired by @thefirst3chapters post about Dean and kind of in the same vein as Jess being the only boyfriend Rory never wore a costume for, I feel like Jess is also the only boyfriend who doesn't put Rory on a pedestal.

The way Dean's adoration turns to bitterness and the belief that he's 'not enough for her' and can never be enough. And then Logan's reluctance to date Rory because she's 'special' (which roughly translates to 'not like other girls') Rory's relationships are marked by inequality in the way she is perceived by her partner, as well as situations in which her partners lashes out and tries to assert dominance over her (see: Dean getting angry like all the time and Logan talking circles around her until she agrees with his point of view)

But Rory and Jess have this unshakeable equality between them. He calls her out without treating her like an angel who can do no wrong (the scene in the market when she gets back from Washington is a good example as well as ‘why did you drop out of Yale?’) and she calls him out in situations where she knows he can be better (see the whole of teach me tonight for example)

They challenge each other and support each other equally believing in the best versions of each other without ignoring their flaws and that’s the mark of a really strong relationship where long term both people can thrive and grow.

Anyway just yet another example of why they’re soulmates ���

[beachesgetpeaches]

ALSO excuse me but Dean Forester in A-Tisket A-Tasket just walking up to Lorelai and Luke chilling in the gazebo and being all "we need to talk" while his head is fuming

boy, wtf?

like I am trying to imagine a normal teenage boy talking like that with any grown up, let alone the mother of his gf

"we need to talk" ??????

the audacity? like not even excuse me hi hello may i borrow you for a second? nah hes just FUMING and he goes to Lorelai

and what is his goal even? what will Lorelai do? she cant help him. wish we knew what he expected (theories are welcome)

anyway this was a pointless rant but ut just struck me on this 1000000th rewatch how freakin strange his tone of voice and everything was there

[mrsbackwardbaseballcap]

these two should have been friends, they could have moved in together and shared an apartment, jess could be an author and lane could do her band, they could show off cds and rory could come and hang with them all the time

[poguelandia]

So, tell me…what's your decision on smoking that depending on? On what's gonna happen. When? Now. […] Well, whatever else happens between us, at least we know that part works…what? I have to go. What? Did I do something? No, no, this was…you were — are, it was wonderful. And I look forward to many similar occurrences in the future, but right now? I have to go, understand? Not at all. It's more fun that way, isn't it?

[thegettingbyp2]

elloo, can you do a jess mariano fluff where he is like, super sweet to reader and luke observes them? ex. jess holds reader’s hand, or gives them free donuts, and luke is js laughing his ass off bc it’s funny? tbh, i have no idea if this makes sense, so you don’t have to do it. love ya! 😭🫶

Sweet on Her

The moment the door to the diner opened and you walked in, Jess was a goner. As soon as he saw that it was you who had walked in, he abandoned whatever task he was doing, much to Luke’s annoyance, and made his way over to where you had set yourself up at a table with your book, pen already between your teeth ready to make notes.

‘What are we reading today?’ Jess asked, putting a mug of coffee on the table in front of you.

‘Pretty Women,’ you replied, grinning up at him before looking down at the coffee with a knowing look on your face. ‘I didn’t order anything.’

‘I know,’ he said, casually throwing himself down in the seat next to you, his arm resting on the back of your chair. ‘And I’ll grab your donut when we’re about, what, two, three chapters in?’

‘We?’ you asked, raising your eyebrow at him, even though you know your little routine by now; you looked forward to it every day. You would turn up at the diner with your book, Jess would bring you a coffee and donut (on the house!) and sit and read over your shoulder with you until Luke inevitably pulled him away to actually get on with his job.

‘Yes, we,’ he teased, settling in and tucking you underneath his arm slightly. Even though you and Jess weren’t officially together, everyone in town know that the two of you belonged to each other and that it was only a matter of time. Even the two of you knew that, but you were just so content with the set-up you currently had, neither of you felt the need to rush into anything. That didn’t, however, stop Jess feeling like he had the biggest crush on you. ‘Now, come on, I don’t know how long I’m going to get away with this today and I’ve never read this. I’ve even got a pen to add my own notes,’ he said, twirling his pen in-between his fingers and grinning at you.

‘Fine,’ you faux-sighed heavily, leaning into Jess more and opening the book, holding it up in a position that made it easy for the two of you to read the pages. Every now and then as you read, one of you would stop to take the book and scribble down a note in the margin or underline a passage.

It wasn’t until you were both about halfway through the book when Jess realised that he hadn’t gotten you your donut, making you put the book down so he could go and grab it. As he was walking back to the counter he saw Luke watching him and laughing quietly at him; that was when Jess realised that Luke hadn’t been over to drag him away just yet.

‘What?’ Jess asked when Luke didn’t look away or stop laughing.

‘Who the hell are you and what have you done with my nephew?’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘You’re sweet on her, Jess.’

‘She’s my best friend,’ Jess tried to protest, his eyes automatically scanning back over to you where you were sipping on your now-cold coffee and looking out the window absentmindedly.

‘Jess, it’s not a bad thing! It’s nice, you know, seeing you trail after her like a lost puppy, bringing her coffee before she orders, casually throwing your arm over the back of her chair. Just ask her out!’

‘We’re not having this conversation,’ Jess protested before swiping a couple of donuts from the tray alongside a few napkins before making his way back over to you.

‘You realise they’ll be coming out of your pay check!’ Luke called after him.

‘Whatever you say Uncle Luke!’

[not-with-you-but-of-you]

#live slug reaction: literati edition

[merlieve]

bibliophile :: jess mariano

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 & 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞/𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 | 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠/𝐬: 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞

𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐧��𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭!

𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

Note: i wrote this while listening to “si tu m’aimes demain’ by iliona + the intro is inspired by 500 days of summer, so that’s basically the vibe of the story 😋 Ik there isn’t a market for GG fics but I just love me some Jess.

SUMMARY | Jess says something about how it’s a shame that people arent as beautiful and interesting as books, but he looks at [Name] and realizes that she could be the only person who could be compared to the books he loves.

The soft glow of Luke’s Diner’s sign casts a warm ambience onto the quiet street, the last remnants of daylight as it settles to the night sky.

Inside, the diner was practically buzzing with people, the sounds of plate clattering and a few conversations filled the air.

Ring. The sound of someone coming inside alerted Jess but he didn’t bother to stand up from the bar stool.

“The Old Man and the Sea? I love Hemingway!”

Jess was so caught up in his world that he failed to notice the girl seated next to him at the diner countertop. “Excuse me?”

“I said I love Hemingway,” She repeated, now gaining Jess’ full attention. “You have good taste in books.”

“Thanks, uhh?” — “[Name]” The girl said with a smile. ‘A pretty name for a pretty face’ thought Jess, looking at the girl beside him up and down.

“If you read Hemingway, I’d suggest Bukowski if you’re into poetry.” She recommended, looking down at her nails as she was slightly nervous by the way the boy was looking at her.

“I take it you like classics.” Said Jess, putting down his book.

“Oh, I like any genre! Mystery, historical, sci-fi… you name it.” Smiled [Name] as she rambled about her interests.

Jess found it adorable. “Quite the bibliophile, aren’t ya?”

“Guess you could say that, stranger.”

He was just about to ask for her number when someone came behind the counter.

“Jess, your break’s over.” Said Luke, glancing over the teenagers in front of him.

“Well, duty calls.” Sassed Jess, grabbing his book by the counter but not without giving the girl a wink. “Bye, stranger.”

Ever since that day, Jess couldn’t seem to get [Name] out of his mind and it didn’t help that she was everywhere; the quaint bookstore, at school, the library, even at the Walmart he works at, and that’s at Hartford!

If Jess had learned anything by being [Name]’s friend is that he knew that the way to her heart was to challenge her.

The two could make a conversation about just about anything, whether it was debating the end of The Bell Jar or trying to find the best coffee place in New Haven.

When she talked about her favourite books, Jess had the time of his life listening to the passion in her voice. And it wasn’t only him. Whenever Jess talks, [Name] sounds like she’s actually interested in whatever he’s talking about.

They’d exchange books, they’d lend each other books and return them fully annotated with their own opinions. They’d have study dates after school, which skyrocketed Jess’ grades by a ton and he even helped [Name] out with her AP classes. They’d go to each other’s houses to have movie nights, [Name] would pick some kind of chick-flick and he’d be “mad” at first and then grow on to love it.

Every time he spent time with her, his blooming crush would only grow and grow. At some point, he realised that his feelings for [Name] went beyond simple platonic attraction and not only did that scare him from having a genuine friend at Stars Hollow but it was how he couldn’t contain it.

Not to mention, Luke started to get sceptical when Jess said he was going to school. Since when did Jess actually go to school?

“I’m leaving!” Shouted Jess with a book bag slung across his shoulder as he closed the door.

Luke’s curiosity got the best of him and he followed Jess to a house. He knew it, Jess was lying, again. But right before he was about to reprimand him, a girl who seemed about Jess’ age walked out of the house, she looked a little familiar.

The two seemed to talk to each other for a bit before walking back… in Luke’s direction.

Luke had no choice but to hide in the prickly bushes to remain hidden from his nephew’s sight… ouch.

Later that Day

“Why’d you got a bandaid on your nose?” Asked Jess, referring to Luke’s earlier injury.

“It’s nothi- just shut up.” Challenged Luke as he walked over to refill a few coffee mugs.

A few hours passed until closing time and the diner was starting to get empty. Just when Luke was about to clean the countertops, the front door opened. It was the same girl Jess was with before.

She approached the counter with a friendly smile, the kind of smile Luke hadn't seen in a while.

"Hi, is Jess here?" Asked [Name], her eyes wandered around the diner.

Almost on cue, Jess walks out of the kitchen and greets the girl with a smile. “Oh, great. Are we throwing a fiesta or organising a pity party? 'Cause, you know, I'm just on the edge of my seat here.” Babbled Jess.

"Jess, I got a 95 on AP Bio!" The girl excitedly says, holding a paper in the air. "Really? Let me see," he replies, walking over to her.

“What, you don’t believe me? Well, it’s there and it’s in a big red mark with the words ‘Fantastic’!” She eagerly hands it over, her eyes shining with pride.

“Look at that, Ms. Fantastic,” Smiled Jess as he looked over her paper. “You hungry? It’s Danish day. C’mon it’ll be my treat.”

After hearing the news, [Name] gasped, “It’s like the stars were aligned” She giggled, taking a seat at the nearby table.

Once Jess walked over to the counter to grab a freshly cooked Danish, Luke cornered the boy.

"So, what's the deal with you and that girl?” he asked, his tone more curious than accusatory.

Jess shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Just helping her out with her AP classes. Turns out, I’ve got a brain in this pretty little head of mine."

Luke raised an eyebrow sceptically. "And since when did you become the tutor type?"

Jess rolled his eyes, “I like her, she reads Hemingway.” He said as he looked at [Name] who was still walking on cloud nine.

Luke nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "She’s a good influence on you, kid. Don’t screw this one up, okay?"

Jess scoffed, but there was a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, well, don't go spreading that around. I've got a reputation to maintain."

[skeletal-butterflyy]

Jess’s little waves are so funny to me, i’ll eat it up every time

[deadpoets]

RORY GILMORE & JESS MARIANO + FALL

[jessmalia]

Gilmore Girls "Say Goodnight, Gracie" // Sue Zhao

[weepynymph]

they just like pushing them around

[beachesgetpeaches]

a tisket a tasket jess mariano MY BELOVED