#I can’t wait to get through these 7 episodes

[liam-summers]

Just got to season 6 of my btvs rewatch and I just want to say that the sp*ffy sex scenes are so much more rancid and depressing than I remember. I feel like I want to claw my skin off watching them, I’m so disgusted. There is nothing hot about this and there’s so much of it, like was all of this necessary?! WE GET IT, THEY’RE FUCKING.

[starinthegarden]

chat what if i said i was for some reason really fixated on the loki series and i really love the life series and that i was cooking

oh boy will this take me a while

[danielnelsen]

always fun to remind myself of the side effects of my thyroid meds

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

The House Guest 7

Warnings: non/dubcon, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Bucky Barnes

Summary: an old acquaintance calls in a favour, leaving you with an unexpected house guest.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

You’re always wiped out after an episode. After the late-night paralysis, you don’t get much sleep. Your adrenaline dissipates but only leaves you tossing and turning. You surrender to the day as it softly rises through your window. 

The mornings don’t come with bright sunshine this time of year. Instead, the gray horizon gets a bit paler. Your head feels just as dull as you emerge from your room, dragging your feet in your well-worn slippers as you rub your eyes. 

You yawn as you walk blindly into the kitchen. You go through the automatic steps of brewing your coffee. Last night was strange. And then the open door-- 

Shoot. You almost forgot. As if he can sense the very thought of him, Bucky appears through the doorway. He pushes back his floppy hair and your eyes catch on his bulging bicep. The ripped tank top is stretched around his burly middle and he wears a loose pair of boxers. He’s entirely shameless. 

“Coffee?” He growls. 

You nod, “yep.” Your own voice is coarse and dry. You clear it and cross your arms as you lower your chin. You’re not wearing a bra and the morning chill makes that obvious. You shiver and sway as you wait for the drip to finish. 

“Mm, you sleep okay?” He asks. 

You wince and shrug. “You know, fine.” 

“Fine,” he echoes. “You seem pretty freaked out.” 

“You remember...” you rub your neck, your other arm still across your chest. “I get sleep paralysis. Really, it’s nothing.” 

“Oh, shit, scary stuff.” He comments. 

“Mhm, can be. But really, I’m good. It happens.”  

You step forward and open the cupboard. You take down a mug, then a second as you peek over at him. He nods in silent gratitude. You close the door and back up. 

“Think I’m going to have my coffee outside. Check on the bird feeder,” you say. 

“Right...” he says, sniffing as he lingers behind you. “If I’m crowding you, you can just say so.” 

“I will,” you assure him.  

You pour your coffee and slip past him. It’s as if he makes no move to let you despite his previous sentiment. You stop by your room to get your robe and continue on through the back door. 

The crisp air makes the steam of your coffee visible as you come down the steps. The yard is spacious and a low fence lines the barrier before the thicket of trees. You cross the grass, blowing over the cup as you near the hanging bird feeder. It’s empty and crooked on the chain. Damn squirrels. Could be the raccoons too. 

You set your coffee down on the old wooden stool and return to the feeder. You focus on fixing it. You finally get it straight and go into the shed to grab the bag of seed. You set it at your feet and scoop out a healthy helping to dump through the roof of the feeder. 

There’s a rustle in the trees and strange friction. You ignore it, assuming it’s nothing more than the wind. You really need a new feeder, this thing is going to tip again.  

The chain link rattles and you pay no attention to it. The cold seeps up your robe and there’s a sudden thump and groan from the other end of the yard. You look over, expecting a raccoon, but find worse. 

A black bear rolls around, trying to find its footing, and you can’t help the scream that erupts from you. You scramble away from the feeder, the sack of seed spilling over as that you just replenished does the same. As you turn toward the house, the back door opens. 

Bucky is still in only his tank top and boxers. It doesn’t stop him as he rushes out. “What’s going--” 

The bear lets out a growl and you hurry towards the house, “get inside!” 

He doesn’t listen. As you reach him, he puts his arm behind you and urges you on, “lock the door.” 

“Bucky, you can’t--” 

“This thing’s gonna be at the backdoor all day if I don’t,” he snarls. 

“Bucky--” 

“I said get inside,” he rolls his shoulders and snaps his metal arm with a flex. 

You don’t have the courage to refuse. It’s not just the bear’s growling, but his. He’s blunt and a bit monotone, but that lilt in his voice is dangerous. 

You go inside and close the door. You hurry into the bedroom and look through the window as you hear Bucky shouting. You see him waving his arms at the bear, then stretching them out as if he’s about to grapple the beast. 

“Hey, go! Get!” He tries to herd the bear along the fence, “Get outta here!” 

You watch wide-eyed. He’s going to get himself killed. He grabs a log of split wood from against the shed and hurls it at the bear. It hardly flinches as it roars and charges him. You cry out as Bucky barely dodges out of the way. 

He’s fast. Faster than you’ve ever seen someone move, yet it all moves in slow motion. They chase each other around. Bucky trying to lure the creature back into the bush and the bear swiping and charging. 

When they clash, you hit the window. Shit. He’s a maniac! 

You rush back out, not think and burst out the back door. Neither notice you as they have each other in a death lock. Bucky has his arm around the bear’s thick neck and the bear claws at his torso.  

You take the feeder poll and pull it from the ground. You swing without hesitation and hit the bear in the snout and it roars. Bucky throws his weight back and both of them fall onto the ground. The roll together in a cluster of man and bear. 

You strike again. This time you hit the bear’s paw as it swipes at Bucky, then its shoulder. Again and again. 

“I said... get... inside,” Bucky grits through thick breaths. 

“You’re going to get killed.” 

“I’ve faced worse,” he sneers and brings his metal fist down on the bear’s head. 

The bear yipes and unlatches from the man. He rolls over, wobbling on his furry legs, and bounds for the fence. He runs through it, bending the poles as he plunges back into the wilds.  

You grip the feeder, the house ruined and the metal pole warped. You bend over to catch your breath as Bucky gets to his feet. He clucks and turns to stare out into the forest. 

“You should have a bigger fence.”  

“Gee, thanks,” you stand straight. 

“You’re welcome,” he says. You glance at him. He’s almost smirking. You shake your head as he faces you. “Told you I could handle it.” 

“You think,” your eyes skim down to the dark stain forming across his tanks top. The fabric is shredded along with his side. 

“Paper cut,” he looks down. 

“Are you serious? I’m calling an ambulance,” you toss the pole and turn to head inside. He catches your arm before you can leave. 

“I don’t need it.” 

“You’re bleeding all over,” you avoid looking at the gashes again. The claw marks make your nauseous. 

“Listen, doll, I had my arm torn off my body. I can handle it. I need towels and rubbing alcohol. Oh, and beer.” 

You stare him in the face, too scared to look anywhere else. His grip keeps you locked in place. You shudder and heave a breath. 

“Fine, but don’t get blood all over my floors.” 

“How compassionate,” he lets you go and puts his hand to his side. “We both know an ambulance would take too long up here.” 

You nod and turn back to the house again. You offer no argument;0 you don’t have one. Even if he is being stupidly stubborn, he’s right. It would take at least an hour to even hear the sirens. 

[kurishiri]

official IkeVil JP twitter role-played with fans as Roger

translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties. Please reblog, not repost!

and here are some of my favorite responses and some tidbits about Roger (and some others, through his eyes) 🥹👌 also I wouldn’t consider these spoilers; they’re more like bite sized fun facts you might find in a random scene in some random side story or event or something lmao also I don’t like the green gun emoji on my phone so I’m using the beer one instead.

1. Roger is trying to get along with Alfons (it’s not working so well though I guess, haha)

💬: Roger!! Have you been getting along with Alfons recently?

🍻: That’s always my intention, but whenever I see him he gives me a kind of disgusted look. So maybe he’s just shy or something.

2. maybe Victor is trying to get everyone drunk…?

💬: Roger, have you gone out to drink with Victor before?

🍻: I don’t think Victor really drinks outside. If anything, he’s the one bringing some good booze back to Crown for us. Could it be — he’s scheming something and trying to get us drunk?

3. Roger can crack a joke 😂👌

💬: I kind of just ate this without knowing what that liquid is, but what is it, actually? 🧪

🍻: That’s a love potion. If you drink it you won’t be able to think about anything but me——just kidding.

4. Roger and Ellis are the strongest!

💬: Who is the strongest in Crown?

🍻: Me, followed by Ellis. You wanna compare our strength now with an arm wrestle? Though I reckon you wouldn’t be able to win against me even if you used both hands.

5. Roger’s worst fight with Alfons

💬: Please tell us the worst episode of a fight you’ve had with Alfons〜!!

🍻: Once during a mission we got into an argument where Al and I almost died — that day I’ve never seen Victor look that quietly angry before.

6. drinking with William! (they’re the older bros of the group)

💬: What do you talk about with William when you drink with him?

🍻: Will knows a lot, so we’ll talk about all sorts of stuff. Like how Victor’s overworking himself, or how Jude’s got bad feet, or how Liam hurt himself again——wait, what are we, their guardians?

7. Alfons bombed the drinking date

💬: Hey Roger, what sweets do you like? Other than Alfons’ scone.

🪞: Are we talking about me? Oh, that’s my handmade scone that I put a lot of love into. Don’t you feel naughty with just one bite? What do you think is in it?

🍻: Hey, you, get out and go somewhere else already.

8. drinking with Elbie!

💬: Have you drank with Lord Elbert before? 🥺🍻💚💙

🍻: I have, yes. But I can never tell whether he’s drunk or not.

🪞: That’s because he always looks drunk.

🍻: Oy, Al, what are you doing here? Tonight’s supposed to be just me and the lil lady, so don’t get in the way like that. Shoo shoo!

9. Roger doesn’t just drink beer (surprise surprise!)

💬: What do you like to drink other than beer?

🍻: I also drink whisky, though I always prefer beer. What about you, lil lady?

10. Roger comforts you after a long day of work

💬: Roger, I finally finished work…

🍻: There, there, you did well. I remember your efforts very well. Good job today.

11. Jude and drinking, according to Roger

💬: When you’re drinking with Jude, have you seen him when drunk before? I want to know what he’s like when he’s drunk.

🍻: Can’t say I’ve seen him drunk before. It seems like that guy always got a calm look on his face, no matter how much he drinks.

12. what Ellis is like when drunk

💬: Cheers! I have a question, what is Ellis like when drunk?

🍻: Ellis isn’t that weak to alcohol… but he becomes a bit more fluffy than normal, I guess. But he can walk back to the castle just fine.

13. trying to get Ellis drunk…?!

💬: I heard Ellis is a little weak to alcohol. Have you taken care of him when he was drunk? Also how many cups does it take for him to become drunk?

🍻: Pfft, haha… Are you trying to get Ellis drunk? I’ll have you know Ellis is like a cute younger brother to me, so I won’t tell. I have taken care of him though——let’s leave it at that.

14. who can hold their alcohol in Crown?

💬: Who is the worst at holding their alcohol in Crown?

🍻: I think everyone in Crown is pretty good at holding their alcohol. But should we put that to the test? …No way, this really isn’t for me to gather information on them?

15. he be takin care of Crown when they’re drunk

💬: Who do you drink with most often? And have you taken care of someone when they got drunk!?

🍻: Taking care of someone… Ellis — no, Al, maybe? Oh, and also Jude… whoops, can’t say any more than that, or he’ll be after me.

16. what Harry drinks

💬: I always get the impression Harry drinks strawberry milk a lot, but when it comes to alcohol, what does he drink? I want to know 🦊🍸

🍻: Harry likes whisky soda. It goes well with chocolate, and I’ve seen him eating it together with the drink. Noww then, now that I’ve told you some important information, you’ll stop that lying fox from eating too much sweets for me, won’t you?

17. Roger’s advice for those who simp to the point of illness 😆

💬: My friends love you to the point they might be a little ill, Roger. They love you so much it’s too much for me to handle. Is there medicine to make them feel better?

🍻: I can introduce you to a doctor I know who has some good medicine. Want me to? His name’s Roger Barel.

18. he cooks?!?!

💬: I want to eat a meat entree with you, Roger! (this is sausage and roast pork that I made) 😋🍽️🥩✨ What’s your favorite type of meat? And what other foods do you like?

🍻: I would say steak, but any meat is good. But I also like salty things too. Sometimes I make things that go well with alcohol. Want some?

19. oh..? 😳

💬: Yippeeee✨✨✨ it’s everyone’s older brother Roger!! Congrats on your main story🎉💕 I really look forward to this summer! (I have 🦑 with beer)

🍻: You have as much excitement as Victor! For sure, look forward to it. I’ll make it a summer you won’t ever forget.

20. Roger’s recommended drinks

💬: I want to know your drink recommendations!

🍻: Mine is beer, beer, and more beer. Ah, having some ginger ale in between seems pretty good too.

21. he drinks with Ellis and Jude often!

💬: Out of the members of Crown, who have you been drinking with recently? Have you drank with them several times…! 🍻���

🍻: I go out to drink with Jude and Ellis quite a bit. Well, I think I prefer drinking together with you the most though.

22. he loves meat at the end of the day eheh

💬: I’m thinking of drinking with you tonight🍻 What do you eat (snack) with alcohol? I’m thinking chips goes well.

🍻: My favorite is salty meat. But chips go well with beer too. Should we order some?

23. Roger’s advice for those who just turn the legal age

💬: I’ve turned the legal age, what do you recommend for a first timer…? Was your first drink a beer…?

🍻: At first, you should go for drinks that don’t have high alcohol content to see if you can drink it or not. Other than that, drink together with someone. For example, with me. And of course, the first drink I had was beer!

24. Roger’s favorite drinking partner is… ✨✨

💬: Is there anyone you want to drink alone with?? What types of things would you talk about with them!?✨

🍻: The one drinking in front of me, right now.

[scoobydoodean]

ok so forewarning, i don’t really have a question here, just lots of thoughts.

there’s so many layers to the general *badness* about the mia vallens therapy scene. like to the manipulation (for lack of a better word) that sam rewrites. like it makes such a difference that she thinks jack is their little brother instead of the son of the thing that killed dean’s best friend/loml. not to mention the fact that it’s been what like a week since *everything*

and like yes dean’s being cold towards jack and giving him orders (which, i could argue they weren’t uncalled-for), but tbh he’s only being moderately colder/more direct with him than he’s been with cas at times on hunts (thinking hunteri heroici) and even similar to how *sam* has been with like claire and even dean himself (thinking that episode dean turned into a teenager and all of MOC). like genuinely, how was sam expecting him to act like?

also (half joking) i genuinely think dean would’ve warmed up to jack even quicker than he did (we can already see it in this same episode, like that look he gives jack when he asks mia if buddy hurt her too) if he heard jack say he hates anakin skywalker lol

ok wait i do have a question. do you think jack actually was “terrified” of dean during that therapy scene?

(post linking to some context)

Okay so I rewatched 13.01-13.04 on a plane this past week so it's all extra fresh on my mind rn. The thing about 13.04 is that Dean wasn't comfortable bringing Jack on the hunt, and Jack didn't want to go, but Sam pushed insistently for all of them to go on the hunt together... primarily because Dean's feelings were thwarting Sam's plans for Jack and his own emotional coping mechanisms in a larger sense.

I think Dean's feelings compared to Sam's here are relatively more simple (and yet somehow still intensely misunderstood to a baffling degree). Dean was grieving. He was grieving Cas who died right in front of him, he was grieving Crowley (he pleads with Chuck to bring "even Crowley" back in 13.01!) and he was grieving Mary.

The thing with Dean's grief over Cas is this: instead of viewing it from Dean's perspective, we tend to analyze it as omniscient viewers who know Cas will come back, refusing see how miraculous Cas’s return truly was. We refuse to see Cas's death was different this time and appeared very permanent. There was no uncertainty like there was in season 7 or 8. His wings burned into the ground and his grace extinguished. Dean pleaded and prayed for Cas and Mary and Crowley's return to the only person who ever brought Cas back from certain death (via explosion in 5.01 and 5.22)—the person who told Dean in 11.23 he was leaving and Dean was on his own. Dean didn't hear back. The ONLY reason Cas comes back in 13.05 is that 1) Jack woke him him up unwittingly using powers no one knew he possessed and 2) Cas then annoyed a creature they didn't even know existed into letting him out of a place they 3) didn't even know existed and 4) Cas somehow came back with a body even though he had been burned to ash. All of this is completely miraculous. It was unforeseeable. It doesn’t even make complete sense as a viewer. In other words, Dean has ZERO reason to hope for Cas's return. There was ZERO reason to refuse to acknowledge that grief… but that's exactly what Sam does. He suggests Dean pray for Chuck to bring Cas back in 13.01. As soon as Sam knew Dean already tried that and Cas was DEAD dead, he treated Cas as something Dean needed to reframe and get over:

SAM: You thinking mom is gone and Cas is gone, and that Jack can’t be saved. Dean, after everything we’ve gone through… We just lost people we love, people who have been in our lives for a long time. Everything’s upside-down. I get it. But we’ve been down before. I mean, rock bottom. And we find a way. We fix it because that’s what we do.

This is the "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps" speech in 13.02—like a day after they burned Cas's body. Sam's wording here is cruel too—saying Dean is "thinking" Cas is gone as if he didn't die right in front of him? He refuses to acknowledge Cas's death as something Dean was actively and rightfully mourning. This becomes a major point of contention between the brothers at the end of 13.03.

DEAN: Look, I know you think that you can use [Jack] as some sort of an interdimensional can-opener and that’s fine, but don’t act like you care about him! Because you only care about what he can do for you! So if you want to pretend, that’s fine! But me? I can hardly look at the kid! Because when I do all I see is everybody we’ve lost! SAM: Mom chose to take that shot at Lucifer. That is not on Jack!

Sam will only name Mary—the one person whose death they can’t 100% confirm (the same thing happens in front of Mia in 13.04). The absence of Cas’s name here is pointed. So Dean says:

DEAN: And what about Cas?

And how does Sam respond?

SAM: What about Cas?

Uh... wow. That's what really sets Dean off to full on shouting:

DEAN: [Jack] manipulated him, he made him promises, said, ‘paradise on earth’ and Cas bought it and you know what that got him? It got him dead! Now you might be able to forget about that, but I can’t!

Sam's denial of what Dean literally SAW (Cas died) and how that hurts—his insistence that Dean also halt grieving to hope for the impossible—it's a major sticking point and very revealing of Sam's own coping mechanisms. Sam's chief response to grief is to disassociate himself from it. We see a textbook case in season 8 (see: 8.08), but in most of the series, what this actually looks like for Sam is to keep moving and hunting (ex: 1.02, 2.02, 2.10, 2.11, 2.18 3.11, 4.09, 9.01) which is also why he insists on bringing Dean and Jack on the hunt in 13.04. Sam tries not to think about what they've lost and focuses on what he CAN do. He focuses on hoping Mary can be saved because she's the one person he didn't SEE die.

The thing about Dean’s grief over Mary is this: he convinces himself Lucifer had to have killed her. She's the one person whose death Dean can't be certain of, but he absolutely cannot bear the thought of hoping she’s alive and it turning out he’s wrong. He knows he wouldn’t psychologically survive hoping in that and his beliefs being crushed. It would be like losing his mom all over again (a THIRD time). So he sticks to what is most likely: Lucifer killed her. He can't contend with the hope Sam is clinging to desperately, and that's what makes them such poor companions in grief. Sam feels off balance when Dean won't keep moving and hoping like him—when Dean can't keep up the pace Sam wants to run at in his own grief—and in doing so, Sam keeps pushing Dean to contend with hopes that open Dean up to a WORLD of pain Sam can psychologically convince himself not to feel. Grieving together just really just doesn't work for them because they're never on the same page and deal in such different ways—and this has been hurting them from as early as 2.02!!!

Now to bring Jack into this more fully: Jack represents Sam and Dean's different perspectives on grief and on Mary. Just like Dean despairs over Mary's demise, Dean despairs over the possibility of Jack being good. He can't bear the idea of hoping in that and being wrong. The psychologically safest option for him is to assume the worst and not hope or believe in anything turning out okay.

Sam, on the other hand, pretty much immediately sees a way to use Jack to get Mary back. This is clear when he and Jack get locked up together in the jail cell in 13.01. After establishing that Jack isn't hearing things and (probably) isn't going to murder him imminently, Sam immediately starts down a line of questioning establishing how well Jack understands his powers, and then asks him outright:

SAM: Jack, look, um... before you were born, you -- you opened up a door to another world. Do you remember that? JACK: Yes. SAM: Okay, um, could you do that again?

Shortly after, when Sam arrives, he tells Dean (who is convinced after everything that happened in 12.23 that 12.19 that Jack is evil or will turn evil):

We need him.

Sam repeats this sentiment multiple times with clear meaning, and later in 13.04, he admits to Jack that he wants to use him to open the portal. This doesn't mean he doesn't also grow to see himself in Jack quickly and genuinely believe in his capacity for good, but he isn't fully honest with Jack about his motives until 13.04 where he finally comes clean, and this poisons the well with Jack a little.

@shallowseeker has pointed out before that in 13.03, while trying to figure out how to get Jack's powers to work (and spying on Jack through cameras from another room) Sam is seen reading "The Drama Of The Gifted Child". I wish I could find the post because Shal probably brought it up too, but when I was rewatching this episode, I noticed the chapter Sam had just settled into read before being interrupted was titled,

"Depression and Grandiosity: Two Related Forms of Denial"

Given the accusations flying from Sam toward Dean then from Dean toward Sam about denial in the following episode (13.04), this feels amusingly pointed. Dean is depressed (and about to attempt suicide in 13.05), Sam is depressed and has "grandiose" ideas of using Jack to pop open a portal to another reality while hiding behind the guise of being the most rational person in the room when he... isn't necessarily? And it's easy to argue "Well, Sam turns out to be right even if he didn't ultimately have much of a reason to think he was" but the core problem here is how his beliefs effect how he treats other people's grief. He isn't honest with Jack about his motives (while Dean is somewhat brutally honest) and pushes and watches even while claiming he's giving Jack space (13.03), he refuses to give Dean space to grieve even the family member they know is dead, he inserts a therapist into the situation and criticizes Dean's grief when Dean won't play his game, and in 13.05, after Dean says that he can't believe in anything right now, Sam's clumsy attempts at help involve plying Dean with alcohol he says he doesn't even want and trying to send him off to strip clubs—believing that Dean performing being okay will somehow address his mental state because Sam's idea of coping himself is simply "going through the motions".

As for Jack, I don't think he's scared of Dean. I think he's scared of what Dean believes. He's scared that Dean is right. From 13.01-13.06, Jack is contending with the question of whether he's destined for evil or good, and in his depressed state, Dean believes Jack is destined for evil because hoping in anything is completely beyond him at that moment. Sam tells Jack that he can be good, but he hides ulterior motives as to why he's being nice, and when those ulterior motives are revealed, it leaves Jack thinking Sam is the kind of person who will lie to Jack and tell him he's good just to get what he wants. Meanwhile, Jack knows Dean is being completely honest with him about what he believes. 13.03 and 13.04 clearly demonstrate that Jack understands the difference between beliefs and facts: Dean could be right or he could be wrong. What Jack holds onto like an anchor is that he can trust Dean to tell him the truth about what he believes—even if it hurts.

It's also just so obvious that Jack immediately wants Dean—specifically—to like him (see: Jack mimicking Dean's mannerisms while eating in 13.02, and his clumsy attempts to earn his favor in 13.04). Sam also picks up on this, and encourages Jack to seek Dean's approval in 13.04 to try and change Dean's beliefs. Sam (and to some extent Jack) are thinking in 13.04, that if Jack can prove to Dean that he can be good, and if Dean tells him he did a good job (which Dean does in the end), Jack can believe that. Sam sees that Jack wants Dean's approval and the impression that Dean's beliefs have had on Jack and thinks by pushing them together as soon as possible (when neither of them want to go on the hunt) and treating them as a family and forcing Dean to accept Jack when Dean just isn't ready (including by paralleling Jack with himself in a way that becomes an accusation), he can "fix" Jack so he isn't scared of his powers anymore (13.03) and then he can teach Jack to use his powers and Jack can open a portal to save their mom.

Jack's attempts to earn Dean's favor in 13.04 are clumsy. His first attempt is directly ignoring Dean telling him to wait in the car and sneaking into the crime scene, potentially contaminating it. At Mia's office, Jack's outburst about losing a mother is what allows Sam to set up the whole family therapy trap to begin with, and because Dean knows Sam is going to use that to hurt him, he warns Jack not to make outbursts like that. Dean is not being nice. Point blank. And I do think his tone is a little different than with Cas which in the past felt more like exasperation. I also don’t think it makes him the devil. I think that's understandable when putting in even a tiny amount of effort and it's kind of laughable to me how few people seem to even try because they're so caught up in Sam's happy family narrative and the idea that someone wanting Dean's approval presents an obligation that Dean give it no matter how emotionally impossible—and in a situation where asking him to lie would actually destroy that much more of Jack's trust.

[gibsongirled]

i’m obsessed with girl dad!schlatt 🤭 can we have a fic where they’re high school sweethearts (reader with a normal job out of the spotlight) and she joins the podcast for the first time and schlatt introduces her to everyone as his wife as she’s never been in a video/mentioned before

would love their daughter making an appearance—maybe either hearing her on the baby monitor or smth and schlatt goes to take care of her

love your writing 🫶 i can’t wait to read anything new you post

ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU !!

description: some say that high school sweethearts don't last, you and Schlatt proved them wrong.

a/n: this was such a cute req !! (the title's the same as the song by the moldy peaches :3)

People have said that high school sweethearts would not make it past high school, and some of them were right. But you and Schlatt were the exception. Hah, suck on that, other ex high school sweethearts.

The two of you met during your sophomore year, having shared the same History class. Schlatt sat in the row behind you and occasionally, the two of you would exchange glances and go on with your day, because high schoolers are awkward like that. You started seeing him more when one of your friends started dating one of his friends, causing you to get to know him through mutual friends.

And eventually, the two of you got closer. A lot closer. You sat on the bleachers at his baseball games, stayed up late with him while he edited his videos, and was his date to prom. That night under the poorly decorated stars in the gym while the DJ played the weirdest tracks you’ve ever heard was one of your core memories. And then the two of you started dating and no one was surprised. You two made it way too obvious how much you liked each other.

When Schlatt started doing Youtube full time, you said that you wanted to be kept out of the spotlight and he agreed with you. He kept his real life and online life separate- only letting the closest friends know that he was dating someone. Of course, those same close friends were invited to the small ‘friends and family only’ wedding you two had a few years later. Another core memory that he has framed and placed on his setup that’s out of view from the camera.

Schlatt went on hiatus when you were pregnant with your daughter. He had scheduled his already made videos to upload at a certain time and was completely offline from the internet after that, being by your side 24/7. The hiatus continued on for a few months after your daughter was born and then the internet started speculating where he disappeared to, because this was far from his usual sparse uploads.

Your late night talks had delved into how to continue streaming without revealing you and the baby. And you decided to fill his viewers in on your existence. He was definitely shocked, but ultimately it’s your decision and that was final.

“Schlatt, who’s with you today?” Ted asked on the latest Chuckle Sandwich episode, waving at you through the camera. “Audio listeners - love you to death - Schlatt has a woman with him.” Of course, Ted knew who you were- having been invited to your small wedding years prior. He was just playing it up for the camera.

You waved back at Ted, smiling as Schlatt grabbed his mic and talked into it. “My wife.”

“Your wife?” Tucker asked incredulously and Schlatt nodded, smiling widely as he pulled you into his side. “My wife! Say hi, toots.”

“Hi, Ted, Tucker.” You beamed, feeling anxiety and excitement mix into one intense feeling. You heard the baby monitor suddenly crackle to life with a loud cry, and you sighed softly, removing your headphones and began to get up when Schlatt stopped you, getting up himself. “I’ll get her. You sit tight, babe.” He whispered to you and made a hand motion to the camera to continue the session without him. You slid the headphones back on, keeping one ear open to listen to what was happening on the monitor.

The three of you continued on making random conversations about all sorts of stuff until Schlatt came back. He kissed you on the top of your head and sat back down beside you.

“How is she?” You asked, looking at him.

“She’s good, just needed a bottle.”

“Ah, okay.”

That small conversation between the two of you was left unedited and Twitter was on fire when the episode came out, because not only was he married, he also had a baby! The two of you were trending for a good while, and you are well loved by his viewers.

You were so glad the two of you gave it a chance back in high school, and you couldn’t think of anyone else to share this life with. Schlatt was your soulmate and you were his.

[drghostwrite]

Operating Rooms…

Pairing: Addison Montgomery x preg!wife!reader

Summary: jumps around but reader is pregnant and due date is approaching fast, a few scares have Addison on the edge as she can’t imagine losing her wife or her baby. Also part of this is a rewrite of the episode where Derek throws up in the OR with Lexi.

Warnings: mention of miscarriage, blood, vomiting.

******************************************************** "Suction, There's to much blood in the field." you said as you and Derek operated on the patient.

"We're losing him!, ugh I should've just cut the cord, this is way to risky."

"Derek, just stay calm." you said, you were standing over your patient multiple hours into am exhaustive tumor removal. It was taking a toll on both of you, spending hours on you feet was hard enough but being 7 months pregnant made it even harder, you're muscles were starting to lock up as you fought the fatigue, your body was absolutely exhausted.

"Wait. It's back, He's coming back up." Mark said.

you could hear Lexie ask a question but you were zoning out as relief that flooded your body quickly turned into worry, you felt pain but not muscle pain, something was different, something was wrong.

"Dr. Shepard?"

"My mask..."

"What?"

"His mask, take it off" "Take off my mask, Take off my mask!"

you both yelled in unison, as you quickly realized that something was wrong. she quickly moved his mask as he bent over and threw up on the OR floor. you looked away turning into your arm, Mark saw your reaction looking you over.

"Y/N?" Mark said watching you as you turned to make eye contact with him.

"Dr. Montgomery, y-you're bleeding." Lexi said eyes getting wide with worry. In the midst of everything you forgot about yourself, quickly looking down to see a small stream of red darkening your scrubs, you're hands still inside the patient.

"Someone page Dr. Montgomery, NOW!" yelled Mark before rushing over to you.

"Lexi check on Derek, we need to keep this patient alive." He commanded, within minutes doctors filled the room, Meredith and Callie rushed to help Derek as Addison rushed to your side. As soon as your hands were out Mark scooped you up and rushed you out onto a gurney to get you to OB.

"Addison?"

"Right here Y/N, I'm right here."

"I'm scared..."

"I know, but we have the best." you squeezed her hand as they rushed you down the hall, as soon as you got there Arizona was waiting with monitors. "Okay mama, Let's figure out what's going on."

a few hours later you were in a hospital bed, Addison was next to you as Arizona walked in, "How're we feeling?"

"A little nervous, what's going on?"

"Well it looks like you have a case of what we call incompetent cervix, baby was pushing on your cervix and with the stress you were putting your body through, it cause your cervix to slightly dilate."

"Which caused your bleeding." Addison finished.

"And the baby?"

"The baby is okay, we gave you a slight dose of something to hopefully prevent labor, and we'll keep you overnight... and if it worsens then we can stitch the cervix closed until you go into labor."

---------------------------------------------------------

1 month later and you were back in action, saving lives, performing surgeries. Addison and Arizona had been keep an extremely close eye on you, monitoring work load and the baby.

That is until you found yourself in a very high-stakes trauma situation, here you were standing over a young woman, hand in her chest pinching an artery stopping her from bleeding out. The ER was busy and you ended up in a very extensive case that just kept going south, your patient had extensive bleeding and now you found yourself with a hand inside her chest, and people watching you while trying to keep it together

People were very cautiously and efficiently moving around the room, nobody dared get in your way as you operated. Around the 8 hours mark you started feeling small contractions roll through your body.

"Dr. Montgomery, How're we doing?" you heard chief Webber's voice over the intercom. He had been showing some prospective attendings, and the board around and they decided that watching your surgery was intriguing so you had to put on your best show for them.

"Getting there, How's my ED looking?"

"Clearing out as we speak."

"Good, I'm going to need Dr. Torres and Dr. Sloan in here to help with this repair."

"Paging them now." he said before exiting the gallery. Callie and Mark later joined you in the OR, Callie across from you and Mark next to you being your extra set of hands, after a particularly strong contraction he whispered in you ear, "you okay, we don't need another scare."

"I know, I know..." you whispered back, before returning to the task at hand. 15 more minutes went by, this time you carefully leaned back a wince on your face.

"Y/N, we okay over there?" Callie asked as you readjusted.

"I think so." you shifted around.

"Look if you need to tap out..." Mark started.

"Mark..." you looked at him with your intimidating 'don't start' look, before shifting uncomfortably again.

"Y/N, your out go relax." Callie demanded.

"No I'm not leaving, I'm the only thing keeping this patient alive right now."

"Y/N." she said sternly, a stare-down happening as you were both stubborn.

"Okay, page Arizona... but don't cause a scene..."

She slowly nodded in response, "Can someone page my wife please." Callie said, a nurse quickly going to page Arizona, minutes later she walked in.

"You paged?"

"Yea," she said and motioned to you. Arizona stepped in next to you, "Y/N, you okay?" she said gently, watching the glance exchange between you and Callie.

"I think I might be going into early labor, but I can't move yet cause I'm the only thing stopping this patient from bleeding out... we have a lot riding on this surgery and they're all up in that room watching."

"Okay so we have two options, you leave and let someone else take over..."

"nope."

"Or I can discreetly hook you up to some monitors and monitor baby from right here next to you, but once your contractions get to close I'm pulling you." you looked between her and Callie, "Okay, whatever we have to do, just don't let them see and do not page my wife just yet." you said leaning your head to point at the others in the gallery.

Arizona quickly devised a plan, Webber distracted the investors with a quick tour of the other galleries, before a few intrigued returned, Arizona quickly attached monitors to your belly allowing her to discreetly monitor the baby. Mark stood shielding your occasionally distressed form from peering eyes, Callie covering by having the nurses rotate to distract.

20 minutes later and your contractions were drawing closer, Arizona sat behind a monitor with Ben as he monitored the anesthesia, she carefully watched the monitors whispering soft encouragement as you fought through the contractions. Minutes later the investors exited to continue their tours and Callie paged Bailey who quickly rushed to the rescue, repairing the damage so you could pull your hand out, Arizona came to your side unhooking the monitors and following you out of the room.

you entered the scrub room and immediately caught yourself on the scrub sink as a particularly strong contraction caught you off guard.

"Okay mama, I think it's time to go," Arizona said rubbing her hand firmly into your back to try and relieve the clenched muscles.

"Considering my water just broke that might be best," you said looking down at your dark navy scrubs the liquid creating streaks down your thighs.

"Yea, I can see that." she said following your eyes, supporting you as you tried standing up straight.

"Okay let's do this, and please, page my wife."

"Let's get you out of here first." she said guiding you out of the door.

--- time jump---

You were now in one of the delivery rooms, contractions only 3-5 minutes apart, groaning as another wave rolled through your body. You heard the door latch engage and swing open stark white light flooding the dimly lit room, you could see Addison's silhouette in the doorway as she ran to your side. Arizona right behind her, she had been in a surgery and Arizona had to hunt her down after she didn't answer her pages, pulling her from the OR.

"Y/N Forbes-Montgomery, I cannot believe you."

"what did I do?" you softly whispered.

"operating while in labor?"

"so you heard about that," you chuckled, "whoo..." you left out a small breath as another contraction started.

"Of course I heard about it, I'm your wife, someone's got to watch out for you." she said leaning you forward to crawl in the bed behind you, she leaned you back into her a leg on either side supporting you as you held onto her knee, your other hand in hers, her spare hand wiped sweaty hair from your forehead as you leaned your temple against her face.

"Addi I don't know if I can do this, I'm so tired."

"Darling I've seen you fight through much worse, you've got this, lets meet our baby."

"Mmm..." you whimpered, before gritting your teeth together to start pushing.

2 hours later and lots of different emotions and you held a beautiful baby girl in your arms, she already had a full head of reddish hair, her eyes blue with just the slightest tint of green coming through them.

“You did so good mama, I’m so proud of you.” Addison said, watching you as you held your daughter.

“She’s gorgeous…” you whispered, taking in the lovestruck feeling.

“Just like her mommy’s.” Arizona said coming in to check on you one last time, a bright smile pulling across her face, Callie followed behind to check on you.

“Mm..” you chuckled, “thank you Arizona, for taking care of our girl.”

“Oh you know I would do anything for you, both of you.”

“Well next time a little heads up would be nice, and next time no operating rooms that close to the due date.”

“But…” you whined out, “and who said about next time?”

“Oh y'all make gorgeous and brilliant babies there will definitely be a next time.”

“gorgeous and brilliant, you hear that little one…” you whispered softly down to you baby as she cooed back up at you.

“I’d say if we’re not careful we’re gonna have a world class surgeon on our hands.” Addison beamed down with a smile before kissing your lips.

“Mm knowing y’all’s brains, you’re gonna have genius babies…” Callie said and you all laughed together as they exited to give you the room.

"Hmm are you gonna be a little genius baby?" you cooed down at the infant in your arms, before smiling back up at Addison, she was in awe and placed a loving kiss to your lips.

"So long as they aren't as daring as their mother..."

"Oh hush, it keeps you guessing..." you said teasing back.

"Something like that" she smiled down at you

[lulunothulu]

“A Bullseye to the Heart” (Ch. 7)

Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Latina Reader

Blurb: After a small flashback episode, Jake decides it's best to take you home where you finally feel safe enough to show him your emotional and physical scars.

TW: (mild) talks of t0rture, scars, emotional stuff, fluff

Word Count: 1.9K

Masterlist!!!!! Catch up here!!

Chapter 7

“Y/N?” You hear Jake whisper. You blink to find him searching your face, worry painted in his eyes. “Let’s get you home. Do you need help standing?”

You only nod. You couldn’t speak, let alone walk alone. What were you going to do to get out of the bar? How were you gonna drive home?

“I’m driving you home and having Bob drop off your car later,” he says. “Let me go tell Penny I’m taking you home.”

“No,” you croak. Your throat felt dry, almost spongy. You lick your lips before adding, “Please don’t leave me.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he soothes. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, texting someone, and then placing a hand on the small of your back. “Can I touch you?”

You hesitate before nodding slowly. 

Jake hoists you up into his arms bridal-style before kicking the door open and walking you straight out the front door of Hard Deck, Bradley and Phoenix a few steps away. 

“What’s wrong?” Bradley asks, surveying you like his life depends on it.

“I’m taking her home,” Jake tells him.

“Why? What happened?” Bradley goes on to ask.

“She’ll call you guys tomorrow but right now, I need to get her somewhere quiet,” Jake tells them before turning toward them with a raised brow. “Can one of you open my car door?”

Phoenix opens the passenger seat door and watches as Jake sets you down, gently pulling the seat belt over you and strapping you in. Meanwhile, you’ve been solemn, barely blinking, and staring off into space. The only thing going through your mind is the day of the mission. 

Over and over, you think of the way the man had you tied up to a chair. How he had you beaten for not answering his questions. How he laughed when you finally broke down in sobs when you realized no one was going to save you. 

“Y/N?” you hear Bradley say softly. “Jake says he’s taking you home but I just want to hear it from you. Are you sure you want to go home?”

“I want him to take me to his house. I need to be alone,” you tell him in a monotone voice. “I don’t need the pitying looks you and Nat are giving me right now.”

“We just want what’s best for you,” Nat joins in. 

“I need to be left alone,” you spit. You knew the rage was meant for the man, but you couldn’t help yourself. Once it was out, it was easy to let it be.

“Okay, we’ll be here when you’re ready,” Bradley tells you.

“Don’t wait up,” you tell him before turning to Jake. “Take me home.”

*   *   *

Jake had never seen you so angry in the short amount of time he’d known you. The only time he’s seen you angry, that anger was directed at him. He didn’t know what made you flip the switch, but he knew he needed to get you home to relax. 

Pulling into his driveway, he glances at you in his passenger seat–distant and staring off into space again. 

He clears his throat before saying, “Can I carry you inside?”

“Sure,” you whisper. 

He jumps out of his truck before opening your door and helping you out of the seat belt, carrying you bridal-style again. With expert precision, he kicks the door handle to open the front door before closing it once he’s inside and carrying you into your room. Once you’re safe on the bed, he begins to rummage through the drawers of the cabinet, looking for something more comfortable for you to wear. When he sees that every single drawer is empty, he frowns and turns to you.

“Where are your oversized t-shirts?” he asks you. “And why aren’t you unpacked?”

“They’re in my duffle bag,” you say, pointing to the bag on the floor. “I haven’t felt it was the…right time yet.”

Jake sighs when he can’t find them and instead walks into his room across the way, grabbing his favorite Texas Longhorns t-shirt and tossing it on the bed next to you. He goes back into your duffle bag and grabs a pair of what he thinks are pajama shorts before turning to you with a softness he only reserved for women he cared about. 

“I’m gonna help you get changed, is that okay?” he asks, holding his hands up.

He watches as your eyes widen and you hug your legs close to your chest, heart breaking at the sight of it all. 

“I promise, I won’t try anything,” he adds. 

“That’s not it,” you tell him. Confused, Jake frowns and sits on the edge of the bed, waiting for you to continue. 

You sigh and say, “I have scars.”

“That’s okay.”

“From when I was taken,” you whisper. 

“That’s okay, Y/N,” he tells you again. “I’m not easily squeamish.”

He watches you eye him, eyes narrowed and searching. You take a few deep breaths before nodding and straightening your legs. 

You stand before raising your hands, allowing him to pull your shirt up revealing the black bra you chose for the day but also the scars on your stomach. When you turn around to remove the bra, he has to hold in the sharp intake of air when he sees the lash marks up and down your back. 

He almost reaches out to touch one fo the scars but stops when you whisper, “You can put the shirt on now.”

Jake does, pulling the material down over your head and watching as you poke your arms through the sleeves. It was almost adorable how long and baggy the shirt was on you. He would say this had it been any other time, but now? It wasn’t the right time. 

“I’m gonna help with the pants, okay?” he tells you.

“Okay,” you respond. Turning back around to face Jake to find him already on his knees before you. 

The only time Jake has ever knelt before a woman was purely for sexual reasons but right now, it felt like the most vulnerable he could be–only for you. 

He tentatively reaches for the button of your jeans before pulling the zipper down and snaking the pants down your legs. His eyes remain on your jeans, only looking up and away after you’ve stepped out of them. He grabs the pajama shorts from the bed and keeps his eyes on the shorts. You place your hands on his shoulders and he tenses up at your touch. Not because he’s uncomfortable with you touching him, but because of how delicately you’re hodling him. 

Almost as if you didn’t want to be hurting him.

Jake instead focuses on the shorts before him as he glides them up your thighs, stopping when he sees a branding scar in the shape of a skull and bones on your right hip. 

“That was him,” you tell him. “My parting gift.”

Jake blinks away the anger bubbling up inside him and instead, finishes pulling the shorts up, tying them in place and holding your hips before looking up at you. 

“I’m so sorry, Y/N,” he says in a hushed voice.

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not,” he tells you. “You didn’t deserve whatever it was you went through.”

He watches as your breath hitches before turning away. He watches in horror as your face crumples into sadness, tears beginning to fall from your cheeks. 

“I can’t stop thinking about it,” you tearfully admit. “After Nick hit me the other day, I’ve been dreaming about those nights. I can’t get them out of my mind and of course, if I tell my therapist, she’ll make me go in-patient again. I can’t go back there. I can’t.”

Jake stands, immediately scooping you into his arms and huggin g you like he’s never hugged anyone before. Your sobs ripple through the air and break his heart even more than it was before. 

“Why not? Would it be so bad?” he asks.

“They all think I’m crazy,” you hiccup. “I can’t stand the pitying look they give me. Which is also why I never tell Bradley or Nat anything. I don’t want them to worry.”

Jake smoothes your hair, rubbign small circles on your bicep with his fingers. He only nods into your hair and allows you to finish.

“God, I was such an asshole to them earlier,” you cry. “I can’t believe I let my anger just run like that. I should’ve–”

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Jake interrupts. “They understand you’re going through something right now.”

“I shouldn’t have been so rude though,” you tell him. “I feel bad.”

“You’re just doing what you needed to do to keep your mind from breaking. Don’t ever apologize for that,” he tells you. He pulls you away from him, tilting your head up to face him. “You can be an asshole to me. I can take it.”

“I’m sorry I’m dumping all of my shit on you,” you say softly, wiping your eyes.

Jake smiles down at you before saying, “Come on, I have a good way to distract you from everything.”

*   *   *

Two hours and a few rounds of Mario Kart later, you’re screaming at Jake to let you win. 

“I don’t play nice, Sweetheart,” he laughs when you lose again. 

“I’ve lost every freaking round and I’m so mad!” you half yell and laugh.

“Sucks to suck, nerd,” Jake says, causing you to throw a pillow at his head and make him laugh harder. “Don’t mess with the master of Mario Kart.”

“I demand a rematch,” you tell him, crossing your arms over yoru chest. 

“Okay, do you like Uno?” he asks.

“Like it?” you smile. “You may be the master of Mario Kart, but I’m the queen of Uno.”

“Let’s see what you’re made of, Bullseye,” he says, pulling out a deck of Uno cards and shuffling them. 

“Let’s bet on the game,” you tell him. 

“Yeah?”

“If I win, you get us pizza for the night,” you smile. “But if you win, I’ll buy pizza.”

Jake pretends to think about it, making a show to tap his chin before smiling and saying, “Deal.”

One hour later

“I swear you cheated,” Jake says, tossing his pizza crust on the pizza box. 

You laugh and bite off a piece of your crust before saying, “I told you I was the queen of Uno.”

“You did tell me and I thought you were bluffing,” he chuckles. “Alright, what’re we doing next?”

“We can watch a movie,” you suggest.

“Sure, what’re you into?”

“I like all sorts of movies,” you tell him. 

“I have the perfect one for you,” he smiles mischeivously. 

Half way into The Conjuring, you’re bundled into a blanket and leaning on Jake when you say, “If they would’ve just left the house, none of this would be happening.”

“That’s true,” he agrees. 

“I hope you know, we’re gonna have to watch something else after this,” you tell him. 

“Why? Are you scared?” he teases.

“No, but I might have to sleep in the same room as you,” you nervously laugh.

“Sounds fine to me,” he tells you. 

You barely make it to the middle of Tangled when you’re fast asleep next to Jake, head resting on his shoulder. He smiles, watching you sleep so peacefully beside him. 

He moves forward, wrapping an arm around you and helping you lay on the couch. Jake brushes a few strands of hair away from your face before gently covering you with a blanket. 

However, before he can get too far, you grab his hand and whisper, “Please don’t leave.”

He smiles down at you, kissing your hand before sinking back down onto the carpeted floor. 

“I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

Next part here!!

Tags: @lonelysoul50 @akilatwt @russopalette @emma8895eb @djs8891

[cyjammy]

Alastor: A Fairly Predictable Enigma

I love how Alastor is written in the sneak peek.

Alastor waited until a prime moment of vulnerability from Charlie before he revealed that he knew angels could be killed. (Hey, we all know it, context clues, baby)

And here’s why he did it. Alastor may be seen as unpredictable, but he does have a code he follows.

It wouldn’t have made sense for him to tell Charlie as soon as he found out, he waited until this moment — for Charlie to be at her wits end before he offered the option.

Charlie is a firm believer in her plan for redemption. She’s a pacifist. It doesn’t matter what they have done or when they did it, she believes they can turn their lives around and be better.

So, Alastor was amused by the princess who boasted about her plan, took everything with a smile and unbridled optimism. She basically practiced everything he preached.

Alastor respects that.

Alastor even acknowledges this. He never expected Charlie to give up. To wallow in pity over a loss no matter how big.

With her firm beliefs comes a difficulty in getting her to try something different. Charlie’s behavior is so engrained in her very being that she will refuse to go against it.

If Alastor were to tell her before she went through everything she did in this season: being laughed at and ridiculed, having her beliefs questioned by the determining powers that have influence over her success, being confronted by a rigged system and being lied to by the person she trusted most —

She would have never listened.

Killing angels would be the last thing she would consider, and even then she would actively prevent this from happening if she had known about it earlier.

Charlie had to be battered by the world to see a new perspective. You can only rebuild what has been broken. She had to confront the world and all its flaws, break out from her delusional bubble and see things for how they actually are.

All of Charlie’s complaining about her stresses and basically giving up is what makes Alastor share that angels can be killed. Charlie sees the world for how it is and wants to give up.

Alastor can’t let that happen, so now that she’s out of options, the only thing she can do now is fight.

Alastor knows this all too well and takes advantage of it. If Charlie gives up, he no longer gets to see how this story plays out.

If he didn’t care, he would have left a long time ago (unless Lilith is commanding him to stay, which I firmly believe and I will die on this hill).

Alastor may not care for the patrons of the Hotel, but he does love a show, and what better than a war against Heaven?

Episode 7 and 8 are going to be amazing, I can’t wait until Thursday!

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️Reveling in Richonne - TOWL

#31: The Heart Rip (1.04)

gif cred: @kimwexlersponytail

Rick has convinced himself that Michonne leaving without him is the only way and yet when she does leave, it quickly becomes clear that going their separate ways is extremely painful for them both. It's in every way heart-ripping. And so while their figurative distance will remain a bit longer in this episode, we see that of course these magnets can't help but close the literal distance as Rick runs after her...

At first, when Michonne leaves the apartment she’s all stubbornly walking trying to seem like she feels resolved over leaving Rick. But then she stops and I know there’s a part of her so eagerly hoping she’ll hear that door open and Rick will have come to his senses. But that moment doesn't come just yet 😢.

They cut to Rick inside the apartment still frozen in place. And this is a big moment where the breathing tells the story because he has this labored breath as he starts to panic.

Michonne stays standing in the hallway as she fights back tears. But her tear can’t help but fall. And I just 😭. She cries, I cry. It’s the rules. Richonne going seperate ways like this when they're magnets is no easy thing and I know it makes them both feel horrible. ☹️

gif cred: @figmentof

Michonne turns around toward the door and her standing alone in that hallway is such a sad confirmation that it really isn’t her Rick in that apartment, because her Rick would have most definitely gone after her by now. Really Michonne wouldn't have even made it to the doorknob with her Rick.

gif cred: @perryabbott

I like that we get to see both Rick and Michonne’s responses to this pivotal and painful moment of potentially walking out of each other's lives for good. It sorta reminds me of the beautiful season 4 moment when Michonne sees Rick and Carl in that house in After.

That’s another moment where Rick and Michonne are on opposite sides of a wall and reacting to each other both with a similar shade of elation over being back together.

gif cred: notabadday

And now in TOWL, Richonne are on opposite sides of a wall with a similar shade of devastation over being apart. Both of them are experiencing that heart-being-ripped-out-of-their-chest moment that Rick will detail a bit later. 

gif cred: @ricksmarlene

I love that Michonne stands there for a good while just breathing and waiting. It feels like another act of belief in him that maybe just maybe he’ll still pull through. And it shows that while she’s walking away, every part of her doesn’t want to give up on him.

Meanwhile, the magnets in Rick have him already at the door knob as he hesitantly touches it but then refrains.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

And then this breathing moment from him by the door is very notable to me because it’s very similar to the breathing moment he’ll have during a certain panic attack later in the episode.

And the way he’s panicking in both moments really hammered home the point to me that Rick is both terrified of losing Michonne and terrified of having her. He’s convinced himself he’s a poison thanks to the target Jadis and the CRM have on his back. And so even here as he hesitates by the door I always get the sense that he genuinely thinks it would be selfish of him to go after her because he knows that being with her can put her in harm's way.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

What’s interesting about Rick’s struggle in ep3/4 is it has to be so extra jarring internally because he’s lived his life the last 7 or 8 years not feeling almost any emotion and now here he is reunited with the person who literally makes his heart burst with emotion more than anyone else. And he’s wrestling with how he feels like turning his heart back on could be dangerous for her and him.

But I also appreciate how when Michonne leaves the apartment it’s not all just to get Rick to open his eyes, she’s also feeling the fullness of her own feelings and acting out of that. And again, I was glad that she gets to go through this not solely as someone aiding Rick along his own journey but as someone really dealing with a lot herself and it stirs up emotions for her too that she has to navigate through.

So Michonne waits a little while longer in the hall, decides she can’t wait anymore, and starts to head out. I like that she didn’t go back inside the apartment because at this point Rick needed to be the one to chase after her and show that he absolutely does not want the two of them to part ways. 

gif cred: @taiturner

I’ve seen debate on whether Michonne really was gonna leave or would she have ultimately come back. In my opinion, she really is leaving, just not hastily. Like I think she would be walking real slow to that car lol and might even wait a little after that just hoping he’d make his way to her. But if it became clear that Rick really wasn’t coming, she’d know he’d made his choice and she’d head home. (for the time being at least, because the way she's an A and the way she and Rick are soulmates I feel like at some Michonne might come back with a little army of her own to break him out of there) 

Rick struggles to collect himself as he breathes heavily by the door and Michonne is halfway down the stairs, so he will need to make a decision fast. Rick finally takes one deep breath and then he rushes out the door.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

His face when he opens the door looks like he feels like he’s making a decision against his better judgment since he thinks the best thing for the two of them is to part. But I was like Rick, going after your wife is the best possible decision you could have made. 👏🏽 Just like how more figuratively going after her all those years ago was the best decision he made. I’m glad he let his heart and those magnets in him lead the way here. 😌

gif cred: @nerd4music

When he leaves they pan over to the window where a CRM helicopter comes to destroy evidence of the crash. And just gotta say that window with the scenery is so pretty. TOWL’s cinematography in every episode is so aesthetically pleasing. 😍

So then Michonne stands at the entrance and stares at the walkers out front with just a clenched kitchen knife in hand. And I honestly think one of the few reasons she waits is because she still wants to give Rick a chance, cuz I know she’s not hesitant about these walkers outside. Like sis was about to go through a biblical-sized horde in ep 2 so these walkers can’t be giving her pause like that. Even if all she has is a lamp stick and a kitchen knife.

And sure enough, Rick is running to the rescue and I love to see him booking it to get to her.

gif cred: @riickgrimes

This running moment was giving epic love story. 😊 And I always say all versions of Rick love Michonne, including Dead Rick so of course he can’t let her leave. Been true since season 3. 💯

Just when Michonne is about to be affected by the blast from the CRM, Rick arrives just in time to throw himself on her and shield her with his body. I love how he does this act of protection without question. And the way they make eye contact and linger a little bit while he’s on top of her. Again, straight out of a love story and I’m here for it. 😊 Like it’s 0.5 seconds and still hot.

gif cred: @coolpartytimefan

And never have two people needed to get it on after shutting off that sexual side of themselves for almost 8 years. Similar to the episode 3 kiss, this moment just lets you know…they’re ready. 👌🏽

But that time is not now, even tho they do nearly get lost in their Richonne bubble with him on top of her like that for the first time in years.

gif cred: @nat111love

The glass doors have shattered and walkers are coming inside in droves so Rick looks back and then helps Michonne up so they can run upstairs. I can never exactly tell if they’re holding hands when they run upstairs but in my eyes they are. 😌

The scene ends with them in the background as we see Michonne has lost her kitchen knife...and not having her weapon will soon lead to some comedy between these two. 🤭

gif cred: @taiturner

I love that this episode all takes place in one location and what’s extra smart is that it takes place in one location without having to take place in just one room. So this is where we get to see Rick and Michonne explore the rest of the building as they try and figure out their next moves to get out safely. 

They try different doors and then one of my favorite moments is this moment under the red light when Michonne starts coughing and Rick immediately checks on her. Ooh it’s so good. 😍

gif cred: @machonnes

I appreciate that her coughing gives some continuity to the fact that Michonne had her lungs burned from the CRM attack. I’m glad that’s not just a forgotten major thing that she went through. And it’s such a small detail but I always like that she seems to turn to Rick just before she starts coughing almost like instinctually needing him and Rick is instantly right there reaching for her instinctually too. 🥰

I love the way the music gets all soft and the framing of it with her against the wall and him so close to her as he gently and lovingly asks, “Are you okay?” Michonne says yeah and then even more gently Rick asks, “Are you sure?” cuz you know he wants to be absolutely sure she’s good.

It will forever make me happy to see Michonne be treated with care and consideration by her man. You know the Grimes family care to check on each other even if it's just a cough. 🥰

gif cred: @machonnes

Michonne says, “Yeah. You?” And my heart will also always melt seeing Richonne take care of each other. They’re the sweetest. 🥹 Like even after all that fighting and nearly walking away from each other, it’s moments like this one where they check on each other that always make it clear that Richonne loves each other with everything in them. That’s their baby fr. 🥲

Then I really love the weightedness of this wordless moment when Rick hears her ask “You?” And he has this moment of just silently staring at her and then ever so subtly nodding. It’s so sweet and layered to me. 🥺

gif cred: @machonnes

Because one; Rick knows that on a larger scale, he’s not okay but he’s trying to be for them. Two; while he’s not mentally okay, he is more okay now that he’s back with her and I think in this moment he knows that being with her is what most feels right. It sorta reminds me of the ep 1 dream when she asks if he’s where he wants to be and he assuredly says yeah.

Three; it’s been years since someone cared about Rick like this and you can just see it be so foreign but appreciated that she also wants to know that he’s okay. 🥲 And four; I love how it feels like he gets lost in her for moment. That’s the Rick I know. 😌 And I love the way they’re swaying and holding onto each other. It’s a romantic visual.

gif cred: @machonnes

But y’all, Danai then demonstrated that she doesn’t just know how to write drama and romance cuz she's got a great grasp on comedy too. And she proves it in this next moment. 😋

Richonne is yanked out of their bubble yet again by approaching walkers so they run and have two different ideas of what they need to do next.

gif cred: @nat111love

Rick thinks they need to find a way out but Michonne thinks right now they need to hunker down somewhere til the numbers thin out.

Rick disagrees and he goes full CRM saying, “We do that we get trapped. We can’t breach from this high up. Even if it’s a defensible position.”

gif cred: @figmentof

Michonne is fed the hell up with this CRM-lingo and so she’s quick to respond telling Rick, “I don’t even have a weapon, Commando, so how are we supposed to get past all those walkers?” 😂

gif cred: @figmentof

And then she expresses clear disdain for his solider terminology with 'the defensible position' and it cracks me all the way up. 🤣

gif cred: @figmentof

Rick notes the shady nickname saying, “Commando, really?” Which cracks me up too. 😂 It was giving husband and wife who know exactly how to push each other's buttons lol.

And this testy marital banter is gold. I like how one moment they’re being so incredibly sweet and soft with each other and the next they’re ribbing each other. We got us a versatile couple, y’all. 😋

gif cred: @figmentof

And they know this fight ain’t over yet so until it’s fully resolved these little moments of opposition are gonna keep popping up. 

The building's walls start cracking so Michonne tells Rick to come into the gym area to hunker down.

gif cred: @taiturner

And y’all, as you know, this next superbly acted scene is where things get very very interesting and emotions rise even higher.

This gym scene is also where Michonne says my absolute favorite thing she’s ever told Rick. 🤩

And then Rick...well…

The Richonne hallway moment gave us a bit of love and levity, but in this next gym scene, we see Richonne hit their lowest point. 😥👌🏽

[mulders-too-large-shirt]

my favorite scully and mulder moments from s3

mulder bursting into his apartment in episode 2 after actually returning from the dead, only to find scully and skinner holding each other at gunpoint. he immediately asks if she is okay and pulls HIS gun on skinner, too (yes, he WILL threaten to kill their boss for her, thank you very much)

(and then they have this moment where they reunite for real and she smiles at him- i thought they were going to kiss but they didn’t, but either way it was so precious and genuine it made me lose my mind)

this exchange in the disease center archives: “lots of files” “lots and lots of files” yeah <3

after they flee through the back exit of the archives escaping what seemed like the entire US military, they meet skinner at a little diner in maryland, with all things seemingly forgiven between them

how he holds her after she learns melissa passed away, and how they both agree that they need to get back to work in order to keep them from going mad with grief (they were both in mourning at the same time- his dad's death was still very recent- and it is so touching to me how they were there for each other at every step)

they way they glance at each other while the “psychic” stupendous yappi is making incredibly vague claims about the killer at the crime scene in episode 4 (omg... does anyone have this gif?)

(and when the psychic claims that mulder has “negative energy” and needs to leave the room, she leans in and says “i can’t take you anywhere)

later in the episode, he comes in with the news that the item at the crime scene was made of chantilly lace, and he says “you know how i like it” in reference to the song by the big bopper. she makes the FUNNIEST face!!! it's a momentary mixture of horror and disgust before she composes herself. it is hilarious, i’ll see if i can find it. then she slaps a file on his chest and wishes him good luck in observing bruckman.

also, he is nearly killed in that episode, and scully shoots his would-be murderer- then they have one of those “comforting each other on the floor after nearly dying moments” that are like catnip to me

“imagine if it were true, scully. imagine if you could come back and take out five people who had caused you to suffer. who would they be?” “i only get five?” “i remembered your birthday this year, didn’t i?” <3 (from episode 5)

in episode 7, scully noticed that mulder had been carrying dental x-ray plates throughout their whole investigation, but never bothered to ask why because they were at the point in their relationship where such things do not need to be discussed

scully learning in episode 9 that she is slowly dying from the tests they performed on her while she was taken, and breaking the news to mulder- how he softly says “but you’re fine, aren’t you scully?” because he cannot bear to lose her (AUGHHHHHHHH) (and she confesses that she doesn’t know if she really IS okay… why do they place so much sorrow on her shoulders?)

mulder trapped on a ticking time bomb of a train in episode 10, calling her to say “scully, let me tell you, you haven’t seen america til you’ve seen it from a train” “DAMN IT MULDER, WHAT HAPPENED?!” <- lmaooo he has this constant Need to diffuse tension with a quip

scully is going through A Lot of Emotions in episode 11, and when it is time for them to go, mulder holds out her jacket for her to put on <3 and then goes and does the statement by himself as per her request so she can go “run an errand” (confession for the first time in 6 years), which he obliges without question

so much of the episode 12 dialogue: “mulder, you’re not thinking about trespassing onto government property again, are you?” “it’s too late, i’m already inside” (incredibly deep scully sigh) “well, what’s going on? what do you see?” <- yeah that’s them. if you’re gonna break federal law, at least tell her about it in depth.

scully sleeping with her phone on her pillow, waiting for another of mulder’s calls. when it finally comes, he’s going on and on about bambi and she is clearly displeased. finally, he asks “scully, can i confess something to you?” and she VISIBLY winces, with pain in her voice, but pushes through and says “yeah sure, okay” (this one KILLED me because she did NOT want to hear about his love life but she wanted to be a good friend... scully is so kind)

(and all he had to say was that he hates insects lmao)

((and how the episode starts with the two of them making a planet of the apes reference, then ends with bambi and dr. ivanov flirting by making a different planet of the apes reference))

mulder is losing his damn mind in episode 14, hadn’t slept for days, and was sneaking out to a crime scene. scully is so worried she tells him to stay exactly where he is and that she will be there soon so they can “work this thing out together, okay?” trying to talk him back into being himself, making sure he is safe... that's partnership <3

in episode 16, mulder gets in a car crash, but wakes up to find scully next to him in the hospital. he has a bandage on his head looking all pathetic, and she greets him with a smile. i wanted to bottle this moment and drink it like fine champagne.

their drive to north dakota after scully confronted the man who shot skinner and her sister- how tense that ride had to have been. what did they say? anything at all? i need to know, i need 10 fics NOW

and their conversation at melissa’s grave- how they both bring flowers, how he touches her shoulder, the way she shares her father’s friend’s theory that the dead speak to you from beyond the grave, which is a conscious. and how he, the man who is always pondering the meanings of life and death and what comes between, says honestly “that’s interesting. i’ve never thought of it that way” 

her falling asleep on his shoulder during the stakeout in episode 17; how he lightly taps her face to wake her up and says “i think you drooled on me”, which prompts a very fast and very embarrassed apology (!!!!!!!!!)

(also, pusher kept calling mulder "g-man" over the phone, so when they hang up he turns to her and calls her "g-woman" <3)

their very excellent coordination between scully grabbing the fire extinguisher and mulder using his jacket to douse the flames that episode

(and all the times in pusher they lean their heads together to share a phone <3)

when mulder has to go into the hospital to catch the pusher, he leaves his gun behind so he won’t hurt anybody- and he’s terrified and so is scully, so they look into each other’s eyes while holding hands before he departs

how she runs into action when he is in danger in the hospital; how she interrupts his game of russian roulette with pusher, and how she SCREAMS when he puts the gun to his head and pulls the trigger; that visceral "damn it, mulder!" filled with so much emotion in just a few words

how he fights the pusher’s mind control to prevent shooting her harder than he fought the mind control that made him fire at himself (!!!)

and after mulder escaped, having fired every round into pusher so he knew he wouldn’t hurt anyone else ever again, he watches as he is on life support. scully grabs his hand, having seen how terrified he had become, and tells him not to let this man take up any more of his time.

in episode 20, they receive roky’s fantastical report on his men in black encounter, which mulder reads aloud while scully lies on the bed of their hotel room, looking baffled (it is so CUTE!!!)

waking up to mulder in her room soon after that, having been under some mind control influence the night before, wondering why he was in there, and mulder trying to explain no, she actually invited him in!!

walking into the bait shop together in episode 22, sharing an umbrella while she holds the dog's leash <3

mulder offering to join her walking her dog, but she smiles and lifts up her jacket to show her gun and says she’ll be fine 

the whole conversation on the rock, but some highlights include “hey scully, do you think you could ever cannibalize someone?” and how she compares him to ahab (they’re both “so consumed by your personal vengeance against life, whether it be its inherent cruelties or its mysteries, that everything takes on a warped significance to fit your megalomaniacal cosmology”, which he responds to with “scully, are you coming onto me?”)

but then he gets very serious, talking about how he wishes it were enough to just Persist Despite It All and be free of expectations, how he loathes that “you’re actually expected to make something of your life- achieve something, earn a raise, wear a necktie”, and he is the antithesis of ahab because he might be happier with a pegleg. and god, that one makes me emotional.

(and then they both quote a line from the book <3)

oh, and i could not finish this list without this banger from episode 23: “he’s lied to me from the beginning. he’s never trusted me” “scully, you are the ONLY one i trust”

(cue tears as scully collapses into her mother's arms) (cue tears at mulder's dogged persistence he could bring her back, but it took a mother's love instead) (and cue tears that such love had been extended to him by mrs. scully, so much so that she knew he would never, ever threaten her baby)

[melrosing]

MBO Robert's Rebellion: Season 2 Episode 4

what the fuck is this: it's me drafting a fake robert's rebellion tv show through a series of bullet points. there will be two seasons of ten episodes each

SEASON ONE: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10

SEASON TWO: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4

prev: 2.03

next: tbc

so I did fully try to see if I could get that fishing boat scene out of here but in the end I decided I couldn’t and also now I’ve decided I’ve found meaning in it after all. I’ve found meaning in Ned’s fishing boat adventure

also I am finding the Rhaegar/Elia and Rhaegar/Lyanna the most difficult to try and suss out but I’m feeling a lot clearer on them now at least in terms of how I personally want to interpret them so…. yeah this has been fun for that

title for this one: who else completely forgot gulltown existed

A raven flies to the Eyrie; inside Jon Arryn’s solar, we see Jon, Ned and Robert all assembled, apparently having slept there waiting for this missive. Jon reads aloud for the three of them, and so they learn of what has become of Rickard and Brandon Stark. Ned is frozen in the sudden onslaught of grief. Robert asks what news of Lyanna. Ned tells him without needing to hear it: she wasn’t even there. The missive ends as Aerys demands Jon’s fealty, and the heads of his wards. Robert and Ned look to Jon, suddenly aware of their vulnerability here. Jon asks if they truly doubt him - they are as good as sons to him, he says, and better than any he might have had. They are each the heads of their houses now, and must lead them for Lyanna. He goes then to Ned and comforts him as he falls apart

Lyanna awakens beside the embers of a campfire, Rhaegar’s cloak wrapped about her. She has been dreaming again, and senses something terrible has happened - but can’t think what. Rhaegar returns from between the trees from watering the horses. Lyanna asks him if it is strange that she’s hardly thought of her father since she left his camp? How frightened he must be. Suddenly frantic, she tells Rhaegar she needs to go back, and tell her father she’s alright. She’s meant to be at Brandon’s wedding. It will be any day now.Rhaegar looks at her sadly, and Lyanna realises she remembers the dream she’s been pushing to the back of her mind. She looks to Rhaegar. ‘It’s true, isn’t it?’ Rhaegar looks back sadly. Lyanna collapses into his arms

Rip

Jaime walks into the throne room to relieve Lewyn Martell at the foot of Aerys’ throne. He looks up at the king with disgust and trepidation. Aerys sits at the top, gnawing at his fingernails - last night felt so good so right, yet now he’s more frightened than ever. He asks Merryweather if they’ve received word from Jon Arryn. Merryweather, uneasy, says there is still time

Maester at the Eyrie writes missives to the lords of the Vale, rallying them against the crown. The ravens fly out in different directions across the region

A call to arms lands in the hands of Lord Grafton, who reads it with a sullen look. His maester asks how he should like to reply. Grafton considers this a moment, before announcing that House Grafton remains loyal to the crown, and what the prince has done with some northern girl is no concern for men of the Vale

Lyanna riding through the woods, her eyes distant. Rain chucking it down. Rhaegar rides beside her in silence. After some time, he tells her that it wasn’t her fault what had happened to her father and brother. Lyanna wonders how it could be anyone’s fault but hers. Even now, she doesn’t know why she’s still running - she should’ve married Robert Baratheon as her father had wanted, and then perhaps Lord Rickard and Brandon would still be alive. Rhaegar reaches over to turn her face to his, and tells her that Robert Baratheon is not her fate. He never was. Lyanna, shocked at Rhaegar’s sudden intensity, asks again where it is that they are going

Lewyn Martell with Elia in Maegor’s Holdfast. Elia asks after the King; Lewyn says that the King is well. Elia says that’s not what she means. Lewyn pauses, then says he wouldn’t let anything happen to his sister’s daughter; it was the last thing he promised Loreza. Elia says that in life Loreza had thought marrying her to the Prince would be the best thing she could do for her daughter - though spiting Tywin Lannister was no small part of it. But this isn’t a safe place, and she isn’t happy; no-one laughs here, and her children have no idea where their father is. Neither does she, for that matter. Hesitating, Elia says she supposes the Prince is a friend of Lewyn’s, and asks his forgiveness for speaking ill. Lewyn says that he doesn’t think the Prince had friends, not even Arthur for all the time he spent by his side. Elia ponders that, then reveals that for the first year she’d thought she loved Rhaegar - he was hard to know but he said he’d seen her in his dreams. How could she not love that? Only now, she thinks perhaps he’d dreamt wrong. He thinks this northern girl is - she doesn’t know what he thinks she is. But she finds herself despising Lyanna - isn’t that foolish? That she hates this child, and yet still some part of her clings to Rhaegar. Lewyn says he doesn’t think it is foolish to have loved the Prince; many women have. Elia agrees, and says she knows now that she was just another

In Jon Arryn’s solar with Ned and Robert (are they ever getting out of there? stay tuned). Jon Arryn tells the boys he’s received messages of solidarity from many of his vassals - but not all. Lord Grafton has written back declaring his fealty to the crown, and though he has always esteemed Jon’s intelligence, he suspects it falters here. He recommends Jon send Aerys his wards’ heads before the King claims his. Robert says it’s a given then - they must march on Gulltown, and see who gets to keep their head. A rare smirk from Jon Arryn; they have enough men to take on Gulltown, but this will be only the first of their battles. He turns to Ned. He is Lord Stark now; what does he wish to do? Ned says he wants Lyanna back. Jon nods; then they’ll have need of his northmen - how fast can he rally them?

Robert and Ned say goodbye as Ned prepares to traverse the Mountains of the Moon; Robert will march to Gulltown with Jon in the meantime, gathering men as they go. Robert says that if they’re Jon’s sons, then Ned is his brother, and when they get Lyanna back they will make it law. Ned nods, slightly tearful, and the two go their separate ways

Rhaegar and Lyanna approach Summerhall. Lyanna’s eyes shine at the sight of the ruin: it is sad, beautiful, and altogether ethereal. She dismounts her horse, and wanders towards it on foot. There are flowers growing in between the wreckage, and amongst them her favourite, winter roses. Lyanna is confused, telling Rhaegar that she has only known them to grow in the North. Rhaegar tells her he’s come to these ruins since he was a boy; here, the music comes to him, and he sees things in waking dreams. For some time now, he reveals, he has seen her. That’s really it for Lyanna; they kiss

One week later. Robert marching through the Stormlands, Gulltown on the horizon. Bit of tooting from the war trumpets idk. Jon Arryn tells Robert that cannot hope to have caught Grafton unawares; Robert says he certainly hopes not

Ned meanwhile, wearing a Daemon hood: he’s about to cross the Bite. He boards a fisherman’s boat, paying handsomely for the man’s silence. The fisherman warns that there is a storm coming, and Ned pays him more - they have to depart now

Grafton’s men emerge from the walls of Gulltown. Jon reminds Robert that this is real war now, not a melee. Robert like ‘depends how you look at it’ and leads the charge, bellowing

From the fishing boat, Ned looks up at the rapidly darkening skies. The waves grow taller, and Ned tells the fisherman he’s sorry for ever forcing him to ride such a storm. Fisherman reveals he knows who Ned is, and he knows where he’s going. He himself used to be a Duskendale man, till Aerys did for good lord Denys, so fuck the king etc he’ll get Ned across the Bite if it’s the last thing he does. Anyway it literally is bc two seconds later he’s been thrown overboard and Ned’s knocked out as he collides with the side of the boat. I’m sparing my imaginary production crew the trouble of filming this basically

Robert amidst the chaos of battle at Gulltown. He spies Marq Grafton and charges at him. As Robert makes his first strike at Grafton…

We cut abruptly to Ned, waking up on the beached fisherman’s boat. The fisherman’s daughter is clearing the detritus from the deck. Ned asks where her father is, but the girl won’t look at him. She tells him she has gotten him to the Three Sisters, like they promised they would; if it’s to be worth her father’s life, he’d best do what he came to do

Aerys at his supper table alongside Rhaella; Varys leans in to whisper news of Gulltown. We don’t hear it ourselves, but we can tell what the news is as we slowly zoom on Aerys’ face, terror on Rhaella’s in the periphery

Robert at the seat of House Grafton, accepting the surrender of his opposition, and the fealty of one Lyn Corbray. He looks delighted with himself. Jon Arryn praises him quietly but reminds him that this battle was only the first - and the first of many, he fears. Robert like, so be it. He wants his bride back

Rhaegar and Lyanna stand beneath a heart tree. All about them are the charred remains of trees burnt decades ago, but this one survived. Rhaegar ties cloth about their hands himself as they look deep into each other’s eyes. Together they say the words, and it is done

[aryas-faces]

House of the Dragon Review

The Good:

- Aegon and Tom Glynn Carney. Aegon is the one compelling character this season, and his arc is great. He tries to be a good King but can’t protect his son. He tries to get Alicent’s love, but can’t no matter what. He tries to save his people but he gets destroyed in the process. He trusts his brother who betrays him. And Tom acts with his whole heart and soul. They’re truly the only good this season and the only reason I’ll keep watching

- Larys, Matthew Needham, and his relationship with Aegon. Just *chef’s kiss* The best relationship on the show. So much manipulation but genuine growing fondness too. Can’t wait to see Tom and Matthew inevitably do press for season 3 together and talk about the relationship in depth

- Ramin’s score. He is the only thing that’s consistent through GOT and HotD

The Meh:

- Rhys Ifans is a great Otto, but they criminally underutilized them

- Rook’s Rest was an amazing episode but they still had Rhaenyra be the hero by giving her a “divine” reason to go to war

- Episode 1 also was meh because Blood and Cheese being botched ruined what would otherwise be a great episode

- Ep 2 is similar to Ep 1. LOVED the Green scenes and the Twin scene, but they had Rhaenyra feel bad about what happened which is SO out of character. I also don’t like the propaganda angle they took with Blood and Cheese with Otto

- Aemond becoming his book self was great, but it was done rushed and sloppily. They underutilized both Aemond and Ewan

- Phia and Helaena are also great but again, criminally underutilized

- Olivia is a fantastic actress, despite what they did to Alicent

- The Dragon seeds being burnt by Vermithor would be in the Good if they didn’t try to brush it off and still claim Rhaenyra’s innocent

- Daenon and Alys scenes were either incredible or a total snooze fest. No inbetween. They were repetitive and not all the Daemon haunted scenes were necessary. Matt and Gayle are great though

- Criston and Fabien are underutilized, especially post Rook’s Rest

The Bad:

- What they did to Alicent. It is unforgivable. They threw her character away in favor of Rhaenyra. They can’t stand the thought that a woman doesn’t worship Rhaenyra

- Everything with Team Black. This is not hyperbole. The scenes were dull, designed to sanitize them so they are the Good guys and destroy them in the process. The actors, I’m sorry to say, are not on the level of the Green actors. Even the better Black actors (Emma and Steve) have stiff moments through the season

- Sexual humiliation and degradation of the Greens. This isn’t the place to get into it, but people have talked about it elsewhere

- Sanitizing Rhaenyra still, even after episode 7 and trying to make her a hero

- Sanitizing Viserys. The man raped Alicent and abused his children that weren’t Rhaenyra. Why are the Greens holding him in high regard?

Overall, I’d say a 5/10. All it took was the show having Black centered episodes to descend into GOT season 8 levels, since the Green episodes are SIGNIFICANTLY better

[aesthetic-uni]

Okay Arcane Season 2 Final reaction -Episode 7

I am freaking the FUCK out

In case anyone is wondering, Jinx is my favorite, I want happiness for her, don’t get me wrong I love all the others but if she’s not happy by the end of this you won’t ever see me again

Opening vinyl-I literally stopped breathing ID THAT EKKO AND JINX AGSJRBLDJ?!?!

My king Ekko, where have you been all this time. Please come home we miss you

EKKO?! And is that little drawing Jinx??

OH ALTERNATE UNIVERSE TIME BABEY so many fanfics are going to go off this I can tell

EKKO!! He looks so handsome and alive!!! (My hopes for these characters ARE VERY LOW AS YOU CAN TELL)

Jinx looks so cute!!!

BENZO!! Oh my fucking god is this going to be a Happy Universe that NONE OF THEM ARE GOING TO GET?! I’m going to throw myself off a cliff.

Oh my god no one ever address Ekko’s trauma with Benzo I’m so glad they’re doing it THAT WAS HIS DAD!!

This is cruel. This is just cruel how DARE they give us a happy au

No Netflix I will not skip the intro fuck off

AAAAW EKKO NOO SEEING EVERYTHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN

God Jinx looks SO CUTE I need so much fanart of her

Ps I know this is technically Powder, I’m too lazy to constantly switch names so Jinx

Also does she have a pink streak in her hair? I don’t like the implications of that

Aaaaaw they’re partners :((((

MYLO AND CLAGGOR HOW FUCKING DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU OH FUCK OH GOD

Wait omg “Trouble in paradise” TIMEBOMB?!

I have gotten through THREE MINUTES OF THIS SHOW

Oh that cute Jinxer is here woo! Lmao Mylo is so real.

Aaaw Claggor he’s trying to help the city and he cares about his little sister AND HOW FUCKING DARE YOU ARCANE

AAAW JINX TRYING TO HELP MYLO FUCKING HELL ARCANE

“WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITHOUT YOU” JESUS CHRIST ARCANE

Okay this isn’t funny anymore where’s Vi

Okay but is it OUR professor?! (I can’t spell his name)

IT IS!!

Okay but WHY what’s happening with Jayce?!

VI VI VI VI VI

OH NO JAYCE WHY CANT HE BE HAPPY TOO?!

Ooooh his HAMMER is why he got sent to the apocalypse au huh

Is that evil Viktor. Is that the Machine Herald? IS IT TIME FOR GLORIOUS EVOLUTION?!

Wow I was just joking with the apocalypse au but it really was it huh?

Aw I like that Jinx kept her workshop

Is that a heart. Around a picture of them. IS TIMEBOMB ACTUALLY CANON IN THIS UNIVERSE?!

Wait, is this THEIR WORKSHOP?!

FUCK I KNEW VI WAS GOING TO BE DEAD GOD DAMN IT

Oh this isn’t happy at all :(

OH FUCK THIS ISNT HAPPY AT ALL

WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU SHOW ME THAT HOLY HELL?! OH MY GOD THERE WAS NO REASON FOR SHOWING ME THAT

Way to hammer it in Arcane for no fucking reason other than MAKING ME CRY YOU PIECE OF SHIT. LIKE I GOT IT. VI IS DEAD IN THAT UNIVERSE. DIDNT NEED TO SHOW ME HER SIBLINGS REACTING TO HER DEATH

GLORIOUS EVOLUTION HORROR

Oh god not doomed Timebomb IN THE FUCKING HAPPY AU

Poor Jayce just has to fucking go through it huh

Wow that is an understatement.

Okay but MelJayVik crumbs ILL TAKE IT

YEAH THE PERSEVERE JAYCE!!!!

NO STOP MAKING ME CRY WITH THE HAPPY AU

There’s not much I can say with Jayce other than holy fuck this poor man

God they could have been partners. They could have been the brightest minds in all of Zaun. They could have been HAPPY. I fucking hate this show why would you show me this. I’m never going to recover

HE BROKE TIME BABY!!! FOUR SECONDS BACKWARDS LETS GOOOO

God they are so in love. God this is going to kill me

Oh my god the fanartists and editors are going to MURDER me with the “Do you think we together in every universe” trend aren’t they?

SILCO?! ZAUNDADS CANON?!

Ekko hold on. EKKO HOLD ON.

Oh my god this reference to season 1 episode 4 how fucking dare you

HOW DARE YOU MAKE TIMEBOMB CANON LIKE THIS?! AURRRGGGHHHH

Ripping my hair out. Clawing my eyes out. Beating my chest until it caves in. This is everything I could ever want. HOW. DARE. YOU.

I love them. I love them so much. Why would you do this to me.

IM GOING TO BE FUCKING SICK

[eddiediazismyhusband]

Buddie in S8 and Slow Burns:

so those of you who follow me or see my posts popping up in the buddie tags know that i am still apprehensive of believing that we will actually get buddie canon in s8. tim has done too much to destroy my trust in him as a writer, and the show has baited us with buddie far too many times for me to easily take anything as a “clear/obvious sign that buddie is happening” when it is just as likely that we are being clowned yet again

that being said, IF we get buddie canon, it needs to happen fairly quickly. I have seen a lot of people saying things like “I don’t want buddie to go canon until the s8 finale” which, i disagree with.

I know a lot of people are saying this because they want a mutual pining era, but i don’t think these people are grasping the fact that if they waited until the finale, that is 18 episodes of tv to fill with something of substance for buddie. Another eighteen episodes; almost eighteen hours of tv. Even with a mutual pining era, that is far too long for them to continue dragging this story out.

Yes, i know that if they are going for a slow burn, that that takes time, but good lord it’s been 6 seasons of actively building up to a relationship… they’ve had six years of stalling, they need to go ahead and fucking commit to it, not take 18 more agonizing episodes of them dragging their feet. If you commit to them having acknowledged feelings for each other, they don’t need more than one or two episodes of mutual pining before it would start getting old.

realistically, we could have a fully fleshed out queer arc for eddie AND mutual pining leading to buddie canon within 8a. 8 or 9 episodes is MORE than enough time to build up to that with what they have to work with— they’ve reached the point for conceivably going canon so many times that it feels like there isn’t any build anymore; it feels like they’ve parked the bus a half mile from the station, and have started doing a thorough inspection on all the parts after driving almost the whole distance.

i know we love drama and angst and slow burns— that’s the appeal of buddie as a ship; but this slowburn has been way beyond fully cooked since s4, and there is no need to keep cooking it (unless they’re just baiting us, which in that case we need to decide when enough is enough and call it a day on this show)

this is not a fanfic that has no expiration date. this show isn’t going to last forever. i ship buddie because i want to actually see them navigating a relationship— i don’t ship them to be edged for 7 years just for them to go canon for one singular episode. i want to see them bask in each other’s love, i want to see them living together with the happiness they’ve been chasing their whole lives, i want to see them encounter speedbumps, and go through hardships together. That is why i ship characters. The chase is fun for a while, but I actually want to see what happens once the chase is over, and them going canon in the last episode is not narratively satisfying to me, and at this point feels like a copout for the writers.

We don’t know how long past s8 this show will last. we don’t even know if we’re getting a s9, let alone more. it’s already unheard of for tv shows to reach this longevity post-2016, we can’t just go into each season assuming that we still have all the time in the world for them to give us buddie. the reality is we don’t have all the time in the world, and this is the make-or-break season.

we don’t need 18 more episodes of stagnant growth. if they’re going to give us buddie, they need to stop dragging it out and just give it to us if they actually intend to, not cop-out and give us a last minute kiss in the season/possible series finale.

anyway, getting off my soapbox for now, but i just wanted to get those thoughts off my chest.