#all three canon couples from s4 & 5

[phoebenpiperx]

With all the hubbub about the Olympics, I decided it was time to reread my novel-length Primeval fanfic set during the 2012 London Olympics...and thought I'd share it with tumblr as well! I forgot how much I loved this show...and how much of an expert I am on the 2012 Olympics because of all the research I did for this fic!!!

Summary: The Minister's last-minute order forces the ARC staff to stay in London & work during the Olympic Games, despite assorted housing and personal issues. 

(lots of humour & angst & actual creatures plus loads of info about the 2012 Olympics--go Team GB!)

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Round 3, poll 3, bracket A

Propaganda for the Leverage trio: "Parker/Hardison is canon since S4/5, Elliot fell for them later. OT3 confirmed via word of God. Eliot is the one most suited for literal battle but the other two can kick ass when required and the three of them battle capitalism via crime 24/7."

"the time Parker asked Eliot what the worst thing he ever did was and he said "Don't ask me that Parker. Because if you ask me… I'll tell you. so please don't ask me"

the time Parker begged Eliot to help her return a body to a widow because she desperately needed to be a good person and he talked her down because he knows she's good in her own way

The desperation Eliot and Parker felt when Hardison was buried alive

Hardison buying a brew pub for Eliot

Hardison waiting patiently for Parker to be ready for a relationship because she has issues with people and feelings so he let it be a slow burn

Parker taking a bomb away from Hardison so he wouldn't get hit if she couldn't neutralize it

finale spoilers: the time they all died holding hands (they're fine now)"

Propaganda for Shadowgast: "again, what's sexier than wizards NOTHING! they're wizards! they're war criminals! Essek shows affection by crushing assassin's that try to kill Caleb into tiny balls with magic and Caleb shows affection by throw Essek at the healers when he's polymorphed as a giant ape! forehead kisses! you were not born with venom in your veins! young man! there's SO MUCH"

[feministsouthpark]

South Park Filler Guide - Season 19

Link for Seasons  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13 14 15 16 17 18

You know the drill by now, I’ll judge whether an episode has all the qualities of a canon one, or is it just shameless filler. S19E1 Stunning and Brave is CANON

This is a big one. Principal Victoria gets fired and Peter Charles Principal replaces her at South Park Elementary. S19E2 Where My Country Gone? is CANON

Herbert decides to be a politician which will shift the whole storyline for that character in a big way. Butters also gets into a relationship with Charlotte. S19E3 The City Part of Town is CANON

Three packed episodes in a row! In this one the whole town is evolving, getting updates and new hangout places, we're deep in the gentrification. S19E4 You're Not Yelping is LORE

David gets included with the boys, and I wish it would have stuck, but it really didn't, however in the next few episodes they act like it did. Gerald starts enjoying writing mean things on the internet, which is somewhat of an important character development for him. but it's not enough to be considered ultimately necessary. S19E5 Safe Space is CANON

Reality makes Butters jump out of a window, which causes him to wear a neck brace for the rest of the season, and then he has to execute Reality. S19E6 Tweek X Craig is CANON

The japanese have decided that Craig and Tweek are now a couple. Cupid Me also returns. S19E7 Naughty Ninjas is CANON

Barbrady gets included in a larger conspiracy case which somehow inlcudes both Leslie AND PC Principal? S19E8 Sponsored Content is CANON

The annual Jimmy episode actually invokes the main storyline of the season, fighting against commercials. S19E9 Truth and Advertising is CANON

Leslie moves on from Jimmy and gets into a relationship with Kyle. S19E10 PC Principal Final Justice is CANON

PC Principal expels Leslie, it's revealed that Mr Mackey fired Principal Victoria, and Herbert goes on to run for presidency, setting up the next season.

SPOILER-FREE RUNDOWN

S19E1 Stunning and Brave is CANON S19E2 Where My Country Gone? is CANON S19E3 The City Part of Town is CANON S19E4 You're Not Yelping is LORE* S19E5 Safe Space is CANON S19E6 Tweek X Craig is CANON S19E7 Naughty Ninjas is CANON S19E8 Sponsored Content is CANON S19E9 Truth and Advertising is CANON S19E10 PC Principal Final Justice is CANON *There's a character who gets development in this episode and will be seen hanging out with the boys during the next 3 episodes with little to no lines.

CANON counter:

S1: 9 out of 13  S2: 3 out of 18  S3: 6 out of 18  S4: 10 out of 17  S5: 8 out of 14  S6: 11 out of 17 S7: 6 out of 15 S8: 4 out of 14 S9: 8 out of 14 S10: 4 out of 14 S11: 4 out of 14 S12: 8 out of 14 S13: 3 out of 14 S14: 7 out of 14 S15: 6 out of 14 S16: 2 out of 14 S17: 4 out of 10 + a highly lore based game S18: 8 out of 10 S19: 9 out of 10

Overall: 120 out of 268

Personal notes: At one point I thought S19 will be the first full-canon season, ultimately You're Not Yelping doesn't have enough follow-up for that. However, just like S6 it doesn't have any clear filler episodes.

[austennerdita2533]

LL asks for my Swiftie and GG fanatic - 1. Five or more Taylor songs that remind you most of LL? 2. Three things you'd change about canon LL if you could? 3. Five favorite LL scenes from their pre-romance S1-S4 era? 4. Five favorite LL scenes from the S5-revival era? 5. How horrified are you at the prospect of me writing a fic involving Luke, Lorelai, Rory and...a Taylor Swift concert?!

Taylor songs that remind me of L&L:

Lover

Speak Now

Last Kiss (but like - only after they break up at the end of s6)

Our Song

You Belong With Me

State of Grace

King of My Heart

End Game

Paper Rings

invisible string

right where you left me

Sweet Nothing

Maroon

Three things I'd change about canon!L&L:

Luke not telling Lorelai about April (All these years later it still infuriates me, because it makes NO sense)

Lorelai sleeping with Chris right after she ends her engagement with Luke (I am forever scarred by that storyline. I systematically avoid re-watching 6x22 and 7x01 sometimes bc it's too painful)

Lorelai marrying Christopher in Paris. BC IT WAS ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO BE LUKE AHHHH.

I also would've liked it had they had a couple kids of their own. There was so much foreshadowing for this in the OG series

Five favorite scenes from s1-4:

Their first scene from the pilot: "Junkie." "Angel. You've got wings, baby." (I knew I was a goner from this moment. Doomed to ship them forever.)

When Lorelai tells him he "always looks good" when they're in the hospital in s1 after Richard's angina attack + when she gifts him his blue baseball cap

Their slow dance at Liz and TJ's wedding in 4x21. Bc wooo! Luke can waltz!

Their first kiss at the inn. There's something so perfect to me about their "will you just stand still" banter beforehand that still does it for me to this day

Their sleigh ride in s2

Five favorite scenes from s5-revival:

Luke and Lorelai's first date, when Luke gives his "this thing we're doing here, you, me...I want you to know I'm in. I am all in" speech *SWOONS*

When he shows up, unprompted, at the hospital in s7 after Richard's heart attack. I love it because it shows he's always there for her no matter what their status is

The "I just like to see you happy moment" and how he pulled together a goodbye party for Rory last minute

Them finally getting married in the revival. I would've preferred the big Stars Hollow wedding of it all but I'm glad we actually got to see them tie the knot

PLEASE, PLEASE WRITE THAT FIC. I WANT TO READ IT.

[deluweil]

So I’m just a spectator for your fandom. I don’t watch the show nor care too not really my taste. And a part of me honestly thinks you’re still being baited by the show. Be that as it may I still think you all have a very good chance of going canon and it’s based on one fact, Buck and Eddie have not had a true serious love interest since in bucks case when the show started and in Eddie’s case 5 years ago.

I’m going to cite three examples of popular “queerbait” ships that were never going to happen because of what I pointed out above.

Swan Queen - a fanon ship between Emma swan and the evil queen regina. Emma’s actual love interest Captain Hook was introduced in s2 and you can tell that was the route they were going on so they never truly made any remarks or showed in the show that SQ ever had a chance.

Merthur - now for this one I personally do absolutely believe they were queerbaited especially cause the endgame romance didn’t hold a candle to merthur. Be that as it may the character that ended married to one part of the ship was introduced in the first season and was a main character. The actual romance did not start till season two.

Mcdonno - the one that buddie is compared to. The best friends from Hawaii 5-0 that much like buddie were always there for each other and were each others deepest relationships. However one half of McDanno was involved in a will they won’t they romance with a character named Catherine since season 1. And this relationship was up and down for 10 seasons until they got together in the end. This was another thing of shippers getting their hopes knowing full well who someone was gonna be paired with but they got their hopes up and dashed. McDonno never stood a chance because of Catherine.

now notice the trend all these have that buddie does not? A serious love interest introduced in the first seasons of a show. Has not happened to buddie and right now we are in the middle of season 6. It is way too late to introduce a serious love interest for either one of these men and the audience just accept it. It would be poorly written, forced and unnecessary and there will be huge backlash. They had three seasons at least to introduce buck and Eddie with serious endgame love interests. Hell they both had relationships I believe in s4 and by s5 both relationships ended so again I ask…it’s way too late to do anything but buddie.

Look, I'm not particularly fond of the term queerbaiting, but your ask is interesting so I had to respond.

I personally never watched once upon a time, so I can't comment on that.

But I have watched Merlin, and it was pretty clear from the beginning that merthur will stay a fanon only thing. We all knew where this will end and there was no real chance for merthur to begin with.

Mcdanno, God, they fit so well. They were the very definition of old married couple. But this would never have turned canon either, because Steve right off the bat was introduced as "Uncle Steve." And the amount of "pal" and "Brother" were used so often that it was clear that this was going to stay fanon too. (So sad though)

Especially with the amount of times we saw both Steve and Danny have serious LIs throughout the show, not to mention the mythological significant others (Rachel and Catherine) that kept popping up. - I am still unbelievably upset with the fact that after all the times Cath screwed Steve over, the writers decided to bring her back for that last scene. So no "queerbaiting" there either.

Now, as for buddie, I agree with you that at this point, their only play is buddie endgame, for all the reasons you listed and more. Buck was never uncle Buck, brother was uttered one time only, and that was at the very beginning, and Buck is somehow "his Buck" (Eddie’s words when referring to Christopher’s presence at Buck’s loft). - Not to mention that unlike Steve and Danny, they very rarely talked to each other about their current gfs.

They indeed both had LIs but it was weak at most, no real connection, no smile inducing build up to a good relationship scenes, nothing. - I get my hetero "I believe in young love" thrill from other shows lol

I mean in both Station 19 and Chicago fire, even when I shipped a character with someone else, the writers made us like the current relationship, by endearing it to us.

It doesn't happen in 911. All women were a poor imitation of the real deal.

So is there a chance showrunners are screwing us over? Maybe.

Is it going to make me stop believing that buddie can and will happen? Absolutely not.

A little anecdote: I was watching 3x09, the famous kitchen scene, and my younger cousin, who never in his life watched that show, turned to me and asked: "Are they together?"

So, if a complete stranger can make that immediate deduction based on one scene, I'd say I like our odds.

[starlight-time-machine]

Week in Review

10/15/2023 – 10/21/2023

Sunday

My friend and I were both hype for the House S4 finale so we hopped on it when we both woke up. I think this is my favourite season finale in House, since it was the only one I remembered other than the series finale. The reveal was definitely shocking when I first watched it, and Wilson flexing his emotional acting is fantastic. Then we jumped right into S5, and the Hilson break-up angst is fun.

Manga Sunday time: MamaYuyu was fine, I kind of expected Escaba’s villainous turn since they emphasized his openness so much, but maybe they’ll do a double heel turn back to him being a good guy. The story was starting to shake up into the tried and true “group of young people (two guys and a girl) fight monsters” structure so at least there’s some movement happening here. I’m pretty close to dropping the manga as a whole, though.

Undead Unluck was great, I love when they pull out these big moments. Seeing Fuuko jump into surgery is fun, and seeing Rip and Latla do a three legged race I mean fight is both funny and heartwarming…it’s a clear evolution of Rip’s arc from a doomed loner shouldering the burden to someone who has to depend on others. I think Undead Unluck’s storylines have always been like, a pure distillation of shounen hype. It’s like the platonic ideal of characters who do their best and work together and better themselves for the people they care about, which could get boring if it weren’t for how genuine the writing feels and the interesting worldbuilding and the simple fact that it’s not all just teenage boys having these emotions but a variety of characters.

(Speaking of Undead Unluck, they just announced who the seiyuu for Mui is going to be and it’s not Homoto Akina or Liyuu…I’m sure Ishikawa Yui is a good fit but man…one of my favourite parts about reading Undead Unluck was seeing the little bits of Chinese and being amazed at how real it was…oh well…)

Ichinose Family is finally picking up a bit for me. After reading this and Takopi, I think Taizan 5’s brand is very much “strong premises and fantastical and intensely emotional and roundabout ways of getting to a simple and somewhat cliché truth.” So you’re telling me the various bouts of amnesia and dreaming and waking and running away would eventually lead the characters to realize that they need to face their problems and that the perfect family doesn’t exist and you just have to work at it? Wow there was no way I could’ve seen that coming. And to be honest, I kind of don’t buy that they’re such a wreck of a family to warrant all this prelapsarian desperation in the first place, but I guess it just speaks to their naïve mindsets. I am looking forward to the confrontation between Mom and Dad next week, though. I’m more interested in their relationship as a couple than the kind of played out familial relationships we’ve already seen between the other family members.

Aww the Dandadan chapter was cute, little Rin is adorable and it’s fun that the catboy in her fantasy is still a vampire catboy.

Marriagetoxin is fine, I’m still rooting for Kinosaki to be the endgame candidate for Gero but their relationship hasn’t progressed much lately beyond advisor and advisee. But since we already have canon lesbians, my hopes are still alive. The thing with Marriagetoxin that bugs me a little (aside from the action sequences that I literally could not care less about) is that I can feel the creator’s modern sensibilities in writing these female love interests and giving them real personalities and motivations and making sure they don’t end up just as damsels in distress (and I appreciate that), but when it comes to the actual romance it regresses to middle schooler levels of “oh no how do I talk to a girl.” Which, okay, I can accept that for Gero since it’s a part of his character, but it gets a bit tiring when even the cool ikemen love interest gets all blushy and embarrassed too. I’m sure people find it cute and moe and endearing but it just does nothing for me, and I wish we’d move past this general shyness around romance and, god forbid, kissing, but I guess I shouldn’t expect too much from a magazine aimed at teens. And comparing something to Chainsaw Man wouldn’t be fair, so I won’t. I guess I’m just wanting for a little more romantic progress instead of introducing new love interests and going through the cycle of Gero helping them and them becoming fond of him again, because it’s starting to feel like Marriagetoxin is spinning its wheels.

As expected, shady looking private investor guy has joined the team in Magilumiere. It’s fun seeing Sakuragi confidently chase her ambitions – she’s come a long way since chapter 1. I’m curious about the sudden focus on glasses lady whose name I can’t remember. I wonder if she’s just a conduit for information and will report back to Sakuragi and co about what she’s learned, or if this is hinting at her getting a storyline…

The latest Akane-banashi chapter was fine, I’m just not particularly emotionally invested in any of the characters and why they do rakugo. But I suppose it would’ve been hard for any rakugo centric series to capture my attention after Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu did it first. But I stay with Akane-banashi to learn about rakugo stories I don’t know, so I’ll stick with it until the end.

The One Piece chapter was good, I don’t have much to say other than I never expected to get a backstory flashback for Kuma of all people, but it looks like it’ll be pretty important.

It’s great to get another SpyFam chapter, and I always love the Damian/Anya ones. Damian’s shoujo filter for Anya is a fun visual gag, and the whole chapter wrapped up in a wholesome and funny way. I enjoy these comedy slice of life chapters as much as I do the spy or assassin mission chapters, but I do wish we could use them to progress a bit more in the social games that also play a part in Loid’s schemes – though I suppose we get an indication of Damien’s deepening crush on Anya so there’s that.

I can’t believe that Cipher Academy is something I get to read every week. It’s just so so so so good. So good, in fact, that I feel the need to go page by page and talk about all the things I noticed. I liked that they kept the detail of Iroha’s barrette getting chipped in the explosion, I like that we’re finally looking deeper at the bits of Iroha’s backstory that we saw in the Code Battle with Tayutan, Iroha’s backstory is as tragic as I expected, and I realized that his five barrettes design feature is to keep up a long strand of hair…perhaps to remind himself of his past? Amvicious is great, she has the same energy as Boku no Hero Academia’s All Might. And as I looked at her design again just now I’m realizing that perhaps Iroha saying he liked their buff instructor in the Code Battle wasn’t just a deflection but because she reminds him of Amvicious, another tall, muscular, and light haired girl… And I like that Iwasaki drew stairs in Iroha and Koshibai’s shadows to indicate them moving down through the floors. I LOVE that double spread between Tayutan and Kubinashi, and I like that they’re thinking along the same wavelength… And I love that Cipher Academy has such an attention for detail that it’s really rewarding to read and pore over and make your own connections because they don’t always relay everything clearly or right away… God I love this manga.

I checked out the first few chapters of You and I Are Polar Opposites because I saw people say that it was good and unconventional, and it’s certainly cute but it’s just not for me.

Monday

Went over to my friend’s house and watched an episode of House, then went home and watched even more episodes of House over Discord. The Hilson road trip to House’s Dad’s funeral was great, and I suspect that’ll be the highlight of the season as the overall narrative descends into House/Cuddy’s blossoming relationship.

Tuesday

Almost forgot it was Tuesday until I saw CSM screenshots on Twitter and wow, what a chapter. I’m excited to see the Death Devil’s design.

More House marathon – we’re trying to cram as much in before our lives get busier. The agoraphobic patient was an interesting challenge, and in the episode after that I’m happy to see Foreman finally get a win on his own.

Wednesday

Nothing today lol just YouTube and Picross.

Thursday

Does it count as watching if I slept on the couch while my friend watched the newest episodes of Our Flag Means Death?

Friday

Also nothing today – I’ve fallen down a deep video game rabbit hole.

Saturday

Okay I’m feeling bad about how empty this Week in Review is because of my gaming addiction (to be fair, I also did some work), so I’m forcing myself to watch some anime today (maybe force is a silly word for watching anime, which literally requires next to no effort on my part…but I’m four years behind on my anime list for a reason). Perhaps I’ll start Anime Saturdays as a counterpart to Manga Sundays…that’d be a cute way to bookend these things.

I started with Kusuriya no Hitorigoto because it was the one I was most anxious about. I fell into this series just a few months ago and it immediately became one of my 10/10 series (the first manga to ever be so good that it got me to read the original light novel), so hearing that it was getting an anime was both exciting and nervewracking. I didn’t expect like, sakuga levels of quality for this sort of story, but I at least wanted more than just a bare bones adaptation, especially with a sumptuous setting like the Rear Palace. So far I’m pretty pleased with the setting design and the music, I’m such a sucker for Chinese instruments. I really love the background art here, all the beautiful colors breathe so much life into the show. Maomao is also very cute, especially when she’s chibified. And I love Yuuki Aoi’s voice performance.

I’m a bit confused about the opening though – I suppose they wanted to establish some things about Maomao’s life before she got kidnapped, but I feel like it just messes with the pacing. Kidnapping is a pretty hard event to try to play off as a comedy beat to match the relatively light-hearted tone of Kusuriya, which is why I think the original story just skips over it. If anything, I would’ve kept in Maomao saying goodbye to her dad, getting distracted by medicinal plants, and then a quick cut between the kidnapping and the three month timeskip. There was no need to show the consorts so early when Maomao explains their dynamics within the palace later on anyway – but now I’m rambling.

I lied, I’m back to complain about that tiny cut of Gaoshun informing Jinshi that the consorts are fighting, I feel like that was also completely unnecessary…these are just tiny nitpicks, sure, but they’re bugging me since I love this series so much. I guess the pacing of Kusuriya was always one of the more unique things about it, since long swathes of time can pass very quickly between scenes, so it was a challenge to adapt that to a fixed time medium like anime…but hmmm it’s just the little things. Like I’m tripping over rocks while I watch.

Next up is the new SpyFam episode, which starts with some nice footsteps-on-wood ASMR. And wow, I’m impressed by the actual English text happening in the show, I wonder if they had a consultant or looked at the official English translation of the manga. I also liked the shadow of the window frame like a cross or a cage on Perkins’ face as he realizes he’s been caught, now that’s subtle imagery. The story makes me so sad though…

I spoke a little too soon on the subtle imagery. The blue sky and sunlight hitting the top part of the apartment building as the story wraps up was a bit too on the nose, guys. The Bondman episode was super cute, I loved the retro style. And I loved the watercolor style of the omake – I’m glad that they get to experiment with the sillier parts of the show.

Oh hell fucking yes, every time I watch a new episode of Undead Unluck I just sit in awe of how much the show gets the manga. The direction is fantastic as always, with really new dramatic compositions unique to the show. I love that silent snippet of Gina and Andy in the cold open, it just does so much to establish her character and the scope of the Union’s operation. The quick cuts for comedy and the motion through the ocean and the sky…god I feel genuinely emotional watching this show.

Oh my god Fuuko’s little “nya” as Andy pushes her out of the grass…

I love that the first half of Undead Unluck is like, Andy and Fuuko’s romantic worldwide getaway on top of the typical shounen battle fight a boss stuff. Just this one little addition of pathos adds so much dimension to the story.

Ooo, now we’re getting some Russian…I wonder how accurate it is/if they got a Russian voice actor for this rando background character. And ahhhh Gina is so cute, such a nice contrast from how powerful her intro scenes positioned her as. AGHHHHHH HER REVEAL TO FUUKO IS SO SINISTER AND COOL AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THE MUSIC IS SO GOODDDDDDD I remember this arc being the first one where I was so impressed by the unique ending that it cemented my interest in the series, and the anime is doing such a good job of elevating it closer to its platonic ideal…I almost wish I could go into the anime blind, but then I probably wouldn’t have watched it at all. But at least I can fully enjoy the ride now. It seems like the Week in Reviews for the next few months are all going to end with me livetweeting the latest Undead Unluck episode from excitement heh. I really hope they can keep up this level of quality…and also adapt the entire manga.

[777cherry-blossom777]

Ok I’m finished being sad and am back with the delusion byler s5 proof

Long post warning also spoiler warning

OK LETS MAKE A LIST

1. First of all the most obvious one. They’ve been building up this whole relationship since season 1. It would be really weird for them to just suddenly abandon it.

2. Related point, but Mike’s character. You’re telling me he suddenly went from loving Will with his whole heart and making everything about Will to just suddenly ignoring him? The only explanation is internalised homophobia (you make me feel things I believe are wrong so I’m just gonna seperate myself from you so I don’t feel that) nothing else makes sense.

3. It’s pretty much confirmed that Will likes Mike with that painting scene so 50% of the way there!

4. The painting scene itself. Surely at some point Mike will talk to El about it and it will be revealed that everything Will said was just coming from him and not El. Then Mike will hopefully go and kiss him. Please.

5. Once again the painting scene, but Mike’s reaction this time. When Will was talking about it, Mike had the biggest most lovesick expression on his face ever. And then when Will said El “commissioned it” (I was crying so hard like he put so much effort in and he just sacrificed it to push El and Mike closer even though it was killing him) Mike’s face just dropped instantly. It was incredibly obvious he wanted Will to say he made it.

6. The season 3 ending. Bruh when El said I love you and kissed Mike, he did not look happy. He didn’t look angry or anything, he looked CONFUSED. as in, why am I not happy??? confused. I’ll tell you why you dumb oblivious fuck it’s bc you’re not in love with her you’re in love with Will.

7. Mike’s speech was basically all lies (I’m gonna make a seperate post about it bc it would take too long) AND he had to be pushed into saying it. So. Many. Times. Will had to talk him into it even when El was literally DYING. He has failed to say I Love You to El every single time he’s actually looking her in the eyes (even when she’s literally explicitly asking him to say it). Why? BC HES LYING!!!

8. That last shot of s4 with El standing in front of three couples. Jopper, jancy (idk about these guys), and BYLER. they’re always paired together in everything and what would be the point of not to make them a couple? They don’t do this with any one else who wasn’t dating or had previously dated, like Lucas and Dustin, so they’re not just “best friends”.

9. All the tension. Lip staring, lovesick smiles, longing glances, really just them checking each other out all the time. Either Finn and Noah have something to share with the class or they’re being told to act like that.

10. Once again, we know the ships have been planned since s1. El was literally supposed to die at the end of that season. M*leven being endgame doesn’t make sense. Plus most of their kisses before s3, Millie had to talk them into.

11. (Lol) The costume design. Are you telling me it’s a coincidence they literally wear nothing but blue and yellow for the entirety of s4? Blue and yellow meet in the west???

12. That part with the “he’ll come crawling back to you” with El about Mike. And did he? No! It took him so long to apologise. HOWEVER. Literally the next episode he literally does that with Will after their fight. BIT FRUITY OF YOU MIKE!!!

13. Once again, the I love you fight. Mike is was SO OBVIOUS what she wanted you to say. He “didn’t want to say it bc he were scared it would make losing El more painful”? He was going to lose her BECAUSE he didn’t say I Love You. So why exactly can you not say it???

Byler will be canon. Do not lose hope guys.

[alixinwwonderland]

TMMM Fic Masterlist

I’ve been meaning to put all my fic in one place for a while now! Will do my best to keep this up to date.

Please note: as of June 2023, several of these fics are available to logged-in AO3 users only, in response to concerns over data scraping for training AI. The fics that remain unlocked are the ones that have been posted in their entirety or near-entirety here, so locking them (at the moment) felt moot.

midgelenny clickbait

a collection of interviews, listicles, tweets, and more, all revolving around all the different universes in which midge maisel and lenny bruce collide.

extra extra read all about it

Rating: T Three interviews, three years, three times Mrs. Maisel talks about Lenny Bruce in public.

20 Reactions to Midge Maisel Revealing THAT in Her New Memoir

Rating: M Midge Maisel's second memoir drops a bombshell. Buzzfeed is here to round up Twitter's thoughts.

Midge Maisel and Lenny Bruce Answer the Internet’s Most Asked Questions

Rating: M When Wired's Autocomplete interviews start going viral in 2016, a couple of comedy legends agree to take a crack at it.

Lenny Bruce and Midge Maisel Read Thirst Tweets

Rating: M What would a clickbait series be without one (or more) thirst tweet features? Featuring two universes: modern-day Midge/Lenny and comedy-elders Midge/Lenny

The Costume Institute Presents: Comedy & Couture

Rating: M The Fall 2000 exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute pays homage to a century of comedy icons.

add his initial to my monogram

How do you move on from Carnegie Hall? A post-S4 universe.

to my heart he carries the key

Rating: E Midge stops planning and starts working, but there's still someone she needs to see. (It's Lenny. Obviously).

the melody lingers on

Rating: T While Midge and Lenny aren't speaking, a chance encounter helps Midge figure out her own feelings.

what am i gonna do if you turn me down

Rating: T Gordon tries to be a good friend. He regrets his choices immensely.

nice work if you can get it

Rating: T (may raise to M in the future) Midge makes amends and (re)makes a friendship.

season 5 fix-its

i never heard them ringing

Rating: M What happens if Lenny calls, and everything that comes next.

no one in the place except you and me

Rating: E Midge lives half a lifetime in the blink of an eye, then vows to make it different this time around.

four minutes (and then a little more)

Rating: T What's really happening in Midge's life, just outside the frame, throughout Season 5 (aka the post-finale fix-it that can slide right into canon).

the crashes are heaven for a sinner like me

Rating: T At first, Midge doesn’t quite believe what she’s seeing — it can't be him. But, it is. (or, how history sometimes bends in different ways)

miscellaneous

Fics that don’t fit into any series (yet...)

you’ve got troubles (i’ve got ‘em too)

Rating: T Being in the spotlight is hard. Sometimes, you just need a pal.

[destielfanfic]

Destiel Fic Starter Pack

Never watched Supernatural but wondering what all the hype is about? Then this is the post for you. If you have been on tumblr for some time or just from November 5, 2020, you may have seen a gif set or two or a hundred with destiel aka Dean and Castiel from Supernatural. @fandom​ even made a Destiel Is Canon post with short overview of basic facts! Are you interested but have no idea where to start? We know, we know. Life is hectic, 2020 is taxing and Supernatural has too many episodes to watch. 15 seasons and 327 episodes to be precise but who’s counting? Say no more, we got your back, fam!  You don’t need to have ever watched SPN to enjoy the fics on this rec post.

For fans who have never watched SPN, some basic facts - 1x01 starts with Dean Winchester (26 yo) professional monster hunter, picking up his brother Sam (22 yo), student at Stanford, and going on a one off monster hunt. For the next 3 seasons they travel around the country in their black Impala 67 hunting monsters, saving people. Castiel, Angel of the Lord and the multidimensional wavelength of celestial intent, arrives in 4x01.The rest is shipping history. Check this 36 min YT video, The Story of Dean and Castiel  by deansbansee with all the best destiel scenes from S4-15. And now, fics!

All title links go to our fully tagged reviews.

1. If you want to read fics that are set in Supernatural universe but are not canon specific, your best bet is pre season 4 (our tag) and solo hunter Dean (our tag) fics where young Dean meets Castiel differently from the show, and fics that are very loosely tied to a specific season. And, if you’ll decide to watch the show later, you still won’t be spoiled!

A Distant Mirror by zatnikatel [NC-17, 14,700 word count, time travel, humor, smut, posted 2013]

Ad Astra - latin; “to the stars” by nhixxie [T, 17,400 word count, Castiel is a Star, posted 2013]

Broadway Musical by Griftings [M, 12,400 word count, humor, Heavenly Host, posted 2014]

Carnival Oasis series by violue [NC-17, 47,000 word count, 10 works, creature!cas, posted 2016-20]

Convenient Husbands by Annie D (scaramouche) [NC-17, 39,000 word count, garuda!cas, hurt comfort, posted 2012]

Do What Feels Good by catchclaw & cymbalism [NC-17, 12,500 word count, smut smut smut, posted 2014]

Everyone Is Trying to Get to the Bar by balder12 [NC-17, 8,400 word count, true form!cas, posted 2012]

Good One’s Gonna Be by remmyme [NC-17, 37,000 word count, professor Cas, posted 2017]

Kiss You When It’s Dangerous by zoemathemata [NC-17, 58,000 word count, FBI agent Cas, posted 2012]

Professional Couple Only by saltyfeathers [M, 37,000 word count, pretend boyfriends on a case, posted 2015]

The Request by cloudyjenn [T, 36,000 word count, wing!fic, posted 2012]

Some Assembly Required by narrow_staircase [M, 47,000 word count, student Cas, posted 2016]

Unknown Quantities by xylodemon [NC-17, 8,600 word count, fluff, posted 2014]

2. If you don’t want to bother with Supernatural canon at all, then you are still in for a treat. With 92,500 fics (December 12, 2020) and counting, destiel is currently the biggest ship on AO3. Destiel fics cover a lot of popular tropes and kinks but some are more popular than others among destiel fans. Angst, miscommunication, exploration of Dean’s low self esteem, Cas’s rusty people skills and general otherness are a staple of AU fics. But also exploration of one’s sexuality - internalized homophobia, coming out, bisexuality and asexuality are common themes.

All the Way by cadignan [NC-17, 81,000 word count, college AU, posted 2013]

Cinderwings by bendingsignpost [M, 182,000 word count, wing!fic, masquerade ball, posted 2017]

Kiss the Baker by ltleflrt [NC-17, 111,000 word count, rom com, posted 2015]

Not Part of the Plan by Annie D (scaramouche) [NC-17, 338,000 word count, 8 works, arranged marriage, posted 2013-18]

Oh What A Beautiful City by moosefeels [M, 27,200, a/b/o, omega Cas, arranged marriage, posted  2014]

Passing Ships by quiettewandering [M, 78,000 word count, not traditional soulmate AU, posted 2017]

Peace and Good Luck To All Men by kismetjeska [T, 32,400 word count, humor, Xmas fic, posted 2013]

The Return Policy by castielrisingabove [M, 32,500 word count, incubus!dean, ace witch!cas, posted 2018]

The Sawdust Men by linoresearch [NC-17, 123,000 word count, dystopian angst, posted 2014]

Scars by lemonsorbae [NC-17, 148,000 word count, young adults - punk!dean, nerd!cas, posted 2018]

Three Funerals and a Wedding by engaldnwouldfall [M, 25,300 word count, friends to lovers, LARPing, posted 2016]

True as It Can Be by whelvenwings [NC-17, 72,000 word count, modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, posted 2016]

Unsolicited verse by dangerousnotbroken [NC-17, 68,700 word count, 5 works, posted 2016-18, smut smut smut]

Unwritten by porcupinegirl [NC-17, 75,800 word count, a/b/o, alpha/alpha pairing, posted 2015]

3. Lastly, for all fans who watched SPN finale and were left with a raging wtf was that? feeling, here’s 4 fics where Dean and Cas did a better job at restoring Heaven and 2 fics where living with disability was not the end of the world.

The Dance of Inanna by peppermintwind [NC-17, 106,000 word count, humor and adventures, posted 2012]

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by amarillogrande [M, 22,200 word count, Dean arrives in Heaven and meets his loved ones, posted  2014]

Holy!Dean Verse by bunnycaccool [NC-17, 120,300 word count, 5 works, very Dean centric, posted 2011-15]

These Are Not Real Problems by Annie D (scaramouche) [NC-17, 30,500 word count, post godstiel Cas arrives in Heaven, posted 2011]

The Breath Of All Things by kismetjeska [T, 65,400 word count, Dean in a wheelchair, posted 2013]

Kingdom Come by cheesewithmy [M/NC-17, 97,700 word count, Dean has a prosthetic arm, posted 2014]

4. Other fun things to check out. Destielfanfic has been a part of destiel community since 2012, and while we used to be much more active (see this post), we are still kicking around. Please visit our Tags Page and explore all the goodies there. We even have separate tags for every season so you can avoid spoilers when necessary. Some useful links:

Tags Page 

ask about iconic destiel fics for folks who just joined fandom

thematic fic rec lists with art (college, creatures, a/b/o, Hogwarts, Christmas - you name it, we have it)

check out our Pride posts for more fics that explore sexuality  - Pride 2017, Pride 2018, Pride 2019 and Pride 2020.

Still can’t decide which destiel fic to read? Try this brand new random fic generator created by @deanwinchestergender​  (not affiliated with DFF) or try Random button on our blog - top right corner and the sidebar (see this post )

also, check out the latest destiel fanart at our sister blog  @destielfanworks​ - Cas with rainbow wings can be found on #cas with wings tag and fanart that was created after 15x18 can be found on #destiel 2020 and #theysilencedyou tags, we also have a general #season 15 tag.

and here’s another destiel fic rec list for new fans by a destiel fic writer and a long time contributor to our blog, our friend  @no-gorms​ aka Annie D (scaramouche)

And last but not least. Thank you, Elena, @purgatory-jar​, for letting us to use your beautiful art! Link to the original art post. 

If you enjoyed the fic, please drop by the archive (AO3) and let the author know with your comments and/or kudos!  Please support artists by Liking and Reblogging their art posts! And if you found our recs useful, let us know by Liking and/or Reblogging our posts!

To our new followers - our anon is switched off for good but we are happy to answer your fic related asks privately. Don’t be shy and tell us which destiel fic made you into a shipper. We may even make a rec post if we get enough fic suggestions!

[chanceorchesspod]

Hello! Playing devil's advocate here, but surely we'd at least have had an announcement for s5 by now if tjlc was real and s5 was really coming? Doesn't it maybe seem more likely that the signs pointing to s5 and tjlc were a combination of being led on ("fans will be desperate for s5"), queerbaiting (some of the more obvious (which, tbh, most were) indicators of johnlock), reading too much into things (some of the less obvious indicators) and coincidence (the whole fourth pip thing)? Again, devil's advocate - I personally do think there are a couple too many loose threads for no s5 - but I'd be interested in your answer

Hi there. We’re not sure what kind of answer you’re really looking for and what your knowledge base/experience is with tjlc, so we’ll try to answer in the simplest way possible while covering our bases.

First, if any part of you is asking these questions because it’s coming from a place of insecurity and needing confirmation before allowing yourself to “hope,” then we’re not the people to ask. That is not a healthy way to engage with a TV show theory, nor is it an objective way to engage with it. It’s important to not doubt your ability to cope with being “wrong.” As my therapist once put it, “confident” people don’t have confidence that they will never make a mistake, rather they know they can handle their reaction to mistakes. Mistakes will not shatter their happiness or make them a total failure. It is the fear of doubt and being wrong which will hold you back more than healthy skepticism ever will (This advice may not apply to you, but it does apply to a fair number of people past and present).

That being said…there isn’t one single piece of evidence (or even two or three) I could offer that would sell a potential series 5 without the added context of everything tjlc related. If you’re waiting for S5 to be announced before you fully engage with tjlc on an intellectual level, then there’s nothing I could say. If you are still willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, then the most complete argument for S5 (& tjlc in general really) is to look at BBC Sherlock holistically as having a five-act structure. With some emotional distance, it was much more obvious post-S4, but this analysis goes back to July 2016 if not earlier.

Besides this, the argument that it “seems more likely that the signs pointing to s5 and tjlc were a combination of being led on . . . queerbaiting . . . reading too much into things . . . and coincidence” cannot be simply contested in just this one post. We’ve argued against these things ad nauseum for years. If S5 is announced, this will not make all doubts about tjlc dissipate over night. It will not convince people of tjlc on its own and, frankly, nor should it.

“surely we'd at least have had an announcement for s5 by now if tjlc was real and s5 was really coming?” I do not have a bullet-proof answer to this nor do I pretend to fully understand what their reasons have been for waiting. They could have waited to announce it simply because they are in no personal hurry, because of Martin & Ben’s schedules and/or the pandemic (at least in part.) Regardless, there’s too much we don’t know to definitively say what their reasons are or are not.

The most compelling argument imo for why they have waited this long at all, has always been the inescapable fact that there are multiple Sherlock Holmes stories which remain under copyright until 2023. Even in 2020 Doyle’s estate tried to sue Netlfix because Enola Holmes depicted Holmes as ‘respectful of women,’ as well as too ‘emotional’ and ‘empathetic,’ arguing that he only fits these descriptions in the stories which were under copyright at the time. Their argument is terrible and there are definite holes so thankfully it was dismissed. But if these are the sort of details they would be willing to squabble over then surely an adaptation that dared to depict and "re-interpret" canon to say Holmes is gay would no doubt kick up controversy at the very least and probably lawsuits. As far as I know there wasn’t the same controversy/lawsuit over Watson being secretly in unrequited love with Holmes in The Irregulars, but Holmes' sexuality is another story altogether especially since many would sooner argue he did not have one at all.

Given all of the above, at this point why not wait until 2023 to bring back the show at all? Especially, if they plan to reference the specific stories under copyright. Even if they thought the estate would lose, why risk it or the hassle? Maybe they will announce it this year or 2023, or maybe not. If they don’t, our opinions won’t change any time soon, but nevertheless we cannot argue that they absolutely must have already announced S5 by now for our theory to be right that they plan to make a 5th, let alone tjlc.

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Round 2, bracket A, poll 6

Propaganda for Huntlow: "Hunter is canon bisexual and Willow is canon pansexual as stated by the show's creator Dana Terrace after the show's finale!"

"Bi 4 Pan represent!"

Propaganda for the Leverage trio: "Parker/Hardison is canon since S4/5, Elliot fell for them later. OT3 confirmed via word of God. Eliot is the one most suited for literal battle but the other two can kick ass when required and the three of them battle capitalism via crime 24/7."

"the time Parker asked Eliot what the worst thing he ever did was and he said "Don't ask me that Parker. Because if you ask me… I'll tell you. so please don't ask me"

the time Parker begged Eliot to help her return a body to a widow because she desperately needed to be a good person and he talked her down because he knows she's good in her own way

The desperation Eliot and Parker felt when Hardison was buried alive

Hardison buying a brew pub for Eliot

Hardison waiting patiently for Parker to be ready for a relationship because she has issues with people and feelings so he let it be a slow burn

Parker taking a bomb away from Hardison so he wouldn't get hit if she couldn't neutralize it

finale spoilers: the time they all died holding hands (they're fine now)"

[thespiceyoops]

Spacegirl Master List

Series Summary: Where is the end of normal? Is it a drug deal between the Freak and the Queen of Hawkins High? An unseen force dragging the poor girl to the ceiling and through a strange portal? Or is it when a girl from a different universe is shot back through that same portal to come face to face with a world she only knows through her Thursday night D&D games.

Warnings: Canon deaths, descriptions of violence, Canon-divergent

I currently have three fanfics going depending on how i'm feeling and this beautiful monstrosity started due to a WILD dream I had after finishing S4 and desperately needed something to soothe the pain I think we all felt at the end of E9. this one didn't get quite as much love on Ao3 as my other fic so it took me a bit longer to work up the confidence to post it but I think that was just due to people being less into OC's so I'm finally just saying screw it and tossing this one up here as well because I'm really happy with how it turned out.

She's sort of finished, I am just editing the last chapters but I had a couple extra ideas that I want to play with so I'm also working on an alternate ending that is more of a Season 5 style arc so please bare with me.

--------------Chapters--------------

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

[inevitably-johnlocked]

hi!! i recently got into johnlock and the universe has somehow directed me to your blog (which is an absolute godsend omfg). have you got any good possessive!john fics?

Hi Lovely!!!

AHHHH!! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog!!! <3 Thank you so much! <3

AHHH you know what??? I don’t get asked this all that much at all! I think mostly because it’s easier to find Possessive Sherlock fics and people then just... forget LOL

So guess what?? You’re the prompter for any fics I actually tagged or filed with Possessive John! <3 A pioneer you are! LOL I’m combining it with a few of the Obsessive fics as well, since I don’t have many new ones.

As usual, gang, feel free to add your own!! <3

POSSESSIVE / OBSESSIVE JOHN

See also: 

Specifically Jealous John b/c of Other People

Jealous John

Jealous John Pt. 2 and Jealous Sherlock Pt 2

Jealous John Pt 3 and Jealous Sherlock Pt 3

Jealous John and Sherlock Pt. 4

Jealous John and Sherlock Pt. 5

Hell or High water by bluefire301175 (E, 2,250 w., 1 Ch. || PWP, Frottage, Alley Sex, First Person POV John, Case-ish Fic, Mutual Pining, Bed Sharing) – John wants. Sherlock wants. Plain and simple.

Display by 221b_hound (E, 2,377 w., 1 Ch. || Post-HLV, Tattoos, Public Hand Jobs, Exhibitionism, Possessive Sex, Possessive Sherlock, Possessive John) – A new client has been flirting with Sherlock and, finding no joy there, with John. John seems annoyed to be second-best, Sherlock thinks, so Sherlock decides to give the departing woman (and maybe also John) a demonstration of who, exactly, John belongs to. But there's more than one level of sexual jealousy and more than one display of possession going on here, outlined in the window of 221b Baker Street. Part 2 of Lock and Key

Apodyopsis by QuinnAnderson (E, 3,347 w.,1 Ch. || PWP, Rough Sex, Table Sex, Anal, Sexual Tension) – Apodyopsis: (æpəʊdaɪˈɒpsɪs) noun. the act of mentally undressing someone. Part 2 of Undressed

Overture by Kate_Lear (M, 4,435 w., 1 Ch. || First Kiss / Time, Friends to Lovers, Angry John, Introspection, Dev. Rel., Embarrassed / Insecure Sherlock, Morning After, Bed Sharing, Cuddles / Limpet Sherlock) – A short snippet on how John and Sherlock might have got together.

Sherlock and John Go Clubbing by wendymarlowe (E, 4,716 w., 3 Ch. || Clubbing, Dirty Talk, Dancing, Coming Untouched, Coming in Pants, Bi John, For a Case, Friends to Lovers, Flirting, Sherlock is Lost for Words, Sexy John, Mutual Pining, Possessive John, Floor Sex/Hand Job/Frottage) – John pinched the bridge of his nose - even for Sherlock, this was a new level of no bloody boundaries. “You want me to go with you to a gay club, wait around twiddling my thumbs while I let you get pawed by a criminal, then out-flirt him and talk you into coming home with me instead?” Part 32 of John and Sherlock's Kinky First Times

Caves in the Mountains Are Seldom Unoccupied by starrysummernights & TheMadKatter13 (E, 7,925 w., 1 Ch. || Were-Creatures ||  Werebear John, Pseudo Bestiality, Rimming, Heavy Dub Con, Rough Sex, Come Inflation / Eating, Size Kink, PWP, Bratty Sherlock, Rutting) – “This isn’t something to play at, Sherlock,” he snapped. “If it doesn’t work out- what you’re asking of me- we can’t shrug and say 'oh well, at least we tried'. If we do this… I could seriously hurt you. Do you understand? I could lose control. I could… I could kill you.”

My Life for His by QuinnAnderson (E, 8,816 w., 1 Ch. || Guardian/Protector, Greek Mythology || Growing Up, Sex, Religious Themes, Suicide, Minor Character Death) – It began when Sherlock was eight, and he attempted to climb all the way up to the highest branch in the old willow tree in his back garden. He'd thought he was still small enough that it could support him, but the second he'd grabbed hold of it to pull himself up, the branch snapped, and down he went, plummeting a solid twenty metres. The odd thing was, he never actually hit the ground.

Of Course I Forgive You by allonsys_girl (E, 10,735 w., 1 Ch. || Love Confessions, Canon Divergence, First Time, Frottage, Wall Sex, Infidelity) – What if things had gone differently on that train car?

The Invocation of Saint Margaret by Ewebie (E, 15,831 w., 1 Ch. || POV John,  Crossing Timelines, Light Angst, Fluff, Series 3 John / Series 1 Sherlock, The Matchbox, Mushy Romance, First Time, Bisexual John, Pining John, Bottomlock, Love Confessions, Sensuality, Emotional Love Making, Snippets of Time) – When Sherlock Holmes opens the matchbox from The Sign of Three and John finds himself years in the past, back to that first dinner at Angelo's with a much younger Sherlock Holmes. Is he dreaming?

Out of the Woods by SilentAuror (E, 20,471 w., 1 Ch. || Post S4, Romance, Slow Burn, Flirting, Drunk Sex, Practical Jokes, POV Sherlock, Bottomlock, Possessive John, Pining Sherlock, Frustrated Wanking, Frottage, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, First Kiss/Time, Virgin Sherlock, Love Confessions, Soft Sherlock, Dancing, Bum Appreciation, Hanging out with the Yard) – Sherlock is fairly certain that John has taken to flirting with him of late, but can't be entirely certain of it. At least, not until a case takes them into a forest, along with Lestrade's team and something happens that will change everything about their lives...

The Kepler Problem by kinklock (E, 24,270 w., 1 Ch. || Sci-Fi AU, Alien Sherlock, Space Repairman John, Alien Biology, Horny John) – Working in uncharted space exploration was not as exciting as John had hoped, especially when it turned out to be mostly bot maintenance on uninhabited planets. However, the mystery of the repeated, unexplained malfunctions on planet BAK 2212 might turn out to be exactly the kind of adventure he'd been craving.

Inscrutable to the Last by DiscordantWords (M, 48,842 w., 6 Ch. || Post-TRF, Alternate S3, John’s Blog/S3 is a Story By John, Divorce, Marital Difficulties, John is a Mess, Emotional Reunion, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Grief / Mourning, Pining John, First Kiss, Adorably Clueless Sherlock, Nostalgia, Love Confessions, Eventual Happy Ending, Obsessive John) – He wasn't Sherlock, he couldn't work miracles. All he'd ever been able to do was write about them.

The Hollow Woman by ScopesMonkey (M, 51,335 w., 22 Ch. || Post-TRF, Major Character Death, Mystery, Romance, Friendship, Family, Angst, Crime, Reunion, First Kiss / Time, Nightmares, Doctor John, Jealous Sherlock, Jealous John, BAMF John, Angry John, Dub-Con, Rough Sex, Bottomlock, Possessive John, Villain Mary, Open Ending) – Forced to return to London sooner than expected, Sherlock falls into a case too close to home. Part 1 of the Hollowverse series

Points by lifeonmars (E, 53,791 w., 42 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || HLV Rewrite / Canon Divergence, Married Life, Pregnancy / Baby Watson, Drinking to Cope, Boxing / Fisticuffs, Clueless John, Angst, Minor Medical Drama, Tattoos, Christmas, First Kiss/Time, Eventual Happy Ending, Love Confessions, Doctor John, Sexuality Crisis, Slow Burn, Case Fic, Drugging, Blow/Hand Job, Emotional Love Making, Parenthood, Passage of Time, Obsessive John) – What if His Last Vow never happened? This fic picks up a few months after John and Mary's wedding, in an alternate universe where Magnussen doesn't exist, but Mary is still pregnant. Life continues -- just in a different direction. And slowly, Sherlock and John find their way to each other.

The Bells of King's College by SilentAuror (E, 64,019 w., 5 Ch. || Post-S4, Missed Opportunities, Angst with Happy Ending, Fake Relationship, Case Fic, John POV, Jealous John, John in Denial, Travelling / Holidays, Virgin Sherlock, Wedding Proposals) – It's only been two weeks since Eurus Holmes disrupted their lives when Mycroft sends John and Sherlock to Cambridge to pose as an engaged couple at a wedding show in the hopes of solving six unsolved deaths...

Gimme Shelter by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (E, 159,368 w., 21 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || 70′s Surfer AU || Period Typical Homophobia, Hawaii, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Professional Surfers, Gay John / Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John was a Sailor, Misunderstandings) – All John Watson wants is the feeling of a freshly waxed surfboard under his feet and the hot California sun baking down onto his back. To finally go pro in the newly formed world of professional surfing and leave the dark memories of his past behind him as he rips across the face of a towering blue barrel. To lounge beside the beach bonfire every evening with an ice cold beer tucked into the cool sand beside him and listen to Pink Floyd and the Doors while the saltwater dries in his sun bleached hair. That's all he wants, that is, until the hot young phenom taking Oahu and the Hawaiian shores by storm steps up next to him in the sand in the second round of the 1976 International Surf Competition. (PUBLISHED AS ‘The Sea Ain’t Mine Alone’)

Proving A Point by elldotsee & J_Baillier (E, 186,270 w., 28 Ch. || Me Before You Fusion || Medical Realism, Insecure John, Depression, Romance, Angst, POV John, Sherlock Whump, Serious Illness, Doctor John, Injury Recovery, Assisted Suicide, Sherlock’s Violin, Awkward Sexual Situations, Alcoholism, Drugs, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn, Body Image, Friends to Lovers, Hurt / Comfort, Pain, Big Brother Mycroft, Intimacy, Anxiety, PTSD, Family Issues, Psychological Trauma, John Whump, Case Fics, Loneliness, Pain) – Invalided home from Afghanistan, running out of funds and convinced that his surgical career is over, John Watson accepts a mysterious job offer to provide care and companionship for a disabled person. Little does he know how much hangs in the balance of his performance as he settles into his new life at Musgrave Court.

Free Falling by twistedthicket1 (M, 203,574 w., 38 Ch. || Guardian Angels AU || Guardian Angel John, Fluff and Angst, Humour, Kidlock / Teenlock, Light Mystrade, Passage of Time, Possessive John, Drug Use / Overdose, Victor Trevor, Graphic Bullying, Big Brother Mycroft, Hard Drug Use, Depression, Possessive Sherlock, Possessive John, Panic Attacks, Nightmares/PTSD, Pining, Healing Abilities, Kidnapping, Violence, Torture, Blow Jobs, Virgin John, Emotional Development / Attachment, Mortality, Happy Ending) – All Guardian angels are born with a Chosen human. When this child is born, the angel comes into being to protect and care for them during their life on Earth. For John Watson, all he cares about in the world revolves around his Chosen, Sherlock Holmes. Watching him grow up though, the angel soon learns that God must have had a sense of humour the day he decided to make Sherlock, as trouble seems to follow him like a magnet wherever he goes. John can't decide what's worse, the idea of losing his Chosen one, or the fact that he may be breaking the most taboo law of heaven as he disguises himself as a human to better protect and befriend the beloved detective he's always watched from afar. He was meant to care for him. But what happens when caring evolves into something more? What happens when an emotion an angel is supposed to be incapable of possessing comes to life suddenly and viciously inside John's chest?

[shrinkthisviolet]

For The Top 5 Ask Game: I’ve got three for you:

Your Top Five Storylines You Wish Cobra Kai Will Do In The Series Going Forward!

Your Top Five TV Shows You Want To Watch, But Haven’t As Of Yet

And Your Top Five MCU Characters

Cobra Kai Storylines

I’d be happy to see any and all of these, but I do have a definitive ranking, surprisingly 😂:

1. There’s my S4 theory that Robby and Tory know something’s off with Kreese and Silver and are trying to take down CK from the inside. Aisha links them up with Sam and Miguel, because they hear about the new weapons rule for the AVT and know they need to shut it down. Since this probably won’t happen in S4, they could make CK win the AVT and rework the spies plotline for S5!

2. I want the parallels between Hawk and Johnny to be explored. I want Johnny to realize that he’s let Hawk down, that maybe his behavior towards Hawk is rooted in some issues he has with himself...and I want Johnny to do better for Hawk. And to acknowledge the harm he’s caused–because guess what, Johnny? Your actions don’t exist in a vacuum, and neither do Kreese’s. Kreese tried to recruit Hawk and Miguel (and Robby!). Guess which one it didn’t work on? Hint: the one you actually tried with 💀

(Disclaimer: I don’t actually hate Johnny. I just want some accountability for the stuff he did in the movies and in the show).

3. Robby and Johnny reconciliation done right! Maybe not exactly like this amazing fic by @emletish-fish (the stuff with faeries seems too outlandish for these writers)...but the depth!! The characterization!! The way Robby’s adults are trying for him, truly and honestly!! And Robby gets to be upset and express his feelings and he’s valid!!

4. Sam, Tory, Aisha, Miguel, and Robby all becoming friends! They don’t all go to the same college, but Sam and Aisha do, and Miguel and Robby get into a different college together. Tory visits though!

5. I want Sam and Robby to face off in the final fight, for Sam to trust him not to hurt her...and then for Silver to goad Robby into breaking Sam’s knee 😭 and Daniel...oh, Daniel. He can’t handle it.

Watchlist Shows

1. Daredevil, a must after NWH and Hawkeye 😂

2. Agents of Shield! I’ve watched the first couple episodes but then life got in the way. Hoping to pick it back up though!

3. Leverage, because @blackaquokat sings its praises and it has antihero/morally-gray stuff going on!

4. Jessica Jones, mostly because I’ve heard a lot of great things and wanna watch it!

5. Manifest, especially since it’s getting another season!

Honorable Mention for Irregulars. It’s tentatively on this list...but I have a question. I heard it got cancelled, did it end on a cliffhanger?

MCU Characters

1. Peter Parker! Maybe it’s the NWH talking but just...AHHH HE WAS SO GOOD IN THAT MOVIE! Spidey’s always been my favorite hero, and the end of FFH started to sorta sell me on him...but THIS MOVIE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK OMG (PS4 Spidey tho...always my favorite Spidey 💞)

2. Yelena Belova! She’s such a fascinating antihero character who is incredibly likeable and sweet 💞 but also incredibly fiercely loving! And she’s canonically aroace in the comics...and hopefully in the MCU too! 🤞

3. Kate Bishop, because she’s around my age and I respect her initiative and drive and I just love the whole vibe she has going

4. Tony Stark, because the theme of actively working against the bloody legacy he built is a compelling tale for sure! There are definitely things I don’t like about him, but honestly, his arc as a whole picture is amazing! And yes, I too wish he’d lived to raise Morgan and start his family. But...his death did serve a narrative purpose. He started the MCU off, he put it on the map and made people care about superheroes they might not have cared about. Him dying passes on that torch to a new group of Avengers–the New Avengers, if you will. Like Pepper said, he’d never truly be able to rest, not like the other Avengers–this is the closest he’d ever get to retiring for good. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t break my heart tho 😭

5. I really like MJ tbh? Like...just in general, her character in FFH and NWH (didn’t like her so much in Homecoming, but she was okay) was fantastic 🥰 tho I’ll admit, part of why I love her so much is likely due to @seek--rest (if you haven’t read their amazing fics, what are you even doing??)

Ask me my top 5 anything!

[milenadaniels]

Hi! I saw your tag on your informal buddie lap makeout poll (Which, exceptional scientific inquiry. Cannot wait to see the results. Especially if it leads you to write something...)

Anyway, what is your thinking on lonestar and a potential buck +e ddie sex scene? (FWIW, I don't watch LS. I tried, but just could not. Not yucking anyone's yum, just didn't work for me.)

Curious what you think?

Thank you! The study is going well, I look forward to analyzing the results in depth!

(Please note: after three hours of writing out this response, I realize I may have misunderstood your question 😂 If you meant "what do you think a buddie sex scene would look like given tarlos", please let me know and it would be my genuine pleasure to describe that in great detail. What follows is not that.....)

I have been thinking about the potential of a buddie sex scene more than I ought to, I'm sure. You could say I've been a smidge preoccupied since realizing all the legit sex scenes in the show happened in season 1/early season 2. In seasons 3/4, the closest I think we've gotten to textual sex is Madney having sex to induce labour and that consisted of Maddie throwing her shirt at Chimney from off-screen.

Someone on that post (can't find it now of course) said that 911 Lone Star took over the original 911 later time slot and thus took over the ability to have sexier content.

As someone who hasn't watched a television show live in like 5 years, your ask has prompted me to do actual research to confirm this 🤓 According to pogdesign, 911 currently plays Mondays at 8pm and 911LS plays at 9pm which supports the theory.

That said, it kind of strikes me as weird that 8pm is considered too early for sexy content? But maybe I'm just out of touch with cable television??

So I did more research! So much research omfg this took 3 hours of my life. 😅

First we define the issue at hand

I'm defining a "sex scene" as a scene that involves two or more people mackin' on each other with any of the following:

the beginning of clothing removal onscreen

the movement towards a bedroom or bed

getting into someone's lap as a sign of escalation

post-coital pillow talk or cuddling

actual shots of naked skin and writhing (softcore porn essentially)

So 911 got moved to 8pm. Do any other 8pm shows have sex scenes?

CW - The 100 🔥 (I know there was a minimum of 2 wlw sex scenes, though they may have been post-coital)

CW - Riverdale 🔥🔥 is another teen show that I don't watch so I youtubed "Riverdale sex scenes" and I'm led to believe at least one couple is banging semi-onscreen well into season 4 (it has 4 seasons???)

NBC - Chicago Med 🔥, a procedural show not about teenagers and seems to have a least 1 couple with sexy scenes (the other Chicagos air at 9pm and 10pm) and I saw lap sitting for a hardcore makeout for the other couple!!!!! TIM TAKE NOTES!

NBC - Superstore 🔥, a half-hour comedy that played at 8pm on NBC, did have at least this one cut-away sex scene

So 2 teen shows, 1 procedural and 1 comedy all had something in the way of "sex scenes" while airing at 8pm.

But what if Fox the network is the sex-scene-killers??

Apparently Fox literally has only 5 scripted dramas of which the 911 is one and the others are:

The Resident 🔥🔥, a medical drama that plays at 8pm as of season 2 (9pm for season 1) and the main couple seem to have several sex scenes, but interestingly from what I can glean from YT, they may have stopped after s2 (though the couple stays together until at least s4 from what I can tell)

LA's Finest 🚫, a rebroadcast through Fox, it airs at 9pm and YT didn't show me any sexy scenes

Fantasy Island 🔥🔥 which plays at 9pm and looks to have sexier content based on the trailer

911: Lone Star 🔥🔥🔥 which plays at 9pm. Tarlos have had like 2 heavy makeouts/implied sex scenes plus a pretty hardcore-for-tv sex scene in the s2 finale

So it seems like even for Fox, the 8pm timeslot isn't necessarily what's vetoing the sex scenes in 911. But just to hammer that home, I did even more researching into the watershed hours, which is apparently the designated time broadcasters can show sexiness, but in the US that's 10pm to 6am so if the restrictions were such that they couldn't show any sex scenes before 10pm, Tarlos wouldn't have gotten that finale action (thank you, IRL bff who watched 911LS so I didn't have to!)

TL;DR - a summation of our findings

The 8pm timeslot is not the sex-scene-killer I once thought it was (see: all them filthy shows)

911 being a cop show is not a sex-scene-killer (see: dramas, procedurals and comedies all had sex scenes)

Fox is not anti-sex in their 8pm scripted dramas in general (see: The Resident)

Fox is not anti-sex homophobically (see: Tarlos, Hen/Eva)

However!! There seems to be a somewhat weird, somewhat isolated trend of Fox shows either cutting off or tapering off sex scenes (see: 911, The Resident) after 2 seasons or specifically after 2019.

So what are the theories (from least to most favourite)?

Theory #1 (Buddie loses 🚫): "Something" happened at Fox in 2019. The Resident is the only true analogue to 911 as it's also on Fox, also premiered in January 2018, also started at 9pm but was moved to 8pm (in season 2, not season 3 like 911). If my very brief googling can be trusted, The Resident saw a lot of sex scenes in season 2 (at 8pm) but after 2019 there isn't much to write home about. That lines up with what we've seen in 911. If something happened internally at Fox that changed broadcasting guidelines for 8pm, then canon Buddie will not get sex scenes unless the timeslot changes back.

Pros: It would be a hell of a coincidence wouldn't it?? Both shows airing around the same time, both stop showing sex scenes around the same time???

Cons: It's pretty weak, I can't find anything that supports "something" happening in 2019 that would affect an 8pm timeslot but not the 9pm one.

Theory #2 (Buddie loses 🚫): Sex as a short-term sales tactic. Fox uses sex in the first two seasons of shows to boost ratings and get people hooked because sex sells. But then, for whatever reason, they taper it off. If so, Buddie being canonized would not produce any sex scenes as we're far removed from season 2.

Pros: The Resident and 911 both stopped showing sex scenes after season 2 from what I can gather

Cons: If sex sells, why wouldn't it keep selling all the way to the bank?? There's no reason to stop something that's working.

Theory #3 (Buddie wins 🔥): Actors are the roadblock. Fox is fine with sex scenes at 8pm but the actors aren't comfortable! If so, Buddie sex scenes could be in the cards as both actors have had on-screen sex scenes previously.

Pros: Angela Bassett, Peter Krause and JLH are bigger names and they presumably get to not get naked on screen or simulate sex scenes if they don't want to. Aisha Hinds as a (criminally) smaller name wouldn't have had that kind of leverage in season 1, nor would Ryan Guzman in season 2? And Oliver Stark knew what he was signing up to to play a self-diagnosed "sex addict" so.

Cons: This is absolute, complete conjecture. I have zero idea what each of their comfort levels with sex scenes are or how that might relate to the writing/direction of their characters.

Theory #4 (Buddie wins 🔥): Stable canon relationships kill sex. Fox dramas use sex only pre-maritally to build relationships and the network or the showrunners/writers decide it's not as important once characters are in stable relationships/married. If so, we will get Buddie sex scenes as their canon relationship develops.

Pros: The Resident couple did get married post-season 2 I think? Athena stopped having onscreen sex after she married Bobby. Hen had sex but out of her marriage.

Cons: That's dumb, let married people bone. And we technically do have a Madney sex scene, tame as it was (but maybe they straddle of the line of stable but pre-marital???). Also if sex = building relationship, EddieAna have been excluded from that formula oops 😌

Theory #5 (Buddie wins 🔥): We're overthinking all of this. There hasn't been sex scenes past season 2 because the stories haven't called for it but when it does, such as the start of a new relationship, then we'll get some!

Pros: We haven't had any "new" relationships other than EddieAna since season 2 and their lack of intimacy is a glaring reminder they aren't well suited - they're not boning for plot reasons. While not strictly meeting the aforementioned definition of a "sex scene", we could use Albert coming out of Veronica's shower as a use of sex-as-relationship-building.

Cons: That's dumb, let married people bone, the sequel. Especially since HenRen is criminally neglected in terms of development and could use a fun playful sex scene.

So what have we learned?

Should Buddie go canon, 3 theories indicate we'd get some sex scenes for them, and only 2 say we wouldn't. The odds are in our favour. 🤡

I will do literally anything to procrastinate writing this damn fic that's been tormenting me for weeks. Please someone, anybody...send help...

[bitchywaldof]

Beth/Daryl Fanfiction Recommendations 2021

Alternative Universe

Call me friend but keep me close – Pietromavximoff

E | Friends to FWB, FWB to lovers, secret relationship, Slow burn| 105k

When Beth Greene starts University and is away from home for the first time since her Mother’s death the freedom and independence could lead her to party and get drunk as most college students do, but Beth isn’t wanting that.  Instead while focusing on her studies in a bar that’s quiet during the day Beth befriends Daryl Dixon a Bartender who is always there to intercept when college boys hit on her.

I loved this fic, the FWB into lovers trope is something I absolutely adore being explored and I don’t think I have seen it in the Bethyl fandom till reading this one.  The writing was really detailed and I loved living in the characters head during the couple of days that I binge read it.   I read this fic while I was in hospital for an endometriosis flare up and was alone as my fiancé couldn’t stay the night and honestly these characters really gave me comfort and positivity while I was going through that J

I’ll be yours for a song – dynamicsymmetry

E | Slow Burn, Friends to lovers, Coming of age, Mental health, Smut, Healing, Demisexuality | 381k

Authors Summary: “In a small town where he doesn’t expect to stay long, Daryl Dixon comes across a girl walking by the side of the road at two in the morning, soaked to the skin.  He could offer to drive her home.  But he very much wants to not seem like a creep.  He also doesn’t want to leave her there.

He has no idea what he’s getting into”

This story really has left an impact on myself long after I finished reading it.   You can tell that a lot went into the writing of this fic and the prose is so beautifully real and honest from Daryl’s perspective.  The growth that Daryl shows in this story is at times hard to read but as someone who has gone through similar situations and mental health issues to the characters I really believe that what is represented in this story is authentic and an important exploration into how trauma impacts your relationships in your life good/bad.  

Big Hands, I know You’re the One – gutsforgarters

E | Daddy Kink, light dom/sub, smut, Porn with plot in the best way 18k

Beth Greene is a girl on a mission.  While on vacation with Rick Grimes and his family she just can’t get a certain muscly man out of her mind so why not just go for it?

Oh I could read gutsforgarters stories over and over and never get bored.  I just love her AU Beth/Daryl so much.  This story is light and sexy and captures those fun moments in the honeymoon period really well.  And this story really got me into reading more Bethyl Daddy kink and loving that so there you go…(if you know you know, and if you don’t honestly give it a crack and you just might enjoy it ;))

Canon Divergence & TWD universe era

Lament – Saya087

E | Reunion, fix-it, season 6 era, happy ending, Grief/mourning | 16k

Inspired by 6x10 when Daryl begs Rick not to play the CD.  While at Hilltop Daryl gets reunited with someone he thought he would never see again.

This little story really got me in the feels and was oh so sweet.  I have found myself reading more and more ‘fix-it’ fics especially after the 10c episodes.

The Broken Ones Series - Badboy_fangirl

E | Reunion, fix-it, picks up post s4, domestic fic | 57k

Authors Summary: “After Daryl goes through some pretty heavy shit, he gets reunited with Beth.”

This series written in 2014 is a really fantastic look at how the show could’ve explored Beth and Daryl is they hadn’t fucked up.  I love the AU universe the author has built and imagined up as it is the perfect setting to explore Bethyl in a domestic setting while still existing in TWD universe.

It’s going to take you people years to recover from all of the damage – Wandering_gypsea_feet

General Audiences |Reunions, fix-its, Team defiance, multi character perspectives | 62k

Authors Summary: “But there’s going to be a party when the wolf comes home.

One’shots focused on how Beth Greene might make it back to her family and different reunions spanning season 5 to season 10, leaning heavily on theories, thoughts and wishes.  Looking at how her family would get her back and how they’d react to our girl.  Different POVs each chapter.”

Oh I loved reading this authors updates of this story and seeing what she would explore next! I loved hearing the perspective from so many different characters and how they interpret Daryl and Beth and each characters reaction was so sweet and funny at times.   Fingers crossed for season 11 to see if they will bring Beth back!

Endurance - SpicyPepper_SweetSugar

M | Angst, Darkfic, check tags for TW, Savior Beth, Negan| 135k - WIP (last updated 2016)

Authors Summary: “Three years have passed since Daryl and the others arrived at the ASZ.  The community is now lead by Rick and Deanna together as they try and keep the balance of living and surviving.  When a new threat arises, however.  Daryl is forced to face the past that he has been trying to put behind, because on the side of the enemy, a familiar face can be seen.”

So this is a fic with dark themes so please check the tags before reading.  I really enjoyed this fic for its commentary on PTSD, mental health and trauma on Beth.  This fic really explores the concept of Beth not wanting to return to her family even though she has the chance and why that could possibly be.  While some of the characterisation could be deemed ooc I really enjoyed what the author was doing in exploring such traumatic impacts on character and how that would result in shifting personalities and core belief systems and values.

Okay so that is it for now J I have seriously enjoyed being a part of the Bethyl fandom over the last few months since discovering it.  It has such amazingly talented writers and I truly feel so lucky to be able to read so many stories about characters I love in such dynamic and interesting ways.  I have been feeling really inspired to get writing myself (something that I have never felt before in any of my previous fandoms) because of this fandom and that has become such a fan and therapeutic outlet for me over the last month or so.  I am excited to just be here and enjoying it J