#also by the way the reason why i don't go into where ed and crowley compare to each other above is because let's be real they're the same

[borntolurk]

OK so mostly I use this account to lurk but I do just want to say one thing now that I keep seeing stuff about Good Omens being compared to Our Flag Means Death, often to Good Omens's detriment. Often the argument is that OFMD is so much more open in its queer love story, which is a valid thing to prefer in isolation, don't get me wrong. Now I'm going to say I'm biased, I've loved GO (the book) since high school and I watched OFMD three weeks ago for the first time, but... they're two very different shows telling very different stories, even if they star very similar lead characters.

I saw someone on Reddit say that OFMD is a Good Omens Pirate AU, which is actually a really uncannily good call, but I'd go farther- OFMD is Good Omens Pirate AU fix it fic.

What do I mean by this? Let's just put it out there- Stede is Aziraphale, Ed is Crowley. Do they live in totally different worlds? Yes. Are the sets of auxiliary characters entirely distinct from each other? Of course, though I could see a great argument for the Badminton twins as a Gabriel analogue. Are the characters not totally identical? Obviously. But the archetypes are extremely similar, the character dynamics are as well, and it's gotten to the point where I've been perusing fic in both fandoms and the similarities in dialogue between Stede/Az and Ed/Crowley have been uncanny. They just are characterized similarly, is the bottom line.

Okay, what does this have to do with it being a fix it fic? Because let's say we go with Stede-as-Aziraphale for the obvious reason that they are both blond, fussy, intellectual and enthusiastic-in-a-deeply-uncool-way people. Of course, another similarity is that they both are made deeply miserable by their families/expectations- but that just highlights one important difference. Aziraphale throughout Good Omens is more comparable to Stede in his marriage to Mary than to Stede on the Revenge. Why? Because at the start of OFMD Stede has already left.

That's huge. Taking that step to leave and separate yourself from the bad situation is a significant mindset change in and of itself, and meeting your love interest after you've already undergone this seismic shift makes you open to additional new shifts in your thinking, like falling in love with Ed (even if you don't 100% realize that that's what's happening). Stede's whole attitude over the course of S1 is "fuck it, I've already done the craziest thing there is, let's keep going crazy." Of course he'll be receptive enough to Blackbeard for all that to happen! Obviously he still has to get over his past with Mary and the kids, and his own internal mixed up stuff, but he's already started with that in basically the most dramatic way possible.

Aziraphale, on the other hand, is still completely enmeshed in a dysfunctional family right up til the end of S1. Sure, he's had his own ways of rebelling quietly, and he partners with Crowley, who incidentally has been part of his very twisted life the whole time and so they're stuck in a pattern with nothing to jolt them out of it til later. But his rebellion is quiet and in many ways half-hearted because he still does buy into the idea of heaven, he still considers himself an angel who is fighting for right and good, and he feels like Crowley has been an everpresent temptation, something to be fought against, someone who is wrong. He's never really tried to break away except in the most passive ways, and even those ways are justified to himself.

And bear in mind, Aziraphale realizes over time that to leave would be VERY dangerous. At first he thinks the danger is that he'll become a demon like Crowley, that he'll "fall"- and then once he realizes that that's far from the worst fate he could suffer, he realizes that he's in mortal (okay, maybe not the best word when talking about an angel) peril. These are people who will KILL HIM for stepping out of line, and these are people who have been shaping his opinion on right and wrong since literally the beginning of time. Not shocking that he'll be reluctant to see things differently... and yet he still DOES break away! It's an incredibly brave thing to do, especially since he and the demon he loves would have been literally killed as a result if they hadn't done some very quick thinking! He realizes that Crowley has been right all along and he leaves. And now, essentially, he's at the point where Stede starts in OFMD.

Stede, in contrast, is on the most queer-friendly (and, under his influence, basically everything-friendly) ship on the high seas, and he might not be in a world without homophobia, but Calico Jack makes clear that he's in a milieu where men having sex with men is completely normal. He has time and space to figure things out and when he does go back to Mary and the kids at the end of S1, he has to deal with the ramifications of his actions (justifiably) but those do NOT include homophobia. Instead he receives complete support on that front, even if he also gets deserved anger from Mary about him ditching them and then showing up again like nothing had happened.

That's what I mean by "fix it fic." The stories each show is telling are so different, despite starting with a similar character in a similar bind- Good Omens is the story of a man angel who is stuck in a toxic situation and needs support and a kick in the ass to make him leave it (and see the person he loves in a different light), and OFMD is the story of a man who has decided to leave a toxic situation and what happens once he does, and the mere fact that he has already made that decision to change his life leaves him open to new people to enter his heart, and for him to express that. Aziraphale is not someone remotely in a state to express himself emotionally/romantically to Crowley, and he says that himself- and it's due to the specific story in which he is situated. Stede on the other hand is placed in exactly the right position to open his heart to new things, including to love. He is what we hope Aziraphale will be able to come as he heals.

Now, you might say, who cares? This is just on a story level; on a meta level, each of these stories have writers and the writers choose exactly what happens and so it's all kind of meaningless to discuss and compare without taking into account authorial intent. And... sure, I get that. But I do think that there's value in both stories. Each story is a very different kind of love story, based on the different kinds of circumstances that the main characters find themselves in, and "how can we get this character out of his toxic situation and mindset" and "how can we allow this character to spread his wings with relative freedom" are BOTH great stories! As someone who first approached (and loved) Good Omens from the point of view of growing up in fundamentalist religion, that approach struck me from the outset as being so well done in both the book and the show; OFMD, though, showed what you can do when you've finally taken that leap, how much it can free you.

In short, they're both great, but hopefully you already knew that.

[lucisfavoritedemon]

Rebellious Soul: Chapter 5

Pairing: None

Summary: Y/N is having a hard time coping with the fact that her friend is gone and now her best friend is back, but there is a new player in town. The ultimate leader of the Rebels, Commander Ruby. Will Y/N be able to defeat Eve or will she give up the fight to mourn the loss of Dean?

Warnings: Mentions of torture.

Word Count: 1324

A/N: I realised that what I had posted, and what I had written were two completely different things. So I went through an edited this chapter, along with Chapter 6. I have major plans for those two chapters, and I got away from my original thought process. Also, as you may have noticed, this is loosely based off hunger games, but it's with a twist. I hope y'all are enjoying this series so far. Thanks for the understanding and patience.

"I thought that the Colt was just a legend?" I asked looking between Gabriel and Charlie.

"Well supposedly, but there are more facts out there proving that it exists more than there is proving it doesn't. When thinking about stuff like this, I go with the facts."

"Alright then. I guess I should round up my gear and head out. The faster I can find my guy the better. I have a feeling it won't be long before Eve figures out what we're planning."

"Good idea. Why don't we head out together that way we could both hit our people and both know with having to relay the information to multiple people? That way Eve doesn't find out as quickly."

"I agree. Gather everyone interested and let's head out in ten. I have to speak with Sam before we leave."

"Sounds like a plan."

Gabe and I headed off in different directions. I hadn't seen Sam since we heard about Jessica. It was hard for him not knowing whether she's alive or not.

"Hey Sam. How's everything?"

"Better. At least getting there."

"I feel so bad for what happened to Jess. I'm sorry she got dragged into this."

"Don't be. She knew the risks just like everyone else. Trust me you didn't do anything. Ruby told me what you did for her, and that is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. I never expected you to give up this opportunity to get revenge on Eve for Dean."

"Did you not hear what happened? The theories at least?"

"No. I haven't really wanted to listen to what people have to say about the matter. He's gone and I can't have him back. It hurts because we were close. We grew up in this together. He was like a brother to me."

"I know Sam. I wish there was more I could do to help you cope other than the fact that we are going to get him back. I don't care what anybody says, Ruby promised a rescue and amnesty for all of them. Including Dean."

"What does everyone say happened to him exactly?"

"That Eve had taken him hostage. Tortured him in unimaginable ways. Using him as their poster child to rid the world of Rebels. She won't stop till we are all dead or worse under her spell. Killing us off is her main goal, and she has the biggest inside man we had. She has the means of destroying us if she truly wanted to."

"I know Dean is our biggest and best weapon we had against her. He was building a case file on how to kill her. Said that he was doing it for someone special. I could now only assume that's you."

"Why me though?"

"Because you would want revenge. He knew your father died. Apparently he also knew how, and it's not how you think it happened."

"I knew he was killed, but I never told anyone because no one would believe me. They all knew I hated Eve from the moment I first saw her. She is clearly nothing but evil, and I will stop at nothing to defeat her. We have everything we need except the weapon to kill the thing that can kill her."

"What is that?"

"A special gun that can kill almost anything with a single bullet. We need the gun to kill a Phoenix. It's ashes are the only thing strong enough to kill her."

"You're not talking about the Colt are you?"

"Afraid so. Do you happen to know someone who might know it's whereabouts?"

"Yeah, but I would save him as a last resort." Sam warned.

I knew perfectly well who he was talking about, but this was a chance to get the upper hand on Eve. I wasn't going to let him tell me otherwise. I couldn't risk Dean's life on a last resort situation. He was our last resort.

"I'm sorry Sam, but this is that type of situation. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get Dean back. For all of us, not just me. He meant something to everyone, which is why this betrayal is the worst we have ever seen."

"I know, it's just, he is bad news. I wouldn't go to him unless no one else truly knows the whereabouts of the Colt."

"Fine. But if no one else does, or even if they hesitate for a second we move to him, got it?"

"Yeah now go and save Dean. For all of us."

Gabe, Ed, Harry, Michael, Castiel, and I all headed out in search of our first lead given to us by Gabriel and Cas who have known this person, well rather Angel, for a long, long time.

"Balthazar. We are here for knowledge on a weapon we seek the location of!" Gabe yelled through the thick of the forest.

As I have stated before each creature lives in a designated section of the world. If ever caught out of their designated area, they were immediately killed off. This was a beautiful lush forest that looked like a Heavenly paradise Perfect for the majority of it's heavenly inhabitants.

"Ah, Gabriel and Castiel. What brings you two traders back home, and with humans too?"

"Enough Balthazar. We need to know the location of the Colt."

"Ooh, temper. I say, is this how you got daddy to give you your favorite toys? Well that tone doesn't work on me Mikey." Balthazar spat.

I had to agree with the Angel, Michael was being a little too straight forward.

"Balthazar? We seek the location of this weapon for a good reason. Please will you help us?" I asked kindly, gaining a gentle smile.

"I wish I knew, but sadly I don't. Maybe if you five hand over the girl I will suddenly remember."

"He's lying." Gabe simply stated.

"How do you know?"

"He only wants Y/n because it will earn him and the others a spot at the big kids table. He doesn't really know where the weapon is. I say we move on."

"I agree. Let's head out."

"Okay, you got me. I really don't know where the weapon is. I'm only in charge of the Angelic weapons. The rest go through Crowley. He will definitely know where this weapon you are seeking for is. I swear."

"I know. Sadly Crowley knows everything about this gun." I whispered walking away.

I knew exactly where to find Crowley. We had a few talks here and there, but I have never asked him for a favor as big as this one.

"Crowley! We need to talk! It's about the Colt."

"Hello darling. It's about time."

"I know it has been a while, but I need you to pull in that favor of mine. You know the freebie before you start charging?"

"Yes I know what freebie means. Why do you want this Colt so bad? It doesn't even do anything."

"It's important."

"You want to kill Eve don't you? Well sorry to break it to you, but sadly she is one of the four beings this won't work on. Been there, tried that."

"We know it doesn’t work on her, but it will work on the thing that can."

"Oh. Well in that case here."

Then the gun appears in his hands and he tosses it to me. I looked at the gun in awe. It was the most beautiful thing in the world. Now all we needed was to get to the Phoenix mountain without being caught by Eve and her stupid henchmen.

"One last thing. Well really two. Don't let her know I'm working alongside you and two DON’T miss your target! Kapeesh?"

"You got it. Don't let Eve know and don't miss."

"Good." As quickly as he appeared he was gone again.

Now all we needed was to find these Phoenixes and find Eve. Things were starting to go in our favor.

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