#but my hand hurty :c

[jojotier]

gamja jeon got me fucked up like. what do you mean i can grate 2 potatoes and half an onion and let it sit until the liquid gets strained so i can turn it back into its own starch and make crispy little pancakes that taste so good and yet i can never seem to get enough of them because they disappear like morning dew in summer down my gullet

[liviavanrouge]

Chapter 7: Livia Spoilers

Livia: *Leaps over a wall, hiding behind it*

Malleus(Overblot): Beastie, let me put you to sleep, you'll feel much better and refreshed!

Livia: *Narrows her eyes, crouch walking into a classroom*

Livia: Jingles, Hypno!

Jingles: *Appears beside Livia* Yeah?

Hypno: What is it, Saintess Livia?

Livia: Is there anyway I can use you guy's power to stop Malleus temporarily, at least knock him out?

Jingles: Our power would only tickle him, we're C Level spirits

Hypno: You'd need an A or B spirit to knock Malleus out or slow him down...

Livia: How do I do that!? I don't have long Malleus has a tracking spell on me, he'll be here soon!

Jingles: *Grabs a chalk* Here! Use this and we'll help you summon a B level spirit!!

Livia: *Takes the chalk quickly dropping down, following Jingles and Hypno's instructions*

Hypno: Which element do you need?

Livia: To defeat the dark I need the light...

Malleus: Beastie! Come out!!

Jingles: Quickly, put a star in the middle!!

Livia: *Quickly draws a star, her eyes wide sweat starting to form* Okay, okay!

Jingles: Cup your hands around the star!

Livia: *Cups her hands around the chalk drawing, her eyes glowing yellow as a bright glow filled the room*

Malleus: BEASTIE!!!

Livia: *Looks at the door as the knob rattled* Come on, come on!!

Jingles: COME ON!!!

Malleus: *Blasts down the door, his eyes narrowed* Beastie, time for your nap!

Livia: *Looks forward, her eyes widening as she gasped*

???: Hello Saintess Livia!! My name is Harmonious!! Let me help you, make a contract with me!

Livia: *Throws her hand up, grabbing his hand*

Livia: *Creates a crossbow, firing an arrow at Malleus sending him flying through the wall*

Jingles: YEAH!!!

Hypno: WOAH!

Livia: Harmonious! Can you move between dream and reality like Hypno?!

Harmonious: No, I cannot but I can power him up to give him more time to move between the two

Livia: *Nods* Do so!!

Harmonious: *Holds his hands out, a bright glow following* Very well

~~~~~

Silver: *Rushes through the dream, his eyes wide*

Hurtis: WE'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT!!

Oz: Who's fault is that?!

Hurtis: I'm sorry okay! Can we just run!!

Grim: Nyah, it's closing!

Silver: *Tosses his sword to stop the blot from completely closing, gasping when it was snapped in half*

Silver: *Skids to a stop, Hurtis and the others crashing into him*

Hurtis: Damn....this is my fault..

Silver: Hurtis..

Hurtis: Silver, I'm sorry....I was selfish, now we're trapped here and you can't use your UM...

Silver: It's not-

Ollie: LOOK!!

Silver: *Looks up, spotting a crack in the barrier* Huh...

???: *Punches the barrier again, a bright light barely shining through the cracks*

Sebek: Who...

Aura: *Smiles wide* It can only be one person!!

Silver: But she's dead-

Livia: *Punches through the barrier, breaking it down, Harmonious floating beside her*

Livia: *Looks at them all, her eyes glowing bright yellow*

Silver: LIVIA!!

Sebek: *Smiles wide* My Lady...

Livia: *Grins* Everyone okay?

Silver: Liv...

Livia: *Nods to them, smiling*

@queen-of-twisted @yukii0nna @zexal-club

[squarebracket-trickster]

I'm like, should I set WIPXII (SCAM) in my home province, or should I set it somewhere more touristy?

On the one hand I want to set it in my own province because a) spite, why do London, Paris, and New York get all the attention?? (and if it *is* set in Canada, it's always fucking center-of-the-universe Toronto.) b) more fun for me for escapist reasons, and c) less research. my brain hurty-hurt from WIPVII.

On the other hand, who wants to read about a pathetic excuse for a city in some random Canadian province? It's not nearly as fantasy-inspiring as say, London. It does not have the same Dark Academia, rich-history, stereotypical-fantasy vibes.

How can I get the same effect without setting yet another magic school story in fricking London??

In the end I know I am going to go with setting it in my city, but I need to be convinced, okay? I need to be happy with my choice. I want what London has.

[endeverous]

I sewed for Several hours today

hands hurty

But hey, I have a new skirt to show for it!! no photo cause I'm shy and bad at taking pictures, but it's pink floral on a navy background, 18th c style, and lined with a pale pink swiss dot (oriented so the bumpy side isn't touching me), about mid calf length or a little higher.

Also I started working again on my medieval hood in anticipation of the coming winter, and I'm being so economical with my fabric piecing, my ancestors would be so proud of me. Even if it kinda sucks. But I am having a good time making this super neat and crisp, lining up all my stripes on the wool and pressing everything really flat. Even if I'm probably gonna have to steal a slightly different linen to inevitably expand an area I made a little too small bc the lining will need to be expanded too, and while I have just enough outer wool, I'm out of lining linen. Alas, luckily it doesn't matter at all lmao

I think im going to have less than a square foot of wool left, from making both a hefty outer skirt and this hood out of it, which is pretty fuckin good if you ask me!!

[seasonalcherry]

mini recount

made out with R yesterday.

Amazing time.

Hard day, emotionally, especially at first as I had to process stuff with parents. Decided not to visit. Realized my emotional state? Valid, given what I'd encountered.

Any my emotional body was saying, HEY, LISTEN to which I said 'Okay!" after some time

But then. Then. Went out.

Saw T&C, holding hands, at the Bug Jar. At first it felt...hurty, pang in chest. Then I loved on my friends and we talked a little smack which helped. Then, some of T's sister's friend group came in and we ended up schmoozing a little bit. I flirted so hardcore and everyone flirted with me and I was just so savored, a little belle of the ball prince, a little hot trans masc, the apple of the eye of many.

I made out with Rowan in the little perch and later we danced and ground on each other a lil bit. I felt loved. I felt attended to. I felt ADORED.

And I was told, You deserve this! You deserve this attention! You deserve this love! You deserve this affection!

[dapperrokyuu]

Somehow developed a headache, and thus, existing is no longer on the agenda today, fellas. My condolences.

[tatsugiriroll]

woohoo.. hand hurty tank u everyone ;___;c i always like 2 know what characters/things ppl associate with me...... characters:

gene (from @moth-yknowtheartist - i have to admit it. never watched the hot daga.. but this is such a beloved character it feels like a huge compliment) bugs bunny (anonymous - thank u for this. huge compliment to me) prismo (@pokemonmansion eros i can always count on u) duck (@marine-beats - idk how u knew but i always repeat what about my shreeeedderrrr... to myself. i love that bit. ) larry (@pokemonmansion again ty bestie) god (@andrewryder big thank u for the Blorbo Of All Time O) )

[like-rain-or-confetti]

"They love me!"

You love them! They...they know you do! They...they know! They...know?

The Riddler: Jonathan Crane was excellent at getting into peoples heads. The mind of his playground, even Edward's. Many learned quickly that opposing Jonathan was not a good place to stand. Jonathan could play Edward like a fiddle at times, given he presses the right buttons at the right time. You were a rather large and easy button to push when it came to Edward's vulnerabilities. Edward was surprised that even as his friend, Jonathan would still press that button. "You don't know me and you certainly don't know them." Edward said icily. "I don't need to. I've been you. I know how it works." Scarecrow scrutinised Edward. "It's always the same." He said to himself. "Don't." Edward ground out. "We've done this our whole lives, different, misunderstood, alone. There is always somebody else who replaces us. Don't think for one second (Y/N) won't be relieved the next person they let in their life was born and acts normal." The Riddler turned, a look of fury in his eyes. "They...love me!" He ground out, furious at Jonathan's words. Despite his gaze, Jonathan continued, unphased by Edward's fury. "You can't love someone you don't understand and if you ask me...they haven't understood a thing about you for a while-" "Shut up!" Edward roared and lunged.

Scarecrow: He noticed how Jervis' gaze lingered on you and it struck a nerve. You had been driving even then Jervis watched. The whole day you had been oblivious of Jervis' lingering stares. However Jonathan wasn't and he wasn't going to entertain his imagination. "You guys coming?" You asked as you turned the ignition off. "One second dear, I need to talk to Jervis." Jonathan said lightly and you nodded, handing Jonathan the keys which he tucked away in his pocket. When you were gone, Jervis couldn't help but look at Jonathan in the front seat who simply looked forward silently. "What is it, Mr Crane?" Jervis asked and Jonathan got out of the car before getting into the back seat beside Jervis. "You want to know what they're like?" Jonathan asked. "Hm?" Jervis knew almost immediately what was happening and tried to get out of the car. Jonathan was quicker ripping his hand away from the handle as he stared into Jervis' eyes, jaw clenched. Jervis tried to look away, shifting in discomfort but Jonathan wouldn't let him. He grabbed Jervis' jaw and forced him to look back at him. "They're warm." Jonathan began, voice soft but his grip painfully tight- a reminder that this wasn't a friendly conversation. "They look at me day and night with love, like I'm the best thing that ever happened to them. It's addictive. Amazing. Yet it never tires, that look. I've given my everything to them because they gave their everything to me. You know why that is? Hm?" Jonathan squeezed harder. "Mr Crane- y-you're hurti-" "Because they love me!" Jonathan snapped. "Because they love me..." He said again. "...and I won't let you get in the way of that. I catch you looking at them one more time and you'll learn to be afraid to open your eyes." Jonathan released Jervis before getting out the car.

Two-Face: It was no secret that sometimes Harvey and Harv didn't get along. It was a surprise when they fought about you. Harvey was determined you loved him. Only him. Harv' wasn't so sure and most certainly wasn't content with the answer. He made his protest known and from there things escalated. Fighting as though only one could have you. "They love me!" Harvey argued. "They love us both!" Harv' snapped. "Don't you get it? We're a package deal. They get us both. They're around because we want them around!" "You're an extension of me!" Harvey spat. "We are extensions of each other, Harvey. We always have been!" Harv' reminded him icily. "You forget who's kept you going all these years. You don't exist without me and I don't exist without you. We both love them and they love us too."

Black Mask: Gossip between the highest and lowest classes was common. The rich have eyes and ears everywhere. The poor are none the wiser...well most people. Very few got the word about just who were listening and when. Roman Sionis immediately took action getting through everyone who dared to speak your name until he got to the source. Rumour has it that Roman's main squeeze isn't there willingly. Instead, they're scared. Roman didn't like that. It most certainly touched a nerve. Truth be told, he was afraid of that but not even he had permission to admit it. After a lot of back and forth, Roman had enough. "They love me!" His eyes shone behind his mask, furious and surprisingly distraught. It clearly struck something in him. A clearly vulnerable spot for him. "Maybe...but I think it'd be more realistic to say they actually are afraid of you." "That's it! You wanna talk so much!? Fine!" Roman yelled. "Eyes, teeth, tongue and then face." He ground out picking up a pair of pliers.

Harley Quinn: "They love me!" She sobbed weakly. "They love me!" She cried louder towards the Joker. Only he could get in her head like he did. Even after it all, he still had power over her. His smile looked like a mix between a sneer and a mishevious grin. He stood over her, leaning down, hands on his knees. "You've always been a hopeless romantic who will throw herself at anyone haven't you, Harley dear?" "They love me!" She screamed. "You're nothing!" Joker bellowed before chuckling. "What is there to love!? You're nothing! You're not a person! You're mould, Harley. You do nothing but spread, absorb those around you and beg for their love and attention. You're nothing without someone else to leech upon! Nothing but an empty carcass. Though a pretty one, I'll give you that but didn't daddy tell you? There really is no getting by with just a pretty face anymore!"

[littlepadika]

Hi Pad’ika! I was wondering if you could write something with a little who gets an injury while they’re outdoors with their daddy (maybe going on a hike with Frankie or Din, or just following Javi or Whisky around their ranch?) They wanna be big and strong and just walk it off because daddy didn’t see it happen, but the second they catch up to daddy and he asks why they were dawdling, they’re instantly in littlespace and bursting into tears because owwwwie 😖

aww bb this had me so little 🥺 !!! I already picked on Din but me still finking of him. He doesn't mean to be inattentive or a meanie as you'll see. He's a good daddy! 🥰

Warnings: DDLG, fem little, injury then comfort

Din was excited to show you the seeing rock. You were dawdling, looking at every flower and bug you passed. As he rounded the bed out of sight he didn't see you fall forward and scrape your hand on the rocky path. You instantly felt the burn on your hands and saw the little blood on the scrape. You also hurt your knee but you didn't see a scrape. Tears stung your eyes and you fought the urge to cry for help. When daddy din got hurt he didn't cry and you wanted to prove you were a big girl who didn't have to stay on the ship.

"Ad'ika?" you heard Din call for you.

"C-coming." You sniffled, taking a couple of deep breaths. You hurried to catch up, your knee hurting more.

Din was standing at the next switch in the trail with his hands on his hips.

"What were you doing? I told you to always stay in my sights."

"Sorry." You grumbled, more tears flooding your eyes. You looked down so he wouldn't see.

"What do you have?" Din asked, suspicious by your hands behind your back.

"Nothing." You huff, walking past him as fast as you could.

"Hey..." He stopped you with a gentle hand on your shoulder. He noticed your strange limp. "Don't walk away from me."

You turn and you try to meet his visor and hold your head high.

"What happened?" Din's voice hardened so you knew you had to respond. Your lip wobbled as you showed him your hands. "Oh..."

"I sorry i didn't mean to fall, daddy." You whimpered as the scratches continued to sting. You felt yourself getting more little.

"It's okay." Din cradled your hands in his looking at the injury more closely. "I can clean this up."

"No it's okay." You sniffled, pulling your hands away. "we can keep going."

"Let me take care of you, little one." Din murmured and that's all it took for you to break. You burst into tears, leaning into his arms.

"Hurtie!" You sobbed.

"Why didn't you tell me right away, pretty girl?" He cupped your cheek. He felt terrible. Had he caused this by making you hurry up? He'd never do it again!

"I jus wanted to be stwong like you, daddy!" You cry harder because you failed to be strong.

"Hey hey..." Din guided you over to a large rock that he could sit on and pulled you into his lap. "Shhh shh." You buried your nose into his cowl for comfort.

"Look! I have..." Din dug through the pouch on his waist and pulled out a small stuffie bantha. You have a big one in the ship but he always carries a 'travel sized' one. "There. Now let's clean this up" He set it on your lap because your hands were still hurting. He used a waterbottle to clean off the wounds even though you hissed at the pain. "It's okay it's almost over." then he put some pain relief ointment and pink star bandaids over it. Those were expensive but he was so glad he got them.

"Does anything else hurt?"

"My knee." You admitted pointing at it but refusing to look at it.

"Hmm..." Din lifted your pant leg to see it. "Looks like a bruise."

"Can daddy kiss better?" You asked, blinking up at him. You always did that for him.

Din hesitated, but decided it may be possible.

"Close your eyes." He requested gently. You quickly obeyed and you felt him lift his helmet up just enough to lean down and kiss your knee then gently kiss each palm. You gasped at the sensation of his warm lips and stubble. You wanted to kiss him so bad.

"Good girl, thank you." Din cooed once the helmet was back down. "I think I should carry you the rest of the way because of your knee."

"But I wanted to be big." You lamented hugging your stuffie closer.

"You did such a good job getting this far. I'm so proud of you. Let me get you that last bit of the way, okay?"

"Mkay." You agree, happy to give your knee a break.

~~~~~~~~~

Littlespace taglist: @lafresamilk @dobbyjen @mamacitapascal @prettypedros, @marstheplanet @takochansugoi @oceanablue @iwishtobeastorm @dincrypt, @bac-1, @spacenerdpascal, @cranberrypills @punkerthanpascal @breezythesimp @djarinsimp @mylittlesenaar @bbybunbun @phnyx @xwalltoast @dreadwolfxoxo @xwalltoast @mswarriorbabe80 @bearcina @lokigirlszendaya @pedroslilbitch @star-wars-fan-2005 @din-jarhead @hillgoth @m4ngoj3lly @crabbae @im-a-mcsimp-for-mchotties @girlofchaos @joelsflannel @xoxabs88xox

[glossolali]

ao3 wrapped: 3, 8, 28?

hi!! thank you for sending an ask!! <3

3. work you're most proud of

"hand in hand" is a departure from my usual genre / tone and it's a lot of fun - I don't write enough lighthearted fic and it was nice to see i could do it if inspired enough - also catfé AU is my shared custody baby and i love it very much

8. pairing I wrote the most for

It is actually not the most obvious answer, which is shadowgast - I wrote like 40k for shadowidomauk (unposted yayaya i know i have an editing problem)

28. fave work i wrote this year

- From posted: "found the place to rest my head" - idk I love classic SG h/c and whump it's *chef's kiss* so satisfying to write and read and also i love the idea it is based around (a beloved hurty caleb headcanon)

- From unposted: A druid!essek fic I'm editing right now that has an unusual story structure - it came to me easily and it makes me Feel Things

[binart]

Did you not stream today or did I just miss it?

spine hurty too much tonight so i couldn't stream :( I WANNA DRAW THOUGH UHRGH

im gonna recline the spine for bit bUT CATCH ME STREAMING DURING THE WEEK OR SOMETHING B/C I GENUINELY CAN'T HAVE MY HANDS IDLE LIKE THIS IT'S REALLY BAD AND BORING

[bread-tab]

saw some discourse earlier this week sparked by some popular article about the environmental impacts of A/C and i've been thinking since then that the strongly anti-A/C people probably don't live anywhere near me

(leaving aside the other nuances of the discussion for the moment)

on the other hand i saw someone saying "A/C should be seen as a human right" and idk about that but i can definitely see where they're coming from

normal summer temperatures here are 90°-100° F. i don't deal well with the heat (ortho hypo things) and have been actively avoiding the outdoors either because of the heat or the smoke but it has still been like 80° F in my room all day today, and my mom turned off the swamp cooler because it was letting in too much smoke. (a decision i agreed with, bc lungs hurty)

normally i'd open my window because it cools down a lot at night here but the air is uhhh low key Not Breathable out there at the moment

[meet-the-mini-merc]

Me and my friends tf2 oc’s as stuff we’ve said in our discord server

But first! Credits!! 

Ava, Jenny and Pitman belong to me! Chemist and Aofie belong to @tea0-0stache​!!

Castor belongs to J (they don’t have a tumblr... i think)

Pilot and Blacksmith belong to @sockheadstudios

All other characters belong to valve!!

this IS a post inspired by a tf2 post i saw once but i lost it in a sea of likes, i’d be grateful if someone gave me the name of the person who posted it so i could give them credit!!

=============================== Chemist : “You all are dough that i will simply bake in my godly oven so that when your time has passed, i will devour the bread that is your body”

Pitman : *rises from depths of hell* “Yo.” Chemist : “I can’t believe i looked up pussy in French to insult a Polish dude”  Chemist : “That’s a lie yes i can”

Ava : “Do you even eat?” Chemist : “No clue. Hand me the biscuits” Pitman : “Don’t tell me you’re gonna stab me again” Jenny : “Not in here, It will ruin the carpet” Pilot : “wh-” Pilot : “why do you have that image?” Chemist : “Don’t ask questions” Pilot : “b-but-?” Pilot : “how?” Chemist : “ 🔫 what i just fuckin’ say? ” Castor : “ I am going off on a departure to the land of non existing magic and creatures. I shall return in one moon cycle on a horse made of gay and joy, please wish me luck as this could be a tough journey. Many unknown monster lie within the land and they wish to cause chaos brought up upon memories. And let us all hope that the army of thy animals shall protect me from unwanted threat.” Castor : “Goodbye my dear friends, I shall see you all soon.” Pitman : “Oh you mean sleep?” Jenny : “Hon” Ava : “What” Jenny : “Yes” Ava : “W-What?” Pitman : “Did you just fuckin’ lick me?” Chemist : “Yes.” Pitman : “grO- WHY IS YOUR TOUNGUE VIBRATING- DON’T LICK ME AGAIN-!” Jenny : “I have no idea what i did” Castor : “Sold yr soul” Jenny : “Never had a soul to sell” Castor : “Sold yr sanity” Jenny : “Bold of you to assume i had any sanity to begin with” Medic: “Cant believe i turn into a sadist during a fight” Medic: “Thats a lie yes i can“ Scout: “My brain do a hurty” Spy: “Jeremy this will be my legacy” Scout: “I am so disappointed in you“

Chemist : “What starts with V and feels really good?” Chemist : “v i o l e n c e”

Blacksmith : “ oh no! does that mean you melt in the summertime?“ Jenny : “ it means i am inside you already as the water you consume“ Blacksmith : “I-” Blacksmith : “ yaaaaaaay?????????? “

Aofie : “Pit! Can we commit hate crimes on you?” Pit : “What?” BLU Spy head : “Hate crimes.” Pit : “uhhh... sure?” BLU Spy head : “Wonderful. Child, put a kitchen knife in my mouth”

Jenny, at Medic : “If you’re taking a ‘Top or Bottom’ quiz im divorcing you”

Pitman : “And you decided to fuck him?” Chemist : “Wrong: he decided to fuck me“

Pilot : “How’s your day so far?” Blacksmith : “Pancake” Pilot : “:0″ Pilot : “Incredible”

Pitman : “Castor, remind me how you’re helping?” Castor : “Hm?” Castor : “Oh im not” Castor : “When did i say i was?”

Castor : “Why?” Castor : “Why would you scream at a toaster?” Castor : “What did a toaster do to you?” Jenny : “KILL ME LIKE 10 FUCKING TIMES”

Chemist : “How the fuck do you cock a sword” Blacksmith : *sweats* Chemist : “Blacksmith”

Jenny : “MY NECK” Jenny : “MY BACK” Jenny : “MY INPENDING ANXIETY ATTACK-” 

Pitman : “YOU’RE NOT GOING TO GO TO SLEEP OR ARE YOU NOT HIGH???” Chemist : “Yes” Chemist/Jenny : “Met God once. Wasn’t impressed.” Chemist : “Medic help” Jenny : “There is no help” Castor : “Medic cannot save you now” Jenny : “ uhhh yall are so good if you say anything against it i will crawl under your bed for 30 minutes exactly and gently suckle your ankles while you sleep until you accept“

[cheshiremadd]

Superfluous

Chapter 1

AO3

Idea from a discord conversation that I’m fairly positive was started by @alexseanchai

Adrien and Marinette think they're in a polyamorous relationship. They're wrong.

-

Hi, Adrien, I was wondering if

Do you think you could

Hey, purely hypothetical….How receptive would you be to going on a date with me?

I’ve tried to tell you this so many times and I know you deserve to be told in person but I’m just not sure I ca

Marinoodle: Can we have lunch today? I have something I need to talk to you about.

Marinoodle: Alone. Don’t tell Alya and Nino?

Marinoodle: Sorry. I just. I’ll explain at the cafe.

She texted Adrien in the early morning. It was the easiest way, and still put her on the hook. If she started this with those damn eyes of his looking at her, and the eyes of everyone else, no way would she get the words out. It’d be troisiéme all over again.

She reminded herself that Chat believed in her, and she can’t let him down. She can’t go to their next patrol and tell him that she chickened out. It’s entirely unlike when Alya would...encourage her. Alya pushed, and sometimes didn’t think of things like consequences, and generally didn’t have to deal with things like anxiety. For her, the best way to do things was just to do them. Like that old American Nike meme. Chat fed her a quiet strength. Cooled her buzzing nerves. Said that she was capable, but that it was okay if she wasn’t ready. And Ladybug hated to disappoint him.

Her phone buzzed.

Agreste My Case: Of course!

Agreste My Case: Is everything okay?

Marinoodle: Cool. Cool. Everything’s cool. Grand really.

“Marinette!” Her Maman called from below. “If you don’t hurry, you won’t have time for breakfast.”

She was still wearing pajamas. Shit!

Marinette shot out of bed, thanking her lucky stars and Past Marinette for leaving out clothes for today. It was...well, it was Chat’s favorite outfit of hers. Past Marinette thought she could do with the confidence boost. And the reminder. When she’d shown it to Tikki, the tiny kwami had heartily approved.

It was a prom dress she found on clearance at the local thrift. The original was strapless, floor-length, and had rainbow stripes. She’d removed all the layers of the skirt but the outside and the lining, shortened it to hit just above her knee, and added a fitted denim jacket. The overall effect was airy and fun, and great for a day in the sun, and Chat had said that the sky in her eyes reflected in her outfit. Marinette had blushed, but laughed, and said, “Okay, okay, that pun deserves a cookie.”

That memory carried her through her morning routine. Teeth brushed, hair brushed, hair down? Chat liked it down. Hair in messy bun? Adrien said he thought it was cute. Hm. She shook her head; she didn’t have time for this. She’d leave it up and could take it down later if she needed something to fiddle with. Grab breakfast (two croissants in a white paper sack). Out the door. Cross the street. Stare at the school building.

She can’t do this. Why did she think she could? Alya’s going to know something’s up. Alya always knew. They’re all going to know. The whole class is going to take one look at her and know and be ready to laugh at her bumbling attempts to confess to the man she loves and Lila would be there and she’d smirk and say, Oh Marinette. You know I’m dating Adrien; he confessed to me weeks ago--

“-ette. Marinette? Are you okay?” A hand across her shoulder blades jolted her out of her spiral and two full feet away. Adrien raised his hands in defense, and Marinette could feel the embarrassment across her face. Her eyes hid behind her hands. A small whine left her mouth. She stewed in her mortification for a moment.

Then Adrien chuckled. And she peeked through her fingers. The early morning sunlight glittered in his hair. His eyes as green as the thick turf at the park. His teeth pushed into his lower lip, a failed attempt to hide his grin.

“It is far too early for this.” She closed her eyes again.

“You say that every morning, Marinette.” Kwamis, she loved the way he said her name. Slowly, intentionally, as if each syllable were important. Mar~i~nette.

“Yeah? Well, I mean it this time.” She grumbled.

They stood in silence. It wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but Marinette could feel her nerves rising again. She was making this weird. She really thought she was over this.

“Marinette,” Adrien called to her, softly. “Is everything okay? Your texts sounded kind of...Is it Lila again?”

Her eyes snapped open and hands flew to her purse for her phone. Tikki dove deeper to avoid being spotted. “No, no!” She opened the text message app and grimaced. Her response sat unsent.

“Got caught up and didn’t send your reply?” His relief showed in his grin. That he picked up on what happened so quickly was both embarrassing and pleasing. Her face was going pink again. Time for a distraction.

She shoved the bakery bag at him. “C-croissant?”

He blinked at the abrupt change of subject, but went along with it. Thankfully. His delight was clear when he opened the bag.

“Croissants are my favorite,” he sighed.

“You say that about all of our pastries, Adrien,” she parroted.

“Yeah, well, I mean it this time.” He mocked her in kind as he dug one out. He looked at it, and then looked at her, and she could see the question brewing.

“I’m actually not all that hun-mmpff!” Marinette glared and growled through a mouthful of croissant. Adrien just smiled cheerfully and pulled out the second.

“We should really get to class, you know.”

-

They got to class. And the class after that. And the class after that. Marinette couldn’t say what the lessons had been. She remembered his gold-spun hair beside her. The fidgety edits she made to a design that just wouldn’t come together. Three other designs she flipped to when sudden, but ultimately brief, inspiration hit. His thigh pressing against hers. She always wondered if he did that on purpose. She supposed she was about to find out.

Suddenly, the lunch bell was upon them.

“Lunch at the bakery? Just wait ‘til you hear what the tweebs did last night! They’re on lockdown for the foreseeable future.” Alya looked at her expectantly until she went cross eyed. She pulled her glasses off and squinted at them.

“O-oh, uh-” No, no, no! Of all days for Alya to not attempt the matchmaking! On second thought, she was glad for the lack of expectations.

“I’d love to join,” Lila cut in, flicking her hair over her shoulder, “but Mom got reservations for that new five-star by the embassy.”

How nice of Lila to take herself out of the way so neatly.

“Nice! You’ll have to tell us all about how fancy it is.” Alya squinted at her while she cleaned the lenses with her shirt. Ugh. Marinette refrained from rolling her eyes, barely.

Lila’s smug smile dropped when Adrien popped up behind Marinette. “Actually, Alya, Marinette and I are going to find somewhere to study for that maths test that’s tomorrow.”

She could kiss him for that.

Alya squinted at her glasses again before putting them back on. “Oh! Nino and I’ll go with you, then.”

Lila looked like she wanted to jump in, too, Marinette could tell, but she couldn’t when she supposedly had a lunch date already.

“No offense, Al, but we want to actually study. Not that nauseating couple thing that you and Nino do when you’re only pretending to study.” He grinned and winked.

Marinette decided to help him out with some gagging noises, smile hidden behind a polite hand.

Alya huffed good-naturedly and flapped her hand at them. “Fine, fine, you two go be boring and study. But I’ll remember that comment when you get a girl, Agreste, because I know Mr. Heart Eyes is going to be ten times worse.”

Alya went off to find Nino and Lila went off to do...whatever Lila did. Marinette gave Adrien a half-smile as he shuffled her out of school, still mostly trapped in her own thoughts.

That squiggly feeling was back in the pit of her stomach. Like a tiny venomous snake writhing around, and she was just waiting for it to bite. Thanks, Alya! Why did she think she could do this? Adrien’s one of her best friends! Surely if he wanted more, he would have said so by now. He’s never shown interest in anyone outside of Kagami (briefly) and Ladybug and offhandedly mentioning that Luka’s cute (though no one else knew about that, he’d sworn her to secrecy).

Again, he broke through her cloud of doubts.

“That was awfully accommodating of Lila to remove herself from our plans like that.”

She looked up at him and found a strained smile. Argh! Get it together, Marinette! You know he’s picking up on your weirdness and thinking it’s his fault!

Ugh. Her inner voice sounded like Tikki. Right, as usual.

“I had that exact thought! It’s got to be the single nicest thing she’s ever done for me.” His nervousness faded into a real laugh, and then they were back to normal. She hardly noticed the walk to the cafe while they giggled and teased. He held the door open and she blushed pink as she ducked inside. The line to order wasn’t too long, but Marinette was nervous again by the time they reached the front. She managed to give her order, but stuttered her protest when Adrien swooped in to pay for her.

They were about to sit down when Marinette’s hands reached for her backpack and didn’t find it. She had her purse (and thus, Tikki), thank Kwamis, but everything else...

“I left my backpack at school!” Her hands went to her head and her whole face scrunched up. Adrien shuffled the strap of his bag when she looked up at him. “I have to go back to school and get it! Oh, but by the time I do and come back here, there’ll barely be time to eat, and, and, then we won’t be able to talk and I’ll have to sit on this for days because you don’t always get free time and it just be my luck to not see you for a week after this, and you can’t just say this kind of thing over text, well you can but that doesn’t mean you should, and -are you okay? You’re shuffling your bag around an awful lot; are your shoulders hurti…”

Marinette cut off and stared at the pink backpack strap that wrapped around Adrien’s shoulder. She huffed. “You could have said something. Instead of letting me panic.”

“It was cute.” He gave her a fond smile. “You’re cute.”

Her legs gave out. Good thing she was already in the process of sitting down; she landed in her chair instead of the floor. He didn’t seem to notice, and kept going. “I meant to tell you earlier: I like your dress! Is-is it one of yours?”

Her already pink cheeks were turning red, she just knew it. She’d be as red as her suit, soon. This boy was trying to kill her. “T-thanks! It’s a thrift buy; I, um just changed it up a bit.”

“Oh! An upcycle!” He set their backpacks down and took his seat much more gracefully than she had. But, then, he’s a model.

“Ah, well, technically an upcycle is where you take one thing and turn it into something totally different. What I did is considered an alteration.”

He chuckled. She was so lucky, to be someone he could laugh freely with. “I see. Regardless ...you make it beautiful.”

She stared into his eyes, caught by them. Bright and clear and honest. The way affection crinkled the corners of them. She knew those would be his wrinkles, when he gets them. Laugh lines and love crinkles, like her parents.

It was the perfect moment to speak, she knew. If only she could bring herself to do it. Why couldn’t she? He’d complimented her confidence outfit, carried her bag here, paid for her lunch, said she was cute. And it...he said she made it beautiful. But the way he said it. The way he said it, he sounded like he meant she was beautiful. She just needed to open her mouth, and say-

“I’m in love with you.”

Her eyes widened, and her face exploded in color. She could see his doing the same. Her usual reflex reaction rose up, take it back, take it back, she could still fix this rebutted with no, this was the whole point of lunch, to confess, see if he was interested to be countered by he hasn’t said anything yet, oh, what have I done.

“I-I didn’t- I mean I did- love is such a-”

He cut off her panicked babble. “You’re in love with me?”

His tone said he didn’t quite believe it, but the look on his face added that he dared to hope anyway. He was looking down at her (even sitting, their height difference was..much) and he had this softness to his eyes that she didn’t see him use with anyone else. It reminded her of Chat sitting with her, gently telling her that her feelings weren’t going to destroy hers and Adrien’s friendship, building her courage.

She couldn’t do anything other than give him the truth.

“Have been for awhile.” The effect her words had was immediate. All that hope and, dare she say it, longing turned into something much brighter, something beautiful and gentle.

“Me too.”

When Marinette looked back at this moment, far into the future, she’d recognize it for what it was: undeniable proof that she was going to marry this man someday. All she could think while in the moment, however, was she clearly spent way too much time with Chat Noir and she’s going to kill that cat bastard.

“You’re in love with yourself, too?”

The words came out of her mouth, and she was mortified. She’d done it. She’d confessed to her years old crush. He actually accepted her feelings. They did the sappy staring in the eyes thing. And then she ruined the moment. Chat’d done this to her so many times; she couldn’t believe she was picking up the worst aspects of his humor.

A muffled chuckle redirected her attention back to Adrien. Hand over his mouth, he tried to contain himself, but it was a battle already lost. A petulant pout from her, and that was all it took for him to give himself over to the laughter. He stopped trying to hide his smile. His eyes scrunched closed. He slowly leaned towards the chair next to him, curling in on himself, using the table as a crutch, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

His joy rang through her. It warmed her toes and eased her stomach, stopped her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

He was catching his breath when the server brought their food and took their number. Marinette set the plates on her side with a small “thank you”.

“I’m going to kill my boyfriend,” she grumbled. “That was all his fault.”

Adrien, back in a sitting position, tilted his head in curiosity. “You have a boyfriend?”

“Oh! Ah..I do. Um. Gosh, I’m doing this all wrong.” Marinette stared resolutely at her food. “It’s, um. It’s new. I haven’t even told Alya yet. I wasn’t planning on telling anyone for a while. Except you.”

She peeked at him through her fringe. Adrien didn’t seem upset. For all the world, it looked like he was patiently hearing her out. But it wasn’t always easy to read through his Model Face. She twisted her fingers together.

“We.. He.. Well, he’s in love with two people. And, and I’m in love with two people. So we decided to try polyamory.” And that was the rest of it. Everything that had her knots all day. She hoped he would understand.

A flutter of movement, his hands moved into her peripheral vision. “Can I have your hands before you start digging your nails in?”

She swallowed, and carefully looked no further than her hands as they moved to meet his. He started rubbing slow circles on contact.

“Let me make sure that I have this right. Are you asking me out?”

“Yes.”

“You have a boyfriend? And he’s okay with you dating another person?”

She glanced at his expression and was caught by it. It was warm, and encouraging. “Yes.”

His hands squeezed hers. “Ah, in the interest of full disclosure...I have a partner, too.”

“O-oh?”

“I met her online and, well, you can imagine what would happen if the public heard that Adrien Agreste had an online girlfriend.”

Marinette cringed sympathetically. “That’d be a nightmare. You have a lot of crazy fangirls.” She paused for a moment and then ventured, “I can’t imagine Gabriel would approve, either.”

“Ha. No. Which means it has to stay secret for awhile.” Adrien shook his head, as if it would get rid of the sour thoughts. “But! We, well, exactly like you two. We’re both in love with two people and I couldn’t make myself choose. I wanted both of you.”

She stared at him, pink painted across her cheeks and lips parted slightly. “Me?”

“You.” His smile was back. “I’ve been working to get the courage to ask you out. Tried half a dozen times or so.

“What I’m trying to say, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, is that I’d love to go on a date with you.”

[curioussubjects]

come be a season 12 truther, baby, with me

In honor of tonight’s Berens/Glynn episode (!!!!), I’d like to take y’all on a magical journey in which I share why I think Dean and Cas got together in season 12. 

Keep in mind that this post takes for granted that Dean and Cas are in love with each other and that their relationship has been increasingly coded as romantic with each passing season. Consequently, what this post does is point out some key moments in their relationship and argue why they don't get together before 12. I'll also go briefly over 13 and 14 for reasons I'll explain later in the post. First, though, let me go over seasons 4 through 11, with some pit stops along the way:

Seasons 4 & 5: this isn’t the destiel you are looking for. the ust is delicious, yes, and i, too, got sucked in posthaste immediately groped by an angel lj community style. At this point Cas is still too alien for anything beyond the development we see on screen happen. HOWEVER, season 5 is the first time we get to see Cas being human (The End) and Cas being less connected to heaven and how that affects his behavior. This will matter. 

Seasons 6 & 7: the pining omg the pining. The notable things I want to point out with these seasons is a. this is the beginning of Cas doing things to spare Dean and it not ending well (Cas dies #1, soulless!Sam); b. Dean is v. sad; and c. we also start noticing the emotional toll of Cas’s divided loyalties and how human he has actually become since s4. Hurty feels all around.  

Season 8: purgaytory babes aw yeah! Still lots of terrible awful pining. This is a turning point with the addition of the bunker as tfw hq: we have a home in play now, a static emotional center. Cas is still off doing his own thing, Dean still wishes Cas would just let him (+ Sam) help out. Cas going off on his own leads to disaster #2 (Angels fall, Cas loses his Grace). For all deliciously angsty get together purgatory fics and spec, there’s too much of a gap between Dean and Cas on Cas’s part due to his guilt over betraying the Winchesters in s6 & slaughtering angels & leviathan. On the other hand, we do see Dean being more emotionally open, but to no avail. Bad timing. This is a trend. [oop also worth noting we get Dean being kinda done with the one night stand thing because always with the adios and ahem also hint hint Cas refusing to stay put]

Seasons 9 & 10: aka Dean and Cas make bad decisions, but mostly Dean. The biggest turning point here is Cas being human for an extended period of time. There is still plenty of spec over the effects of being human on Cas’s Grace and his Soul. What we can say for sure, though, is that Cas is much more human once he becomes an angel again. In contrast to s8, s9 sees Cas being vulnerable and Dean pushing him away (first because of Gadreel, which he didn’t want to do really and that’s even sadder kdjfgksdfj & later because he was pushing everyone away due to the mark).  

9.06 Heaven Can’t Wait: there’s been so much amazing fic and spec about this episode with its fanfiction gap, but I can’t see a deancas get together here, folks. I know, it’s terrible. The lying from Dean and the hurt from Cas, imo, make the distance between them quite insurmountable at this point. While the episode is amazing (Bobo’s debut, too! So ♥) and has some notorious subtext throughout, I just can’t see the character bridging that gap into anything physical, much less emotional. Nevertheless, this episode does show perhaps the first intentional romantic tableaux with Dean and Cas, and that’s not nothing. 

10.16 Paint it Black: from the point Dean gets the mark of cain until the end of season 10, anything between him and Cas is quite impossible. But one of the reasons I’m bringing up this episode in particular is because of the confession scene. For one, it’s a rare bit of emotional honesty from Dean and for two, it tells me that while he and Cas may be well aware of the thing between them, it’s still uncharted waters. Makes sense, too, there’s been A LOT going on since s6.  Anyway, he’s the full confession, so we can put a pin on it:

You know, the life I live, the work I do…I pretty much just figured that that was all there was to me, you know? Tear around and jam the key in the ignition and haul ass until I ran out of gas. I guess I just thought sooner or later, I’d go out the same way that I live – pedal to the metal, and that would be it. [...]  Now, um… recent events, uh… make me think I might be closer to that than I really thought. And…I don’t know. I mean, you know, there’s – there’s things, there’s…people, feelings that I-I-I want to experience differently than I have before, or maybe even for the first time. [...]  Yeah, I’m just starting to think that… maybe there’s more to it all than I thought.

Do you ever see a character having an epiphany and find yourself wanting to cry because this is it right here. Dean is just blatantly admitting he wants more, which all culminates in season 11, so...

Season 11: The pining is still here, but it’s worse now since it’s the whole plot? It’s been *checks calendar* 5 years of this. How are any of us still kicking I don’t know. Your slow burns could never. Cool worth noting points: Cas says yes to Luci (bad decision #2.5, lots of mitigating effects_I don’t actually hold it against him that much but Dean is another story & not entirely rational at this point); for the first time since the early days, Dean and Cas are on equal grounds: they’ve both fucked up a lot and have hurt each other. The issues this season are outside their dynamic. Amara and Lucifer here serve as externalizing forces for Dean and Cas’s problems and by the end of the season we’re getting a clean slate. We’re also getting a new showrunner, so. No wonder. What this season does that is also super important is that it sets up the stage for the possibility of an actual relationship between Dean and Cas, something that has, up until this point, been pretty much impossible. 

11.04 Baby: Y’all know what I’m about to quote here, right? The convo between Dean and Sam about having something with someone who understands the life. Here we still have Dean reverting to the idea that it’s impossible, which is a direct contrast to the openness in 10.16. It’s understandable, though, considering there’s been little reason to think anything like that would be possible (see all the mess and poor timing from seasons past). The quote in question, though, marks a continuing development in on of the things Dean is struggling with this season:

DEAN: Piper? That's awesome. Heather. One-night wonders, man. Shoot, we're lucky we still get that at all.  SAM: Really? You don't . . . Ever want something more? DEAN: I'm sorry, have you met us? We're batting a whopping zero in domestic life, man. Goose eggs. SAM: You don't ever think about something? Not marriage or whatever. But . . . Something? You know, with a hunter? Somebody who understands the life?

Compare this exchange with what we get from 11.11 and 11.19:

11.11 Into the Mystic: I’m bringing this episode as a crossreference to 10.16 and to show again that for all the closeness between Dean and Cas there’s still a marked distance they haven’t yet bridged. Thanks Mildred for the delicious exposition:

Darlin'...If there's one thing I've learned in all my years on the road, it's when somebody's pining for somebody else. [...]  Oh, don't try and hide it now. Follow your heart. Remember?

11.19 The Chitters: Continuing our trek regarding Dean wanting certain things we have this gift of an episode with Jesse and Cesar, and this exchange:

Dean: [with realization] Oh, so … [points back and forth to Jesse and Cesar] Cesar: Yeah. Dean: Okay, that’s… Cesar puts his beer bottle on the table and looks at Dean, while Jesse is being silent. Dean: What’s it like, settling down with a hunter? Cesar: Smelly, dirty. [turns to Jesse] Twice the worrying about getting ganked.

I’d like to point out, too that the fear of getting ganked is thematic when it comes to the tension between Dean and Cas. More on this when we hit s13. 

Alright, now having said that, let’s take a look at season 12. Bear in mind, this is the official start of Dabb’s era, even if he kinda began taking over in 11, and the change in vibes is obvious. In fact, 12 jumped out at me as a turning point in retrospect, after getting smacked by the domesticity of 13 and 14. Under the cut because I can’t shut up, and things are long enough as is. 

Season 12:  Finally, the promise land, y’all. So, what s11 was for Dean in terms of setting up the relationship stage, s12 was for Cas. In its initial beats, any way. Important to keep in mind that until the Kelly debacle, this was the longest Cas has been around the bunker. Things seem remarkably chill. Of course, we’ll notice that there’s still a lot of baggage hanging around because despite Dean and Cas being in a more stable place, they haven’t actually dealt with their interpersonal problems. I didn’t single out directly this episode, but do keep in mind Cas’s declaration in 12.09 First Blood as far as how much the Winchesters matter to Cas & how we also see Dean and Cas be particularly singled out with them seating together in the backseat of the Impala. 

12.10 Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets: This episode, oh my god, the goodness. In the wake of 12.09 we have Dean and Cas in a tiff because Cas mistake #3 (killing Billie and “cosmic consequences”), this is a pattern. Twice the worry of getting ganked, etc etc. But where this episode really shines is through the contrast between Ishim’s obsession with Lily and Cas & Dean’s mutual affection for each other. Ishim sees no difference here and, to him, Cas’s feelings for Dean are a human weakness. Returning to my point about human!Cas, this episode underscores that Cas’s increasing humanity is what puts him in the place where he can want what Dean wants instead of either being too alien to get it (see s4 & 5) or unable to experience it properly (Ishim). 

12.12 Stuck in the Middle (With You): Cas’s trajectory culminates here with the whole I love you (@ Dean), I love all of you (@ Winchesters). Let’s note too that Cas is dying here, in a way that is much more human than going up in light. This declaration of different types of love is entirely human. It’s also a definitive step wrt to Cas and Dean’s relationship because of what happens in 12.19. This. is. it.

Offscreen happenings: Mixtape, how Cas knows the Colt is under Dean’s pillow. This is hella suspicious. 

12.19 The Future: This episode changes everything, y’all (bobo and meredith, folks, bobo and meredith ksjdhfakjshlfksd). Consider watching this episode again and pay attention to some weird things: 1. Dean’s reaction to Cas going awol. Compare it to Sam’s, who is like whoa Dean chill. Now, thought experiment, imagine something happened between Dean and Cas, and then just radio silence from Cas. Imagine how Dean would react with getting ghosted by Cas specifically after something happened between them.  2. Cas comes back to the bunker with the specific goal of stealing the Colt, which he already knew was under Dean’s pillow -- something Sam didn’t even know.  3. “He came into my room and he played me.” So, this quote right there, makes it seem like some seduction for personal gain, right? But Cas clearly knew where the Colt was already, which means something happened before  Cas came back to the bunker. Cas played Dean in seeming to have reconsidered not working with Sam and Dean wrt Kelly. This is still a point of drama, but it leads somewhere else (see s13 & s15). 4. WHEN DID DEAN GIVE CAS THAT MIXTAPE OMG 5. Dean and Cas’s brief convo in Dean’s room is clearly Dean just wanting Cas to stay, so they can work (and be) together -- because they’re better that way. Which, yeah, truth. 

Sequence of events: Cas tells Dean he loves him -- Dean is clearly shook by it -- Dean gives Cas a mixtape (romantic gesture, often a declaration of feelings; in true Dean speak too lolsobs) -- Cas somehow knows the Colt is under Dean’s pillow -- ???? -- Cas goes awol -- Dean acts like he got ghosted by his partner.

Like. Y’all realize they probably had some emotionally constipated getting together moment, right? Something that Dean clearly initially thought meant things were gonna change, now. Something that Cas couldn’t allow to happen until he could give Dean a win. Y’all are seeing this, yeah? I’m not saying they slept together and were full of feelings, except that’s kind of what I’m saying. But ymmv, there are other possibilities beyond sex. The full of feelings isn’t up for debate, though, even if the whole thing is informed by ridiculous amounts of miscommunication. 

Ok, maybe the narrative is still too subtle (?????), but as I said before, looking at 12 with the knowledge of 13 and 14 does offer a new perspective because of the difference in dynamic between Dean and Cas. I know lots of people look at 14, mainly, as having dialed back on the destiel side of things, but I always thought that was a strange take. Largely because they’re so domestic and their dynamic, ie, the lack of tension, reads like an established relationship. It’s a different kind of beast than we have been used to so far, so it does look alien on screen, especially since we “skipped” the conventional getting together cue that would let us change gears. Let’s take a look at 13 and 14, then.

Season 13: Ah, yes, the season of shit gets domestic. The pining? Gone? What? Deancas now reading like an established couple? It’s more likely than you think.

13.1-13.5: Dean’s grief mini-arc. Dude’s acting like a widower. We all know this. I want to gesture towards the reunion moment though with “it’s never too late to start all over again.” To. Start. All. Over. Again. I’m just saying. 

13.6 Tombstone: hi this episode is pure love and Dean is so happy his sweetheart is back from the dead? He’s even ok being Jack’s third dad now? What a time to be alive. Also? apparently Dean and Cas were just having movie night together? Dates? Mutual Pining dates prior to shit going to hell in 12? Do you ever cry? What else are they getting up to offscreen? What else will they get up to off screen? MUCH TO THINK ABOUT. 

Season 14: MORE DOMESTICITY. With some pining because Michael. But...heart eyes when Dean comes back? Watch that scene again with Dean going off to shower. Suspicious. But then shit hits the fan and we’re all sad again. boo. 

14.15 Peace of Mind: Look me in the eye and tell me Dean and Cas talking in the kitchen about Jack doesn’t read like husbands talking about their child. Look me in the eye and tell me Cas just texting Dean to gossip about Sam isn’t coupley asf. 

14.18-14.20: Ah, yes, the divorce arc. Awful. Terrible. The culmination of Dean’s problem in all this: he lashes out, he pushes Cas away, his anger is alienating. Cue all of us suffering. But while Dean is clearly in the wrong in how the deals with his feelings, let’s not pretend some of his anger doesn’t come from a long established issue between him and Cas, which had its last traumatic turn when Cas died in s12. Dean isn’t being rational here; he saw Cas doing something on his own, and he saw that his mother is dead. What else could happen? Why won’t Cas just trust they can work as a team? Divorce arc was entirely too literal. 

But what about what we’re building up in 15? That seems like it could be a getting together plot, too, right? Well, yeah. It could very well be. But I’d argue the tension we’re seeing isn’t a will they or won’t they because they already have. The tension is instead will they or won’t they use their words to talk about the baggage that has kept them from truly being confident about their relationship. There’s a crucial step in their togetherness that they’re still missing, which is also the bedrock of the divorce arc that spanned TWELVE FRIGGIN’ EPISODES. Y’all. Y’all that’s half a season. And we’re not even entirely done with it yet because Dean was cut short in purgatory, and they haven’t dealt with Cas’s side of blame in this mess yet either -- that Cas keeps going off on his own and getting hurt (and getting other people hurt), and Dean has to deal with the fallout. The deep emotional understanding, the truly being on the same page is what we’re on the edge of our seats for. And, you know, that’s a whole lot more exciting than witnessing their for realsies first kiss. I’m also confident Dabb & co will deliver the conclusion to this emotional arc and it will be a whole mess of feelings on all our parts. 

For the moment, though, it’s looking a lot like Dean and Cas had a rocky start to their ~involvement, then DEATH, then they got together feat. sweet sweet domestic fluff, then DIVORCE. So, yeah. Season 12, guys; it’s where it’s at. 

As for the more performative aspect of Dean and Cas’s relationship…that’s a whole other thing and all I can say is they got the green light for something, but I don’t know what it is and it’s driving me bananas, but it’s definitely something and we can talk about that, too. Place your bets, etc.  I’m clowning on the “I love you” pay off because it’s a glaring missing piece in this whole story. See also: holding hands? Carving Cas’s initials on the table? Saileen endgame parallels? All supported by the narrative. Like a lot. So. *finger guns*

[whumpcentral]

Legolas Whump Rec List

Tada!! After months of nearly no activity I am here with the rec list that nobody asked for! 

If anyone is still into Lord of the Rings stuff and enjoys Legolas whump then I’m your gal! I learned how to use the internet at age 12 for the express purpose of reading Legolas whump fanfic and I have never turned back. Under the cut you’ll find a mix of old and new fics that I think are worth a read and review, both for the whump and because they’re just plain good

Also note: all these fics are Gen, and contain violence only to the approximate level that is shown in the LOTR books and movies unless otherwise noted

Less than 5k

I Am Hunter -The Yuggster

Characters: OC, Legolas, Aragorn

Words: 4,353

Summary: “I am Draug. I am Hunter. And tonight I repay my debt.” 

Review:   A lovely outsider-POV vignette, and one of my very favorite fics. I used to have a printed copy of it in case I wanted to read it at a time I couldn’t access the internet. Outsider POV is my favorite sub-genre of whump, and this piece allows you to get to know the narrator, and see the Legolas’ struggle through their eyes

Breaking of the Dam - ScribeofArda

Characters: Fellowship post-TTT, Legolas and Aragorn-centric

Words: 3,909

Summary: “A what-if oneshot: In the scene in RotK where Pippin held the palantir, what if Legolas had grabbed it out of his hands instead of Aragorn? Hurt/comfort and some light angst, as well as a good heaping of Aragorn and Legolas friendship and bromance. I just can't get enough of it.”

Review: The summary pretty much says it all. The h/c in this fic is amazing, and ScribeofArda is one of my all-time favorite LOTR fic authors

Concerning Barrels, Potatoes, and an Unusual Setting for a Heart to Heart - Sarah-K1

Characters: Aragorn, Legolas

Words: 2,871

Summary: “Legolas finds trouble, and Aragorn finds Legolas.”

Review: Definitely more comfort and friendship than hurt. This fluffy little fic has stuck in my memory for years, and I just had to rec it

Simple Comforts - Muse10

Characters: Bilbo, Legolas, Gandalf

Words: 2,279

Summary: “77 years before the War of the Ring, an unlikely friendship is formed between an injured elf and a hobbit after the Battle of Five Armies.”

Review: Another feel-good, comfort-heavy fic

Not Only by Blood Are Brothers Made -  sheraiah

Characters: Legolas, Gimli, Original Characters

Words: 4,538

Summary:  “As he watches over an injured Legolas, Gimli reflects on his friendship with the elf.”

Review: A lovely little hurty-comforty study of the relationship between Legolas and Gimli. Many Legolas whump fics have Aragorn as the caretaker which is all fine and good, but I’m always so excited to find a good one with Gimli in the caretaker role. This fic lets the soft side of a usually gruff character shine a little

5k-10k

By Example - Periphery

Characters: Legolas, Aragorn, Original Characters

Words: 5,936

Summary: “An ordinary girl gets a glimpse into an extraordinary friendship. Three guesses whose.”

Review: Another great fic that I’ve come back to read again and again and again

Lost & Found - iiiionly

Characters: Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Gandalf

Words: 7,622

Summary: “Legolas has no idea he's lost, though neither Aragorn, nor Gimli, can find him. Just needed to indulge in a little superfluous elf whumping of my own.”

Review: I can never get enough of whumpy Helm’s Deep AUs and this one is my favorite

-and it was done - neoinean

Characters: Aragorn, Legolas

Words:  8,429

Summary: “Detailing a simple rescue mission that, for once, goes off without a hitch.”

Warnings: The violence is quite graphic and personal in this one, I’m not sure if it’s worse than LOTR but the way it’s written feels more realistic and less like fantasy violence to me

Review: The whump is very detailed (hence the warning) which I like. I also really like the writing style of the fic, it’s unique and has a nice rhythm. The whole story has a gritty, realistic tone which I also appreciate

More than 10k

Trial By Separation -  Veilfire Runes

Characters: Legolas, Frodo

Words: 20,173

Summary: “ Despite the bitter snowstorms of Caradhras, the Fellowship decides to continue their attempt on the perilous mountain path. But when the weather turns foul again, Frodo and Legolas are separated from the Company. The two must quickly learn to work together in order to survive the perils of the mountain and rejoin the Fellowship, or else risk the Quest failing altogether.”

Review: A slightly whumpier AU of the Caradhras pass. Includes lots of Legolas and Frodo bonding and I really enjoyed the characterization of both of them in this fic

At the Sign of the Prancing Pony - ScribeofArda

Characters: Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Legolas, Aragorn, Glorfindel

Words: 29,894

Summary: “ 'The shadows seemed to pause together for a few moments. Any words were lost in the wind and the rain, if there were words in the first place anyway. In the next moment the shadows disappeared, and the wind and rain took their places once more.' AU, if Legolas was with Aragorn at the Prancing Pony in Bree.”

Review: Whump-wise, there’s some good hurting and comforting. On the non-whump side of things, I appreciate the way this fic emphasizes Legolas’ experience as a soldier, and how that gives him a different perspective than his companions

Walking Wounded - Mirrordance

Characters: Legolas, Aragorn, Thranduil, Gimli, Boromir, Merry, Pippin, Sam, Frodo

Words: 24,552

Summary:  “ Danger does not stop for grief or injury. For Legolas, there is no rest, respite, or relief on the seemingly endless road between Moria and Lothlorien. He, with the Fellowship he has sworn to serve, has no choice but to move forward, hurting and heartbroken.”

Review: An excellent slight AU character study of an injured Legolas. It’s a long fic and whumpy throughout the whole thing. If you’re excited about the character study aspect, I recommend reading the afterword for even more insight. Mirrordance is another one of my favorite LOTR fic authors

The World is Changed - Mirrordance

Characters: Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf, and many others

Words: 41,053

Summary:  “ Rebuilding a war-ravaged world begins immediately after victory at the Black Gates. Heroes and soldiers become Kings, Princes and administrators as they build families, societies and legacies in a changed, more peaceful world. A collection of Post-ROTK one-shots starting with "Triage" where, before all the work begins, Legolas first has to look after himself and find his friends.”

Review: This is one of the newest fics I have recced, and it’s recently been completed! I haven’t actually finished reading this one yet, but so far it’s excellent. It’s packed with whump and angst, and provides some great insight into the characters and their relationships after the Battle at the Black Gates

More than 100k

The River - Indigo Bunting

Characters: Fellowship 9

Words: 143,512

Summary: “The Fellowship must cross a river before it can enter the land of Hollin. When disaster strikes, Sam and Legolas find themselves trapped between the river, a party of malicious strangers, and each other. A story about friendship and sacrifice.”

Review: An extremely well-written and whumpy adventure novel with plenty of early-fellowship bonding. A lot of LOTR fics contain the same cliches, and most of the time I don’t take issue with that, but this is a break from some of the overused LOTR fanon. One of the qualms I have with many LOTR fics is that they forget how strong elves are compared to humans, and the feats they can achieve. This fic does not pass over this at all. Never fear, despite his fortitude Legolas is still whumped! I also appreciate how every character is really a character in this fic. Many times I find that the characters who are the focus of a fic are the only people in the story with any depth, and the other characters are written more like props in the background. Even with a group of so many characters, Indigo Bunting does them justice. A thrilling read, I cannot recommend it enough.

The Mellon Chronicles - Cassia and Siobhan

Characters: Legolas, Aragorn, Thranduil, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, and more

Words: 1,364,199

Summary: The Chronicles are a series of fics, starting with stories of Legolas’ and Aragorn’s childhoods, and then eventually how the two meet and become friends and the misadventures they have together.

Warnings: 

A couple of the stories contain non-con elements, I’m not sure how severe as I skipped those parts, but there are warnings within the AO3 system on those specific fics.

It may go without saying on a whump blog, but there is particularly large amount of graphic violence and torture in these fics which will also be listed on the individual fics in the AO3 system

Some of them also deal with abuse of a minor and injury to a minor (if you’ve followed me for I while you might know I don’t normally read or rec any whump involving children but since I’m reccing the whole series, I’ll just include this as a warning) 

If these things are not ok for you, I still recommend the series as there are a lot of fluffy fics where none of these warnings apply!

Review: This one goes almost without saying as most LOTR fic readers of the 00s era will have read them. The series in it’s entirety is truly an epic. It’s packed with angst, hurt/comfort, and bromance goodness. These were some of the first whumpy fics I read when I was a kid, and I’ve included them partly for the nostalgia value. They aren’t just about the whump, but they have enough physical and emotional pain for me to include on this list with confidence. They definitely read like fanfiction written in that earlier time, with all the now-overdone tropes you would expect. But the love, care and passion for the characters and universe truly stand up to time, and these tales are absolutely still worth a read. Since the original site is no longer functional, the link above leads to a reposting of the chronicles, with individual descriptions for each fic.