#i hope s2 rips my soul out

[charleslovemustdie]

[jadehaven]

ELRONDRIEL WEEK DAY FIVE | Post S2

Not sure if tumblr is the place to post fics but I don’t have an AO3 account yet and I’m too inpatient to wait for my invite lol. Once I’m set up on there I’ll do a repost, but for now, enjoy a little 3k fluffy one shot! And go easy on me, I never, ever write fantasy 🙃

Breathe Me In

By Jade Haven

———————————

Cold.

Where am I?

Ice pricked at her skin, dry as bone and sharp as sword as it chiselled her body. Every vigorous wrestle was deemed useless as a foreign numbness crippled her flesh. The weight of her body was being dragged down; her shoulders shivering as her head fell below the murky surface.

I can’t, I can’t—.

Her cries were absent in her throat. A sound only she herself could hear, drumming in her ears as loud as the rapid pulse of her heart. But as she reached for the last light above, her chest was seized and her breath escaped her.

“Touch the darkness,”

She squeezed her eyes shut in defiance— No.

Heat pooled below the surface of her skin. It grew hotter and hotter as it’s flames clenched her very soul. She shuddered once more, hands coming up to grasp herself, skin burning and freezing with every sharp exhale.

“I only wish to heal you.”

No, She persisted.

“Touch the darkness.”

With every turn of her body, it became all the more clear that her efforts to resist were in vain. She was sinking, rapidly.

“Galadriel,”

She choked and gasped, desperate to fill her lungs with light— a light she could no longer distinguish at so great a depth, despite the scalding sensation above her heart.

“Gala—��

“No—!”

When Galadriel opened her eyes, she was sitting upright. Relief washed over her in giant waves. She was breathing. Shaken with turmoil, her hand rose to touch the warm spot below her collarbone. Her fingers traced over the rigid outline of the scar that lay below her linen nightgown, and her shoulders relaxed finally. The wound had sealed up weeks ago, but every night she woke from restless slumber as if it had been ripped open over and over again. Several times she swore she’d felt the dampness of blood soaking through her blouse— but every sunrise revealed her pure white garments had remained untouched by the remnants of her past.

Once she had steadied her breath to a slow rhythm, she turned to draw in the sight of her surroundings. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the low light, pitch dark if not for the freckles of moonlight that scattered over her sleeping quarters. A weight lifted as she let a sigh roll off her tongue.

The same handwoven roof lay atop her tent, held by twigs and branches that had been provided by the war sanctuary itself. A clay carafe rested beside her cot, with fresh spring water that lay still in the vessel. It was a ponderous miracle, how the sanctuary had managed to give the fugitive elves everything they needed— everything except true rest, for a haunted immortal soldier.

Galadriel tilted her head down to where she spun Nenya around her index finger. She had always known the rings would only be able to protect so much of her eternal being. Each night terror had been a ferocious reminder that even with their power, she was vulnerable. Sensing the panic rising in her chest, she decided a moment away from her resting place might be something of reassurance for her.

As she stepped out of the tent, her lungs drank in the freshness of the night. Imladris was never too warm nor too cold. It was heaven in this way, a little glimpse of Valinor on earth. Despite the war with Sauron, it held in itself an ever-growing hope. A pleasant newness, and anticipation of victory. She wouldn’t go far, only a few hundred steps, down to the river bank to splash some water on her flushed face. The moss had grown into a perfect cushiony path for her to follow, soft as silk and sand. With the rings guarding the forest haven, there was peace and assurance among the people. But the High King had ordered elven soldiers to be posted around the camp regardless. In the silence of the night, it was clear she was the only elf awake among them.

The gleam of starlight had cast a glow so bright over the waters that it looked almost as if the river was lit from within. It sang out its own tranquil melody, echoing the harmonious words of travellers past. Even Galadriel’s reflection showed her skin brighter than ever, her hair a radiant glow against the contrasting shadows of the deep wood. It was all it took for her to remember who she was— a friend of the light.

She could feel herself growing closer to it, her soul on the brink of serendipitous peace, when the stillness of solitude broke. A snap of a branch behind her sent adrenaline surging through her bloodstream. She reached for her pocket blade and—

“Galadriel?”

There he stood— flowing brown locks and armour that sculpted his figure to perfection— several feet away from her along the riverbank. His piercing grey eyes found hers, and the storm that had stirred up in her chest immediately stilled.

“Elrond,” She breathed out.

Their words retreated into the night; the forest’s life source quietly humming around them. If it weren’t for the river’s lullaby, the silence between them would have been deafening.

She’d wondered when this moment would come. With the burden of several elf families uprooted from their homes, Elrond had made it a matter of his own to renew their sense of stability. Between foraging for supplies, strategizing with Gil Galad, and tending to the villager’s wounds, they hadn’t had a sliver of a moment to themselves. They hadn’t had a moment this private since the ruse.

An age had gone by when Elrond spoke at last. “Is everything alright?”

Galadriel studied the angles of his face where the moonlight danced over him. Everywhere but his eyes, she looked.

“Is there reason for it not to be?” She played.

“I saw you come from your quarters. I suspect the healer elves have advised that you rest…”

Of course. She needn’t pretend that he couldn’t see through her— they were equally aware of his ability to do so. But it didn’t stop her from evading the truth.

“How can I rest? Knowing as much as I do of the evil that persists, despite the comfort of night?” She reasoned to him.

Elrond stepped closer, mirroring her stance beside the water. Their reflection together drew a regal image, sparkling as sun and moon combined.

He turned to face her. “I’m not sure there is any one elf that has spent as much time convincing me of the ring’s greatness as you have.” With his head he gestured slowly to the sanctuary surrounding them. “You are safe here.” His tender smile for her was the very depiction of grace. It was enough to open the door every time.

She kept her focus on the water, but her body faced his, only inches apart now. A sigh escaped his lips, and he brought his fingers to her face to turn it toward him.

Forced to meet his gaze now in the star’s spotlight, the elf commander lowered her defences. A single tear slid down her cheek, still warm from the previous rush of panic, as she melted into his touch.

“Elrond.” She paused to swallow the crackle in her speech. Desperate to keep her composure, her words came out in a whisper, “You have not seen what I have seen.”

He cupped her shoulders with both his hands as he studied her eyes. She shuddered when he brought his palm to her chest, allowing his thumb to trace where the fabric hid the near-fatal crown wound. When he met her eyes again, fear stared back at him. It was as if her very soul was pleading with him, begging him to do something— more than he knew he could.

“You do not fight this alone, Galadriel. I see your pain as if it my own. I promise theres not a moment of my waking where I do not wish to trade places with you— if the rings could grant me the chance to go back, you know I—“

“Elrond.” Galadriel broke his spiral. “These rings cannot prevent the damage from being done… only heal that which has been destroyed. You have fought battles harder than I ever will.”

He held her stare; the longest they’d locked eyes since he’d closed the final gap that had ever stood between them. Space felt objective when she was in his presence, like close was never close enough— but there had always been that small, unexplored chasm. He knew it all too well, now. Perhaps there needn’t be unexplored space anymore; still, he’d never dare to cross that sacred border again.

The air around them felt warm. Each note the river sang out wrapped them in a bittersweet sonnet, whispering words that had been written on their hearts but never uttered aloud. Galadriel recognized the urge she so often carried to come closer to him, rest her forehead against his. Only now, her foresight was muddled, and not even Nenya could warn her of what she might do if she were to share a breath with him now.

Still, the breeze laced around their stagnant bodies, weaving itself tighter and tighter. She had barely noticed that his hand had entwined itself into hers alongside them. For Elrond, it was an instinct he’d discovered a long time ago. In all but one moment, the river slowed to a still. Perhaps Galadriel was only imagining it, but the sudden quiet of the night and the way the starlight gently caressed her face thawed something in her. Something that had been frozen for thousands of years.

“Galadriel,” He began to say, but when he caught the moon’s reflection in her eyes, words escaped him. There was too much to say. Thank you— he wanted desperately to thank her— for forgiving him, and for trusting him. He wanted to encourage her, to loosen every worry that gripped her heart. And most of all, he wanted to tell her how radiant she looked, how captivating her light truly was.

She opened her mouth to speak over him, but someone else’s voice sounded out. A soft whistle rang in their ears, drawing their attention to the northwest hill.

Arondir, the Silven Elf, stood with a full quiver on his back, as he always did.

“Forgive me, My Lady,” The wind carried his words down the path, and he nodded toward the she-elf. “Commander Elrond is to know that I am taking his place at the east post. He’ll rest til the morning, when the High King will request his presence.”

Elrond looked to Galadriel before confirming the message with Arondir. “Very well,” he called back. “Thank you, my friend.” Arondir exchanged one gentle smile between the two of them before hiking off into the night. As quick and quiet as he had arrived, he left.

Elrond let out a breath that Galadriel swore she heard relief in. “I suppose my patrol for the night is over.”

Galadriel kept her face downward. The nightlife noise had returned, drowning out any persistent thoughts of intimacy that might’ve been just moments before. Elrond curved his neck upward to take in the view of the star speckled sky. “The sun will be up soon. I think it’s time you take your healer’s word to heart, no?” There was a velvety chuckle in his words. It prided him to know what was best for her. She’d never known kindness in this way, and even in her stubbornness, she welcomed it.

“Evil does not sleep, Elrond.” She teases with a playful glint in her eye.

His brow raised as that smooth grin slid onto his face. “Ah yes,” He taunted lightly, “And what does that say about you?”

Her mouth gaped open at him to say something, but his victory was clear. She squinted her eyes and scrunched her nose at his charmingly smug face. “Alright.” She walked ahead of him to start the trek back up the hill, “To prove my virtue, I am willing to let you take me home. I do not promise to let you watch me sleep, though.”

He caught up quickly and matched her walking speed. “A fair proposition. Though you fail to remember that we are both,” He leaned into her ear as their shoulders brushed, “Terrible promise keepers.” If it weren’t for the density of the forest, she was sure their giggling would wake the other members of the camp. They dropped their voices to a mumble as they made their way through the village of refuge.

Galadriel’s sleeping arrangement was high above the other forest dwellers, tucked into the cliffs and sheltered by a canopy of moss-glazed tree roots. Elrond had sought to it that she receive royal treatment from the few elven healers and maidens among them. He’d emphasized the importance of giving her a serene space to regain her strength, and the attendants had prepared it well. When he opened the curtain of the tent, his eyes examined the room. The water pitcher he’d had fetched for her remained perched aside her cot, and fresh clothes for her to wear had been folded at the foot of it. But the sheets were rumpled and twisted. Had he not come across his dear friend wandering a river bank in the dead of night, he wouldn’t bat an eye. Instead, his brow furrowed, and he cast an knowing glance to her.

Guilt fell over Galadriel’s face. In the time they’d been occupied with their own restorative efforts, she hadn’t had the chance to confess to Elrond. She knew how much care and attention he’d put into her treatment— the last thing he needed was another unknown on his shoulders. Despite the healing efforts of the elves, the use of the rings, and holistic elvish medicine, the nightmares had increased in frequency. It was only a matter of time before he, and perhaps everyone in the camp discovered the depravity of her situation.

She joined him beside the bed. His eyes found her face, but allowed her the grace to keep hers away. They stood for a long minute as his mind pieced it together.

“Evil does not sleep…” He muttered, turning to face his body to her. “What evil has been harrowing you?” His hand reached for her chin, gently turning her to him, eyes darting in between hers. In this moment, he needn’t beg. His tender gaze was all she needed for him to undo her.

Silent, hot tears were suddenly streaming down her face. Her breath staggered and her chest heaved as she tried to control herself. Elrond caught her immediately in his arms, leading her gently to the cot. They sat on the edge, and she expressed every last detail of the terrorizing nights she’d had. By the end of it, her best friend had swiped his own face several times. There was no pain in this world like the pain of knowing hers. His blood raged through his veins, and yet, somehow stilled to a stop upon hearing her anguish. He willed to do anything he could to make it right.

“I just feel so… alone, Elrond.” She managed through a few sharp breaths. “This darkness, it’s as if it only knows me, only seeks me, and comes for me when I’m at my weakest, alone at the mercy of the night…”

He didn’t care for personal space anymore. Her body fell perfectly into his when he pulled her in, and after several moments had gone by, their breaths synced into a slow cadence. When he was sure she had released all the remnants of her affliction, Elrond pulled away and took her hands in his. “Cin are ú- eriol, Galadriel.”

She raised her head to him, letting her eyes run all over his face. Only now had it became unbearably obvious how much she’d missed him. This is how it was supposed to be between them, no matter how much they sought to reason with it— they were two pieces of one prize. Constantly in each other’s orbit, regardless of distance or time. It didn’t matter what rift might come between them— being with him felt right.

For a fleeting moment, her body left the room and travelled in time to the day she thought she might never be with him again— Adar’s camp.

His eyes were soft on her the way they’d been on that day. She could feel it flooding her memory all over again, and in attempt to wrestle the thoughts back down, she pried her eyes away from him.

Elrond blinked himself out of the haze she’d brought him into. He wished not to steal sleep away from her, though he could sit and bask in her light for hours— whisper all his wonderings until time itself was of question. He stood up from the cot and grabbed the jar of water, a scrap of silk cloth, and passed them for her to dab her puffy eyelids. She was already retreating from the place of vulnerability she’d reached with him.

“You needn’t worry, Elrond. This battle will be won in the end. Even the internal ones will soon be of distant memory.”

“Not without rest, they won’t.”

He paused, familiarizing himself with the shaking unease that stirred in him before he was about to do something that he could never come back from. Something that any elf would surely question, and any human would doubtfully admire. He knew she was waiting for him to draw the curtain and leave her to her humble abode. Instead, he took off his cloak.

Galadriel blinked at him but remained seated. He watched her uncanny expression as he laid it at her bedside. Next he removed his armour and padding, along with his sword, resting it against the wall of the tent. She followed him with inquisitive eyes, but didn’t question him aloud until he gathered the remaining blankets and lay them adjacent to hers. Finally he took the pitcher from her hands and set it aside.

“Elrond,” She protested. “You cannot sleep here.” But her words sounded more of a query than a command.

He looked right through her, locking eyes with the part that was begging him to stay. In no life could he abandon it.

“And you cannot sleep alone.” He smiled, taking his place beside her on the makeshift mattress. He gave her no other chance to object.

“There will be no more question of it. If only I am to know of your agony, then it is I who shall seek to ease it.”

Galadriel’s face warmed and a subtle smile spread across her cheeks. Kindness, she thought. There is no kindness like his.

She carefully brought her body to lay beside him. Never had she pondered before how much space was acceptable between them, but now the suspicion hung in the air above their heads. Was it all that unusual to desire closeness? To want to wrap her legs around his, move his hand to the pocket of her waist, and breathe him in? She felt his eyes on her, and swiftly shut her own. Night was drawing her into a dream, she thought. It was only Elrond.

For Elrond, whatever consequence would come of his decision— either of head or heart— he wagered it a matter of tomorrow. He rested his gaze upon her face until he could keep his eyes open no more. With the soft sound of her sighing into slumber, he too, drifted from consciousness. The sun would rise and the new day would bring countless obstacles for him and the elves of lmladris to resolve— but in this moment, a space was carved out in their mortal realm. A space for only them, to heal, to rest— to be with each other. He wanted to stay in it forever, share this air with her forever.

A breath of heaven; a glimpse of Valinor on earth.

————————

Thanks for reading !!

Couple notes: Elrond says to Galadriel in Sindarin, “You are not alone” in case you can’t read elvish lol. I def cannot, so.

Did my best to proofread but it’s probably not perfect. I crunched to get this in last minute for elrondriel week!

Lastly, please don’t repost without giving credit <3 thanks so much!

xo, Jade

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

On the scale of 1 to 10 how much victor is loyal to mc 😭? I LOVE THIS MAN SOO MUCH

given your reaction I’d like to take a leap and say, this is probably not a question “question”, but rather a gushing of emotions? LOL y'know, in romance otoges, loyalty to the heroine is a default function lmao, it may come in twist and turns depending on the character but it’s always there 😂

regardless, allow me to state a few facts » since you love him so much, I do hope you know this is a man whom MC herself calls “宇宙第一爱人” (the No. 1 Lover in The Universe), haha 💕🤝

✦ this is a man who spent 17 years searching for the heroine and instinctively would think about her days in and days out (as discussed in a number of his R&S);

✦ used all his resources for 6 years to find her; starting as soon as his LFG had the financial and social standing,

✦ a man who waited patiently until she was fully ready and took the initiative to hold his outstretched hand;

✦ traversed to the end of times and went through countless moments of (in the writers’ words) “bone-crushing”, “soul-ripping” life and death moments for her (literally);

✦ bet all his chips on her, or in his words, “bet his past, present, and future for her”;

✦ did not think twice to take on the toll of 10K years, put his absolute faith in her that she would be able to make it happen (actually, multiply that 10K given that at this point in the story, he’s already repeated it :> ), and made it through every time so that he could return to her side and she wouldn’t be left alone to face the aftermath;

✦ a man who, despite all his personal challenges and shenanigans that come with his responsibilities and positions, ALWAYS considers the heroine’s safety and interests first before making a decision, even when it’s not related to him (also, always note how frequently he’s given the last chapters/ encounters in crucial moments to determine the trajectory);

✦ — ( ! spoiler, S2 CH 31-46) when the “universe” erased his very existence into sheer oblivion and even he couldn’t remember who he was, he still remembered he promised the girl that he’d return to her side, becoming his sole anchor to continue walking through the endless white desert and fighting to live so that he could “keep his promise to her” and return to her side, again.

wow 😂 lmao sometimes, even I find it challenging to wrap my head around Victor’s character building and how rough and hard he strives for what he loves and believes is needed to be protected. anyway, if you still ask me to put a number on this man’s loyalty/ devotion to you, I won’t be able to bring myself to do so— and rather go with the very title MC reserved for him~ ಡ⁠ ͜⁠ ಡ❤️

—

[julius-novachrono]

Been meaning to put this out there for some days but because of who I am as a person I just keep forgetting, but anyways CAN WE GET AN AMEN UP IN THIS BITCH FOR THE LAST SEASON OF VINLAND SAGA? The entire arc was *chef’s kiss*

Thorfinn’s redemption arc is one of the most well written and wholesome I’ve ever seen??!?! Man went from being a rabid teenager blinded by rage

to a shell of a human who had given up

to a kind man who sought to resolve conflict via dialogue and compromise

And not only did he vowed to never use violence again unless it was absolutely the last resort, but he also discovered his life’s purpose: to find and establish a land free of the pain and suffering brought on by war and slavery. A place where the souls of those whose lives he took can finally rest in peace. 10/10. Protect him at all costs.

Also SHOUT OUT to my man Einar for helping Thorfinn find his way out of the shadows. What started of as an acquaintanceship between slaves evolved into friendship and eventually brotherhood. These men found each other when they needed it the most and became one another’s rock. There’s no better testament to their relationship than the fact that Thorfinn hadn’t smiled let alone laughed out loud since he was a little boy until Einar came along.

The side characters in this arc didn’t disappoint either! While at first I didn’t know what to make of Snake, he turned out to be a pretty cool dude. I wished we had gotten to see more of his background and the reason that he was exiled from his home though. Also wished he had gone with Thorfinn and Einar bc imo he had no reason to stay at the farm anymore, considering he paid back the hospitality they showed him by fighting against the king to protect the land. I’m going to miss seeing his fine ass in the next seasons :(

Old Sverkel was THE man cuz imagine pushing 100 AND almost kicking the bucket yet still getting up at the ass crack of dawn to do farming shit?? Couldn’t be me. Also man was down for the cause ✊🏼 cuz he helped Arnheid and Gardar escape. A king without a crown but a king nonetheless!

Speaking of which, RIP Arnheid and Gardar 🪦 they deserved better.

Olmar’s arc?? Quite nicely done. It took almost losing everything and hearing Thorfinn say that no one has enemies (after getting the shit beaten out of him for a whole episode) to bring some sense into him, but better late than never amirite. Now he’s a man worthy of taking over the reigns of his family’s farm. Love that for him.

Also FUCK Ketil. His fake “nice slave owner” persona broke apart the moment shit hit the fan, and when Arnheid wasn’t there to console him (read: letting him abuse her) he took his anger out on her and killed her like bitch ass men tend to do. I hope he keels over soon.

And last but never least my pussy has not known PEACE since Canute’s glow up??? This man went from looking like somebody’s shy sister to looking like a god-like stud so he gets a pass for the imperialism and all that.

The progression from S1 and its themes of revenge, hatred, anger and violence to S2 and its themes of forgiveness, kindness, friendship, love, compassion and redemption is surreal. It’s a gentle reminder that the light will shine on us again after our darkest hour. I can’t wait to see what the next seasons have in store for us.

[soupbitch-moneybitch]

blackbonnet drabble i pulled out of my hyperfixated ass. major s2 spoilers:

if i never see your eyes again

The first thing about Edward Teach that Stede Bonnet noticed were his eyes.

They were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Choked more than half to death, bleeding from the gut, lying in the midst of black smoke and hot flame, Stede saw two beacons of light emerge from the darkness surrounding him. A pair of soft, glinting doe-eyes that contradicted the rest of his person, all wild mane and tight leather. His eyes were the calm in the storm, and instantly Stede, all bloody and afraid, had been awash with a sense of serenity. These eyes—and the man they belonged to, whomever he was—they would make it all right again.

Despite everything, despite the carnage and screams and blood, he had smiled. He couldn't not smile at eyes like that.

And now, he will never see them again.

The worst thing about Ed's lifeless body, Stede thinks, as he rips away the cloth covering his still face, color drained from his usually vibrant skin, is the fact that his eyes are closed. Because it means that Stede will never again see the way the sunlight catches on Ed's irises like the rays sparkling on the endless ocean. He will never again see them crinkle in the corners with crows-feet when Stede makes him laugh. He will never again see him bat his long lashes, or widen them comically large when hit with a scheme or an idea for a fuckery. 

He will never again see the way his pupils blow wide when he's been properly kissed.

Every night since they've been apart, Stede has dreamt of Ed's eyes, looking back at him with as much love as Stede feels in his heart, and now those dreams will remain a thing of fantasy. There will be no gentle gaze on a sandy beach as the waves lap up onto the shore around them. 

Stede will never see Ed's eyes again, and it's a tragedy so monumental that he can't even feel the full breadth of it all. His chest is a pitch-black, bottomless cavern. Ed had once told him that all the important bits were on the right, but the shattering of Stede's heart solidly on his left side suggests he forgot about something vital. 

How is he meant to survive this? Ed's eyes are closed, goddamnit, and he's just meant to keep on breathing? 

He presses his forehead to his clasped hands and says, "I'm sorry." It's not enough, but it's not like there's a combination of words in the English language to convey the depth of his grief anyway. Of his regret. So he settles with "I'm sorry," and says it again for good measure, because the "I love you" that he wants to say is stuck as a suffocating lump in his throat.

The room is silent. Even the sea seems still. No room that Ed Teach occupied has ever been this quiet. He's too big a personality; the air vibrates in his mere presence. Or it used to. Now, with nothing but his body there lying slack on his deathbed, Stede realizes that Ed's soul took the sound with it when it left the room.

Except, suddenly, the silence breaks. A soft thudding sound pulls Stede out of his reverie of misery. He turns toward it and sees, with a lightning strike to his disassembled heart, the twitching of his beloved's hand.

And he begins to plead, aloud to Ed, and internally to whatever God that may be listening, that there may be life inside him yet. That Stede may see his eyes again.

"Come back to me," he begs, because now that he has it, he knows that having this hope dashed would surely put him in the ground right beside Ed. 

Ed's hand is still twitching, but his eyes are still closed.

If this chance is a fuckery, and I never see your eyes again, Stede thinks, then I never want to see anything ever again. Make me blind, because the world will no longer have anything worth viewing if your eyes aren't in it.

The air is vibrating again. Stede swears he can feel Ed's soul returning. He holds his hands so tightly that his own fingers ache from the clench. He prays. He prays and begs and prays some more, that somehow, he managed not to be too late.

Ed's eyes fly open.

They're the most beautiful thing Stede Bonnet has ever seen. 

[ineffable-rohese]

Slate and Fog

Description: Aziraphale falls. Timeframe: Non-canon, non-specific. In my head it's post S2, but no actual spoilers. Content Notes: Descriptions that are suggestive of suicide (but aren't).

Notes: I had an image of them tumbling through the sky. This is what came of it. This was also an exercise in pronoun avoidance (one singular they is still lingering).

The torture of Hell has nothing on the cruelty of Heaven. You are cast out of Heaven in your core angelic form, so you can feel it being stripped from you, bit by bit, feel your Heavenly Grace as it flees. It's like slowly bleeding to death, but instead of chill and peace coming as the warmth of your life fades, it's raging fire slowly burning your soul, drop by drop, over time immeasurable.

Aziraphale is Falling. 

A tumble of wings and blinding blazing golden aura that would scorch the eyes of humans, the angel falls through the purity of Heaven. The screaming begins as the first shard of that aura pulls away like a fingernail ripped from its bed. The screaming doesn't stop.

Falling and falling and falling and the white of heaven fades from Aziraphale's sight as Grace bleeds out. A gray mist swirls. A very light gray. It tarnishes the tattered white wings of the falling angel. Each feather feels like lead, like the weight of sin, like a broken vow.

More cruelty. The formerly angelic body has grown to feel and move more and more like Aziraphale's old human one. Naked and broken and screaming, tumbling through the gray, recalling every slight, every unkindness, every less than angelic act ever committed against another. Every temptation done under an Arrangement becomes every moment of fraternization with the enemy becomes every meal or night out or quiet afternoon spent with the one being an Angel wasn't supposed to love. All is tainted now with guilt and shame and the knowledge that it was ineffably wrong.

Crowley.

The screaming becomes a keening wail that would make a bean sí quake in fear. The gray grows darker.

On Earth, a snake-eyed demon lurks on the edge of a cliff. The storm clouds have been building for days that have felt like years now, moving slowly but inexorably closer, the sea churning and crashing on the rocks below. The human forecasters don't understand how a category 5 hurricane could be building off the British coast, but the demon does. Crowley fell a long, long time ago. It's not the sort of thing one forgets.

The wind finally arrives with a wail. The demon looks up and jumps.

Wings darker than the storm clouds beat hard against the wailing wind. Yellow spreads to fully engulf the eyes as the demon tries to find the center of the maelstrom.

The human-shaped body can't handle the force of the gale, and shifts to something older. The great winged serpent slides through the clouds, lightning reflecting off its shining black scales.

Still, it takes too long, far too long before the serpent reaches the eye of the storm. The clouds have grown nearly as dark as the serpent's wings. It will be too late to save the Angel. It’s always too late. But still they cradle hope.

The calm of the eye is a shock. The Great Serpent crashes into the broken, gray winged human form.

A jumble of two sets of wings now, one nearly black, and one a slate gray, and a jumble of bodies, one serpentine and strong entwining one limp and human.

Come on, Angel. I know you're ssstill in there. The voice is an impatient hissing growl as the serpent body shifts back to a human shaped one, still impossibly strong, long limbs holding the beloved form. The darker wings keep them both aloft, slowly descending towards the Earth below.

Pale eyes blink open in a tear streaked grief stricken face. "Not... an angel... anymore."

"You'll always be my angel."

Crowley's lips find Aziraphale's. The kiss of life. The kiss of love.

Love. Grace may have fled, but Love is still within the former angel's grasp. Aziraphale kisses back and now the remembrance is of all the love the Aziraphale has known since the dawn of time. Love for humanity. Love for creation. Love for sunsets and flowers, books and tea and cakes, love for the smallest things. And love for the biggest. For the demon whose own love is being poured into this broken body. Love that can never, could never be wrong. Limp arms gain strength and return the embrace, hands grasping the only real thing in this unreal void.

They touch down on the rocks of the shore, bodies entwined, two pairs of wings protecting them from the last gasps of the storm. One set slate gray, one set the color of fog on an autumn morning.

There is Grace it seems, in Love, that cannot be destroyed.

The winds die and the wings fade from the Earthly realm. A tiny miracle and there are warm clothes and a soft wool blanket over their shoulders and a thermos of cocoa between them as the two lovers are left to watch the sun rise over the only world that can hold them.

[theclaravoyant]

AN ~ For @fictober-event’s Fictober 2023 prompt: “Do I look like I knew that?” Set during S2, written after airing of ep.3. SPOILERS FOR EPS 1-3. A UA/insert extension of the scene where Ed confronts Frenchie. Masterpost of my Fictober OFMD fics

Fandom: Our Flag Means Death Characters/Relationships: Ed Teach/Blackbeard, Frenchie, background Ed x Stede Tags/Content Warnings: Drug Reference, Canon Typical Violence

Papers

He has Frenchie up against the ropes, trembling and struggling to keep eye contact. He can practically taste the fear and it’s horrifying and delicious, not unlike the rhino horn. It buzzes through his veins sending his eyes a bit too wide and he smiles like the predator he is. He can hear the breath whistle through Frenchie’s dry fucking liar’s throat. A not insignificant part of him wants to rip it out with his teeth.

Bottles in the basket tinkle quietly between them in the silence, and a sudden curious impulse draws his eye. He taps one of the bottles.

“What are these?”

“Uh. Papers.” His voice squeaks, but fuck is that man brave. And foolish.

“Papers?”

“Y-Yep. I was just, uh. You know, cleaning up.”

“Oh, well, maybe I can help then. I’ve got a bit of a system. What kind of papers are they, hm? Maps? Pay slips? Recipes?”

Liar.

Even Frenchie’s quick tongue is finding it difficult to work in these conditions. Ed reaches into the basket and takes one of the bottles. He uncorks it with his teeth and pries out the paper. He scans the first line of it.

Dear Ed,

His heart stops. At least it feels like it does. The manic buzzing in his brain that’s been the only thing keeping him standing for God knows how long now suddenly feels like it’s underwater. Like he’s back in the blanket fort with some distance between him and the constant, soul-sucking, flesh eating rage. There’s only one person in the world who calls him that.

Dear Ed,

I hope this letter finds you well. As well as you can be, under the circumstances. I know things are difficult right now but I can only tell you how sorry I am and I promise I can explain everything.

The crew and I have been waylaid for a while but the good news is, we have commandeered another vessel and are making good time. I am sure it won’t be long before we find each other again. Please be kind to yourself, at least try, until then.

Love, with all my heart,

Stede.

He takes a deep, shuddering breath. He can’t even count the emotions that flood back in - rage and heartbreak and love and warmth and everything he had thought was long since rotted away inside him. Frenchie doesn’t dare move as he digs through the loose papers frantically, furiously.

Dear Ed, I had a dream about you last night.

Dear Ed, Apologies, but we have eaten all the oranges.

Dear Ed, How are you?

Dear Ed, Dear Ed, Dear Ed…

He clutches another message in a bottle in his hand and raises it over his shoulder. Frenchie flinches, as if he’s expecting him to smash it on the post behind him or maybe even glass him in his very too-close face. He’s not wrong to expect it. But despite the way Ed’s blood is positively fuming inside of him, he can’t do it.

He grits his teeth, and snarls his words instead.

“How many are there?”

“Uh. A little over twenty, I think,” Frenchie confesses. “Another one comes in every few days.”

“Mm-hm. And is everyone else hiding these or is it just you?”

“Uh, ev- I mean we all- We thought you knew he was writing you, I swear.”

“Do I look like I knew that?”

“N-No. Izzy said you’d ordered us to destroy them.”

“Izzy said that, did he?”

Frenchie nods.

He’s tortured the man long enough. He’s so tired. Ed finally breaks the predatory pose, letting the bottle clatter uselessly to the floor. He steps back far enough that Frenchie can get past him if he wants. He wisely takes a second to make sure he’s serious before inching his way forward, and then fleeing.

Ed turns to the door where he knows his former first mate is hiding. They have a lot more unfinished business than he’d thought.

[glorywaited]

☽ /   @sunsreign​ :  ❛❛ I know you’re hurting right now, and I’m so sorry. Tell me what will help and I’ll do it. ❜❜                      SOFT CARING SENTENCE COMPILATION !! ( accepting !!  )

       HESITATION IN HER VERY BREATH AS HER ENTIRE BEING STILLS IN TENSION -- after a moment, after she lets words hang so heavy in the air like daggers suspended above the two women ready to strike a deadly blow at a moment’s notice, fingers curl shakily into palm && move from the blonde && into her lap  (  action still painful to enact  ).

       red lips part as if to speak but nothing comes out && they close once more, hazel gaze dropping away to stay so desperately && agonisingly trained on that burnt hand. talking is too hard -- it makes her stomach churn in a way that’s so intimately uncomfortable && she can’t for the life of her understand how easy it can be for some people  (  for rapunzel  )  to openly state what they’re feeling. it’s her problem to deal with alone -- it’s hard for her to admit she’s hurting, that she hurt her, that the woman she ended up secretly falling for couldn’t trust her after all this time -- she’s got a stubborn pride && learnt lessons, from growing up, in keeping everything neatly bottled up to not disappoint anyone or be a burden  (  she should be able to handle her own issues without crying or leaning on anyone else no matter how badly the loneliness in it stings -- no matter how much the anger boils up inside of her because it’s the EASIEST emotion to express, to choke down && understand in a visceral, overwhelming way  ). but there’s this sadness that threatens to swallow her up -- chew her up, spit her out as if she were nothing, as if she were as WEAK as she feels right now with her purpose thrown to the ground like moulded bread. balance sways like a dizzying pendulum shifting from an intolerable, excruciating sadness to an intense, relentless rage.

       she doesn’t need someone to protect her.

       silence rings through the air until she gets the stamina to speak up in hushed tones finally.         ❝    i told you i’d get over it, raps -- it’ll...it’ll just take time... but...but i’ll be fine. you got more to worry about than me, though -- so...let’s, uh, just...figure out our next move, okay ?  it’s your call.   ❞       

      she doesn’t know what will help -- she doesn’t know how to swallow this particular pill because she gave everything she could for her but in the end it didn’t seem to matter && her feelings would just be thrown back into her face  (  a fear she’s gained over her life -- projecting it out so she can push away && shield herself with her new armour both physically && mentally  ).

[tinyghostotus]

There's a lot of thoughts I'm having about the new episode so I'm just going to throw them all down here!!

Willow and Gus first meeting was so adorable. They care for each other so much,,,

I'm also glad we got to see Amity and Willow work on their relationship. There's a lot of work to be done on their side and I'm glad the show is showing it instead of ignoring that

Gus continues to be strong!! I'm just curious if he'll eventually start to learn how to control that magic more. Willow seems to have some control so maybe Gus will start to learn, too?? Because that illusion spell could be pretty handy in future battles

Hunter was caught trying to learn what a Grimwalker is via books at Hexside. If they're something in books, perhaps someone like Lilith has information on them?? And we'll learn through her???

Belos wanting Hunter back is making me question if Belos wants to kill him or, because of how much of a hassle replacing right now will be, if Belos plans on using that tea Terra makes on him...

We got to see more photos!! By looking at them, I believe we can confirm Willow is 15 now (Dana said she was 14 before S2 aired). I mean, it makes sense; she was seen blowing out a candle, Dana said she wanted some birthdays (or at least Luz's) in the show if we had a full S3, and Skara - one of the kids in Willow's class - turned 15 in S1. So I'm guessing Willow turned 15 off screen in S2A

The one that currently has me confused is the one with Mattholomule. He's wearing a party hat but Gus isn't... Was it Matt's birthday? Gus'?? Somebody else's???

That little earring Gus picked up is going to have a big part in a future episode (that's obvious to me). But will Gus repeat the illusion spell again but when he has more control?? Because that'll be interesting!! Though I don't know how well it'll work on Belos because of the whole omnipresent thing

My love for Bump continues to bloom

It's nice to see Hunter learning to open up more!! I fear that the Belos stuff is foreshadowing stuff for the future

The fact that Matt decided to also join illusions track-

Gus has changed his life and views on that type of magic so much. Its adorable,,,

Willow mentioned going to The Owl House at some point to see coven guards... I wonder if those guards will end up staying there in case the inhabitants attempt to return??

If that's the case, is Hooty going to be okay?? He kind of, you know, rips himself apart to go on adventures. How long can his body stay good when torn into two??

I can't remember the scout's name but the Tiny Cat Coven one,,,, I love,,,,,

Also glad that the Illusion Coven Head is on Belos' side. Idk why but the idea of the heads being split between loyal and disloyal to Belos sounds great. Could also mean more heads fighting each other in the future

I do want to know who is on what side, though. And are there some who are just neutral on it?? Like they know what Belos is doing is bad but they also just don't care??

If eyes glow to show that a witch is using strong magic, what does that mean about the witches we saw in Belos' memories?? The sigils made their eyes glow... Did something force too much magic into them and that made them like that?? Like their bodies weren't ready for a sudden overflow of so much power that they just shut down??

My only issue with this episode is that we still don't have a name for Gus' palisman. What is that little guy called??? I need to know..........

I like how Hunter instantly knew that that Willow was a fake because the real Willow wouldn't be afraid of him

Which he's right!! Look at all of the times Willow dragged him into the ground. She fears no soul

Thinking back to Hunting Palismen... Do you think the kids could have used temporary tattoos?? The Emperor's Coven thought Hunter was wearing one while, as far as we know, it seems to be real. Because of that, do you think the kids could get away with temporary tattoos??

Seeing how kids fought in that episode is making me hope we'll see them all fight together again. Hopefully with Luz involved!!

Also Gus using glyphs again in this episode-

I think Willow is the only one who hasn't used them yet?? Wonder if she'll ever use them at some point. Especially since we've seen that plant magic and ice appears to work well together

Ngl I kind of hoped that the abomintron would have done more?? They're supposed to be weapons and it took Luz and Amity so long to take one down before...

Unless a bunch of teenagers was too much for just one of them

But it is nice to see why Belos bought them in the first place. We know he's just using them to force witches to do what he wants

That and his men keep quitting and joining other covens again

I wonder if the Hexside kids and staff we saw in this episode are going to have a bigger role again later. Is Bump going to relive his youth and burn some Emperor's Coven related down this time around?? He already destroyed a school after all!!

If the scout who quit threw off the mask thing... Does that mean Steve is still in the Emperor's Coven when we see him again?? Or does he just really like that mask??

I honestly wonder where those like Eda are. We've learnt that Hunter ran away and decided to hide at Hexside but he never mentioned coming across them. I feel like going to Gwen and Dell would be a bad idea (family is probably the second place the EC will look) so... Where exactly are they??

Are they currently hiding in the BATTs' old hide out?? Or somewhere else??

[robbiedaymonds]

3x04 madwife analysis (aka freakout)

So when I started watching s3, I decided to only watch Laura’s scenes for many reasons. I didn’t exactly like any Madwife references beyond the first episode and I wasn’t expecting anything big.

But boy was I wrong as fuck!

I realized, before I started writing this, that we’ve gotten a lot of Madwife in s1 and s2, but almost all of it was from Sweeney’s PoV right? His feelings, his yearnings, his puppy-dog eyes. And now, we’re seeing Madwife from Laura’s point of view and the angst is overwhelming.

Let’s begin.

First off, it seems like Laura gave up the coin and went to purgatory/hell to try to find Sweeney right? At least, once she realized in 3x03 what was going on, she changed her tune. She talked to that old lady about Sweeney. She hilariously brushed off any sort of “relationship” between the two of them in a laughable, memeable way. 

And then my friends.....

the old lady says “You were just talking like maybe he’s someone special.”

And what happens? We see Laura, looking mournful and guilty even, and then...AND THEN! 

A MOTHER FUCKING MADWIFE MONTAGE OVER A ROMANTIC/ANGSTY SONG!!

I’m not even joking, I almost died. I was like “Am I really seeing this?! Is this really happening?!” And lord when I rewatched that part and listened to the lyrics, it hurt my god damn soul.

And then, Laura quickly changes her tune and tells the lady that no, he’s just the guy who killed her, but her face says otherwise.

Okay, BREATHE. Take a moment if you need to.

Second off, a small moment. Laura’s humming this tune that we heard in 3x03. Laura figures out the title is “Requiem of Balder”. !!! For those who don’t remember, Baldr is Odin’s son and briefly was mentioned in connection with Sweeney when he was doing his big battle as Lugh near the end of his life where he killed Baldr (or Odin), when he was talking to Mr. Ibis. This is cool because it not only links Laura with Odin and her destiny to kill him, but also Laura and Sweeney in a roundabout way.

Third, let’s just say, the moment I screamed and paused the show: the blood. Laura’s dust on the ground and some guys find Sweeney’s mutilated :( corpse. They take him away and the tomb he was laying on was covered in blood. His blood. One dude stays to clean it up and starts hosing it off which makes the blood start to slide down the sides of the tomb and what happens? The guy steps on the grigri potion that Samedi gave her to give her life.

And my friends, we watch with held breath as MAD SWEENEY’S BLOOD mixes with LAURA’S POTION and starts to glow with golden veins. And wouldn’t you know it, Laura gets yeeted out of purgatory and winds up, naked and alive, lying on the floor where the mixture had...mixed.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!

I know most of the fandom had this idea from s2 onward. Sweeney’s blood was the key to Laura’s potion. But the implications is that Sweeney had LOVE IN HIS VEINS because, remember Samedi said the final potion ingredient was two drops of blood infused with love. *SCREAMS* I can’t even eloquently say how much this destroyed me in a good and bad way. The fact that it meant Sweeney kept up his bargain: he was paramount in making Laura live again. T___T His love (whether it be specifically for her, or just his ability to love in general) was paramount in making her potion work.

The poetry of it is just unparalleled.

Okay so Laura wakes up and asks where Sweeney is (she uses his GOD DAMN NAME and let me tell you I just about ascended to the pearly gates myself) and is told he’s gone. Like...gone gone. The subtle emotions on her face are indescribable. She’s guilty and sad, there is grief and confusion there. She says it’s “her fault” that he’s dead and that she should have been able to bring him back, but couldn’t. She’s so damn sad, you can’t help but feel for her. I don’t know if “her fault” was because she ran him away after they had magic~sex~ with the Lao or because she couldn’t save him...maybe it was both. 

In any case, Laura facing her feelings and dealing with consequences of her actions and decisions is a big step for her. (Also can we celebrate that she’s alive again?! I hope she doesn’t squander this second chance, but I doubt she will. She has a plan and it’s to kill Wednesday so thank god.)

Also, we have Laura picking up Sweeney’s coin, which is, for once, covered in his blood rather than tucked away in her chest. That moment was sort of sweet and understated and I think will have something to do with Doyle finding her, but we’re not here to talk about that. The fact is, she didn’t leave it. She still has Sweeney’s coin, even after she willingly gave it to him.

Lastly, we find Laura eating, sitting in a cemetery. I feel like she’s at home in places of the dead now, even though she’s alive. I love the motif and the implications of what that means. Anyway, the guy brings over a box and in it is Sweeney’s ashes. Laura takes it almost delicately and we get some gorgeously  heartbreaking shots of her hands stroking the sides and we get the line “Somehow all of him fits in here.” RIP MY HEART OUT WHY DON’T YOU. And then, as if I’m not in enough pain, they show another snippet of a flashback with that same ghostly romantic song, a shot of Sweeney sitting in that field. I think that’s important to note...THAT is the moment she thought of. When she was at her lowest and Sweeney told her to suck it up and keep fucking fighting, no matter what.

I think that says a lot in that moment. Now that Laura’s alive, she could easily return to a normal life, but that moment spoke a lot into her future. She’s going to keep on with her mission to kill Wednesday. Sweeney died trying to do the same and since she couldn’t save him, she’s going to kill the god instead.

And of course, there’s the symbolism of Laura being dropped off in the dark near a glowing hill. We know Laura always saw Shadow as a glow in her B&W dead vision right? So she’s standing there, glow in the distance....HUGGING THE BOX TO HER CHEST. She’s hugging Mad Sweeney to her chest, looking a little lost, just one sad girl trying to kill the Allfather, and she’s walking toward the light. OOF. It hurt big time, y’all. I can’t even.

Anyway, I feel like there may be a moment where Laura buries the box and officially says goodbye to Sweeney, but I also can’t help but think of all the emotional connection there is with the simple fact of her holding onto it. She could have dumped it into a river after she left the cemetery, but no she took it with her, her sole possession besides a golden god-coin, a box of ashes.

There’s a lot to unpack, and I haven’t even scratched the surface. I’m still digesting and I need time to process! Feel free to add your thoughts, let me know how y’all are doing. 

[feralnumberfive]

The Rewatch Academy: Episode 4 of Season 1

“Man on the Moon”

I am in no way a good analyst so my little analysis and speculations probably sound a bit goofy or pretty wild and probably mean nothing at all. Everything I put into this post about each episode is purely what I noticed or thought, whether it’s funny or serious. I will be making jokes, so please just leave it at that (in no way am I trying to make fun of an actor and or character!) I am also in no way saying I noticed this stuff first. This is just what I noticed while rewatching these episodes

☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂

1x01 | 1x02 | 1x03 |

☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂ ☂

☂ So at that point Luther had already been alone for about five years (due to his siblings leaving when they were 18 or even 17 according to Diego), and by alone I mean he did’t have his siblings with him. I’m not counting Reginald, Grace, or Pogo because I’d imagine they weren’t the best company. There was a two year gap between Luther getting the serum and then being sent to the moon. He had already been “alone” for five years before he was sent away to be completely alone for four years. He hasn’t had really any social/outside interaction besides going on missions for almost ten years, which means Luther is an awkward dude and he hasn’t been a true leader because he hasn’t had anyone to lead. I don’t think people really realize this and I think that’s where some of the hate towards him comes from 

☂ We see that Luther looks into Allison’s and Klaus’s bedrooms as he makes his way down the hall, and I’m willing to bet he did that for all of his siblings. Makes me wonder how many times the siblings went to Five’s room to visit it or to even check with hope that he had come back  

☂ I wish I could ride my bike around my house and chug a gallon of milk :[

☂ I can’t believe that Reginald still made him wear that leather battle suit 💀

☂ Why are there posters of animal anatomy in the infirmary?

☂ Apparently it takes between two to four months to grow a full beard, so that’s  about how long Luther had been lying there

☂ *suffers through the Allison and Luther scene*

☂ “HoPe I wAsN’t BeInG tOo LoUd”

☂ Vanya and Leonard were really sweet in the beginning. Screw you Leonard

☂ It’s really sad that not one his siblings notice that Klaus is gone. Not. One. 

☂ Are you telling me that Klaus and Five are certified freaks? At least I’m sure that’s who Cha Cha is referring to, or maybe it’s Luther

☂ I tried looking up tortures in Trinidad to see if Cha Cha was referring to any specific event, but I think it’s just a random thing in the show

☂ It’s only when Diego mutters “The boy” that it reminds him either of Five’s superhero name “The Boy” or his new appearance as a teen again so it finally clicks in his head that that’s who the mystery kid is

☂ Diego admitting that he doesn’t really know how to process his feelings!

☂ He’s very protective of his family and that’s something that I love about Diego. He doesn’t know who Hazel and Cha Cha are but all he knows is that they are searching for Five for some reason and that his siblings almost got killed last night

☂ Five doesn't realize the suffering that he’s putting his family through at this point since he’s only focused on finding who’s responsible for the end of the world. It’s ironic that he’s doing all of this to keep them alive and safe and yet him not being with them almost got them killed. Five buddy, you should have included all of your siblings from the start no matter how much they annoy you

☂ Also where has Five been this entire time? He left the van at night and now it’s the next morning. He’s been following the guy but why did it take him so long to corner him?

☂ Ope, and there’s a continuation error! When Luther takes his arm out of Five’s dresser, he takes part of the wood panel with him. When it cuts back to Diego talking there’s just a fist size hole

☂ “We barely got out with our lives.” Okay but where were you, Pogo?

☂ It’s funny how quickly they revert to child-like shame when Pogo scolds them. At least they still respect him I guess

☂ Is Hazel eating potato chips with ketchup? 

☂ I think one reason why nobody notices that Klaus is gone is because none of them saw him that night during the attack. They possibly assumed he already had left the Academy??

☂ Looooove the “Shingaling” scene. They are straight up vibing

☂ I don’t know why Luther was frustrated with the van door being locked. It’s not like he could rip the door off or anything.......

☂ I have a two questions here:

Why did Diego know where to find Five based off of the book? Sure he saw that it came from the library, but that doesn’t mean that he’ll be there

Wouldn’t Luther and Diego have seen the smoke coming from the Meritech building? Unless they left immediately and weren’t able to see the smoke even though they probably were still in the vicinity when it began to burn

☂ Five is holding the man’s arm to make sure that he doesn’t get away (hard to tell in the pic below though). He needs that sense of security that this lead isn’t going to escape his grasp, but I’m sure that if he were to run he wouldn’t get far when you can just teleport after him

☂ I got a nice pic of Five (also the dude on the bike that was riding behind Five as he runs up in this shot just does not care that this building is on fire) 

☂ When it shows Five on the ground, it at first starts off with light and slightly comedic music before it quickly switches over to something dramatic. I always thought it was funny that they play the light stuff as we see Five just laying there 💀

☂ You can see just how quickly Five’s face changes from shock to disbelief and disappointment as his only lead is literally blown away from him look, you can pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks. Also Five definitely would have had hearing issues since we can see that the windows on the building behind him were shattered. He’s staring into your soul....

☂ There’s nothing really significant about this at all, but Whippets are racing dogs and in the comics Five goes to watch a dog race at one point

☂ “I hate sprinkles.” Hey, me too!

☂ I love that Griddy’s is still open despite the damage that was done to it

☂ Diego left home at 17 (which is illegal so I wonder if he was emancipated or maybe Diego ran away and Reginald didn’t care to look for him) so I wonder if the others left when they were 17 too or if they waited until they were 18 

☂ Luther I don’t really think you’re one to talk about being “grown up” my guy. In fairness none of the Umbrellas know how to be fully functioning adults, not even Five who’s about twice the age of his siblings and is almost a senior citizen

☂ “I stayed because the world needed me.” Hey that was basically Five’s reason too, but more so for getting to see his family again. Anyways, like brother, like, uh, brother! 

☂ "And things are never gonna go back to the way they used to be.” You sir just predicted the next week(s) (and technically years in the 60s) of your life and the lives of your siblings! This also applies for what happens after those weeks/years, but we haven’t gotten there yet but it’s certainly not the way things used to be!  

☂ How was Luther upset enough that he wanted Diego to stop talking after he said something genuine and a bit sad?

☂ This whole relationship talk isn’t exactly relatable......

☂ He’s just chillin’

☂ Reginald can ✨perish✨ Oh wait, he already did 

☂ Here I am taking any little scrap and running with it, but when Five says he’s going through puberty twice does that mean that he didn’t get his aging altered by The Commission? In the comics, Temps Aeternalis/Commission stopped Five’s aging but here it sounds like that didn’t happen. Since we haven’t heard anything about Five’s DNA in the tv show we don’t really know much about his aging alteration either. I think that they really do have to leave that part out due to Aidan himself, who is a growing teen, and for the fact that they would need to come up with an excuse for Five’s aging (Aidan already looks different in S2 and he’s taller too). I wish they would bring this stuff up in the show!

☂ Five deflects answering the question of what he’s the best at most likely just because he’s just distracted but also possibly because he doesn’t want his brothers to know at this point

☂ First the feral chimp smile and now this

☂ Five actually sounded serious when he was talking about how many people he has killed and how he’s the ”Four frickin’ Horsemen” which is more so an exaggeration but it still shows us that he views himself as dangerous and powerful. He revealed this to them while he was drunk, even though they don’t really understand, but I wonder if Five ever actually planned on telling his siblings what he did and how much blood he has on his hands. I feel like he would have told them after he had saved the world from the apocalypse, but yet again I could also see him brushing off questions in relation to what he just said to Luther and Diego to hide his past from his family

☂ ✨”Little Psycho”✨

☂ As eerie as all of those ghosts are, it’s a really neat scene

☂ It’s not really meant to be funny, but Klaus denying the duct tape just reminds me of a little kid refusing to go into timeout 

☂ I guess Cha Cha got out through the door next to the bathroom when Klaus was banging his head on the table?

☂ It’s a shame that Patch died right away, I really liked her

☂ Klaus, where you’re going really isn’t any better 

☂ It’s sweet that Diego puts Delores down gently and doesn’t just toss her somewhere.��Even though she’s a mannequin, Diego knows that she means something to Five

☂ Well Luther I think it’s pretty self-explanatory what he meant. You just need more context 

☂ Diego: *signaling that someone, possibly a threat, is approaching and to be alert*

Luther: 🕴👁`👄’👁

☂ Even if they did think that Klaus had left the Academy before Hazel and Cha Cha attacked it, it’s sad that it took them this long to think about him

☂ Luther patting Delores is so cute

☂ Say it with me kids, “Patch deserved so much better!”

☂ My heart breaks to see Diego so heartbroken and upset, especially when he says “I gotta go, okay? I can’t be here when they come, okay?” Ugh, that gets me

☂☂☂☂☂☂☂

Feel free to comment or reblog with things you have noticed too!

[lee-scribbles-and-doodles]

S2 ep5

I'm so pumped!

Asdfff Sam landing on Max and Bosco landing on him

Mr Featherly just knowing they're in the afterlife... because he studied the classics

Aw, Sam actually wants to help Bosco

Oh, a Moleman!

"Serving the finest vegans"

Oh hey, Harry is here

"Aw, cute Max. A little goth moleman."

Harry is death now.

Sam just got cat-called by a moleman

"Ooohee look who can fill out a suit." "Why I never!"

Max is too small to climb the ladder properly so ge has to jump up the rungs 🥺

"You can't see over the wheel, Max." "Facist."

The Desoto died!?

Featherly laid an egg??? Trans featherly???

Max and Sybil are gossip buddies🥰

Ew Sybil and Ave are getting married. 🤢 (Honey date the monster or Superball)

"Cake at a wedding? Ooookay."

Oh, Monster is having a rough time

Aw, Max offered to be the priest at the ceremony 💕 (Sybil declined but still)

Lol, Max has the wrong idea of what a shotgun wedding is.

I can kind of understand Sybil's apprehension at allowing the boys to be part of the ceremony tbh

Ghost Mama Bosco!?

She still looking fine as an old lady tho

She's still after Bosco for wrecking her store (although she still doesn't realize it was her own son)

Aw, she actually wants to see more of Bosco

Flint is still looking for Bosco

Aw, we can give the Ai to Jimmy

Oh no, it woke Maimtron up!

Did we just kill Timmy???

Oh hey, Past Sam. I knew that one cutscene was going to come back.

They sure are making a lot of hell freezing over jokes

Oof the tourette jokes are back. REALLY hope they get swapped out with new jokes in the remaster

Max's big kick before jumping down the manhole

Max landed on Sam's head

The Soul Train is actually cool looking

Jurgen!?

He's being so petty. Why would the boys save him when killed them???

Hugh Bliss!

He's just... staring... with his head on backwards...

"That a list of swear words!" (Proceeds to say every one and gets censored each time)

Brady Culture too. Is everyone here?

"I'm in hell, and I'm happy."

"--But none of that matters because I finally found someone who believes in me: Satan."

Oh hey, the big door had Sam and Msx art on it

Oh, Demon Sam and Max statues

Sam the devourer and Max the destroyer

Bosco's hell is being naked in front of others?

Santa is in hell!

The Desoto is in hell :(

Grandpa Stinky!

Aw, Sam wants to save them all

Sybil still does therapy?

Lol, we can make Bosco scare himself.

"See you around naked Bosco." "I don't think I'll ever stop seeing you." "Save me!"

Imma just take the laughing gas

Santa hates kids haha

Max is allergic to dogs?

The Desoto only goes like 6 mph and only honks :(

"I hope when we die, they put our hells close to each other." "It'll be like a sleepover that never ends!"

Boy it took me a bit to figure out the Santa and Elf puzzel

Let's move on to Stinky

So are Girl Stinky and Grandpa Stinky not related?

I got a book. I think that's all we can do for now until we get Timmy.

Satan won't even give the boys the time of day

Harry is looming over Timmy.

Have to distract him. I guess it's time to put the monster out if his misery.

I feel so bad 😥

Oh, poor Timmy

Welp, back to Stinky's hell

Sam using the karaoke machine 😳

Ok, saved Stinky's soul from internal damnation

Omg it took me way too long to figure out what to do with the laughing gas.

"Vamoose!" *fire's gun*

At least Basco and the Desoto are free

Satan just tricked Sam into trading his soul 😮

Max's ears drooping when he realizes Sam is gone 😭

Noooo! Not Peepers!

Sam's personal hell is a life without Max 👀

Sam's sad walk 😔

Leonard is in a hell closet

"Peepers said he was my partner." "What!? Nobody steals my sidekick!" "I always thought you were the sidekick." "Heh, sure Sam."

"Max, meet demon Peepers." "Oh, hi!" "Demon Peepers says he's my partner and best friend." *Max proceeds to kill demon Peepers*

Omg the Soda Poppers are Satan's bosses!?

Omg do I get to kill them now? Pls let me kill them!

They beat Brady to death!?

They've been planing their rise sins s1 ep1???

They're after the boys because of one bad birthday? What crybaby!

They're firing Satan!

Flint, Bosco, and Mama Bosco cutscene us everything.

Mama Bosco is gone :(

"I did wipe your windshield for you." "Oh, I er, must have left my change in my other suit! Max?" "I'm naked."

Satan's proud of the boys haha

The stripper is the monster

All the men are into it. They're all gay, bi, or pan now you can't change my mind.

Bosco likes to be nude apparently

Mr Featherly doesn't have his vest on!

Abe, you really aren't winning me over

Oh, Timmy is a Poppers fan. Poor child has no taste.

Let's steal Satan's stufg

Let's mess with Hugh

"I hope I won't have to bend over provokedly to--" "That's enough, Max."

Oh wait, I didn't check on Sybil

Ew, Peepers is seducing Sybil.

"I hate to say, but Peepers is kind of sexy." "Ha, if you're into short guys with annoying voices!" 👀👀👀 Max, you just described yourself

Dick Peacock!?

Yay, we saved Sybil!

Whizzer is trying to make Girl Stinky eat the forbidden fruit

Grandpa Stinky is alive!

Awe, the Stinky's are a surrogate family

Culinary dark arts

Oh, that's what the baby book is for.

She's a cake!!!

Aw, Grandpa is upset he turned her into a cake

Oh, I think we were suppose to do the Stinky puzzel before the Sybil one.

Specs is trying to win the C.O.P.S. souls?

Ok, figured out how to save Chippy

Hell yeah, Chippy rocks!

Specs didn't give him the golden fiddle! What a rip!

Ok, time to help the Stinky's! Let's get the boys drunk!!!

Poor Monster 😞

Drunk Abe is showing remorse

Yay! Girl Stinky is back!

Of course we can't just give hell back. Poppers gotta make it difficult

Welp, down into the pits or he'll we go.

Oh hey, the sleigh. Yay for tome travel

We made hell freeze over!

Sam letting Max pick up the phone because they froze he'll over 🥺

Sybil decided to let Max officiate ❤

Oh! I see what we have to do

The Miriachi!

By Popper fucks!

To the wedding!

Still wish she were with Superball

Aw, Sybil looks good in her dress

"Hundred bucks say they don't last three months." Thanks Flint

Max stole the flowers 👀👀👀 Him and Sam gonna get married. That's the only option

Leonard!

Aw, the boys let Abe and Sybil take the car ❤

[slipping-through-my-fingertips]

Music for the Soul

Summary: Soulmate AU where the song your soulmate is thinking of gets stuck in your head. 

This fic is inspired by and gifted to @yellowpaintpots.

Notes:  canonical, this is S2 E6 and a little beyond but it’s not exactly like the show obviously.

AO3

Kurt Hummel was used to not fitting in. At McKinley High, he was often an odd man out. He did partner projects alone, he held his tongue around bullies and had no one to complain to, and most days, he had an entire lunch table to himself. No one sat with the kid in weird, homemade clothes unless there was no other choice. 

What kept him going was music. He had one earbud in as he walked down the halls. Choosing from playlists his mother used to listen to, Broadway soundtracks sung by people still performing on stage today, and to the thrill of his father, rock classics. If Burt Hummel had passed anything onto his son, it was his music tastes and the fantastical idea of soulmates. 

The image of a white knight coming to save him by serenade was one that haunted him before he fell asleep. A boy, which little eleven-year-old Kurt held close to his heart, picked out by the universe meant just for him. Even when he started to find the fantasy a little too cheesy, it kept Kurt going until he found the glee club.

No one could touch him or change him because there was someone out there who would love him exactly the way he was. 

The New Directions were a hot mess when they started, of course. The 5 of them weren’t winning any competitions when they first found themselves in the choir room but they were five misfits who finally had friends. People who understood the passion of music and an adult who shared that same passion and would hopefully guide them to their dream futures. 

Just months later, they became a mixture of a dozen sophomores and freshmen with a Sectionals win under their belt all ready to face the Dalton Academy Warblers in a few weeks. With Regionals looming over them, glee had become much messier than usual. With plenty of in-fighting about solos and song choices, the choir room was always a jumbled, loud mess. That is until Mr. Schue came up with the idea for a school musical. It was taking their minds off of Regionals for the time being.

Kurt was all too happy to be auditioning for a role instead of sitting in the back row wishing he had a shot at a solo. His voice was too unique for Ohio. But someday, he knew, it would get him to Broadway. He held that thought close to his heart while tuning out Rachel’s insistence bickering.  

Yesterday, Mr. Schue had decided their school musical was going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Kurt loved cult classics as much as the next person but he wasn’t sure how Mr. Schue had gotten this approved by Figgins. It seemed too risqué for high schoolers. 

He only hoped whoever his soulmate was enjoying the soundtrack he had stuck in his head this week. 

Kurt planned on auditioning for Riff Raff. Already putting mental outfits from his closet to wear. The wound of Mr. Schue assuming he’d play Frank N. Furter based solely on the fact that he was gay was still fresh but his audition was going to blow everyone away. 

He had chosen “Dammit Janet” for his audition despite it being a Brad and Janet duet. Quinn, who was hoping for Magenta, was going to be his partner. They had joked about the main roles already being off the table before auditions; it was clear Mr. Schue had chosen Finn and Rachel for the leads. It was hard to be upset when Quinn had instantly offered to do a joint audition with him. Their voices went so well together and Kurt liked spending time with her. 

Ever since Kurt and Mercedes had their stint as Cheerios, they had gotten closer. The three of them even had a weekend sleepover this past Saturday. Mercedes had dumped the Cheerios but Kurt stayed on and Quinn had just gotten back on the squad after her dismissal last year. Coach Sue had them sing during practice last week and Quinn was waiting for him after their showers with the suggestion of a double audition song. 

They had been having rehearsals in the auditorium during their shared free period and twice after glee club on days when it wasn’t already reserved. As the day came closer, Quinn offered her house to practice in since her parents were rarely home and so Finn wouldn’t become Rachel's spy. Though, Kurt assured her Finn was much too engrossed in video games to bother with their rehearsals. 

Since they increased their run-throughs, Kurt’s had one song in his head all morning. In case the lyrics weren’t already ingrained into his head, he had his own little concert in his head. Just after lunch, that changed. A mere 3 hours until his audition after school his soulmate’s music had taken root. As much as Kurt was willing to bow down to the queens of pop, what he wouldn’t give for 5 minutes of something other than Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”. This bubble gum pop song had gone from ‘oh, that’s a good song to scream in the car’ to ‘if I hear it one more time, I’ll rip my ears off’ fairly quickly. 

It hadn’t helped that his brain went from one song on repeat to another. 

As he sits in geometry, he tries to hear Mr. Finnegan’s explanation of arcs but his brain has other plans. 

Let you put your hands on me in my skin tight jeans. 

Kurt knows it’s just a song but the image is so clear in his head. 

Smooth, soft skin. Obviously, someone who used lotions regularly, Kurt expected nothing less from his soulmate. Neatly trimmed fingernails so they wouldn’t catch on Kurt’s pants when fingers trailed up to cup his knee. The grip would be teasingly light. He never let his fantasies get too far. Especially outside the privacy of his bedroom. In all honesty, even when he was alone in his bed at night envisioning the same kind of scenario, Kurt didn’t really know what came next. He wasn’t even sure what kissing really entailed. 

What if his soulmate is ready for...certain things...Kurt’s not even to verbalize yet. What if he’s imagining their first meeting very differently then Kurt, who’s hopeful they’ll have coffee or a meal together before they do anything besides maybe hand-holding. The touch of the fingertips is as sexy as it gets, unless you ask Katy Perry it seems. 

He spends the rest of math wondering what the boy with Katy Perry in his head must look like. Kurt wonders if his soulmate wears bright colors like his idol or maybe Katy is a secret shame that he’ll only share with Kurt. 

…

Blaine liked fitting in. He enjoyed the uniform for many reasons. One, he thought the blazer looked stylish. It was also nice knowing what you had to wear every day, one less thing to worry about people judging you for. Plenty of people at his old school picked on him for his bow ties but at Dalton, everyone had neckwear. The standard blue and red striped tie. He liked how neat it was; there was a certain way to wear said uniform. 

Everyone was the same here. No typical hierarchy of jocks and cheerleaders. Only the Warblers stood out simply because everyone knew them. 

How could you forget a group of boys singing acapella at all hours of the day?

 Blaine might joke that they’re teenage rockstars but really they are just a group of talented guys who liked to sing. 

The Warblers were the first real friends he ever had. 

When he was still attending public school he held tightly to the idea of his soulmate since it seemed hopeless to wish for friendship. Not when he was being harassed for a sexuality he wasn’t sure of yet and being pushed to the ground in the parking lot for it. 

But a soulmate was a guarantee. Everyone had one. By the time Blaine reached eighth grade, he knew. All of those middle school bullies had used words Blaine didn’t quite understand until that moment. 

He was surrounded in the parking lot after school having missed his bus because someone had stuck gum in his curls during last period. That was the day Blaine started to seriously consider investing in some gel. Maybe that would prevent some bullying. Anyway, he was surrounded, being literally kicked around by a group of soccer players and friends. 

Other students had gathered to watch the so-called fight but Blaine thought their chants would only grab the attention of a teacher or so he hoped. No one came quickly. He had enough injuries by the end for his mom to insist on a trip to the ER. A big black eye and sprained his wrist along with plenty of bruising on his limbs. 

But he honestly didn’t remember getting hurt beyond the initial pushing to the ground. When the bullying got bad like this he pulled out those daydreams. This time around it wasn’t this blurry image of hand holding, there was a boy. Blaine hadn’t seen his face but his voice was soft and comforting, inviting Blaine in. There was an outstretched hand just out of reach for Blaine to take. Blaine knew then. His soulmate was a boy. 

When everything was over and he was being released by the doctor, all he knew was there was some boy built perfectly for Blaine just waiting to be found. Waiting for him. 

He hadn’t even been upset by his injuries because he was sitting with these thoughts of ‘how do I come out to my parents?’ 

Instead of deciding that day, he kept those daydreams close to his heart for the next year and a half. Until the issue of high school came out and Blaine didn’t want to go back to public school. To his surprise, both of his parents took it well. They were more concerned for his safety than his sexuality. Together, they decided on Dalton. A private school with a zero tolerance policy for bullies. That was that. 

He still had his doubts at Dalton. Was he really good enough to be a lead soloist let alone go onto Broadway someday? Could he make it out of Ohio? In those moments, Blaine still came back to his soulmate. Someone, no matter what came, Blaine would have by his side. 

When he imagined his soulmate, Blaine could never truly figure out what he’d look like. All he saw was that outstretched hand. Usually, people could draw up a picture in their heads based on the music they heard. 

For Blaine, the genre of music didn’t help. His soulmate was clearly someone with mixed taste. 

Today’s selection was...a musical. Blaine wasn’t familiar with the characters Brad and Janet but he had looked it up at lunch. Some kind of cult classic people went to see in the weeks leading up to Halloween. It was October so it made sense for the soundtrack to be stuck in his soulmate’s head. Blaine wondered if he had gone to see it, wondered who he saw it with. 

The Warblers thought he was crazy. Imagining that his soulmate was off with some other person. It was rare to date seriously before meeting a soulmate but Blaine always told them the same story of his parents. Both of them had been in very serious relationships before they met. Hell, his mother had been engaged. Neither of them thought they’d meet their soulmate, which was also fairly rare but had happened.  

When they met, they didn’t drop everything to be together. The wedding was put on hold but his father hadn’t broken up with his girlfriend right away. His parents wanted to be together only if they agreed with the universe’s choice. 

Blaine knew his dad had been wary of his mother’s music taste. Pam had been deep into her metal phrase in her early twenties. His dad, Robert, was not a fan. He loved classical music. Forever dooming Pam to hum music without lyrics meanwhile Robert was cursed with “nonsense yelling” as he called it. Lucky, both of their music tastes had shifted over the years to have more overlap. Though, Blaine and Cooper had been subjected to dinners with a mixtape of Def Leppard and Bach. 

They got together in the end, which was the important part, but what if they hadn’t chosen each other? What if Blaine’s soulmate was deeply in love with someone else and he’d spend the rest of his days loveless and alone?

When he voiced these thoughts aloud, his friends usually told him what a downer he could be, which tended to shake those fears away. If his parents, different as they were, still fell in love it would happen to him too. It was just a matter of when. 

…

The next day at lunch, Mercedes was fretting over her soulmate. 

“What if he’s super young, Kurt?” 

“What makes you think that?” He asked, stabbing his salad. 

“He’s got The Backyardigans theme song in his head again,” she sighed. “He got to be like 7. I’m just not comfortable with that.” 

“It’s an age gap for sure,” Kurt agreed, but he’s fairly sure Sam Evans was singing that song after PE today, “or maybe he just has younger siblings. Don’t let your only-childness cloud your judgment.”

She hummed in agreement and pushed her tater tots around. 

It was sort of a hard way to figure out your soulmate unless they were obvious about what music they had playing in their heads.

Some people, like Mr. Schue, we’re pretty obvious. He had been singing in the auditorium when Ms. Pillsbury found him. It was a pretty clear-cut match. As far as Mercedes was concerned, Kurt is sure she’ll overhear Sam’s humming soon enough. 

He doesn’t want to spoil anything for his best friend nor does he want to be wrong. Soulmate meetings only come once in a lifetime. 

Well, the first soulmate meeting that is. 

There are plenty of people, like his dad, who lose a soulmate too soon and are gifted another one later in life. Kurt was so happy when he introduced Burt and Carole at parent-teacher conferences. They had just been listening to the Wicked soundtrack in the car ride over and Carole Hudson did not strike Kurt as the type of person who knew “I’m Not That Girl” by heart. 

“Are you nervous about auditions?” Mercedes asked. “The list goes up today after glee.” 

“Not at all like,” he shrugged, “I think Quinn and I did well.” 

“Oh no, Kurt, we crushed it,” Quinn said, sitting down with her lunch. 

He smiled at her. Quinn went on to compliment Mercedes on her audition, having heard part of it from outside the audition. She would’ve been inside with Kurt to watch but Coach Sue wanted to meet with her head Cheerio about their upcoming competition. From what Quinn had told them via text, Sue was going all out at practice today. 

“She doesn’t want us to be late,” Quinn said. “That list better be up right away.” 

“We should change before glee,” Kurt suggested. 

“Good idea.” 

Once Quinn had sat down the rest of the New Directions filed in. With interlocking pinkies, Santana and Brittany wandered over taking the last two seats available. 

“Cheerios practice is gonna be hell, hope you’re up for the challenge Hummel,” Santana said. 

He shot her a short glare. 

“Kurt always understands the assignment, Santana,” Quinn quipped back. 

Brittany nodded in agreement smiling at Kurt from across the table. She gave him a small wave half hidden by her lunch tray. In return, Kurt waved back just as shyly. 

They had an interesting friendship. Kurt had kissed Brittany before. He was sure it hadn’t phrased Brittany as it had him. After all, she had kissed almost every boy in school. Some kind of record, he thought. 

They sort of dated for like a week when Kurt was trying to convince himself he was straight. When he firmly realized he was kidding no one, not even himself, they broke up. Since then, he and Brittany had remained close. They were both Cheerios and in the glee club, it made sense. 

He was happy to have Brittany in his life, even if that meant Santana by extension came with her. Santana was fine outside of the public eye. If the Unholy Trinity incited Kurt to their sleepovers, Santana was a different person. She put up a front at McKinley, extremely similar to the one Kurt attempted when he dated Brittany. 

Few are privy to why she did this, Quinn and Kurt knew and he was fairly certain Mercedes did as well. She was very perceptive that way. Brittany was Santana’s soulmate. It explained so much about their relationship. Always in sync, completing each other perfectly, a literal better half.

Honestly, it gave Kurt so much hope that everyone’s soulmate was like that. A missing puzzle piece. 

He really hoped his soulmate listened to more than just Teenage Dream because the lyrics were slowly creeping into his everyday language. 

Usually, Kurt found himself hyper-focused in glee club. He got an energy boost just from walking into the choir room. Like a light switch turning on. His focus wasn’t always on whatever lecture Mr. Schue was pursuing, sometimes he watched his fellow glee clubbers (catching himself up on drama just by sideways glances), or mentally mapping out his next performance. 

Today, Kurt wasn’t able to do any of those things. With the soundtrack of Teenage Dream (again) in his head, all he was thinking about was the center of a bulletin board with the cast list for The Rocky Horror Show on it. How far down the list was Riff Raff? How many names came before his?

Someone was snapping in front of his face. Kurt shook himself from his daydream to find Mercedes.

“Boy, wake up!” She said, “cast list is about to go up.” 

Either glee club had gotten shorter or Mr. Schue was putting it up early. 

…

Blaine didn’t really understand why the Warblers were concerned. Doing an improv performance was not new to them. In fact, Blaine had done three already this school year and he was only a freshman. 

The first one he did had been way back in September, he hadn’t even been an official Warbler yet. Warbler Tradition said: all potential freshman recruits were required to perform again after their auditions with the whole group. It was a solid way to see if they fit in well with the other established Warblers. Blaine fondly remembers vibing along with the older Warblers and fellow potentials to a medley of Pink songs. None of the freshmen had solos but it was still a fun time. 

At the time it seemed like all of Dalton fit into the choir room and surrounding hallways but in reality it was the entire freshman class. Improv performances weren’t something any middle schooler had seen before but the upperclassmen of Dalton knew the Warblers had plenty of improvs to come for the rest of the school year. The first one was special. Just for the newbies. 

Three days after that performance, Blaine had gotten word that he was to be a new Warbler and two months after that he was granted his first solo. Now, he was slowly becoming their go-to soloist for almost every performance for an audience. Blaine had become a vital part of all rehearsals for the most part. He was honored by their commitment to him honestly and he loved to sing however, a week and half of preparations was a tad excessive. Still, he walked his way to rehearsal positive that the council would have at least five points to discuss before they actually started singing. 

He walked into the choir room shaking his shake fondly and smiling at the Warblers already present. 

The council were always first to arrive. Together. Then it was a mixed bag of who followed. Usually Trent was there, punctual as always, and Blaine took the seat between Trent and Jeff. 

The room was mostly full already. 

Nick came in shortly after Blaine and sat across from him immediately asking if there had been a pop quiz in Stanton’s class earlier and was rather relieved to find out Jeremy was a filthy liar, who liked to start trouble. Before Jeremy could get on Blaine’s case about being overly sincere, the meeting began. 

Wes banged his gavel and welcomed everyone before gesturing for David to read off last meeting’s notes. Once the talking portion of the meeting was over, they pushed the furniture aside to make room. 

...

A week later Kurt was happy to have one musical under his belt but thankful the performance run had been short. If you thought the New Directions were dramatic during competition weeks, it was nothing compared to their musical rehearsals. 

Now, Mr. Schue was having the brilliant idea to host a boys vs girls competition. Of course, Kurt hadn’t wanted to work with the boys. They were sure to exclude his musical talents and he doubted he could get them to agree to any of his costume suggestions. 

This was hardly a challenge. It was bland and they had done it already. 

Kurt was sitting in the back of the choir room pouting. Yes, pouting. Full on arms crossed, head down, and bottom lip puffed out. Until, Mr. Schue had an actual brilliant idea, Kurt’s suggestion of course, to spice things up. 

The boys did not appreciate Kurt’s six hours of work putting two posters together. Even with the assignment to bring more feminine qualities into their performance, the boys ignored his input. So, when Puckerman suggested Kurt spy on the Warblers, he was thankful for a reason to leave. He packed up his projects and headed home to change.

When Mr. Schue found out who their competition was, Rachel and Kurt did some googling. He had seen the all-boys school uniform and was fairly sure he could replicate it with clothes he already had. 

He pulled some looks from his closet. Once satisfied he looked up directions to Westerville. 

Dalton was huge. It looked like a museum. How on earth was Kurt going to find their choir room? He hoped there were signs inside or a map. 

As he walked down a spiral staircase much too pretty to be in a school, he decided to just ask for directions. He was going to get lost if he kept walking without help. 

When the boy he stopped turned around, all Kurt could think was ‘I’d love to put my hands all over you.’ Which was a ridiculous thought to have because he didn’t know this boy and where had that even come from? Oh right, Teenage Dream was still playing in his head. Thanks, Katy. 

If only his soulmate knew he was using this song to fantasize about running off into the sunset with another boy. 

…

Blaine loved being in the spotlight. Wes would say it was because he didn’t get that kind of attention from his parents but that simply wasn’t true. Well, unless Cooper was around; he always pulled focus when it came to their parents. Older sibling privilege, he assumed. 

But he was running late. He stayed behind in class to ask a question which turned into his teacher rambling. Didn’t he know the Warblers had a performance today in the senior commons and Blaine was their lead singer? 

He was checking the time when someone stopped him on the stairs. 

A beautiful boy. Unlike anyone Blaine had ever seen before. He almost missed his name because he was caught up in memorizing his face. 

There was something said about being new, which Blaine doubted since he wasn’t in uniform, and Blaine mentioned a shortcut he knew of. 

It wasn’t really a shortcut. More like the long way to the Senior Commons but less crowded. Everyone was making their way to the Warblers and Blaine wanted as much time alone with Kurt as he could get. 

He wanted Kurt’s full attention. It was no wonder he instantly wanted to show off. Teenage Dream fit his vocals perfectly and Kurt was an excellent audience. In fact, Blaine was set on serenading him. 

He had no way of knowing that exact song had been playing all day long in Kurt Hummel’s mind. 

Afterward, Blaine lost himself in a group hug from the Warblers but Kurt’s beaming smile caught his eye. He pulled Wes and David aside, confirming his own suspicions that Kurt was spying on them first before convincing them to invite Kurt for coffee. 

The four boys sat at a table. Kurt seemed very nervous now. Blaine wasn’t sure if it was because he had been caught or something else was going on. In the end, Blaine thought it best for just him and Kurt to have a conversation. Not at all because he wanted alone time with him. 

This clearly wasn’t the time or place for romance. 

Once they were alone the whole tale seemed to flow out of Kurt: the name calling, locker shoving, his biggest bully. Blaine could relate. 

Sometimes he felt phantom pains in his right leg from Sadie Hawkins. At first, Kurt scoffed when Blaine began sympathizing. If he were Kurt, he might not believe himself. 

Private schoolboy bullied? Blaine sure didn’t look like someone who lacked friends. It was fairly common knowledge that Dalton had a zero tolerance policy for harassment. So, he explained. As brief as he could about his own experience with public school bullies. 

Kurt and he seemed to have more in common than a love for music. 

He doesn't have any plans to see Kurt again though Blaine has plenty of ideas on how they could get together. Coffee at the Lima Bean. Old musicals were playing at the revival theater. Maybe another high school was putting on a play this weekend. All Blaine needed was a good enough message to ask Kurt out. He drafted plenty but none sent. 

After school, Blaine knew Kurt might need an extra push. He was pretty sure classes at McKinley were done for the day. 

He sent a single word. Less second-guessing that way. 

Courage. 

Then, he walked to the library to start writing an essay on Lord of the Flies for English. 

However, he found himself unable to concentrate. Usually after a performance, Blaine had the song stuck in his head for at least a day or two afterward. In addition to humming in the weeks of rehearsals, of course. Instead, Blaine found himself thinking about Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones and oddly Livin’ On a Prayer. Both songs he thought better suited his father or Cooper’s tastes. It was a mashup of the two songs like his soulmate was hearing them simultaneously. 

When he started thinking about his soulmate, there was a clear picture of someone. It didn’t take long for Blaine to bring up those blue eyes and the soft complexion of Kurt Hummel. Which was crazy thinking. He had no idea if Kurt was his soulmate. 

Soulmates tended to be around the same age but just because Kurt was also in high school meant nothing. By that logic anyone at Dalton could be his soulmate too. 

During his brief time with Kurt this week, Blaine heard no music from his mouth. In fact, Blaine had done all the singing. Even with half his brain saying he was nuts to think Kurt was his forever, Blaine couldn’t let the thought go. 

…

Blaine’s text comes in in the midst of the girls’ performance. A wonderful mashup and excellent costumes. Tina had texted Kurt about the leather jacket idea early this week. He was very proud of how they managed to pull the looks together in such a short time. It was impressive. 

Altogether, Kurt was feeling great. The boys had their rehearsal, apparently their performance was turning into an apology. Kurt wasn’t sure what they had done to Coach Beiste but apparently, she was quitting. He and Blaine were texting periodically now. No one knew it but Kurt was surely developing a huge crush on the Warbler boy. 

Then, he confronted Karofsky. He didn’t want to feel the same regret Blaine did—no one messes with the Hummels. 

It seemed like mere hours but in reality, it was days, Kurt was enrolled at Dalton and saying goodbye to the New Directions. 

He was full on having a Vanessa leaving Troy moment here. Kurt Hummel has got to go his own way. 

God was he nervous to start at a new school. In the middle of the school year too. Being the new kid was going to be hard but not as difficult as staying at McKinley would be. 

When Kurt was greeted by Blaine’s smile outside the office on his first day, it made Kurt relax. At least he already had a friend here. 

It isn’t until they’re walking down the hall together—Blaine insisted on escorting Kurt to his first class—that Kurt noticed Blaine was humming.

“Is that High School Musical?” Kurt asked. 

“Oh, um, technically it’s the sequel.” 

“What about us…” Blaine sang, “what about everything we’ve been through?” 

“What about trust…you know I’ve never wanted to hurt you?” 

Blaine chucked. “Cheesy but true. Such a good movie.” 

“We should watch it sometime,” Kurt suggested. 

Instantly, he wanted to take it back. He’s been told he can come on too strong. Especially around cute boys. 

“I’d love too!” Blaine said. “I have it on DVD.” 

Kurt doesn’t see Blaine again until their one shared class of the day right before lunch. He sits across the room from Blaine during history but next to him at the Warbler’s lunch table. 

Most of the group has the same lunch so Kurt is introduced to them before his audition later this afternoon. 

“Nervous?” Wes asked, “you shouldn’t be.” 

“Yeah, from what Blaine's told us you're a great singer,” Trent added. 

“He’s barely heard me sing,” Kurt replied, poking Blaine’s arm. 

He only sang one line of a song to the other boy today. 

“Well…” Blaine rubs his neck abashedly. “I might’ve watched some New Directions videos on YouTube.” 

“Oh, I forgot Rachel uploaded those.” Kurt tunes to the other Warblers then, “I hope I don’t disappoint.” 

After lunch, Blaine walks Kurt to class again. “Between you and me, you’re a shoo-in.” 

“Really?” The Warblers were such an esteemed group. Not at all like the disorganized New Directions. They had also been a glee club for far longer. 

“Really.” 

***

Blaine has had High School Musical songs in his head all day. Whoever his soulmate is, at least he’s got good taste in Disney Channel original movies. Then as the Warblers were preparing for Kurt’s audition, the song switched. An Evita song. 

His soulmate sure did love musicals. Blaine was rather happy about that. He could already picture them sitting on the couch cuddled under a fluffy blanket with any number of classic musicals laid out before them. Arguing over if it was too soon to rewatch Moulin Rouge and whose turn it was to make popcorn. 

They’d be in a big city apartment. Somewhere where no one cared if they were gay. All anyone wanted to know was how they discovered they were soulmates. Their origin story. 

From that point, the daydream grew fuzzy. Blaine couldn’t come up with that meet-cute story. It hadn’t happened yet and nothing his brain could come up with would ever match up with his future reality. 

He shook his head, bringing himself back to the choir room. 

The room was buzzing with excitement. It wasn’t every day the Warblers auditioned someone mid-semester. Of course, Kurt had special circumstances but the group was notorious for never breaking tradition. 

Blaine tried to focus but it was difficult without Kurt at his side. Lately, he had been distracted whenever Kurt wasn’t around. All Blaine could hear, despite the loud room, was the song in his head. 

I had to let it happen

I had to change

Then, Kurt walked in and music started to play. For a split second, Blaine thought he was imagining the words from “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” coming from Kurt’s lips. Surely he hadn’t chosen the same song as Blaine’s soulmate had in their head. He knew it couldn’t be his imagination when Trent leaned over and whispered to Blaine how much he loved this song. 

Like lightning striking a tree, Blaine had a realization. Kurt Hummel was his soulmate. 

Oh god, what was he going to do? 

His skin was burning as if it was burned away like bark. He drooped in his seat desperate for water to put himself out with. To put a stop to the tingling sensation bubbling up under his skin. 

All he wanted to do was reach out and touch Kurt. Some part of his brain was able to override that thought. He couldn’t ruin this audition for him. There was plenty of time to spend with Kurt after this, Blaine had all the time in the world to talk with his soulmate.

Soulmate.  

Never did he think he would find his soulmate this soon. Gosh, they were only teenagers. They had so much life to live together. This was rare, special, to find your soulmate so quickly in life. Blaine would cherish it, he’d be thankful for this gift for rest of his days. 

But how in the hell was he going to tell Kurt? It had to be romantic. Blaine always thought it would be when he finally came face to face with his soulmate, his one true love. There was so much work to be done and so little time to do it. Now that Blaine knew, he didn’t want to spend another day without Kurt knowing too. 

He used to dream about running dramatically in slow motion towards each other and embracing just as it started to rain, which of course led to a fabulous first kiss in the sudden storm. But Blaine knew how unlikely that would be. 

He’d just have to build a new fantasy, which he thought would be easy to do if Kurt was his so-called Prince Charming. Whatever happened was going to outweigh everything his imagination had come up with thus far. 

First and foremost, he’d had to sit through a discussion of this audition, which he was barely able to pay attention to. All he wanted to do was walk up to Kurt, cup his face, and kiss him. After Kurt was finished, the council dismissed him. Blaine knew he’d find Kurt just outside the choir room because they had plans afterward but now he had no idea how he was going to sit through coffee with Kurt and not tell him. 

“He’s very good,” Trent said, nudging Blaine. 

He nodded in agreement. It seems most of the group concurred, Kurt was a good fit for them. 

Kurt Hummel was the perfect fit for Blaine too. Even if he didn’t know it yet. 

***

Kurt didn’t consider himself to be a good reader of social cues especially when his own emotions were involved. See, Finn Hudson and Sam Evans. Crushes on straight boys never ended well. With Blaine, he swore things would be different. 

They were friends, classmates, and hopefully, soon they’d be fellow Warblers. Kurt was not going to mess this up. Even if Blaine was really cute and friendly and super kind and understanding. There was so much to love about Blaine, Kurt found it hard to find something he didn’t like. 

He had found focusing on his dislikes of a person kept his feelings at bay. Like how messy Finn could be really shut down any romance fantasy Kurt had drawn up. Except, Blaine didn’t dye his hair like Sam, he was completely organized (Kurt had seen his dorm room; spotless), he was modest and genuine. 

It made sense that everyone at Dalton wanted some of his attention. Blaine embodied Kurt’s idea of a gentleman and then some. 

After his audition, Kurt sat outside the choir room waiting for his results. The council would discuss with the full group, release them, and regroup tomorrow with a vote. Kurt was waiting for Blaine to be dismissed because Blaine had promised to buy him a cup of coffee. 

Some of the Warblers who were leaving had some pretty nice things to say about Kurt’s performance. Just general praise which soothes some of his initial nerves. Mostly, he just wanted Blaine to walk out with a big smile on his face. That boy couldn’t keep a secret. Kurt would know if he was in or not just by looking at his face. 

Kurt was joined on his bench by a boy who introduced himself as Duncan. 

“I was super nervous after my audition. I just got in at the beginning of this year so I know what you’re going through.” 

Kurt felt his shoulders drop in relief. As much as Blaine tried to assure him the audition would be perfect, Kurt felt like he couldn’t relate much as the star of the glee club. Back at McKinley, Kurt rarely had center stage. Here, Blaine always had everyone’s attention. 

“That’s actually great to hear,” Kurt said, with a slight chuckle. 

“Seriously, Kurt, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’m a little concerned they’ll kick me out just to have your voice,” Duncan teased. 

They keep talking about what it’s like to be a new Warbler since Duncan is positive Kurt will be getting good news shortly. He offers up some pointers to get on the council’s good side. 

“I loved your song choice by the way, so weird because Evita had been in my head all day.” 

It feels like someone’s dropped an ice cube down his back. He sits up quickly. 

Oh, Kurt thought, is this it? 

“You did?” He must’ve heard wrong. There’s just no way. 

“Yeah, I love that musical,” Duncan confirmed. 

Could it be this easy? He wondered. 

“We should hang out again soon,” Duncan told him, “I’d love to get to know you. Newbie Warblers gotta stick together.” 

Kurt gives Duncan his number before the other boy wanders off. Before Kurt can get too deep into any fantasies of his soulmate, wondering if that soulmate has just left him or not, Blaine comes out from the choir room. 

“Hey you,” Blaine greeted with a big smile. 

“Are you allowed to give me any inclination?” 

He shook his head but was still smiling wide which made Kurt feel like good news was in his near future like Duncan had said. Kurt was telling Blaine how long he had practiced the song over the weekend with Rachel and Duncan reassurances when Blaine blurted, “Duncan Samuels?” 

“Yeah, we just met.” 

Should he tell Blaine about them being soulmates or wait until he was sure? 

But Blaine just nodded. Something was clearly bothering his friend. For now, Kurt was going to let it go because he was sure Blaine would come to him if he wanted to talk. He didn’t want to force it out of Blaine. 

Kurt couldn’t even get Finn to talk to him during their warm milk chats at night. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to pull the information out of Blaine if he tried.

“Anyway,” Kurt said, continuing his previous line of thought, “Rachel has this whole stage setup in her dads’ basement.” 

“I don’t find that hard to believe based on everything you’ve told me about her.” 

After that comment, their coffee date is back on track, Kurt doesn’t bring up his potential soulmate meeting. 

***

Duncan Samuels was his lifelong nemesis. As far as Blaine was considered his life began when he figured out Kurt was his soulmate and if Duncan was going to interfere with that they were now enemies. Since their coffee date yesterday, Blaine hasn’t heard a word about Duncan but he also had yet to see Kurt today. They only had one class together after lunch, which Blaine was on his way to now. 

Kurt saved him a seat and delivered the news. 

“Duncan and I are going for coffee today.” 

Those words were devastating. 

In normal circumstances, Blaine would’ve asked Kurt why he wasn’t going to rehearsal but of course Kurt wasn’t a Warbler…yet. Blaine knew the Warblers were going to announce Kurt’s membership at the end of day, which meant this was the last rehearsal Kurt wouldn’t attend. 

So instead of a calmly said, normal statement, Blaine spent the next minute freaking out. 

Duncan was the worst! He was going to steal Kurt away from him before Blaine ever got the chance. Well okay, the rational side of him thought, Kurt isn’t being stolen he’s going willingly. 

“That’s nice,” he finally said. 

There was no way for Blaine to stop Kurt and honestly no reason to try since Duncan posed no threat to Kurt. He didn’t need a protector. Blaine knew they were soulmates and he’d find a way to tell Kurt later on. At the end of it all, Kurt was his soulmate. He just knew it. 

“Are you free when I get out of rehearsal?” 

“For you?” Kurt asked, “of course, I’ll probably still be in the cafe.” 

“I’ll come find you,” Blaine told him. 

Still, all throughout Warbler rehearsal, Blaine’s attention was elsewhere. He needed to get out of here and meet up with Kurt. Wes knew it too because he pulled him aside at one point while David ushered the guys into a new arrangement.

“What’s up with you?” He asked, “I need you focused for competition.” 

“I will be,” he vowed. 

“You didn’t answer my question.” 

Blaine looked back at the other boys but they were already harmonizing. 

“It’s Kurt.” 

Wes smiled. “Don’t worry about him. He’s in, I can’t believe we have a countertenor on our team now. We’re going to wipe the floor at regionals.” 

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Wesley. McKinley already knows what a talent Kurt is, he won’t be a surprise to them,” Blaine reminded him. 

“Ah, but they didn’t utilize his talent,” Wes said, “it’ll shock them to see Kurt in the spotlight.” 

Wes patted Blaine’s back and guided him back to the group to finish up rehearsal. 

Blaine couldn’t help but check his phone again before he tuned back into rehearsal. He knew Kurt was getting coffee and that’s why he wasn’t answering his phone. 

One of the best things about Kurt was when you were with him everything else was put aside. Blaine was sure if things got really serious, Kurt would shut his phone off entirely to prove a point. Right now, it was annoying as hell. Blaine needed to see a reassuring text that Kurt wasn’t running off into the sunset with Duncan Samuels. 

What if his phone was turned off because the two of them were standing at the altar? Everyone turns their phones off in church. 

He really really needed to talk to him. Blaine didn’t want to be the type of soulmate that holds onto that information too long. It’s like he’s lying to himself not being with Kurt. 

Once rehearsal was finally over, Blaine rushed over to the on-campus cafe where he knew Kurt would be. He had to be there. 

When Blaine pushed his way through the door, he saw Kurt was sitting alone nursing what looked to be a cup of tea. When Blaine approached him he could tell it was Chamomile. 

“Can I sit?” 

Kurt nodded but didn’t say a word as Blaine hung his bag across the back of the chair and removed his blazer. 

He expected a question about the Warblers, perhaps an inquiry about his status to become one but nothing came. Kurt wasn’t even drinking his tea. 

“What’s wrong? Did Duncan say something to upset you?”

“I’m fine, Blaine,” Kurt said, “Duncan didn’t do anything wrong. It’s me as usual.” 

Blaine didn’t understand. 

“Am I that unlovable?” 

“What?” 

Kurt was the most kind, sincere person he knew and Blaine had only met him a few weeks ago. He was most certainly lovable considering Blaine fell for him in just under 3 weeks 

“I can’t really blame him,” Kurt continued, “it’s not his fault we aren’t soulmates.” 

“You thought he was your soulmate?” 

Maybe telling Kurt wouldn’t be too difficult after all. 

“It’s just he made this comment yesterday that made me think…but of course I got too ahead of myself again and really I should know by now,” Kurt mumbled the last bit, “nothing ever goes to plan.” 

“You can say that again.” 

This cafe wasn’t a romantic candlelit dinner. He didn’t have rose petals to scatter around. There was no champagne to toast. But he had the most important thing. 

Blaine reached across the table to grab Kurt’s hand. “Think of a song.” 

“Why?” 

“Just do it,” Blaine said. 

Kurt’s face was scrunched up in a “I’m confused but I’ll trust you” kind of way. 

As soon as the song hit him, Blaine opened his mouth to sing, “this could be the start of something new…it feels so right to be here with you.”

“How did you—?” 

Blaine smiled at him. “Pick another song.” 

“Your cares and troubles are gone. They'll be no more from now on.”

His mouth opens slightly. 

“Your turn,” Blaine said, “ I want you to sing what comes to mind.” 

Wasn’t the best way to prove they were soulmates to test each other? 

Blaine wanted Kurt to have his own moment of realization even if he engineered it. He didn’t want their “how-did-you-know” story to be him informing Kurt about their connection. Instead, he wanted to tell people about listening to Kurt’s Warbler audition and thinking how odd it was to know the song he was going to sing before it began. Kurt’s story would start with a laugh because he imagined someone other than Blaine as his soulmate the very same day. 

And wasn’t that just so silly of him? 

Rather than have Kurt just sing to him, Blaine harmonized with him. This was the proof. He’d sing everything Kurt could come up with and vice versa. 

“But baby, can't you see there's nothing else for me to do? I'm hopelessly devoted to you.”

“Blaine,” Kurt said. “We’re….”

He nodded. 

Before Blaine even realized it, Kurt was out of his seat leaning towards him, they’re kissing. Kurt’s fingers are curved around his chin and his other hand is tickling the curls at the back of his neck. The tiny wisps of hair that always escape the gel by the late afternoon. 

Blaine would happily keep his curls loose if it meant Kurt would keep his hands in his hair always. Especially, if it meant they’d never stop kissing. 

Eventually, Kurt has to pull away. They’re still close enough to feel each other’s breath. 

“Soulmates,” Blaine whispered. 

It had been quiet while they kissed like everything else in the world just stopped. All the sounds of Dalton came rushing back all at once. The students in the halls, coffee orders being called out, and the shuffling of chairs as people came and went. 

“When did you know?” Kurt asked, sitting down again. 

Blaine pulled his seat around so they were closer and Kurt immediately reached for his hand. 

***

3 months later. 

Blaine hadn’t been upset to lose to McKinley at Regionals. How could he have been when he got to sing with his soulmate in front of a crowd? Their duet was so in sync and the crowd could tell. He doesn’t think he ever received such a loud applause. 

Blaine had wanted to just be in that moment forever—staring into Kurt’s eyes hearing the words in his head just before they were said aloud, gripping his hand before pushing him into the spotlight to soak up the audience’s love. 

No, Blaine was happy about Regionals. The Warblers had worked hard on the set; their second place trophy sat on the right corner of the council’s table at meetings now. What Blaine was concerned about was Kurt’s leaving. 

His dorm room was empty now, the last suitcase zipped up. Blaine was sitting on his boyfriend’s mattress taking in the last moment that Kurt was a Dalton student. 

“I’ll miss you too, you know, a lot,” Kurt said from the doorway. 

“I know,” Blaine replied, “it’s just sad.” 

Kurt took a seat next to him on the bed. 

“I’ll sing to you.” 

Blaine smiled. “Promise?” 

“Everyday.” Kurt kissed his cheek. 

They were going to be okay. 

[copperpieceharlot]

Bud I’m sorry to swing into your inbox uninvited like this but my soul is having an OOTS renaissance thanks to your content in the tag and did you say Leverage AU

haha holy SHIT this got Long. but yes. i’ve been. Thinking. (also literally Never feel like you have to apologize for sending me messages. i was Hoping someone would ask me about this. now i have an Excuse to share EVERYTHING ive written abt it :3)

Obviously, Roy is the leader/brains of the outfit. He grew up having some Strong Opinions abt what’s Legal versus what’s Right due to tragic backstory involving the death of his little brother which was definitely SOMEONE’S fault for negligence but since there technically wasn’t any illegal behavior, there were no consequences for it. Also he’s still angry at his dad bc he thinks his dad is also partly culpable (and also also just a dick). He’s the Moral Backbone of the team (alongside Durkon, more on that later) in basically the same way Nate was in og Leverage. He’s actually not the best at figuring out what people want (that’s Haley and, shockingly, occasionally Elan), but once he has that info, he is the absolute best at figuring out the ideal plan of attack to use in any given case.

Haley is still a thief. I mean she maps to Parker almost PERFECTLY. Her dad was a thief & a conman, her mom wasn’t but knew about it and mostly accepted it, but she died tragically in a mugging gone wrong or smth, which made Ian crank the paranoia WAY up and taught Haley to do the same in the name of “safety”. Let’s keep the “Ian is in Trouble and Haley needs money, Fast” which is why she signs on to the first job in the first place. She’s less acrobatic than Parker, tending towards finding (or making) weak spots in security, but she can still make a tumble check when she needs to.

Elan is the grifter who is somehow an Idiot but also not???? It baffles everyone. When he’s playing a part for a con, he’s FLAWLESS, but then the rest of the time he’s just. No Thoughts Head Empty. He probably gets lured in initially because he’s decided to try his hand at being part of a full team, rather than the two-man cons he’s been running that invariably end w his partner conning him as well and stealing half of his take. Also he likes the idea of being Crime Friends. He’s that tweet where it’s like, Roy: “after the heist is over, we split up and never communicate again” / Elan: [about to unveil his Crime Buddies Forever Friendship Quilt Puppets]: “never?”

Vaarsuvius is the hacker/gadget person. They have a Vaguely Snobby Yet Unidentifiable accent, dyed(?) purple hair (nobody has ever seen their roots) and nobody knows who they “really” are or where they came from, but they’re good at what they do so everyone just accepts the mystery. They probably got suckered into the team by their initial employer (who I’ll get to Eventually, lol) framing it as a challenge to their intellect, like, “oh, I see, you’re not smart enough to make this team work for you...” to which they were like Fucking Watch Me and also melted his computer. Anyways. They are joined (digitally) by their Intrepid Friend And Co-Conspirator (his words, not theirs), a fellow hacker known only as Blackwing, or, on certain forums, Blackwing_Bird. (In the first season, V only occasionally references him when saying they’re “calling in extra help” or smth for a particularly complex hack job. He starts showing up a little more in s2 and eventually by the start of s4 is a regular & established presence, but only appears as actions in a computer interface or output.) Elan is convinced he’s an AI, Belkar doesn’t think he actually exists, Haley pretends she doesn’t think he exists, and Durkon and Roy try not to think about it too hard, as long as B and V still get the job done.

Belkar is the hitter. He is on the team bc their initial employer got him out of jail for it. He doesn’t have a tragic backstory, he just likes doing violent crimes. As the series progresses, he grows some empathy & stuff, but really only for people who actually deserve it. Assholes still get decked. It’s all very touching. (Also he has dwarfism caused by achondroplasia. It doesn’t actually bother him and is useful in fights bc his opponents frequently have no fucking clue how to approach him, but he likes Pretending to take offense at stupid things just to see how far he can go with it.)

Aaaand last but not least, Durkon is the least involved member of the team. He’s actually a career criminal and Roy’s mentor, and wasn’t a member of the initial team that [redacted, I’ll tell you later, PROMISE] put together for a couple of reasons, the main one being that he’s Officially retired in order to spend more time with his family, which consists of his mom, his friend (not girlfriend) Hilgya, baby Kudzu, and a truly stunning number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Roy frequently calls or visits him for advice and he Occasionally shows up to help out on local jobs, but generally he avoids doing crime if he can (as part of a deal with Hilgya, who is also a career criminal; basically, they’ve both cut back on the crime in order to provide a more stable home environment for Kudzu. But sometimes, you gotta do a little crime, and in those cases, Sigdi enjoys spending time w her grandson.)

NOW. THE BIG REVEAL YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR. Who got the team together in the first place?!

The answer: Lord Shojo (or whatever Normal Person Name you want to assign him). Now this is where it gets tricky: he had them do a thing that they thought was good, THEN they thought it was BAD, but then when they confronted him he revealed that it Appearing to be bad was actually a test of character and would they consider working as basically internal investigators for him? But then he had a heart attack, so, rip. But THEN it turned out that he’d left them a bunch of money anyway and they were all feeling kind of Inspired so they formed the Order of the Stick, LLC (which, no, i am not coming up with a new name, actually, because I just don’t care. someone else can come up w a justification for that name, tho, i’m sure it’s possible). Also Miko was there and was unhappy abt their actions, and also their general existence.

Moving on. Villains!

Redcloak is the Sterling replacement, because that DEEPLY amuses me.

Xykon is a season-long main villain, probably one that Redcloak finds himself working for but then “teams up with” (read: blackmails) the Order to bring him down bc even Redcloak finds Xykon distasteful. That’s season 3, let’s say.

Tarquin is another season villain, say season 2. Nale probably shows up pretty early in s1, actually, as another recurring antagonist like Sterling but uh. Less good at it. Anyways the s2 final 3 eps deal with them (accidentally) discovering that Tarquin runs some Evil Empire Company, then trying to outplay him and take him down. Idk if Nale still dies in this version tbh.

Tsukiko is a one-off s1 villain who returns briefly in s4 alongside Miko, who has gone well and truly off the rails.

Season 1 finale has to do w Roy finally getting Vengeance for his little brother.

The vampire squad is the s4 finale villain who do smth terrible to Durkon and then get the Mother Of All Revenge served up to them by the Order.

I envision the show as being 5 seasons (like og Leverage) but I’m not going to sketch out s5 because I think it should be based off whatever happens in the current story arc, possibly involving some legacy of the OotSquiggle.

Other stuff!

The Order of the Squiggle is a legendary criminal team from the 60s who stole a BUNCH of famous shit & then proceeded to legendarily implode. This has no bearing on the plot I’ve sketched out, I just think it’s fun.

The Sapphire Guard members should probably be reworked as FBI. I don’t care about most of them but I do think that Lien and O-Chul could be like, FBI agents who Choose to look the other way while the Order does their very-much-not-legal-but-still-fair Justice Crime, and maybe even help them out on occasion.

So, the Final season-by-season outline, based on everything I’ve written so far:

s1 e1: getting the team together, doing a con for Shojo, then at the end he dies and the gang is like “dang what now?" and intend to split up except then they Don’t.

mid-s1: Nale shows up and tries to trick the Order, but then gets beat like a drum.

late s1: Tsukiko is an underling of the Villain Of The Week, winds up in police custody. But She’ll Be Back.

s1 finale: Roy’s Vengeance: The Vengeaning. also we meet Redcloak as an antagonist.

s2 e1: the truth abt Haley’s father comes out

early s2: The Two Live Crews Job but it’s the Order vs the Linear Guild and the Linear Guild ARE all bad guys.

mid-s2: Redcloak returns. ugh.

late s2: the sapphire guard FBI makes its first appearance, hello O-Chul and Lien.

s2 pre-finale: once again they’re in conflict w Nale over smth, he spends the whole episodes making Cryptic Remarks, they basically beat him (like a drum!) but then the stinger at the end is that Tarquin reveals himself and Elan is like “Dad?!”, roll credits.

s2 finale, part 1: Elan is hanging out w Tarquin bc he’s DEEP in Denial, the Rest of the team tries to take Tarquin down, but it doesn’t work.

s2 finale, part 2: Elan finally gets a clue and they manage to beat Tarquin. still haven’t decided if Nale dies or not, but I’m leaning towards yes. also they rescue Haley’s dad.

s3 e1: fuck dude idk.

early s3: Redcloak shows up, AGAIN, everyone groans. he has blackmail on them, he wants them to take Xykon down.

mid s3: The Rashomon Job but it’s about stealing the Talisman of Dorukan and it turns out that Nale was there too (“oh!” Elan says. “I was wondering why I looked so weird in all those mirrors! But it wasn’t my reflection, it was Nale’s!” “Sweetie, that wasn’t Nale’s reflection,” says Haley. “Huh,” says Elan, “so the mirrors were broken?”, cue eye rolling from everyone else.), and the Successful thief was Hilgya, who’d nabbed it from the owner before it even went on display.

s3 finale: they beat Xykon, actually factually, because he deserves to get his ass Thoroughly kicked, even if only in AU form. Lien and O-Chul are there, so are some other less helpful FBI people. There’s a bit where O-Chul Exact Wordses his way out of telling his superiors about the Order’s less legal activities without technically lying. King shit.

s4 e1: doesn’t really matter. maybe smth to do w some legacy of Tarquin’s company to set up the drama w Malack & Durkon later.

early s4: Durkon gets SENT TO PRISON. Malack approaches the Order abt this because sure they have Different Ethics but they’re still Friends. (Roy is surprised and a little hurt that he’s never heard of Malack, but he ignores that in favor of Let’s Get Whatever Fuckers Did This To Our Friend.)

immediately after that: Miko and Tsukiko return as a Team, preventing the Order from working on the Durkon situation

mid s4: Redcloak makes another unexpected & unwelcome appearance but he’s maybe a little less of a dick? the Order collaborates with Malack & his Crime Buddies (hello, Vector Legion) to pull one over on him tho, because “less of a dick” does not mean “a pleasant or decent person”, and also he was mean abt Durkon being in jail, so he totally deserved it. he still gets whatever he wanted tho, just takes a blow to his pride. also prevents the Order from helping Durkon. they’re having a LOT of setbacks wonder why that could be, not to make sure the season fills its whole length or anything, no sirree

s4 finale: something something taking down the organization, headed by Hel (yes that’s her real name), which framed Durkon for their Big Crime. Durkon goes free and Extra Firmly retires, For Good, He Swears, but says he “met someone new” who might be an asset.

s5 e1: minrah joins the team! and the episode is set in like, somewhere really snowy. that’s all i got.

the rest of s5: don’t know, don’t care, it’s open-ended until the comic finishes up.

[ropebunnykant]

TUA and Obx?

TUA

blorbo (favorite character, character I think about the most): vanya <33333 my love my girl my heart my soul etc etc who cares if she started the apocalypse, i could fix her

scrunkly (my “baby”, character that gives me cuteness aggression, character that is So Shaped): five. yes he's 58 technically but he's actually 13 and i'm gonna pinch his cheeks

scrimblo bimblo (underrated/underappreciated fave): i'm not in the fandom so idk who is underappreciated and not.... but ben my beloved <3333 hope he gets more screentime in s2

glup shitto (obscure fave, character that can appear in the background for 0.2 seconds and I won’t shut up about it for a week): pogo. rip the king, you will be missed

poor little meow meow (“problematic”/unpopular/controversial/otherwise pathetic fave): klaus!!!!!!!! he's what dean winchester wants to be. poor thing, just needs a hug

horse plinko (character I would torment for fun, for whatever reason): reginald bc he tortured the kids for their whole lives

eeby deeby (character I would send to superhell): harold, but given the way vanya killed him he's definitely there

OBX

blorbo (favorite character, character I think about the most): SARAH CAMERON I AM LOVE HER

scrunkly (my “baby”, character that gives me cuteness aggression, character that is So Shaped): pope, he's so sfdhsdf i love him

scrimblo bimblo (underrated/underappreciated fave): cleo!!!!! she deserves more praise, i cant wait to see her more in s3

glup shitto (obscure fave, character that can appear in the background for 0.2 seconds and I won’t shut up about it for a week): wheezy, she's just vibing with a shitty fam, get her out of there

poor little meow meow (“problematic”/unpopular/controversial/otherwise pathetic fave): jj sdhfsf literally he's insane but i adore him

horse plinko (character I would torment for fun, for whatever reason): i think ward should suffer a slow and painful death

eeby deeby (character I would send to superhell): rafe, just get him out i don't wanna look at him

send me a fandom!

[laufire]

Supernatural s2

I’m halfway through s3 already (technically a rewatch, but there were episodes I didn’t watch the first time around), so this post is a little overdue lol. At this rhythim the posts will overlap. Plus I’m hoping I can finish s4-5 during the holidays to see the ~intended ending~ before I have to slow down on the binge-watch. After that, a season a month sounds achievable AND won’t take longer than 2021 xD

ANYWAY.

-Overall, I’ve enjoyed it more than the first one, but at the same time I’ve found myself missing how... claustrophobic? Insular? Compact? That one was. s2 was about the world opening up just a little bit more, introducing new characters to the brothers’ life, etc. I do love the detail that this is something that can only have, narratively speaking, once John is dead. Again: this show gets abusive families, consciously or not.

-The foreshadowing is beautifully done. 15 seasons make for a lot of unintentional and ironic foreshadowing later on, I’m sure, but the purposeful foreshadowing is superb this season. About the crossroads deals, of course, but especially about John’s last words. I already knew he’d told Dean he might have to kill Sam (father of the year, seriously. Though I side-eye the fandom even more for always having acted as if this is only awful for Dean lol), so I was hyperaware of every single detail. My favourite moment was the absolute horror of hearing Gordon proudly, cheerfully relate how he murdered his sister when she became a vampire (which, btw, as someone that’s still bitter about what went down with the Gunn siblings on Angel, I found it healing to see something like that treated as a horror story).

-Speaking of Gordon: I unashamedly love his character lmfao. Sterling K. Brown is mesmerizing, always. At the same time, I have serious mixed feelings (especially after seeing his arc in full in s3) because man, if it isn’t a racist mess. I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s not exactly revolutionary that the first time we see the story from the monster’s POV (something I want the show to do! Often!), it’s when white monsters are stalked and brutalized by our first black hunter. Especifically a white woman, btw (although I’m happy to see Tara Maclay as a brunette vampire. I didn’t know I needed that in my life, but I did). And you can tell that the show thinks it’s just so SMART and FUNNY to have a ~racist black hunter!! I mean, the comment about how psychic kids would be “betraying their race” if they allied with demons?? FFS.

And ofc there’s the fact that he’s condemned for the exact same type of stuff that makes Dean be hailed as a hero lmfao. Though I won’t like, I love the moment where, faced with the comparison, Dean’s response is “I might be like you, I might not. But you’re the one tied up.” I love those kinds of character moments. As of s2 I officially have a love-hate relationship with Dean Winchester, I hate it here xDD

But still, on his own, Gordon is an amazing character (it’s one of the most frustrating things about the show, the greatness tainted by the bigotry :))). Charismatic, terrifying, and ofc superbly acted. Also, I love that the fact that he praised John (as opposed to every other hunter having a rockier relationship with him) is clearly supposed to be a red flag LMFAO.

-I enjoy how the seasons delves more deeply into Sam’s ~~dark origins, since it was my fave thing about him way back when. I’m already mourning the (as I suspect) lost of his powers, ngl. There’s a little more attention in how he tends to over-identify with supernatural creatures struggling with their ~dark sides too (bitch me too, the fuck xD), which I LOVE to see (among other reasons because at least in that way we get a little of their POV in the forefront lol). One of my favourites in that sense was the episode centered around the ghost-who-didn’t-know-she-was-ghost, played by Tricia Helfer. I clocked early one what was going on, but it was still very enjoyable, especially with Sam’s empathy with her (contrasted by Dean being a total bitch about it, btw. I can’t believe I still see post about how Dean is all heart/kindness/compassion/whatever the fuck. Dean is all about selective empathy and only when it conveniences him, pls).

I was more divided on the episode with Madison the werewolf, tbh. OTOH it put Sam in a better position, for a change xD. As the one willing to make The Hard Choices by fulfilling his promise to kill her because she was dangerous, even when Dean offered to ~take the burden from him. OTOH I hate that kind of thing lol. YOU GUYS KNOW A HUNTER PRO LIKE BOBBY, I BET HE COULD’VE FIGURED OUT SOMETHING TO CONTAIN HER A FEW NIGHTS A MONTH. Also, my immediate reaction was to compare this to when my man Angel had a crush on a werelady and helped her every month lmfao. But then, very few characters can withstand a comparison with Angel, in any sense :P

I also liked Sam’s subplot with his fellow demon-psychic kids, though I wish it’d lasted longer :/ (also: RME at the queer girl dying almost immediately AND her power being killing people, her girlfriend first of all, with her touch. The black guy was the last one to die at least...?). My fave was Ava, by far. I loved her since her reaction to helping Sam stealing a psychiatrist’s records was yelling “I’M AWESOME!!”. It made it easy to buy that someone that appeared so mundane, with her easy life and her fiance and whatnot, would become so power hungry and go off the rails, IMO.

BTW: RME at Dean being all “oh Sam is going too dark/becoming to cold” when Sam kills Jake. Jake ripped off his spine and killed him first!! It both amuses me and infuriates me all the times Dean tries to push Sam to be more like himself and then freaks out whenever Sam is not all sunshine and rainbows (while still remaining, IMO, far less cold than Dean himself. Besides, it’s not easy to be colder than Dean, lol).

Lastly, a little character detail I loved was when Sam was jealous about Dean being in the federal database but not himself lmfao. 

-I loved the new foreshadowing crumb with Sam finding out Mary knew the demon, too (information he’ll withhold from Dean, which I approve of LOL). I mean, I know exactly what’s up, I’ve watched most of s4 xD (also, what is UP with this family and making deals with demons. Everyone but Sam so far!! And then HE gets dragged for ~getting too close to one smh. Maybe lead by example!! Also also: yes, it was meant to be ambiguous, but I can’t help but notice the only kiss-pact -or further, depending to how close YED was to Lilith’s levels, since to make a deal with her you have to fuck xD- we didn’t see was the one that must’ve happened between John and YED. Cowards!! xD). Still. I’m so curious about her. Her resurrection is one of the main reasons I’m determined to make it to the later seasons, ngl.

-Another thing I LOVED about this season is how they used sibling relationships to parallel/foreshadow stuff about the brothers, the way s1 did often with fathers. I’ve already mentioned Gordon and his sister, but the others are not less brutal imo: Andy having to kill his evil twin, who wanted him all for himself (... Dean is that you xD); the little girl’s ghost who wanted her grand-niece to commit suicide to stay with her, and didn’t give in until her old sister agreed to die in her place. It was chilling. Also, at one point the parallel was between the brothers and a married couple (the ghost-who-didn’t-know-she-was-a-ghost) and asñdlfkajsf. I’m guessing they had fun with the shippers lol.

Speaking of the brothers’ relationship, this season also goes a little further in escalating the violence between them, when Dean punches Sam in the face and he refuses to respond (“you can hit me all you want, it won’t change anything”. Fuck), or when Dean again punches Sam after Sam was possessed by Meg ¬¬

-Going back to my love-hate relationship with Dean, lmfao. My biggest beef remains how much validation his POV gets from the narrative, granted or not; he’s one of the most irritating cases of protagonist-centered morality and I know it’s only going to get worse smh. At least this season it feels a little more balanced than in s1, with episodes like the one where the civilian Sam had tried to keep away dies halfway through the ep because Dean allowed him to get involved, for example. Still, it grates on me xD. The continuing prison rape jokes/demonic possession rape jokes (with Meg and Sam), his general grossness with women and his lack of sympathy for non-humans even when they’re not trying to hurt anyone don’t exactly help. Also, I often see him praised for some of his political views, a lot of which I agree with (his mistrust of cops, saying convicts don’t deserve to die no matter what they do), but when contrasted with his general attitude across the show it’s really grating ngl.

But then he has such AMAZING character details thrown in, that make me appreciate him as a POV character nonetheless, as much as I often want to curb stomp the guy xD. I loved his speech about how there’s no such thing as a dignified death. I love how he refused to come near his mother’s grave, both at the beginning and at the end of the episode (this show is like, the cure to DCCW’s shows false fuzzy sentimentality istg). I love his pop-culture references, like when Sam mentions Dean always thought OJ was the murderer or Dean jokes about freeing Katie Holmes from Scientology’s cult xD (sometimes it really hits you how old this show is lol). I enjoyed his Wishverse episode, and his lines after Sam dies/he sells his soul to save him (“I had one job”, “my life can mean something”) hit HARD.

But most of all? I LOVE how and why he starts losing respect for John. It’s so fucking cold and abrupt and makes so much sense!! Like, yes, part of it is John’s message about killing Sam (... again, father of the year!), but most of all it’s about John making a pact with a demon and dying TO SAVE DEAN (and probably, simply that he died at all. That shit de-mystifies anyone). IT’S SO FUCKING GREAT TO WATCH. “He spent his life chasing that demon. He was supposed to die fighting, not making a deal with the damn thing. That was supposed to be his legacy, not this." Damn, Dean xDD. The *contempt* with which he said that killed me.

I also love his inherently atheist vision of the world (even if yes, it’s extremely funny knowing this show has canon God and angels and shit -no Jesus Christ though, which I find endlessly funny-, or that they actually meet the archangel Gabriel in disguise xD. Either way, the episode with the fake angel and its foreshadowing was hilarious), his anti-destiny stance, and that it’s him and not John who gets to kill YED.

-I liked Ellen and Jo. Not LOVED, but I liked them. I keep fearing that secondary (especially female) characters will feel empty/shallow but the show keeps proving me wrong, even with one-episode wonders, and at first I wasn’t sure about them, but I was sold quickly. Partially because of the actresses, they both had this... humanizing, endearing quality? It worked really well.  I also loved the explicit contrast between John and Ellen’s parenting styles, with Ellen wanting Jo to return to school and be safe from the hunt, and Jo wanting something different. Also, I wouldn’t ship it if you paid me, but LOL at anyone who actually buys Dean sees Jo as a ~little sister just because MEG said that rme.

This show is just REALLY good when it comes to giving depth to a character with only a couple of brush strokes, which makes it all the more frustrating when they abruptly die or disappear to never be seen again/only once more (to abruptly die!) :)))

I was less sold on Ash; he was amusing, but having a Genius Hacker TM helping them out seemed like the beginning of increasingly giving the brothers ways of deux ex machina-ing them out of problems, when one of my favourite things about the show is seeing them creatively find ways out themselves. I like when they’re competent! Like with the multitude of codes they have to improvise plans, like in the episode where with two words through a lawyer they implemented a quick scheme so that Sam would escape from a police precinct. I like that stuff.

-I’m still so bitterly jealous about the dead man’s blood hurting vampires detail. SO BITTERLY JEALOUS. I love a lot of what this show does with its lore but that little bit is the worst offender. I want it so bad xD