#my brain: HEARTWRENCHING. SWEETNESS.

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

aaaaa.... Foul Legacy holding your hands for the first time. he's scared to touch you for a long time, the mortal who saved his life- you're fragile, delicate compared to him- what if he breaks you? he's made for battle and bloodlust and nothing else, surely he'll damage you in some way if he ever makes contact with you, so as a precaution he shies away, always looming behind you but never holding. it's the least he can do for the one who took him in during his darkest hour.

but you seem to have none of the fear he holds, easily brushing your fingers over his cheeks and horns, bandaging his wounds without a lick of apprehension in your eyes. once the mysterious creature is healed enough to walk, he's up and following you around the house, keeping a safe distance but watching you curiously. he flinches back whenever you get too close, though, so you also opt to keep away a bit as not to scare him. you become closer, and are drawn together, but still never touching, ever.

until you hold out a hand first, sitting calmly on your bed as Foul Legacy looks from you to your hand and back again, fear written all over his masked face, and you simply stay seated, hand out, and wait. after what feels like hours the monster tentatively moves his own hand closer, the tips of his claws brushing against your skin, and he watches you fretfully for any reaction. finally he reaches slowly and grasps your hand with his own, much-larger talons encapsulating it, grip gentle like you're made of glass and jewels, and his eye widens, shining with unshed tears as small whimpers and squeaks slip from his throat.

oh. oh, you're soft and warm and small, and now he doesn't want to let go.

[caesarhamato22]

I’m not sure if this is a fact or not, but I read on tiktok that apparently your brain shows you seven minutes of your life when you’re dying and those seven minutes are supposed to be the best parts of your life.

So I thought of what if Rocket sent this to you as a text message, thinking it would be sweet, but he didn’t really take in the “dying” part of it 😭

-

Rocket: “Apparently when you die, your brain shows you 7 minutes of the best moments of your life. You would be my 7 minutes.”

And about 15 minutes later, he got a face call from you and he picked up and you were sobbing. “What is wrong with you? Why would you say something like that?” Obviously crying because it was so sweet yet so sad.

Rocket laughed a bit, “it was supposed to be nice!”

You replied, crying harder, “it was nice, you fuck! Very nice! Now look what you did!”

“I didn’t mean to make you cry! I wanted to be sweet.”

“By talking about you dying?!”

“I don’t know! Just in case—“

“In case of what? Because if you think—“

“Nothing, nothing, I’m exaggerating!”

“If you think you’re not coming back here, Rocket…”

“Listen, the only reason I wouldn’t come back on time would be because I was getting you flowers on the way home. I ain’t leaving, baby. Okay?”

-

Thank you tiktok for this beautiful yet heartwrenching idea :)

[sunshineandspencer]

Idiot (Iridescent, Part 7)

Let me stress, this is not Maeve from the show, but my own Maeve just named the same to send Spencer into hell whenever he thinks about it.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem!BAU!OC.

Summary: Spencer Reid, in the face of his own emotions, crashes and burns.

Word Count: 888

Warnings: swearing, spencer is an ass™

Parts: Pt1, Pt2, Pt3, Pt4, Pt5, Pt6, Pt8

Spencer is back in Penelope’s office not even a week later.

In the middle of the breakroom, he’d snapped, loud and harsh, at Ava. Then let her storm off and clock out of work to go home early.

Since realising his emotions, he did the only realistic thing and distanced himself from Ava immediately. Of course she had noticed, but didn’t take it too personally, just giving him the extra time to get back to whatever he deemed as normal.

But by Friday, she’d had enough and had gently started prodding him for answers in the morning. His irritation, and fear of being caught out, caused him to finally lash out.

Once Penelope found out what he’d done, considering how quickly word spread, she had dragged him back to the cave. For a much worse conversation than the one they’d had the week before.

He doesn’t even get a plush this time, just shoved into a chair as she stood over him, hands on her hips.

“What did you say to her?”

She watched, gleefully, as he squirmed in his seat. Wanting to break through that thick, somehow genius brain of his. God, he just wanted to talk about Ava, but not like this - emotions are hard.

“That.. she’s a brown-nosed suck up who needs to stop fishing for things to do, because nothing she agrees to do will get people to like her.”

In his defence, it was supposed to come from a good place, but his meaning got lost in the translation and irritation from the morning. Along with the original reason he’d blown up in the first place.

Ava is a pushover, they both know that, most people do, which is why she gets used so often by people who don’t want to do their own work. She’s far too sweet for her own good, and whenever anyone asks her to do their work, she does. When someone came up in the breakroom to get her to finish off some reports, he finally exploded.

It was for her own good, wanting her to take care of herself and focus on her own work rather than other people’s. He’s right, he just.. chose the wrong words.

“I just.. Penelope, she already has too much on her plate, but she keeps accepting work from people. She should learn to say no to people, even if I didn’t say it in the.. best way.”

From the way Penelope’s hand twitched, he’s suddenly very glad that Penelope doesn’t like violence, or would have definitely been slapped by now. Shifting slightly as she pinches the bridge of her nose.

But, in her defence, it was finally hitting him just how bad he’d fucked up.

In his head, he had been sorting out his thoughts, and knew he would’ve eventually had a perfect way to bring up his concerns with Ava. But he’d been overly stimulated and lashed out.

He was going to address Ava’s issues, and he did, in a roundabout way. At the time, unable to think properly, it seemed like the best way to deal with it, directly telling her what he found wrong with what she did. Not liking that she spread herself so thin for people who cared so little.

It felt like the wrong words for the right situation.

Until he was met with a glaring Penelope and zero way out.

“Are you telling me that you’d finally come to terms with liking her, and the first thing you did was insult her.. to her face?!”

“Would you have preferred it if I said it behind her back?”

“I would prefer for you to start using at least one of your 187 IQ points!”

Okay, he definitely deserved that, and he was trying to resist the urge to sulk and pout, because he knew it definitely wouldn’t help his case. But he really felt like he was being scolded by his mother.

It is working, however.

All he could think about was the way Ava’s eyes had immediately widened. Letting him see in heartwrenching detail, the way each and every golden speck around her pupil dull with shock and embarrassment.

Her lips pursing as she shoved the files to his chest with a terse “you fucking do it then, since clearly it won’t make them like me”, before she stormed off to Emily’s office.

Penelope had watched the realisation dawn on his face, quickly flooding that emotion over with shame and guilt. Intervening right before he slipped from apologetic to wallowing.

She has a solution.

Ushering him up and out of her office, not paying attention to his spluttering as she practically shoved him out. Twittering happily as she felt her plans falling into place.

“Flowers - lilacs - and a card, oh, and you best get some wine. Rosé is her favourite. I’ll put through your paperwork for a day off and let Emily know, do not mess up with the first woman you’ve liked in years.”

For a few moments, they just stood facing each other, Spencer taking it all in and Penelope grinning at him. But then his smile ticked up until it matched her own, leaning in to quickly smush a kiss to her cheek and then turn to half-sprint down the corridor. Calling out over his shoulder.

“Thanks Pen! I owe you one!”

Want more?! Good!

[pomegranate-pen]

If requests are open, could i ask for a part 2 fro that one Rocky x reader you did? I just read it and I am AOUYWVDOUWGD I love it.

It ended with him essentially taking himself out of y/n's life right? just disappearing and ghosting them? What if, and hear me out: reader did a little snooping and finds a way into the speakeasy- maybe they know Wick or someone else who agrees to help them out, and they just. go. OFF on Rocky(affectionately. Like they're angry but they're more hurt than anything and they don't care what he does, they just want him to come back because they love him and they miss him and they just hate worrying whether or not he's alive and okay because they don't see him anymore.)

Hope that's enough to get something going, and if requests aren't open, you can totally ignore this! I just love some good hurt/comfort with a dash of good communication. Have a wonderful day/night and thank you so much!

A/N: oh my god?!! so many people wanted a part two to this!! I'm so glad you guys loved it that much!!!!! GAHHHH THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND WORDS!!! one warning though!!! I have written this way before a few asks, so I might not have exceeded everyone's requests here, and I unfortunately do not have the time to completely rewrite this- since finals month have just begun-

Part two of the rocky rickaby angst!

warnings: these are obvious, mentions of alcohol and whatnot. this is pure fluff btw

It has been two months. two, dreadful, heartwrenching, and painful months.

‘Have you gone mad?’ is the question that always echoes in your mind. Especially when no one seems to even speak of the name Rocky Rickaby around you.

The café feels empty without him around. Ivy and Freckle keep acting like nothing is wrong, but their acting is so horrible under your intense gaze, it was like a group of people who accidentally found themselves in improv class instead of their intended one. 

And f you have to hear Ivy say ‘Rocky? Who's that?” and Freckle shaking his head saying his cousin is in the circus, you will scream.

 It was like Rocky truly has died. That night he peacefully passed away and now it is what you feared would happen. There are no more poems, no more chaos, no more silliness of the cat you have grown to love. It’s just quiet, so dreadfully quiet you feel like you’re stuck in a café themed asylum. You miss him and his horrible syrup-filled teas. The ones whose bitterness is completely overtaken by the sugary sweetness so powerful it leaves you craving water.

And as you lay on your bed, with the same drops of rain clanking through your window just like the certain night, you feel yourself getting mad. You’re enraged by his actions. Since when does he decide what you will do with your life? Since when did he want to be the good guy? Who said this is the decision best for you?

With gritted teeth and a lack of sleep, you frantically twist and turn and start running the gears in your brain. You kept thinking, stuck with ideas of what to do to get his attention. Though your half-sleepy mind was making up a very half-assed plan, you were so desperate at this point, you couldn’t handle not seeing him anymore. You couldn’t handle worrying for him through the sidelines no longer. You will get to see him tomorrow, whether he likes it or not.

----

“I’m not allowed to speak a word.”

Frustrating. That is the word you’d use for this situation. Horribly frustrating. Who knew that Freckle Mcmurray could be this stubborn? Perhaps since it was a request from the one closest to him, he follows through with his loyalty till the bitter end.

You’d admire this quality of his if it wasn’t a huge block to you.

“oh come on Freckle, I’m just curious!” Freckle tried to do minimal tasks around the café to throw you off. For a moment he was cleaning the already spotless tables, in another, he was sweeping the dustless floors. “ don’t you think you owe me one after I helped you guys that night?”

Suddenly, he stops sweeping and looks at the ground with silent guilt. his hand having a strong grip on the broom. “ If I paid more attention Rocky wouldn’t have gotten shot in the first place.” His ears lowered a bit and his brow furrowed. His tail slightly shifted from place to place behind him as he started sweeping again.

Oh. it seems like the situation is a bit more complicated than you thought. “Freckle…” you put a hand on his shoulder, making him stop and look at you after avoiding your gaze for a long time. “ it wasn’t your fault— I’m sure Rocky was being…well…” you huffed. “Rocky. You know? No one expected you to know he’ll get shot.”

His ears lowered even more and he looks away. Shit. You made it worse. Now a bit of guilt seeped into you. “ that’s not what happened.” He mumbled, palms holding the broom at different angles and not even cleaning anymore. “ I was the one who was about to get shot. He blocked for me.”

“oh…”

He sighs and leans the broom on the table next to you. he sits down with a look of stress mixed within his guilty eyes now. “if-if it wasn’t for my clumsiness we wouldn’t have been forced to come to you for help!” his hands were now grabbing his head in distress as his tail wagged frivolously more than before.

“Woah woah— calm down, Freckle.” You place your hands on his shoulders, leaning down to meet his level and stopping him from almost ripping his eyebrows off. “ don’t freak yourself out so much. No one is to blame for this situation.”

His eyes squint at you and you cough. “ook— maybe there is— but it’s way too complicated to be just one person’s fault, don’t you think?”

He’s silent for a bit, but his breathing calms down and his eyebrows aren’t as furrowed as before. “I-I guess you’re right.” He sighs. He then went into silence- one where judging from his face, was one of constant conflict. That is until he finally sighs and grumbles out a ‘fine’ as he digs through his pockets and brings out a pretty pin, with a shape of a club on it. He brings you closer as he whispers in your ear.

“did you get all that?” he finally leans back and you get up. you nod your head, the information running in your head on repeat. “good.” He gives out a breath of relief, yet his shoulders tense up again in worry. “d-don’t do anything brash! I promised Rocky you’d stay out of trouble.”

Yet here he is helping you jump into one. You couldn’t help but give a giddy grin. After giving him a playful punch on the shoulder and profusely thanking him, you walk out of the café with a worried Freckle looking back.

-----

Dim, red lights bore the entire cave, pillars clean as a whistle overtaking some of the view and tables as far as the eye could see, yet, emptier than the café is, which is saying a lot considering how quiet that place could get.

Honestly, you didn’t expect to find this place so easily with no trouble. You expected to go over some guards or whatnot for inspection before being let in- but then again—you never were one to associate yourself with danger, you’re quite the newcomer to such things.

You only hoped that your attire was the right one for such a situation, and that you don’t leave this place getting chased by some hitman of sorts. Of which, you don’t think they have, unless you count the trio and the very scary-looking bartender. You swear you saw him glaring at you at some point. Still, you sat down a few seats away from his station and ordered a drink to not seem fishy.

you look around, no sign of Rocky, which now that you think of it, there is a huge chance Freckle told on you and Rocky stayed away. Dammnit! You should’ve expected this— as you try to drink your sorrows away, one sip of the illicit beverage has had the ends of your hair stand in horror. bitter, tasteless, and pure garbage. Oh god— is this what Rocky has been risking his life for?!

“Well well well, do my eyes deceive me, or do we really have a new customer here?” before you could mull over your new discovery, a sly, lazy voice grabs your attention. You turn around and the very first thing you sense is the high smell of his smoke. It invaded your lungs for a moment- and you couldn’t help but scrunch your nose a bit and cough.

“oh, sorry. Forgot not many people can't handle the smell.” He takes out the cigarette from his mouth and sits right next to you, burning down the roll on the counter. He leans on the counter, his shoulders holding his weight. “you new here?”

“whose asking?”

He laughs. “ the leader of the jazz band up there if you’re that scared.”

“the band?” you perked up. “ wait- uh- “You look back at the stage a few feet away from you, yet you see no violin. Perhaps he took it with him like he always does? “…do you perhaps have a violinist playing for you there?”

Zib now perks up a bit as well, giving you a confused glare as he answered. “yeah…but he’s got some new business he does here too.” He takes your glass and drinks it before you could rebuttal. And to your surprise, he doesn’t gag when he drinks it.

“I could’ve had a cold, you know.”

“I didn’t see you sniffling nor sneezin’.”

“what if I had meningitis or mumps that you’ll get now?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been through worse.”

You huffed and rolled your eyes. Best to just ignore his actions for now. “ so…this violinist-is he uh-“Oh god you probably sound suspicious now. You’re seriously way too out of your comfort zone here. “ is he perhaps the same guy who's a waiter up in the café?”

Silence takes over the space, and you're left with an awkward piano playing in the background as the stranger stares you up and down. You freeze for a moment, hoping to whatever celestial being that truly rules this world to let you live another day. Yet, the messy-looking man suddenly starts snickering, then full-blown cackling and at some point- coughing due to his weak lungs- yet still bravely laughing through it. safe to say you're embarrassed as you can ever be.

“you- hahah- you’re the-cough-lil’ cute nurse he keeps talking about?!”

“he— he thinks I’m cute?”

“No wonder you talked about mumps- err- whatever that is.” His laugh dies down and he looks at you with a look of horror and small amusement. “and you actually like him back? He wasn’t lying?”

“he talks about me?”

 “it’s Rocky. Of course he’s talking about you, every day to be precise.” He fiddles with his pocket and takes out another cigarette. You squint at him before he mumbles out a ‘relax, it’s a weaker one’ before lighting it up. “though…he’s been awfully quiet these few days.” He glances back at you. “I’m guessing that involves you coming here?”

You look away from him. “I guess you could say that.” You tap the counter, now remembering Rocky’s face that night- tired and bruised up, a face that makes your heart ache. “ will he be coming back? or is he avoiding me again?”

“I’ll be honest with you newbie,” he lets out a puff of smoke. “he’s in the backstage avoiding you. his cousin warned him.”

“I knew it!” you grumbled as he continued.

“ now usually, I’d advise you to stay away from the kid. But…” he shrugs. “I’ll admit that with your presence in his life, he suddenly got a bit more excited than usual- normally this would be a bad thing- but it does boost his performances on stage.” He then started to mumble a bit. “…although on bootlegging he’ll always be a lost cause…he still tries his best.”

“ but how do I get to him? won’t he run off?”

And with that, the cat gives a sly smirk. Okay…not the most trustworthy look, you thought. He beckons with his hand for you to come closer, and just like with Freckle, he whispers to you a strategy you didn’t expect.

---

A backstage, though more so a greenroom than anything else- since it doesn’t even lead to the stage- the band likes to call it a backstage since they hang out here when there’s nothing to do in the front. However, over the years, it has also become a place for extra storage, for things such as empty barrels and whatnot. And now, it is a hideout for Rocky, who surprisingly, isn’t hiding from an assassin or another angry farmer out to get him- rather a worried nurse whom he likes too much.

“…you sure you don’t want to talk to them?” his cousin, Calvin Mcmurray- though he likes to call Freckle, a habit that has been spread to everyone much to his cousin’s dismay- is staying with him for the time being. Since he doesn’t have much to do anyway, not unless Rocky comes up with a new unneeded task. “they've probably gone through a lot of trouble to get here.”

Rocky, to Freckle’s surprise, is silent. Shifting around and thinking of a solution. “I made the right choice,” he spoke to himself. Now staring at his shoulder which was once shot at. “ they couldn’t have handled this anyway.”  

“…are you okay?” Calvin was confused and no matter what he asks, for weeks Rocky hasn’t told him what happened that fateful night. “ you know if you don’t see them they'll just force you to, right?” he reasoned. “ they're not one to easily give up.”

“there you go questioning my logic again,” Rocky sighs and holds his finger up in a scolding manner. “ what did I say? The plan is simple.” He smiles, then gives a sheepish expression. “ avoid Y/n at all costs until they finally gives up, gets so mad at me that they avoid me themselves all together! Then boom! They're safe and sound and I can easily take risks again.”

“…but…they don't easily give up-“

“nonsense Freckle!” Rocky huffs. “what’s the worse they could do? join the lackadaisy?“

A loud bang erupts in the room as a familiar face barges in.

Your eyes light up when you see him again. After two long months, you can finally see the silly cat whose been on your mind for so long. after two months of constantly wondering if his wounds have opened up or not- and praying that he hasn’t gone to the Dr.Quackenbush guy he spoke about- you finally see him. yet, your expression is frustrated.

“Rickaby,”

Zib whistled. “ last name used, means big trouble buddy.”

You decided to ignore that comment and walk closer to him. Rocky being seated gave you a more domineering look in his perspective, and your determined energy was radiating through the roof. “you can’t avoid me any longer.” You grumble. “especially since it’s not even for your sake- you’re choosing for me. which by the way- is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done.” Probably not the most, but you were too mad to think properly. “ if you keep avoiding me like this, then I’ll have no choice but to just get a job here.” you then shrugged. “ from what I’ve seen, they could use a nurse here anyway- or rather anyone who even knows a thing about aid kits.”

“told you they wouldn’t give up,” Freckle squeaked, though he was hiding behind his hat with lowered ears and a scrunched-up face.

Rocky clears his throat as he gets up, grabbing your shoulders and turning you around the other way. “Y/n…an unexepcted pleasure to see you again!” he laughs nervously while looking at the others. “How about we take this conversation somewhere else?”

You cross your arms and pout. “if you don’t run away then sure.”

“don’t worry, we’ll keep guard." Zib spoke as he pats Freckle’s shoulder. You made a note to yourself to thank him later.

“..shall we?” Rocky’s tone has become a bit nervous and sheepish.

With a nod to your head, you speak. “ lead the way.”

----

“alright— now I know there might be some issues when change happens-“

The place he chose, was just a top attic that lead to the surface, where a beaten-up car sat. and to your shock, some dried-up spills of blood on the floor. Rocky sat down on a crate box and motioned you to sit on the other next to him.

“Change? What, am I a kid now?” you sat down. “ what you did was absolutely mindbogglingly-“

“-I did it for your own good.” He cuts you off. “ think of it this way— “ he sits up straight. “your life is normal, it’s peaceful and has a good future ahead of it. though yes someone could argue mundane is boring, you seem to like the mundane from what I've seen- mine though? It isn't like that in the slightest. I work in a ….” He hisses a bit in concentration. “…very dubiously legal place doing odd jobs. You won’t like it.”

“Who said you could make these decisions for me?” you huffed, deciding to now spill your guts before he runs away again. You held his hands, making sure he was looking at you as you spoke, as stressful as it is to have someone stare at you. “ you’re right about one thing. All my life has been normal.” You give his hands an affectionate squeeze. “ but that doesn’t mean I was happy in it. I was sick of normal, of mundane day-in and day-out lifestyle. And then- then I met you.” god, you could feel your cheeks burning up. “you’re fun. Sure you can get too crazy but I like that about you. it’s so easy to talk to you and I just- I just love spending time with you because-..” Your heart was going to beat out of your chest.”… you’re my favorite person.” You huffed out. “I like your presence in my life- you make it worth living. I like how you have this weird obsession with pancakes- I love all the expressions you make while you're debating about something- I like you, idiot.”

Silence took over the room , and you couldn’t help but move your gaze away from embarrassment. Shit— you shouldn’t have said the last part- that was too much- will he ignore you forever now?—

“…so you..wouldn’t mind the injuries?”

You look up at him and shrugged. “ I mean…I’ll certainly get worried, there’s no stopping that. But if you promise to be a little more alert, then I promise I won’t freak out as much. “ you gave him a playful smile.”Just remember to visit me if you get hurt. Not the guy who uses a lot of chloral hydrate.”

“consider it done darling.”

“darling? Really?”

“would you like me to call you ‘Doc’ instead? Or perhaps something more romantic? Sweetheart? Honeydough? Love?—“

“okay Stop-“

“ Why I can go all day!— Sunshine, Honeybun, Lovebug, Hot Stuff—“

“alright alright I get it!” you couldn’t help but give out a giddy laugh. “darling is fine.”

“Anything for you, darling."Rocky gets up and gives a small bow, which the response from you was a small chuckle. “ say,” he gets up. “ how did you meet Zib?”

“Who?”

“the guy you came in with.”

“oh— his name is Zib? Huh, weird name.”

“It’s his nickname, though I’m not sure what his birth name is.”

“was yours always Rocky?”

He grumbles. “you don’t want to know what my actual name was.”

You grinned and tilted your head in curiosity. “oh, don’t be like that! I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

“it is.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. Now spill.”

He stays quiet for a moment, then fiddles with his tie as he answers. “it’s Roark.”

You desperately tried to hide your snort, yet a small bit was let out. Rocky shook his head dramatically. “ridiculous, isn’t it? only my aunt calls me by that name.” he then gives a worried smile. “though usually her tone is always scolding too. So that checks out.”

“no-no- “ you stopped your laugh. “I think it’s a very nice name. but I do like Rocky more.”

“Perhaps you should give me a nickname, darling?”

A small smile tugs at your lips. “perhaps I should.”

You stand up as well. Lean to his level and give a small kiss on his forehead.

“I’ll see you later, my favorite bard.”

“That’s the best you could come up with?” yet, when he says that, his grin is bigger than ever, as much giddy as yours is.

“Is this a way to treat your number one fan?" you rolled your eyes. " And anyway, I’m a nurse, not a poet.”

He gives a soft smile, and for once, you realize how much his smile was always full of energy and chaos, yet this one was different. This one felt calm. He gives a peck on your forehead, and you were certain your heartbeat was loud.

“I’m honored to be your favorite bard.”

you give a soft smile back, and for a moment, there was a sincere quiet glance between you two. that is before Rocky broke it. "by the way..." he gives his common grin. "...did you just confess your love to me?

[dotthings]

Started my spn S6 rewatch. Couple of thoughts on 6.01

While soulless Sam was a huge nope to me--I wanted actual Sam back and couldn't enjoy soulless Sam--the S6 gestalt overall interests me. The noir feel. The horror intruding into suburbia, which is very core to spn.

Dean's in a classic Hollywood archetype role, the one honest guy who finds himself caught up in a noir plot. No one he can trust, everyone hiding something.

Soulless Sam isn't a reliable narrator. But he is an observer and he has all of Sam's memories and he seems to believe Dean has a yearning for a family, a home, something other than just hunting, and he's not wrong. spn has played on that theme for Dean over and over. It swings back and forth. He yearns for it, he yearns for hunting. It's not simple.

Bobby's reasons for not telling Dean that Sam returned are pure and completely out of love, a dad protecting his son, wanting to give his son a chance at a life outside of the brutal world of hunting.

The show's series-long theme on addressing the brutality of hunting and the exploration on what else there is gets passed over a whole lot in fandom commentaries. I don't think the show idealized hunting. While there has to be hunting for there to be a plot, for there to be a show, this rumination about the toll hunting takes and what else is there is canon, those are ideas canon planted and explores, so it's weird that sometimes gets treated as going against canon somehow.

While Soulless Sam still gives me the heebie jeebies, rewatching him is interesting to see how Soulless Sam functions. He performs. Trying to be Sam, to act and feel how Sam would, and he can't. When Soulless Sam confesses he wouldn't even try, that's flatly untrue, we know Sam would. We've seen Sam race in to save people. But Soulless Sam is hollow, and the caring and the willingness to race in is embodied in Dean. And Soulless Sam may be empty yet he feels the pull toward Dean's warmth. He has Sam's memories after all, even if he doesn't directly feel it.

We know Dean doesn't fit in this new life and he's not going to stay, but Dean also is genuinely drawn to this life with Lisa and Ben and he isn't completely miserable. He also tries make it work, he doesn't ditch the Braedens the moment Sam returns, first he tries to find a balance. Moving back into hunting, while keeping a home base. And it doesn't work out, the point is he wanted that. Not an all or nothing.

While I don't think Dean and Lisa is some big epic love story, they do get along well and he cares for her and for Ben. Lisa's meant to represent a certain kind of life, she's a symbol and cipher, but for all that, he does also care for her for herself. I'm not ever going to be sorry Dean went to Lisa, after the horror he went through in S5 and the crushing grief. He had someone who cared for him, who was there when he had nightmares, who kept him from falling into the abyss, and he's doing better than he must have been those first few months. He's a carpenter. He's made a friend. And he likes being around Lisa and Ben.

I don't buy the "wasting away in the back of a pool hall" idea for several reasons, and there's one right there present in 6.01, because Dean loses Sam and he manages to function--he can't do it alone but that's kinda the point. He forms connections, he cares for people, he carries a sadness in him always but he doesn't just curl up and give up and waste away. He keeps going and finds comfort. Of course it turns out he tried to save Sam. But he didn't break the world and spiral either.

Dean's brain on djinn-poison hallucinations cooks up the YED referring to Cas as sugar to counteract all the spice of demons. In Dean's brain, Cas is one of the good guys, and he associates Cas with sweetness. (Which just makes the S6 story even more heartwrenching, but Cas's motives are good, Dean isn't wrong, exactly.)

[blinkbones]

Five 1-season series I watched recently, and why I recommend them/liked them:

Lessons in Chemistry

About the trials and tribulations of a woman who both fails and refuses to conform to the expectations of 50s-60s USA. The show is primarily character-driven and works on a rather… somewhat simplified and exagerrated mindset? It took me offguard at first, but was fine once I settled into the groove. My favorite part was, as I later found out, an addition for the show (compared to the book, which I haven’t read) → the neighbor being a black woman fighting for civil rights. There’s that one chunk that mixes the psychological/personal aspect of getting involved with the socio-political reality of asymmetrical struggles and I… loved how clever that was… I’ll be honest, in that the show is mostly a sort of drama/character exploration and the political painting part of it is secondary. But I mean, the drama is good, I bawled my eyes out a bunch of times, and it’s visually compelling. The protagonist reads somewhat as a modern woman dropped into the fifties and her relentlessness is actually refreshing. It’s a power fantasy in that sense – watching someone smart, fully confident in her own abilities, and what she’s worth, and owed… It’s nice. Just so that we’re clear – this show is the one I’m least confident pitching, because it’s odd in many ways and questionable in some – but I really enjoyed it and I won’t lie about that. I thought it was very good on the moment hahahaha

So give it a go if it intrigues you!! and come chat with me about the neighborhood subplots.

Cherry Magic (anime version)

About an unremarkable salaryman who starts being able to read others’ thoughts because he’s a 30 y/o virgin – but really, it’s actually about someone finding both love and confidence in himself. This is so, so sweet. Pretty funny, too. For all the silliness of the premise, the more profound core of the story is very nicely-wrought, it’s painted with a delicate touch and subtle hues. There are aspects of it that I think will hit harder if you are not a child anymore. I think I would have enjoyed it when I was sixteen, but probably not as much as I did being a worn-out adult, lol. I binged it while I was insomniac with dread, and it made me laugh like a teenager. It’s sincerely very fucking great and if you enjoy romances at all you’ll love it.

Scavengers’ Reign

About a handful of scattered space castaways on a beautiful, wonderful and terrifying planet. If you enjoy science-fiction for any reason whatsoever, I can only make this a very ardent recommendation. It has it all: the alien planet, the machines, the creatures, the cast of characters; but also the wonder, and the fear, never too far from one another. This show is a real underrated gem and I am very serious. For you, tumblr, my beloved freakopolis, it also has it all. I won’t say it – but it has what you want. […] This show is so beautiful. The planet’s ecosystem feels tangible and coherent and new and it’s beautiful and frightening most of the time. There’s something of the primordial awe of coming into contact with the intriguing unknown. Did I mention that this is an animated show?? It’s very good visually too.

Andor

About the birth of revolution – accross the galaxies, people getting tired of imperial abuse, and in the hero’s heart and mind. What I loved most was how grounded it was. This isn’t the usual star wars with god-elect heroes with a destiny. It’s about the sorry little bitches who look at their increasingly corrupted world and decide to try to do something about it. Or end up in there by accident. SO, so good. For that only I thought it was a banger. But then there’s everything else!! The worldbuilding (that prison!!)! The practical effects! The janky-looking tech everywhere! The gorgeous sets (the senator’s house HELLO <<33)! Heartwrenching details! An essayist! Not joking it changed my brain chemistry and there’s a bit of text I want to write down on paper for myself.

Machine

Mandatory « I’m sorry for all you bitches that don’t speak French » because I doubt it’ll get translated, or even subbed, anytime soon if at all. But god y’all are missing out. Machine is a freakishly fun take on the figure of the white woman being kickass through « kung-fu » (looked like every technique under the sun to me lol), yknow, Kill Bill-like? It’s also a very, very fun series about freaking Karl Marx and class struggle. Not joking, literally some fighting interspersed with karl marx quotes and also cycling. Again with a show that lays it on thick and, at first, it takes me off-guard, but I go with the flow and then it’s fucking fantastic. Suuuch a coup de coeur for me. Can’t think of a translation for it, but it means that it struck a chord and became a favorite of mine. Also made me realize I was less aware of where dreadlocks discourse is currently at than I thought (topic for a research afternoon for when I can catch a fucking break…) (bc the heroine has them). Et je m’en remets pas de l’influenceur gilet jaune lol, quelle pépite. Very mad that no one around me watched it.

Honorary mention: Jujutsu Kaisen s2

Total banger. You don't need me to recommend it to you.

[erstwhilesparrow]

wcsmp coven fic recs

will admit: most of these will be just scott + cleo, on account of how i have favourites and also on account of how other people have favourites.

just killing time, thesleepiestboy - Cleo meets a necromancer and is understandably wary. As much building out Cleo's history and the history of witchcraft in general as tracing the beginnings of Scott and Cleo's relationship. Specifically captures the [friendly but not trusting] vibes very well. (Note: This author also has a fic that more directly explores correspondences with Limited Life, titled the tell-tale clock! Vouch for that one too.)

Break Your Heart and Bury You, RainyDayDecaf - Scott tries to become a lich and it goes... a little sideways. Delightful / horrifying worldbuilding and the most heartwrenching Scott + Milo backstory. I feel like I devoured this one slightly too fast and then had to lie on the floor for a bit to recover from my brain getting fundamentally rewired. The rest of the coven admittedly doesn't show up until the end, but the glimpses we get are very sweet in their particular way. (Note: This author has another Witchcraft SMP fic that I also wholeheartedly recommend, particularly for fans of MythicalSausage.)

See the Sky, WhyB - Eloise wakes up in a field after a training session and Scott is at her side, oddly distressed. This one's about the unspeakable lengths Scott will go to for his loved ones, and also about that sweet, sweet Eloise + Scott friendship. Really good for: a mounting sense of creeping dread, hurt/comfort. (Note: This author does great hurt/comfort in general; worth poking around their other stuff too if you're into that!)

No one becomes a necromancer because they're stable, HaroThar - A brief conversation, in which Cleo tries to convince Scott that magic won't really solve his problems. I really like this portrayal of Cleo -- not unkind, but also Knows What's Up -- and Scott gets to be desperate and grieving in a way we can always do with more of. (Note: You will need to be logged in to view this one.)

[“If you’re in a time loop, blink twice,” Scott says, sitting on the steps outside of Bertha’s plaza.], theminecraftbee - There's. Look. You'll know the line that made me recommend this one when you get to it. Also contained in this fic: Scott + Cleo banter, what it really means to have all of time at your feet, many feelings about the Scott and Cleo of the Life Series.

[kuwdora]

I think your trademark is how enthusiastic and kind you are! Every time we interact it leaves me with a smile on my face <3

awww, you are very sweet!! It's been delightful watching you fall for TOS and sharing Star Trek fic! Got any more Trek fic in your writing pipeline? Gonna quickly hiccup out some Trek fanvid recs for you. Just two that are floating in the back of my brain at any given time when I activate TOS fannish thoughts!

Masochism Tango by @tafadhali - one of the best uses of this Tom Leher song to Kirk gettin' beaten and bloody :D Live to Tell by @aurumcalendula - this is TOS, AOS and Discovery and features the Guardian of Forever. This vid is so beautiful and heartwrenching.

[andro-dino]

and also 21 for tsubasa, kyoya and hyoma

last one from your batch and this is a fun one hehe

Hyoma- making him sad /hj he’s fascinating to explore the angstier sides of but it’s in such a unique way for him that I really love to write. The way he hides so much of what goes on his brain makes for silly shenanigans most of the time but for heartwrenching sadness when it comes to his themes of loneliness and abandonment that you can take in so many different ways. I like that a lot bc it’s a facet of his character I relate to really heavily so I’m really able to write that in a very personal way that I think makes it more effective. (can you tell perpetual loneliness is my favorite fic I’ve written CAN YOU TELL-)

Tsubasa- I like making him a dork. That goes for a lot of my art as well but he’s also such a closed off guy and that manifests in him being super serious and stoic all the time so I really like making him open up and be a lot sweeter and happier I think he deserves it. Also you’ll notice all my fics exclusively use they/them pronouns for Tsubasa. I enjoy that it’s fun I need to start referring to character with my pronoun hcs for them in regular posts again

Kyoya- comfortttt. specifically, I really like giving him silent acts of affection. He never explains what he’s doing nor does he say very much that’s openly affectionate and I love writing him doing that while in the process of giving acts of physical affection it’s genuinely so comforting shdhsjjs

I think for dislikes, for all of them I feel like I kinda flanderize them sometimes. Tsubasa especially bc I do like making him lame and sweet but I feel like I don’t explore his character fully enough when I do write him. I’ve been meaning to rewatch the entire series again maybe I can refresh myself on him

[pumpkin-spice-whump]

yellow! its me again!! its much earlier now than the last time i messaged here😗 (though it is still admittedly late🤡) i think i am going to sleep soon but i wanted to tell you that i had begun reading your story for Kensington!

i am currently at Bonfire (i think that was the name? im sorry if i butchered or mistaken it for other fics i have been reading😖) and like your stories for Jesse, Kensington's story is also incredibly painful to read😭

i think its the fact that unlike Jesse, Kesi has (arguably) even less dignity as his status as an ouright slave rather than at least a pet or boxboy coupled by the fact he also has (definitively? at least in my interpretation) much much less external reason/s to continue struggling and living (i guess there is Miss Ashley🥺 but Jesse at least got to spend so much more time with the three sweet Bakeman daughters)(i dont want to spoil much to not ruin the others' experience)

i know the two squishy whumpees arent exact copies of each other but i still find it so deliciously heartwrenching that Jesse is much more submissive mostly in part because of the bbu brainwashing or mind/memory wiping (i think this is common in bbu whump so i think its okey for me to mention it explicitly?) while Kensi who (i understand/interpret) was born and raised and lived his whole life as a slave is much more stubborn and defiant.

again i apologize if im missing or misinterpreting something also i know i cant or at least maybe shouldnt draw direct parallels between the two because theyre from two similar but still different worldbuildings with their own set of messed up rules and hiarchies.🤸‍♂️💔

again again it is late and i hope to fix my sleep schedule soon so i can read your works and message you when my braincells can organize my brain goop into something more coherent. i really hope you understand that all this word vomit is laced with love🤕💗

-💌

When i tell you that yesterday and today's asks both made my crappy days instantly better --

First of all thank you so much for reading both of my boys' stories and I'm so glad you like them

Yes, Jesse is extremely submissive in part because of the brainwashing WRU does, but also because Joshua was like that too. His dad passing away when he was younger gave him pretty severe OCD and anxiety that made Josh an unassuming, nervous boy, so his already quiet disposition was only worsened when coupled with the torture he had to face. One thing that always stuck with him though is his protectiveness over those he cares about. WRU did not give that to him, that was just Jesse.

Kensington's story takes place in a different universe where they do have a slavery system where slaves are born and raised that way. I like that you mentioned that Kensi is more stubborn and jaded, because that was not how I meant for him to turn out originally! I meant for him to be more submissive like Jesse, but the more I wrote the angrier Kensington got until I really came to a head in his story (can't wait for you to read the next few parts!)

Never apologize for analyzing my characters! I live for it, and I actually appreciate you drawing parallels between these two. They may be from different worlds, but they both come from me and I enjoy seeing them compared to one another actually! We're to a point in both stories that I have been very excited to come to and this gave me the motivation to keep writing!

(Sorry if my response doesn't make sense or isn't what you were looking for!)

[thebroccolination]

Was Cutie Pie before you came over to tumblr? (I follow you on tweeter too, and cant keep the flow of time straight in my head lmao)

Anyways, yes, i saw that trailer and my first thought after AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH was "does key know? Probably, but just in case, we should say a thing in their inbox"

I kept seeing Kuea and no Lian in the trailer, and i was soooo worried for a hot second and then as soon as my brain was like "but what if no Zee??? 😭😭😭" THERE HE WAS.

Im so pumped. More good writing and good acting with absolutely outrageous storylines. Cant wait for the ridiculous scenarious they come up with interspersed with the heartwrenching moments of love and care. Absolutely thrilled to witness two more boneheads who cannot get their shit together. Fully gonna rewatch Cutie Pie in its entirety at least 17 more times to prepare.

Hi, Anon!

It was, yes! Cutie Pie waaas January-ish of 2022?

And awww! I'm so happy to hear you thought of me. :')

I'm delighted that we'll get more of Kuea and Diao's friendship, because that was hands-down one of my favorite aspects of Cutie Pie. NuNew and Nat have such a sweet real-life friendship, it really lends authenticity to their acting relationship.

And yessss, I'll have to rewatch Cutie Pie again too. \:D/

As much as I affectionately poke fun at it, Cutie Pie really does hit me emotionally. LianKuea's scene on the park bench? The music? The conversation? I love them so much.

May we both gracefully endure the wait, Anon!

[wild-karrde]

hii, i was a little hesitant about sharing something, but this is my first work here and this idea leaded to a fic that i'm gonna post soon!

i wrote it after watching the solitary clone, because everything that cody said really moved something on my brain so i decided to write about him

https://at.tumblr.com/dnxgma/starlight/v8jb9zqbg1g2

hope you're having a good day<3

NEVER BE HESITANT ABOUT SHARING YOUR WORK! I'm so stoked you sent this in! It was so angsty and heartwrenching and sweet. I could absolutely see this moment happening with Cody after he defects, and the little moments where he thinks of her... those are the most heartbreaking. Thanks again for the self-rec! :)

Participate in Fandom Friday to show your favorite creators from this week some love! :)

[cynosurus]

What got me into The Untamed and wangxian:

(And why I think you should check it out and also vote for them!)

I think I had seen some stills from The Untamed long before I started watching, things where they looked soulfully at each other or struck some cool pose, but with the wigs and clothes and all I thought that though beautiful, it was probably a very stiff, mannered and solemn affair. Kind of like the boring bits of LOTR, so I wasn't very tempted.

And when I saw the name on ao3, I assumed it was about young stubbled werewolves (probably a mix-up in my brain btwn Teen Wolf and Supernatural + how it sounds).

But then two months ago I happened upon this song. It's super good, Jolene The Untamed style, about Wei Wuxian/Lan Wangji from the perspective of Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian's brother:

After that I found some more lively gifs, and these about Wei Wuxian being Extra (all from this post by ohsehuns) perfectly captures that side of him that might not be as clear in the romantic gifs. I felt that this was a hero I could get in to. And this range in the characterisation really really contributes to making the story such fun and also heartwrenching and sweet.

GIFs by ohsehuns

Meanwhile Lan Wangji to his left is keeping his poker face. Which he almost always does, which he almost always does. Which is why you see fans losing it over a gif where you see a hint of a smile. It's BIG.

GIF by pyrokinesis

AO3 Top Relationships Bracket - THIRD PLACE

This poll is a celebration of fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with many of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement, and refrain from harassment.

[jutsuuu]

HI HELLO I'M HERE FROM THE ART MADE FROM YOUR SHINKAMI KAMI GHOST FIC

I ADORE THIS FIC

I'm gonna ramble a little but really!!!!

you said in the end notes somewhere that balancing angst and humor is difficult (which as a writer GOD IT IS,) but you're doing it super well i think!! /gen like in the last chapter posted (leaves I think) the contrast between the silly moment of walking on crunchy leaves and kaminari's panic attack works so well and breaks my heart

also for a rather supernatural fic it's super realistic in its characterisation, like how kaminari doesn't realize immediately that he's actually dead. it's crazy good.

aLso i really like the dynamic between aizawa and shinsou (as someone who writes mostly about them and about their father/son relationship, seeing a different dynamic is super refreshing /pos) and again, i love how you establish that shinsou hasn't called or anything in super long (im exactly like that, I don't call or text people for forever until I have to, so this hits me hard)

this fic is just. so heartwrenching and funny and good and I adore it. I'm genuinely curious about how everything's going to go and what's that other thing pulling kaminari, and how he died, how everyone else is going to learn about it.

thank you so much for sharing this and I hope you keep going, no pressure though, take your time and take care of urself.

(also sorry im. I have so much stuff to say but I fucking lost it when. dark shadow. I. it's a frickin bird skull that's fantastic)

(and sorry if this is very messy I am. my brain is buzzing sorry skjsjsjss)

omg avshdjdnkfkdjd !!!

Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!! This is such a sweet ask to get I don’t even know what to say,, I’m glad you liked the dynamic between Aizawa and Shinsou honestly aside from the initial posting of the first chapter, writing Aizawa was what I was most worried about since he’s such a great but complicated character in canon, trying to translate that over to an AU had me a little worried about him being too OOC.

I’m so so happy people are enjoying it! I admittedly write rather slowly (I get burnt out quite easily since I do so much creative writing for uni) but this is the first multi chapter fic I’ve got my heart set on seeing through to the end so it may take a little while but I will write all of it!!

Thank you again this was such a treat to receive I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, I hope you enjoy the rest of it just as much! 🧡🧡🧡

[molinaskies]

Ok there's a lot of caps in here and it's kinda long but I nEED to tell youuu😭😭😭

Oh my GOD O HOY MYBGOSI MYGOSHGDHOVMG

I LOVE YOU COME WITH ME KILLED ME 1000 TIMES OVER I LOVED IT SO DAMN MUCH THE WAY YOU HANDLED THE VHARACTERS WAS CHEF KISS AND THE WAY THE STORY FLOWED FRLT SO NATURAL IM NOT OKAYYYY

I love that you gave Amy so much awesome spotlight because she's!!! A really!! Cool!!! Character!! And it was so cool seeing how you put in different ways of how she can stand out AS a character it was SO

YES

SO MUCH YES AMY IS A DIMENSIONAL CHARACTER AND U 100% MADE ME LIKE HER CHARACTER POTENTIAL SO MUCH MORE ALREADY OMG

And I looooove how you explored BOTH of their nuances!!! It felt so easy to actually see and EVERY interaction felt so REAL AND LOVELY AND HEARTWRENCHING NHBUHSBBUBHSOBBING

I don't read fanfiction like ever And! And I BINGED this entire thing!!!! LITERALLY From when I found it to the very last chapter!

I love when people look at sonic and see all the in-character folds that are there that nobody pays attention to!! Like how he's a really sweet guy but doesn't show it much and how with all the complexity of Amy's character it just comes out so EASILY and how they just FIT SO WELLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

LITERALLY E V E R Y TIME SOMETHING WAS A SWEET LINE OR A LITTLE HINT CALLBACK TO A PREVIOUS THING I LIKE DANCED AROUND LIKE ACTUALLY IT MADE ME SO GIDDY

I mashed that kudos button like crazy LEMME GIVE MORE THAN ONE AO333333

I almost never react to media I take in and this!!!!! Destroyed meeeeeeeeEEEEEEEE LITERALLY EVERY EMOTION TO FEEL WAS THEREEE

ANYWAY, I ADORE this fanfic analysis of the characters EVERY SINGLE WORD CHOICE AND DIALOG LINE AND PARAGRAPH SPACING AND ENVIRONMENT DESCRIPTION WAS SO PERFECT I LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT SO MUCHHH

I'm like ACTUALLY gonna reread this at some point I loved it sm I could gush about every individual chapter bc I read them so hard WORD FOR WORD THERES SO MUCH PACKED IN THEREEE

There's probably like a zillion typos in there but I stayed up reading this so my brain is hardly anything but in a dream state already LMAO

MILLION GOLD STARS MILLLLLIIIOONNN GOLD STARSSSSS💫💫💫💫💫⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you, Anon! You’re so lovely and so sweet 🥺 this made my day to read!! Thank you for reaching out :)

I Love You - Come With Me has my heart and soul inside it, so I’m absolutely touched to hear how much you enjoyed the journey! I’m glad you caught all my little hints and things :))

Thank you again for your kindness ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[scoopsgf]

hi! i comment pretty regularly on your fics but i just wanted to say that you are my favorite fic author ever? i've been reading since you were writing marvel and when you starting writing rory and jess i can't even tell you how excited i was. your writing scratches an itch in my brain that i've never felt before. its heartwarming and heartwrenching. you get the characters to this level that i've never seen anyone else portray. your writing has genuinely impacted me and helped me on bad days. so i just wanted to personally thank you.

HELP THIS IS SO SWEET IM GONNA CRY oh my god oh my god im so glad to have helped and i hope i can continue to do so <3