#they both look out for each other and adore each other and JL would not be happy

[wolfjackle-creates]

Bring Me Home Arc 2 Part 20: FINAL

So guess what I realized this morning. Today, November 13, 2023 is the one year anniversary of me posting my first DPxDC fic to tumblr. It was the original fill for this very fic. (Which you can find here.)

So I decided I just had to finish this arc and get it posted. This year has been amazing and so much fun. I've become a much better writer and joined a community that has brought me so much joy. I'm glad to be here and I'm glad so many of you like to read what I'm sharing.

I noticed I got a few new readers over the past week or so, so welcome to all of you! Hope you enjoy this early update!

In personal news, my nephew was born and he's adorable and I'll be meeting him tomorrow! (As soon as I'm done posting this, I'm off to make food for his mom.)

Story Summary: Tim and Danny are both neglected by parents who care more about their work than their families. They deal with this by spending too much time online and find each other playing MMORPGs. They keep up their friendship as Tim becomes Robin and Danny becomes Phantom and don't bother keeping secrets from each other.

Arc 1

Arc 2: Part 1, Previous

Word Count: 1.2k

-----

In the end, it ended up taking several hours for Danny, Sam, and Tucker to escape their families and converge on the park. In that time, Tim had called Bruce to let him know he’d be back in Gotham by tomorrow and finished most of his homework.

While he worked, Wulf and Bart were having an animated conversation in Esperanto.

Tim was pretty sure Wulf would be bringing Bart to the Ghost Zone for a tour sometime and started making plans to learn Esperanto himself and bribe Bart to get in on them.

Cassie was helping Conner sort through some of the music Sam had given him. Tim was jealous as he solved more banal trig questions. Why did school have to be so boring? He tapped his pencil on the paper in time to the beat of whatever music Conner had playing.

Tucker was the first to arrive. “Danny and Sam not here yet?” he asked as he plopped down next to Bart and Wulf.

“Nope. Haven’t heard from them, either,” said Tim. He opened his phone notifications again just to be sure, but there was nothing new.

Tucker shrugged and pulled out a stick of jerkey to munch on. “Not surprising. The Fentons will be all overprotective after the mayor was kidnapped by a ghost on live TV. And Sam’s parents are just as bad. Only they smother rather than check the weaponry.” He turned to greet Wulf in Esperanto.

An email came through on Tim’s phone and he groaned. “Our evening interview was canceled. No one wants to hear us try to defend Phantom anymore.”

Cassie cursed. “Course not. Bet the paper won’t publish our editorials either.”

Conner looked over, confused. “Won’t they? Clark works for the Daily Planet. They publish stuff like that all the time.”

Tim didn’t look up from his math as he answered, “That’s the difference between a big, Pulitzer winning publication and a small-town op-ed.”

Tucker sighed. “Well maybe someone will remember your interviews from this morning in a positive light.”

Bart rolled his eyes. “Come on, we can’t change it. So let’s move forward. Next step, make friends with more ghosts! Wulf says there’s a bunch of cool people in the Realms.”

“Realms?” asked Tim.

“It’s what he says the Ghost Zone is actually called. The Infinite Realms.”

“Huh. I’ll have to check JL databases, see if they have any information on them.”

Tucker asked something in Esperanto and Bart burst out laughing as Wulf looked on in confusion.

With Bart’s help, though, he rephrased until Wulf was able to reply. And then the three kept to Esperanto. Tim really had to find time to learn it.

Sam was the next to arrive. She grinned and sat down next to Conner. “How you liking the music?”

Conner grinned and showed her the sheets where he ranked the bands so far based on which songs he’d listened to. She then took over the speakers and searched for specific tracks to try and change his mind about some of the bands he liked the least.

Tim let his eyes close as his friends’ voices washed over him.

After some indeterminate time where he dozed between sleeping and awareness, a foot nudged his hip. Tim grumbled out what was supposed to be a, “What?” but was too mumbled to really be understood.

“Come on, Secrets. You can do better than that.”

Tim cracked an eye open to see Danny grinning down at him. He pushed himself up slightly and blinked heavily in the sunlight.

“Finally got away from your parents?” asked Tim.

Danny collapsed on the ground next to him. “Ugh, don’t remind me. They’re freaking out over everything that’s happened the last few days. Jazz and I are basically going to be on lock down until they feel confident the ghosts are gone.”

“Did you have to sneak out to get here?” asked Cassie.

Danny shook his head. “No, I told them I was going to find you guys to make sure you were all safe. You’re welcome to come back to ours tonight, by the way. Mom and Dad basically insisted on it.”

“What do you guys think?” asked Tim. “Spend one more night here at Danny’s and head out in the morning?”

Cassie sighed. “My mom’s already freaking out that I’ve been gone longer than planned. I should get back tonight.”

“I’ll stay,” offered Conner. “I’m your ride home, anyway.”

“Why don’t you come to my place, Conner,” offered Sam. “Your nails need a fresh coat after fighting today. And I need teach you about the different brands of makeup and what to look for in terms of cost, quality, and ethicality. Plus I can get you more music.”

Tim laughed when Conner looked to him. “Go for it. Have fun.”

Conner grinned. “Then yeah, let’s do it!”

Bart shrugged. “Wulf is going to go back to the Realms soon. I’ll head out after. Wally and Linda want me over for a family dinner tonight.”

“Well, looks like that’s it, then,” sighed Danny. “Been fun having other heroes around.”

Tim nudged his shoulder. “Join the Young Justice. You could join us and we'd help out whenever you wanted. Get you around people who actually appreciate what you do for them.”

But Danny was already shaking his head. “I have to stay here. And now Amity trusts heroes even less. I want to improve that, not make it worse.”

“Even if you don’t join,” declared Conner. “You’re not getting rid of us now.”

Bart nodded his agreement. “Yep. We’re gonna be stopping by all the time. You’re in the group chat.”

“Exactly,” agreed Tim. “And we’ll figure out ways to help you. Starting with how to minimize property damage. That seems to be the big thing people focus on. You can make shields, right? How big can you make them and how much power do they take?”

Danny smiled wryly. “Can’t say I’ve really tested it.”

Tim laughed. “Well, I know one thing we’re doing tonight. We’re going to go back to Nasty Burger—” Tim looked around at the whole group “—all of us. Then Cassie and Bart are going to go home. Danny and I, at least, are going to take a nap. Then we’re gonna test the current limits to Danny’s powers.”

Danny bumped their shoulders together. “You know, this is just like gaming with you all those years.”

“Yeah, well, it’s best to be thorough.”

“We’ve measured, like, his top speed and stuff,” said Tucker, pulling out a PDA. “Want to see what we’ve got so far?”

“Absolutely.” Tim took the device and looked through it. “You’ve a decent amount of information here. Maybe instead of taking a nap, I’ll help you organize it and come up with a testing plan.”

Conner flew over to him and pulled the PDA out of his hand. “Not after pulling an all-nighter you won’t. We’re going to get some food, then the two of you are going to sleep for at least four hours.”

“I’ll set Jazz on you, too,” threatened Sam. “Don’t think I won’t.”

Tim pouted as the device was given back to Tucker. And grumbled more when Conner picked him up and threw him over his shoulder.

“Come on, food time.”

“I am going to put kryptonite in your phone,” threatened Tim.

“Bingo!” shouted Cassie.

Danny laughed as he stood. “Does this mean I can join the next round?”

Tim scowled. “Traitors, all of you.”

-----

Next

And that's the end of this Arc! Arc 3 will pick up where the original fill did. (Only this time, Tim won't be the only DC character there to help Danny.)

I'd say something like I can't believe it's only been a year, but so much has happened to me in the last twelve months that it feels like a lifetime ago, to be honest. But it's been a good year and I'm glad this community has been part of it.

Please follow the subscription post if you want updates for when I start transferring this arc to AO3 or begin posting Arc 3.

[myseungsunglove]

Hiiii I have a favor to ask! I'm on a bit of a drought of finding stuff to read. I've read all of your fics and I absolutely loved them btw! So do you have any recommendations it could be fluff, angst, smut, and comfort! You could recommend regular fics of blogs of people with good fics! I read about all of Stray Kids!! You totally don't have to! Its 110% okay if you don't! Thank you anyways!

-👀 anonnie

Okay, so I did a thing. I spent some time going through my blog and labeling everything I've personally reblogged. If you search the tags "Mia Recommends" & "Mia's Favorites" you'll find a host of fics.

I mostly only read Han, Seungmin, Chan, and Lee Know so that will mostly be my recs.

I also hedge into some Poly Ot8! & other pairings with a reader, and I understand that isn't for everyone. So if it isn't for you, just skip over those.

I will also just straight up give you a list of my absolute favorites. Like changed the way I look at writing, favorites. *smiles* This took me about an hour and a half, so I hope you find something from it!

There are 12 personal recommendations below the cut.

Mia's Favorite Fics

Ditto by @hwajin - Seungmin x Reader, smut, agnst - This one utterly broke my heart. I don't often read angst, but this one just stuck with me even though it hurt my feelings so bad.

No Words by @jl-micasea-fics - Seungmin x Reader, smut, established fwb, fwb to lovers au This one is just beautiful and raw. Mica is probably one of my favorite authors on this platform. So much talent. You'll see a few of their fics here.

Rain by @jl-micasea-fics - Seungmin x Reader, angst, smut - Mica is kind of the queen of angst and hurting your feelings. Just understand that going into this one.

2min x Reader Fic by @rachalixie - Seungmin x Reader x Lee Know, fluff - One of my favorite friendships is 2min, so the idea of being absolutely adored and loved by both of them just melts my heart. I understand a poly fic may not be for everyone so please skip it if its not for you.

In My Dreams by @astraystayyh - Seungmin x Reader, enemies to loves, angst wrapped in fluff - Sahar is another writer that I love almost everything I read by them. This one is really relatable and just wonderful.

Connected by @sky-yuna - Poly ot8! Series - lots and lots of smut, angst, fluff you name it, this series has it. I absolutely adore this series and it's probably one of my favorite ones out there. Each relationship with the boys is so special, and they do a good job of spreading the love, literally and figuratively, between all of the boys and the reader in this series. I understand a poly fic may not be for everyone so please skip it if its not for you.

Back Burner by @astraystayyh - Han x Reader - angst - this one will just hurt your heart and it's so relatable, honestly. I claim to not read a lot of angst, but you can tell by this list that I clearly do. This one will hurt your feelings, I assure you.

ZIP - by @cb97percent -Chan x Reader - smut, fluff, fwb - This one is absolutely beautifully written. I'm a sucker for friends with benefits trope as evident in several of my recs so far. The writing in this one is just, *chefs kiss*

Catfish? - by @seungminheart - Han x Reader - smut, crack, fluff - this one is absolutely fucking hilarious. It's a rockstar! Han fic and it's just, you'll love it. This author recently stole my heart with this fic and a Seungmin one. They are so so so talented. They have a Lee Know one they just put out today that I can't wait to read! They have other pairings as well and I would recommend any and everything they write.

Go ahead and cry - by @hyunsvngs - Seungmin x Reader, smut - this one is part of a series called "Hot Bitch Summer" and the way I was absolutely so weak for this part in particular. It's just all smut all the time in this series. It's only "Poly-esque" fic series. You'd have to read it to really understand what I mean by the esque. - I understand a poly fic may not be for everyone so please skip it if its not for you.

August is a Fever - by @seungminheart - Seungmin x Reader, smut, fluff - This may well be one of my favorite reads I've read in the skz fanfiction world. The friendship between Hyunjin and the reader in this one is fucking hilarious. The dynamic with Seungmin, kind of enemies to lovers esque but isn't. You'll just have to read it to understand. The writing is absolutely immaculate. This writer really has something special.

Photobooth - by @astraystayyh - Seungmin x Reader, fluff - this one is just so precious. It's so sweet you'll melt.

As I wrap this up, I realize how much I absolutely love reading Seungmin x Reader fics. They have a special place in my heart. I was kind of surprised there was more of him on this list than Han. They are both my ults, but I feel like Seungmin has been trying to declare himself the top ult recently.

Hope you find something here you can fall in love with. Be sure to check out my mia recommends tag for more stories that I really enjoyed. There were just too many to put all of them here! Please also respect each writer's rules and regulations when it comes to reading their work and interacting with their blog!

[tryslora]

What I'm Reading Wednesday (July 10, 2024 edition)

It's late in the day, but I am damn well going to get this posted!

Ebooks:​

I finally finished the last volume in the light novels for The Apothecary Diaries. It then took me several days to wrest my brain from that world and allow myself to sink into a new one. 

The current ebook is Earth and Water by J.L. Gribble. I met JL at Balticon and very much enjoyed our conversations, so I picked up both this first paranormal romance, and the first of the other series in the same world. I'm loving this so far. I love the world building, and the characters, and the way relationships other than romance are also prioritized. It's spicier than I need, but it's good spice, and folks looking for a high spice level would very much enjoy it. I'm about 50% in, and looking forward to getting to read the rest.

Comics:​

I took a break last Friday to curl up on the couch and read two graphic novel anthologies I'd picked up from a Kickstarter as extras: The Color of Always and Young Men in Love. In each anthology there was one story that made me cry. I didn't love all the stories, but the ones I enjoyed I really adored. They were quite good.

Physical Book:​

I'm still reading Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall, and trust me, I only haven't finished it because I haven't allowed myself to just curl up and READ, but I have been tempted. I think this is my favorite book I've read by Alexis Hall at this point. I kind of love prickly, confused Valentine (our POV character) a whole lot. I cringe at the miscommunication, but it's the kind of miscommunication that isn't contrived, even though sometimes it's over the top. I'm cringing more because of the misunderstandings brought about by how people came to adulthood, y'know? I'll finish it soon; I'm so close to the end at some point I'm not going to be able to put it down!

Audiobooks:​

Going BiCoastal by Dahlia Adler is still on hold. I renewed it, because I'm very close to done with what I'm reading, and I had to delay my hold on another book because at that point, I wasn't close enough to done. I'll return to it soon.

Meanwhile, I'm about 90% of the way done with He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan. I love it, but not as much as the first book. Part of that has to do with the way some of the scenes linger, and I'm not into lingering rumination over death and suffering. So it gets to be a bit much for me. But I'm at the point where I'm very anxious to see how it turns out.

[featherfur]

This is probably mildly controversial but I really don’t get the appeal of the fix it’s that involve the juniors going back to their 17ish year old parents and going “hi yes I’m your kid” and then the 17 year old decides ‘oh yes I’m going to be the best parent!’

Like they’re 17??? The juniors are 16-20 assuming CQL and 13-16 novel (since Sizhui is a toddler when JL is born) like that’s not their parent nor would any 17 year old want to take on a kid?? They’re all very different people before the time skip and three of the main people are dead! Also imagine being Sizhui and meeting your dad and you’re three years older than both of them, if he even considers them parents. That’s actually a separate issue I won’t go into because that’ll definitely cause drama

I get like if the juniors look at their parents and miss the people they knew but they’re not going to look at children who are basically the same age as them and go “you’re my parent and I will treat you as such”

Like yes I like the idea of Jin Ling meeting his parents but he wouldn’t meet 17/18 yr old Zixuan and 20ish Yanli and go “I want to be your kid again” because a. He already has a parent even if it’s not the same as having a mother and father he wouldn’t ever leave his uncle alone and would be offended at the thought and b. He would probably cry his eyes out for like three minutes and then get over it because his parents are at most seven years older than him and at youngest one year

There’s nothing wrong with it but it does always confuse me when I see people write that because if I met my mother at 17 I would not be considering her my mother because she 17 and knows Jack shit and is not who she actually is as I know her. Also like a lot of who these people are is built by the pain of WWX’s death (and Yanli and JZX). Lan Wangji stops being super loyal to his rules and allows his juniors to be gremlins and super rude. He also starts his whole crusade of going where the trouble is and leaving Gusu Lan behind him pretty often. Jiang Cheng stops smiling, laughing and joking and goes hard on the “Do. Not. Fuck. With me” aura. Lan Xichen is a lot more open with his emotions pre-timeskip and you can see him visually processing more where later he’s more composed. Yanli and JZX are barely more than kids when they had JL and most take on right after the war which means they’re not even together yet and would have no idea how to handle JL especially when he’s literally a few years younger than them.

[marauderundercover]

How We Fell: Ch. 31

Day 31: No Interruptions/New Year’s Eve

AO3

Prev

Three Years Later

Marinette smiles softly at her reflection in the mirror. When Hawkmoth had first been defeated, she’d struggled to look in the mirror. She struggled with the memories that came from being one of the heroes from the beginning. From the nightmares. But in the time that had passed since defeating the man, things had gotten better. It was a gradual process, and it took work, but it happened. A soft knock at the bathroom door makes Marinette grin.

“Come in.” She calls, smiling widely as Damian walks in, a small smile on his face. His suit was tailored wonderfully, and his tie matched her dress perfectly. Of course it did. She designed them.

“Hello love. Are we out of brie? Plagg was asking about it.” He says with a sigh, but the fond look in his eyes lets her know that he wasn’t actually upset. That was something she hadn’t expected, once they moved in together. She’d expected him to be far more weary of the kwami than he actually was. She supposed it helped that they all looked like animals. His words register and she frowns.

“I thought he was on his goat cheese kick?” Marinette says, quirking an eyebrow. Damian shrugs.

“I am merely the messenger.” He says, leaning down for a kiss. She turns her face at the last second, and he leans back with a frown. She snorts.

“I did not spend over an hour on my makeup for you to ruin my lipstick before we even leave the apartment, Damian.” She says softly. He rolls his eyes, kissing the very tip of her nose instead, making her giggle.

“I still think we could have a better time simply staying home. With no interruptions.” He says, cupping her face gently. Marinette just grins.

“I promised Dick that I would get you to show up, you know that. I also promised Jagged, Penny and the kids that I would be there.” She reminds him. His eyes light up slightly and she knows she’s got him. Cady and Ozzy adored Damian. They both thought he was much cooler than her, and while she pretended to be offended, she secretly agreed.

“Then I suppose we should attempt to arrive on time.” Damian says with a quick glance at his watch. Marinette nods, grabbing her purse as she follows him out.

---

“There’s my little rocker!” Jagged cheers, picking her up and spinning her around. The paparazzi had been a little more forward than they’d been in a while. She’d announced herself as MDC over the summer, but had managed to avoid any big events until this gala. Bruce hadn’t even had the Christmas gala this year, insisting instead on just a ‘family’ affair. He’d been offended when she’d originally thought that meant she was excluded. Apparently, he’d already decided she was his daughter in law (despite the fact that she and Damian were not engaged).

“Jagged, I’m 21.” She laughs, but returns the hug. Jagged finally sets her down, grinning widely.

“But you’ll always be my little rocker, M.” He says with a soft smile. Marinette grins, thankful for the man. He’d moved to Gotham full time shortly after the Hawkmoth reveal, and while it wasn’t the same as having her parents close by, it was a close second. It also meant she actually got to be involved in both Cady and Ozzy’s lives.

“Nettie!” A familiar voice calls. Marinette’s eyes widen and she spins around, shocked at seeing Nino. She glances at Damian who just smiles softly at her.

“I thought it had been too long since the two of you were able to see each other in a more…relaxed situation.” He says quietly. She squeezes his hand, wanting nothing more than to kiss him, but also not wanting to give the Gothamites anything to gossip about.

“Thank you.” She whispers back. He nods, gesturing towards Nino. Nino gives her a huge hug that she immediately sighs into. The last time she’d seen him was for a JL mission where they’d been assigned together. It wasn’t an awful mission, but there wasn’t exactly time to catch up and relax.

“How’s my favorite little sister doing?” Nino asks, setting her down and grinning. Marinette snorts.

“First of all, I’m only two weeks younger.” She huffs. He just grins. “Secondly, I’m actually doing really well. I never thought I would feel this at home in Gotham. But it’s….kind of perfect.” She admits, smiling. Nino grins.

“I’m happy for you, Nettie.” He says. She glances around, raising an eyebrow when she doesn’t see her.

“No Alya?” She asks. He sighs, but she can see the love in his eyes.

“She’s currently chasing a story in Tibet.” He says. Marinette quirks an eyebrow.

“Tibet?” She asks. He nods.

“Yeah, but don’t worry. I’m keeping an ear out in case any…less than heroic parties are involved.” Nino says. Marinette lets out a sigh.

“Did you ever think this is how our lives would turn out?” She asks. Nino snorts.

“Absolutely not.” He says. Then he grins. “But would you change it?” Marinette grins.

“Absolutely not.”

---

“Have I ever told you that you’re my favorite of the unofficial sisters?” Jason asks, appearing out of nowhere. Marinette quirks an eyebrow.

“What did you do?” She asks. His jaw drops as he clutches his heart.

“I am hurt that you actually think I would do something wrong.” He says dramatically. Marinette snorts.

“Yeah, Jay, I’ve known Damian for four years. I’ve known you for three. And Nino is my best friend. Give me more credit than that.” She says. Jason sighs.

“Okay, so, I may or may not have pulled one of those confetti champagne popper things by Tim. And I may or may not need someone to steal his phone so that he can’t use that to track me. B won’t let him to the computers til after the gala so if someone could get his phone, I’d have one hell of a head start.” Jason explains. Marinette snorts. That had been something she never commented on, but loved to see. The mending relationships between Damian and his brothers. It also led to plenty of situations like this, but she was more than happy to help. Even if Jason was thirty and still pulling pranks like a little kid. Thinking back on his words, her eyes narrow slightly.

“Hold on, why do you think I could steal his phone?” She asks, crossing her arms. Jason smirks.

“Nino may or may not have mentioned your phone stealing habits from when you were younger.” He says. Marinette gasps.

“That- I- ugh! I was thirteen!” She complains, dropping her face into her hands. Her actions when she had a crush on- when she had a crush when she was younger were not actions that she was proud of. Nor were they actions that she thought of often, but when she did….the cringe and regret was strong.

“And now you’re older and wiser, blah, blah, blah. Don’t think I don’t know it’s you who’s been doing those museum robberies around the world. I know you can do this.” Jason says, making her sputter again.

“How the hell did you know those were me?” She asks, huffing. Jason grins.

“I didn’t until just now.” He says triumphantly. Marinette groans.

“It’s not like I want to steal things, Jason. I’m just trying to get certain magical items out of the wrong hands.” She sighs. Jason nods.

“I get that, really, I do. But wouldn’t it be a shame if a big bad bat knew too?” He asks. Marinette narrows her eyes.

“Are you really blackmailing me right now?” She asks, crossing her arms. Jason grins.

“Think of it more as guaranteeing you’ll help me.” He says.

“So blackmail.”

“Pretty much.”

“Fantastic.” She mutters, scanning the room until she spots Tim. “I’ll do it, but I’m also telling Damian that you’re blackmailing me.” She says. Jason laughs.

“Trust me, I will be long gone by the time you’ve told Demon Spawn.” He says. Marinette smirks.

“He can definitely hold a grudge.” She reassures him. Jason waves her off and she shrugs, moving to talk to Tim.

“Hey Mari.” The man in question says, giving her a small smile. Marinette smiles back.

“Whatchya doing?” She asks, placing herself in a position to (hopefully) grab the phone without Conner noticing. Since he had, most definitely, heard her conversation with Jason and would definitely be expecting the theft.

“I was looking for Jason, but I lost him.” He huffs, glancing around the room with a pout. Marinette suppresses a laugh. Despite how old they all were, Damian’s entire family still acted like kids. Well, except for Alfred. He was the only sane one. Swiftly, Marinette manages to trade Tim’s phone out for a piece of baguette that she’d swiped from the table.

“Any particular reason you’re looking for him?” She asks, trying to calm her heart. She knew Conner (and Jon) would be able to hear it. Jon would probably inform Damian, who would panic, because knowing Jon, he wouldn’t lead with the whole phone theft thing.

“Well I was going to ask him to help with a case I have that I’ve come to some dead ends on.” He says. Marinette frowns, Tim’s phone in the pocket of her dress suddenly feeling weird.

“Really?” She asks. Why would Jason lie? Why would Tim lie? Tim nods.

“Yeah, but I can’t-” He stops, frowning. Marinette follows his gaze to see Conner, shaking his head rapidly. Until he sees her looking. He smiles awkwardly.

“Hello, Marinette.” He says, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Marinette frowns.

“What’s going on?” She asks, looking between Tim and Conner. Tim’s eyes get wide.

“What? What do you mean? Nothing’s going on.” He says, his voice going up slightly. Marinette quirks an eyebrow.

“Really? Because not only am I good at telling when someone’s lying, you are literally the worst liar I know.” She says. Tim sighs, and opens his mouth, but Conner beats him to it.

“Marinette switched your phone out for bread.” He says. Marinette gasps.

“Traitor!” She hisses, glaring at Conner. He holds his hands up in surrender while Tim just gapes.

“How did you do that?” He asks. Marinette narrows her eyes at Conner.

“I’m not telling, and neither is anyone else.” She says. Tim frowns, turning to Conner, who just nods.

“Sorry, she kinda scares me.” He admits. Marinette snorts, pulling the phone out and passing it back to Tim since apparently, Jason wasn’t actually in any danger. That just brings up the ‘why’ again. Why lie about something so silly? Glancing around, she frowns when she realizes she hasn’t seen Damian in a while.

“Has anyone seen Damian?” She asks. Tim shakes his head, then glances down at his phone as it beeps.

“Actually, I think I saw him heading into his old art room.” He says. Marinette raises an eyebrow.

“You saw him through the walls?” She asks. Tim shrugs.

“Hey, if you don’t want help finding him-” He starts, but she cuts him off.

“No, sorry, I just-” She stops herself. If it was something bad, they’d tell her. “I’m gonna go see if I can find him.” She sighs, moving away from the crowds. As she moves out of the main room and starts up the stairs towards the art room, she relaxes. It was nearing midnight, and knowing Damian, he probably did not want to have their midnight kiss in a crowded room. Stopping at the closed door, Marinette reaches up and knocks softly.

“Just a minute.” Damian calls back. Marinette bites her lip, desperately trying to calm her racing heart. Why was she suddenly nervous? The door clicks open and Damian smiles softly at her. “Would you mind closing your eyes for a moment?” He asks. She shakes her head and shuts her eyes, letting Damian lead her into the room. The door softly shuts behind them, and Marinette resists the urge to just open her eyes. Damian leads her to what she assumes is the middle of the room before letting out a small breath. “Open your eyes.” He says. She does, and is immediately left speechless. Throughout the room were several pieces of art that she’d never seen before. But she recognizes the views and situations in each one. The canvases weren’t huge, but the story they told was. It was their story. The story of how they fell in love. Marinette turns slowly, taking in each of the drawings. He’d used color sparingly, as was his style, but she adored it. Turning to the last piece, her jaw drops slightly. She was in her dress, and Damian in his suit, but he was kneeling with a ring box. Turning slowly to face Damian, her hands fly up to her mouth when she sees him.

“Marinette, I never thought that I would fall in love. I always believed that any marriage I would have, would be one formed from duty. I certainly never expected to fall in love with my pen pal who refused to give up when it came to becoming friends. I am so glad that you refused to give up, habibti. I am in love with you Marinette. I am in love with the way your nose scrunches up when you are concentrating on a design. I am in love with the way you dance around the kitchen when you bake, humming along to a song that only you can hear. I am in love with your heart, with the way you care for everyone so fully. If you’ll let me, I would love to spend the rest of our lives together. Marinette, will you marry me?” Damian asks, opening the box to reveal the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. Happy tears leak from her eyes, but she nods rapidly.

“Yes, yes I will marry you!” She cheers, dropping down so that she can pull him into a kiss. He immediately stands, pulling her up with him, never letting their lips disconnect. He pulls away for a moment to put the ring on her hand. She smiles down at it, then looks back up at his beautiful green eyes.

“I love you.” Marinette says, gently holding his cheek. He smiles down at her.

“And I you.” He says, pulling her into another kiss as the fireworks explode outside. She smiles into the kiss, deepening it until she hears a thud on the balcony. Squeaking, she jumps away from her fiancé. Fiancé, she thinks, the word making her giddy. Until there’s another thud on the balcony. Glancing at Damian, she relaxes slightly. Instead of looking worried, he looked annoyed. Which probably meant- The balcony door creaked open slightly.

“Do you think he chickened out?” Jason whispers.

“Definitely not. But do you think she said yes?” Dick asks, sounding slightly worried. Marinette snorts.

“I think they’re going to hear both of you if you don’t shut up.” Tim hisses.

“Guys, they’re not saying anything.” Jon complains. Marinette crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow as the group attempt to glance into the room, but instead fall into a pile.

“What part of ‘the proposal is going to be private’ did none of you understand?” Damian asks, but she can tell by the slight quirk of his lips that he’s not actually mad at them.

“Shit.” Jason says, scrambling to his feet. “We didn’t-”

“She said yes!” Dick cheers, his eyes focused on the ring on her left hand. Marinette grins. Dick whoops, and rushes over, picking both of them up in a hug. “I’m so happy for you guys!” He cheers. Marinette grins, making eye contact with Damian, who was also smiling.

“Me too.” She says, overcome with love and happiness. Who would have thought a school project would lead to her finding the love of her life?

END

Proposal inspired by this video

Permanent tag list: @stainedglassm @kittenmywaythrulife @laydeekrayzee @doll246 @queenz-z @deathssilentapproach-blog @literaryhiraeth @unoriginalmess @crazylittlemunchkin

Story tag list: @kking13 @jayjayspixiepop @ritacrow-blog @fangirlingfanatic @basenikon @toodaloo-kangaroo @maribat-calendar-events @hammalammadamdam @kittyditzydancer

[anjuschiffer]

Maribat Prompts/Au/Ideas That Live Rent Free in my Head

A while ago, I said I would share a few things that I’ve been wanting to write...

Damigami (platonic)- Damian decides to make a fencing team at Gotham Academy (because he’s bored) but couldn’t make a team with the minimum amount of members to apply to competitions. Damian decides to venture into competitions on his own, going as far as entering the Cadet World Championships (or juniors...I don’t know much about fencing pls bare with me). While waiting for his match, he decides to check the women’s division and sees Kagami utterly defeat her opponent. He wants to approach her to ask if they could have a match of their own, but is called for his own. After winning his own, he sees Kagami and asks for a match. She tells him that she will be up for a match after winning her next and final match. BOth end up winning their final matches and Damian asks her for that match. She agrees. They become good sparring partners and friends.

Jasonette - Jason and Marinette are neighbors, but have never actually met each other. Mari often works during the day at her boutique while Jason is a stay at home dad with two adopted kids nicknamed Xol and Matt. At night, Mari sometimes checks on the kids because she knows that their father works at night. (The kids like Mari a lot, especially her cooking and baking.) One day, while with the kids, their father comes home early and Mari forgets to breathe. Jason wants to scream at the kids for letting someone in but after getting to know her, he’s okay with Mari looking after the kids while he isn’t there. A week later, Jason is asking Mari for help. To pretend to be the kids’ mother for a home-visit from their school (a nosy parent told the school she often saw the kids by themselves). Mari agrees and chaos ensues (because these kids want their favorite people to stop beating around the bush and get together already).

Luka and Cass (platonic) - Luka (as Viperion) finds Cass during patrol one night and discovers she’s in Paris as an undercover agent for Batman and Co™ for the Hawkmoth situation. (They got their distress signal a week late.) Cass is surprised that he got it correct, Luka explaining that her song told him as much. While Cass remains in Paris, the two share each other’s interests with each other

Adrijon - Clark is wandering around the house, cleaning up the place while Lois is off out of the state to get the scoop on the latest national incident. While picking things around, he starts to notice how pricey and how nice these items look, wondering if they were Kon’s. After all, Kon was dating Tim and Tim always paid for whatever caught Kon’s eye. However, Kon doesn’t recognize any of the sweaters, coats, scarves nor trinkets as his own, leaving Jon as Clark’s only answer. As he enters Jon’s room, he’s met with Jon wearing the latest Gabriel piece from that week’s fashion show in Paris. Clark only then finds out that Jon’s boyfriend was yet again another rich boy. What was it with his sons dating millionaires/billionaires?

Wally x Mari x Jinx - The JL is still young, still getting used to getting requests, especially international ones. So when they get an SOS from Paris, the JL want to send the Teen Titans but can’t so they send Wally and Jinx who meet Chat on one of his solo patrols. They get along well but when they meet Ladybug, the couple immediately click with her. The trio often spend time together, Wally and Jinx always there for Ladybug/Mari (Chat always complaining that Wally and Jinx stole his bff from him). Even after the defeat of HM, Wally and Jinx continue to be there for Mari. 

Corpse Bride inspired Au, Damigami - The Tsuguri’s have an arranged marriage with the Agreste's, but Kagami isn’t exactly on board with the idea (sees how uncomfortable Adrien is to marry her) and wanders through the woods to clear her head. While saying her vows (in hopes of trying to find a way to clear her head), she ‘weds’  Corpsebride!Mari. Mari is shocked at first but whole-heartedly accepts Kagami as her groom. Kagami tries to tell Mari it was a mistake, but Mari doesn’t listen. Kagami finds a way to return to the land of the living for help, only to find out her mother is now marrying her to the Wayne heir Damian. Kagami is then found by Mari and Mari confronts her on ‘cheating’ on her. MIsunderstandings and drama later, Kagami is about to marry Mari when Adrien crashes the wedding. Mari confronts Adrien (they were supposed to get married/had eloped) and ends up clearing the misunderstanding (someone had murdered her on her way to the wedding). Adrien drinks the poison to be able to be with Mari, leaving Kagami by herself. Or at least she thinks so. Damian had called off the wedding, and instead told her if it would be okay to just be friends and get to know each other. She agrees. 

No Miraculous Au, BFF Adrijon- Adrien is on a fashion tour and ends up in Metropolis. He meets Jon but as Jon gets to know Adrien, he finds out about his situation. One thing leads to another and with the help of Bruce, the Kents have a new family member. 

Juleka x Rose x Cass (platonic or romantic) - Juleka and Rose meet Cass on one of Prince Ali’s charities in Paris, a charity where Bruce and Oliver are at. Bruce brought Cass while Oliver brought Artemis. Rose quickly tries to befriend the two but Juleka reminds her to tone it a bit when she notices that the two are having trouble trying to handle Rose’s energeticness. But the girls find themselves getting along, especially Cass. Cass is intrigued by Juleka and Rose’s dynamic, how Rose is able to understand both her and Juleka with little to no words. She finds herself accepted by the two, keeping in touch with them and visiting them (with the help of zeta tubes)

Roynette - While visiting Titan Tower, Speedy meets Red Scara, a new teen who recently wanted a change of pace after defeating her villain in her hometown. While at first he didn’t pay much mind to her, he started to like her after being paired up with her on missions. He couldn’t help but enjoy their missions where they would have to go undercover. He gets to see Red Sacara in so many pretty outfits. He always compliments her, but Scara never fully accepts it. When Roy asks why, Scara says it's because she’s nothing like this. Roy calls bs and when Scara reveals her face, reveals her eyes, Roy couldn’t help but fall in love with her even further. “Who doesn’t love eyes as bright as sapphires and stars freckled across such a loving face?”

Big Sister Mari - Flash brings in a child who he found lost in Central City to the JL. Robin (Dick) watches Barry get scolded by Bruce, only for Barry to tell Mari to tell everyone why she was there. Mari shows off the ring she was wearing, that allowed her to transform into Noir. That it was the last magical item from her Earth, as she had used said magical item to destroy the others (after freeing the Kwami). How she used the knowledge as Guardian to move to another Earth to hide the last miraculous and was looking for a place to live. Bruce takes her in, earning Dick an older sister.

Cassette (I blame Phi for making me have a new fav ship) - Cass was looking through Marinette’s scrapped designs, designs that Marinette loved but others didn’t. Seeing her upset, Cass commissions her to make them for her and she adores wearing them. (Cass always shows them off to her brothers and family)

Cassette - Cass teaching Mari ballet just so that she can always catch Mari.

Cassette - Cass wants to bring a date to the gala. She chooses Mari and practically goes around the Gala to show off her very cute date. 

[angstymdzsthoughts]

wow im loving this new ask layout.

it was post canon and wwx has been living with his husband and son in cr for a couple years now. jc is still somewhat reluctant to talk to him but he understands. jl comes by to nighthunt with his friends regularly. one unlucky day wwx had a mishap with resentful energy during a nighthunt accident and lsz died in the process.

everyone was heartbroken but wangxian were absolutely destroyed. they stayed in seclusion for months. wwx couldnt stand the guilt and had no face to see his son's friends and the other lans. even when lwj finally had to come out for sect duties wwx chose to stay in seclusion. he abandoned his regular cultivation and swore off demonic cultivation forever. in an effort to cheer up his husband, lwj persuaded him to go on a trip to worship the gods to pray for sizhui's death anniversary.

they came across a small temple, old and rickety and overgrown, and out of kindness they cleaned up and left a small offering. wwx just wanted his family back. lwj wanted a chance to start all over again. it suddenly stormed heavily that evening, so they had to take shelter in the temple for the night, taking caution to ask for permission from the resident god.

when they woke up, they were at the cloud recesses. lwj woke up in his old bedroom in a body that felt too small. wwx woke up startled in a guest bedroom in cr with jyl sitting by his bed.

"a-ying? did you have a nightmare?" wwx choked back a sob and just hugged his shijie for comfort. only then did he notice that he felt too small, and too soft. he looked down at his hands, then at his body. he was somehow a girl.

then jyl's presence in his room would make more sense. girls and boys dorms are separated in the cr. wangxian woke up as an alternate version of themselves with their original memories as well as the memories of their new body. lwj was still lan er gongzi. but in this body, she was just wei ying, a senior disciple of yunmeng jiang.

wangxian met each other again in class and wy took caution to not vex lqr too bad this time, lest he disapprove of their inevitably impending union. jc eyed lwj furiously when he approached wy after class to talk privately. it seemed that the two of them were the only ones reborn.

the first thing lwj did after that was ask his uncle to send a formal betrothal request to ymj for wy's hand. which to lqr was weird, but lz wouldnt budge. he thought lxc could still marry a more proper wife, so its fine.

they spent the rest of the year courting, lwj was in such a rush to marry wy. wy wasnt /actually/ jyl's little sister so it was no issue if she married first. meanwhile, jyl's betrothal was broken. this time by her own brother who punched jzx so hard he broke his nose. wangxian got married a year after they finished studying in gusu.

everyone was overjoyed when wy got pregnant. even mdm yu was happy for her. when their son was born, lwj recognized his soul to be their a-yuan, and wy cried her lungs out in joy. their little son had his old nose, lwj's nose, but now the rest of him look like them too. his hair was midnight black like lz's but with wy's playful curls. he had wy's ears and little constellation of moles on his skin. he even had lz's light eyes.

lqr wouldnt let go of his grandnephew that lan huan had to bargain with his uncle to be able to hold his nephew. after a-yuan could walk, they went to visit lotus pier. the toddler /adored/ jiang cheng, laughing and squealing loudly in his arms. he loved getting head pats by jyl and kept demanding attention from mdm yu by pulling on her skirt or hugging her leg and crawling into her lap. he wasnt so fond of jfm, however, only looking away in disinterest or reaching out his hands to his parents. for once jfm felt left out in his family.

wangxian wracked their brain trying to stop the sunshot campaign from happening, but wrh's power ran deeper than they thought and they could only postpone it, not prevent it completely. the wens attacked lotus pier first, burning it to the ground and killing jc's parents. the jiang siblings ran to cr, but it only served to bring the wen dogs sniffing at cr's door.

wy is talented in cultivation, but having sworn off resentful energy and having to protect the sect's children as well as her own, she could only do so much while her husband was taken to the nightless city.

lwj eventually managed to escape and jc with the help from qinghe nie managed to gather the survivors of his sect. they all went to war and the sun was finally shot. lwj came home to wy just in time to tell him they were expecting a daughter.

this time there was no yin hufu for jgs to fight over, just the remnants of the wen sect. knowing llj would abuse the war prisoners, lwj spoke up and ppl listened when he proposed the wen remnants go to qinghe for trials. civilians are left to themselves while criminals are sent to labor. the resouces belonging to the wen sect was distributed to other sects both big and small depending on how much casualty they suffered under wrh.

jzx fell in love with jyl during the war and got married as soon as it was over. jin ling was born not too long after a-yuan's little sister lan yuyan. together jyl and jzx forced llj to give out resources for jc to rebuild his sect.

3zun still became sworn brothers and wangxian didnt exactly know when jgy got married, so he still married qin su. jgs had jgy kill nmj, and when jgy wont agree to spy on gusulan he had another one sent. lwj sent nmj a missive not to trust jgy with calming and avoided his death.

it took a couple years, but when jgs thought he was ready he even imprisoned jzx and his family in koi tower, depriving them of any communications and arrested disciples that are loyal to jzx.

llj was gearing up to war once again, this time against everyone else. jgs had, unbeknowst of everyone, gotten the note on core melting hand technique and had xue yang learn it.

wangxian reached out to nhs, trying to find a way to kill jgs. realizing that jgs was fully prepared to kill lxc, jgy turned his sights over to jzx, admitting his faults and teaming up to kill jgs. jgs had jzxun attack qinghe, but it was easily defended against. xue yang led the troop against cloud recesses.

xy aimed at the main lan family and injured a-yuan. in a desperate attempt to save his family, lwj jumped out and xy destroyed his golden core. meanwhile, he still sent spiritual energy towards saving his son. distracted by his victim, wy managed to cut xy's head off. back in llj, jgy along with jzxuan and jc attacked jgs's forces in koi tower. jc beheaded jgs and with that this new war was over.

thanks to lwj, lan yuan was fine and his injury was stabilized. however the destruction of lwj's golden core not only take away his cultivation but also mangled his meridians. wy could do nothing but weep with her daughter in her lap while lxc and lqr played healing for her husband.

lwj died in his sleep that night, finally exhaling his last painful breath while wy fell asleep from crying. his funeral along with those fallen during the attack was held a few days after. wy didnt look like herself in the mourning clothes she wore along with the children.

wy was inconsolable and kept apologizing the the children. especially a-yuan. fate had been so cruel on him that he couldnt grown up with two parents twice over. it seemed that in this life too he would be named sizhui. wy refused to move and kept sigil by lwj's coffin.

suddenly su minshan came out of nowhere and started yelling at her. calling her a jinx and an unlucky bitch that shouldve prevented her husband from dying. lqr yelled at him to leave. two and a half year old lan yuyan tried to shoo him away, punching at his knees. but the adult man just kicked the little girl away. jc couldnt stay silent anymore and wrapped zidian around sms's neck and pulled, making sure his neck broke when hitting the floor.

wy didnt say anything. she just took her crying daughter and left. after making sure lan yuyan is alright, wy locked herself in her room for 3 weeks. she didnt even open the door when her kids come knocking and begging.

it broke lxc's heart to see once again two children waiting on their mother's door. he asked jyl for help in persuading wy to come out. when they came in, wy looked like a ghost still in her white mourning robes with a whole head of white hair and her eyes so weary from weeping. she fainted soon after opening the door.

they checked on her only to find out she was 2 months pregnant. the tears start anew for wy and jyl asked lxc to take wy back to lotus pier so she can recuperate with her sworn siblings. lxc and lqr reluctantly agreed and wy came with jyl and jc back to lotus pier. jzxuan became the new sect leader and severely punished jgy along with his father's men while his wife and son stayed in yunmeng.

wy made a promise with lwj once to never let their children be orphans like they were. even if only for her kids, wy tried her best to get better. she stood out in her white mourning robes in lotus pier. wy was constantly surrounded by kids, all wanting her attention. she ate jyl food with the kids and watched jc teach her kids and jin ling how to swim. after a couple months, her dark hair came back and she got healthier. her second son lan shun was born in the middle of the hot yunmeng summer in lotus pier.

after lan shun turned 1, they came back to cloud recesses. wy had some time to accept her loss, but kept thinking abt lwj. after hearing from other lan disciples, lan yuan asked granduncle to teach him inquiry. the first time lwj responded to a-yuan's guqin strings, wy broke down on her knees. wy has been wearing lwj's headband on her forearm, so lwj attached parts of his soul in it. some of it went to bichen, which lan yuan inherited. some went to lan yuyan who inherited wangji guqin. lan shun never knew his father so he didnt want anything belonging to lwj.

for now, wy had to be content with inquires to lwj. for now they had to be content with waiting for each other on the other side.

.

[ectonurites]

cassie sandsmark for the ask meme? :)

YAY I LOVE HER

First impression

so i first was introduced to her in the yj cartoon, and like i thought she was super cute and badass (like man. i think about that fight scene against lobo in the first episode of season 2 so much WHAT a way to introduce a character as being a powerhouse fighter) but like she didn’t get too much focus so i really knew so little about her besides ‘oh she seems cool’

Impression now

I WOULD DIE FOR HER god i love her so much... like reading through yj1998 made me fall for her so hard. she’s still adorable and a badass but she’s also a fantastic leader and cares so much about other people and her friends. also learning about how baby her used to look with the cute short hair and hatred of skirts and seeing that gradually get erased over time makes me Angy. but yeah cassie’s fantastic and one of my faves now

Favorite moment

alright ok im gonna talk about two moments that are kinda close together but i have cissiecassie brainrot SO: the aftermath of when cissie yelled at superman & the jl in issue 6 of yj 1998 and how cassie follows her

because up until this point as they both said they were jealous of each other but the way that cissie doing something as wildly impressive as yelling at their heroes is enough for cassie to break down that wall and reach out to her... i care them!!!

and then how at the end of the next issue (7, the camping one) when they’re in their tent sleeping they are... now holding hands... like they bonded once and were like ‘oh okay you’re my favorite person now’ i love it for them

Idea for a story

ok ok listen. i want some story set during the time steph is robin (but like in a world where that was actually handled well) so we could get a Wonder Girl & Girl Wonder team up!!! fight some crime, bond over how stupid tim is... theres so much potential... i just think they would get along so well

Unpopular opinion

her rebirth suit bothers me! most people love it for understandable reasons (because it IS cute as hell and non-sexualized which is COOL like thats not my problem) but cassie hates skirts/dresses and also is a character that flies so having her in a skirt is dumb. if it just had pants instead it’d be perfect tho like i LOVE the jacket

Favorite relationship

aright i already talked about cissiecassie which is def my fave romantic relationship for her, but platonic my fave is definitely the core four, especially like i think tim & cassie once they can kinda move past the whole Poorly Coping W Conner’s Death weirdness stuff between them... just i care them... core four is my emotional support friend group

Favorite headcanon

that she is a lesbian... i just. when i look at her whole thing with conner it so reads to me as ‘hero worship mixed with comphet’ as opposed to genuine attraction and she just... gives me the vibes! that is a girl who likes girls. dc do it please

[trensu]

Episode 50: The One with the Greatest Family Reunion(s) of All Time

so we start the ep with nhs's truly oscar-worthy performance which results in jgy getting stabbed

And i cheer for both the performance AND the stabbing!!!

lxc has his eyes closed bc that's his coping mechanism when times get tough

lol lxc is like I TOLD YOU I WASN'T GONNA HOLD BACK IF YOU DID ONE MORE BAD THING

and jgy is like i know!! that's why i haven't done one more bad thing!!!!

everyone's faces are like sure jan

but then they look at nhs like, wait a minute...

jgy is like why are you looking at him? you're not gonna see anything! i didn't see anything all these years and i'm smarter and sneakier than all of you!!!

okay, he didn't say that last part but it was def implied

jgy: nhs, good for you. i didn't expect that you would be my downfall.

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQ--uhhh, NIE HUAISANG!!

nhs hasn't broken character either! He needs to join a theater troupe or smth with those skills.

blah blah lxc and jgy are having Feelings blah blah blah lxc is conflicted blah

hm, those Feelings are becoming rather Dramatique

ugh jgy just let it go and die already

jgy: have I ever done you wrong?

UM?? how about KILLING his little brother's soulmate?

which resulted in him having to watch his little brother suffer extreme physical punishment and then grieve for years after??

PRETTY SURE THAT HURT LXC QUITE A LOT

Jgy: now you won't even give me a chance to live?

I THINK THE FUCK NOT!!!

oh we're getting some not so great special effects and jgy drags lxc to the coffin and then bleeds all over it, gross

ooooh, the Temple of Doom is starting to fall apart

lwj makes a move towards lxc but wwx grabs his arm and stops him!

bc it's dangerous to get too close and wwx is protective of his soulmate!!

jc starts the evacuation bc hello the building is crumbling and he gets everyone out except the lan bros, wwx and jgy

Jgy: stay and die with me

FUCK YOU JGY

but lxc was ready and willing to do that, so jgy shoves him back bc why the hell not

(we're gonna ignore how awkward that particular maneuver was, we already know special effects are not a priority in this show)

Jgy's like lets emotionally torment lxc some more, just for kicks, bc I'm an ASSHOLE

lwj catches his brother and he is Concerned.

Eventually our lan bros and wwx flee the temple and jgy has one last meltdown before getting crushed LIKE THE MAGGOT HE IS

Now we cut to a shot of all our crew standing outside

and we see my bratty son slowly fall to his knees with a look of UTTER SORROW AND PAIN ON HIS FACE

Bc he was BETRAYED by his nice uncle

MY POOR SON!!

we get reaction shots from wwx and the lan bros

(wwx continues to be beautiful even when sad)

oh, now lxc and nhs are having a moment sitting on the steps of the temple

lxc asks nhs if jgy really had made a move

nhs is like, you questioning me is making me doubt everything! idk idk!!

even amidst his grief he takes a moment to be completely exasperated by NHS's catchphrase lolol

now we cut to wwx sitting on a different set of stairs, carefully fiddling with his demon flute and he looks up to see jc watching him and HE SMILES

BC THAT'S HIS LITTLE BROTHER!! 

AND THEY'RE ALL STILL MIRACULOUSLY ALIVE AFTER THAT HOT MESS!!

oooh, he's unwrapping his sleeve and we get a flash of his bare forearm 

how scandalous! you're gonna give lwj vapors, wwx

We see the very last cut on his arm fade away bc finally mxy has been avenged

AND WWX SMILES AGAIN!!

cut to jc and jl watching wwx smile

bc i mean, who wouldn't be captivated by wwx's smile?

PEOPLE YOU CAN'T TRUST, THAT'S WHO

none of the sect leaders before were captivated by that smile AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!!!

oh that smile didn't stick around for long bc we hear barking!!

wwx gets this panicked wide-eyed expression that mAKES ME WANNA HIDE HIM AND PROTECT HIM FROM THE WORLD

But I also don't want to get murdered by LWJ's death glare so I'll just let him hide and protect wwx...

omg my bratty son looks SO HAPPY and shouts "fairy!!" before running towards his doggy friend

i'm not much of a dog person, tbh, but MY BRATTY SON IS SO HAPPY 

and fairy did bring a whole crew of cultivators...

too little too late, some smart spiritual dog he is, lololol

we've got lan disciples, and jiang disciples and all these people swarming around our crew, fussing over them. 

it's kind of sweet except i notice that no one's approached my bratty son 

he is, in fact, ALL ALONE with fairy and i am OFFENDED on his behalf

not that my bratty son seems to mind

he's too wrapped up in his doggy reunion to notice BUT I NOTICED SO I'LL BE OFFENDED ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US

wwx is smiling as he sees lwj and jc being fussed over by their respective disciples

so cute so CUTE, I love his smiles so much

lwj stands up and greets his uncle with a stately bow 

god he's elegant and regal af, how the hell does he do it

but his uncle's a douchebag and barely acknowledges him before turning to leave and lwj watches him go, kind of hurt, kind of surprised

ooooh, now we get a shot of jc watching wwx as he gets questioned by oyzz

Oyzz is like what happened? Are you hurt? Is everyone okay??

and we can see wwx is still smiling!! BC MY BOY IS MADE OF SUNSHINE OKAY

awwwww

jl looks up  with an ADORABLE smile on his face and tells fairy to wait outside 

HE TAKES FAIRY OUTSIDE BC HE KNOWS WWX IS AFRAID OF DOGS!!!

My bratty son is actually very sweet!!

jc starts to leave the scene (and it's only until now that he stops staring at wwx btw) and wwx watches him go 😔

cut to a shot of lwj blatantly staring at wwx as per usual

wwx looks up and meets his gaze 

they get lost in each other for a bit bc when DON'T they?

We’re at the steps of the temple again and we see nhs pick up jgy's crumpled up hat looking all contemplative

oops, nhs's fingers come away from the hat all tacky with blood, yuck

cut to my bratty son running back into the temple where all the cultivators are inspecting stuff and he asks ljy where wwx is

HE'S ASKING AFTER MY SUNSHINE BOY!

Y'know, his not-evil, not-angry uncle? 

ljy tells him that he and hanguang jun left after they brought them lil apple

lol, the idea of ljy and oyzz dragging lil apple along just to return him to wwx cracks me up

jl tells ljy to take care of fairy for him before he dashes off to find his new uncle

BUT JC STOPS HIM?? "don't chase after them"

look at jc being all Cool leaning against that tree

in his fashionable robes

with his awesome sword tucked in the crook of his elbow

jl throws one last glance at the direction wwx and lwj left, and then joins jc under the tree 

jc is like, they're long gone kid

jl: so that's it? you're letting them leave just like that??

jc: what else? invite them to stay for dinner? say thank you and then i am sorry??

lol, he's working himself up into a snit already

But also, like, MY BRATTY SON HAS A GOOD HEART, OKAY??

he just hides it under bluster bc he's sensitive and people are mean to him all the time!

HE WANTED TO CONNECT WITH WWX (AND MAYBE LWJ??) NOW THAT THIS WAS ALL OVER

AND HE WOULD'VE DONE IT IF NOT FOR JC BEING ALL HUNG UP ON HIS ISSUES STILL

not that i hold that against jc, that's a lot of emotional trauma he's gotta work through

LOL JL IS NOT GONNA LET HIMSELF BE COWED BY HIS UNCLE BC WHEN DOES HE EVER?

JL: it was exactly bc of the way you were acting that they took off! you're such a pain in the neck!!

AND THEN HE POUTS AND FALLS INTO A CROUCH WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED AND STARTS SULKING UP A STORM

I LOVE MY BRATTY SON SO MUCH

JC: IS THAT HOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SPEAK TO YOUR ELDERS? ARE YOU ASKING TO GET DISCIPLINED??

these two crack me up every time, i swear

but the whole corporal punishment is...problematic

jc raises his arm to smack jl and jl ducks and raises his own arm to block the blow and i'm sitting here like, yikes

but then we get a shot of jc's open palm, out of focus with a crisp backdrop of red leaves from the tree they're under

and his hand is just held there, stilled for just a moment before the fingers start to gently curl inward and the strike never happens (thank god)

jc: lets go home, jin ling. let everyone go back to the place where they belong

he walks off with jin ling springing to his feet and chasing after him a beat later

jl: was there something you wanted to say to wwx?

have i mentioned i love my bratty son? BECAUSE I DO. A LOT.

jc: no, there isn't.

jl: bullshit!

I LOVE HIM!! WHAT A MOUTHY BRAT 💜

JL: i saw it with my own eyes! you wanted to talk to wwx! but you didn't say a word just now or back in the temple!

jc: there is nothing to say

jl: bullshit! you had something to say!

while this entire exchange is happening we see jc marching ahead, not looking at jl at all, but jl is walking backwards eyes pinned to his face the entire time

bc my son might be a brat but he's also pretty observant and he KNOWS his uncle 

AND NOW WE GET A FLASHBACK

WE GET A BIG REVEAL

we're back at “the ones where we gross sob FOREVER”

and wwx is telling jc to stay put at the inn while he goes to get food and meds

his voice all weak and tremulous

but jc steps out of the inn for a moment after wwx leaves

AND SEES THAT THE WEN FLUNKIES CAUGHT SIGHT OF HIS BROTHER!!

they were like three feet away from grabbing his big brother

and he says internally, "take care. i'm leaving jyl in your hands"

AND I'M CRYING BC THEY'RE PLAYING THAT MUSIC

THAT SWEET TENDER MUSIC THEY PLAY WHENEVER JYL AND HER BROTHERS HAVE A MOMENT

Jc goes and causes a distraction and lets himself be caught by the wens

SO THAT HIS BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER COULD STAY SAFE

I'M CRYING I'M CRYING

MY YUNMENG SIBS, MY POOR YUNMENG SIBS!! 

WHY DID THEY HAVE TO SUFFER SO?? 

WHY WERE THEY SO DAMN SELF-SACRIFICING??? 

WHY THE HELL COULDN'T THEY LEARN TO COMMUNICATE BETTER???

cut back to the present, and jc's eyes are welled up with tears 

he has a hurt little smile on his face, he says, "take care"

softly, mostly to himself

after a moment, he turns to jin ling and says "lets go"

and we watch them leave

I just want them all to be a BIG HAPPY FAMILY DAMN IT

cut to the next scene, we hear ~THEIR SONG~ start playing in the background all slow and soft

i love the overhead shot we get of them surrounded by the gorgeous foliage, it's so peaceful

As wwx and lwj walk slowly and at ease with lil apple between them 

AND MY HEART FEELS SO TENDER AND FULL OMG

lwj: wei ying

he says it all seriously. wwx looks at him and he's got A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE 

bc he's looking at his soulmate!!!

who wouldn't smile when looking at their soulmate???

he's cheerfully twirling his flute bc finally all is right in the world! 

the mystery is solved, his loved ones are safe

and he's traveling with lwj and lil apple

nothing could be better!

wwx: whats up?

lwj is pointedly not looking at him

lwj: there is something that I…

and here he stops in his tracks, and wwx stops with him

lwj: i didn't tell you.

wwx gets all playful and leans on lil apple, and waggles his demon flute and lwj

wwx: what is it?

Look at that mischievous grin!!

he's all prepared to tease the heck out of lwj for whatever he's about to say LOL

but they're interrupted!!

wen ning and lan sizhui are running after them and wwx notices

LOLOL

His face scrunches up and he mutters under his breath like, damn it! every time!! these two are fast! 

wwx: sizhui, why are you following us? aren't you afraid of old master lan calling you out?

MY SUNSHINE BOY IS SMILING SO MUCH THIS EPISODE, I'M SO HAPPY!!!

lsz: i have something important to ask you!

he's all out of breath!

wwx turns to look at lwj eyes wide and curious before going back to lsz

wwx: what is it?

lsz goes on to explain how he's been remembering things but he's unsure of stuff so he wanted to ask them about it

wwx looks confused and glances at lwj 

lwj just looks back at him briefly before his eyes flick down

wwx: what is it that you want to know?

lsz looks down and, like, gathers up the strength needed for this next line of questioning. 

with the sweetest smile, and the softest eyes he starts listing stuff

like how he knew a cocky chef who was actually a terrible cook

(wwx laughs confusedly at this)

and how that man planted him in a field and told him he'd grow faster with some watering and sunlight

AND WE GET A FLASHBACK OF LITTLE A-YUAN PLOPPED IN THE DIRT GETTING BURIED BY WWX

he goes on to say how that man would play with him 

and how he had invited hunguang jun for a meal and then didn't pick up the tab so hanguang jun had to pay

There we get a flashback to their meal at the yiling wine house!

we cut back to the present and WWX'S FACE IS STUNNED, EYES WELLING UP WITH TEARS, AND LSZ IS GETTING CHOKED UP AS HE TELLS HIM THINGS

AND WWX'S BREATHING GETS SHAKY 

BC LSZ TELLS HIM HIS SURNAME IS WEN

wwx blinks rapidly, not believing what he's hearing

wwx: wen was your surname? isn't lan your surname?

wwx: lan sizhui, lan yuan.. A-yuan?

AND OH GOD HIS FACE, HIS FACE

His eyebrows are furrowed

His eyes are full of tears!

he's looking at lsz like this has to be a dream bc it's too good to be true

Lsz nods jerkily

AND I'M TRYING TO HOLD BACK TEARS

HOW THE HELL IS LWJ WATCHING THIS ALL GO DOWN WITHOUT CRYING??

he's watching his son so intently

he's seeing his two most precious people reunite

and there are no tears??

I DON'T UNDERSTAND

HE'S VERY OBVIOUSLY MOVED BY THIS BUT NOT CRYING

MEANWHILE MY FACE IS A FREAKING RIVER OF EMOTION

lsz: i...i am a-yuan

and his voice all cracked with feeling

wwx huffs and is still shaky

wwx: didn't a-yuan pass away already?

he's thought his kid was dead this whole time

MY HEART, MY HEART

lwj had been staring at lsz this whole time but when he hears wwx say that, his gaze drops to the ground 

HE FEELS ASHAMED (AS HE SHOULD BE!!) BC HE DIDN'T TELL WWX SOONER

wwx turns to lwj, hope and tentative joy in his voice

wwx: lan zhan, was it you?

lwj meets his gaze and says yes, his voice steady and firm

lwj: this was the thing i haven't told you about

Yeah, i know, i’ve been YELLING AT YOU ABOUT IT THIS WHOLE TIME

and wwx looks back at lsz, breath choppy and lsz flings himself into wwx's arms!!!

I AM SOBBING

lsz: i really missed you, i really missed you

THEY'RE BOTH CRYING AND CLINGING TO EACH OTHER SO HARD

OH GOD I NEED TISSUES

wwx laughs and sniffles

wwx: silly boy, why are you crying?

AS IF YOUR FACE ISN'T STREAMING WITH TEARS, WWX

lsz pulls back and scrubs his face in his sleeve

lsx: i wasn't crying. i was just feeling really sad and yet thrilled at the same time

YOU TWO STOP DENYING YOUR TEARS

IF I HAVE TO SIT IN A PUDDLE OF MY TEARS THEN YOU HAVE TO OWN UP TO YOUR OWN TEARS, YOU HEAR ME??

lsz: i couldn't put it into words

lwj: then don't

pffft, ofc lwj would be the one advocating for LESS WORDS lololol

wwx laughs at that

wwx: that's right. no need to say anything

then he starts his theatrics, bc he wouldn't be wwx without his theatrics

he leans on lil apple and rubs his own shoulder

wwx: damn, you little ones are strong, you are indeed a student of hanguang jun

he looks at lwj and points his demon flute at him

HE'S SO HAPPY

lwj: he is a student of yours as well

omg lwj delivers this line so sincerely

like, there was barely a pause between what wwx and what lwj responded with

he's so freaking earnest

LOL wwx straightens up at that and reaches for lsz

wwx: no wonder he is such a handsome boy!

Wwx, you are SHAMELESS

He giggles as he pats lsz’s face, it’s freaking adorable

lsz: master wei didn't teach me anything!

wow lsz, you've had your other dad back for all of five minutes and you're already sassing him?

he truly is wwx's son lol

wwx: i did! it was bc you were so little and you forgot

You’re sounding a bit defensive there, wwx...

lsz: yes, i seem to recall. i remember now

wwx immediately starts preening

wwx: you see. i've mentored him!

lsz: for example, switching the portrait of a beauty into--

wwx slams his hand over lsz's mouth, HIS FACE IS A PICTURE OF PANIC

LOLOLOL

lwj's eyes have widened slightly and developed an edge of Judgement 

wn peeks at lwj out of the corner of his eyes like he's trying to gauge his reaction or smth lolol

wwx laughs awkwardly and takes his hand off lsz's mouth to shake a finger at him, wearing a tight smile on his face

lsz: and when a pretty lady passes by--

wwx: NONSENSE!!!

LOL I'M  D Y I N G

wwx shouts this at the TOP OF HIS LUNGS to drown out lsz

he whirls on him pointing an accusatory finger and marches towards him as lsz scrambles back

wwx: nonsense! how come you're remembering these kinds of things? how could i teach little kids these things?

LOL HE'S TALKING SO FAST

lsz: you did! wen ning can testify!

wow, way to throw your uncle under the bus, lsz

kids these days have no filial piety!

wwx: there's nothing for wen ning to testify!

OMG WN AND LWJ IN THE BACKGROUND 🤣🤣🤣

as soon as lsz draws attention to him, wn looks at lsz like WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?

and lwj side-eyes wen ning SO HARD, like what the hell did you let wwx teach my son?

wwx: stop talking nonsense! i am telling you, little boy. lan zhan, what did you teach him?

AND WE GET THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHOT OF LWJ HERE

as soon as wwx turns to him with his wild accusations, lwj gets this delightfully crooked smile on his face 

and he looks down as if there's TOO MUCH JOY IN HIS HEART that he can't bear to watch for long

GOD THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE. 

and this marks, what, THE THIRD? the third time lwj smiles in public, all OUT IN THE OPEN?

I'M DYING, I'M DYING

wwx: when a-yuan was little and with me, he was a good boy!

lsz: it's the truth!

wwx: nonsense!

wwx: do you see that pit? no matter how big you've become, i will still plant you into that pit. understand?

lsz has a big grin on his face

wwx: what are you laughing at? you dumb boy!

AND THEN LSZ DROPS TO THE GROUND AND HUGS WWX'S LEG LIKE HE USED TO WHEN HE WAS A TODDLER

AND EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL IN THE WORLD

wwx laughs to himself and lwj still has a small smile playing across his lips as he watches his son

wwx: a-yuan, you are too old for this

AS IF HE'S NOT LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT

wwx: do you remember, you used to grab hanguang jun's leg when you were little, just like this?

so many wonderful flashbacks of little a-yuan clinging to his parents’ legs!!

oh god, oh god, my heart, my heart is going to explode from all the tender feelings!! Look at their faces

wwx's mouth slowly curls into a smile before it grows INTO A FLASH OF HIS SQUINTY-EYED SMILE

you know the one!

the one that stretches SO BIG WITH HAPPINESS IT LIGHTS UP THE WHOLE WORLD?? YEAH, THAT ONE

and then we cut to lwj's face

he has the softest expression on his face

he's got this gentle, tiny smile, the slightest of curves at the corners of his mouth

and in his eyes are SO FULL OF LOVE AND WARMTH as he watches his soulmate smile at him with their son clinging to his soulmate's leg

AND I MUST'VE DIED AND GONE TO THE GOOD PLACE BC THIS IS JUST TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE REAL

now we cut to a different scene, lwj and lsz are in the background have some sort of father-son chat, while wwx and wn chill in the foreground

here we find out that wn and lsz plan to go back to qishan to build some sort of memorial to their loved ones

wwx: i'll come with you

wn: that won't be necessary

wwx: you don't want me to tag along?

aw, my sunshine boy looks kinda hurt 😔

but wn assures him that that's not the case. it's just that wwx has already done more than enough for them and it's time for wen ning to go out on his own

wwx gets all teary-eyed again and pats him on the shoulder, and agrees that that's for the best

lsz and wn split off, and wwx waves his demon flute cheerfully at them, lwj at his side

wwx turns to lwj with a smile

wwx: lan zhan, lets go! 

he says happily, with confidence, then he taps chenqing on his head a couple of times

wwx: where should we go?

he grins, pulling lil apple along with him, so cheerfully!

wwx: let's get going, lil apple!

but lwj isn't turning with him

he's still in that spot, his back towards wwx who already was forging onto his next adventure

AND MY HEART IS BREAKING

BC WHY HASN'T HE TURNED TO FOLLOW WWX???

wwx slows to a stop as he notices the absence of white robes at his side AND ~THEIR SONG~ STARTS PLAYING AGAIN

he turns back slowly to look back at lwj, confused

there is too much distance between them!!

TOO MUCH!

multiple yards of distance where there should be NONE!

THERE SHOULD BE NONE DISTANCE!!!!!!

WHY ISN'T THERE NONE DISTANCE??!?!

lwj is still facing away from wwx, he's still rooted to the spot and his face has gone blank

wwx: lan zhan, you...aren't you coming with me?

HE SOUNDS SO CONFUSED, SO TIMID

HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING

and there's a too long pause during which wwx's eyes are desperately pinned to lwj's back

finally, FINALLY, lwj turns ever so slowly to face wwx

wwx is staring at him and lwj can only meet his eyes briefly before they slowly turn downwards

wwx gets this tiny hurt smile on his face and nods as his eyes well with tears again but this time THEY ARE NOT HAPPY TEARS

these are "i knew this was too good to be true" tears

these are "of course i can't keep good, pure lan zhan at my side" tears

these are "this is exactly what i deserve" tears

lwj looks up again, and wwx gives him a nod and a smile bc he doesn't want lwj to feel guilty for leaving him

LEAVING HIM

HE'S LEAVING HIM AGAIN 

WHY 

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING

the camera pulls out, really emphasizing the distance and the sudden quiet that falls between them is severely lacking any words of explanation

AND I'M SCREAMING INTERNALLY BC WTF WHY

we cut to a truly impressive shot of the cloud recesses, followed by a cut to a waterfall 

I’m pretty sure it's the same waterfall from when they were kids and had that sword fight

and we hear the opening notes of ~Their Song~ played on the flute 

wwx walks into view on the shore of the pond the waterfall goes into, with his flute at his lips

in the background we see that lwj is at the opposite shore closer to the waterfall, sitting cross-legged with his guqin in his lap

AND THEN THEY GIVE US VOCALS

bc watching them play ~THEIR SONG~ TOGETHER BUT AT A DISTANCE WASN'T PAINFUL ENOUGH

and jfc the shots of the waterfalls in this area are freaking gorgeous

now we see them standing together on the same boulder over a smaller waterfall 

bc our boys have an aesthetic 

that aesthetic is moonlight and waterfalls, and they're sticking to it

wwx: lan zhan, tbh, it surprised me that you would take over the role of his excellency

lwj: we made a vow here

and we get a flashback to the lantern scene and hear those vows they made as kids

Back in the present, wwx smiles, and knocks back the jar of wine that he has with him bc the mystery has been solved BUT HIS ALCOHOLISM HASN'T!

and i'm sitting here SCREAMING INTERNALLY, FUCK THOSE VOWS. 

YOU'VE GOT NEW, BETTER VOWS, WHICH ARE NEVER EVER LEAVE EACH OTHER'S SIDES EVER AGAIN, DAMN IT

wwx turns to face lwj

wwx: lan zhan, you truly deserve your title, hanguang jun

and lwj turns to look back at him

lwj: and you too, wei ying

we are BLESSED with wwx's wide, squinty-eyed smile

and lwj graces us with his soft, small, secret smile

they stare at each other for a moment before turning back to gaze off into the distance

the camera pulls back to gift us with the gorgeous scenery that surrounds them

now we cut to them walking down the steps towards that big rock full of ridiculous gusulan rules

nhs is there! with his fan!

nhs: this is unexpected. cloud recesses has added another thousand rules.

wwx: nhs, no matter how many rules are added, there is one that matters most. do you know what it is?

nhs looks so at ease here

this entire time since we got back to the present to watch wwx solve this mystery, nhs was nervous, twitchy and flaky in every scene

but here, he stands straight and serene with a confidence we have not yet seen on him til now

nhs: i have no clue

he says this and it doesn't sound anything like his usual anxious, dopey, "idk idk i really don't know"

nhs: please advise, wwx.

and wwx strides up until he's right next to nhs, shoulder to shoulder, tho they're facing opposite directions

wwx: that would be...

he leans down, and lowers his voice

wwx: "thou shall not befriend the devil"

there has been a distinct lack of background noise or music since this scene started

but the minute those words leave wwx's mouth, we get ominous music. 

nhs keeps his harmless act as he meets wwx's eyes and they share a laugh 

(a laugh of acknowledgement, of recognition of each other's skills)

nhs: wwx, you have the nerve 

wwx: no i wouldn't dare. i'm no match for you.

the words they're exchanging SOUND carefree and easy on the surface, but they definitely carry some underlying tension

nhs notices lwj watching them and bows respectfully

nhs: your excellency

he turns to leave, fan open against his chest

wwx: clan leader nie, i have one question that i would love to get your opinion on.

nhs: go on

wwx: you have put in so much effort and energy, don't you want to be the Excellency?

wwx is gauging nhs's threat level to lwj

bc with the skills nhs has developed and the cover he has, it really wouldn't be all that difficult for him to depose lwj if he wanted, you know?

but nhs has never been the ambitious sort

he was perfectly content with his art, and his fans, and his porn, and being second young master, nothing more (UNTIL FUCKING JGY RUINED IT ALL)

nhs: wwx, it was once said that we can never get tired of these scenes; earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea

nhs: as for me, i am a sensible man. if i have to, i always do it myself.

nhs: but for the things that aren't my business, i won't meddle in

and i'm not sure if there's something i'm missing, some layer of context or whatever, 

but what i get from this is that nhs is saying everything has its place and he has no desire to go outside of his own place in the world

if the situation calls for it, he will intervene but ONLY if there's no one else willing or able to step in

really, this is just his poetic way of saying, i have no interest in hurting hanguang jun or stealing his power

lwj walks up to join wwx as the two of them watch nhs leave

lwj: aren't you going to ask him?

wwx: ask him what?

wwx: who let mxy out? who released the blade spirit? who found sisi and bicao? and who wrote that anonymous letter?

and he gets this unconcerned expression on his face

with a little pout he just goes on to say that these questions don't matter anymore

and he walks off, twirling his flute

we cut to the next scene and our boys are standing face to face on a grassy hilltop. wwx points behind lwj

Brief aside to say, i love the robes lwj wears here, they’re very very pretty. White and pale blue, they look very airy and light

wwx: i will head that way

and lwj points with bichen behind wwx

lwj: i will head this way

AND THEN THEY JUST STARE AT EACH OTHER FOR A BIT

BC THEY DON'T REALLY WANNA SAY GOODBYE, DO THEY?

lwj: have you decided where you are going to go?

wwx shakes his head and tilts his chin up

wwx: it's a big world that we live in. i will wander with my fine wine and a ride, and make it my home

*cries softly* but you have a home, LWJ is your home, why are you leaving

lwj lowers his gaze

probs bc he is thinking the same thing i was

let lwj be your home, wwx

wwx: lan zhan, i will get going

and lwj gives him one single, barely there nod of the head

bc he doesn't want wwx to go!!!

but he doesn't want to hold him back either...

wwx walks past him with a smile, dragging lil apple along with him and cheerfully he says:

"as long as the sea is bound to wash up on the sand and stars are above you, we will meet again."

and lwj just watches him leave before steeling himself to turn and walk off to his wwx-less future 

but as he walks, he hears wwx playing their song on his flute so he pauses to turn back slightly

and we hear wwx’s voice over, "lan zhan, next time we see each other, you better have a name for this song."

as lwj continues walking, we hear his voice over, "way ahead of you."

and he seems slightly less sad at their parting.

AND NOW WE'RE GETTING THE FUCKING VOCALS AGAIN BC THE SHOW JUST LOVES TEARING OUR HEARTS OUT OF OUR CHEST

we get a gorgeous shot of a green cliff side and of course the cliffside has a couple of pretty waterfalls

wwx standing alone, playing on his flute, and the camera is lovingly caressing all of wwx's best features

we get a beautiful close up of wwx's lips resting over the mouthpiece of his flute, aND I THANK EVERY DEITY IN EXISTENCE FOR IT

and it's not immediately apparent bc wwx always wears dark form fitting robes

but the robes he's wearing in this scene are DEFINITELY DIFFERENT from the ones he was wearing when he and lwj parted ways

MEANING SOME TIME HAS PASSED

we have no way of knowing how much time

COULD BE AN HOUR! COULD BE A DAY! COULD BE A COUPLE OF YEARS!!

WE JUST DON'T KNOW

but time has passed

wwx is playing ~Their Song~ alone on that hill, the vocals are like honey to the ears and they crescendo to give us an overwhelming swell of emotion

the music peeters off until it's just wwx's flute reaching the last notes of ~Their Song~

as he is finishing we hear lwj's voice

"Wei Ying."

wwx freezes, like he's wondering if he imagined that voice

the music is completely gone, everything is utterly silent and wwx's face is completely open as he lowers his flute

a smile starts to curl at his mouth, small and tentative and as he turns around, ~Their Song~ crescendos into existence again

and wwx's smile grows incredulous and relieved and SO FULL OF LOVE AND JOY

I DIE, I DIE!

MY BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE BOY

and we fade to black

bc that's where it ends

That's it

THAT'S ALL THERE IS, WE MADE IT TO THE END!

IT'S OVER, THERE'S NO MORE. MY LIFE NO LONGER HAS MEANING. OMG I JUST BURST INTO TEARS. WHY IS THIS AFFECTING ME SO MUCH

I KNEW THIS WAS COMING. I'VE SEEN THIS THREE OTHER TIMES ALREADY!! OH GOD OH GOD, I MISS WWX'S FACE ALREADY. GIVE ME BACK MY SUNSHINE BOY, LET ME KEEP HIM FOREVER *SOBS*

Hang on, hang on, just give me a minute. *deep breath* Okay, i’m good, i’m good now. 

This show is just...it’s so beautiful in every way except CGI lol and it evokes so many visceral feelings. It’s passionate, is what it is. And not in the sexual way “passionate” has been forced to become. This show is passionate the way passion is supposed to mean: piercing anguish, burning anger, utter devotion...just overwhelming feeling

But most importantly, the passion in this show is intense love:

Platonic love; see how much our main cast gave up to aid their friends and dependents

Familial love; look at the lengths those brothers and sisters went for each other

Romantic love; watch how these two soulmates returned to each other again and again regardless of all the obstacles between them

I honestly can’t think of another show that’s done this so well. I am just so grateful to have been able to watch this show, to have gotten to know these characters even tho it’s raised my standards for future shows to ridiculously high levels

So that’s it! We’ve reached the end of the guide! Now we can go back and re-visit our favorite scenes whenever we want!

Return to Masterpost

[inessencedevided]

The Untamed, episode 42 - watching notes

I was up playing partygames over discord until 3 am yesterday, so I didn't get to watch another episode. I complained about it to my friends, which in turn made them complain that I sounded like I would rather watch my "gay chinese fantasy show" than spent time with them. I contemplated saying yes, but decided to keep my friend instead :D

And we were currently in the middle of a confrontation with Jiggy (as I've been informed he's called ... what? ^^) who apparently murdered his son to keep some secret, which with how this shows is going, I wouldn't be surprised is them going full game of thrones and ... you know what I'm talking about

Oh right, Su She is there

He's the Jin Zixun to my wei Wuxian. As in, I can never remember his name or why I should care 🤷‍♀️

(But thus time I DO remember who he is. That is, after lwj said his name ^^)

I'm so sure that jgy hit all evidence by now, btw

Okay, no. his wife is still there

Su She might be an asshole but his hair piece is gorgeous :D

What does it say about me that my first thought about that dagger was COOL!!! 😱😱😱

How dare you take Wen Qing's name in vain! 🤬

😱

I thought she'd stab him!!! Not herself :'(

I'm a bit surprised that with 5 cultivators in the room, no one does more to save her

Oh, JGY is a damn good actor!! I mean we knew that before, but now his apparent confusion and grieve for his wife seems even more (dare I quote lwj?) shameless

Lan Xichen, i know you love him but ...

Fun fact: In German, we call fake tears "Krokodilstränen". Literal translation: "crocodile tears"

That's what this is 😐

Especially about the nie Mingjue

Poor Nie Huaisang 💔💔💔

"Taking the head. Who in the world would have done such an insane act?" GEE, I WONDER ...

Sorry, I still find jgy fascinating, but this is so uncomfortable to watch, knowing at least part of what really happened 🙈

Lord, give me the power to murder people with one gaze like Lan Wangji 🙏

This whole conversation is so supremely uncomfortable

I'm still unsure if Jin Guangyao really doesn't suspect that "Mo Xuanyu" isn't who he says he is or if it's just a very convincing act 🤨

Favourite trope: Hanguang Jun, Yiling Laozou's knight in shining armour

First of all: Hot

Second of all: Lwj internally: DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING TOUCH HIM I ONLY JUST GOT HIM BACK AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN MADE OUT YET

probably

Also, for a split second there, you saw Jiang Cheng leap forward with a real look of concern on his face, like his first instinct was to help wwx himself 🥺🥺🥺

HE'S USING SUIBIAN AGAIN!!!

This feels so huge! 😱

I'm weirdly emo about a sword rn :')

His cover is blown of course

And him and Jin ling just had a good relationship :(

NHS, JL and JGY: How could it BE that this is Yiling Laozou???

Meanwhile Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng

"With the right kind of sacrifice, it can safe one who was seriously injured." Is this another instance of "we can't say this it's necromancy because censors, but y'all damn well know this is necromancy because no one falls down a cliff and then lies there "seriously injured" for goddam 16 years"?

I'm all teary eyed at lwj not even hesitating to flee with wwx :')

Jin Ling 💔🥺

Fuck you Jin Guangyao for playing at his pain!!!

Omg they're as good as holding hands!!! 😭😭😭

Of course, wax is pushing lwj away, OF COURSE. Self-sacrificing idiot!

That mask reveal was *chef's kiss* the drama! The gasps! The ... long-suffering "here we go again look" from lan Xichen :D

I LOVE IT WHEN LWJ SPEAKS UP!!

"You're wrong."

So simple. Yet saying so much: "I kniw him. I trust him. I chose this."

And OF COURSE Wei Wuxian gives him another way out

BUT THESE TWO FINALLY GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATE THEIR THOUGHTS! FINALLY!

"Did you believe in me back then?" YES, I WAS JUST TOO AFRAID TO SAY IT,SO MY CONCERN CAME OUT AS ANGER 😭😭😭

And the single logged bridge again 😭😭😭 I adore that metaphor! And I love that they chose to show us the flashback. Because last time, wwx and lwj parted, took different roads so to speak, one the one of defiance, the other the one of orthodoxy. Neither wanted to part ways, but neither probably thought that they had much of a choice. But they did have a choice and they made it. And lwj has already expressed his regret over that. So here he is again, using his second chance without a thought.

Because lwj believes that wwx is right, MORALLY, so he will go against his clan, reputation be damned, and stand with the man he loves ... finally. He'll choose what they both believe to be right and walk with him "until it's dark" :')

And THAT'S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS SO MUCH!! It's not just that "oh they're so cute and they compliment each other so well, they must be soulmates uwu". Most of all they share a common morality!!!

I'm so goddamn amazed at this ship! This is not I was thought I was getting when I boarded it, but goddamn it I'm loving the ride! 😭😭😭

And .. just, the look in Lan Wangji's eyes ... they have 50 swords drawn on them, but guessing from the look on his face and the softness of his gaze they might as well be at their wedding 😭😭😭

He looks like a man entirely at peace with his decision :')

Just ...

Look

At

THEM!!!

They're holding hands in that last shot!!!! 😭😭😭

I'm absolutely floored at how utterly beautiful this scene is! "Romantic" seems too insignificant to describe it. It feels more like 42 episodes worth of love and pining and misunderstandings coming to their natural conclusion

My heart is so full right now guys :')

Very nice of these 50 people to wait for their moment to pass before attacking. Very considerate 😁

"Are we going to fight or not." "Too much talking" I WANT 50 EPISODES OF THESE TWO BICKERING!!! 😭😭😭

Jin Ling :'(

Noooo

No

Noooo

I don't know who my heart is bleeding for more here

Jin ling doesn't deserve to have to shoulder his parent's and uncle's pain :'((

All this supporting each other when injured? That's the good stuff

And those flashbacks ... wwx finally FINALLY realizes that lwj never hated him for his actions, he was afraid for him :')

Tbf,the guy has a sliiiight communication issue 😐

That quote about how lwj is at his side now that everyone else despices him!! That's it THAT'S THE SHIP!!😭😭😭

Oh, lwj took him back to cloud recess

I'm surprised he was allowed to, tbh

Ooh, so Mo Xuanyu knew something!

And... someone else must now know about him?

Also, I didn't realise that wwx still had a cut from the curse

I gotta take a moment to scream about HOW UTTERLY DOMESTIC AND AT EAS THESE TWO NOW ARE WITH EACH OTHER!!! 😭

XICHEN!!!

I should have known that the OG wangxian shipper would support them

But he still trusts Jin Guangyao. Not that I'm surprised

It's so weird to see anyone on this show in trousers btw 😅

"You're more than I can handle." Lol ^^

"You trust Master Wei, while I trust Jin Guangyao." Oh boy ...

I feel like this might be more of a confrontation than these two brothers had in their entire lives

Love me some detective-wwx

Poor Xichen 😔 he doesn't want to believe it

Somehow, wwx with a white underrobe makes me think "that's what he looks like when he and lwj accidentally swab robes" :D

Uuuh! The restricted section forbidden chamber!

So ... jin Guangyao somehow got this piece of music from the lan library?

But he's good! He's really good! He consistently uses others weaknesses and prays on them so that they act in a more extreme manner, but not so much that others would suspect foulplay. Case in point: nie Mingjue's death by anger and (more recently) the way he played towards Jin ling's feelings.

Aaaand another rather abrupt end in the middle of a conversation. That's one thing this show does not do well 😅

Anyway, I'm not complaining this episode send my shipper heart (BECAUSE I'M SO DWEP DOWN THIS RABBIT HOLE AT THIS POINT) fly with joy!!

@sweetlittlevampire @fandom-glazed @elenirlachlagos @allhailthedramallama @luckymoony @kyrrahbird @i-love-him-on-purpose 🖤💙🖤💙

[zhuilingyizhen]

Ideas on genderbend? Saw you asking for people to ask and now I want to know EVERYTHING.

Sorry for the late reply! There’s a bit of info here, but lemme go into more detail about plot. (Also if anyone wants to write or co-write this message me!! As I mentioned in an earlier post, I wrote a couple scenes of it, but it’s probably not gonna be done anytime soon.)

So. It’s a JL-centric au (I swear I can’t write following anyone else but him and it is a problem.) that basically explores his troubles in becoming recognized as a sect leader, but also he’s a she. I know that the Lan sect had a female sect leader, but Jin Ling being female is definitely going to affect how people see her in a political context. Plus, I expect that Jin and Lan views are quite different...

In this au, (names are the same bc i’m not creative) Jin Ling spent most of her childhood (1-5) at Lotus Pier. It took Jiang Cheng much longer to convince the Jin elders that Jin Ling was the rightful heir, bc they were very opposed to a young girl from another sect being their leader. The elders also thought it was some political scheme so that JC would have control over the Jin sect. 

But since JC is very scary and very powerful, he gets his way. He even gets to (mostly) raise Jin Ling at Lotus Pier bc he doesn’t trust the Jins with his child niece. He treats her about the same as in canon, maybe just a little softer bc jl takes more after her mother (even though she has a personality of a young mistress, because she is a young mistress). 

Growing up, jl is a bit on the tomboyish side, which worries the Jins because they were kinda expecting a soft, sweet young mistress, not this foul-mouthed, bratty mini-jc. 

She’s about as good at JC at diplomacy, but a young mistress is much less threatening than a very scary sect leader w/ Zidian, so the Jins really have to train her in the art of not attacking people to get what she wants. 

A lot of the Jin disciples are terrified of her, but also bully her because she’s an orphan. She eventually befriends someone who isn’t Fairy, one Ouyang Zizhen.

Everyone is somewhat okay with that, because Zizhen is actually great at politics. She doesn’t like it, but she’s quite good at it, so everyone hopes that she’s gonna rub off on a Ling. 

Zizhen technically isn’t the heir despite being second oldest, but neither is her older sister. Her older sister is out travelling and refuses to consider being a sect leader, and Zizhen doesn’t want to do it either, so either their much-younger brother takes the mantle, or their younger sister if she decides she wants to.

Zizhen isn’t a cultivator, but she is much more involved in the political side of things to help out a Ling during her adventures through diplomacy (and her dad & sister, who is a cultivator taught her to defend herself). Zizhen is also very much a pacifist, and she uses her status to promote a lot of things that she supports.

Eventually, they send Jin Ling to the Cloud Recesses in hopes that it’ll straighten her out. Sadly for her, Jin Chan also happens to be there studying. It’s very tense between them (and I think the au in which Jin Chan has a crush on her is more viable here).

I want Zizhen to also attend, but since she isn’t a cultivator it’s hard to explain why she would be there. She is a representative of the Ouyang sect though, so she could be there on the pretense of establishing a marriage or something.

So the two friends go to the Cloud Recesses and meet two other female disciples: Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui. Sizhui’s backstory stays mostly the same, but I gave Jingyi a different one.

Her mother worked at the Cloud Recesses as a maid or something (she married a Lan cultivator who passed away and left her with child) so the Lans took care of them and let her stay there. Jingyi wanted to become a cultivator like her father, but Qiren was very skeptical. Eventually, after seeing her train by herself, he allowed her to join. 

Sizhui depends more on guqin playing/dizi playing (she knows both) for cultivation than sword fighting, though she can certainly hold her own in a fight. She just prefers the musical aspect of cultivation (and probably gets along with Zizhen bc pacifism).

Jingyi on the other hand tries her hand at vocal cultivation. It’s a work in progress, but Lan Qiren is very proud of her and treats her kinda like a daughter. Even though she gives him a massive headache. Her mother doesn’t have a very active role in Jingyi’s life, but they are on good terms with each other.

The first time a Ling meets the Lans, she was probably in a fight with Jin Chan and Sizhui forcibly separated them. Fairy (sadly) isn’t here, but neither are the other Jin juniors. A couple other are also there, but those are the ones not-with Jin Chan.

There’s a crowd watching the Young Mistress of and heir to the Jin sect brawl with another one of the Jin sect disciples. It’s very intense, but Jin Chan likely still underestimates her, which leads to his loss.

From there, I hope Sizhui attempts to befriend Jin Ling, but Jin Ling being Jin Ling, is kinda prickly. But, she’s also a bit intrigued because she’s heard a lot about the perfect Lan disciple (Zizhen probably lowkey crushes on Sizhui bc who hasn’t gone through a phase where they crush on Sizhui? I think Jingyi never left that phase.), daughter of the second Twin Jade.

So they arrange to have tea or something the next day, and a Ling leaves, more enigmatic than ever.

Jingyi kinda doesn’t like Ling, but then the two of them hear Jin Chan talking about her very rudely. Jingyi’s inclined to believe him, but Sizhui scolds him for gossiping inside the Cloud Recesses (& bc the two of them had some sort of genuine hatred for each other + you shouldn’t be bad-mouthing your sect leader). Jin Chan is silenced, and leaves.

He’s probably gonna go through a crushing-on-Sizhui phase like every other junior has, but Jingyi beats it out of him quickly enough. The next day, while Sizhui & Ling have their not-a-date tea party, Jingyi meets Zizhen by accident when Zizhen wanders at the edge of the forest to look at the flora.

Jingyi happens to bump into her and lowkey falls in love at first sight (bc Zizhen is quite literally the personification of her type. In Jingyi’s defense: she’s a useless gay & falls in love way too quickly.

The two become fast friends. Jingyi is very smitten bc Zizhen is very cute and ahhh she looks adorable when she’s gushing about her family or flowers she likes or the hairpieces that female sect leaders used to wear when they were actually a l i v e.

Somehow, no mention of a Ling is brought up, though Jingyi probably mentions Sizhui a couple times, who Zizhen lowkey idolizes as the useless lesbian she is. So Jingyi asks what she’s doing here if she’s not a cultivator, and Zizhen explained that she came with a friend.

After they talk for a while, Jingyi offers to take Zizhen out to town next time she has a break. Zizhen accepts. They make plans and stuff, and probably part ways.

Sizhui & a Ling continue to quietly have tea and Sizhui manages to befriend Ling with her extreme niceness and as someone who is also the next heir to a sect if Xichen doesn’t produce a heir & Wangji gives up the mantle, Sizhui is somewhat involved in politics. So Ling & Sizhui kinda just talk about politics a bit (it’s good practice for a Ling).

It’s quite calm for a while, and the four of them eventually meet and somehow become friends?? woah. They do stuff together, as like the only four female disciples there.

Oooh, bUt, since this is about Jin Ling being accepted as a sect leader, something hAppeNs.

That something is that someone attacks the Jin Carp Tower, most likely going for Jin Ling. No one politically important was severely injured, but a couple of the servants and junior disciples got attacked/died. Jin Ling, is rightfully pissed off. So she does what anyone wouldn’t do in this situation: she recklessly runs away from the Cloud Recesses. Obviously she realizes that this could be her chance to prove herself (and avenge everyone who died).

No one is quite sure what’s going on, bc all they know is that the Jin sect just got attacked and the Young Mistress is missing.

She returns to the Carp Tower and demands to know wtf happened. At first, the Elders refuse to give her any information, but an upset JL is a scary JL, if she wants to be.

They tell her that she should be at the Cloud Reccesses but since this will eventually be your sect, they do give some information. Two servants died, and four disciples. Determined to figure out who did it, JL takes her bow & arrows & sword and runs away again.

JC is probably freaking out at this point bc where the hell is his child niece??

Meanwhile, Zizhen is very worried and she and the Lans decide to leave the Cloud Reccesses population of female disciples at none.

They know a Ling well enough to assume that she’s somewhere around the Carp Tower, so they rush to get there and extensively search for her bc yOu cAn’t jUst aBandOn thE jUniOr qUarTet!!

Meanwhile, JL is examining the newspapers and trying to figure out who could have done this. Sure, the Jin sect has enemies, but none of em are stupid to attack them... actually, it did make sense to attack them at that time, to kill the heir before she was of age & leave them in chaos. Several of the smaller sects could have launched an attack, but they wouldn’t risk it. They were all in the same area, and the Jin sect’s money was very important for the economy. A terrorist organization? It was the most likely option.

But a Ling has no idea where to start, until he gets a lead: apparently, the sect leader of the Meishan Yu sect was around Lanling the day before the attack. It leads Ling to believe that they may have seen something, or perhaps were another target. So he travels all the way over to Meishan.

When the other juniors finally arrive, they get news that someone was asking for directions to Meishan and others talking about how there was a rumor that the Sect Leader Yu had been there around the time of the attack. They put two and two together and hightail it to Meishan. Friendship.

Lan Wangji is distressed at the disappearance of his son. Lan Qiren is freaking out. Jiang Cheng is about to kill a bitch.

A Ling arrives, and finds out that his great-aunt, or Madame Yu’s sister, is the current sect leader. He gets himself an audience by explaining this relation, and Sect Leader Yu is intrigued. She doesn’t wish to help the Jin sect (she knows that they took away her sister’s girlfriend), but after seeing how desperate a Ling is to prove herself and avenge her sect, she agrees on the condition that a Ling visit her great-aunt & the sect more often.

Jin Ling agrees, and gets info.

COUGHTHAT’SALLIHAVECOUGHI’MSORRY

The newspapers hail the four stupidly indescribably chaotic junior disciples who somehow took down a terrorist group. WWX is very proud.

I haven’t completely figured out the plot (I usually do that as I write lol) & this au isn’t very canon compliant either, so anyone is welcome to contribute to the au or add in stuff!! I gotta update my masterlist soon...

[femcel404]

Batfam headcannons

These are random, enjoy.

Tim cannot sing for shit, he sounds like a dying pig. Unless he's singing in a Florence Whelch-type voice, because then he sounds absolutely amazing. Not even he understands it.

Stephanie loves heavy rock music and recent pop music equally, and likes to play it loud.

Damian once called Harper "practically useless" while she could hear him, to which she replied "Choke on it" almost instantly. Earned instant respect from Jason, Tim and Steph.

Babs has turned off Tim's computer remotely more times than she can count, and each time is equally hilarious.

Jason starts his facts with "it is a truth universally acknowledged" in a British accent. Every time. He loves Jane Austen.

Tim gets along REALLY well with John Constantine, because disaster bi TM, and Tim just thinks John is super cool (John called Tim "son" once but ssshhhh).

When Dick first brought Wally to the manor, Damian didn't like him one bit. When Dami caught them kissing on the couch though, he was frustrated because West makes Grayson happy so I can't eliminate him, but I still don't trust him!

Bruce gets annoyed when Dick Brings Wally on patrol with him, only because they flirt over the coms and it's REALLY cheesy. He has cringed one too many times.

Cassandra absolutely adores vintage dresses, and has over 40 of them.

Helena and Damian get along. They put salt in Tim's coffee together and it makes Jason laugh.

Steph can speak in a variety of different accents, including German, Irish, British, Australian, Indian, London, and more. When she and Tim first met John Constantine, she greeted him in an accent the same as his own, and he burst out laughing. She calls it her great victory.

Babs puts whoopie cushions under the seats of the bat-mobile. Hysterically hilarious every single time.

Harper and Duke can say "what the fuck you trickass bitch" is absolute PERFECT unison, and they use is regularly.

Tim can walk in heels. No one knows why or how.

Dick can also walk in heels, because even though he is now fully grown, Wally is still a good 10 inches taller than him. So Dick adapted.

Jason, Cassandra and Donna Troy have a book club. They meet on Sundays. Only 4 people know, and that 4th person is Rita Farr/Elasti-girl, who joins them when they read books from the 1930s.

Jason and Rita Farr have a friendship built on their mutual love for old books. They actually recognised each other from league database photos at a secluded book shop.

Damian get anxiety if he leaves something behind, like his mobile phone on the coffee table, or something as simple as his drawing in another room. This annoys him on patrol, because he gets twitchy and anxious if he doesn't retrieve a batarang.

Alfred doesn't swear when Bruce is around. When Bruce is not around, the occasional "shit" can be heard. Occasionally. No one says anything about it.

Wally once pranked Jason by vibrating at such a frequency that he was able to walk through Jason without hurting him. It scared Jason so much he squealed.

Tim is asexual and proud. He takes approximately zero shit.

Tim doesn't actually talk much unless he is spoken to. He's kind of a happy loner.

Cass communicates through morse code when she can't be bothered signing or forming words.

Dick tried joining the JL for all of one week, but Wally kept slipping their inside jokes into conversation and Dick essentially got kicked off for laughing.

Tim and Steph are strangely close friends for people who used to date. They say they look past that though. They believe they are healthier as best friends.

Steph loves being single because she enjoys not having the pressure of a relationship with this lifestyle. Although, she would like a small family one day.

Tim, the disaster bi TM that he is, has yet to find himself a partner. (Though there is this guy in his physics lecture at university, Jesse, who Tim thinks is a literal angel.)

Kate , Tim, Dick, Wally, Harper and maybe sometimes even the disaster bi magic duo (Constantine and Zatanna) go to the Gotham pride parade. Tim hacks the speakers and plays lady Gaga.

Kate also teaches Tim how to fight without needing to use much physical strength, bc we all know Tim is Smol TM.

Tim can mimic the joker's laugh perfectly, and for that, the joker has expressed respect for Tim. Though it was pretty funny when the joker started laughing only to be joined by Tim who then proceeded to beat him up. Even Bruce laughed a bit.

Jason and Cass have "emotion sessions" in one of Jason's safehouses once a month, where they share their frustrations and sorrows, and smash cheap mugs of the walls.

Steph makes waffles out of chocolate mud cake mix. Not even Alfred can master the art of it.

Damian sometimes wishes the role of Robin wasn't as important to him as it is. He never acts upon those wishes.

Tim has a Tumblr and posts fanfic, headcannons, gif sets, and legendary shitposts. (One of us, One of us, One of us!!)

Stephanie and Barbra both donate at least 12 inches of their hair to charity every 3-4 years.

Both Stephanie and Barbra totally rock neck-length super-choppy hair for the first 2 months after the donation. They also seem to somehow pull off the awkward length where their hair falls in their face, but it's still not long enough to fit into a pony tail. (Also the both DEFENANTLY rock swishy between ears and shoulders, then between shoulders and back lengths. These girls look stunning in anything!)

Dick still owns his discowing suit, and he wears it to Halloween parties. Wally likes it.

Duke once had to get Bruce's help as batman during the day, and joined the villain they were fighting in laughing at how stupid the batman costume looks during the day.

Jason sounds like darth Vader cross iron man when he has his helmet on, and Dick, Wally and Roy all tease him about it.

Tim stands in corners at charity balls and galas. Partly because he doesn't like talking to strangers, but mostly because no one will catch him drinking coffee and champagne mixed together like a madman.

[eyeslikefoxglove]

Episode 2 - Wei Wuxian has Foot-in-Mouth syndrome & Foxglove absolutely has a crush

Alright let’s go! It’s almost midnight so I might have to go to bed and continue tomorrow but... YOLO? I guess?

Fair warning, I will gush about cinematography and scenery like a lot. I have zero professional knowledge about it, but it’s pretty.

Wei “let me be really damn sexy when drinking” Wuxian.

He’s so done with everything omg it’s hilarious.

Ok but the actress who plays A-Yan is GORGEOUS.

Why does this show do “creepy yet beautiful” so damn good?

This might be my inner Rumplestiltskin talking but the second I heard “wish-granting fairy” I had to scream bullshit; all magic comes with a price.

My god Jin Ling would’ve gotten la zapatilla for talking to the people in the net like that if my granny had been there.

And I’ll never stop wondering who the fuck is in charge of logistics here. Because there you have A CIVILIAN wandering into a forest covered in magic nets.

That fucking donkey.

Watching this for the first time, with not prior knowledge must be fucking disconcerting. Because you have this literal walking disaster, who everyone (besides the gorgeous man in white) wants dead. But he’s a fucking mess and mostly harmless. So why? And it’s hilarious.

So maybe not that harmless. (Ok but badass WWX is kinda hot)

AND WWX DONE GOOFED. Feet in mouth syndrome at its finest.

Him sassing JL is hilarious.

OH HEY THAT’S MY HUSBAND RIGHT THERE!

But FR, the first time I saw JC in this scene I screamed: oh not he’s hoooooooot.

It’s the cheekbones. And the long hair. And the hands. And the fact that my self preservation instinct was left in-utero because I think getting that man riled up and angry over stupid shit would be hilarious.

... in my defence my family’s love language is being assholes to each other; but with affection you know?

JC: I am badass and have a temper don’t fuck with me.

Me: ok that’s valid but you’re also kind of an angry grape and spent ten minutes trying to find a polite way to say “fuck off and die” via letter.

WWX: why am I so unlike today.

WHEN ARE YOU LUCKY MATE? WHEN?

ooooooohhhhhh petty petty smackdown round one!

I love that JC is throwing digs at LWJ and LWJ is not even looking at him. I mean, the ducklings are carrying the conversation so this must not even be new to them.

Jin Ling is the Peacock, Sizhui is Shijie and Jingyi is a WWX/JC hybrid.

JC: what’s the bad news now?

Honestly? Same.

Why does Netflix not translate HJG as HGJ?

JC telling JL that he’ll break his legs if he fucks up has the same energy as my mum threatening me with making me go out on a Friday night if I don’t pass a test.

And yes, I make jokes about threatening physical violence here because it is my hc that, after the kind of parents the Yunmeng siblings had, JC took a look at JL and decided right then and there to stay away from his own parents’ methods.

I mean, one of my dad’s fave swears is: lord give me patience, because if you give me strength they’re all dead.

Which I find hilarious, so I can’t help but see the same thing in those two.

WWX finding out he’d disparaged his orphan nephew’s parents: It was at this moment that he knew he’d fucked up.

... well, that was creepy.

(Can I make the “compass that doesn’t point north and wooden sword” joke? Please?)

JIN LING SHUT UP.

Nopenopenopenoooooope.

So quick question, despite WWX coming back with his own body in this adaptation he does have a golden core right? Because he does some talisman and array things and he does mention when everyone is shit out of luck in the Burial Mounds that he, LWJ and the Ducklings are the only ones with spiritual energy. But he also gives his sword to WN to fight more often than not and he mentions that his body is “fragile”. So...

WWX just went into scolding/disappointed parent mode lol.

He just deduced everything correctly from a bunch of glittery grass. He’s fucking Sherlock and I can understand why NHS wanted him to help with his brother’s murder.

(Brief interlude so I can thirst over JC’s hands for a second again)

Jingyi is, as always, A Mood.

THE CINNAMON ROLL IS HERE.

“The Yiling Patriarch is not here!”

He’s right behind you mate.

So everyone is wearing Kevlar under their robes right? I’m going to assume so, because otherwise WN would’ve caved LSZ’s chest in with that chain throw. I mean, he punched right through stone so...

IT’S HERE.

IT’S HAPPENING.

NOBODY PANIC.

THE WRIST GRAB.

IS THAT A TIIIIIINY SMILE ON LWJ’S FACE?

THE DOUBLE WRIST GRAB.

LWJ’S SURPRISED FACE.

*screaming into a pillow*

Oh hey, hubby is back!

OMG I’m laughing at him scolding JL. Can’t help it.

Full disclosure, I love Zidian’s design.

Petty smackdown number two!

Lemme go on a Zidian tangent tho: IT’S A LIGHTNING WHIP. That shit should be devastating. Do you know how much voltage is in lightning? Too fucking much. Every time someone got hit with it you would have at least second to third degree burns, not to mention broken bones, muscle spasms and if you’re very very unlucky cardiac arrest. But you don’t. It doesn’t make sense? Help?

... why am I being logical over A FUCKING MAGIC WHIP.

Idk, it’s almost 1am don’t ask me that.

He really wanted his brother back didn’t he. I mean, he was so sure WWX was possessing that body and when nothing happened his face got all surprised and sad. That’s not the look of someone who wants to torture and murder the dude. That’s for sure.

LJY: didn’t you kill him yourself?

JC: conceal don’t feel don’t let them know.

Again, brilliant tiny flashback. We still don’t see what exactly happened at the cliff. You see LWJ holding onto WWX, you see a close up of JC stabbing down from above, but then it cuts to a wider frame and WWX is already falling. We are meant to assume JC did something like stab him on the face or hurt LWJ’s hand.

I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS OVER JC OK? He’s an angry grape but he’s my angry grape and he misses both his siblings.

Amazing transition again to a mega long flashback.

SHIJIE IS HERE. JC IS SMILING. WWX’S BIGGEST PROBLEMS ARE STEERING CLEAR OF DOGS AND HIS HORRIBLE ADOPTIVE MOTHER. *goes crying to read time-travel fix it fics*

(I’m gonna stop being all thirsty over JC at least until the SunShot Campaign bc 1. I think his mega crush on WQ is adorable and how I wish it’d worked out. & 2. He’s what? 17 at the beginning of this flashback? That feels creepy.)

It’s a little disturbing what WWX says about alcohol easing the mind tho. I mean he’s 17?

JC: A-Jie WWX is being mean to me!

So that’s episode 2 done. It’s 1am and my cat is begging me for food so I bet the neighbours love me right now. I’m not going to take any responsibility for typos or weird turns of phrases because I’m tired.

Tomorrow I have to actually start packing my flat so I might not get another episode out but who knows.

Thanks for reading!

[goldencored-arc]

Ship Bias + Mo Xuanyu ?

Send ‘Ship Bias’ and I will share up to 5 Ships I have a bias for for my muse! (+ specify a muse)

1.  Jiang Cheng. I have a lot of feelings about this ship. JC was MXY’s second crush, because I personally wholeheartedly believe that NMJ is every baby bi/gay’s awakening into liking men. Just LOOK at him! Anyway, since I don’t particularly like canon’s timeline and treatment of MXY, I have him at Lanling for five years, from ages 13 to 18. Unlike JGY, he was allowed full access to JL before JGS’s death, and adored him endlessly, doting on him between his studies. After the deaths of JL’s parents and JC was more in the picture, they did, in my opinion, strike up something of a friendship. MXY was definitely a little starry eyed over JC, and JC was kind to him because MXY so adored JL. Of course at the time JC was preoccupied with sect business and JL, and MXY was at points too young for anything to truly blossom, but POST-CANON, well...

The trope of two lost, broken souls finding each other and helping each other heal and grow is... so good? JC seeing MXY on the streets of Lanling for the first time in years? After thinking him dead? MXY seeing him too? Recognizing him and rushing over in a flurry of robes and excitement? It’s... so GOOD. The world has been very cruel to them, and they deserve a soft epilogue filled with a sweet blossoming romance.

2. Nie Huaisang. Ohhhhh my GOD the angst. I read a very, very good, but very sad fic with this pairing that has converted me to it forever. Elegy of the Celestial Crane and it’s fix-it, Orioles Singing in the Willows. I’m not overfond of the assumption that NHS overtly tricked MXY into summoning WWX. I believe MXY took it upon himself to do it, in a rare moment of clarity, because with this he could end his own suffering and perhaps bring someone else who needed, in his opinion, to be in this world back. It has all the makings of a tragic love story, but I hate sad endings, so of course, post-canon, when MXY is free of the trappings of the Mo Family and those horrible memories (they’re trickling back in, but now he’ll have help to deal with his ptsd), they can sort things out and be together.

3. Lan Xichen. This is lowkey on my ‘give mxy a sugar daddy’ agenda but, listen. LISTEN. The potential here is...good. Angsty, but good. LXC agonizing over falling for MXY’s sweet, sad smile, knowing that he’s his lost love’s younger brother? On the flip side, LXC spending too much silver to pamper MXY and provide him with the comforts he was denied of after being locked within a dirty shed for so long? How could MXY not get a little starry-eyed over that? There would definitely be issues that would complicate things— Lan guilt runs HELLA deep, MXY’s insecurities, but if they communicate ( which LXC probably learns after this Whole Mess that communication is key ), things will turn out good for them.

4. Xue Yang. They’re likely around the same age, and were definitely in Lanling at the same time. There’s no way XY wouldn’t spot another budding demonic cultivator when he saw one. Canon says MXY wasn’t very good at demonic cultivation, but canon is invalid and therefore, he was. I love the idea of them studying together, and of course MXY is unafraid to use his own blood for arrays and talismans. MXY is unbothered by XY’s stealing and troublemaking, especially if XY’s stealing makeup or pretty hairpins to give to them and food for them to snack on while they’re pouring over the Yiling Patriarch’s notes. It’s a little high school romancey, until MXY disappears one day.

XY eventually finds him in that shed, and murders his entire family for him. Or with him. Either way, it’s romantic in it’s own dark, twisted way. Good for them.

5. He Xuan. This one is fucking out in left field but hear me out. There was a thread on twitter I read once ( i wish i could find it now but alas ), about MXY doing the sacrifice in Black Water’s name. Now, think of MXY becoming a fierce ghost because of all his anger, sorrow, because it’s HUGE. And think of HX, in a moment of seeing himself in MXY, takes pity on him in the way he couldn’t do, too caught up in his need to see his revenge through, for SQX. So he takes this little ghost under his wing. Let’s face it— HX is probably lonely without SQX chattering in his ear all of the time. He thought he wouldn’t miss it, but now that it’s gone, and gone forever, well. It’s nice to have another voice around. MXY isn’t as chatty as SQX— he’s shy, more introverted, but he’s incredibly curious, he likes to learn.

There aren’t many similarities between MXY and SQX, but there’s a familiar vein of regrowth, how they both enjoy more ‘feminine’ things like makeup and pretty hairpins, their boundless curiosity. 

HX begins to check on SQX less and less— SQX is being well cared for by PM (surprisingly) and others— that love is lost. Perhaps one day, far in the future, they can be friends again. There’s no way around not seeing each other because of his association with HC and SQX’s with XL. But maybe... just maybe, revenge fulfilled, he can say all the things he wished to say, do all the things he wished to do, with this bright, budding little ghost who is also now finally free.

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

Course Correction - fic

For @cinnapsis!! Thank you so, so much for donating! Their reward request was something with Damian and Diana.

Characters: Diana Prince, Damian Wayne Summary: Diana was not expecting to find a child bleeding out in an alley. A/N: Diana is younger in this, kind of obviously. After waking up and originally being annoyed, Damian spends the rest of his childhood on Paradise Island. All the Amazons eventually love him, and he’s basically like little Diana in the WW movie - very curious and playful and overly brave and LOVES learning new fight moves and training time. Diana is smitten with every little thing he does and loves him to PIECES, and he loves her back. Obviously this is set when Damian is younger doing his Year of Blood thing from the R:SOB comics. Talia does look for him, and of course doesn’t find him. Around Damian’s 10th birthday she still goes and tells Bruce and tells him how he disappeared. The JL is vaguely aware that Diana has a ‘son’ on Paradise Island. It a doozie when Bats and WW find out who Damian’s dad is.

~~

She didn’t know what she was expecting, when she entered Man’s world. She wasn’t even supposed to be here. Surely her mother, or anyone really, had noticed by now that she was no longer in her quarters. Soon enough, her sisters would know she wasn’t on the island either.

But she had to see. Her curiosity got the better of her.

And she didn’t know what she was expecting – but surely it was not…

…this.

No one else seemed to notice it, this body curled around itself in this Spanish alleyway. No one seemed to care whether it was alive or dead.

Or that it was clearly a child.

She watched from the alley’s entrance for a moment, wondering what to do herself. But then she saw that body gasp a breath, and was moving before she realized it.

Even in the dim light of evening, she could see the blood surrounding him. Could see the knife that stabbed him in that pool of red, but also the weapons strapped to this child’s hips and legs.

He was clearly only six or seven years old. She wasn’t allowed a real weapon beyond a basic blade until her teens. Surely a child his size shouldn’t have so many weapons so young?

The boy whimpered and Diana knelt next to him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. He flinched under the touch, tried to roll away. Instantly, it made her heart hurt. It made her soul angry.

Children should not know fear like this.

“It’s okay, little one.” She whispered, in what she hoped was a soothing tone. The boy continued to whimper, but in a way that seemed like he was trying to hide it, or hold it in. “I will help you, you’re safe now.”

The boy sucked in a breath, and tried to twist tighter into himself.

“I’m Diana.” She continued, ducking down to try to get a look at his face. Dark brows under dark hair. “Can you tell me your name?”

“D-D…” He stuttered. Groaned in pain, and Diana gently rubbed at his shoulder. She could feel injuries under his clothes, and now that she was closer, she was noticing those weren’t normal for a young child either. “Dam…D-Damian…”

“Damian. Okay.” Diana hummed. “Hello Damian.”

Damian had yet to open his eyes and look at her.

“Damian, can you tell me who did this to you?” She asked. She couldn’t see the lower half of his face, but could see the tendrils of welts and cuts. Could see them on his curled fingers as well. (Though some of them weren’t curled, they were very clearly shattered.)

Damian shook his head. “The guards.” He said in a tiny voice. “I…I miscalculated. The g-g-guards were stronger than I anticipated.”

Diana didn’t understand. Guards. What child is fighting guards? What guards would fight back?!

“B-But I’ll get the old jewel, Mother.” Damian continued, voice airy. Diana refocused on his face, found his eyes fluttering. “I will n-n-not fail you. I w-will not fail the Year of Blood…”

Diana didn’t get a chance to say anything, as a blade suddenly flew by her face, embedding into the wall behind Damian. She immediately threw her free hand to the hilt of the sword on her hip, turning quickly, shifting to block Damian’s body.

Two men stood there, in similar clothes as Damian, with similar weapons. Tall, burly, muscular. In their thirties, if she had to guess.

But most of all, dangerous. They were very clearly dangerous.

“Step away from the boy.” One growled. “Or else.”

“No.” Diana returned. She glared at them, trying to take in details, trying to understand the relationship she was currently standing in the middle of. Her eyes suddenly widened with a thought: “Are you the guards? Are you the guards who did this to him?”

“No…” Damian gasped behind her. She glanced down to him. His jade eyes – black with bruises she could see now – barely open. “C-Caretakers.” A cough. “My…handlers.”

“Give us the boy.” The second man called.

“You are his caretakers and you let this happen to him?!” Diana demanded, standing now, unsheathing her sword. The men tensed. “What did happen to him, can you tell me that? Were you there? What is the Year of Blood?”

“Leave, woman.” The first man ordered as he and his partner stepped forward. “You did not see us, nor Master Damian.”

“No.” She repeated, dropping into an attack stance. “I will not let you or anyone else hurt this child any further.”

“I said leave, woman!” The man shouted now, even as the other rushed at her. She tightened her grip, and was ready to fight to the absolute death. For herself. For this boy.

“Stop.”

It was the tiniest voice Diana had ever heard. The weakest. The youngest.

But the man listened. Both men listened. They lowered their weapons, and stood at attention. Soldiers awaiting orders.

Diana looked down at Damian once more. He hadn’t moved. Was still curled into a painful ball. But his eyes were more open now, and he was watching.

“I will handle the woman.” Damian whispered. “W-We will reconvene at the base.”

The men hesitated, glanced to each other.

“That is an order.” Damian snapped. And the men took it as such immediately, even though Diana could see that they clearly didn’t want to. They each bowed in acknowledgement and awkwardly left the alleyway.

“I ap-pologize.” Damian wheezed. Diana waited a moment before reholstering her weapon, and turning to kneel at Damian’s side again. His face was stoic, but so clearly in pain. He was trying so hard, gods bless him. “They’re idiots.”

“I will not leave you like this.” Diana reiterated. “I need to get you help.”

“I can help myself.” Damian tried. But the twitch a moment later, and further curling in on himself betrayed his words. “It’s part of the challenge.”

“Challenge?��

“The Year of Blood.” Damian reminded. “My j-journey.”

“That doesn’t sound like a…fun journey.”

“It isn’t s-supposed to be fun.” Damian scolded. “It is to prove I-I have mastered all that has been t-taught to me. To prove to my mother that I am worthy to meet my father.”

Diana blinked, looking down his body. To say he was mangled would be putting it lightly. She doubted he could walk. She was shocked he was talking right now, though the way his eyes were starting to flutter again made it obvious that even that was taking up too much energy for him. He’d be unconscious again in minutes.

She could just wait until then, and then do as she pleased. But, no. There was…something, about this little boy. Something that made her want to do right by him, not do what she thought was best.

“…Could I make you a deal, Damian?” She asked. Damian grunted a response, already beginning to drift off again. “Let me take care of you, fix up your injuries. Then, even though I don’t like the sound of this…Year of Blood, I will let you do as you please. I will let you return to this journey of yours.” A pause. “…I might even be able to help you on it.”

“I don’t need help.” Damian slurred. But then, “…What kind of help?”

“You said you were looking for a jewel. That it was old.” Diana smiled. “I know about old things.”

Damian watched her from the corner of his eye. Diana kept her smile, even as she continued to register his injuries. These were not things that would heal quickly, or with basic first aid. He needed doctors and care and privacy.

…Her sisters were doctors. Her sisters could provide care and privacy.

“…I know a few others who know about old things too.” Diana hummed. “They know about old things and how to fix even the worst of injuries.”

Damian blinked. Once, twice. On the third blink, he just kept his eyes closed. “…Okay.”

“Okay?” Diana repeated. “I can help you?”

“I have a feeling you’d do it even if I said no.” Damian sighed, and Diana struggled to hold in her laugh. He’d come to the same conclusion as her, realized he was more or less doomed on his own, but needed to save face.

He was a smart one.

He was also so very cute.

“…So get on with whatever you think is best.” Damian huffed, trying to shift again. He sounded so haughty, but his voice was so young it was more adorable than regal.

She had a feeling he’d get upset if she told her that, though.

Still, she did as he said, and carefully scooped him up in her arms. She felt a fleeting sadness, as she maneuvered him, though. He was practically dead weight, and clearly not by choice. He just…couldn’t move. It hurt too much. Not even his head, which flopped unceremoniously against her collarbone as soon as she stepped away from his bloody puddle.

“I’m going to take you to a safe place, Damian. And we’ll take care of you.” She whispered as she emerged on the street, and moved towards the harbor, already looking for a boat. “I promise.”

“If you say so, Mother.” Damian mumbled, already being dragged back into unconsciousness.

Diana wondered, as she rushed down the street, about Damian’s mother. Did he have one? Was she kind? Why did she let this happen? Let him go on this so-called journey?

Speaking of mothers – her own will be furious. She’s bringing an outsider to their home, their safe haven. That, on top of the fact that she’d disobeyed, that she’d snuck away even though she knew how dangerous this world is.

And maybe her mother was right. Because here, it was her first time away from Themyscira, and she finds a child half dead in an alley. And can a world really be safe when their children aren’t?

But still – she could not leave him. She just couldn’t.

So she wouldn’t. She’d take any punishment her sisters may give her. Take any anger or disappointment. She’ll even take their avoidance, and take care of this child on her own if she had to.

But she would not leave him. She would not leave a child. She would not leave Damian.

“You have my oath.” She whispered as she climbed into a small boat. As she settled Damian against her chest and began to row. She knew he was asleep, so was really just talking to herself, but it made her words no less important, no less sincere. “I will keep you safe, Damian. For as long as I feel I need to.”

The darkness of night fell across the waters. Damian didn’t stir. Diana smiled at him anyway.

She set a course for Themyscira.

[jacksonb]

It had been 157 days since I’ve seen you, but who is counting? You’ve been in Charleston for over 6 weeks now, and it was complete happenstance that we were close again geographically. When I found this out, I wanted so bad to ask you to if we could see each other, but I didn't want to seem desperate. So, time went on and one night you texted me asking if I could meet you and your family in Asheville. I, of course said yes and we agreed on a meeting place and time. 

The whole way from Boone my mind was racing, but I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I got to Tupelo Honey’s early and anxiously waited against the wall near the entrance. I saw you walking down the sidewalk with your new haircut. Of course the rest of your family was with you and I wanted them to like me so bad, but I knew I couldn’t overdo it. We all hugged and I tried my best to seem composed... We sat down for lunch and your dad and I instantly started talking. Your mom also chimed in and I really enjoyed getting to know them. Your sister is literally me in female form, so we obviously get along. I also met Keva, your niece, who was just undeniably adorable.

We made small talk at lunch and we walked to Wicked Weed where we enjoyed some beer and good company. 

After that, we drove to Sierra Nevada, and this is where the real story begins. 

We sat on the back at the of the brewery - insanely beautiful and the weather was perfect.  At this point, all of us were getting comfortable with each other and it was felt more relaxed. Rick ordered some finger foods and we sat there enjoying the evening. I sat beside you and your mom, which I ended up adoring. You had been holding Keva almost the entire time, and for some reason, I was avoiding looking at you two. So I talked to your dad about wine and beer and the hill country. I talked to JL about pregnancy and how the salon was doing. I talked to Rick  about being a dad and life was treating him. I talked to your mom about being adopted and my family. It felt so natural the way that everything flowed.

Keva eventually woke up and was starting to cry. You calmed her down and I could hear you whispering in her ear....... Backing way up, the last time we talked in May you told me that you didn't kids. Anyways, you were whispering to her and I looked over at you.... Which I had intentionally avoided looking at you because I knew what was going to happen if I did. I saw your beautiful hair draped Keva’s little head and your fair skin reflecting some of the fire that was beside us. The wind was gently moving your bangs and I could see your lips moving while you were talking to Keva. You looked at me and gave me the softest smile - the smile where your dimples show and your blue eyes were both gentle and vulnerable. My heart literally melted. It was another one of those moments where I knew that I was destined to be with you. Like fireworks were going off in my head behind you.... It’s so stupid because it sounds so trivial, but I just know. So that took about 15 minutes for my heart to get back to normal. You eventually got up to change Keva and your dad was talking to one of the waitresses about things to do in Asheville. I didn't hear the context, but he pointed at me and said “I hope my daughter marries this young man”. It took me so aback that I just awkwardly smiled and chuckled. JL heard everything and was just staring me down with this giant fucking grin on your face. She was pretty drunk, but I would love to have her as a sister-in-law. We would just get into trouble together and cuss at the world. Your dad asked me if I would ever move back to the East Coast and I said yes. He then told me that he wants you to be closer and that it everything would work out fine.... Which also left me mildly confused.

You had this big sweater on with a denim shirt and a skirt. Your bangs hung gently over your forehead. A totally new look for you, but your eyes are still the same.

I had to say goodbye and hugged everyone. JL was the first to hug me and I shook your dads hand. He said “I’ll see you soon” and that made me really happy.

There are so many details that I’m missing, but this trip seemed very intentional. You’re flying to Montana tomorrow and then you’ll be back in CO. I’m going to talk to you a week from today when we move all your stuff back to your place.

I am so in love with you, and I finally realized that last night and I’m so thankful for that. I would follow you anywhere you went.