#wartime lover vibes

[unfortunate-arrow]

sydney and linus for the crack ship ask game!

Linus Sullivan x Sydney Barlow

[silviakundera]

with the conclusion of Snowfall...

why do i enjoy Republican Era chinese dramas so much?

aesthetics! there is this blend of 1920-30s western fashion influences and traditional chinese garb & architecture that just pleases my eyes.

everyone looks very depressed & dangerous & sexy

chaotic period of transition - no matter if you're in the 1910's, 20's, 30's some absolutely wild historical shit was going down

cars and guns and gloves and swords. rotary phones!

dancing & drinking in night clubs, in glamorous pockets amid the violence & instability outside; a lil touch of mask of the red death vibes

end of empire themes, as a country tries to find its way after the end of the last imperial dynasty

there's those gangster, mob boss vibes from american and british dramas set in the 1920s, except everything is cranked up x100 because of general lawlessness; central government and law & order was a paper thin veneer over warlords

the start of WW2 from an entirely different perspective than the common narratives that I was exposed to growing up in the US (which is 99% stories about the european stage)

sino-japanese war / war of resistance material like Hidden Blade is fucking badass ok 🤷

in a time of resistance to occupation, colonizers encroaching, warlords fighting over cities, brewing civil war.... there are many different options of protagonists and unlikely "heroes" who are picking their battles and discovering what they are willing to fight for

Beautiful 👏 women 👏 in heels 👏and 👏 slinky 👏dresses 👏

Lots of revenge narratives. I love an over-the-top, bloodthirsty & destructive revenge narrative

Depending on the genre, there might be little or heavy politcal /patriotic discourse. But tbh none of the rah rah patriotism stuff distracts me much, because all the american and british produced stuff set around WW2 has rah rah patriotism & propaganda in it, so I just consider that part of the essential genre vibes. It's just another country's version. (Of course, others will have less patience when it becomes heavy-handed. YMMV.)

Dark & Gritty

Hidden Blade (film) - a masterpiece, if you enjoy dark WW2 spy films that play with narrative style and challenge the viewer to follow the story as it's woven. Had to review detailed historical context for the years in question, to be ready to consume. But worth it. I've watched it 3 times. 💀

Heroes (2024) - the very beginning era of this genre/the transition into repulican period. rocks fall, everyone dies. Primarily a tragic wuxia & pre-republican fusion. Excellent enough that I didn't mind the bleak storyline. 💀

Detective-ing

Miss S - adaption of 1920s Australian mystery procedural Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, staring Vengo! ML actor of Snowfall

Checkmate - Agatha Christie stories adapted to the setting & time period, plus bromance. I watched half the episodes w my brother, as we are both huge agatha christie fans. It was fun if you can be chill about adaption changes.

My Roommate is A Detective - for mystery & bromance lovers. Same actor duo as Checkmate.

Detective L - don't know much about this one tbh

Romance arc, with a somewhat happy ending for the 2 leads

Provoke - Gorgeous, glamorous, vibes vibes vibes all day long. Revenge and romance. ❤

Fall in Love - sons & daughters of warlords and their supporters get sexy and dangerous and decide even joining the civil war is better than the prior generation's bullshit. This is an objectively bad drama that I really enjoyed anyway (it helps that I skipped every scene for the 2nd and 3rd couples). This one turns v propaganda heavy at the end, if that bothers you. ❤

Arsenal Military Academy - military training hijinks w a side of cross dressing romance. Xu Kai and Bai Lu! It's soliders and japanese invasion et al, so be prepared for the standard patriotism. Comedy & drama. HE for the FL/ML but expect character death in this subject matter. ❤

Rookie Agent Rogue - Late 1930s spy drama with small romance side-plot. Expect the standard wartime patriotism, like with Arsenal Military Academy. The draw is the lead actress, the FL from Princess Agents, Minglan, Legend of Shen Li. HE for the FL/ML but expect character death in this subject matter. ❤

City of Streamer - Older woman seduces younger man who is the son of her revenge target. Melodrama with people serving looks. ❤

War of Faith* - Young man just wants to join the banking industry and have a subtextually gay relationship with his mentor in peace, but there's a civil war going on. Protagonist would like to be excluded from this political narrative, but ultimately is forced to pick a side. ❤🌈 *(Is it censored gay romance? No, not based on a gay novel. So not officially! But some viewers felt there was a subtextual romance storyline #shenlai ; YMMV. The happy ending is Untamed-esque; implied only)

many, many pulpy mini-dramas about revenge! warlords! ladies with pistols! (Miss Mystery, First Marriage, Maid's Revenge, etc)

Also... (happy ending not guaranteed)

Siege in Fog

Love in Flames of War

Couple of Mirrors - censored F/F 🌈

Stand by Me - censored m/m 🌈

Killer and Healer - censored m/m 🌈

Winter Begonia - censored m/m 🌈

[adverbian]

My fanfiction over on AO3. All Good Omens (TV continuity), Aziraphale/Crowley. (Updated 17 Oct 2024)

(As always, check tags on AO3 for content notes!)

All Your Life (T, 2942 words, oneshot)

In which, sharing a cottage on the South Downs, they gradually find their way to themselves, and to each other. Soft and sweet and musical. A birthday gift for @gaiaseyes451 .

Horn of Plenty (E, 2931 words, oneshot) — co-written with @malachitegrey and @voluptatiscausa

Fluff and Crack. Crowley runs an ice cream parlor. Also he has horns. Also he and Aziraphale are in love. A birthday gift for MimiRay.

That Certain Night (E, 8670 words, 4/4 chapters)

Three nights together during wartime, and one night together after. Angst with a happy ending. 1941, 1967, Night at Crowley’s Flat, and a sweet, smutty South Downs epilogue. A birthday gift for @voluptatiscausa .

(More under the cut!)

This Most Balmy Time and Stay Me With Flagons (both E, each 100 words)

A pair of smutty birthday drabbles for @cemeteryangel725 .

Nothing Lasts Forever (G, 108 words)

A post-S2 meditation on narrative arcs, astronomy, and love — but make it a sonnet. (Written for a poetry game in the Good Omens After Dark Writers Guild. Prompt: “Starmaker”)

Gibraltar May Tumble (E, 8539 words)

A little first-time light bondage on a rainy South Downs afternoon, with feelings and tenderness and love. (A gift fic for @sapientmanbuncountrymare written as part of the Good Omens After Dark Pride Exchange)

Bear You on the Breath of Dawn (T, 100 words)

They’ve had an argument — their first since they moved into their cottage together. They’re still not very good at talking. But this time, they both stay. (A drabble.)

Da Pacem (M, 341 words)

A sestina about stopping the Second Coming with your secret lover, using the key words “night, time, glass, light, tide, stars.”

Is This Desire? (E, 15.5k words, 2/2 chapters)

A smutty, sex-pollened meditation on desire and consent. (Written for the High Pollen Count Good Omens Sex Pollen Event.)

Confiteor (M, 3k words, 1/1 chapter)

Aziraphale goes on a guilt trip. Crowley brings him back home. (Angst with a happy ending.)

Exsultet (E, 6k words, 3/3 chapters)

They’d won. But there were some things left to lose. (And there were some victories still to come.) (A gift fic for @crowleyslvt written as part of the Good Omens Song and Poetry Exchange)

In contenti e in allegria (E, 5k words, 2/2 chapters)

Completely shameless PWP, honeymoon in Paris edition. (A gift fic for @and-his-hands-were-24-crows in the Good Omens After Dark Valentine’s Exchange)

O You and Me at Last (E, 4k words, 1/1 chapters)

News of one of Aziraphale’s past admirers has Crowley feeling a little… possessive. (Written for the Good Omens After Dark Smut War)

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (E, 5k words, 3/3 chapters)

Crowley’s been giving Aziraphale space to adjust to being on his own, finally free of Heaven. Now, a gorgeous American philanthropist has started hanging around the bookshop. Has Crowley left things Too Late? (Spoiler alert: There’s a very happy resolution.) (Gift fic for IUsedToBeGifted177 in the Good Omens After Dark Christmas Exchange)

Small Things Like Reasons (M, 4k words, 7/7 chapters)

An exploration of six competing meta theories against the backdrop of the Rapture.

These, Thy Gifts (M, 100 words)

Crowley gives thanks for a feast. (A smutty Thanksgiving drabble.)

Revolver (T, 200 words)

Sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s, Crowley tried to introduce Aziraphale to the Beatles. It went about like you’d expect. (A double drabble with hands thirst.)

Series: Auprès de ma blonde

(Each item in the series can be read independently.)

General vibes: Ineffable Honeymoon. Everything is terribly sweet and romantic. Lots of Feelings. There are literary and musical allusions.

(Individual works in the series under the cut! Dorothy Sayers fans will instantly clock the first two titles. Yes, there are Wimsey vibes.)

one more river (and that’s the river of jordan) (E, 5k words, 3/3 chapters)

They are alone now — they are free. They are both nervous, but eager, newlyweds.

Auprès de ma blonde, qu’il fait bon dormir (E, 2k words, 1/1 chapters)

The morning after “one more river.”

What We Think About When We Think About Each Other (E, 4k words, 6/6 chapters)

Five times they swapped fantasies, and one time they started learning to share.

Songs and Sonnets (E, 2k words, 1/1 chapters)

A little bit of exploration that gets surprisingly emotional.

That the One Ought To Have of the Other (T, 1k words, 1/1 chapters)

Marriage vows considered as a formal contract, and negotiated with feelings.

Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart (E, 12k words, 4/4 chapters)

The Ineffable Husbands make it official. And formal contracts between supernatural entities have a way of becoming particularly real.

[asifyoucouldoutreadme]

Vastly different takes on this soul bonding business.

Happy Self-Promotion Sunday, ya’ll 👩‍💻

The Empress of All Maladies

AsIfYouCanOutReadMe on AO3

Explicit

69,707 words WIP - posts weekly

The one with a dying Death Eater Draco who blackmails Hermione (fresh from 5 years w/o magic in witness protection) into soul bonding with him to heal damage from dark magic.

Featuring:

• Mad Scientist Theo

• Unhinged Spy Master Blaise

• Wartime politics

• Morally gray Order

• Experimental magic & blood rites

• SLOW SLOW burn enemies to lovers

• Crookshanks.

Frankenstein/Jane Eyre gothic horror vibes

[mortemappetens]

I hate to be that guy but it is kind of pathetic that Suguru is Satoru’s “Unlimited Void”. Like, just his voice calling his name is enough for him to go through a whole paralysis and have years of his life flash by in his mind.

Satoru, brudda, grow the fuck up. Put down that Twilight “novel” and read a grown up book.

And sure, one can argue with “but he thought Suguru was dead which is why it was such a shock”. And I say they fight monsters made out of literal bad vibes and Satoru can manipulate spacetime to teleport. Resurrection, reincarnation, and all that crap cannot be news to him.

And no, I don’t find it endearing or romantic that this happened to Satoru. I find it so painfully cringe. No one’s knees should buckle in front of their ex (friend, lover, whatever). And if you do have to crumble into a pile on the floor, wait until five minutes after they’ve turned the corner.

Just imagine your friend coming up to you and saying “I saw my ex and had wartime-style flashbacks of our time together and almost got myself killed because I froze in the middle of the road during rushhour traffic”. I doubt you’d be cooing and calling them romantic. You’d be saying “for fuck’s sake, Craig, it’s been ten years since you’ve last touched them. Let’s hit the pub. All rounds on you for being such a pathetic bag of foreskins”.

…Maybe I don’t make for a very empathetic friend…

[findroleplay]

hi hi!

i'm em, 25+, looking for partners (21+ only) for asoiaf/hotd/game of thrones rp because it's that time of the tv season again ‎️‍🔥‎️‍. i'm hoping for partners with interest in the lore, worldbuilding, and politics alongside ships. knowledge of the books is a huge plus but not required!

if interested, message me on discord (undarling) or like this post and i'll reach out! ✨

literacy/style: literate, but looking for quality > quantity -- i'm down for short, rapid-fire stuff or longer replies depending on what makes sense for the scene. 3rd person, past or present tense, preferably with real fcs

pair(s): any genders! ocs, canons, whatever sparks joy. i'm ok with doing 1x1 or multiple characters, but no "doubles" nonsense pls (to be clear: 2 pairings is fine! great even! but it should be pairs we're both equally excited about, not a weird transactional "i'll play x for you if you play y for me" thing)

character(s): i have a bunch of ocs i'd love to use -- but am open to playing canons depending on the character/pairing, let's chat! i generally prefer playing female and/or gender nonconforming characters but can definitely be flexible. some canonxcanon ships i'm into: rhaenyra/alicent, rhaenyra/daemon, sansa/margaery, sansa/cersei, ned/cersei, jaime/brienne, margaery/joffrey, ramsay/theon, melisandre/jon

genres/themes/vibes: psych thriller, dark romance, political intrigue, definitely dead dove (always discussed & agreed on first!), fire & blood, toxicity, characters who are actually bad people who do bad things, etc.

plot ideas: arranged marriage, forbidden romance/infidelity, wartime love, hateship, enemies to lovers, highborn/lowborn, kidnapping, assassination attempts. i have lots of different ideas but would also love to hear yours!

where: tumblr or discord is preferred, but i can join other platforms too

.

[dhr-ao3]

Dark & The Damned

Dark & The Damned https://ift.tt/bIcEWDJ by Aprilstorm One of the greatest healers in the magical world has been captured in the midst of war. Voldemort has overlooked healers in his army and Hermione Granger is forced to lead his medical ward. While she is captured she comes a prisoner for the most powerful general in Voldemort's army. Mysteries are unraveled and space is held for enemies to become lovers. Words: 11231, Chapters: 5/?, Language: English Fandoms: Dramione - Fandom, Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con Categories: F/M Characters: Theodore Nott, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Pansy Parkinson, Ginny Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Harry Potter Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy Additional Tags: dramione - Freeform, Draco Malfoy - Freeform, hermione granger - Freeform, hermione - Freeform, draco - Freeform, Slow Burn, Wartime, Pregnancy, Accidental Marriage, Pregnant Hermione, Daddy Draco, Theodore Nott - Freeform, theo nott - Freeform, Pansy Parkinson - Freeform, Pansy - Freeform, Luna Lovegood - Freeform, Protective Draco, Touch Her And Die, Harry Potter - Freeform, sex scenes, explicit scenes, Forced Proximity, prisoner hermione, voldemort - Freeform, Healer Hermione, Adult Content, Violence, cormac - Freeform, cormac as villin - Freeform, Fluff and Smut, On the Run, Horcrux Hunting, Romance, high reeve vibes - Freeform, Narcissa - Freeform, supportive narcissa, main charactor death - Freeform, Not Draco, non con, Erotica, ginny weasley - Freeform, Blaise Zambini - Freeform, action and adventure, Pining, Virgin Hermione, Enemies to Lovers, Flashbacks, Mysteries, Angst, Idiots in Love, WIP, I PROMISE ILL FINISH, hermione and draco malfoy - Freeform, Lots of Sex Scenes, Emotional, Trauma, Torture, attempted SA not by draco, theo as main charactor - Freeform, Theo is everything, Passion, Passionate Sex, Unprotected Sex via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/ZW7yp62 July 07, 2024 at 10:10AM

[honourablejester]

Heart the City Beneath, Character Concept: Noir Hound

This is going to sound slightly weird, but if you wanted to do a noir character in Heart. Which. Not entirely an intuitive fit, as the City Beneath is not exactly a city, and this game is explicitly more of a dungeon delve through an eldritch wilderness than, you know, crime and mystery in the big city. That’s more Spire’s bag than Heart’s. But if you did want to do a noir Heart character. The Hound is a really good class for it?

Now. The Hound is mostly a WWI-vet-slash-western-sheriff sort of character. They are very clearly pitching towards westerns and war movies. But. They have a lot of distinctly rumpled sort of characteristics that map real well onto your typical hardboiled protagonist as well. They’re scroungers, they’re alcoholics, they’re down and dirty and still trying to help people, they have the worst luck on the planet. They make great shamus-feeling sorts of characters. Your noir knight-in-sour-armour sort of vibe. So, you know, why not? Let’s make a rumpled noir sidler of a Hound.

RUSTY CHARACTER SHEET

Name: Rusty Rahman

Ancestry: Gnoll

I’m going gnoll because prevailing wisdom in this part of the world, owing primarily to war propaganda, is that gnolls are dumb, bestial bruisers, and never mind their techno-occult empire, of course they’re just brute animals. And, well. The underestimated bruiser is a nice noir roll. This big tough hyena person who looks like the roughest of customers, but is actually a really nice, genial gal who prefers to look out for people. She came to Heart via the war between the aelfir and the gnolls, and she’s something a bit lost, a bit wistful, a bit intimidating, and a bit gentle.

Calling: Adventure

I could have gone Enlightenment to lean into a noir detective vibe, but honestly Hounds lean more towards fixers than detectives. Could have gone Penitent, because there’s a lot of community building focus in that calling, but I don’t think Rusty’s the sort for guilt. She’s not one of the original Hounds, she’s a later convert. She doesn’t have quite the same baggage. So let’s go adventure, because adventure has a lot of the ‘help people and build a reputation’ vibe we’re going for. She’s stuck here, for a lot of reasons, and she just wants to help. Because by the Source, this city sure as hell needs help.

Class: Hound

“In the past: the 33rd Regiment were sent down to pacify the Heart by a mad warrior-poet from the City Above. Of the nine hundred or so enlisted soldiers who set off, three hundred survived. Surrounded by forces beyond their understanding and on the verge of total destruction, the surviving officers did what they could to save their troops. They did something terrible. Now: there are three hundred badges, each marked with the name of the original hero who carried it. When you steal one, or have it bestowed upon you, you join the Hounds: the new name of the 33rd, protectors of the fragile populace of the Heart. You carry the weight of their deeds on your shoulders.” (Pg. 47)

The Hounds as an organisation are very much the legacy of wartime crimes, which in its own way is also very noir, given the post-war context of most of the original noir films. You beg, borrow, steal or take up a badge, and now the safety and sanctity of havens, those islands of relative sanity and civilisation down here, become your responsibility. Again, very western sheriff sort of vibe. But post-war vibes cover so much of the class. It’s such an easy leap to an old soldier turned genial, rumpled fixer. Don’t worry about it, kid. I’ll help you out.

Skills: Hunt (Hound), Evade (Better Part of Valour), Mend (Custodian), Delve (Round the Next Corner)

Domains: Haven (Hound)

Equipment: Well-stocked haversack (Mend Supplies D6) & Cudgel (Kill D6)

Resources: Bottle of rotgut liquor (D6 Haven).

Trinkets: Spyglass built by your lover (Gnoll). Bag of boiled sweets (Gnoll). Letters from your mum asking when you’re coming home (Adventure).

(I did love the spyglass from your lover. She’s a witch, obviously, and she’s a femme fatale by a lot of definitions (especially since the Hounds and the Witches of Hallow are often functionally at war). Rusty has herself an inadvisable girlfriend on the opposite side of a war.

The letters from her mum are much older. Gnolls usually end up in Spire/Heart as prisoners of war. Those letters were sent a while ago, and mum most likely thinks she’s dead by now, but Rusty keeps them anyway. Just as proof that someone cared, once upon a time).

Abilities:

Core Ability (Adventure): LEGENDARY: You strive to live up to the stories that they’ll tell of your exploits. When you gain a minor advance, refresh D6. When you gain a major advance, refresh D8.

Core Ability (Hound): IN THE THICK OF IT. You have a knack for getting yourself in just enough trouble to find the truth. Once per situation, when you would mark stress to any other resistance than Fortune, mark it to Fortune. When you suffer Fortune fallout, roll with mastery for the remainder of the situation.

(I do love that the Hound’s central ability is basically bad luck. The type of damage that they earth like lightning rods is fortune damage. Rusty’s just a dumb palooka with the worst luck in the world. At least, that’s what she looks like. But the shitty luck is real).

Major Abilities (Hound): FOREWARNED AND FOREARMED. Never get into a fight you can’t win. Once per session, when you have an hour or two to spare in a landmark, you can make preparations for the coming challenges. Pick one of the benefits from the list below. You and all other characters who choose to take part in preparations gain this benefit until they next enter a landmark.

• Whetstone and Weapon Drill. One piece of Kill equipment gains the Brutal tag.

• Checked and Triple-Checked. One piece of Delve equipment gains the Trusty tag.

• Toughen Up. Gain +1 Blood protection.

• One for the Road. Gain +1 Mind protection.

• Creative Acquisitions. Gain +1 Supplies protection.

(I was so tempted to give her STARE DOWN, for the Clint Eastwood stare, but she’s more rumpled and genial than that. She’s a fixer. Her self-appointed role in life is to wander the bad places, and to see to it that as many people as possible survive. With that in mind, I really liked this one. Let’s all just take some time and get our ducks in a row before we head out, all right? Everybody just take a moment and get yourself kitted out).

Minor Abilities (Hound):

THE BETTER PART OF VALOUR. You’ll get everyone out alive, if not intact. Gain the Evade skill. If you succeed on an Evade roll, all nearby allies roll with mastery when trying to evade until you next act.

CUSTODIAN. You – and those who wore the badge before you – have spent so much time rebuilding shattered lives and shattered homes that everyone welcomes you. Gain the Mend skill. If you are in a populated location you can always find someone willing to take you in, give you somewhere to sleep and maybe even some warm food.

ROUND THE NEXT CORNER. You can find a place to shelter, smoke a roll-up and let things blow over. Gain the Delve skill. Once per delve, you find an out-of-the-way location where you can catch your breath and recuperate without fear of being discovered by your enemies. You can take your time and heal here without incurring a bane.

(There are options to get Mind protection from your drinking problem, or to find religion at the bottom of a bottle, both of which are very noir, but I’m liking the feel of Rusty as a duck-and-sidle snooper. A fixer. We nose around, we find things, we fix things, we do our best to get everyone out alive. Places got problems, we go fix the problems. Let’s everybody stay calm and nobody do anything unwise, yeah? Cool).

Adventure Story Beats:

Charm someone with tales of your exploits. Access a haven in tier 2 of the Heart. Take Major Fortune fallout. Help an important or influential figure in a haven. Refuse to back down when it would be beneficial to do so. Have at least three havens know your name, for good or ill. Go somewhere where no-one else has stepped foot for at least a century. Kick someone off a tall structure (they really deserved it). Upgrade a haunt to D12. Save a haven from destruction or doom. Connect three havens to one another with permanent paths. Lead a haven to prosperity.

(She wants to be a peacemaker. Since we’ve given her a witch lover, I’m intrigued by the possibility that one of those havens could be Hallow, and she’s trying to make peace between Hallow and various other settlements. But, you know. Sometimes along that path you gotta kick some people off some buildings. Surreptitiously, so they don’t shoot you on the way down. Listen, prevention is better than cure! That’s her whole damn ethos out here. Heh).

[waitingforthesequel-blog]

Welcome to this character analysis and style breakdown, where we're diving into the iconic film, 'Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)'. It's not just a classic superhero movie, but it's also a treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts and film buffs alike. The movie's aesthetic beautifully captures the 1940s wartime period, which is a haven for vintage and classic fashion styles. From military uniforms to elegant dresses, the film's costume department did an outstanding job creating pieces that not only helped define the characters but also conveyed the era's ambiance. In this article, we'll deconstruct the key outfits of the film's main characters, providing a detailed analysis of each character's style and how their outfits reflect their personas. Unmasking the threads of 'Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)', we'll embark on a journey that takes us from the humble beginnings of Steve Rogers to the stylish heights of Howard Stark. So, buckle up, fashionistas and movie lovers. Let's begin! Character Analysis and Style Breakdown Before we delve into each character's sartorial elegance, let's take a moment to appreciate the overall aesthetic of 'Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)'. The film transports us back to the 1940s, a time when fashion was dictated by the ongoing Second World War. People were making do with less, yet they still managed to look chic and stylish. The costume design of the film adheres to this aesthetic, combining practicality with elegance. Each character's wardrobe is reflective of their personality and status. From Captain America's patriotic suit to Peggy Carter's classy dresses, the film is a testament to the power of clothing in character development. We'll now take a closer look at each character's fashion choices, detailing key elements of their outfits, and offering tips on how you can emulate their style. Whether you're a fan of Steve Roger's clean-cut look or Peggy Carter's vintage chic, we've got you covered! Chris Evans as Captain America / Steve Rogers The Captain America Suit: The star-spangled suit is arguably the most recognized outfit from the film. It's vibrant, patriotic, and perfectly encapsulates the essence of Steve Rogers. The suit's design is practical and robust, with a sturdy leather jacket, matching trousers, and a utility belt. The iconic star on the chest and stripes on the midsection add a visually appealing detail to the suit. To emulate this look, invest in a good quality leather jacket and matching trousers. You can accessorize with a utility belt to add that touch of superhero vibe. Steve Rogers' Casual Wear: When not in his superhero suit, Steve Rogers sports a classic 1940s style. He's often seen in high-waisted trousers, button-down shirts, and suspenders. The look is clean, simple, and timeless. To dress like Steve Rogers, opt for classic pieces in neutral tones like cream, brown, and navy. Try high-waisted trousers with a crisp white shirt and brown suspenders. Complete the look with a pair of brogues or oxford shoes. Styling Tips: To truly capture Steve Rogers' style, aim for a clean and polished look. Keep your outfit simple and well-tailored. Accessorize minimally, and opt for classic pieces over trendy items. Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter: Outfit Details and Styling Tips Peggy Carter's Uniform: Peggy Carter is a woman of power and elegance. Her military uniform is a reflection of her strength and authority. The uniform is well-tailored, featuring a pencil skirt, a fitted blazer, and a smart hat. The color scheme is a mix of navy and khaki, adding to the military vibe. To dress like Peggy, consider investing in a well-tailored skirt suit in a similar color palette. Peggy's Civilian Outfits: When off-duty, Peggy Carter embraces the classic 1940s style. She's often seen in shirtwaist dresses, high-waisted trousers, and elegant blouses. Her color palette includes reds, blues, and neutrals. To emulate her look, go for vintage-inspired pieces like a shirtwaist dress or high-waisted trousers. Pair them with a simple blouse or shirt.

Styling Tips: Peggy Carter's style is all about elegance and sophistication. Opt for well-tailored pieces that flatter your figure. Accessorize with classic pieces like pearl earrings or a simple brooch. Don't forget a bold red lip to complete the look! Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes: Outfit Details and Styling Tips Bucky's Military Uniform: Bucky's uniform is similar to Steve's, but with a darker color scheme. It's practical and robust, featuring a sturdy jacket, matching trousers, and a utility belt. The uniform is accessorized with a pair of combat boots and a military cap. To dress like Bucky, opt for a similar uniform in dark colors. Accessorize with combat boots and a military cap. Bucky's Civilian Outfits: When not in uniform, Bucky sports a classic, casual style. He's often seen in high-waisted trousers, button-down shirts, and suspenders. His color palette includes neutral tones like brown, navy, and black. To emulate his style, go for classic pieces like high-waisted trousers, a button-down shirt, and suspenders. Styling Tips: Bucky's style is all about practicality and simplicity. Stick to classic pieces in neutral tones. Accessorize minimally, and opt for a clean, well-groomed look. Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips: Outfit Details and Styling Tips Chester Phillips' Uniform: As the commanding officer, Colonel Chester Phillips' uniform is crisp, clean, and authoritative. It features a well-tailored suit, a crisp white shirt, and a tie. The uniform is accessorized with a pair of polished black shoes and a military cap. To dress like Chester, opt for a well-tailored suit in a dark color, a crisp white shirt, and a tie. Accessorize with polished black shoes and a military cap. Chester's Civilian Outfits: When off-duty, Chester embraces a more relaxed style. He's often seen in comfortable trousers, button-down shirts, and a casual jacket. His color palette includes neutral tones like brown, navy, and black. To emulate his style, go for comfortable pieces like trousers, a button-down shirt, and a casual jacket. Styling Tips: Chester's style is all about authority and comfort. Opt for well-tailored pieces that are comfortable and practical. Accessorize minimally, and opt for a clean, well-groomed look. Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt / Red Skull: Outfit Details and Styling Tips Johann Schmidt's Uniform: As the villain of the film, Johann Schmidt's uniform is menacing and distinctive. It features a black leather coat, matching trousers, and a crimson red skull mask. The uniform is accessorized with a pair of black gloves and boots. To dress like Johann, opt for a black leather coat, matching trousers, and a crimson red mask. Accessorize with black gloves and boots. Johann's Civilian Outfits: When not in his Red Skull persona, Johann sports a sleek, sophisticated style. He's often seen in well-tailored suits, crisp shirts, and ties. His color palette includes dark colors like black, navy, and grey. To emulate his style, go for well-tailored suits, crisp shirts, and ties. Styling Tips: Johann's style is all about sophistication and menace. Opt for well-tailored pieces in dark colors. Accessorize minimally, and opt for a clean, well-groomed look. Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark: Outfit Details and Styling Tips Howard Stark's Suits: Howard Stark, the wealthy industrialist and inventor, is the epitome of 1940s glamour and sophistication. He's always impeccably dressed in well-tailored suits, crisp shirts, and ties. His suits are often in dark colors like black, navy, and grey, while his shirts and ties add a pop of color to his outfits. To dress like Howard, invest in a well-tailored suit, a crisp shirt, and a stylish tie. Howard's Casual Wear: When not in a suit, Howard sports a more relaxed style. He's often seen in comfortable trousers, polo shirts, and casual jackets. His color palette includes neutral tones like brown, navy, and black. To emulate his style, go for comfortable pieces like trousers, polo shirts, and casual jackets.

Styling Tips: Howard's style is all about sophistication and glamour. Opt for well-tailored pieces that exude class. Accessorize with classic pieces like a stylish watch or a pair of cufflinks. Don't forget to groom yourself well to complete the look! Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger: Outfit Details and Styling Tips Heinz Kruger's Suits: As a secret agent, Heinz Kruger's style is sleek and polished. He's often seen in well-tailored suits, crisp shirts, and ties. His suits are in dark colors like black and navy, while his shirts and ties add a pop of color to his outfits. To dress like Heinz, invest in a well-tailored suit, a crisp shirt, and a stylish tie. Heinz's Casual Wear: When not in a suit, Heinz sports a more relaxed style. He's often seen in comfortable trousers, button-down shirts, and casual jackets. His color palette includes neutral tones like brown, navy, and black. To emulate his style, go for comfortable pieces like trousers, a button-down shirt, and a casual jacket. Styling Tips: Heinz's style is all about sleekness and polish. Opt for well-tailored pieces in dark colors. Accessorize with classic pieces like a stylish watch or a pair of cufflinks. Don't forget to groom yourself well to complete the look! How to Dress like 'Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)' Characters for Different Occasions Whether you're attending a theme party, a comic con, or simply want to incorporate some vintage charm into your everyday style, here are some tips on how to dress like your favorite characters from 'Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)' for different occasions: Theme Party / Comic Con: This is the perfect opportunity to go all out and dress exactly like your favorite character. For instance, you could opt for a Captain America costume or a Peggy Carter military uniform. Don't forget the accessories like the shield for Captain America or the red hat for Peggy Carter. Casual Outing: For a more casual look, you could incorporate elements from the characters' civilian outfits. For instance, you could opt for Steve Roger's high-waisted trousers and button-down shirt, or Peggy Carter's shirtwaist dress. Formal Event: For a formal event, you could opt for a well-tailored suit like Howard Stark or Heinz Kruger. Accessorize with a stylish watch or a pair of cufflinks to complete the look. Get the Look: Shopping Suggestions and Recommendations Now that we've broken down the key elements of each character's style, here are some shopping suggestions and recommendations to help you get the look: Vintage Stores: Vintage stores are a treasure trove for 1940s style clothing. Look for high-waisted trousers, shirtwaist dresses, and well-tailored suits. Online Shopping: Websites like Amazon and eBay often have a wide range of vintage-inspired clothing. You could also find costume replicas of outfits like the Captain America suit or the Red Skull uniform. Thrift Stores: Thrift stores are a great place to find unique pieces at a fraction of the cost. Look for items like military-style jackets, vintage dresses, and classic shoes. Tailor: If you want to ensure a perfect fit, consider getting your clothes tailored. A well-tailored suit or dress can make a world of difference in your overall look. Conclusion There you have it, a complete character analysis and style breakdown of 'Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)'. From Steve Roger's patriotic suit to Howard Stark's glamorous suits, the film offers a plethora of fashion inspiration. Whether you're a fan of vintage fashion or simply love the movie, I hope this guide helps you unleash your inner superhero (or villain!). Remember, fashion is all about expressing yourself. So, don't be afraid to experiment and add your unique twist to these looks. And most importantly, have fun with it! So, which character's style resonates with you the most? Do you have any other styling tips to share? We'd love to hear from you. Share your unique style tips in the comments and revisit

us for the latest updates on fashion advice and exclusive deals!

[sparemintss]

Why do you choose the songs you do for your playlists??

This is going to be extremely long and it’s probably going to become a series of posts 🫠 however thanks for enabling me >:)

I PRESENT PART ONE OF THE REASON WHY I PUT THESE SONGS IN THESE PLAYLISTS

The Captain

For these playlists I wanted to keep it in the specific time period but in some cases that may not happen. Without further ado, I explain the Captain in songs!

We’ll Meet Again: a self explanatory one. It’s a wartime classic and it’s also about the hope meeting loved ones back from the war

My Heart Belongs to Daddy: it was mentioned by the Captain himself in the show

I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire: a classic love song from the Ink Spots about a yearning love with the request of it being reciprocated (haha I used this song for a fic)

Moonlight Serenade: this was surprising to me because I know how popular it is, but the lyrics in itself was already enough of a shock because it was about kissing at the gate in June

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square: I like to think this song is about the Captain’s feelings towards Havers in the POV of a bird. And also! The song of a nightingale is impossible and unbelievable and such are these thoughts.

I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General: it’s self explanatory

Our Last Summer (Mamma Mia Version): it’s a gay dad hanging out with his alleged daughter. If that ain’t Kitty and the Captain-

ABBA songs: cmon. When Julian said “Money, Money, Money” he resorted to ABBA. That man is an ABBA gay. Waterloo? Using the battle of Waterloo as a metaphor for being defeated with love? Mamma Mia?? The Captain, even when Havers left, still loved him. How can he resist him? Gimme Gimme Gimme! Already says a lot. Hoe behaviour. Man liker. Lay All Your Love On Me, personally I think the Captain would get jealous of Havers for being so socially adept and good at talking to others. So now he’s just yearning

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You: the Captain would definitely not take his eyes off of Havers.

In the Mood: the Captain’s favourite song! Specifically the one about the daddy with the beautiful eyes

Sing Sing Sing: the Captain actually enjoys good morale amongst the men in a war. If that doesn’t explain the remain gay poster idk what. Sing Sing Sing is a big band song by Benny Goodman and in the BHA, during the New Years festivities a big band song can be heard in the recording. Not entirely sure what the song is but it had the same vibes as Sing Sing Sing

Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy: he is a good old fashioned lover boy. He would be one.

It’s a Long Long Way to Tipperary: the Captain did a one man rendition of it in Music Club!

2001: A Space Odyssey Theme: depression.

When I grow too old to dream: the Captain may be dead, but he will remember Havers in his heart and most likely in his dreams.

In the Still of the Night: it reminded me of the Captain at his window spot in the film club room, looking out into the night at the gate.

Cheek to Cheek: specifically the Fred Astaire version because Fred Astaire is notorious for his musical performances and songs like Puttin on the Ritz and Cheek to Cheek are featured in musicals with him in it. This is more leaning on the Captain’s love for musicals and classics.

(There’ll be Blue Birds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover: hope that the war would finally be over and peace will finally come. Shows how much war is pointless. In BHA he says how the war is wretched and he hopes it will be over soon.

Chiquitita: another Captain and Kitty sentiment song :’)

Heartaches: bro had a heart attack. Call that a heartache. Now all he has is a burning memory of that man. This man’s heart literally ached for him.

Achy Breaky Heart: Carpe Diem.

There Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of my Tears: a song I just thought the Captain may enjoy. (Also crazy how every time it’s a man singing a love song and it’s supposed to be a woman singing, it’s sounds so fucking gay.)

Last Christmas: “it will all be over by Christmas. I’m sure of it.”

The British Grenadiers to Gibraltar March: I play holdfast nations at war, these are the military songs that plays when you’re a British musician for the army. He’d love this for real.

I Want to Hold Your Hand: once more with the Captain yearning. It’s a shit ton of yearning oh my god. (It’s also in Jojo Rabbit, a satire WWII movie focusing on the last year of War in crumbling Nazı Germany by Taika Waititi)

Can’t Help Falling in Love: bro can’t help it idk what else to say. He is a fool and he can’t help falling in love

Fernando: oh my god it’s about a man coming back from war AND it’s by ABBA

It’s Been a Long Long Time: the Captain’s sentiments towards Havers when they finally met again at Button House in 1945 (without the dying)

Goodby Yellow Brick Road: I like to headcannon that the Captain lived in the city and when he was stationed at Button House, it’s this song cuz Button House is in the country side. I can also say that this is about the regrets that the Captain still harbours even in death about what he should have done (it’s the instrumentals that get me. Its just sad Cap)

Holding Out For A Hero: that man needs to be saved. That man is a damsel in distress looking at strong men’s forearms 💀

The Day Before You Came: the day in the life of the Captain!

Under Attack: the Captain’s cold heart being thawed and his Captain front coming down in favour of James

Blood on the Dance Floor: he died on the dance floor 💀 I would also put in Murder on the Dance Floor but I watched Saltburn- (it’s also in the same album as ghosts)

Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow: When Havers told the Captain that he was leaving for the front. Cap's thoughts when that happened is this song. The urgency to love and to be loved. Also, in a historical context, Freddie Mercury wrote this song for his partner, Jim Hutton, who he had a long term relationship with. Same thing with.

Stand By Me: a song about enduring love through tough and difficult times!

Boys Don't Cry: Emotional repression!! Come back to me pls

Jukebox Saturday Night: One of Glenn Miller's greatest hits! He'd love it

Great Balls of Fire: Romantic repression but whops he's yearning. He'd hear this song at one point in his purgatory at Button House it he couldn't help but tap his foot

Super Freaky Girl: so my friend sent me a tiktok of feliz navidad x super freaky girl and said the captain would vibe to it and im sat here like, he's a butt hoe. yeah. i see it. he'd vibe to it. his favourite food is dick and balls, im not surprised

That is my first playlist explanation! Essentially saying how this WWII Captain would fight for love or essentially be a secret romantic who likes war things named James under that soldier facade. This is incredibly long surprisingly oh my god, I'll make more analysis' of the rest of my ghosts playlists!!

[limetimo]

Who You Really Are by Ayolen Severus is a girl and he swaps bodies with Lily via a potions accident; Sev in Lily's body is a Marauder's magnet and Lily in Sev's body says yes to a date with Regulus

Fire In Love by English is my death (Lena013) One Piece's Ace, Sabo and Luffy get reincarnated as Regulus, Lily and Harry and they might not live happily ever after but they do live happily for a little while. Very nice

two coffins for sleep by Anonymous for brightened ♥♥♥ Severus treats Regulus' cave-poisioning

The Unknowable Room by QSWP I'm really interested to know where this is going. Lily and Regulus get stuck in a deathly escape room, escape with their life intact, but the mystery remains to be solved

The Depths of the Abyss by Anonymous ♥♥♥♥♥ Wartime Bartylus my beloved I am soft I am tender

Everything Has Changed (Taylor's version) by Youvebeenfandomed Reg gets yote to 1995

Double date by Arik_readsbooks Pandalily Jegulus doubledate!

You've Got Us by Arik_readsbooks Barty and Evan comfort Regulus when he's a saddo

l'éphémère (the ephemeral) by anouri Ballet dancer Regulus gets hit by James on a motorcycle and his leg is FUCKED and since he hit da bricks and changed his name he has nobody to help him while he recovers and so James takes it on himself and it's slowburn

Of Middle Names and Myth by DefinitelyNotStraight bamf blacks

A (somewhat unconventional) Black Family Getaway by Trex_patronus PoA but Regulus is also a Azkaban escapee ♥♥♥

Grey by Nevermindmeatall182 a lot of Regulus whump, read the tags

After all, he's mine by anauro for otrtbs ♥♥♥♥♥ Bad Romance by Lady Gaga is the BArtylus soundtranck bye

Tempest by pjxckson James loses a bet, models nude for an art class, and has sex with Regulus in the bathroom

someday by justwhatialwayswanted crying screaming throwing up I love them your honour Regulus/Evan

tomorrow by justwhatialwayswanted CRYING SCRAMING THROWING UP I LOVE THEM SO MUCH YOUR HONOUR Regulus legally breaks Barty out of Azkaban

daisy chain lovers by Beyond_the_Grace Regulus fucks off to muggle world and dates petunia evans and the world is a better place and harry grows up loved

we'll be okay, won't we? by bee_the_nerd good vibes good vibes, Jegulily!

birthright and brotherhood by paldogangsaan Sirius runs away. Regulus ensures he can remain free.

The Curse of Juno by LdyBastet Lucius/Severus sexy times but Reg is mentioned so like, good enough

Severus' Garden by Bonfoi severus is looking for a husby amongst his past lovers

Black Out by ThinLine_Archivist Severus and Sirius have sex, and talk about regulus

To Touch by OnceUponaLegend Regulus as a Thing for Severus' hands, gentle smut

We are all Stardust by rrosie_08 Seer REgulus ayo Jegulus to be

hearts are wild creatures by brightened Black bros incest also sad

Unresting Death by brightened Sirius is upsetti

Forced to Stay by w0scarz muggle au, regulus has to stay with sirius after their parents perish in a oh so mysterious fire

𝔻𝔼𝕁𝔸 𝕍𝕌 by august (cassiehowardstherapist), cassiehowardstherapist regulus is put in Sirius' custody rather unexpectedly, enither of them likes it

Domestic Life, Was Never Quite My Style by Ick_arus Regulus holds harry for the first time

Good summer, Mr Thomas? by BennieLee Out of Lake Quite Mad but from Dean Thomas' view. Regulus looked much saner from the outside than from the inside

sun and shadow by justwhatialwayswanted marauders era ppl in percy jackson au, Regulus the son of hades has a c r u s h on Evan teh son on afrodita and what would you say it might be mutual (it'S sooooooo mutual Regulus is just oblivious)

The Way We Hold Hands by moonshinemaker modern AU Jegulus and Wolfstar "You bitch why are you dating my best friend/brother" we do love to see it

leo by swirlees Regulus survives and becomes a Creatures profesor

supernova by swirlees Creatures professor Regulus Black would like his estranged brother to stop being a bitch and get caught finally. Also hi hello what a good big black doggo yes

A Full Guide To Gardening For Amateurs by aphrsditea James is bipolar and ADHD and Sirius is in AFRICA and James for got to take his pills... quite a few days in row... and his flowers are dying... but his new mysterious mean but pretty neighbour Regulus has really nice plants so maybe he'll help James save his? I devoured this like, in a day

A Way Out by Anonymous a comics! Peter and Regulus the boyfriedns ♥♥♥ meet up to discuss what to do now that they know about horcruxes.

La Sylphide by pjxckson Ballet dancer regulus is so ♥ jegulus

The First of Many by zeddmarker JEgulily dating! Regulily got together first and i like that

Fated to Fall by ouzell soulamates au jegulus

the world i close my eyes to see by tonberrys blind regulus, he gets around

Unmanageable Mischief Podcast by jeepcharlie modern hogwarts podcast!

where the ice burns by jelenaRusso Regulus in Azkaban huhueheehhe ♥♥♥

Bound By Strings by moonyfest the wallout of war in au where regulus was a spy (read the first part first it'll make more sense) Jegulus and marylily

The Consequences Of Our Actions by Dancersock for Booktopus Jegulily domestic fluff!

All the things you want me to do by Samunderthelights Regulus gets drunk and ends up in Jily's bedroom. They might want more than just sex

Dark Red by veriableflowers Jegulily smut but with a lot of emotions

Unexpected turn of events by Morriguns_box James and Regulus semi-accidentally walk in on Lily domming Severus, they both realise they're kinda into that. Endgame Lily/Reg and James/Severus. James POV

Made Real by Maeglin_Yedi Lily fucked up. I don't know how to tell you this girl but PERHAPS the solution to your husband being hit with an infertility curse is NOT designing a magic ring that will trap you until you have sex with the person you're trapped with. Oh how the tables turn, dead dove do not eat

Snakeface by Mr_Customs_Man Marauders pull a prank, it gets out of the hand in unexpected ways, Severus/Regulus and Severus/James

[antigonewinchester]

Dean/Benny

People talk about S8 as a “Destiel” season when Dean/Benny is right there??? Not a big fan of S8 for a lot of reasons but Dean/Benny stands out as a highlight. Their easy companionship and lack of history (relatively) is refreshing in terms of how it contrasts with a lot of other Dean pairings. For all that I love more fraught ships, Dean/Benny is appealing for its simplicity—it’s not an epic fated romance ship, and that’s great—and Dean and Benny’s real support & companionship with each other. And the “buddies who hook up during wartime" vibes are so much fun.

I get why Benny didn’t stay around longer, in terms of the Sam-and-Dean-show, but it did feel like his death cut short what could have been a longer, significant relationship in the narrative. Adds to the tragedy of what could have been... There's a reason why Benny reappeared in various forms in later seasons & why Jensen was eager to have him back, in terms of Dean/Benny revealing a different side of Dean and bringing out aspects of Dean's character that weren't defined by him being a caretaker or his having/feeling an obligation to take care for someone, which is a big part of many of Dean's other relationships. Dean and Benny were just solid friends & bros and that makes their romance all the more appealing, in a way I don't always find with friends to lovers ships.

[Send me a ship and I'll give you my (brutally) honest opinion on it]

[speckledfiction]

Never Came the Day Playlist

Never Came the Day is finished! It is 136k words and I'm so proud of it! You should go read it, imo. You will have a good time.

I wanted to upload this playlist to coincide with the end of the fic, since my premise was to do a song for every chapter, but then I was Struggling with song choices. I'm still not entirely happy, but I have despaired of doing better. It does have some spoilers for the fic, so I'll put the tracklist here and then break them down under the cut, with links to each song.

The Future - Spellling

Chance - Angel Olsen

Send in the Clowns - Frank Sinatra

Ghosts - Laura Marling

The Place Where He Inserted the Blade - Black Country, New Road

Adelaide - Requin Chagrin

Sax Rohmer #1 - The Mountain Goats

Blue Bucket of Gold - Sufjan Stevens

Life During Wartime - Talking Heads/DJ

VOID - Melanie Martinez

True Faith - New Order

Heavy Seas of Love - Damon Albarn

Souvenir - Bump of Chicken

Over and Over - Beach House

Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti

Chapter 1 - The Future by Spellling

Counting memories, passing time Fighting to keep my hope alive Close my eyes and I dream of you But there's nothing that I can do 'Cause I live in the future, future Too many years apart

A truly obvious pick to start off a time loop story, but it really nicely hits the sense of displacement Astarion is feeling when he first loops. I also like it a lot as a first track. It's soft and melancholy and haunting, but not entirely hopeless. The horns add a bit of energy to the song, while Spellling's soft and delicate voice shivers over them.

If the first song sets the tone for the whole playlist, then I think this introduces several musical themes we're going to hear over and over.

Chapter 2 - Chance by Angel Olsen

I'm walking through the scenes I'm sayin' all the lines I wish I could un-see some things that gave me life I wish I could un-know some things that taught me so I wish I could believe all that's been promised me

It's hard to say forever love Forever's just so far

We're continuing with longing. Like The Future, this is a love song, which is a appropriate for a fic that is a romance, but it's a love song that's so melancholy and yearning. And I was particularly drawn to this verse that describes the sense of dissociation and loneliness so well. As Astarion struggles in chapter 2 with exactly that sense of repetition, it felt extremely appropriate to pull on a song that foregrounds loneliness and isolation.

Also, since Karlach/Durge is the secondary pairing of the fic, I really like how these lyrics also hint at Durge's memory loss and the problems that will start to occur when they do remember who they are.

Musically, there are a lot of similarities between the future and chance, but I like how Angel Olsen's more powerful voice contrasts with Spellling's delicacy, and the swapping of horns for strings suggests a more sad and lonely vibe.

Chapter 3 - Send in the clowns by Frank Sinatra

Don't you love farce? My fault, I fear I thought that you'd want what I want Sorry, my dear!

The strings carry us out and bring us back in for song three. This is the chapter where Astarion and Tav briefly connect and then become even more distant, so a song that's about missed timing in love felt deeply appropriate.

On another level, this whole song is full of ironic understatement, which is so Astarion to me. I mentioned in my music headcanon post that I think he'd be a Sondheim fan, and this is exactly why. This is the one song that I can truly imagine Astarion actually saying the lines to. And if you know the story of the song, the line one who keeps tearing around, one who can't move feels so fitting as a description of the issues Astarion and Tav have tended to have.

Chapter 4 - Ghosts by Laura Marling

Opened up his little heart Unlocked the lock that kept it dark And read a written warning Saying "I'm still mourning over ghosts Over ghosts that broke my heart before I met you" Lover, please do not fall to your knees It's not like I believe in everlasting love

I think this might be the first song that's more Durge than Astarion. They are, after all, the Haunted One. But it's very appropriate for Astarion too, really, both in the sense of being haunted by his victims from his time under Cazador, and in this fic, being haunted by his memories of his first life and the way that he struggles to develop friendships in this timeline.

Musically, we're still right in the same zone as the previous songs, keeping a strong focus on a single singer backed with strings. Which is perhaps a little dull, though I love all of these artists and I think they all bring something unique to the table. It also fits the fic, which spends its first four chapters with Astarion feeling like he can't escape repetition and sameness.

Chapter 5 - The Place Where He Inserted the Blade by Black Country, New Road

Darling, the rest of my body It's yours, then I know you're scared Well, I'm scared too Oh, that every time I try to make lunch For anyone else, in my head I end up dreaming of you

We start with piano, and then horns, very much in keeping with what we heard from the previous tracks, but I think this track does introduce new elements to the playlist. Specifically the vocals get louder and grittier and angrier than the previous songs.

Narratively, I think this song applies super literally to a lot of what happens in the chapter. Astarion and Tav make up, having realised that trying not to be in love isn't working. I love that it uses darling in the chorus, very Astarion coded. And the phrase "the place where he inserted the blade" works as a fun reference to Raphael, who shows up at the end of the chapter to ruin everything. Which also fits nicely with the slightly more energetic and frustrated-sounding lyrics.

Chapter 6 - Adelaide by Requin Chagrin

Amour déchu, froissé et tordu Passion glacée partie en fumée La nuit est remplie de débris La lune ne retient pas la pluie Je ne remarque pas le ciel

Le jour tombe si tard

(Fallen love, crumpled, twisted Freezing passion, gone up in smoke The night is full of debris The moon doesn't hold back the rain

I don't notice the sky The day arrives so late)

I love how this song almost sounds upbeat when you start listening to it, and then shifts into something shoegaze-y and intensely bleak. It's a very short song, but full of despair, which Astarion spends all of chapter 6 wallowing in.

I've tried not to lean too heavily on star/moon references in this playlist, but "the moon doesn't hold back the rain" is such a great line, and it plays into Eilistraee's lunar connections. And I have kind of leaned into some day/night references in this playlist, and here's one of them. The day arrives so late indeed. Why, it's almost the name of the fic...

Chapter 7 - Sax Rohmer #1 by the Mountain Goats

And I am coming home to you With my own blood in my mouth And I am coming home to you If it's the last thing that I do

If I was hoping for any plausible deniability that I'm not just hitting the fanmix greats with this playlist, it went out the window as soon as I put the Mountain Goats on here. But look, the classics are classics for a reason.

This is the chapter where Astarion reads Tav's diary and resolves to rescue her from Avernus, and I really wanted a song that hits the feeling of missing someone and wanting to see them again, but with an edge of violence. And I truly, truly don't know a song that pulls off that feeling better than this one.

This is also another song that really works as a Durge song. Especially for some of their later stuff (chapter 13, for example). Our horrible little Bhaalspawn is all about the blood, after all.

Chapter 8 - Blue Bucket of Gold by Sufjan Stevens

Friend, why don't you love me? Once the myth has been told The lens deforms it as lightning Raise your right hand Tell me you want me in your life

This is the Durge + Astarion song for me. They both just need each other to be a friend when they're struggling! I also like the references to myths and lightning. Appropriately fantasy bullshit for a fantasy canon. And the way that all of Sufjan's songs are infused with a deeply religious tenor is super appropriate for a fic that has a lot about faith and gods in it.

Musically, we're right back to slow and sad. This fic has a musical comfort zone, as I think you can tell. Maybe it makes the playlist feel cohesive, maybe it makes it all sound a bit samey. Who am I to say?

Chapter 9 - Life During Wartime by Talking Heads, reinterpreted by DJ Tunez

You make me shiver, I feel so tender We make a pretty good team Don't get exhausted, I'll do some driving You ought to get you some sleep

Burned all my notebooks, what good are notebooks? They won't help me survive My chest is aching, burns like a furnace The burning keeps me alive

I originally had the Talking Heads version on here, and obviously I do think that's a banger, but then I heard this cover, and I really loved its slower tempo, as well as the use of horns that links it to so many of the other tracks on this playlist.

Musically and narratively, I think this is a fun departure from the other songs. It's funky, it's smooth, it's not really about love, or at least not only. I like how this picks up on the feeling of a long campaign, which is another element of the story. I also like the way the lyrics I quoted link to the sense of connections of solidarity that Astarion has started to build at this point in the fic. And even though Astarion doesn't burn Tav's diary, I really like the lyric about notebooks, it's a fun connection. And this song, more than any of the others, is Karlach's song, since she is also such an important part of the fic.

Chapter 10 - Void by Melanie Martinez

Pipe down with the noise, I cannot bear my sorrow I hate who I was before I fear I won't live to see the day tomorrow Someone tell me if this is Hell

The lyrics for this song are so wildly on point for the conversation Astairon and Tav have in chapter 12 that my jaw dropped when I found it. (I promise that that was after I had written and posted the chapter adkjfhajkdhf)

I originally had this as the chapter 12 song, but it's just a bit too bleak for the chapter where Tav and Astarion finally reconcile. So I thought I'd make it the soundtrack for chapter 10 instead, the chapter where these problems are on full display, even if the characters haven't voiced them yet.

Musically, this song is just a great mix of bleak and bop, and a really fun follow on from the DJ Tunez track. One of the things I love about making a story playlist is getting to find new music for it, and Melanie Martinez was a great discovery.

Chapter 11 - True Faith by New Order

I used to think that the day would never come I'd see delight in the shade of the morning sun My morning sun is the drug that brings me near To the childhood I lost, replaced by fear

So, this song is not quite right. I love some of the lyrics, particularly I feel like I'm in motion, a certain sense of liberty, and I love the image of the sun rising and world changing, and being able to reclaim something you thought you'd lost. But. This is a song about getting that by taking drugs, and there is a really bleak, dark undercurrent to it when you listen closely. I've taken too much, of the things that cost you too much. Really, I think this is the song for Ascended Astarion. But I could not find anything (ANYTHING) that quite fit what I was going for. I wanted optimistic and upbeat and about rediscovering liberty and a sun metaphor, and nothing else fit. (If you know of anything, shout it out. Please.) And Ascended Astarion is also a character in this story, so eventually I just flung my hands up and left this song in.

Musically, this is as britpop as it gets, a fun twist on the very singer/songwriter heavy vibes of this playlist.

Chapter 12 - Heavy Seas of Love by Damon Albarn

Heavy seas of love, radiance is in you As above, so below on the heavy seas of love Heavy seas of love, we come together in you Counting out the new moons on the heavy seas of love

More britpop, Specks? Alas, yes. I had a loose idea of putting a Gorillaz track somewhere on this playlist, thinking vaguely of On Melancholy Hill, but this track was the one that deeply grabbed me.

There's something about the phrase heavy seas of love that really speaks to me about the weight of what it means to love someone, which is what chapter 12 is all about, and then on top of that "radiance is in you" is such a lovely description of the way that Tav and Astarion see each other. Plus, another new moon reference.

Musically, we're not leaving the zone, but I do think Brian Eno being on this song adds a little something special to it.

Chapter 13 - Souvenir by Bump of Chicken

[English translation of the lyrics:

Where did we come from, where did we go, on this journey to find each other?

I know nothing of your yesterday, or your tomorrow, on this way home

How many times have you smiled at me through the downpour?

From a world further away than the moon, I've followed you home]

From britpop to jrock. Truly the wildest swing this playlist takes, and it's to an anime opening. And not just any anime, but Spy x Family, lol. I do actually love this song, though, and I love how hopeful this song is. It felt nice to lean into something so sincerely sweet and optimistic after how heavy most of the playlist was.

Also, this song just felt appropriate for both a Karlach/Durge song and a Tav/Astarion song, as well as being readable as an Astarion and Durge song. I love the metaphor of memories becoming souvenirs of the journey it takes to get home, as well as the idea of home being people rather than a place. All strong themes of the fic as a whole. Oh, and more moon references.

Chapter 14 - Over and Over by Beach House

Out of nothing comes the moonglow And all that is left (and all that is left) Around you When all the lights go down

One by one, they open Forever and ever

This was the first song I chose for the playlist, and for a while it was the opening track, but eventually I decided that it was more fitting as an ending, not a start.

Over and over is the theme of the whole story, in a way. What it means to repeat your life. I love how tender and soft this song is, how it makes repetition into something beautiful. And it's a song about stars - what a fitting end to a story about Astarion.

Narratively, the tenderness of this song also fits for me with the choice he makes, to risk repeating a third time in order to be honest with his friends about what he's been through.

Chapter 15 - Nessun Dorma by Luciano Pavarotti

[English translation of lyrics]

Set, stars! Set, stars! At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

Could there be any other final track for this playlist? Musically, a pun on the theme of repetition, since this is the song that named the first fic in the series. It also fits for a chapter that covers so much of the time period of that first fic.

But also, this is THE Astarion song to me. At dawn, I will win. I love the beauty and triumph of it. It's so perfect for how his story ends (spawn ending, at least). And, you know, it's got the star-based lyrics. So there you go.

[takeurpickindie]

* wishlist !

SLICE OF LIFE

marriage, babies, infertility, adoption - all is welcome, at all times!

the president of the usa came to power as a single person and then falls in love at the beginning of their term - with someone of the same sex. how will america react? 

partners at the police - or a detective and a medical examiner - don’t like each other and it’s a slow burn towards a romance, would LOVE to have it be set in the 70s or 80s. preferably QUEER.

divorced people falling back in love after their divorce is finalized.

bully and bullying victim falling for each other 10+ years after high school ended

people getting together who have very different religious backgrounds

tw transphobia - is love blind? when one party of a cis, straight couple comes out as trans - how will it affect the partner? will they be accepting, or not? will they question their own identity, explore or simply refuse to continue the relationship?

polyamorous pairings! yes!

give me a liberal x conservative talk show host f/f pairing. like… s*rah haines x m*ghan mccain vibes or something. like they’re on a show like the v*ew and one can be married or both single, and they spar on the show but eventually fall in love… ugh the back stage make out sessions. please, someone - gimme

ROYALTY

lgbtqia+ royal x lgbtqia+ royal - modern times - they are in love and ready to rest the bounds of their countries’ laws. 

lgbtqia+ royal x lgbtqia+ royal - modern or historical times - a lavender marriage between two gay royals to produce an heir and a spare, but maybe they end up becoming friends? or even more? or are they a groundbreaking couple who give each other room to have other partners outside of the marriage? could be mumu.

lgbtqia+ royal x lgbtqia+ commoner / lower nobility - historical times - they met and fell in love. to be able to marry, they must go to fairly extreme lengths, where the commoner’s gender expression becomes so that when they wed, everyone assumes they are male and female - but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

lgbtqia+ royal x lover

lgbtqia+ royal x multiple wives/husbands/partners

HISTORICAL

the roman empire, set in the greek world, exploring ancient cultures - i’m all for it! based on assassin's creed maybe.

rich x poor - completely forbidden, they aren’t meant for each other, and a super unlikely couple but they try to make it work.

queer couples in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s - yes!

FUTURISTIC

based on detroit become human. a human and an android fall in love. i’d love for them to fight for android rights, adopt a child, etc.

partners are assigned based on DNA tests or personality compatibility tests.

WARTIME

when the men are off at war (set in either wwi or wwii), two married women who are alone find comfort in each other’s arms. what will they do when their husbands return? will they sneak around? will they be able to distance themselves from each other? will their husbands find out? will they divorce, lose their children or will the two couples learn to… appreciate each other?

two soldiers at war who fall in love - either fighting for the same country/alliance or even enemies on the battle field - this can be in modern or ancient times.

SMUT

a/b/o plots are definitely wanted, and i love to do some world-building around it. different packs (natural packs who live in the woods, urban packs who live in cities, etc). i’m open to arranged pairs, or forbidden pairings

cults. give me all the smutty cults. 

post-apocalyptic repopulation plots are always wanted. assigned partners and deadlines for producing children - literally.

set in a D/s world where there are specific rituals to claim a partner (submissives choose their dominants before power is freely given to the dominant, either role proposes a match and they draw up a contract, public ‘mating’ rituals to make a claim, dominants just pick and choose a random submissive, etc)

[asifyoucouldoutreadme]

The Empress of all Maladies by AsIfYouCanOutReadMe on AO3.

81,249 word WIP - posts weekly

TWs: wartime violence, references to self-harm and abortion

The Vibes: The one with a dying Death Eater Draco who blackmails Hermione (fresh from 5 years w/o magic in witness protection) into soul bonding with him to heal damage from dark magic. Featuring: Mad Scientist Theo, unhinged Spy Master Blaise, wartime politics, morally gray Order, experimental magic, blood rites, SLOW SLOW burn enemies to lovers and Crookshanks. Frankenstein/Jane Eyre gothic horror vibes. Dual POV.

Summary: Hermione Granger has been hidden in muggle America for five long years after the death of Harry Potter during the Battle of Hogwarts, constrained by an Unbreakable Vow to live separately from the magical world and renounce all magic. Until one day her handler appears to bring her back into the world she left behind. Draco Malfoy is the Dark Lord's ultimate weapon, the leader of an elite group of Death Eaters: The Maladies. But injuries and dark magic have started to take their toll and Theo & Blaise are desperate to preserve his standing and all their lives. Together Hermione and Draco will forge a bond powerful enough to tip the scales of war - but to what end?

[urdreamgirls-dreamgirl]

Wait love all this but ALSO

Robin as Evie, Steve as Rick, Eddie as Jonathan????? Obviously strictly platonic soulmate vibes between Robin and Steve and Eddie is just kind of a distraction, derailing Steve’s cool action hero stunts. And then they fall in love. Nancy is one of the American adventurers w Jonathan (Byers this time) and maybe Argyle but they all live lol no one’s eyes or tongue get stolen.

Definitely Tommy as Beni and it’s all “former lover during wartime exacerbating the betrayal” vibes between him and Steve 🙏

THE MUMMY STEDDIE AU????????????