#a world with more sparrows in it for queue

[wardensantoineandevka]

it's always painful when a fic characterizes your faves badly, but it's truly an unbearable torture when there's barely any fics with them, not even as supporting cast, and then in one of their rare appearances, they're characterized something truly godawful

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

Oh, indeed. There is an incredibly popular quote used in probably hundreds of jonsa graphics and a few metas and no doubt a lot of videos by now, "Stone and snow, that was all that was left of Winterfell. Just like her and Jon." I have no idea where it originally came from, some 2011/2-era fanfic or graphic edit, but it certainly does not come from GRRM. Heck, it's not even grammatically correct and not even really GRRM's style (not that that's ever stopped anyone).

And yet, a few years ago, a jonerys friend asked me to proofread their meta disputing various jonsa claims… and within their essay, they had spent 6-8 paragraphs disputing this quote. 🤦‍♀️ They were extremely surprised to hear it was not actual ASOIAF text that they needed to consider.

And there's so much out there, just like this. Another pervasive one, non-ship related, is “a harp in the tomb, a child in the womb, a dragon in a stone egg”, a nice bit of poetry sourced only from a theory essay postulating Rhaegar's harp is in Lyanna's tomb. People have come to me going, "but that theory must be true, I mean, the poem!" and I had to gently explain he drew the receipts himself.

(lol, well, I say not ship-related even though it's R+L=J, but I tend to think of those obsessed with it (particularly that essayist) more as theory-obsessives rather than ship-obsessives. Not to slight shippers, I'm one myself, but it's a different kind of attitude for text analysis and projection, focusing less on proof of love specifically.)

But yeah, made up or misread jonsa theories are hilariously pervasive -- "the girl in grey" for one (it's Alys Karstark, who came to the Wall as a girl in grey riding a dying horse escaping a forced marriage. GRRM gave the answer in the book the prophecy appeared ffs, the whole story point of the prophecy is that Jon sent Mance and the spearwives to Winterfell to aid "Arya" and thus they ended up in Theon and Jeyne's storyline, but no, Sansa's going to do it all over again just because!) And my Ashford tourney crack theory they stole and misinterpreted (it was about Aegon, and about the fact nobody won the tourney because of Dunk (Sandor, lol, though I'll accept Brienne too), and I've seen people seriously considering it important even though I admit it's almost certainly coincidence and doesn't mean anything! Jonsas aren't the only ones of course, believe me I've seen some tremendous crack in my own ship, but I'm thinking specifically of cases like that where the actual text of the story (Alys Karstark, Mance, Jeyne, Theon; or the historical events of the tourney where Dunk and Egg met and Baelor Breakspear died) doesn't even seem to exist if you're only looking at edits and videos and other fanworks. It gives a wildly bizarre reading of the text if you've never actually read it.

And yes, twitter is full of these cases where the text has become irrelevant, where people make inferences and projections on top of distanced inferences and projections. Not to exclude worg and reddit, where people just make theories-on-top-of-theories, building up enormous cloud castles with no real foundation. Like the Southron Ambitions Conspiracy (textually, the rantings of a lonely paranoid woman), which developed (rationally) into the fan theory that "the STAB bloc formed to remove the Targaryens", but people use that as a basis for so much more, defaulting it as true, even though it is still only an unproven theory! And because it's maester-related and Targaryen-related, it's been mixed with the maester anti-magic conspiracy (very likely true, but also very shadily sourced within the text), into this enormous Protocols of the Elders of Hightower bizarre conspiracy theory that the Hightowers and Citadel want to control all of Westeros and killed all the Targaryens and dragons even the ones who were killed by each other and you can't trust the maester-written Fire & Blood in any way! except it's an inviolate text for the parts you want to be true and nothing is real but everything is, how dare you say otherwise.

Anyway, thank you so much re the term "sourcecreep" and that Jack Sparrow not-a-quote. Fascinating stuff.

@ilynpilled

ppl being more interested in Fandom than the actual source text is so real like they do have their own nonexistent text thats just a recycled concoction of the same bland fandom incorrect quotes tropes over and over again which deviates so much from the canon and they prefer to the actual thing lol

my favorite example of sourcecreep is the fact that if you go on reddit, pinterest, or facebook, or google image search 7 years ago, or flickr and photobucket if you're properly fandom old, you will find image edits of disney's jack sparrow with the quote overlay "the problem is not the problem. the problem is your attitude about the problem."

if you've seen enough of these edits (there are many thousands of them), you might even read those two sentences in his trademark cadence.

the problem here, though, is not anyone's attitude about the problem. it's that this quote has never appeared in any of the five films in which jack sparrow appears. nor in any of the video games he stars or guest-stars on. nor in any of the tie-in young jack sparrow novels or the film novelizations. it is not from a deleted scene or an early draft of any script. it's not from any of the disney park parades or firework shows in which jack is included as a face character with recorded speaking lines. it's not from the original ride or the re-dress of the ride post-dead man's chest.

this is a quote from the YA series the sisterhood of the traveling pants. one of the characters' coaches says it to them in one of the books because they are children in high school. there is no reason for it to be attributed to this character or this franchise besides one patient zero at some point or another 20 years ago making an image with a text overlay on picnik photo editor and uploading it to their livejournal or whatever.

anyway this is how asoiaf fans on twitter absorb information about their favs from the series and then post about it. i believe there are many such cases across fandom at large.

[bttfjanaury]

janAUry 2025!!

my sincerest apologies for the lateness, but i have FINALLY made the list! explanations for the various aus will be listed below! the rules remain pretty much the same - please respect the aus creators!

medieval au by @bg-sparrow - Featuring Marty as Prince of the Hill and Doc as the Royal Alchemist

clara in the 80s au by @itsthemorph- That one fic I have where Clara makes it on the delorean and comes to the future with the gang and then kinda regrets it for a second

weredoc au by @kit-screams-into-the-future - after a mishap with a bit of einstein's DNA and the power of Science, doc finds himself with a bit of a problem, if "a bit" means "11-feet-tall and very hairy and also not exactly human". basically he just turned himself into a dog man. a big, wet, sad dog man. taking the term "dog person" to new heights, doc and marty now have to figure out how restore doc to his previous state of being without anyone else in hill valley suspecting a thing. which is easy at first (doc's always been a bit of a recluse, so it's not like this is any different) but, of course, when have things like this ever stayed easy for long when it comes to these two...

spy x family au by @izzy-draws05 - Based on the anime Spy X Family! (I recommend reading a plot summary to get more details!) Doc is a scientist working for a spy agency, who needs a fake family to complete a mission. He adopts Marty, who as a young kid, escaped a lab that gave him the power to read minds. Queue found family and slice of life shenanigans while Doc tries to complete his mission, and Marty tries to help without revealing his secret and what he knows.

ashen pines au by @rose-of-pollux - In 1971, the Cold War goes hot, and Hill Valley is incinerated in an attempt to get Doc, who has escaped; with him is a 3-year-old Marty McFly, the only survivor of his family, and now his adopted son.

trinity trilogy au by @daryfromthefuture - marty ends up stuck in the 1940s permanently due to a delorean malfunction. shenanigans ensue when he ends up in los alamos with his adopted father, the 29-year-old doc, when the latter is recruited for the manhattan project.

everything everywhere all at once au by @stillpreoccupiedwith1985 - Basically Marty is aware and can access all universes. Here is a link, https://www.tumblr.com/stillpreoccupiedwith1985/745704523820089344/as-promised-my-everything-everywhere-all-at-once

zombie au (! multiple versions by multiple creators! ask either @jayisnotdrawing or @mundancheemudomo for more context, i am too lazy to copy all of it in here at the moment lmao)

stuck in the 60s au by @bri-to-the-future - marty ends up in 1967 based on the first draft of bttf 2. remember the lsd

spiderman au by @styxbugg - marty is spiderman (see the doc for last year's challenge for context! in fact, i can say that for a lot of these)

frankenstein au by @jayisnotdrawing - marty dies in the train experiment in 1885, and doc revives him with science. angst ensues.

mermarty au by @itsthemorph - see last year's document!

stuck in 1885 au (this one specifically refers to @daryfromthefuture's "until i get home". i think) - see last year's document!

time circuits series by @bg-sparrow - see last year's document!

the shadow's gambit/spies au by @aceofthyme - Summary: Spies? Spies! Doc is a technical agent working for a spy organization, and Marty is his apprentice/a junior field agent. Longer Explanation: Doctor Emmett L. Brown is a member of a top secret organization dedicated to ensuring world peace. As an agent in the technical and scientific department, he spends most of his days buried in research or working on various inventions. He enjoys his work, and it pays well, but there’s one problem: every senior agent is expected to take on an apprentice, and Doc hasn’t yet. Were he not so indispensable to the agency, he suspects he would have been ‘released from service’ long ago. Regardless, he can’t risk losing his position—he needs the funding, after all, and he doesn’t have much else lined up. When a teen is brought in as a suspect relevant to a new case, Doc is able to clear the boy’s name thanks to the power of science. He finds himself taking a liking to the kid, though, seeing something there that reminds him of himself. Before he can think about it, he offers the boy the apprenticeship—and Marty McFly immediately says yes.

around the world in 80 days au by @daryfromthefuture - marty and doc take over the roles of passepartout and phileas fogg based on jules verne's novel. marty, orphaned, is employed as a servant at emmett brown's house, who, as a result of a bet, is going to travel around the world in 80s days. read "the perils and the promise" on ao3 if you want it as a whole, but there's also clara and hurt/comfort because doc is marty's first employer to actively care about him and all the stuff

jennifer in 1955 au by @carrotsofthepirabbean - With Marty out of the picture due to an incident in Hell Valley, Jennifer goes back to 1955 to retrieve the almanac and repair the timeline

marty & the pinheads au by @stillpreoccupiedwith1985 - Think of the 2001 movie Josie and the Pussycats, but with Marty and his band. Based on the fact in the movies they are just The Pinheads, but in the musical it is now Marty McFly and the Pinheads. In Josie and the Pussycats, they were just the Pussycats first. So tons of music industry corruption and Marty getting temporarily brainwashed into being a snobby rockstar.

nutcracker au by @stillpreoccupiedwith1985 - Says on the tin, the nutcracker. Doc is Drosselmeyer, Marty is his nephew/The Nutcracker, and Jennifer is Clara (from the ballet/story not Clara Clayton)

royalty au by @professorsaber - see last year's document!

it's like utopia! au by @jayisnotdrawing - instead of doc, marty disappears upon arriving in citizen valley. cue doc dealing with nerd marty while trying to repair the timeline.

fenrir au by @madscientists1mp - After an invention mishap, a terrible white wolf starts to terrorize Hill Valley... and it looks all too similar to Doc. Can Marty help his friend cure his bloodthirsty dark side? Will Clara find out about her husband's bone-breaking transformations? Will the Men in Black claim him for dissection? Tune in to find out!

vincent au by @whosmurphy - see last year's document!

once upon a time series by @bg-sparrow- see last year's document!

miitopia au by @daryfromthefuture - marty is cast as the hero in the video game miitopia, and the other bttf cast joins him over the course of the adventure. au post is here!

alien doc au by @alex-a-fans - see last year's document!

local legend au by @styxbugg - see last year's document!

steampunk au by @stillpreoccupiedwith1985 - Yet another stuck in 1885, but this time Jennifer is with them in 1885. After Doc married Clara, Marty and Jennifer tie the knot and move to Kansas City. While they are there they discover an underground advancement of technology, using steam. They go to learn more as a way to see if they can use this to help get back to 1985, while also navigating their life in 1885.

jennifer in 1885 au by @kit-screams-into-the-future - what it says on the tin! jennifer has stayed concious through their time travels and now has to work with marty to save doc's life in 1885. so basically part 3 but if jennifer was there. she gets to be a cowboy yeehaw

soulmate au by @daryfromthefuture - see last year's document

for the alternate ones ALSO see last year's document! i will link it once again:

thank you all for your wonderful submissions! i can't wait to see what you create :D

[3-stones-deity]

about

hi! my main blog is @doyouremem8erme (you may know me as marcylore or ghostadventurespirit0rb if you followed me back in the day) and i was into amphibia from after true colors until about a year after season 3 ended. however...i have now gotten back into this silly frog show and wanted to dig up old art from that time in the fandom.

i focus primarily on art but will reblog old fandom posts that i enjoy as well! fics, shitposts, gifs, etc.

most of my posts come from the depths of my main blog but i also will go through other blogs. lmk if you dont like me reblogging old posts directly from you and ill be sure to get them from the source instead! its just more efficient to queue directly from another blog. i also use the new tumblr search operators to find posts from specific fandom eras!

important note: this blog serves as an archive of art i enjoy and while ill avoid reblogging from artists who were found to be problematic, they may still appear on this blog on occasion to catalog that old art. reblogs from them do not mean i support the actions of the artist in question.

current queue schedule: every 2 hours, 10am-midnight. i occasionally will post outside of that as well, usually for more presently circulating art.

my tags (and their sources if applicable):

#funny frog show - posts that are too sillay to get serious poetic tags but that i still like

#faves - personal fave posts. this blog is already curated so this tag is truly things i Think Abt A Lot

#your heart is an empty room with walls of the deepest blue - anne boonchuy (source: your heart is an empty room by death cab for cutie)

#burning cities and napalm skies，fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes - calamity anne (source: ocean eyes by billie eilish)

#and i was running far away，would i run off the world someday? - marcy wu (source: runaway by aurora)

#show me how to lay my sword down for long enough to let you through - sasha waybright (source: eight by sleeping at last)

#heaven knows，we're trouble prone，together until the end of time - sprig (source: trouble prone by oh geeez)

#sometimes the monsters turn out to be those who stood there by your side - andrias (source: nothing good from centaurworld)

#‘cause most of us are heaving through corrupted lungs - varies a bit, but intended for night!marcy and other marcy angst related to her possession (source: youth by daughter)

#lately my head's on fire and my voice is not my own - darcy/possessed marcy (source: awakening by oh geeez)

#when will we find a story that never ends - marcanne (source: @/calamity-unlocked's tags)

#our coming of age has come and gone - sashanne (source: peace by taylor swift)

#i can't make it go away by making you a villain - sashanne but angsty (source: happiness by taylor swift)

#i'm sending out smoke signals hoping i'll see yours too - sasharcy (source: smoke signals by cavetown)

#old partner in crime i’m going to try to fall in love with you again - sashannarcy (source: arms unfolding by dodie)

#we are the reckless，we are the wild youth - calamity trio/sashannarcy angst (source: youth by daughter)

#the story of the beast with those four dirty paws - anne & the plantars (source: dirty paws by of monsters and men)

#i promise you that soon the autumn comes to steal away each dream you keep - newt moms (source: rises the moon by liana flores)

#look for me on the sun-bright sparrow， i will come on the breath of the wind - yulivia (source: yankee bayonet by the decemberists)

#it's just a triptych in decay - barreleifdrias (source: death thrice drawn by the scary jokes)

#and you can aim for my heart，go for blood - true colors (source: my tears ricochet by taylor swift)

#quiet when i'm coming home，i'm on my own - season 3a (source: when the party's over by billie eilish)

#scattering sparks of thought energy，deliver me and carry me away - olivia & yunan (source: the mind electric by miracle musical)

#you're coming back and it's the end of the world - season 3b (source: i want you by mitski)

#dry your smoke-stung eyes so you can see the light，you're staring at the sky，watching stars collide - full calamity anne (source: shallows by daughter)

#your words they come to me in memories，they sing to me like songs - post-finale (source: ultimately by khai dreams)

[na-bird-of-the-day]

Hello and welcome to North American Bird of the Day! 🐦

Whether you're an avid bird enthusiast or just want to see cool bird pics, this blog can satisfy your bird-related needs!

As the name suggests, one bird from the continent of North America (yes, this includes Central America and the Caribbean) will be posted every day at 1:00 PM (EST).

While this blog primarily focuses on the bird species found in North America, I'm still happy discuss birds from all over the world! Just hit up my ask box! Also, feel free to request a bird for me to post :]

Join the Discord server! New members are always welcome!

Location tags:

Birds of the US

Birds of Canada

Birds of Mexico

Birds of Central America

Birds of the Caribbean

Ask tags:

Bird spotted! - Send me pictures of birds you find, I'd love to see them!

Bird identified! - Need help identifying a bird? I can try to help!

Bird sampler - Would you like me to give you a list of NA birds that fit a certain theme? I'd enjoy that a lot!

Request - Tell me any birds you would like me to post as bird of the day, and I'll add them to the queue!

Resources - Got any birding resources? Feel free to share!

Bird tags:

Auks

Blackbirds

Buntings

Chickadees

Cormorants

Corvids

Cuckoos

Doves

Ducks

Eagles

Falcons

Finches

Flycatchers

Geese

Grebes

Grosbeaks

Grouse

Gulls

Hawks

Herons

Hummingbirds

Kingfishers

Landfowl

Loons

Mimids

Nightjars

Nuthaches

Orioles

Owls

Parrots

Passerines

Petrels

Plovers

Quails

Rails

Raptors

Sandpipers

Seabirds

Shorebirds

Sparrows

Swallows

Swifts

Tanagers

Terns

Thrushes

Titmice

Trogons

Waders

Warblers

Waterfowl

Woodpeckers

Wrens

Vireos

Vultures

There are more, of course, but these are some of the biggest ones.

[cherryblossomshadow]

That's also why this meme exists. (comment courtesy of @firedragon1321)

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(comment courtesy of @oftengruntled)

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They have a certain worldview, and accepting information to the contrary would require them to re-examine everything they believe to be true about the world, which would be immensely destabilizing and devastating. #yknow speaking for a friend who knows people like this (comment and tags courtesy of @softness-and-shattering)

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As Robert Heinlein wrote, “Man is not a rational animal. Man is a rationalizing animal.”   The words “confirmation bias” also float through my head. People make decisions based on many things besides the facts of the case. Yes, even you. Do pause every now and then to check your assumptions. And don’t be so convinced that you are right that you start acting hateful to those who disagree. #adulting #confirmation bias #check your assumptions #true that #Robert Heinlein (comment and tags courtesy of @76ello)

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This is a fantastic description of what the term "confirmation bias" can actually mean. People generally don't make choices based on logic. We act based on our emotions, then our brain comes up with logic to justify it. (comment courtesy of @captain-acab)

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The phrase " (you also do this) " is such a raw, essential thing to read. Everybody should encounter and process that in a true context. - regularly. #self-reflection#humility#relativism#the moment anyone truly thinks they are unbiased and marinated in only truth they should shut up and re-examine (comment and tags courtesy of @breathing-chaos)

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More notes below the cut:

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Something I’ve always said is that it helps to think of good or bad actions rather than good or bad people. Everyone is capable of evil, just as everyone is capable of good. It’s a choice rather than something innate about ourselves. Always. #I was gonna elaborate on this but wow I can not find a way to word it properly #so #there you go #anyways yes I agree with all of this #text #politics #sam says #for queue (comment courtesy of @moonshine-angels)

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These are all good points, but in the US, it's not nothing that 25% of the population are part of an extremist religion that actively teaches you *not* to use critical thinking or examine your beliefs, so "raised in a cult" is a lot closer for a lot more people than I think OP realizes (comment courtesy of @sparrow-in-the-sea)

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ive read this list like four times and if it mentions "they were wrong because figuring things out is hard" I can't tell. which is bonkers, because that's the main reason like, it lists a lot of Social Reality reasons why people might be wrong, but it very notably excludes "actually they tried their best, they didn't make any obvious biased mistake, it just turns out it's hard to evaluate evidence" like damn imagine if the thing being discussed was, like, why do people get the answers to math problems wrong and you gave this list as a reason why. my guy it's because math is hard. and everything in the real world is way harder than math. Nevermind all the biases and emotions etc etc that get in the way: even if you were the Perfect Neutral Observer you would still fuck up constantly because figuring out what's true is fucking hard. the fact that we're not perfect neutral observers makes it harder but it would be an incredibly difficult problem anyway. (comment courtesy of @just-evo-now)

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We get it in the abstract. We all know everybody in this room makes mistakes. The human species, in general, is fallible -- okay fine. But when it comes down to me, right now, to all the beliefs I hold, here in the present tense, suddenly all of this abstract appreciation of fallibility goes out the window -- and I can't actually think of anything I'm wrong about. And the thing is, the present tense is where we live.

We go to meetings in the present tense; we go on family vacations in the present tense; we go to the polls and vote in the present tense. So effectively, we all kind of wind up traveling through life, trapped in this little bubble of feeling very right about everything. I think this is a problem. I think it's a problem for each of us as individuals, in our personal and professional lives, and I think it's a problem for all of us collectively as a culture. So what I want to do today is, first of all, talk about why we get stuck inside this feeling of being right. And second, why it's such a problem. And finally, I want to convince you that it is possible to step outside of that feeling and that if you can do so, it is the single greatest moral, intellectual and creative leap you can make. (emphasis mine) #ted talks #on being wrong #people are complicated #being wrong is part of life #I don't know; I might be wrong #we're all just stupid little blorbos toddling our single braincell down the road to disaster #my addition to a post (comment and tags courtesy of @krakenartificer)

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Also those last set of things (random luck, right place right time, natural environment) led you to recognise when you were having those natural doubling-down, confirmation bias type responses and, even if they felt good, question if they were stopping you from making a choice based on your own values (which are resultant of the abovementioned natural environment/random luck/right place right time etc. anyway, but a lot of people share theoretical values who believe in extremely different things). And lots of the time you find that your knee-jerk reaction was justified, but you keep asking those questions so when something comes along that makes you think Wrong! Bad! Gross! You actually parse it out and go, 'Actually, this isn't hurting anyone, it just gives me the ick. It isn't me cup of tea, but morally, it's fine.' That's a thing about figuring out how to be a better person. It involves a lot of actual figuring out. And sometimes that doesn't feel good because your instinctual feelings were off the mark and we don't like being wrong. (Or at least, I don't like being wrong. Maybe I'm wrong about that.)  But it stops us becoming people we don't want to be. #I think of this a lot when I write villains #which is very fraught anyway because so many bad guys have been racially or sexually coded as other #but I always think a genuine no-redemption-for-you bad guy shouldn't always be sympathetic but should always be in some way relatable #so when the heroes have that knee-jerk reaction of 'Oh I don't like that. That should stop!' like the bad guy #They can then have a Mitchell and Webb 'are we the baddies' moment and try to make better choices #not perfect choices but better ones #because making bad guys completely unrelatably evil bears no resemblance to most of the bad guys we see in the real world #or the bad guys we could so easily become if we didn't actively try to make better choices (comment courtesy of @glasscatowl)

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I'd like to submit one that doesn't seem to match those above (and it might, actually, it's possible I've misinterpreted something,) but just in case and because I think this is all important: They were taught an incorrect "fact" by a source they trusted (a teacher, a professor, a doctor,) and have never had a reason to question it / are not being given a reason to question it by a source they trust.  (You also do this.) To give a (somewhat) benign* example of this: the extremely common misunderstanding of wolf behavior. Many, many, many people were taught based on Mech's original publications at relatively young ages. Though people who are specifically into that subject are aware that Mech himself refuted his own work, the misinformation was already spread into the public psyche and there are many people who, to this day, earnestly believe that version without any kind of ill will or intent. And yes, those same people will often push back against being corrected. That can be for a lot of reasons, including the ones above, but also--possibly--because the person who is correcting them may be, ironically, less overtly credentialed than the person who told them the wrong information in the first place. Plenty of people who should know better are still pushing that narrative, after all. It's tempting to say that anyone being given a hint that there is different or conflicting information should just automatically go seek it out, but also consider that... there's only so much time and energy in anyone's day. Is someone who doesn't deal with wolves, has no real interest in wolves, and doesn't write an inordinate amount of wolf-related porn really going to go out of their way to delve into the mess of who is telling the truth about wolf behavior? Not likely. They're probably going to go with the version taught to them by the person they trust. *"Benign" : I'm aware that this specific bit of research has led to some seriously gnarly beliefs about human behavior (somehow) and otherwise dove-tailed into a lot of weird manosphere and tradwife nonsense. Not to mention animal abuse. That's actually part of why I picked it. The root belief here is fairly benign on its face, but when you know the evils that it's propping up it can be easy to have a knee jerk reaction to anyone who holds to that root belief. But they aren't the same. Treating them like they are can be heinously detrimental to everyone. But even if one does follow the other, being condescending or making bad faith assumptions about why the person believes what they believe will generally only make the situation worse, not better. #I agree with OP though I can't help but notice that all of their assumptions are somewhat... negative seeming #That doesn't make them wrong but there are also more... neutral things that people do. such as this #i really hope i don't regret speaking today (comment and tags courtesy of @cursedwithgloriouspurpose)

when the subject of "why do people believe things that are seriously wrong and harmful" comes up it feels like you kinda hear one of two perspectives:

"oh, that's easy! it's because they're fundamentally Bad people who want to hurt others and choose their beliefs to justify that! :) hope this helps"

or

"they just don't have access to the same information we do. look at this person who was raised in a cult! don't you feel sorry for her?"

and like, yes, fine, some people were in fact raised in cults, but what i wish people would understand is that the bulk of it is just normal human flaws, like:

they want to believe stuff that makes them feel smart and cool and like they've figured everything out (you also do this)

they want to believe stuff that makes them feel like their emotions are justified and grounded in reality, and that the people they want to hurt deserve to be hurt (you also do this)

they form conclusions before they've processed all the relevant information, and cling to that first impression even when new info comes to light (you also do this)

they pick up beliefs from the people around them because they want to be liked and fit in, not because the beliefs are good or true (you also do this)

they come up with reasons that the stuff that benefits them (and the people they like and identify with) is actually overwhelmingly best for everyone and obviously the right thing to do (you also do this)

they pay more attention to stuff that supports what they already believe and avoid looking in places that might show them otherwise (you also do this)

they listen to people who talk like 'one of them' and ignore others (you also do this)

they come up with reasons to dismiss people with conflicting viewpoints as obviously in bad faith or ignorant or a shill or evil (you also do this)

they fail to take their own beliefs seriously sometimes, and take their beliefs way too seriously other times, in a selective way that lets them do the things they already wanted to do (you also do this)

the very ways they construct the ideas of 'knowledge' and 'wisdom' and 'belief' and 'understanding' are biased so that what they don't want to believe comes under lots of scrutiny and what they do want to believe receives less (you also do this)

you, dear reader, are presumably right about everything and were correct to die on every hill you've ever died on, but the difference between you and someone who's wrong about important stuff doesn't look like "well they're inherently evil and i'm not", it probably looks like a combination of:

natural environment (they would have been exposed to different information than you regardless of their choices)

being in the right place at the right time (your particular profile of flaws and virtues happened to be what was needed to lead you to the right conclusions, they had the opposite experience)

random luck (you doubled down on what felt right to believe but wasn't, but it turned out to be inconsequential, or even right for different reasons, while they doubled down on what turned out to be a horrible mistake distorting their entire worldview)

you do less of the things in the previous list, and over time the difference between you and them adds up

and, look, i also do these things. the nicest and most thoughtful people i've ever met do these things. if you meet someone who never does any of these things, i dunno, give them a fucking medal or something.

i know you're doing your best. we're all doing our best.

[themothyards]

Witch Queen Gothic

This is the best Destiny has ever been, IGN tells you. You play through the campaign, delighting in the terrible beauty of the Witch Queen’s mind-fortress. Savanthûn is dummy thicc, the internet says. Your Postmaster is almost full, no matter how many items you delete.

The Cabal are your allies. You murder hundreds on your first trip to Mars. No one seems to mind. Somewhere beyond seeing, Savathûn waits for you in a mind-ship woven of ghostly dreams. There is a temporal shift on Mars, but you have no time to investigate the shimmering fields of time-lost corn. You must find Savathûn. You hold X to activate the generators. Your controller shivers with pleasure.

You know the eldritch goddess of deceit and cunning from the Books of Sorrow; intimately, as though she is an old friend. You know about the countless worlds she razed in her brutal worship of the Deep, about her endless deaths at the hands of her merciless sisters and the violent retribution she dealt in return. You have been waiting to meet her for more years than you can count. She is your teammate’s waifu, now. His name is Savathiccness.

The Hive have Ghosts now, like you. You crush one with your bare hands. It feels good. You wonder what it would feel like, to have your Ghost crushed. You wake up, wondering if the Hive care about perk rolls. 

Sometimes, the Postmaster has engrams for you. You don’t remember where they came from; you don’t know why some numbers are bigger and some are smaller. One day you will be Max Power, in time for Max Power to increase again.

You queue into Birthplace of the Vile. You must kill Scorn; you must wipe them from existence so that you can get a new gun. But everyone has the same goal, and there are never enough Scorn. Stop taking my kills, you yell into the microphone. No one can hear you. You load the strike again. You hear the sound of Savathûn’s laughter—you are the vile one, now. 

You delight in watching your power level rise, digit by agonizing digit. If Only Legs Would Drop, you think. There is an idea of a thing called a Soft Cap, but it is ephemeral, like cobwebs in sunlight. 

You visit Tess Everiss the Tower. You don’t know why. You don’t have any silver. You have never had any silver. You examine her rotating stock, but nothing is worth it. Nothing is ever worth it. Beside you, a Warlock named Eris Morn’s Eye Lube spends a thousand dollars on a sparrow you’ll never see. You open an Eververse engram. It is a blue Ghost projection. Tess smiles at you, her eyes white with static.

You pass a Titan leaping endlessly off the tower on your way to your Vault. He dies a thousand times as you compare ten nearly-identical rolls of Night Watch, kept from the last time you played. Months ago? Years ago? The Titan’s name is Savasnû-snû. What is he running from? You have never used a scout rifle. 

The Postmaster is almost full. You have six Red Herrings in your heavy inventory. Some are red. Why are they red? You have to delete them. You have to make room for the Postmaster. You examine their rolls. Every one is nearly identical. You don’t know what any of the perks do. You try to read about them, but it is too much for you. You move them all to your Vault. Your Vault is full, the game tells you. 

YouTube creators have published years’ worth of video within seconds of the release. They long for a balanced Crucible. Fusion rifles are broken. Abilities are broken. Stasis is broken. You don’t have stasis. You have a hand cannon and a shotgun. You join a match in progress, and die instantly to a super. Your Ghost revives you, and you cannot tell which of you is more disappointed.

The campaign ends. You have saved the world. All worlds, maybe. But an even greater evil is on its way. It was on its way seven years ago, but it is even more on its way now. Its name is the Witness. It is powerful. So powerful that perhaps it can balance the Crucible. You return to the Enclave to speak with Ikora. Who is Immaru? you ask. No one answers. A hunter named Witness Deez Nutz follows you, crouching maniacally.

The new seasonal artifact is another object of inscrutable power, birthed in the screaming void between infinite possibilities. You unlock the Unstoppable Hand Cannon mod. You have no idea what a “Champion” is. You have never known what a “Champion” is.

Your old clan-mates are online, sometimes. You cross paths with them at Hawthorne’s roost. She proselytizes to you about the importance of teamwork. You purchase a raid bounty that expires tomorrow. You launch the Strike playlist, alone.

You have never played the raid. You almost completed the first one, once, when Destiny 2 came out. There are dozens, now. You watch videos about raid strategy. None of the words make sense to you. Step On Me Rhulk, begs the internet.

You speak to Ikora. Ikora tells you to speak to Eris. Eris tells you to speak to Mara Sov. Mara Sov tells you to speak to a parasitic worm. Your worm is a weapon, now; you can hear its labored breathing when you sleep. You dream of Savathûn crushing your Ghost between her chitinous thighs.

You open LFG, swearing that this is the day you finally play a dungeon. KWTD, every post says. You don’t KWTD. Perhaps you never will.

You load into Iron Banner; six freelancers facing down Clan [TBAG]. Mara Sov’s Hot Mouth, is the name of one. Savathûn’s Thigh Gap, is another. Caiatl’s Thong Sweat, is a third. You are mercied within seconds. A blue sidearm drops. Your Postmaster is almost full.

[killmebutneverinsultme]

I posted 3,143 times in 2021

1218 posts created (39%)

1925 posts reblogged (61%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.6 posts.

I added 2,925 tags in 2021

#jack sparrow - 554 posts

#!crack - 514 posts

#jack answers anons - 429 posts

#dash commentary - 317 posts

#why is the queue always gone? - 230 posts

#anonymous - 228 posts

#outofrum - 228 posts

#sparrington - 164 posts

#jack aesthetic - 140 posts

#v: at world's end - 121 posts

Longest Tag: 118 characters

#the whole not having a timely confrontation between your villain and main character is ignoring rule 101 screenwriting

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

44 notes • Posted 2021-02-15 21:05:13 GMT

#4

Been thinking about that gay version of Jolly Sailor Bold today and it forced my hand to a Sparrington version:

Jolly Pirate Bold

Upon one summer’s morning, I carefully did stray

Down by the port of St Kitts, where I met a pirate gay

Conversing with a captain, who seemed to be in pain

Saying Sparrow, when you go, I fear you’ll ne’er return again

His hair, it hangs in dreadlocks, his eyes so rimmed with kohl,

My happiness attend him, wherever he may go,

Singapore to Tortuga, I’ll wander, beg and moan,

All for my jolly pirate, until he sails home

My heart is pierced by Cupid

I disdain all glittering gold

There is nothing can console me

But my jolly pirate bold

For him I left my old life, and squandered my career

I’d do it all a thousand times, to him my heart did steer

Come all you men and fair maids, whoever you may be

Who love a jolly pirate bold that ploughs the raging sea

While up aloft in storm, from me his absence mourn

And pray never arrives the day he’s never more to roam

52 notes • Posted 2021-03-02 20:00:01 GMT

#3

No one asked for this meta on Elizabeth but I went off this morning talking to my wall so it’s going on my blog.

I’ve seen a lot of backlash about Lizzie choosing to go back to civilisation, seemingly throwing aside all that she had become and ‘reverting’ to a dress-wearing homebody ‘settling’ for the traditional gender role she’d defied. That’s a valid point of view and it can seem jarring. There have, of course, been comments to the contrary in the fandom, whereby there’s nothing wrong with Elizabeth making that choice for it’s just as valid.

Allow me to blather on my perception of it. Or don’t. It’s my blog, shoo.

I feel this all keys in with this commentary over here, that Elizabeth comes into the story seeking an escape from her rigid, mundane life that had planned her future for her. She dreamed of the ideal of piracy. When she met Barbossa, he was a culture shock to her, but her determination on moulding the world to be what she wanted in her fairy-tale world still had an impact. It affected Barbossa and somewhat brought him to heel. In turn, she learned from him. All the pirates around her, all of the men around her, responded to her desires and wanted to see them become real. At the heart of it, the pirates wanted to be what she imagined them, that noble cause, that freedom of spirit, that rebellious but somehow good person. Ironically, Jack embodied a lot of what she wanted, yet he disappointed her with a reality she did not accept and he lacked the want for a fight.

Elizabeth’s dream demanded to be obeyed and anyone who resisted met with a brutal fate, sometimes of her own choosing. The moment Elizabeth realises that she’s been faking it ‘til she makes it is when she’s killed Jack. At that point, she has crossed the line from fantasy to reality. Piracy isn’t a beautiful, childish fancy where men and women can run off and be whoever they want. She realises she doesn’t want to be a pirate, not a real one, not if it means betraying and hurting those she loves. And in the end, Jack isn’t a true pirate, not like the others. He is the closest to her fantasy to exist. He is the impossible, unique creature no one else can be, and she’s left him to die.

But she won’t give up the part she has played. She owes it to herself, and everyone to whom she has inadvertently lied, to follow the story to its end. She has to help them fight against Beckett and she has to save Jack. She has to get what she set out for and be with Will, because what else has this all been for?

And Lizzie manages it. The story becomes true. She brings joy and life and the ideal to the Brethren Court, she helps Will realise who he is (for good and ill), and brings forth Jack’s legend. She plays the part she imagined for as long as it is needed, and only that kind of power can bring down a regime such as Beckett’s. Her dream makes the outcome of the War possible.

When it’s all over, she is glad to retire it, to close that book. She can start afresh and have the parts of her original life she always wanted. A husband. A place to call home. Children. All that, knowing that she can be more, that she is more, and she lived that adventure.

TL;DR Pirates of the Caribbean (1-3) is a coming of age story about a young woman who wanted more from life and to discover the means to her own independence and choice, and she did that by dreaming so forcefully that the world believed in it, too. It took living through that to realise who she was, what she wanted, and the consequences of her naivety, as well as how wonderful the world can be and what it can learn from Elizabeth Swann.

52 notes • Posted 2021-10-27 18:21:45 GMT

#2

Jack: You know, the first thing you said to me was ‘on your feet’.

Norrington: ...

Jack: I bet you wish you’d said...

Norrington: Don’t you d-

Jack: On your knees :U

75 notes • Posted 2021-04-15 17:57:33 GMT

#1

154 notes • Posted 2021-05-31 13:10:52 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[emcads]

I posted 2,478 times in 2021

946 posts created (38%)

1532 posts reblogged (62%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.6 posts.

I added 2,870 tags in 2021

#✘; in this world or the one below ( queue ) - 605 posts

#✘; i have seventy two exams and i have not studied for one ( ooc ) - 476 posts

#✘; letters ( answered ) - 355 posts

#norringtxn - 350 posts

#✘; loose，catch the wind ( meme response ) - 261 posts

#✘; otp: i’m dreaming tonight of your face in the morning，of sparrows，not squalls，of my hand ‘round your waist ( james & esmeralda ) - 243 posts

#✘; i am the swallower of sins. the lust goddess without guilt. the delicious debauchery. ( musings ) - 208 posts

#✘; a merry life and a short one ( aesthetic ) - 154 posts

#✘; & really bad eggs ( devilry ) - 121 posts

#// tbd - 97 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#✘; verse: no more keeping score，now i just keep you warm，& my waves meet your shore ever & evermore ( norringtxn & killmebutneverinsultme )

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

ok i love potc and black sails both a lot but I think where black sails is all about the gritty, political, bloody reality, potc is the story and myth. potc is the wild, adventurous narrative –– mermaids, sea monsters, cursed gold, buried hearts, and pirate kings  ––  sailor’s yarns from a sailor’s perspective. ( i.e. the “sea turtles” aspect of jack’s narrative about his escape from rumrunner’s island ) because the political reality isn’t absent from potc –– read: jack’s mutiny, norrington’s (and gibbs’) disgrace, the threat of british imperialism personified in beckett –– but they’re not in the foreground. the stories obscure the truth. 

83 notes • Posted 2021-03-02 23:27:50 GMT

#4

happy birthday lesbians

83 notes • Posted 2021-04-27 00:59:29 GMT

#3

See the full post

113 notes • Posted 2021-09-09 21:56:10 GMT

#2

even though dmc and awe technically have two villains, I made this chart to explain why beckett is the real villain. hope this helps

121 notes • Posted 2021-11-24 04:44:22 GMT

#1

we all talk about elizabeth’s kiss of death but i want to talk about how every ship james ever sails on  ( the dauntless,  the interceptor,  the pearl,  the endeavor )  ends up at the bottom of the ocean with the exception of the dutchman,   which is the ship that he himself dies on

524 notes • Posted 2021-11-17 19:16:27 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[hydraulicfluidinmyteapot]

Pirates of the Caribbean

This is an ask from @shrigma-male​, but i accidentally deleted the ask.. so sorry! I am high key excited to get an ask about this topic, as the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is probably one of my earliest animatronic centric obsessions. not only is it one of the earliest and most impressive feats of Imagineering, it also remains solid to this day. it houses a great many iconic animatronic figurines, all of which work together in perfect harmony to capture beautifully life filled scenes of a cohesive storyline. Its individual ride concept was so strong that it birthed a line of clones and even a famous movie franchise. isn’t that sick? a RIDE was the key source material for a whole movie series! but it’s unsurprising, with the time and care poured into the ride. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you think about it, the ride is JAM PACKED so there is a LOT to talk about. This will only be a super brief post information-wise, but who knows? There may be more to come if this performs well. Apologies, my life’s not going great at the moment and i don’t have a lot of spare time so this is not as high a quality as i would like it to be.

Here’s my fast fact file on it!

Debut: March 16, 1967

Withdrawal: All rides are still operating

Attraction: The Pirates of the Caribbean 

Locations: Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Shanghai Disney (but this one’s heavily modified)

Attraction Type: Dark ride

Riders Per Vehicle: 23–24

Number of vehicles:  50

Animatronics: 119 ish but it depends on the ride version

Ride videos: The entire ride varies from version to version and different people want to see different parts. i’m leaving you guys to find your own ride videos. it’s a very popular ride, just type on in to youtube and you’ll find heaps of nice high quality ones. 

The thing that stands out about this ride is the theming and the sheer amount of effort put in to creating an immersive environment. the ride houses an impressive 119 audio animatronics, 53 of which are animals. There are 630,000 gallons of water in the ride (original Disneyland) and takes three whole days to drain. there are over 40,000 gold coins in the treasure room scene alone. It holds what could possibly be considered Disney’s first themed restaurant which can be seen at the start of the ride. It is objectively one of the coolest things I’ve ever ridden. I want to call specific attention to the boat scene, where cannons fare at each other from opposite ships, creating glowing impacts and throwing water about. the first time I rode it it ensnared my attention and completely suspended my disbelief.The ride system is based on the one used in it’s a small world, due to that rides incredible success in debuting a boat-based transport system. Although I hate it’s a small world with a burning passion and refuse to write anything on it, I must be forced to admit that it did wonders as a test on how to create a good dark ride, emphasising key features such as a high rider capacity, boat-based transport system, and proving that animatronics are an incredibly attractive key event. Since the 60’s when it debuted, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride has gone through many changes throughout its location, including entire scenes being added and removed. but what it has maintained throughout its historic run time is its notoriety and splendour. the key change that I will bring up is the 2006 and 2007 renovations that include more theming from the very successful movie franchise. slightly unrelated, but the song “Yo ho, a pirate’s life for me” was actually first written for the ride. The rides are all being constantly updated in minor ways whether it’s slightly improving the animatronics, touching up background details or changing costuming. I’ll attach here a brief sort of timeline of the ride that I’ve whipped up here, but it only touches on the most notable modifications. sorry about how crap-tier it is..

Now, to talk more specifically about animatronics. The animatronics used on this ride are some of the earliest made by Disney. some are really quite basic, with their full range of motions being a singular full body action such as raising and lowering out of a barrel, but others move heads and arms in (sort of) lifelike actions. Some are newer, (specifically captain Jack Sparrow), but most are the original ones from the 60’s. One of my (and everyone’s tbh) favourites is the redheaded lady. She is (very originally) named Redd. Previously she was being sold off for auction, but in 2018 she was swapped to being an auctioneer. She has stunning red curls and a beautiful dress to match, and now holds a gun. here’s a little before and after.

 in the same refurbishment that changed her the mist screen in the tunnel before the fort battle was removed and replaced with a pirate in a cage who turns into a skeleton via an optical trick as well as an octopus playing with some medallions, along with the original 1967 narration about cursed treasure being restored. Her new version is based off none other than Anne Bonny herself (worth a google, she’s a fucking BOSS (like seriously!! Queer history icon!!! LOOK 👏 HER 👏 UP 👏 )) . She’s also displayed in dead man’s cove in a portrait, which I think is kinda neat. Her Paris version is completely silent, but the others yell about selling rum. Sadly I have never actually seen the new Redd in person, as I have only ridden the ride in Tokyo (where she is still being sold).

Now, the barker bird! oh how I love him so <3 he’s a little green pirate parrot, who spent his days crying about the ride. he was originally in the queue area but got kicked outside eventually to help deal with crowd control. he was then gotten rid of in 2006 in the big movie refurb. He was remarkably similar to the original barker bird who resided outside of the Enchanted Tikki Room; however, the pirate version has a peg leg, eye patch, tattoo on his chest and wondrously villainous hat. he was originally based off of Captain Flint, the parrot from Treasure Island. It is theorised that he has a skeletal clone inside the ride; the parrot belonging to “the Dirty Feet pirate”. 

When you first get on the ride, the first animatronic you come across is Old Joe. he is an animatronic character used in multiple different attractions, including Liberty Belle Riverboat, The Western River and Mark Twain Riverboat. in each version, he lives in a shack and is associated with the banjo. I say associated because it is actually a really common misconception that he actually plays the banjo. he does not, it is just a dark scene and there is banjo music playing around him. you can see the tip of his pipe glowing as you approach it in the ride, lit up alongside the fireflies. he is a small taste of what is to come.

Barbossa replaced the original pirate captain of The Wicked Wench in the boat battle scene in the mass movie renovation. he is my tied favourite with the redhead, as his dialog adds so much to the scene. his character moves in a beautiful fashion, lit up by a spotlight. His face is artfully painted, capturing what I believe to be the most human expression in the entire ride. His boat is fighting a Castillo del Morro fortress of Isla Tesoro, whilst busy searching for treasure and presumably captain jack sparrow. in 2011 his WDW version’s outfit was swapped over to his privateer uniform from On Stranger Tides, to keep the ride tied to the movies. What can be considered quite odd is that in Paris’s later renovation, the Captain did not replace the Wicked Wench captain, and was rather added in to a scene at the end of the ride, in the skeleton grotto. he is standing on the shipwreck beside the skeleton helmsman, carrying a lantern. 

The auctioneer. I don’t like him. greasy man. his eyes are wild. He’s originally voiced by Paul Frees (an icon, a legend) and is inspired by Captain Bartholomew Roberts (considered the most successful pirate in the golden age of piracy. He is also a pirate from the ship The Wicked Wench, and his auction is set up near a canteen called "La Cantina”. very creative. He was originally selling brides (human trafficking, not very snazzy) but now he sells chickens he stole from townspeople. however, this is unsuccessful. In the Paris version, instead of the chickens he is trying to sell a painting of Jean Laffite. Funnily enough, Jean is one of Disney’s sort of “stand in” pirate characters that they frequently just use whenever they need a pirate to slide in. Unfortunately, the auctioneer is always kept relatively up to date with the shiniest, newest technology that Disney can spare, and is always one of the most advanced figures on the ride. doesn’t deserve it, he’s slimy and I don’t like him. I should probably mention that he doesn’t actually have a name other than the auctioneer. There’s also a clone of him used in the haunted mansion for the duelling animatronics. loser. 

This is a very long post, so I shall cut it here. I will leave you with an image gallery, further reading and a possible promise of a part two if this post does well. Thank you!

(ok so i actually haven’t got any further reading gathered yet. give me like 6 hours and ill fix it in an edit. i promise. i just want to get this post out asap)

[wardensantoineandevka]

What's your queue tag in reference too?

My new queue tag "a world with more sparrows in it for queue" is a reference to a quote from Dragon Age: The Veilguard, by Antoine to his wife Evka: "But selfishly—if you are reading this—I tried to make a world with more sparrows in it for you." It's also my blog title, and it's all to match my current url.

The context is that it is written by Antoine to Evka in a letter that she is to read after one of them goes to meet their death in the Deep Roads, as Wardens are supposed to. It is essentially a love letter. It appears in a Codex entry:

[montmartre-parapluie]

Top Ten Queries for Dead Men Tell No Tales That Really Bug Me:

Thanks to @tockamybeloved​ and @intricatecaprice​ for chatting with me about this.

I’m a history nerd. I admit that. And I ALSO admit that I really shouldn’t look for historical accuracy in a movie franchise that includes the Fountain of Youth, mermaids, fish-men, and “Poseidon’s Tomb”.  But hear me out on my delayed thoughts from 2017...

1) The Poseidon Adventure: 

Is the Greek Pantheon actually part of the POTC canon now, re “The Trident of Poseidon”? When (and HOW?) did Poseidon die? Why isn’t it Calypso’s Trident, given how she is pretty much THE all-powerful sea-goddess in the previous movies? Why am I thinking about this when the screenwriters clearly didn’t?

2) The “?” on how Will is still cursed: I’ve seen some really great, detailed headcanons on why this happened, so this is more a niggle directed at the movie.WHY did they press rewind on the AWE small-print on the curse? I thought his freedom all depended on Elizabeth being faithful for ten years - which she clearly was, when he returns in that post-credit At World’s End scene! Is the movie suggesting Elizabeth had a tawdry affair whilst Will was busy being an undead psychopomp? That really takes something away from the reunion scene...

Hi Honey! Sorry about that bonus curse extension...

3) Carina Smyth, “Born of the Devil”:

*weary sigh* What. Just... what. Witchcraft trials. This is about... seventy to eighty years too late for Salem: The Tropical Beach Years, guys. If you’re going to have the British villain arrest and hang your feisty, educated young female protagonist for witchcraft, at least have him do it in a year when that would reasonably make sense. The 18th century is called the age of Enlightenment, people. Your average smelly pirate/superstitious villager might believe in it, but...please don’t have the scientific instrument-seller shouting about witches because your female character knows science . Especially when the actual witches in your canon are more of the ‘human skulls and rats in cauldrons’ type. It looks, and sounds, stupid. 

4) The Tragic Waste of David Wenham

Admittedly, this is more of a hang-up from my old-timey Faramir crush, but WHY? Why waste this pointless cameo role on a talented actor like David Wenham? We get a cardboard cut-out villain who has such stale lines as ‘The Power of the Trident belongs to the British Empire!!’ and not a jot of characterisation. You might as well call him Lieutenant Badguy.

(Not to mention, history niggle here- what is a BRITISH Lieutenant doing on the Dutch/French owned colony of St Martin giving orders like he owns the place? I think the French and Dutch would have had something to say about that, boyo!) 

5) ‘Never Betray the Compass.... apart from the last 1,982,734 times you did.’

I don’t like to count how many times Jack gave the compass to Elizabeth/Will/Barbossa/Jack the Monkey various other characters in the previous movies, only for this rule to turn up now and suddenly be a big deal. This is a plot-hole as big as Poseidon’s Tomb, and it’s not getting any smaller the more I look at it. (Also: What exactly counts as ‘cheating on’ the compass? Is this strange rule based on not hurting the compass’ feelings?) 

6) Elizabeth doesn’t bother to rescue Will? SERIOUSLY?! 

This should be further up the list near point 2.We had three movies all about the power of Elizabeth and Will’s love. THREE. This was NOT a small plot point - these two adorable idiots take on the East India Company, the dead, fish-people, heck, and most of piratedom, just to be together. There is no way in HELL Elizabeth is just sitting, chin in hands, in her lighthouse, letting Will carry on being cursed for no good reason, AND letting her young son risk his life trying to find a cure. That is just... NO. BAD MOVIE. BAD/

7) Join the queue for “Vengeance on Jack Sparrow”

If point 5) was true, shouldn’t Salazar and his crew have been freed way back during Dead Man’s Chest? Is there some sort of turn-based persecution rules for all the undead revenants Jack has pissed off over the years? And why don’t they all get together over drinks and REALLY try to stamp him out? I’d enjoy a ‘Supernatural Unionisation event’ where Salazar and Davy Jones put aside their squishy undead differences to “really I mean it this time” kill Jack for good. All you need to do is communicate and co-operate, zombies of the deep! 

8) “I AM yarr father!!”

This could have been a whole movie in itself. Granted, a weird movie, but it would have been different to anything we’d seen before. Barbossa - our snarly pirate villain, from the original movie - falling in LOVE, people. Barbossa trying to juggle a steady relationship with his questionable career choices! Harrassed Single Pirate Dad Barbossa trying to plunder the Spanish Main AND manage a hyperactive toddler!

 The comedic/dramatic/tragic character possibilities were all WASTED for a quick perfunctory reveal that felt like an unearned cheesy Star Wars rip-off. Plot point FAI.L

9) The Tragic Waste of Javier Bardem

Oh, POTC, what you do?! If you’d played your cards right, you could have had a villain who could have seen you through another three movies AND helped more character development for Jack! Salazar could have started out as a Spanish Norrington who slowly sank into darkness through his pain and rage, whilst Jack could actually face the impact of his some of his crimes. We could have had a nuanced Valjean/Javert vibe. It would have been so good! Javier Bardem is a good actor. Plus another opportunity for Penelope Cruz to show up again.

Nope. Brushed over and a comedy ‘anchor to the head’ second death. Gee. Thanks.

10) The post-credits DMTNT scene.

Er... way to undo MORE of the original trilogy without it making a lick of sense? And messing up your own ‘All Curses Are Broken” logic at the same time?  

[magic-miraculous]

Daminette December-- So Close (And Yet So Far), Chapter Six “Tree”

A/N: The “(insert good nickname here)” thing is intentional. You’ll understand at the end.

———————————————————————————————————–

The pair spent almost 45 minutes deciding on a movie to watch as they sat on Marinette’s bed (at a respectable distance from each other, of course).

“You’ve never seen a Disney movie?”

“No. Too childish. You’ve never seen Casablanca?”

“Disney is not childish! Animation doesn’t dictate the sophistication level of a film! And no, I’ve never seen that movie. My dad tried to make me watch it but I got bored.”

Damian’s eyes widened. “Bored? That movie is a classic! How could you be bored by it?”

“It just wasn’t my thing. What about a Marvel movie?”

Damian cringed. “No superheroes. We get enough contact with them in Gotham on a daily basis, I don’t need to see more of them on screen.” “Okay, fine.” Marinette paused before suggesting five more movies, all of which Damian rejected. “Wow, you’re hard to please.”

“And you’re uncultured.”

“So are you! Disney is a staple of childhood!”

“Not mine,” Damian replied curtly. He wasn’t sure what else to say: if he told her more about his past, she may change her view of him. If he didn’t say a lot, she’d either be suspicious or pry until they got back to the first scenario. So, he had to lie a bit. “I only watched the classics.”

“Disney is classic too! But fine, no Disney, no heroes. Ooh, what about Murder on the Orient Express?”

“I read the book.”

“Not the point.”

“But I know how it ends.”

“Who cares?” Marinette asked, already queueing up the movie. “It’s a different experience on screen than in a book, and most people watch movies multiple times and enjoy them even when they know the ending. It’s the experience that makes it good.”

Damian sighed. “I guess you have a point, Dupain-Cheng.”

“You know you can call me by my given name, right? You’ve done it before.”

“I didn’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“Does there have to be a reason?”

“There must be one for calling someone something, even if it’s really silly. Like how everyone, including you, calls Felix ‘Sparrow’.”

“Fine. I’ll think of a nickname for you. Are you happy now?”

“Yes. Yes I am,” Marinette responded before pressing ‘play’. “Now shush, and watch the movie.”

---

Damian, as he said, already knew the ending, but Marinette had no clue what was going to happen. He honestly found it funny watching her reaction to who really was the killer, but he hid his smirk in the shadows of the dark room.

He was paying less attention to the plot than the cinematography and dialogue. One line stood out to him in particular.

“He is touched by angels,” the Countess told Detective Poirot. “I've been shoved by passion and hard work to become adequate.”

Angel. That would work.

---

It was almost two in the morning when Damian and Marinette finally realized they should probably get some sleep. Sure, it would still be the weekend tomorrow, but the secret heroes both knew they needed to rest occasionally.

“Just text me when you get back, okay? Just so I know you’re safe,” Marinette told Damian as they stood at the door of her dorm building, the cold air almost making their breath visible.

“Yes, Angel,” Damian replied, putting up the collar on the coat Marinette loaned him (one that, to his surprise, fit him perfectly) and taking a step into the dark night.

Marinette laughed. “Angel, huh? That’s what you decided on?”

Damian nodded. “Yes. Like the movie. ‘Touched by angels.’ I personally think it suits you.”

“Fine. I approve. I’ll have to think of a nickname for you too, though,” she told him. “But that’s for later. Go get some sleep.”

“Yes, Angel,” he replied. They waved at each other, and Damian started to walk away. He had only taken a few steps when Marinette called out to him again.

“Damian?”

Damian turned around. “Yes?”

“You were about to walk into a tree,” she said, pointing at a low branch behind him.

He turned around and scoffed. “I wouldn’t have walked into that.”

“Better safe than sorry, right?”

“I guess so,” Damian admitted. He ducked under the branch and turned to wave at Marinette one more time. “Good night, Angel.”

“Good night!”

And with that, they both walked away.

———————————————————————————————————–

BONUS:

Damian (2:17 a.m.): I am back in my dorm. Good night.

Marinette (2:18 a.m.): Good night

Marinette (2:18 a.m): (insert good nickname here)

Damian (2:19 a.m.): I’m sure you will think of one. Get some sleep.

Marinette (2:19 a.m.): I will. You too

———————————————————————————————————–

Hi everyone! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. Unfortunately, it is the last one I’ll be able to write on time. I have finals coming up this week and a few papers I need to write, so I won’t have as much time to work on this. But, fear not! After finals, I’ll continue writing. Updates just won’t be as frequent. The story definitely won’t be done by December 31st, especially because some of those last few chapters (which I’ve already plotted for a change) are going to be super long (I’m looking at you, ‘Childhood friends AU’ and ‘Mistletoe’).

I’m so glad so many people like the story, and I hope you’ll still stick with reading even when updates are less frequent! :)

Tagstagstags:

@daminette-december2019 @ozmav @maribat-archive

@dawnwave16 @bluerosette23 @18-fandoms-unite-08 @northernbluetongue @latinawithbooks @blue-peach14 @weird-pale-blonde-person @astridflies @annabellabrookes @iloontjeboontje @abrx2002 @valeks-princess @interobanginyourmom @vixen-uchiha @sofmimis @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @thesunanditsangel @crazylittlemunchkin @caffeinetheory @rebecarojas07 @kris-pines04 @mooshoon @winter-gardenflower @corabeth11 @royalchaoticfangirl @goblinwhoships @beaversuenightly 

All chapters are also up on Ao3!

COMING UP NEXT: Chapter 7 “Dancing AU”

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Happy Together : 2

Small World

Character(s): (deceptively) dark!Steve

Warnings: this is a dark!fic, it contains non/dubious-consent elements. It goes without (and with) saying that this is 18+.

Series Synopsis: The reader is stood up while awaiting a blind date, instead finding herself keeping company with the restaurant’s famous owner; Steve Rogers. After that night, she tries to forget her humiliation but she just can’t shake one thing about that night: him.

Chapter Summary: The reader sees a familiar face.

Notes: For reference to setting, see the previous chapter. As for this one, I hope you have patience. Now, Witness kinda took a few chapters to get to the crux, but this one might take a little longer. ;) But I promise, it’s going to be some very fucked up Steve eventually. In advance, I thank everyone for following along and soon I will start adding to other WIPs one Witness is finished (maybe finally start that Medieval AU lol) <3

Thanks to everyone who reads and as always, I looked forward to hearing from you in the replies/reblogs/tags/asks. <3

You were annoyed that you had wasted time at that restaurant waiting on yet another unreliable and selfish man. You could’ve used the hour finishing your latest commission but instead you spent your Saturday morning on the project. You usually tried to save that day for yourself. Self-employed, you made it a priority to work at least six days a week. You were paid well enough, quite successful as it was, but you liked the security of having a little extra under your belt. Besides, it always made you anxious to think that you could be actually doing something instead of lazing around on your couch watching Netflix.

Plus, you needed the distraction from your self-pity. The humiliation lingered for a few days after and even your work couldn’t erase it entirely. Why hadn’t he come? Was it an innocent case of forgetfulness? Or maybe he had changed his mind after seeing you. Tandi had exchanged your information via Facebook and he had seen your photo the same as you had his. Perhaps he hadn’t been as pleased at the prospect. Ugh, you didn’t even know him. Just forget it!

It was Wednesday and the disappointment was still a speck at the edge of your mind. It was sunny for once, a light jacket over your blouse and jeans as you basked in the warming spring air. You walked merrily to the park, happy to be outside, refreshed almost. You found a place on one of the bench, the melody of birds and interspersed voices of people filling the flowery air. You pulled your tablet and pen from your leather tote and opened up your program, working on the outline of the geometric logo you had started the night before.

Every now and then you looked up from your work and admired the serenity nestled amidst the chaotic city. You crossed your legs, resting your tablet against your knee and continued to draw, the sunlight hugging you. A blur moved across the top of your vision and paused, looming closer and you slowly looked up. The tablet nearly slid off your knee as you spotted the man approaching you. It couldn’t be.

“Hey, it’s you,” Steve greeted, his perfect smile shining brighter than the sky. “Sorry, I didn’t get your name the other night.”

“Um, Y/N,” You answer, shading your eyes from the sun beaming over his shoulder, “You remember me?”

“A face like yours is easy to remember,” He replied coyly, “I’m Steve, by the way.”

“Yeah, I uh...know,” You admitted shyly, “Thanks again…”

“Oh, it was nothing,” He waved away the gratuity, “Do you mind if I sit?”

“Go ahead,” You shrugged, steadying your tablet across your knee.

“Are you drawing something?” He asked, your tablet half-dimmed as it threatened to lock.

“Yeah. Working actually,” You explained, clicking the sleep button and shifting the screen against your thigh. “I’m a graphic artist.”

“Ah,” He nodded, “Makes sense. It must be fun. Doing something creative like that.”

“It can be,” You answered, “I…” You paused, his eyes never leaving yours. He was so intent on you, as if no one else was in the park. How had he picked you out among the crowd? Half of New York had probably been in his restaurant. You shook away the overly paranoid questions and continued. “Depends on the job, really. I mostly just do corporate logos and designs. Can’t really get paid for what I want to draw.”

“Well, what do you like to draw?” He stretched his arm over the back of the bench, you almost didn’t notice as it slid behind you. You were sure it was just a casual gesture, a habit he didn’t give much thought to, but it felt entirely too intimate.

“Life, I guess. People, animals, trees. I just like to create scenes, not just...symbols,” You said, nervously twirling the pen between your fingers. “I prefer to paint, really.”

“Oh, yeah? Do have any of them on that thing?” He pointed to the tablet, “Anything you’re willing to show me?” You blinked as his tone caught you off-guard. He was talking about your art and yet it seemed like he meant something more. You could’ve sworn his eyes had strayed from your face for just a second. God, you were crazy. After being stood up and nearly two years by yourself, you were growing delusional.

“I might, I, um...one second,” You unlocked your tablet and saved your work. You opened your gallery and flipped through your files, settling on a quick sketch you had done of a sparrow that had built a nest outside your building. “It’s just a drawing, but, um, here.”

You handed over the tablet and he tilted it so he could see the screen, his brows lifting as his eyes ran over the lines and shadows done in monochrome, splashes of auburn here and there to give a hint of life to the sketch. “Wow, that’s really good.” He looked up, holding the tablet out to you, “You’re very talented.”

“Thanks,” You looked away shyly, “Really, it’s just a sketch. I’ve seen way better.”

“No, no, what you do is amazing. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others,” He smiled as you took the tablet, your fingers brushing his by accident. “You’re you and that makes it more than a sketch. It’s art.”

You allowed yourself a small smile. “Thank you,” You locked your tablet again and set it on your lap, resting your pen beside it.

“Well,” He slowly pulled his arm out from behind you, his warmth releasing you as he stood. “I’ll leave you to it. I’d hate to keep you from you work.” He checked his watch as he spoke, “And I’ve got to get to the restaurant for dinner service.” He looked back to you, his blue eyes searching you, considering you closely as he measured his next words, “You should definitely come back some time. You know, no date required.”

“Yeah, uh, sure,” You nodded evasively. You didn’t really want to admit that you couldn’t go back not because you were dateless but because you had bills. “It was, uh, surprising to run into you.”

“You, too,” He grinned, his golden brows twitching, “The special tonight is salmon. You should give it a try….have a good one.”

He turned away, strolling across the park and onto the street. You drew your brows together as you saw a silver car pull up and he got inside. Why would he be walking through the park if he had a town car? You shook your head and readjusted your tablet across your knee. Maybe he had just gotten out to stretch. You doubted he had gone out of his way to bug you.

-------------

You balanced the mugs, careful not to spill any of the foam as you walked between tables and found your seat by the window. Tandi was sat with her phone out, grinning at the screen like an idiot. You set her latte in front of her and cupped your own warm mug as you sat down. She finished typing and relinquished her phone on the table. She looked up at you, starry-eyed over her latest fling. Well, they’d been seeing each other for a couple months so maybe it was getting serious.

“I’m real sorry about Danny,” She said. She had arrived as you were waiting in line, grabbing a seat as you bided your time in the queue. Your mouth twitched and you looked away. The heat still rose in your cheeks whenever you thought of the painful hour spent in the restaurant. It had been more than a week.

“It’s not your fault,” You grumbled, “It was just embarrassing...I can’t believe I sat there that long. It was like everyone was staring at me.”

“I’m sure they weren’t, but it was a dick thing to do. I’ve blocked him on Snap, Facebook, and Twitter.” She smirked, “So yeah, fuck him.”

“Ha, thanks,” You scoffed, raising your mug to sip from it, the foam cooling the espresso. Your eyes wandered out the window as you leaned back in your chair.

“You know, not all guys are like that, Y/N,” She trilled, “Carson’s a nice guy and he has lots of friends.”

“I don’t want to date any of your boyfriend’s bros,” You protested, watching the passerbys through the glass. “Carson’s nice but not my type and I can’t imagine his friends are of a different cut.”

“Well, you should at least consider someone. Anyone!” She said dramatically, but before you could chuckle it caught in your throat. You swore you recognized that blonde head across the street. You couldn’t say for sure as it quickly ducked into the suit shop and you blinked as the mug in your hand wobbled. You steadied your grip and turned back to Tandi. Right, you were going crazy.

“I will. One day. But I’m fine right now. Work’s good and steady and I feel pretty good. I can do what I want when I want...Living with Mike was difficult and I didn’t even realize how much I hated it til he was gone.” You stopped yourself before you could get too emotional. “I know it’s been a long time, but I’m working on it, a little at a time.”

“I know…” She reached over and touched the back of your hand, “I just want you to be happy; healthy.”

You smiled. A genuine smile. Not the one you put on for strangers or when you were anxious. A real one and it felt good. You took another gulp and waited for Tandi to begin her usual train of gossip. She always had the messiest stories about her workplace; she was an actor and had garnered many a theatre job, enough at least to keep her studio apartment. Once she began, it was hard to stop her and your latte was drained by the time she finished.

Her phone shook the table. She flipped it over and checked the notification, her face shone. “Carson’s back from his trip,” She almost sang. You stared at her and sighed as her eyes rounded brightly.

“Go on,” You relented, “You’re free to go. I won’t keep you. Just call me when you get a chance...if you get a chance.”

“Thank you,” She stood so quickly she hit the table with her hip. She pulled on her thin trench, pulling taught the belt around her thin waist. “I love you, you know that?”

“I know. That’s why I’m letting you go,” You crossed your arm, “Just let me know you’ve arrived safely. You know I’m paranoid.”

“Sure, sure,” She leaned down to give you half-hug, “I’ll see you.”

“See you,” You patted her lower back in return, “Bye.”

You watched her go, content at least with the hour shared with her. You couldn’t expect her to put her life on hold because you had. You weren’t bitter but you mulled her words. Just because one jerk had stood you up didn’t mean they all would. Maybe not today or tomorrow or the next day, but you’d be ready to start again one day. For now, you wanted to pop into the used bookstore just across the street. You always found something interesting there.

You stepped out into the cool spring afternoon, the evening looming as a hint of rain floated in the air. You ran across the street and hopped up onto the curb, your focus solely on the book shop. You entered with a ring, the small bell above the door announcing your entrance. The storekeeper was sat at a desk stacked with book, the daily newspaper held aloft like a shield. You headed for the back shelves where vintage magazines were kept in old filing crates. You liked to use them for inspiration.

As you picked out decades-old issues, the bell jingled again but you didn’t pay much heed to the arrival of another. You continued to thumb through the magazines until you had half a dozen, content that they would last you a while. You stood and looked along the shelf, walking parallel to it slowly as you read the titles of ancient odes and medieval limericks. You stopped to pull out a collection of Wordsworth, the spine thin and worn, easily falling open in your hand.

“Excuse me,” The voice interrupted you before you could finish reading the title of the first poem. It was oddly familiar. Your lashes fluttered in disbelief, “You dropped…” Steve’s voice died and he chuckled as you turned to him slowly, “You again.”

“Uh-huh,” You mumbled warily. It had been him on the street retreating into the suit shop. That would prove he had been in the area for more than an hour but why? He held no wares from his visit to the tailor’s. Another coincidence? Surely, you weren’t that special.

“As I was saying, you dropped this,” He held up the white pen you used with your tablet. It had likely slipped out as you knelt at the crates.

“Thanks,” You accepted it and tucked it snuggly in the side pocket.

“What’s that you got there?” He asked, nodding at the book in your hand.

“Nothing,” You closed it and placed it back on the shelf. “I was just wasting time.”

“Oh yeah?” He smiled, resting his hand on the shelf as he leaned on it casually. “I just kinda stumbled in. Saw this copy of Dante’s Inferno,” He held up the painted cover which depicted an eerie cave spiralling ever downward, “My mother used to keep a copy but I never read it. Thought maybe I could give it a try.”

“Cool,” You hugged the magazines to you chest. Something about him being there at that exact moment was off. The unease was stronger than it had been at the park; his spontaneous visit had been more believable then. You tried to smile. You were being dumb. And what were you even afraid of? He used to be an Avenger. He was good guy. “I was actually just about to head--”

A clap of thunder shrouded your next words. You looked past the bookshelves as the light rain you had failed to notice through the window began to pour down in sheets. Your distress must have been plain as your lips parted slightly.

“Do you need a ride?” He asked, shaking you from your despair. You looked back to him and tried to think of something. Anything.

“I’ll catch a cab,” You shrugged him off, trying to seem unperturbed. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Don’t waste your money. You can share my town car. He’s just outside. I’m sure you don’t live too far out of the way.” He smirked, his hand shifting along the shelf as he edged closer. You almost didn’t notice the subtle movement.

“Really, I can’t. You’ve already done enough. I really should, um, go.” You back away only to find the corner at your back.

“I won’t let you say no,” He asserted, “Come on. Just a car ride. That’s it. I mean, do you really wanna stand out in this and hail a cab?”

You stared up at him as you considered the invitation. Why were you so reluctant? He had done nothing to earn your distrust. If anything, he had only done you favours. But why? Oh, shut up brain, he wasn’t Mike. Or Danny. He actually seemed like a decent human being so why were you being so dumb?

“Okay,” You relented, “Sure. Why not.”

****

tags:  @ruff-m3rc @alexakeyloveloki @lanabanana-86 @sathlens @jessieray98 @kellyn1604 @ahideousthinginside @ironlady1993 @kloe-iel @grayxswan @iheartsebastianstan @myboyfriendgiriboy @tanelle83 @patzammit @phoenix21love @they-call-me-le @iheartsebastianstan

[kcystotheheart]

{🍎} I don’t feel like i got all of them but MASSIVE TAG DROP/DUMP

♡ Home is where the Heart is... {IC}

✧ I foresee the end of all I know... {Ava}

#☪︎I'm howling with the wolves {Fida}

#✦ Breaking Traditions {Sub Alt V.} ⚔︎

#☮︎You are the future; the hope of this world... {Hope}

#♟Hidden from the rest of the World… Until now {Wandering V.} ✧

#🍎of someone's eye {Mun}

#✎ We may feel out of place; but we fit together so perfectly... {X Ventus} #♔♡ Eventually we all return to it... Kingdom Hearts {S A V E D} #⚖︎ I will keep a just and fair eye... {Invi} #♘ They look to me for Guidance... {Ira} #Heartless; Dusks; Unversed? All the same {Anon} #❥ ANSWERED

#✎ He's a work in progress and that's what matters! {Vanitas/tenebrxsus}

#✎ The Light to my Darkness; he makes up what I lack... {X Vanitas}

#✧ He may be all brawn; but he has the biggest heart {Aced/ursaced}

#✧ You wouldn't hurt me; I know... {X Aced} #✦ The Beginning of it all… {Past V.} ♙ #➳ All right; No more playing around! {Hayner} #♡ It's time to strike {Open Starter} #♔ Beyond the realms... {OOC} #♥︎ I'll find my way... {Riku} #✎ Let's make a promise; To hold each other through it all {X Riku} #♤ I won't fade away so easily! {Lingering Remnant!Vanitas} #♠︎ Different from the rest... {Springy/Hareraiser} #♥︎ Once a Somebody... now a Nobody {Nobody V.} ♤ #✦ A little Generosity never hurt nobody~ {Cari} #✦ He thinks he's sooo good; but I know he's bad~ {Indus/ursaced} #✦ Momma I'm in love with a criminal; I'm the bad guy duh~ {X Indus} #♡ We'll never let the darkness consume us... {Queue}

🎲 May Lady Luck be on your side~ {Fortune} 💘 No matter what happens i’ll always be by your side {Faith} ⚔️ That was undeniable proof that we totally owned you lamers! {Seifer} ⌨️ Cracking the {Code} 🌱Rough around the edges by soft on the inside [Jagged} 🌿 My Strength will help support them… {Aced} 🌟 I will always help the weak {Starlight} 🍃I’ll sweep you up and leave your head spinnin’! {Wind} 🛡 I will always defend them {Keeper} 🃏 Care to take a Gamble? {Luxord/Ordul} 🎵I can drop a beat {Demyx/Dyme}  🎼 Let me play a song for you~ {Arpeggio}

���︎ You make me feel things I thought were lost {X Lauriam} ♟ More alike than you know {Rei/solaimaginem} ✎ Even after all this time… we’re connected. {Terra/willfulwayfarer} ✎ We’ll find new secrets to discover… together! {Pence/dxgstreet} ✎ I want to capture this moment {X Pence} ➸✮ Blessed or Cursed with magic that runs within him {Magia} #🎐My Lazy Companion {Sir Snugglesopholis the Flood} #♝ I will prove my worth... {Xionort} #𝒳 No one will know... {Subject X V.} ⭑ #No longer Lost {Naminé; Vanitas & Repliku } #✎ We've had tough pasts but we can move forward {Aiden/lethargic-hunter} #♟We've cut our own strings and now we're free {Xion & Repliku} #Made a sacrifice {Repliku} #Always busy saving everyone else... {Aqua} #☯︎ Disciplinary Committee {Fuu; Seifer & Rai} #yOU leFT mE... {Nightmare Chirithy}

#Why does everything involve running? {Pence}

#Not your Typical Princess... {Kairi}

#Fun and Playful; Strong and Powerful {Ventus}

#♠︎ A little noisy... {Skitters/Flood}

#☓ Always watching; always seeing~ {Master of Masters}

#⭑ How bright is the future? {Skuld}

#♚ Stuck in Between Worlds... {Lingering V.} ♤

#✨I'll learn to use my magic for good {Apprentice V.} ✎

#✎ He understands me like no one else does {Max/pageofgoof}

#🍀I've got a present too; for all of us! {Olette}

#He once wandered the darkness seeking light; only to find he was the light {Riku}

#His smile brings about other people's happiness {Sora}

#👁‍🗨If only I could stand in her light... {Ava/verumheart}

#👁‍🗨If I could begin to be; half of what you think of me I'd do about anything {X Ava}

#🍀She sits by the Seashore {Kairi/thalassicradiance}

#✎ I'll never forget you; promise? {X Sora}

#♜ We all have our Roles to Play... {Foreteller V.} ♠︎

#♗ I have made mistakes & have more regrets than you could imagine {Master Eraqus}

#One of the strongest wielders there is {Terra}

#🎐My lovely little Pearl... {Kairi/thalassicradiance}

#♡ Something that simply resonates with me... {Aesthetic}

#➦ Portal Time {Shooter}

#➥ Eagle Eyes {Sharp}

#🌪Whispers on the Wind {Gale}

#♤ The Nobody that never was... {Kuxir}

#🎐When things are tough; I'll always welcome you home... {Ansem/afoolelopedindarkness}

#✦ I have to complete my role... {Sacrificed V.} ✧

#♡♔ Kingdom FARTS {Crack}

#♟No longer just a vessel... {Xion}

#♣︎ No one would miss me... And yet... {Roxas}

#☀︎ I always keep my promises... {Axel}

#⌁ I have to uncover the truth... {Gula}

#⚠︎ I will find a way to rewrite my Fate {Brain}

#☆⭒ A lost little Star {Strelitzia}

#♚ The Darkness has consumed us… {Alt V.} ♥︎

#{Headcanons}

#☁︎ Where there's rain; there's a storm {Rain}

#🌸As Pretty as a Flower but twice as Dangerous {Song}

#✴︎ May the Tears of Heaven hear my call... {Sterling}

#❅ Her Colours are a reflection of who she is {Aurora}

#✵ Hear my prayer O'Morning Star {Ivory}

#♾You'll never hear their name on the wind... {No Name}

#⚡️The Eye of the Storm {Tempest}

#✑ You write down your feelings on paper {Memoire}

#☆⭒ A Light in the Dark... {Roxas/aftrliight}

#👁‍🗨 It's a heavy burden to carry... {Luxu}

#♥︎ He has every right to be mad at me; but i had to do it {Roxas/caelumobscura}

#♥︎ Twilight and Dawn... What an interesting combination {X Roxas}

#☘︎Oh Look- Nope it's just them... {Dani}

#♣︎ There's just something about him that i hate... and i love {X Riku}

#✎ You remember me; the way I remember you {X Roxas}

#☆⭒ He gives me the courage I need; she is always so kind... {X Roxas}

#☆⭒ Let's go to the garden... {Lauriam/lordofoblivion}

#✘ There is always something worth fighting for... {Kohaku}

#♡ No longer just a Copy... {Repliku/Kouki}

#⚙︎Just because I'm not a 'True' Keyblade doesn't mean I can't kill you {Void}

#♥︎ You and I; were intertwined from the start... {X Kairi}

#♡ These will make anyone laugh! {Memes}

#✬ Here to help! {Chirithy}

#🌼You'll never learn from your mistakes if you don't make them {Ayaka/Roxas' mom}

#♔♡ The Mark of a Master~ {P R O M O}

#✿ Thinking of you wherever you are... {Hana/Sora's Mom}

#♤☆ When the Light embraced the Dark... {Mending Hearts V.} ★♠

#✎ He wants to break the mold {Roxas/serendimpetus}

#🗝🖤The Kingdom's Protector and the Original Blade {Chi}

#♔ Mirrored Reflections; Two in the Same {Twin V.} ♡

#★ I'll be there to hide your light when you need it {Dusk}

#♻︎ I'm not even the real thing...And yet in my soul it says otherwise {Soul}

#✩*~ I'll unlock the mysteries of the world {Ephemer}

#♠︎ Made completely out of Darkness {Vanitas}

#✩*~ We'll meet where the darkness meets the light {X Vanitas}

#➳ Skateboard tricks and Sea Salt Icecream... {X Roxas}

#♡ Let's line up the pieces... Together {Main V.} ♔

#❁ He'll always be my little Sprout... {Kasumi/Riku's mother}

#❁ To trust or not to trust is the question... {Xemnas/potestasaeterna}

#♘ He trusts me to look after everyone; but who's going to look after him? {X Master}

#♘ Always one step ahead... or two- or three {Master/masterxmasters}

#☾ The path between Night and Day... {Dawn}

#♡ A Watchful eye... {Dash Commentary}

#☯︎ Total Annihilation {Fuu}

#✎ Don't forget me... {Naminé}

#☄️ I will always rise up from the Ashes {Libra}

#🔥Better watch out because I always bounce back {Ember}

#💥I will burn Eternally {Flame}

#♕ Together we'll protect the world! {Kiki}

#♛ We'll free their hearts and consume the world in darkness... {Heart!Kiki}

#🍨Not just a sweet treat~ {Sweetie}

#♜ I'll protect you from the Shadows {Oblivion}

#♖ Just follow my Light {Oathkeeper}

#♥︎ No matter the Nightmare; I'll be there {X Ventus}

#♠︎ A little noisy... {Skitters/Flood}

#🎐When you feel it in your heart; you know that your home {Mitsuki/Kairi's Grandma}

#❁ He's my stubborn Rock. {Roxas/aftrliight}

#💥She rises with the moon {Luna/verumheart}

#♧ Even in your dreams... {Dream Eater V.} ♥︎

#🍡 Cheeky Cheel {Leche}

#❦ There's more to Light than meets the eye {Young Eraqus}

#❦ And that's checkmate I win; Hold on it's still my turn {X Young Xehanort}

#The Copycat Trio {Repliku; Vanitas and Xion}

#Created with a purpose {Vanitas}

#🐶Watch out for the Mad Dog~ {Mady}

#➸✮ Reliable and Sturdy as the Shield he carries {Aegis/verumrook}

#➸✮ I shouldn't feel this way but I do... And I don't want to stop {X Aegis}

#✘ ...I will protect his light with my life... {Artemis/keyfamilia}

#✘ I don't know what he sees in me... but i'm grateful {X Artemis}

#🗝🖤A shroud of Mystery and Darkness {Master of Masters/eyesofparoxysm}

#🗝🖤The one who compliments me; who truly understands {X Master of Masters}

#✧ He's a good listener and a good friend {Luxu/gravitasfatum}

#✎ What did I do to deserve you...? {Riku/darkheartedprince}

#♔♡ It rests now within us all... {Drabble}

#💚As playful as a breeze; but as strong as a gale wind {Ventus}

#💫Not even the Night Sky could contain her Light... {Astraea}

#🍏A Bad Apple spoils the bunch {Negative Thoughts}

#☀︎ Set me ablaze; start a fire in me {X Terra}

#☀︎ He's my pillar when I'm not strong {Terra/willfulfwayfarer}

#🎐Just like the Stars; He will burn long after... {Yen Sid/omnipotentmxster}

#☀︎ Never expected to fall for a flower {X Marluxia}

#☀︎ Every Flower has it's thorns and he's full of them {Marluxia/lordofoblivion}

#✿ My Little Sparrow {Sora/lightheartedwarrior}

#❁ My Little Sprout {Riku/darkheartedprince}

#🎐If we keep each other in our hearts; we'll always be strong {Young Mitsuki}

#🎐The Stars align when he smiles... {Young Yen Sid/omnipotentmxster}

#⚚ I'm sending a message to you and I hope that it makes it through {Hermod}

#⭑ He could light the sky with his colours {Sora/valorxdrive}

#⭑ He's my knight and I'm his princess {X Sora}

#⭑ We both just wanted a friend... {Blaine/virusplanted}

#⭑ The future may be uncertain; but I'm certain of us {X Blaine}

#🧶Tying the knot {Married V.}

#♔ In another World; another Time or another Place {AU V.} ♡

#⚖︎She moves with the beauty and grace of her namesake {Aqua/theheartstreasure}

#⚖︎I certainly don't know what I did to deserve you; but i'm grateful {X Aqua}

#⌁ The only one I'll always trust {Ava/starshold}

#❀ Careful the Flowers have ears {Foxglove}

#☆⭒ He's my bookworm... {Blaine/virusplanted}

#☆⭒ One day I saw him there and couldn't help but gravitate towards him {X Blaine}

#♔ A World without Magic... {Modern V.} ♡

#🎐An old friend and fellow Master {Eraqus/eraqus-the-defender}

#❦ I wish I was enough to keep you from the Darkness... {Young Xehanort/iuvienis}

#🌕A place where all hearts are one... {Kingdom Hearts}

#🔮The Mistress of Darkness {Maleficent}

#🐚Overcame the Impossible {Maryllis/Kairi's Mother}

#🌊I will do my duty to protect the people {Nalani/Destiny Islands Mayor}

#🥀Poison runs through their veins {Vera}

#✩*~ He's the smartest guy I know {Brain/virusplanted}

#✩*~ We'll always be connected; no matter where we fly too {X Brain}

#🐚His Majesty and My King {Ansem/afoolelopedindarkness}

#🐚Two halves of a whole {X Ansem The Wise}

#✩*~ Flowers can be strong so long as you let them {Lauriam/lordofoblivion}

#🐚My Precious Treasure {Kairi/thalassicradiance}

#🐚Like Mother like daughter {Maryllis and Kairi}

#🎶Listen to my Melody {Maestro}

#Before Summer Vacation is over; we should go to the beach! {Twilight Town Gang}

#♘ More important than he realizes {Kage/thechessboard}

#✩*~ I use to think Dandelions were just weeds; I think they're beautiful {X Lauriam}

#📓Don't always believe what you see... {Lexicon}

#🌹Strong and Elegant {Rose}

#⚠︎ Infuriating and yet... He's Mi Rosa {Lauriam/rxsoideae}

#✧ She's as strong as she is beautiful {Aqua/theheartstreasure}

#✧ She makes me feel like a princess; she gives me hope {X Aqua}

#✎ We will always have each other's backs {Naminé and Aiden}

#☆⭒ Wallflower friends {Luxu and Strelitzia}

#The Darkness gave us purpose... {Dark Repliku; Vanitas & Xionort}

#Let's go to the beach {Axel; Xion & Roxas}

#⚔︎Childhood rivals to lovers {X Hayner}

#⭑★ Fallen Hearts turn to Dark Stars… {Darkling V.} ❤︎♥︎

#⭑ ...Unknowingly My Protector... {Braig/freeshooterxig}

#🍀We're stronger than we look {X Kairi}

#♟He isn't all darkness... {Vanitas/unversedshadow}

#✧ My precious Snowflake Dandelion... {Theo/keytosolidarity}

#✎ She was my light; He was my knight {X Repliku}

[isauntervaguelydownwards]

I will be there at your side

Title: I will be there at your side Fandom: Good Omens Pairing: Aziraphale/Crowley Wordcount: 2843 Square filled: O2 - “One shouldn’t miss the forest for the trees” Rating: T Warnings: Lotsa pining bc they’re just Like That A/N: Title is from Queen’s Love of My Life. This was a fkn trip and a half to write lemme tell u. Link (if posted to AO3): I will be there at your side 

@as-the-saying-goes-bingo 

Aziraphale accepted the note from Crowley, and it took a second for the two words - written in the demon’s familiar scrawl - to actually register with him. It was as through an observer’s eyes he experienced the rest of the conversation, a sinking feeling swooping through him. 

It was first when Aziraphale faced even the mere possibility of something permanently hurting Crowley that he realised what he’d been feeling for so long.

Aziraphale was an angel in love with a demon, which wouldn’t hurt so much if it weren’t for the fact that he could, quite literally, sense love - and he had never sensed any love from Crowley aimed at him.

When Aziraphale storms away from the demon, he’s unaware he won’t see him again for nigh on 80 years. Unbeknownst to the angel, Crowley decides a nap is in order and accidentally sleeps for 75 years. 

Aziraphale thinks that maybe - and the thought is more than unbearable, it’s unimaginable, but he can’t help but think… what if Crowley got ahold of that water, despite Aziraphale refusing to help him? What if something went wrong and Crowley’s - gone? Worse, what if something went right, according to Crowley, and he’s gone?

When the thought strikes him, Aziraphale - for the first time ever on his own - gets absolutely souzed. He drinks himself into oblivion, because the thought of a world without Crowley is the thought of a world not worth living in. 

Time goes on, as is its wont, and every year that passes without Aziraphale even hearing word about Crowley is a year where he breaks down further, entirely certain the demon is gone forever. He may have just recently realised it, but he’s loved Crowley for a very long time, and even if the feeling isn’t returned - won’t ever be returned, for that matter - at least he had his friendship. 

The sheer relief of seeing Crowley hot-footing it into the church almost makes Aziraphale faint - only the fact that there are also three nazis in the church keeps him upright. The realisation of how much it hurts, well, that creates a seed of false hope in Aziraphale’s heart.

Then he saves the books and if Aziraphale wasn’t in love before he absolutely is now, and the seed grows roots, tiny tiny tendrils of hope.

When Crowley offers him a lift home, when he doesn’t even hint about their conversation in the park - when Crowley talks about his car, Aziraphale feels a tendril of love shoot through the demon’s aura.

The seed sprouts.

Despite himself, despite his misgivings about it, when he hears about Crowley planning a caper, of all things, just to get the holy water, well. Aziraphale gets on with blessing. Now, an angelic prayer isn’t all that much more powerful than a human prayer, but an angelic blessing performed out of love?

Nothing holier.

What took the longest, however, was finding a tartan thermos. He could have miracled one, of course, but that would have made it all feel cheap, somehow. Then again, the tartan thermos flask wasn’t expensive, but the effort he had to go to to find one made it feel… more, somehow.

Handing it over feels almost like signing his own death warrant, rather than signing Crowley’s - but somehow, it feels almost like it’d be better if it’s holy water Aziraphale himself has blessed, instead of holy water from a church. Who knows how badly blessed it’d be, anyway?

No, better he die by love, if he necessarily had to. 

Aziraphale had a hope that he’d know when Crowley used the water, if it was his own - and Aziraphale had access to hellfire, if necessary.

A world without Crowley was not a world worth living in. That, Aziraphale felt, was an undeniable truth.

“You go too fast for me, Crowley,” he said, having given the demon the flask that could spell both their ends. Between one blink of an eye and the next, Aziraphale is gone from the car. He had felt a sense of wonder from Crowley in the moment he was handed the tartan flask, a feeling that renewed the little seed that sprouted over two decades earlier.

That sprout is a tiny sapling of desperate hope, nourished by every angel Crowley utters. 

All of it - the ridiculous hope, thoughts of what might happen, all of it - takes a backseat when Crowley calls, and all of a sudden time is at a premium. Eleven years. That hopeful sprout honestly takes the backseat in a car fifty cars back in a mile long queue.

Aziraphale didn’t have a single clue what on God’s green earth made him agree to raising the Antichrist, but something did. What possesses him to be the gardener is even more inexplicable.

Crowley adores Warlock, despite himself - Aziraphale can feel the love Warlock feels being mirrored, amplified, returned by the demon. The sprout moves a few cars closer. If Crowley can love the Antichrist, can love what seems a human child, thinks Aziraphale, mayhaps he could…

Aziraphale isn’t ashamed to admit (if the right entity asks) that the years he spent as Brother Francis are the best of his existence - not because it was rewarding (it was, raising a child and all) but because he gets to spend so much time almost close to Crowley. They’ve spent the ages orbiting one another, and during the Dowling estate years their orbits come close enough to be almost one and the same.

Warlock had asked, in the innocently curious way of children everywhere, if he was in love with ‘Nanny Ashtoreth’. Aziraphale found he couldn’t lie, not about that. As an angel he shouldn’t be lying, period, but - sometimes, white lies were better than the truth. He tried to deny it, of course he did but he loved Crowley too much to ever say the opposite, even in the guise of a gardener and a nanny.

“Why don’t you marry Nanny, Brother Francis?” Warlock asked, and Aziraphale choked on nothing. “If you love her, shouldn’t you marry her? That’s what mummy and daddy did.” Aziraphale, very carefully, didn’t let his thoughts about Mr. and Mrs. Dowling’s loving (or lack thereof) marriage show on his face.

“B’cause, m’dear boy,” Aziraphale said, voice thick with unshed tears, “while I adore Nanny most ardently, she doesn’t return the feeling.”

In return, Warlock had only given him a long look, mannerism older than his years, and shook his head before dropping the subject. Aziraphale didn’t know quite what to make of that, so he put it out of his mind in favour of showing Warlock where a sparrow had her nest.

Armageddon came ever closer, all of it culminating when the hell hound didn’t show up. They had officially lost the Antichrist (and probably traumatised another child, all for nothing). Aziraphale couldn’t bring himself to regret any of it, however; he’d been allowed, almost encouraged even, to spend a lot of time in close quarters with Crowley - what was there to regret?

What Aziraphale did regret was that he didn’t have time to tell Crowley where the Antichrist was - and therefore where Armageddon was happening - before he was discorporated. Thankfully he didn’t meet any of the higher up angels while indisposed, so making his way back to Earth worked out quite well, despite it all.

Crowley, dear, beloved, unbelievable Crowley. Aziraphale was for the first time happy he can’t see the demon. He could hear him, and that was enough. Crowley was drunk enough that had he been human he’d be dead by alcohol poisoning, and he sounded wrecked. Aziraphale didn’t know who the friend was, but Crowley was clearly torn up about it happening. Yet, the demon had managed to save the book, the only book that actually mattered in the long run.

Then, Armageddon. The sheer relief Aziraphale felt, seeing the blazing inferno that had once been an immaculate Bentley driving up to the army base - nothing had ever come close. 

In the middle of a battle for the rest of the world, an angel threatened a demon, and time stopped. When time started again, humanity had two occult beings and the Antichrist on their side - and not even the Great Plan could beat that. It was simply ineffable.

Going on advice from a seer 400 years dead might seem, well, inadvisable, but that was all they had, so they did. Hell was awful, and Aziraphale swore to himself he’d do anything in his power to prevent Crowley from going back. By the looks on the faces of the assembled demons, he’d pretty much managed, too.

When everything is said and done, faces swapped back and the world toasted, they go back to the bookshop that is miraculously standing, as is their wont. Aziraphale resists the urge to catalogue the contents in favour of corking up a beautiful bottle of ‘97 Napa cabernet sauvignon. 

They’re well into their fourth bottle by the time Aziraphale brings it up.

“I am sorry, dear boy, about your friend,” he says, not noticing Crowley’s eyes widening behind his glasses. He does notice when the demon chokes on the mouthful of wine he’d just taken, though. “Whatever is the matter, Crowley?”

“My friend? What on earth are you talking about, angel?” Crowley’s too shocked to manage the scorn he was going for, ending up somewhere around worried instead.

“You said you lost your best friend, and you were grieving and,” the angel in question says, a bit too drunk to care about how worked up he’s getting over a being he doesn’t even know. “And then I had to interrupt your grieving and, well.”

Crowley opens his mouth to say something, closes it again. Raises a finger as if to say first of all, but changes it to whipping his sunglasses off, tucking them into a pocket and rubbing at his eyes with the other hand. He picks up the glass of Bordeaux that burns like tequila going down.

“Are you daft? You really are the stupidest clever person I’ve ever even seen,” Crowley finally says, serpentine eyes focusing (with difficulty) on the angel on the other side of the table. Aziraphale feels like he should be offended, but he’s a bit too drunk to actually manage the effort for feeling anything but relief. “It was you, angel. I’d lost you. The bookshop was burning and I couldn’t feel you anywhere, and I genuinely thought I was too late.”

Aziraphale’s glass of pinot noir turns into a rather surprised tumbler of whiskey without him noticing. A sprout, smothered by the events of the past eleven years, turns green again. He sternly tells that useless hope to quiet down, please, nothing for you here.

“I’m sorry, dear boy, what - me?” If Aziraphale knew anything about computers, he’d liken his current mental state to the infamous blue screen of death.

“Of course you, who else would it be?” Crowley put his glasses back on. Aziraphale mourns the hiding of his absolutely beautiful eyes.

“You said - on the phone - old friend?” Aziraphale feels at a loss for words, a first while in the company of Crowley. 

“Hastur and Ligur - well, only Hastur by then, I’d melted Ligur,” Crowley says, waving it off as if he hasn’t rocked Aziraphale’s world to its foundations in only a short conversation. 

“But - even though I said all those - I was mean, Crowley!” He knows he’s more or less working himself into a fit, swallows the Bordeaux-turned-whiskey in one go, not that that’s likely to help. “I shouldn’t be a - a priority! Especially not in the middle of Armageddon!”

They’re both really drunk by now, which is probably the only reason Crowley says what he does.

“Well, I’ve been in love with you for six thousand years, angel, a little spat isn’t gonna change that, is it?” It takes a minute for it to dawn on them what he just said, Crowley a second quicker on the uptake and therefore a second quicker to sober up. When Aziraphale’s sober again, Crowley is halfway to the door.

“Crowley! Crowley, stay!” he says, not half as loud as he tried but apparently loud enough. The demon stops, defeat in the slump of his shoulders. Aziraphale crosses the shop floor quickly enough not even he is certain whether he used a miracle to do it or not. He reaches out to touch Crowley, but the demon flinches away before he makes contact, turning around and drawing himself up. Aziraphale gets the feeling he’s trying to make himself larger, more intimidating - less likely to be hurt.

“What, Aziraphale?” he hisses, glaring - not that Aziraphale can see that, but he knows him. Knows how he will be glaring behind the glasses, knows that he’s hurting simply by the way he’s hissing on every word. Knows that Aziraphale loves Crowley and - Crowley loves Aziraphale? “You don’t feel the same so let me go home to lick my wounds in peace and then we can have dinner in - a year or something, when I’m past the embarrassment.”

“No, dear, I just never thought…” he trails off, raising a hand to hover uncertainly between them.

“What? Because I’m a demon, and I can’t feel love?” Crowley takes a step back, and Aziraphale lets the hand drop. 

“Of course you can feel love! You love the Bentley, you loved Warlock, you even love feeding the ducks!” His tone is strident, he has to make Crowley understand. “I have felt your love for one thing after another for centuries, Crowley, so your ability to love was never the question!”

“Then what! What is so surprising about the fact that I love you, have loved you and will continue to love you until She sees fit to remake the universe, and I can’t guarantee that will make me stop loving you?!” Crowley says, taking several steps forward until Aziraphale is forced to back up or be walked into. It’s the same as when they were at the former convent, not even a week ago, yet the air is charged in a way it wasn’t then.

“Because I never thought you could feel the same for me as I feel for you, dearest.” The words bring Crowley to a halt.

“...what?” 

“I love you too, Crowley. Have for a very long time.” Again, Aziraphale brings his hand up, this time Crowley doesn’t flinch back, so he puts his hand to his cheek. “I never felt an inkling from you, that you would feel the same - never did I dare hope.”

Crowley turns his cheek into Aziraphale’s hand, brings his own up to hold it, to keep it there. He doesn’t resist when the angel reaches up and takes his glasses off, and Aziraphale’s breath catches at the look in his eyes. 

Crowley leans down, hesitating a hair’s breadth from Aziraphale’s lips, the two of them sharing unneeded breaths - Aziraphale can’t take it anymore, leans up and closes the last few millimetres between them. As he does, as he kisses Crowley like he’s wanted to for two hundred years, he can’t help but whimper. 

Aziraphale can feel Crowley’s love for him, and all of a sudden he realises that the reason he’s never felt it is simply because he’s been missing the forest for all the trees. The love Crowley feels is so all-encompassing, ever-present, that Aziraphale’s been so enveloped in it he hasn’t even noticed.

They’re so in-sync that they don’t know who pulls the other closer, who deepens the kiss, but they stay there, kissing in the middle of the bookshop, for a long time. When they eventually break the kiss, Crowley leans his forehead to Aziraphale’s, eyes closed but with a small smile on his face.

“If I’m dreaming, angel, please don’t wake me up just yet,” he murmurs, running his fingers through Aziraphale’s hair. Aziraphale can’t help but lean into it, is as close to purring as a non-cat ever gets. Nonetheless, he’s the first of them to pull away.

“I am so sorry, dearest, that I didn’t tell you, but - well, I think I just didn’t see the forest for the trees, and well,” he says, watching as Crowley opens his eyes. For the first time, he sees the love shining in them for what it is. The smile on Crowley’s face is fond, and Aziraphale can’t believe how he never saw it before. “I could never believe you’d love me like this.”

“You’d better believe it, angel - and now I’m definitely not ever going to stop loving you.” 

As declarations of ever-lasting love go, it’s maybe not the flashiest, but it is the most sincere Aziraphale has ever heard.

An angel and a demon go to bed together in a flat in Soho, for the first time daring to cuddle close and whisper sweet nothings that have been on the tip of their tongues for almost as long the Earth’s been around. 

I do not play dice with the universe; I play an ineffable game of My own devising and this - this was always one of the sidequests.