#and everything in between

[balaclavacharles]

What it means ❤️🤍

[athousandbyeol]

i can't stop thinking about this scene.

it was so light-hearted. sheng wang was all-smiley after finishing (perhaps multiple rounds) of revising and studying. but the lively atmosphere simmers down into this thick and stifling tension once jiang tian opens his closet.

honestly, if i were sheng wang, i would have so many questions too. why is he packing? is he going somewhere? but where? so, whatever sheng wang is thinking or feeling at the moment is valid (to me, at least, it is.)

i think it has so much to do with sheng wang's expression here (liu dong qin, the actor you are) that breaks my heart into tiny, million pieces.

it's in the way his eyes follows every movement of jiang tian, but particularly directed at the opened luggage, that has me thinking of sheng wang's fear of separation. the trauma he experienced when he was just a little boy.

i can't imagine how he felt when he saw his beloved mother collapsing to the ground—at the age so little to grasp the situation—to comprehend the meaning of sadness and grief and death.

he was broken. he was devastated. but those feelings as a child were just feelings. but the adult sheng wang now understood that those feelings come with bitter memories and realisations that death is inevitable, and death is permanent. his mother won't come back to him no matter how frequently she visits him in his dreams (and wake).

his heavy breathing. his fixated stare. that feeling of abandonment is washing over him again. they're coming in slow, steady and destructive.

so when jiang tian approaches him with the said book that has more extensive questions, he still can't look away. not until jiang tian realises that sheng wang's attention is now elsewhere.

and he finally asks,

i personally adore how benjamin acted this scene out. jiang tian immediately glances over at the luggage, somehow already knowing the context/direction of this conversation. (it's in the subtlety of benjamin's acting here that has me going nuts.)

when sheng wang asks this question, it reminds me of this scene in episode 1,

jiang tian was looming in front of sheng wang's house, wondering if he should stay or leave. possibly his only destination would be uncle ding's house. maybe he has nowhere to go, to be honest.

sheng wang immediately called him, voicing out his thoughts. and the context is similar—are you leaving?

although jiang tian answers sheng wang's question, not leaving him hanging the way he did in episode 1, it's still not enough. the reason being, as of right now, we're knowledgable of sheng wang's past. but what about jiang tian? we know nothing about him. we just know this boy is closed off and distant and cold and grumpy. but why?

these questions are the answers. but sheng wang doesn't know. not yet.

they could have just dropped the conversation here. but this is one of (the many) things i notice about sheng wang: he's always curious. always seeking answers. even in his studies, he would ask crab (i love you, friend) for the solution. and we saw some instances where jiang tian would share the method he used, etc, only to help him. and i think it's being presented at a different light here. sheng wang is waiting. he's waiting for jiang tian to give him answers.

as jiang tian says it's a habit, it might not be the answer sheng wang wanted, but it was needed, at least, only for the night.

it's so overwhelming to me how jiang tian has always been providing sheng wang with safety, happiness, anger, irritation, fun, answers and questions. how susceptible sheng wang is with everything jiang tian is. they are like mirrors reflecting one another. because for me, jiang tian is like a closed book, but i could understand him once i start reading. but sheng wang, he's more layered. he's open but also secretive. he expresses emotions, but not everyone reciprocates and understands him. not until jiang tian.

and i'm no longer sane in the head because of this.

[marzipanandminutiae]

I've gotten some interesting responses to my post wondering if Um Actually 3 AM Is The REAL Time For Supernatural Occurrences was a traditional thing before I first noticed it in the creepypasta boom of the late 00s-2010s, as many of those creepypastas claimed. some of them along "guys. please. reading comprehension" lines, I admit

"Lots of cultures have a Witching Hour!" yes, true, but that's not 3 AM specifically. for a long time it was usually midnight, or an unspecified late night/wee hours of the morning period

"This author says 3 AM feels like depression or vice versa!" that is not about Spooky Things Happening; try again

"early Christian beliefs say-" "well, in traditional Japanese folklore-" sources??? (also from what I've seen while looking into this, the Hour of the Ox in historical Japanese timekeeping was between 1 AM and 3 AM- 3 AM specifically was the end of it, not the beginning. but it was a traditional time for curses)

A mention of 3 AM as a particularly bad time of night re: health, sleep, nightmares, etc. in Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962), which DOES seem reliable and close enough to what I'm talking about

Apparently the 1974 Amityville murders happened at 3 AM, and of course that house had a highly public (probably faked) haunting. So that could have contributed

I haven't yet found anything earlier than that Bradbury reference that SPECIFICALLY mentions 3 AM as a time when scary and/or supernatural things happen, WITH ACTUAL SOURCES

Interestingly, the Bradbury quote doesn't seem to refer back to an existing cultural belief in the idea of Evil 3 AM(TM). rather it's framed as the narrator's personal feelings around that particular time of night:

"Oh God, midnight’s not bad, you wake and go back to sleep, one or two’s not bad, you toss but sleep again. Five or six in the morning, there’s hope, for dawn’s just under the horizon. But three, now, Christ, three A.M.! Doctors say the body’s at low tide then. The soul is out. The blood moves slow. You’re the nearest to dead you’ll ever be save dying. Sleep is a patch of death, but three in the morn, full wide-eyed staring, is living death! You dream with your eyes open. God, if you had strength to rouse up, you’d slaughter your half-dreams ... And wasn’t it true, had he read somewhere, more people in hospitals die at 3 A.M. than at any other time." [I can't find any credible studies of this, for the record]

so it seems like the seeds of the idea were floating around in the cultural consciousness for a long time, between unspecified Witching Hours and the Hour of the Ox curses and this probably erroneous but popular belief that most people who die in hospitals do so at 3 AM. but as for the very strictly-defined notion that Supernatural Things Are Most Likely To Happen At 3 AM...the earliest anecdotal reference I saw to someone having heard that was from the 1980s, and it doesn't seem to have really entered the zeitgeist with force until the late 2000s, earliest

unless someone shows me a source on something earlier, that's what I'm going with

which leaves my takeaway, as a paranormal believer, being: there's nothing supernaturally special about 3 AM, unless it has individual significance to a specific entity or haunting (ie residual apparition of an event that took place at that time). it's something people came up with for interesting fiction, as a fresh take on the longstanding western idea that the Witching Hour is midnight, and not even that long ago

[blackarmychoir]

the reason why crona soul eater is such good enby representation is because they cover the entire non binary identity from cute androgynous person to cosmic being of madness

[rosekin]

Lately, I've been talking with my partner about how I've been thinking about my younger self and all the self loathing she felt, and how sad it makes me feel for her. Talking about it reminded me of a fantasy I was obssessed with from ages 5-10. So I've drawn the fantasy as a tribute to that sad little girl

[whenthewallfell]

~ oh, the places you'll go! ~

[serpentarius]

if you're not watching Interview with the Vampire you are honestly depriving yourself of some of the best television—nay, some of the best MEDIA—that has ever existed.

the show is being seriously undermarketed by amc, but please don't take that as any sort of reflection on its quality. it's quite the opposite, actually. I promise you it's not an exaggeration when I and many others say it's one of the best shows you'll find out there right now.

do it. I can guarantee you won't regret it.

[di-42]

This month has been blessed with some of the best stories I've read/I'm reading in a while and cursed, as usual, with criminally limited time to read and write (and to have walks in the park, and to snuggle with my husband on the sofa, and to go to exhibitions… but I digress, don't I?).

Aaaaaanyway. Here are the things I loved about

March’s Mouthwatering Fictions

WIPs:

Scorn And The Saint-Maker, by beardo @e-rated-beardo, rated E, chapters 35/?

This story is so incredibly compelling. You'll find yourself constantly trying to unravel the puzzle of Anthony Crowley and Angel Fell, thinking back of all the Clues the writer has scattered here and there so far. The characterisation is spot on, the smut is just so, oh, delicious, and the writer’s beautiful use of “Oh, but”s had me sigh like Aziraphale when reading Jane Austen. All mixed up in an incredibly clever plot. We meet old and new and new-but-old-really friends and what the blooming freak is going on? The details are impressive, and did I mention beardo also does the amazing artwork? 

This is definitely one of those fics that make you wonder at the fact that the author is not a full time writer and artist and instead does this for free as a gift to us. What more can a reader ask for? 

Also, no matter if you've ever been or will ever go to Aberdeen, prepare to fall in love with the city and its university campus.

Is There A Version? by @lookingatacupoftea , rated M, chapters 11/25.

Because life, I still have to catch on the chapters that have been already posted, but, oh I'M LOVING THIS SEASON 3 FICTION! I'm loving it so much! It's so, so refreshing to read someone else’s story that shares my headcanon and my vision of the characters. Please please please go and read it!

Chicken Bites, by AMangoNamedChicken, rated M, chapters 28/?

A collection of small snippets in the lives of our ineffables. Every chapter can be read on its own as a little bite and you can skip some chapters if you want and still be able to enjoy the others. Great humour and lovely fluff, but really every chapter is different and can have a different tone. 

Wavelengths & Frequencies, by imposterssyndrome @maaikeatthefullmoon, @shadesofecclescakes , rated E, chapters 19/?

Human AU in which Aziraphale and Crowley are rival radio DJs who find themselves working for the same media company. This story is filled with lovely banter and humour and has all the right feels. 

My own new WIP, Deluded, rated M, chapter 1/ 5.

Human AU. Crowley has been sent to a blind date with Maggie's friend Aziraphale. But Crowley doesn't do dates, only one-night stands. He's done with feelings and stuff. So he delivers the little speech he has prepared to Aziraphale and they never see each other again. 

HA!

Joking. We all know that's never going to happen, don't we?

When I was finishing writing my season 3 fic, I promised myself that all I would write after that would be only human AUs with hardly any plot, and boy am I keeping that promise! Welcome to another story where all that happens is two people meeting, talking, thinking, falling in love and dealing with their own and each other's cluelessness. 

Complete stories: 

That Isn't Supposed To Happen, by @addledmongoose , rated T, 127k.

I adore Addled’s stories and style and have done since the first one I read over a year ago. Each new story is a lovely gift, and this reverse omens AU doesn't disappoint one bit. There's plot, there's a mystery to solve, there's oh, so much wonderful pining, there's humour, there's great characterisation and there's demon Azira. I don't think I'll ever be able to stress enough how being a demon suits Aziraphale perfectly. He was born to be a demon; Crowley's demon to be precise. The dynamics between the two of them is simply perfect. I loved loved loved this fiction! 

Anthony J. Crowley: Private Eye, by Tigerseye67, rated M, 14k.

Lovely human AU written in the style of a 40s noir film. Crowley is a private detective and Aziraphale hires him to recover a book that Gabriel stole from him. Several plot twists later everything ends well for our heroes, in this intriguing case!

One-shots:

Heir, by ddagent, rated T, 2k.

Just a lovely peek into the life of future king Aziraphale on the day of his brother’s Gabriel funeral. He meets leader of opposition and anti-monarchist Crowley. This story left a delicious taste of nostalgia and what-ifs in my mouth; it was brief and effective. But a fair warning: if you need unquestionable closure in the fics you read, maybe you might want to give this one a miss. I loved it.

Ghost, by AppleSeeds, rated T, 5k.

Human AU. Crowley seems to have a ghost in his flat who takes care of him by preparing relaxing hot baths and providing nice meals. Don't worry, though, this is fiction, and AppleSeeds fiction at that. Happy ending guaranteed. 

Just Another Day, by @enderhuntresss , rated E, 2k.

Such a lovely and fluffy (and hot) slice of life in the future of our favourite ineffables. This story is what awaits them on the other side of saving the world and we're all looking forward to for them. 

Smooth Criminal, by Sabotaged_Words @sabotage-on-mercury, rated T, 11k.

Oh,I adored this story! I have already recommended it to anyone who would listen and I'll recommend it again! It's a human AU where petty criminal Crowley tries to steal items from Aziraphale's bookshop and that's how their friendship begins. Delightful humour, warm vibes, great characterisation, hilarious references to canon: this fiction is a gem.

Thwarted Snark, by TogetherAgain, rated G, 400 words.

The first time Crowley sees Aziraphale again after he went back to heaven, he really wants to be snarky and sarcastic. But what he wants and what they both need are two very different things. Lovely and heartwarming.

As always, I tried to tag the authors whose tumblr username I know to show them that their fictions are loved. If you want your fiction removed from this list, or know an author who wants their fiction removed, please let me know.

As always, pleeeeeease, don't judge a fiction by the number of kudos!

Winter 2025 here

April's 2025 here

[magnetothemagnificent]

Every breakup song is about a trans person's relationship with their pre-transition self, btw. I don't make the rules.

[solacereigns]

sigh, the passage of time.

[tryingtimi]

I loved the mistletoe kiss tag in the prev years, and haven't had any holiday specials for my stories in a while, so here's an event of some sort: Those who follow me for a little while already know that winter is one of my favourite seasons right after autumn. It's a time, when I feel others a bit closer to myself, and when it feels like most things are possible. Maybe it's the last sprints of the year as its slowly coming to its end. Maybe it's the looming new beginning that teases us too early. I'm not sure, but I know that a lot of us either craves or simply has their creative juice filled for this period. This year winter came early (at least in my area) so I'm here to offer you some writing prompts for this coming december, and invite y'all to the celebration of everything that winter might mean to you or your characters. Of course, not everyone celebrates christmas, nor necessarily likes or has fond memories with winter, so I tried to put together the list in a way that gives room for personal interpretation. This post only contains the list of prompts without any special rules and it's for anyone to use it as they like. However, if you tag your work with #allthatthawsinthecold, and/or tag me under your snippet, I'll reblog it in december to spread the spirit of this little, made up event. Happy writing!

❅ Cold hands, warm hearts ❅ A patchwork group compare and/or celebrate each member's traditions together ❅ First snow ❅ Flurry & Frozen ❅ A long-held, deep grudge resolved/created ❅ Visiting the hometown ❅ Finding/ creating a family heirloom ❅ When The World Quiets ❅ Silent Night ❅ Kindled ❅ Pink-tinged noses ❅ Ice skating in a snowstorm ❅ Mistletoe kiss ❅ Glitter in Your Eyes ❅ Fireplace or Candle Lights ❅ A Mist That Never Settles ❅ Until Tomorrow

❅ Winter Garden by The Mayries ❅ Winter Song by Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson ❅ Vincent by Ellie Goulding ❅ Work Song by Hozier ❅ Cold Answer by Matthew Perryman Jones ❅ Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence by Ryuichi Sakamoto ❅ Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens ❅ Before The Day Is Over by Joji ❅ When a Sunset Knows Its Worth (Rebirth by Poest of The Fall) ❅ Things That Grow Under The Winter Snow (Winter Song by Sara Bareilles) ❅ A little explosion of hope (She Burns by Foy Vance) ❅ You're not the arm that hold you (Places by Portair)

❅ Bonded by gift-wrapping ribbons ❅ Glitter-covered sex/ make out ❅ Naughty or Nice roleplay ❅ "Don't start what you can't finish." ❅ "I'm here to touch, but you can only watch." ❅ Make out by the fireplace ❅ "I can be your present." ❅ "Aren't you a delight to tease?" ❅ Decorating gone dirty ❅ Warming each other with body heat

[elea-mar]

learning about my body, I learn about my mind. learning about my mind, I learn about my body

[jula483]

they really said: 🕺🏼🕺🏻

[arwenadreamer]

Lol, I just had to.

Taken from this old article:

[pandapool]

what are characters but a canvas to project our own feelings to