#frozen fitzgerald

[tenshichan1013]

frozen germany winter in arendelle

[trident-dragion]

Using Quickdraw Synchron and Debris Dragon together reads like a great idea until you have to build the extra deck

[ed-recoverry]

List of free audiobooks on YouTube for anyone interested

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Alice in Wonderland

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The Shadow Over Innsmouth by H P Lovecraft

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The Village by Caroline Mitchell

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (fuck JKR)

Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Upside Down by Danielle Steel

The Fiancée by Kate White

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Theif

Accidentally Married by Victoria E. Lieske

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

The Collector (book one) by Nora Roberts

The Lies I Told by Mary Burton

Dead Man’s Mirror by Agatha Christie

The Hobbit

The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey

The Good Neighbour by R J Parker

The Island House by Elana Johnson

Desperation by Stephan King

The Healing Summer by Heather B. Moore

The Last Affair by Margot Hunt

To Be Claimed by Willow Winter

Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The Inn by James Patterson

Wonder by R J Palacio

Faking It With The Billionaire by Willow Fox

The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark

Forrest Gump by Winston Groom

The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum

The Catcher in the Rye

The Lottery Winner by Mary Higgins Clark

Where Eagles Dare by Alistair MacLean

Death of a Nurse by M C Beaton

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare

Frozen Betrayal by Clive Cussler

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Line of Fire by R J Patterson

Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen

The Remnant by Tim LaHaye

The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Payment in Kind by J A Jance

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

A Marriage of Anything but Convenience by Victorine E. Lieske

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Inheritance Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Kama Sutra by Mallanaga Vatsyayana

The Wisdom of Father Brown by G K Chesterton

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Robin Hood by J Walker McSpadden

The Poor Traveller by Charles Dickens

Days on the Road: Crossing the Plains in 1865 by Sarah Raymond Herndon

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Atomic Habits by James Clear

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Man After Man

Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Charlotte’s Web

Midsummer Mysteries by Agatha Christie

Out of Silent Planet by C S Lewis

The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle

Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton

The Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harai

Hamlet by Shakespeare

[vidavalor]

Hello & welcome! You'll find my masterlist & snacks in here...

Hello, gentle readers, and welcome to my Tumblr thing. I write meta analyzing Good Omens with a special emphasis on its use of language. On this blog, we've also been decoding Crowley & Aziraphale's etymology-based hidden language, which we've dubbed Ineffable Husbands Speak, for a little while now. You'll find a compendium of posts related to that, as well as other theories and analysis, below the cut.

In this post, you'll find my meta masterlist. You can go to my original welcome post here to read more about the content of my blog. This post contains links to meta on language and characters. You can find story analysis meta here, theories here, and silly stuff over here. 💕

Meta on Ineffable Husbands Speak & Overall Use of Language in Good Omens

Crepes: Introduction to Crowley & Aziraphale's hidden language & an analysis of the 2008 minisode in 1.01 & how it shows the nature of their relationship

Fish: A deep dive into what the deal is with all the fish references and what the show seems to be suggesting about how sushi, Camelot, Rome and The Bullet Catch can tell us about how Crowley & Aziraphale first became lovers

Crowley and Plosives: Why Crowley pops consonants & what it has to do with his hiss

Non-Frozen Peas: First of two metas about Aziraphale's French in S2

Canapes: Homophony and what Aziraphale's French in S2 has to do linguistically with Vavooming and Crowley's couch in the bookshop

Bread: Ella Fitzgerald, Jesus and blasphemous innuendo

Tip Top, Thank You and Tickety Boo

The Yiddish in The Blitz, Part 2 & "No Nightingales"

Crowley calling Aziraphale "baby" in 1.01

The etymology of Aziraphale's name

Jiggery Pokery

Odegra & The Language of The Dark Priesthood of Ancient Mu

Grice: On the language in Muriel's notes

On the language jokes relating to sushi, pigs, and hat stands

Alpha Centauri

The romantic implications of the improper use of apostrophes

The OK sign's historical ties to Vavooming

"Wily and "Thwart"

"Technically"

"Bored" and "Board" and "Wrath" and "Wroth"

"Suspishous Ears"

Crowley's barely-coded "I love you" to Aziraphale in the Muriel scene

On use of "friend" in Ineffable Husbands Speak

On horses, The Arrangement and the innuendo in the 1601 scene

The hand flick that means 'couple'

The rubber duck

Vol-au-vents and nightingales

"Constitution of an ox"

On Aziraphale's magic words and why the antagonists are called the redundant-sounding Nazi Zombie Flesheaters

Aziraphale doing Bildad hands in Rome

"Quite sure"

Requested examples of references to Crowley by Aziraphale using language with feminine connotations

To "explode" a theory

"Put on the cuffs... I'll come quietly."

Flaming Sord

"Comes of putting it up your sleeve."

"The Amazing Mr. Fell"

Sleight of hand

Aziraphale petting Crowley's arm in 1827

Getting into a scrape

"Perfect" and "gorgeous"

Aziraphale booping Crowley's nose with the magic coin in S1

The Blitz, The B-Side and Baraqiel

"Perfectly safe"

The Arch Arch-Traitors, Err, Traitors Association

"Toss you for Edinburgh", salads, and wordplay around rings

Cobbler

"Come for me"

On 'The Maltese Falcon' & coded language

"Angel's Food Cake"

"You say 'potato' and I say 'eggcellent'..."

Aziraphale's hands are magic

"Help could come from an unexpected quarter"

"Will you get into trouble?"

"I opened the door for you."

"My dear fellow"/Mr. Fell

"PROF HOFFman"

On "Anthony" and Aziraphale getting used to it

On Professor Rossignol, nightingales, skeleton keys, references to the ancient Egyptian god Ra and the wordplay around freemasonry.

"Nice dress. Suits you."

Muriel and 'My Fair Lady'

Character Analysis Meta

If you're about to ask how Crowley & Aziraphale could already be together & your rationale for why they aren't is the 2.06 kiss, you should read this post

A short look at one of the reasons why Aziraphale keeps a journal

Aziraphale always open the bookshop door for Crowley

How 1827 explains why & how Aziraphale stopped changing his look

Crowley's smudged lipstick & walk in 1941

On Aziraphale in the 1967 scene and the Holy Water arc

Some thoughts on what The Serpent & the food kink suggests

A short look at Gabriel and Crowley parallels

In defense of Gabriel and on S2 highlighting his and Aziraphale's quiet depression

Shax, Crowley and the Hot Water Boiler metaphor

More on Shax's pash on Crowley & Crowley's big reputation

Mr. Brown of Brown's World of Carpets' pash on Aziraphale

Gabriel's use of 1950s-era American slang in S2

The Original, Original Sin Theory: What "I Forgive You" really means

Gabriel spending an episode in a blanket (this is not a deep analysis lol)

On how Maggie & Nina contrast with Crowley & Aziraphale

On the dessert choices during the body swap

Crowley using the evidence envelope as a frame

On Crowley & Aziraphale's paralleling scenes on buses in S1

On praise kink

Mrs. Sandwich's ball outfit & Before the Beginning

Aziraphale lying to Crowley about how he did the magic trick in 1941

"I don't think you understand what I'm offering you."

Tantric Eye Gazing

The Ineffable Husbands-ness of Gabriel's bookseller outfit

Suggestions in the story that Aziraphale & Crowley are using knowledge of The Proust Effect to try to minimize the risk of memory loss to Aziraphale

These posts contain discussion of SA:

Satan's attacks on Crowley and Crowley's PTSD

Lindsay doesn't just parallel Heaven but also Lucifer

Crowley, Lucifer & Mrs. Sandwich

Crowley, Aziraphale, possession and opera

[redahlia-writes]

be still my foolish heart. | joel miller

Abstract: He still felt unsure, unsteady, both wanting to keep her at arm’s length and welcoming her back in his life like before, drown in the comfort he’d found in her presence year after year since they were kids. She’d tried to reassure him, and he knew she was right–you could not live in the world they did and not change. But he remembered her in pigtails on the first day of school, he remembered her prom dress being awfully 80s, and he remembered the first time he’d seen her with Sarah–gentle voiced and wide eyed, holding her as if she might shatter should she breathe a little too hard.

Words: 9.7k

Content: f!reader (called “sugar” as a nickname, described as shorter than joel); childhood friends to lovers, mentions of child’s death, grief, mentions of attempted suicide, PTDS, panic attacks, hurt/comfort, this was supposed to be about joel and sugar but there’s a lot of joel/ellie too. a lot, idiots in love, slow(ish) burn, ellie being a loving little shit, canon divergence (they get to jackson and don’t leave but i never explain why), some very minor spoilers for tlou2, purple prose, unedited

A/N: loosely inspired by almost (sweet music) by hozier; the song they listen to is night and day and can be found in ella fitzgerald sings the cole porter song book (1956). 

also on AO3 - masterlist

reblogs and feedback are always greatly appreciated. you can send it here, too

Ellie had never seen a deer in headlights, only saw pictures of the creatures and heard the expression every now and then from older people.

She imagined the way Joel looked in that moment was what they meant.

Frozen still, eyes wide and lips parted, even holding his breath if the lack of condensation by his face was any indicator, Joel stood next to his brother with his back straight, the only indication he hadn’t suddenly turned into a piece of rock the light twitch in his right hand.

There’s someone you should see, Tommy had told him, half a day after they’d gotten to Jackson–they’d had time to eat and leave the few stuff they still had in the house, and right before she could hit the shower Tommy had walked in. Not keen on the idea of being left alone, Ellie had followed the Millers quietly. Joel had even teased her about it.

“Who’s the quiet one now?” she’d huffed at Joel’s sudden immobility. Tommy had looked at her with that half grin that she imagined Joel must’ve had, too, at some point, and then lifted his arm to wave a hand in the direction of a small group by the school. A woman pulled her head up, a green woolen hat low on her brow, and then waved back, a smile visible even from there. “Anyone you know?” she asked, looking back at Joel.

He still did not bat an eye.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” she exclaimed, extricating herself from the rest of the group with a quick apology. “Joel Miller,” she called, the name rolling with a certain familiarity out of her mouth as she approached them, brushing some snow from her coat.

“Sugar?” the word came out strangled–his mouth was dry, the ground unstable beneath him. Suddenly, he wasn’t 56 anymore but 16 years old, and around him a shitty classroom that could do with some fixing, or an all too familiar living room, a cluttered bedroom with dark walls–and the smile he was offered had not changed a bit.

“Sugar?” Ellie echoed, a little baffled. Her eyes darted towards the girl, a glint of curiosity.

“Only one who still called me that after we left high-school,” the woman chuckled, stepping forward with her arms open. “Come on, c’mere–it’s been too long.”

Joel hesitated–when was the last time he’d hugged someone? Maybe Tess, though he could not remember when, but that had always been more a clinging-to-each-other type of thing. A hug, that was different, and he felt stuck on the spot all over again.

Before he could overthink it too much, Ellie pushed him forward, making him grunt in protest as he almost fell into the woman’s embrace–he wrapped his arms around her, the movement somewhat foreign, and slowly leaned into it. Despite the cold and snow, she was warm underneath all the layers of clothing she donned, and smelled of freshly cut grass. It reminded him of another time, and if he closed his eyes he could almost see it. He exhaled.

“You stink, Miller–how long have you been out there?” she laughed softly, one hand cupping the back of his head, same way she used to when they were younger. He remembered dancing.

“A while,” he admitted, unable to argue with that, easing into the embrace furthermore. “Sorry,” he added, and she patted his shoulder gently, another delicate chuckle that rang crystalline to his ears.

“I’ve had it worse, it’s alright,” she murmured, chin hooked over his shoulder–he could feel her straining to stand on her tiptoes, slightly unbalanced, and lowered himself against her, face buried in the curve of her neck wrapped by a soft scarf that matched the hat. She sighed softly at the movement, her fingertips scratching across his scalp. “God, it’s good to see you.”

“You, too,” voice slightly muffled and blind to the world, Joel was able to admit that. Maybe it was nostalgia, making him forget everything else for a few moments as he lingered in the peacefulness of that familiar touch, or maybe it was exhaustion, blurring the edges between who he used to be and who he was now.

“I’m so sorry, Joel,” she whispered then, and it felt like ice through his veins. He pulled back slightly, the urge to run away making his limbs tremble–but she kept him caged in, the arm around his shoulders stronger than he remembered (was he tired? Was he too out of it?), and the hand that had brushed his hair falling to his cheek, brushing away some of the grime he’d grown used to by then.

But it was her gaze that kept him rooted, though, that softness he didn’t think could still exist in the world they lived in, and emotions he had almost forgotten, ignoring them each time they presented themselves–it’d be too risky to feel them, too easy to surrender to it again: sorrow, grief. It cut his breath all over again.

“Tommy told me,” she kept her voice low, her touch gentle, rubbing her thumb across his uneven beard. The bustling in the air was foreign after so many months of quiet, and he wasn’t sure which one made his body ache–the current life, or the past death.

“Of course he did,” he scoffed, and her expression shifted, a reprimand in her gaze that used to make him laugh when they were younger, and furthermore when she grew into that same expression, year after year of standing together.

“Joel,” she chided, still soft-voiced, still attempting to comfort him through that small motion on his face. He remembered that touch and kind, encouraging words with a baby in his arms; he remembered his name called out through laughter–hers, his daughter’s; he remembered winters and summers and years before that. He closed his eyes, a furrow in his brow.

“No, of course he did,” he exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Sorry, it’s just–she really liked you, you know?” his eyes remained closed, trying to push back the pressure building behind his eyelids, trying to swallow the knot in his throat.

“I know,” he felt her nod, press herself closer just as her name was called from behind them. When he looked up at her again, her eyes were shimmering, that vulnerability he hadn’t had the courage to show again after the ringing in his right ear had stopped. “I’m sorry,” she repeated, bringing her other hand to his face, too, holding him like that. He nodded, afraid that if he spoke right away he would crumble.

All it had taken was a gentler touch, and he was ready to fall apart.

“You oughta go–looks like you’re needed,” he cleared his throat, the damn knot clinging to his larynx seemingly impossible to push away. She looked over her shoulder, the group she was with before waving her over, and sighed before turning back towards him.

They still hadn’t let go of each other, and neither seemed willing to make the first move.

“I’m expecting you all for dinner,” she spoke a little louder then, turning her head as if to look past Joel’s shoulder but without moving her gaze from him. “Alright, Tommy?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the younger Miller called, his eyes returning to the pair after having wandered elsewhere for the duration of their reunion–the most privacy that could be given in that context. Ellie hadn’t been as subtle, her head tilted and a curious look in her eyes at the sudden burst of emotion that seemed to roll off Joel’s back. It was astounding. 

In the end, she was the first to depart, a kiss to Joel’s cheek that seemed to melt away what little tension was left in him. He stumbled back as she walked towards the group, one last look over her shoulder that ended up being directed towards Ellie, a quick smile and small wave she returned, somewhat unsure.

“I felt the same way,” Tommy rested his hand on his brother’s shoulder, as if to shake him from the haze that seemed to have permeated him thoroughly.

“She been here long?” he was frowning again, forcing his gaze away from the back of her head to look at Tommy. The younger Miller nodded a couple of times.

“Even before I got here,” he said, slowly beginning to lead him away, Joel seemingly rooted to the spot once more. “You know Sugar, she’s always been a step ahead of us,” he added, and in his murmur there was a fond smile.

“Sugar?” Ellie repeated, her eyebrows arched with her returned bafflement.

“Just a stupid nickname,” Joel muttered, shaking himself off in a way that seemed more a recoil–he turned and cleared his throat. “Old nickname. Don’t even know who came up with it in school. It stuck.”

“For you it stuck,” Tommy was smiling, clearly amused. They seemed so different, Ellie thought. Had they always been like that? She wondered if she could ask her. “Pure irony, really,” Tommy continued, addressing her. “She always fought people–a real spitfire.”

“You only say that because you got slapped,” Ellie’s eyebrows arched furthermore at Joel’s scoff, a tint of amusement in his words.

“And you,” the younger Miller retorted, making Ellie’s lips part.

“Oh, I like her,” she exclaimed, turning to look at her–she was back at work, the scarf now covering the lower part of her face, though she could still hear her laughter ring clear.

A week later, they stood in her living room.

Though they’d met again around town after that first day, it had taken both Joel and Ellie a moment to settle in. The house felt odd for them both–Ellie having never had one, Joel not remembering his old one. It helped that she lived just around the corner, and in the morning he’d see her walk by to head towards the center.

Slowly, he found a routine, found a way to make himself useful, and leaned into it. Ellie was wilder, refusing to go to school and spending most of her time in her bedroom, Walkman constantly on as she went through pages and pages of old diaries, old books. 

“Wanna come to this thing with me?” was the only thing he asked her that night–they threaded carefully around each other, murmured confessions before he sent her to bed at night (the only thing he was firm with, leaving her her space otherwise). It wasn’t time that did it, Ellie’s head resting on his shoulder as she fiddled with the new record he’d found for her. When I got bit in the mall I wasn’t on my own, Riley’s name bitter on her tongue.

“What thing?” Joel’s hair was slicked back, a new shirt Tommy had gotten for him along with his jacket. He actually looked put together, which was the reason why Ellie sat up quickly. “Are you going to Sugar’s?”

“Stop calling her that,” he muttered, though it was the only way he ever referred her as–old habits, he thought. “Yeah–Tommy and Maria are gonna be there too, we’re all adults so if–”

“Let’s go,” she hopped up.

And so they were in her living room, scarcely decorated but recognisable as hers nonetheless, and Ellie walked around the place with a curious gaze, hands fidgeting at her sides.

“How did you convince her to come here?” Maria asked quietly, as the three of them waited for the lady of the house–she had categorically refused any help in the kitchen, ordering them to wait by the set table. Old habits, Joel thought again.

“I didn’t,” he shrugged, watching the kid linger at a picture set in a cracked frame, the dance of her fingers ceasing for just a moment. “I think she likes her–probably has to do with the slapping stories.”

“Definitely has to do with the slapping stories,” Tommy chuckled, taking a sip of his drink.

“You know I can hear you, right?” Ellie asked, without turning to look at them. “Actually–him I can understand,” Joel scowled at Ellie’s remark while she pointed at him, spinning around to face the three of them. “But why did she hit you?” Maria chuckled at that, while Tommy almost choked on his drink and his face burned a brighter shade of red.

“Ah, well, I–” he cleared his throat–it was another time, he thought. So many years before. “I–kind of made a move on her. And then told her I was gonna join the army,” he rubbed his jaw, some sort of nervous twitch as he glanced in a grinning Maria’s direction. “Still not sure which one pissed her off more.”

“The army,” she said, coming into the living room while holding a fuming pot she was quick to place on the table. Joel’s posture changed, a slight shift towards her by the head of the table and his head twisting so that his gaze would be on her, the ghost of a smile across his lips. “If one of you was going to be a self-sacrificing idiot and leave, I expected that to be Joel.”

“You shipped yourself off to college,” Tommy protested as they sat down–Joel remained next to her on left, Ellie next to him (she didn’t like being on his deaf side, but she preferred it to sitting away), Tommy and Maria on the other side.

“Definitely not the same thing,” she wrinkled her nose in a half-grimace, plating up the food–whatever it was, Ellie couldn’t remember the last time she’d smelled something so good, her stomach already grumbling. Tommy scoffed lightly, passing on the plates.

“Wait, you made a move? If anything I thought–” before Ellie could finish the sentence, Joel pinched her leg, making her yelp and turn to him wide-eyed. “What the hell was that for?”

“Manners,” he muttered–at the corner of his eye, the woman tried to fight off a smile, setting the last plate in front of him. “Eat your food.”

She looked at the older Miller and the kid throughout the dinner and the chats, the scowls and grins, his reprimands and her sharp tongue. It was a familiar scene, late dinners stolen in a living room she once knew like it was her own.

The younger brother leaving early on was familiar, too, Maria tiring easily from the pregnancy and Tommy refusing to leave her side for longer than necessary–her heart ached at the thought of Tommy Miller having grown up, until it functioned as a reminder that growing up in their world now meant surviving. It was easier to think of it like that.

“Just means you’re gonna have to come back for dessert,” she said as Maria hugged her, winking in Tommy’s direction, too.

“We should get going, too,” Joel cleared his throat once it was just the three of them, heading for the rack where his and Ellie’s jacket hung. She had the fleeting thought that he was trying to avoid being alone with her–though they weren’t really alone–as he had for the whole week. A quick greeting and then away, never lingering too much around her. She figured it was because he was still settling in–hoped that was the reason, in spite of the years gone by.

“But I want dessert!” the girl protested, still sat at the table (by herself).

“Ellie,” he sighed heavily, not turning to look at her as picked up her coat.

“Joel,” she retorted in the same tone, unmoving. The woman looked between the two of them with an eyebrow arched, fighting the smile off of her lips the moment Joel sighed again, head falling forward. It wasn’t needed, but Ellie took it a step further, softening her voice for a, “Please?”

Joel Miller had always had a hard time saying no to his daughter. Guess things hadn’t changed that much.

“If we’re bothering–” he started, his gaze flicking from Ellie to her.

“Oh, quit that, Miller,” she scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “Ellie, grab your plate, come,” Joel remained frozen for a moment as the girl beamed, standing with the plate in her hands and quickly following her towards the kitchen. A beat, and then he went after them, bringing with him the rest of the dirty dishes they’d left behind.

“What is that?” Ellie had stopped abruptly at the entrance of the kitchen, eyes wide, forcing Joel to walk around her at the last moment, stumbling towards the woman who was placing a tray onto the counter. He lingered a moment, his gaze following the twisted pattern made of golden dough, and once more he felt transported back ages in time.

“My mama’s apple pie,” she said gently, a smile grazing her face–there was a bitterness to it, too, with the realization that that was probably the first time Ellie saw one outside of pictures. “We produce the flour ourselves, and have the dogs check it for possible contamination, so it’s safe,” Joel could almost see the hope in her eyes in trying to reassure the kid, grabbing the knife and offering it to her by the handle. “Wanna have a go?”

Ellie’s eyes shimmered with excitement as she took the sharp knife, getting closer to her–she leaned with one arm on the counter, while with the other hand she showed her where to start, mimicking the movement of cutting down towards the crust. As he placed the dirty dishes in the sink, Joel inhaled deeply, the perfume coming out of the still warm filling in fumes.

“Jesus,” he muttered with a soft groan, turning around quickly. Ellie stilled, her gaze flickering from where she held the knife up to him, then back to the grinning woman who was looking at him, too. “Sorry.”

“You know, your–” she stopped herself, clearing her throat before straightening her back. “Joel would always know when we made this at my place. I don’t know how but he did–never failed to show up when my mama got one in the oven.”

“Sixth sense,” Joel chuckled, getting closer as well, his mouth already watering. “Smells just like then,” he mumbled, shifting on the spot when she bumped her hip against him, her smile widening. “You know, Sarah wanted to call you to bring it over, before–” he cut himself off.

Ellie shuffled on the spot, the knife in her hand a sudden weight she didn’t like–Joel had mentioned just in passing Sarah to her, admitting first and foremost to her existence, half-joking over their differences. But whenever he did his eyes would go unfocused, gaze dropping to the broken watch.

She watched as the woman pressed herself slightly closer, hand brushing the back of Joel’s, right up to the cracked watch before she even looked up, the movement seemingly enough to draw Joel’s attention towards her; she watched as the man cleared his throat, right hand twitching before he exhaled, pulling back as if in afterthought, reaching for the cupboard; she watched Sugar’s head drop slightly, and then straighten again with a forced smile in her direction. Ellie returned it tentatively.

“Alright, kiddo–it’s best when it’s warm,” she encouraged, taking the knife from her as Joel returned with clean plates. She deposited the slice on one, pushing it in Ellie’s direction. “Too bad we haven’t got any ice cream, tastes even better with that.”

“Can’t miss what I never tried, right?” Ellie shrugged, that crooked smile still on. “Thanks,” she added then, stepping away, back towards the living room. She’d started to learn when others needed space.

“Joel,” his name whispered was like a bucket of ice water thrown in his face, a shuddering breath leaving him when he turned to look at her. Her head was slightly tilted, a soft gaze that tethered on mournful. Joel didn’t want pity. He wanted so much, but not pity.

“Can’t,” he said through gritted teeth. Her hand reached for him again, slower, fingers brushing his knuckles as they whitened with the clench of his fists above the counter. “Sugar, I can’t,” he repeated, looking down. She pressed her palm over the back of his hand, a firm knead to unfurl his fingers from where they pushed into his own palm, blunt nails still leaving their mark. He shook his head.

“It’s just me,” she kept her voice low, soft.

Tommy had told her a lot–the whole of it, really. Sarah’s death. Joel’s attempt. The shift in him–the shift in them both, but mostly Joel. The anger. The bad, awful things they’d done. The anger, the only thing Joel seemed to have felt for the past 20 years.

It nearly broke her heart.

“I know,” his eyes flickered towards the door leading to the living room, Ellie’s head peeking from behind the backrest of the armchair. “You haven’t changed one bit, but I–”

“That’s not true,” she shook her head, scooting closer. “I have. Everybody has. We had to,” curling her fingers around his hand, she slowly picked it up, bringing it closer to her. There were calluses on her fingers he didn’t remember from the years before, lines across her face he thought were a trick of the light. “You think you lost your humanity when Sarah died, but that’s not true,” she tilted her head towards the living room, gaze flickering to Ellie, the scrape of the fork against the plate the only sound coming from her. “She’s proof of that. You must see that.”

“She was a job,” his hand felt cold in hers, fingers twitching slightly. Each time, she squeezed it softly, bringing it closer to her stomach. He could feel her warmth even like that.

“She was,” she nodded in agreement, shifting so she could meet his gaze. “And now?”

“It’s complicated,” he returned, and a bittersweet smile grazed her lips.

“You always saw things as more complicated than they actually were,” she let go of him, and Joel clenched his hand suspended mid-air in her direction, while she turned towards the counter, taking the knife up again to cut two more slices of pie and plate them. “Perhaps you’re not exactly your old self, but you’re still almost you, no matter what you tell yourself, Joel,” she pushed one of the plates in his direction, glancing at him once more. “Eat up.”

Joel had a hard time breathing. It happened less frequently–it had been weeks since his last episode, he’d almost forgotten about it–but it still did, every now and then. He hated it.

He wasn’t sure what triggered it: he wasn’t doing anything specific, was just thinking about how to fix the creaky step that led up and down his patio, when all of a sudden he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t breathe and his chest ached, right in the middle, like a weight trying to pin him down against the ground–but the ground didn’t feel stable, and he had to lean against the wall for support while everything spun around him.

Worst of all was the ringing in his ears. He’d gotten used to the muffled sounds in his right ear, and the sudden high pitched noise made him dizzy, made his vision waiver, made him unable to exhale. The next breath scratched at his throat, like a badly chewed bite refusing to go down, no matter how many times he tried to swallow.

“Dad?” he gasped, the town suddenly in front of him again. The edges were still blurred, but right in front of him stood Ellie–a few steps behind, Sugar had her head tilted, a curious gaze in her eyes.

“What?” his voice rang still distant, somehow, and he shook his head, trying to clear the clouds away.

“I said are you alright?” Ellie frowned, getting a step closer. “Joel, are you going deaf in both ears?” she asked, and that melted away the tension in Joel’s shoulders with a sigh.

“Very funny,” he muttered, pushing himself off from the school wall. “I just got distracted, is all. You ready?” he cleared his throat, glancing briefly in the woman’s direction.

“You know you don’t have to come get me every day, right?” Ellie mumbled, moving at his side. “It’s not like I can run away,” Joel gave her a look–eyebrows arched, head slightly tilted, that same expression he used when Tommy said something dumb. Ellie could almost hear it.

You ran away from FEDRA and sneaked into a sealed mall. I wouldn’t put it past you.

Maybe he had a point.

“Bye, Ms. Sugar!” a girl called from behind them, dark hair pulled away from her freckled face. “Ellie, you coming?” she waited, expectantly. Ellie turned towards Joel, whose face had shifted into a simil-scowl.

“So that’s what you meant, huh?” he crossed his arms, to which Ellie responded with a lopsided grin, looking at him expectantly, the mute question clear in her eyes. Can I? “Wait, Ms. Sugar?” he turned to look at the woman who still stood there, and she snorted.

“Ask Ellie about it,” she retorted, clearly amused by the guilty look creeping across the girl’s face. “She’ll be right there, Dina!” she called out then, a little louder.

“I didn’t mean to, okay?” Ellie protested, with a small kick to the melting snow in front of her. “You call her that all the time–it just came out of my mouth,” she argued then, pointing at Joel.

“Are you blaming me for calling your teacher with a nickname?” he returned, baffled.

“Yes,” Ellie nodded. Behind Ellie, he saw her stifle a giggle, quick to lower her head and cover her mouth with a hand. The girl looked up at him still, eyes softening in a pleading motion. “Can I go?”

“Sure,” he sighed–the word was barely out of his mouth before Ellie was already darting away, running towards her smiling friend. “I’m sorry,” he said then, turning to her.

“It’s alright, Joel,” clearly amused, she shook her head and took a step closer to him, hands dropped at her sides. “Besides, I think only Dina heard her. Maybe Cat, too, but it’s no big deal,” she shrugged, standing right in front of him now. Joel tightened his grip around Ellie’s bag strap, lowering his gaze to her.

“She good?” he asked, a little quieter. “This Dina, she–”

“Yes, she’s a good kid,” she said with a smile and a small nod, tilting her head slightly. “You can rest easy, Mr. Miller,” at that, Joel snorted, rolling his eyes.

“Mr. Miller,” he mocked, to which her smile widened. “Haven’t been called that since I had to meet with Sarah’s teachers,” as soon as the words were out of his mouth, his expression fell slightly, gaze unfocused. He thought he was about to stop breathing again, when she placed her hand on his upper arm, pressing gently against the jacket sleeve.

“Joel,” with a whisper of his name, he snapped his eyes back up towards her–a worried crease crossed her forehead, knitting her brows closer. “What is it?”

She knew what it was. She’d seen it, in people younger and older than him; she’d felt it on her own skin, clawing at her throat in a desperate attempt to clear her airways. Hers had never been as immobile as Joel’s. She kicked and screamed and cried until she was spent and aching all over.

“Just–” he clicked his tongue and thought of lying.

He still felt unsure, unsteady, both wanting to keep her at arm’s length and welcoming her back in his life like before, drown in the comfort he’d found in her presence year after year since they were kids. She’d tried to reassure him, and he knew she was right–you could not live in the world they did and not change. But he remembered her in pigtails on the first day of school, he remembered her prom dress being awfully 80s, and he remembered the first time he’d seen her with Sarah–gentle voiced and wide eyed, holding her as if she might shatter should she breathe a little too hard.

“It’s like starting all over again with her–not sure if I’m doing right or wrong whenever I make a decision,” he admitted then, voice low–she got closer, gaze softening. He wanted to lean into her all of a sudden, but clenched his fists instead, the strap of Ellie’s bag digging in his palm. “I can’t disappoint her, can’t–I can’t fail her, too.”

“You didn’t fail anyone, Joel,” he almost disagreed, but the look she gave him didn’t leave room for any argument. He snapped his mouth shut. “It’s odd, adjusting to this place–I didn’t sleep properly for a year, flinched at every noise. When Maria asked me if I wanted to teach I thought she’d lost her mind,” she scoffed, shaking her head lightly. “And then I had my first full night of sleep. The kids and parents started waving at me in the streets. I ate food that hadn't expired 10 years ago. It’s–give yourself some time to adjust, Miller. Both of you.”

Joel exhaled, tipping his head slightly back and looking up towards the sky–it was sunny, mercifully, the cold starting to become bearable. He felt her shuffle forward rather than see her, eyelids fluttering when she rested her hand over his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Ellie’s doing good,” she reassured then, smiling when he looked back at her. “She’s–a little wild, maybe, but she feels safe here. With you. She’ll be alright,” head tilted slightly to the side, the scarf wrapped around her neck slipped–he almost reached up to fix it for her. “So will you.”

“You always knew what to say, didn’t you?” he sighed, turning his head a little–he felt her hand move from his shoulder to his upper arm, warmth spreading wherever her touch lingered. He leaned into it.

“Not really, most of the time I winged it,” she shrugged, and his smile returned, although tentative, while shaking his head. “How’d you think I made it through college?”

“Brains, Sugar,” without thinking too much about it, he reached up and pinched her chin, gently tilting her head back a little. “You’ve always had more brains than us combined. I think we both should’ve listened to you more.”

“Took you long enough to admit that,” she grinned, following the curve of his arm down to where his hand still brushed her face. She brushed her fingertips along the back of his hand, lingering at his knuckles. “It hurt to say it out loud, didn’t it?” he chuckled, shaking his head.

“No, actually. I’m quite alright,” her eyebrows arched, wrapping her fingers around his hand for balance before reaching for his forehead with her other one. Joel laughed then, taking one small step back to balance them both, eyes crinkling at the touch. “What are you doing?”

“Checking if you have a fever,” she replied, nonchalantly, shifting her hand over his temple, over his cheek. “God forbid this affects you physically,” she added in a mock whisper, unable to hide the amusement in her words. Still laughing, Joel let go of Ellie’s bag to reach up and grab her other hand.

“Alright, alright,” he pulled his head slightly back, holding their joined hands between them–she’d tipped forward, unbalanced, and he held her upright, looking back down towards her grinning face. “You’ve made your point. Thank you.”

“Good,” she chuckled. They remained like that a moment longer, simply looking at each other, before she cleared her throat and glanced quickly over her shoulder. “I should go. Gotta fix up the classroom or else Hell might just break loose tomorrow.”

“Right,” he let go of her, his palms tingling still. “Well, I–thank you, Sugar. I mean it.”

“I know you do,” expression softened again, she stepped back–they had barely realized how close they were. Joel missed it right away. “I’ll see ya, Miller.”

“Sure,” he murmured in return, one of the hands he’d kept lifted doing a half-wave as she turned around. He kept it up, gaze lingering on her back until she’d vanished back into the building.

“Damn,” he whipped around with his eyes wide, gaze immediately falling to Ellie at his side.

“What are you doing here?” he muttered, a quick look over his shoulder and then past Ellie’s head. “Language,” he added right away, making her snort.

“Didn’t know you could laugh,” she retorted, her eyebrows arched.

“That's bullshit, you’ve heard me before,” he frowned, and Ellie’s grin widened.

“Language,” she mocked him, making Joel scowl. “Sure I did, but it wasn’t like this.”

“Like what?” still frowning, he watched her shrug and point vaguely at him.

“This,” she repeated, then shrugged and grabbed her bag from the ground in front of him. “Anyways, I came back to get this. Bye.”

“Ellie!” he protested, though she was already skipping away. “Like what?”

Winter passed, and the first glimpses of Spring came to Jackson in the shape of flowers and fruit, an unfrozen ground giving them the first rewards. Ellie would spend more days outside with her friends, but every now and then she’d hang back with him, sitting on the porch while he tried to teach her how to play guitar.

“Now try the next one,” he nodded, after a while she’d been repeating the same three notes, a small melody she’d been practicing.

“I can’t do the next one,” she protested, keeping at it. Joel began to argue, but a movement at the corner of his eye made him turn around–with his good ear towards Ellie, he didn’t hear the woman’s steps until she was in his peripheral vision. He followed her with his gaze, head turning as she went–her hands were occupied by a large box, and when she noticed them she just smiled, but didn’t stop. “No, Ellie, don’t say that. You’re doing great. You can do it.”

“What?” he cleared his throat, snapping his head back around towards the kid. She was scowling, arms crossed over the guitar as he stared at him. “You are doing good. Go to the next one,” at that she rolled her eyes, lips parting with a scoff. “What?” he repeated.

“Will you quit being a stubborn ass?” Ellie groaned, lowering the guitar and leaning back into the seat. Joel’s eyebrows arched high, disbelief painted across his face.

“Watch your mouth, kid,” she scoffed again, tapping across the wood.

“Yeah, yeah,” she practically brushed him off. “But will you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Joel mimicked her, leaning back against the backrest and crossing his arms, his head twisting ever so slightly towards where he was looking before, towards her. A groan escaped her.

“Oh, please, you know perfectly well,” Joel frowned now, watching as Ellie pointed her finger in the woman’s direction–she was too far to see them, or hear them, but still Joel tapped against her extended hand. “You like her,” the girl said, bringing her hand back towards her chest. It was Joel’s turn to scoff.

“Yeah, I like her–we’ve been friends since we were kids,” he shrugged, then folded his arms across his chest once more. Ellie rolled her eyes again.

“No, I mean you like like her. Like you’re in love with her,” Joel snorted, shaking his head.

“What would you know about that?” despite the levity in Ellie’s tone, her face darkened for a moment–it had been a while since he’d seen that look in her eyes, and a pang of guilt shot through him right away. He shifted in his seat.

“I have eyes,” Ellie muttered, placing the guitar down to curl up in the chair, legs up to her chest and arms crossed. “Pretty sure the whole of Jackson knows. It’s obvious.”

“Ellie, we’ve known each other ages,” Joel sighed, leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. “If I had a problem I’d go to her, and if she had a problem she’d come to me. We’ve been there for each other during–” he cleared his throat, lowering his gaze, “most of the worst times of our lives.”

“And you’ve never–” she trailed off.

“No,” he shook his head with a light smile.

“Not even once?” again he shook his head. “Seriously?”

“Tommy had a crush on her,” he shrugged, and she straightened her back.

“So you thought about it, then,” she exclaimed. Joel dropped his head slightly with a sigh.

“I was a teenager once, you know,” she arched her brows. “She was nice, and she was my friend, and she was real pretty–but there are things that are more important than a crush.”

Ellie was quiet for a moment, leaning back down, her fingers tapping up and down her shins as she lowered her gaze, eyebrows pinched together.

“Did–did Sarah like her?” it had started to be easier, talking about her. While Joel still felt the hurt of her absence, the anger and disbelief of his grief had turned into quiet acceptance. Ellie would rarely ask questions about her, but he found it helped.

“She loved her,” he nodded, easing back into the chair. “There weren’t a lot of women in Sarah’s life, but she was there, especially when she needed it the most. And she did love Sarah back–so much,” a fond smile caught on his mouth.

“Yeah, I figured,” Ellie mumbled, tilting her head a little. “It’s her, isn’t it? In the picture with the cracked frame at her place.”

Joel had tried to not linger too much on that picture–Sarah was young in it, 3 or 4 maybe, a full head of curls sticking out on every side. He remembered fighting each day to try and fix it, and her laughing at his feeble attempts. She taught him first–simple hairstyles he could do in the mornings before dropping her off to school and that would survive the day ahead–and then Sarah herself for when she did not want to leave it as it was.

She’d been there for him and Sarah all the time, and he wasn't sure he’d thanked her nearly enough for it. When her mom left, when she started teething, walking, talking, on her first day of school, and every year after that, leaving campus to be at each game, each recital. Clothes, music, movies, all of it–she was always there.

“Yes,” he nodded, slowly. Ellie hummed.

“You should fix that for her,” she said then, standing almost abruptly. “Might be nice. It might also give you an excuse,” she added with a shrug.

“I don’t need an excuse, Ellie,” he sighed, picking the guitar from her. The girl shrugged again, then headed inside. “You’re going somewhere?”

“Cat’s!” she called from inside. Joel strummed a few slow notes, waiting for her to come back out–she did so rushing, jacket half-thrown on. “I still think I’m right. Bye!”

She glanced up from her handiwork when a step echoed a little louder over the gravel, her face immediately splitting in a wide smile and Joel’s half-still stance in the low streetlight.

“Knitting on the porch? That’s new,” he grinned, resuming walking towards her.

“If my mother could see me now, right?” she retorted with a chuckle he matched with a smile of his own, leaving the half-finished sweater aside to stand up. “Hi,” she said then, moving forward to the steps he was climbing.

“Hi,” he returned, stopping one step down so they were at the same level. He brought his hands forward from behind his back, the previously cracked frame and picture within, his gaze lingering on Sarah’s smile a moment longer. “Fixed it for ya.”

“Oh,” she looked over her shoulder, towards the slightly ajar door as if to look at the spot it had been resting. “You didn’t–thank you,” she said, carefully picking it from him.

“Sure,” he shrugged lightly, burying his now empty hands in his pockets. “Thought I’d just stop by,” he added, shuffling slightly. Her smile widened.

“You know you don’t need an excuse to just stop by, right?” she turned around, gesturing at him to follow as she headed inside, lingering at the entrance to place the picture right back where it belonged.

“I know,” he mumbled, lingering at the threshold. One of his guitars was in the living room, resting against the armchair Ellie had curled up in and ended up falling asleep on during the first time they’d gone over. The last time, he’d forgotten the instrument, after Tommy had insisted vehemently he should’ve brought it with him.

“I meant to bring that over,” she said, catching him looking at it. “I saw you teaching Ellie,” she added, pinching one string as she passed by it before heading to the kitchen.

“Yeah, tryin’ to,” Joel followed, fingertips tingling stuffed in his pockets. “She’s good.”

“Better than I was?” she returned with two glasses filled with amber liquid and a grin on her face. “Sweet tea–I got some of the first lemons.”

“Baking, making sweet tea, knitting,” he picked the cool glass from her with a grateful look–the simple act of holding it gave him back another piece of home he thought was gone forever. It had happened quite a few times since they’d found each other again. “You’re turning into your mother, Sugar.”

The woman snorted, rolling her eyes as she stepped away, and Joel was quick to hide his smirk behind the rim of the glass.

“I’ll pretend that was a compliment, Miller,” she squinted in his direction, mock-menacingly.

“C’mon, you know I loved your mother,” he argued before taking a sip–he hummed softly, eyes shutting on instinct. If he focused, he could hear the fire crackling and water bubbling over the stove as her mother made it, could taste the sugar and lemon or peaches she’d slip them in the meantime. He sighed. “I’ll tell you what–your talents clearly reside in this, not that,” he added, pointing towards the guitar. She laughed again.

“Well, I’d rather listen to the music than play it,” she declared, her chin tilted upwards, a grin mimicking his own. Then her eyes widened, a shimmer in them as she jolted on the spot, quickly resting the glass down on the table. “I’ve gotta show you something!”

A small frown knitted his brow as he licked the sweetness from his mouth and followed her with his gaze, hurried steps towards the bedroom that echoed in the quiet of the home. She was gone a few minutes, returning after a moment of rattling, a wide smile spread across her face. Joel’s eyes fell to the object in her hands–a portable CD player, not so different from the one she’d gifted Sarah in the 90s but they always ended up stealing once she was asleep.

“Audio is not the best, to be fair, but after so many years without music–” she stopped in front of him, offering one of the earphones to him while she put the other one in.

Still frowning lightly, Joel shuffled closer, the short cord forcing him forward. The drum arrived first, the sound slightly scratched, and with her smile widening she looked up at him. Like the beat beat beat of the tom-tom, he chuckled as she freed his hands, rocking from one side to the other following the rhythm.

“Where’d you get this?” he stumbled forward when she took one of his hands, tugging him closer–the other fell to her side to second her swinging–he couldn’t help returning her infectious smile as she shrugged lightly, her free hand reaching on his shoulder.

“Luck–I found it before getting here along with a couple of CDs,” she looked up at him, head slightly tilted. “This one reminded me of you,” she added, voice softer–for a moment, her smile faltered.

She’d never thought she’d see him again, keeping the record out of pure nostalgia for someone she hadn’t seen in years. Someone she always feared was gone. They’d listened to Ella Fitzgerald constantly during their teenage years, Joel sneaking some of his parents’ records to her house, or locking themselves into listening booths for hours until they were kicked out. Dancing as they were in that moment.

“Only you beneath the moon and under the sun,” she hummed, their movements slowing with the song. “Whether near to me or fat, it’s no matter darling where you are–”

“I think of you night and day, day and night, why is it so?” he joined in, voice low, head bending slightly towards her–her smile returned, a shimmer in her eyes.

“Your voice’s changed,” she murmured, taking half a step closer. “S’warmer. I like it.”

“Thought you always liked my voice,” he smiled, tucking his chin to look down at her. She nodded with a low chuckle, locking their already joined hands together by intertwining their fingers.

“’Course I did,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes mockingly. She gave a squeeze to his hand then, lowering her head slightly. “I missed it–this,” she inhaled sharply then, a shallow sound that temporarily overwhelmed the music. “You,” she added, almost in a whisper that would’ve been lost to him had he not been looking at her mouth.

Joel’s heart stuttered, a soft sigh at her admission as his eyes fluttered shut, just a moment. Tongue-tied, he shifted closer, as close as he could get, the hand on her waist moving to the small of her back, wrapping his arm around her. He didn’t know how to tell her, how to let his mouth form the words that clouded his head–that had been since he’d seen her again. He couldn’t say it, not for lack of trying.

“Sugar,” he whispered, and she nodded, leaning forward and cutting him off.

The song went on, and she rested her head on his chest–the hand on his shoulder was soft, arm almost draped across it as she toyed absentmindedly with the collar of his shirt, brushing the nape of his neck every now and then. Their joined ones fell to his chest, arms bent, the warmth of her exhales brushing across their knuckles. He bent his head slightly, cheek barely brushing the top of her head, and he tightened his arm around her waist to keep her close–each song closer, until the music stopped.

They stayed like that a moment longer, even in silence, his heart beating the only sound she could hear, silence on his end with his good ear plugged by the earphone. She rubbed her thumb against the side of his hand, small movements that made his eyelids droop. He caught a glimpse of the top of her head like that, the curve of her nose, her eyelashes brushing her cheeks and the small pout on her relaxed mouth, all half-hidden against him. She looked–

“Ah, fuck’s sake,” he muttered to himself, and she blinked rapidly before looking up, wide-eyed. She tilted her head, gently pulling his earphone off.

“What is it?” she cleared her throat, taking a small step back. The hold on his hand began loosening, so he forced himself to ease his arm around her waist, too, shaking his head.

“Nothin’, just–something Ellie said, it’s not important,” he let go of her when her brows knit, a hint of perplexity in her gaze. “I should go, actually. Check she’s actually gone to sleep.”

“Of course,” she returned quickly, stepping even further back, hands falling to her sides and rubbing down slowly, palms dragging along the seams of her jeans. “Thank you. For the frame–and passing by.”

His right hand twitched slightly at his side, and he took a small step back, nodding at her words. He stopped then, moving forward once more–he pushed past the knot in his throat and the tingling in his limbs and his heart dropping, and reached for her face. She leaned into his touch, his hands cupping over her cheeks as he shifted closer once more, brushing a delicate kiss to her forehead, her lips curled into the beginning of a smile. He held her gently, the touch of his lips lingering a moment longer over her skin before he moved away.

“See ya, Sugar.”

Summer was relentless. With days spent seeking shadows and some reprieve from the heat, the nights were unbearable in their stillness. Joel couldn’t sleep–after 20 years in Boston, he wasn’t used to the Southern heat anymore.

And he would be lying to himself if he thought that was the only reason why.

 He kept replaying the conversation with Tommy in his head, over and over. He was haunted by it, sitting on the porch in the quiet of Jackson’s night.

“Ellie’s right, it is getting painful to watch.”

“The hell are you talking with Ellie about?”

“You and Sugar. It’s worse than when we were young, actually.”

“What do you mean?”

“Means this time I can’t pretend to ask her out so that you finally get your head out of your ass and admit you like her. You gotta wake up, Joel.”

He was awake. Truth was, Joel had felt like he had been living in a nightmare for the past 20 years–and now he was awake and didn’t know what to do with himself. He didn’t know how to be himself anymore. Or how to be a person.

Perhaps that was why he was knocking on her door while everyone else was asleep. Perhaps he was just too much in his head about it. Perhaps–

“Joel?” his eyes fell down across her, flimsy night clothes clinging to her for a split second before he forced his gaze up, breath stuttering slightly. “It’s the middle of the night, what happened?”

“Sorry–shit,” he looked away, past his shoulder, back at her–was his heart beating faster? Were his hands shaking? He felt like it. “You’re right. Sorry, I’ll just–it can wait,” he stepped back, shaking his head.

“It clearly can’t, since you knocked at my door like a maniac,” she said it with a little grin, and some tension left his shoulders at the sight of it, of her stepping back and opening the door further for him. “C’mon, get inside.”

Joel walked past her and his steps faltered, tilting his head in her direction with a sharp inhale before moving along, fists opening and closing down his sides. He’d gotten better at that–not letting it all overwhelm him. Understand when the world might begin tipping under his feet and stabilize himself. He was trying–for Ellie, for his brother, for her, he was really trying.

“What happened?” she asked softly. They stood in the living room as they had before, as they had when they’d danced, except they were each on one end of the couch, a gaping emptiness between the two of them. “Should I start to get worried? You look like–”

“I like you,” he blurted out, recoiling at the shift in his own voice–so much louder than her careful tone. She blinked rapidly, head slightly tilted.

“I should hope so,” she scoffed, the reassuring smile she had before turning into a downright amused one. But Joel was shaking his head already, hands still restless. “Joel–”

“No, I mean–I like like you,” she blinked again, lips parting slightly and making her smile begin to dwindle. “Like I think I might be in love with you,” he closed his eyes, inhaling sharply–of course Ellie’s voice would echo in his head right then. Making an absolute fool out of him. “And I think I’ve always been and just didn’t know, or maybe I did know and I just didn’t want to fuck up this too, because I always fucked up everything, every relationship I ever had but ours, and the thought of losing you was terrifying–is terrifying,” he gasped a little between words, each one falling out of his mouth and out of his control. “Or maybe I wasn’t, you know? Maybe–maybe I just–”

“Joey,” she called him softly–so soft he almost didn’t hear her, and reacted first to her hand resting over his chest. His eyes flew open, gaze unfocused for a moment running across her face before they locked with hers, familiar and gentle. She pressed her palm against his chest, and he knew for sure his heart was stuttering underneath her touch. “Take a breath.”

He gasped again, shoulders dropping forward as if wrapping himself around her hand with a long exhale. Blindly, he reached for her, fingers wrapping around her wrist.

“Another,” she instructed, taking his other hand gingerly, and he did. Inhale, exhale, stumbling forward. “It’s just me, Joey.”

“You’re the only one who’s ever called me that, y’know?” he whispered, breathlessly. She gave him a little smile, tapping two fingers on his chest. Slowly, his heartbeat matched her rhythm, and he squeezed her wrist once, gently.

“Wanna try that again?” she murmured, tilting her head a little to the side.

“You can kick me out,” he retorted in a mumble, and she sighed. She shifted the hand she was holding, thumb pressing into his wrist, right above his pulse, right above the strap of his watch, while the rest of her fingers spread across the back of his hand.

“And why would I do that?” Joel met her gaze again–awaiting, reassuring, familiar gaze.

“You’ve known me all our lives, Sugar,” she nodded at his heavy sigh. “You’ve seen me fuck everything up, multiple times–Christ, you’ve seen me fuck things up with Sarah’s mother, too,” again she nodded, and he lowered his voice, breath stuttering. “Yet you were always there for me.”

“Of course I was,” with the last nod, she smiled–it was bittersweet, made his heart ache.

“I loved you for that. More than I knew could be possible,” he bowed his head, the tip of his nose brushing hers tentatively. “And I love–I love–I love you still.”

Her exhale was long, fingers curling over his chest and twisting in the fabric of his shirt–he stumbled forward ever so slightly, the hand he had around her wrist falling against her side balancing himself as she brought her lips close to his. Close, without touching, his breath stuttering when her exhale hit his skin.

“You’ve been the best half of my life, Joel,” there was a scratch in her voice that wasn’t there before, words trembling ever so slightly. “You–I’ve always known I loved you. I knew I loved you, I just–I don’t think I ever realized how much until I lost you. Or found you again.”

“Sugar–” she shook her head, humming.

“Not done,” she chided, and he snapped his mouth shut, almost chuckling. “You were my best friend. I’d like to think you still are, even after these awful fucking years because I–I’ve always needed you, Joel,” the hand on his chest shifted upwards slightly, resting at his collarbones. “And I still do. I need you in my life–I need you.”

“You do have me, sweetheart,” he said, hurriedly, pulling back ever so slightly. Her eyes were shimmering, and he wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her close–her hand slid to the side of his neck, lips quivering slightly. He was looking at her lips. “However you want me, you have me.”

“I do love you, even now,” her thumb traced figures eight over his neck with one hand, small circles on his wrist with the other. Soothing. Gentle. Calming. “Whoever it is you think you’ve become now–I love you. I need you to understand that.”

Joel’s mouth opened. Closed. Opened. Closed again, a thin line cutting through his face. She was looking at him as if she could see right through him, pick up the pieces of his hesitation during the months just gone by, and the years before that. Reading him as she’d always done, and speaking directly to his foolish heart, reassuring him–you’ll get through the year, you’ll get through the grief, you’ll be alright, Sarah’ll be alright, we’ll be alright, I love you, I love you, I love you.

“I know,” he hummed, tightening his hold around her. Her body softened into his with a long exhale, the hand rising to his jaw, scratching along his patchy beard. “I’m trying, sweetheart.”

“I know you are,” she cupped his cheek, and in spite of the heat he didn’t mind the warmth radiating from her palm. His eyes fluttered shut. “C’mere.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, his head falling forward against the curve of her neck. He leaned fully into the circle of her arms, reaching out with his other free hand too to keep her close, her back slightly arched towards him, locked together like pieces of a puzzle. Freshly cut grass welcoming him home, he dug his fingertips into her sides and brushed his mouth to her neck–a half kiss, hesitant and tentative. If he got a full taste, he knew he’d want nothing else for as long as he lived.

That was a lie. He already didn’t, couldn’t fathom it.

Slowly, she tipped her head to the side, granting him more space–he could feel her heartbeat quickening under his parted lips, a hiccup in her breath as she dragged her hands up the nape of his neck, fingertips slowly brushing through the locks at the back of his head, guiding him forward and up. He let her guide him, gave her full control as the tip of his nose traced a path up her jaw, cheek, his lips following.

“Are you teasin’, Sugar?” he whispered, rubbing their noses together, and felt her smile rather than saw it. She shook her head, pressing herself impossibly closer as she scratched his scalp gently. “Then I’m gonna need you to tell me what to do next.”

When he opened his eyes, she was looking at him already, so close she was slightly cross-eyed, long lashes kissing the arch of her brows. His own heart beat a little quicker, a little louder, anticipation building in his limbs as he could feel himself burn from within.

“Kiss me,” just a whisper.

He didn’t need to be told twice.

His heart would never be whole again, that much he knew–a part of it had stayed behind, pierced by a bullet, a 20 years old wound. But he could live again, day by day. He could find his way back to life, with his Ellie on one side and–

Joel caught her lips with his own, and it felt like homecoming. Sweet as sugar, he kissed her slow, without rush, as if trying to make up for each year spent apart, and for each year spent together in the wrong way. He held her as if she might shatter and like he would never let her go both, drank greedily each sigh, each whisper, never once parting until his lungs burned, and then kissing her gasps away, too.

[304blur]

⁰¹ . dream a little dream of me..

wc : 820

warning(s): entirely written

notes: so sorry for the short chapter, the chapters will be uploaded slowly 🫶 ty for all the responses

taglist: @yeonlogic, @pcheyes, @babigriin, @ur-mother-realnotclickbait .

prev - masterlist - next

soobin strolls around the entire university campus, looking for a spot to just sketch. but there would always be someone bothering him, he wouldn't say it out loud, but the nosiness of college students pissed him off. looking for a perfect place led him outside of the campus. walking down the street, he spots a tiny entrance, draped in warm lighting, a neon red sign that said 'centennial jazz bar', it blinked a few times, either that sign knows soobin needed a spot to sketch, or there's something wrong with the electricity in this building. either way, he's intrigued. he craned his neck around to see if there's any employees that could guide him in. but all he's hearing is a smooth saxophone instrumental, and that led him inside, like a cartoon character smelling fresh baked goods. he looked around, the interior being mostly made out of glossed over dark wood, the lights colored the place in a warm white. there was obviously a drink bar, and some tables. the place was not so full of people, most look to be regulars. this is the perfect place. customers weren't loud and this didn't look to be a party type of bar. he was relieved and sat down at a table, and brought out his phone and clicked on the notes app, typing in the establishment's name to save for the next time he needed a place to go. he reached into his backpack, and placed down his essentials. a small notepad for some throwaway sketches, a pencil case, and his sketchpad. the woman on stage prepares for a song, stepping up to the stage in her dazzling dress, she gently wraps her fingers around the metal of the microphone, the melody of her voice echoes in the room, when she began singing the lyrics to 'isn't it romantic?' by ella fitzgerald, it was like the bar was a whole new place, like it was a whole new era. soobin doesn't even notice himself staring, the pencil hasn't even touched the paper, it's like he's frozen in place.

she's looking back at him too.

his heart's pit-a-patter slowly grows louder in his ears. he's not sure if it was sort of a revelation, but he felt the need to capture this image of her, not just in his heart and eyes. in his sketches, in his assignments, in his projects, he doesn't even know her, but he just feels the need to have a little prescence of her everywhere. the lead of his mechanical pencil touches the paper of his sketchpad, he quickly strokes lines, waves, circles, anything to possibly accurately illustrate her, without knowing, he's filled a page with her, just her. in the time that passes by, while he's aggressively sketching his way into a restraining order, or a romance he's always needed but never wanted, she starts to step off stage, and starts approaching him.

"i've never seen you here before, you new here?"

her voice echoes in his ears, he stops the movement of his pencil for a bit, before slowly looking up. it's her. the pencil lead stains on his hand are visible, as he awkwardly extends his hand to her for a handshake.

"oh, yeah, uh, i'm a university student at hybe u, studying fashion, aha.."

as she was about to shake his hand, he retracts it, and brings out some wet wipes from his bag and wipes the stains off.

"oh my god, sorry, it's just my hands are dirty because of the—"

she takes the hand he was wiping the dark lead smears off of, and shakes it with the sweetest smile he's ever seen.

"it's okay. i'm (name). and i go to hybe u, too!"

she turns her head to his uncovered sketchpad, full of sketches of her. he immediately shuts the book closed with a blush that anyone could see.

"were those sketches me? those are so cool!"

"yeah. uh, i just like your outfit.. oh, i'm soobin, by the way."

she points at his pencil case beside his sketchpad.

"do you mind if i borrow something from there?"

".. sure.."

he hands her the case, and she opens it, rummaging around, his different stationary clinking around. she finally found what she was looking for, a pen. she takes the hand she shook earlier, wrote her number on his palm, and closes his hand.

"there! now, i've gotta go!"

she rose from where she was, and waves him goodbye, her white maxi skirt swishing around as she walks and exits the bar. soobin just sits there, shell shocked. he now has the number of a girl he'd just met, and some embarrassing memories he'll never forget. guess he won't have to worry about the creepy sketching. he spent a few minutes, not even bothering to put all his things in his bag. then he realizes,

"she.. she stole my best lineart pen."

he opens his palm, and read what she wrote.

'if you want me to return it, or just meet me, call this number! i won't return the pen until you contact me :)'

[pluckysidekick]

It’s Wednesday, my fellow Drewds! Going into the holidays I can’t help thinking about how our favorite Crew are celebrating the holidays. Can’t wait for all of the @secretsleuthexchange fics, gifsets, and fanvids we’re going to get!

In the meantime, I was inspired by a poll from @burningblake about which classic “standard” song best represents Nace (all excellent choices). I wound up making a Season 4 playlist of standards from the Great American Songbook, and a few other classic tracks, that represent their Season 4 journey for me. If you’re interested in this sort of thing, here we go!

I’ll be linking the Spotify tracks, but you should be able to find them all on Apple Music or YouTube. If you want a link to the full playlist, just hit me up here or on Discord.

1. The Nearness of You - This Hoagy Carmichael classic brings to mind Nancy and Ace’s inability to stay apart every time they’re near each other in Episode 401 🥺. I love the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong duet, but I picked Norah Jones’ version from her 2002 debut album because it’s just so perfectly wistful.

2. Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby - this so so cool track was written by Louis Jordan, but I first heard it on Tom and Jerry (that’s the fighting cat and mouse cartoon in case you’re too young to remember them). I immediately envision the back and forth argument Nancy and Ace have throughout Episode 402 in the lyrics of this song. Ace just wants to know! I adore Joe Jackson’s version, but I went with Dinah Washington and Quincy Jones from 1956 because it is absolutely perfect.

3. Night and Day - I like to imagine that Nancy and Ace stayed up all night talking at the end of 402. This song perfectly embodies their relationship at this stage 🥹. It was written by Cole Porter for Fred Astaire to sing in the original ‘The Gay Divorce’ Broadway musical (catch the film, a classic Fred and Ginger madcap musical romcom with such amazing dancing🕺🏼). But I had to go with Frank Sinatra from 1957’s ‘A Swingin Affair’ because it’s such a classic swing tune.

4. April in Paris - I’m not crying, you’re crying. Warning, there’s going to be a lot of crying in this playlist. Nancy telling Ace the story of her parents’ honeymoon in Paris in Episode 403, that shy smile when she tells him she always wanted to recreate it with someone, GAH. I had to pick the wonderful Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown on trumpet, simply exquisite. I’m going to have to take a break to sob quietly in the corner. “What have you done to my heart” indeed.

5. Fever - There was only one song, and only one version of this song, that matches the heat Nancy and Ace generated in the infamous Sigil scene. Peggy Lee burned the house down in 1958 with this track. “What a lovely way to burn” - Nancy can relate.

6. So in Love - Another genius Cole Porter song, written originally for Kiss Me Kate, but sung here by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald (my personal hero). I had to pick it for THE KISS. They are just so in love 😭. A beautiful song and a beautiful rendition worthy of Nancy and Ace’s love. The fact that Kiss Me Kate is a musical about bickering exes who eventually find love again makes it even more perfect.

7. Crying - Roy Orbison, 1962. Need I say more? I may never recover from the final scene of 403. This song at least helps a little with the pain by naming it. Roy hits some insane notes in this song—the intensity matches both Nancy and Ace’s misery in that moment.

8. Good Morning, Heartache - More like Good Morning, Sorbet. In Episode 404, Nancy drowns her sorrows in her favorite frozen dessert to deal with the heartache of gaining and losing Ace. And no one does heartache like Billie Holiday, who recorded this song in 1946. Heartache haunts Nancy all throughout S4, and this track represents it perfectly.

9. I had two contenders for the Nace scenes in Episode 405, both from the early 60’s. I Fall to Pieces, released by Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires in 1961, was a country crossover and Patsy’s number one hit—an incredible track that embodies Nancy’s emotions on seeing Ace again. She can’t even look him the eye at the beginning of the episode. Which brings me to my other choice, Walk on By, written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, and famously sung by Dionne Warwick in 1964. Nancy puts up a brave front for most of this episode, but inside she wants to break down and cry.

10. Episode 405’s speed dating montage is one of my favorite scenes of Season 4. Again I have two contenders—why should I have to choose? Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s One For My Baby (and One More for the Road), as sung by Ella Fitzgerald (again ‘cause she’s the best), is an ideal soundtrack for Nancy’s increasingly desperate descent as she spends every would-be speed date talking about Ace and THAT KISS. Equally appropriate is Billy Strayhorn’s Lush Life—velvet-voiced Johnny Hartman and saxophonist John Coltrane’s 1963 track positively drips with ennui, elegantly over cocktails, of course. If you’ve never heard this one, please give it a listen. There’s even a mention of a week in Paris 🥺.

11. Episode 406, with the infamous Spider Prom, is Ace’s episode IMO—we finally get to see how he’s dealing with the loss of the love of his life and his best friend. He so desperately wants to somehow get back to being friends with Nancy, he resorts to spending countless hours with the help of S4 MVP Nick trying to catch Chunky Velez for her. Can’t We Be Friends? is the perfect song for him in this episode, gorgeously sung by Ella and Louis. That is, until he spies Nancy and Tristan dancing, and realizes what he can never have. Etta James’ blistering track I’d Rather Go Blind captures Ace’s feelings in that moment. He may have been the one to halt their attempts to brake the curse, but he’s hurting just as much as Nancy is.

12. I’ve got two seminal songs to represent Episode 407. When Nancy realizes that Ace let Chunky go, and hears his admission that seeing her with Tristan hurt, it positively screams Cry Me a River. No, not the Justin Timberlake song 😅. This epic torch song was famously sung by Julie London in 1955, and expresses beautifully Nancy’s scorn at Ace’s hypocrisy even as she admits that he broke her heart.

Their fight, and Nancy’s subsequent dashed hopes that Ace would call her bluff and come back, makes me think of Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye. Another Cole Porter masterpiece sung by Ella. What can I say? You can’t top perfection:

Every time we say goodbye, I die a little Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little Why the gods above me, who must be in the know Think so little of me, they allow you to go

I dare you to listen to this track without weeping over the Nace of it all. Enjoy!

Well, Drewds, we’re just past the halfway mark of Season 4 and this post is already a novel, so I’m going to stop here for now. What did you think of my picks? Any you think I missed?

I’ll do a Part 2 as long as I get a few notes on this one 😂 . It will feature more classic songs that represent Nancy and Ace as they head into the back half of the season. I know it’s going to get rough ahead, but I promise the music will be sweet.

Update: Part 2 is here!

[rosebudprincess]

(enter CENTER STAGE.) rosebudprincess

the actress: rosebudprincess

hi! i’m gabrielle, otherwise known as gabby!

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི 🇵🇭 + 20 + genderqueer femme lesbian from southeast asia + she/they/he (pronoun indifferent, prefers feminine compliments) + sagittarius sun, aquarius moon, sagittarius rising + enfj/2w3 + hufflepuff

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི single + femme4butch, resident romantic vampire, red roses personified, princess with golden skin, raven hair and crimson lips + professional manhater, lesbian lover and butch defender

the audience: interactions

PLEASE HAVE YOUR AGE IN YOUR BIO. NO AGE IS IMMEDIATE BLOCK.

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི i follow and like from @honeyedpoppies

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི DNI: men, minors, terfs, racists, fatphobes, ableists, israel supporters (immediate block)

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི BYF: i primarily post/reblog lesbian and femme4butch content with the occasional girlblogging on the side. some content is nsfw/nsft. for fandom related content (see below) and other general related stuff, you can follow my main blog (@honeyedpoppies yippee!!)

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི asks/anons are always open. dms are also open but please don’t be creepy, perverted or rude. sexual content is okay but at least introduce yourself first and strike up a conversation. playful flirting is okay!!

the screenplay: all about me

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི this blog is dedicated to the exploration of my sexuality (both in sexual and nonsexual ways) having recently discovered that i am a femme lesbian, this blog is for me to create friends in the femme4butch community but also to connect with other sapphics as well 🫶

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི besides that here are some of my interests + hobbies + recent hyperfixations: the color red, anything heart or ribbon shaped, roses in everything (scent, taste, etc.), love letters, lace and gingham, velvet and satin, vampires, princess x knight dynamic, 1920s and 1950s to 70s fashion, period dramas and regency romances, classic literature (austen, fitzgerald, shakespeare), fashion and costume history, musical theater (cabaret, chicago, burlesque, hadestown), harry potter and the wizarding world, interview with a vampire, marvel cinematic universe, grishaverse (specifcally six of crows/shadow and bone), disney animated movies (princess and the frog, frozen, hercules)

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི kinnies include but is not limited to stephen strange (mcu), lily evans (hp), nina zenik (soc/ck), megara (hercules), lestat de lioncourt (iwav), emma woodhouse (emma), tahani al-jamil (the good place), harleyquinn and poison ivy (dc), camilla morone (djats), cleo de nile (mh), stella (winx club)

behind the curtains: what to expect/i’m into

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི switch (sub leaning but currently exploring dominant side) bottom, femme4butch

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི brat, daddy kink (as a title), praise, breeding/corruption, primal play, guided/mutual masturbation, objectification, goddess like devotion, roleplay, somnophilia, free use, emphasis on being called princess + bunny + ma’am

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི ABSOLUTELY NOT: any play with bodily fluids, feet, noncon/dubcon, large age gaps

the prologue.

if roses were mortal, it would be she 🥀 connoisseur of lipstick kisses, forever smelling and tasting like roses, resident romantic vampire haunting the paintings of an abandoned library, raven haired princess adorned with gold and draped in crimson velvet.

ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི dividers by @cafekitsune ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི

[bonnieura]

I feel that in s1 (mainly) the clones were being watched by government/shadowy figures. I like the idea of them being used in the future like war weapons, S2 (+ frozen brain smashing) still similar.

I like the idea of them living away like in an exclusive government town because wtf how could you let people know you have JFK walking over here? Like fine your name is John Kennedy but who in their right would also name them Fitzgerald

The idea of them noticing a clone managed to escape or that didn't grow up there at all, being like a chaos because now a clone of someone could be anywhere and isn't being controlled and likely managed

yeah its a really neat concept and i dont know why they didnt play around with that more often! like mf you literally have abraham lincoln here. how did people not go crazy over that? like you technically have the 35th president right beside you how do you not expect people to immediately doxx his address and start coming to their houses? Its impossible that kids with such historical significance [to america at least] are just running around anywhere without a care in the world. I like the idea of them being stressed about being exactly like their cloned figures and i think them always having the looming risk of being shown to the whole world really emphasizes that. wish we got more clarification and lore about it sigh

[balkanradfem]

Favourite Fictional Women poll: FINAL LIST nominations + RULES (nominations closed)

Books:

Elphaba (Wicked)

Hermione (Harry Potter)

Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)

Luna (Harry Potter)

Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter)

Sophie (Howl's Moving Castle)

Bella Swan (Twilight)

Lucy (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Susan (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Jo (Little Women)

Alanna (The Song of the Lioness)

Ichigo (Kamikaze Girls)

Momoko (Kamikaze Girls)

Phryne Fisher (Phryne Fisher Detective Novels)

Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs)

Robin Ellacott (Cormoran Strike)

Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade Series)

Gideon (The Locked Tomb)

Harrowhark Nonagesimus (The Locked Tomb)

Tattersail (Malazan Book of the Fallen)

Lyra (His Dark Materials)

Lisbeth Salander (The Millenium Trilogy)

Daja Kisubo (Circle of Magic)

Éowyn (Lord of the Rings)

Honor Harrington (Honor Harrington)

Zahrah (Zahrah the Windseeker)

Clair (Outlander)

Margo (The Magicians)

Camille Preaker (Sharp Objects)

Brienne of Tarth (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Cersei (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Daenerys Targaryen (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Arya (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Sansa ( A Song of Ice and Fire)

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Fire and Blood)

Eileen Dunlop (Eileen)

Romy Silvers (The Loneliest Girl in the Universe)

Lúthien (Sillmarilion)

Lady Sotofa (Echo series)

Esme Weatherwax (Discworld)

Angua von Überwald (Discworld)

Susan Sto Helit (Discworld)

Tiffany Aching (Discworld)

Nina Hill (The Bookish Life of Nina Hill)

Keladry (Protector of the Small series)

Shay (Uglies)

Cassie (Animorphs)

The Groke (the Moomins)

Tooticky (the Moomins)

Maximum Ride (Maximum Ride)

Auri (Kingkiller Chronicles)

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables)

Emily Starr (Emily of New Moon)

Penelope (Circe by Madeline Miller)

Rose Hathaway (Vampire Academy)

Katsa (Graceling)

Yennefer of Vengerberg (Witchier)

Dr. Scarlet Clarke (They Never Learn)

Inej Ghafa (Six of Crows)

Ronja (Ronja)

Violet (Asoue)

Medea (Greek Mythology)

Medusa (Greek Mythology)

Jude (Folk of the Air)

Agatha (Girl Genius)

Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson)

Carrie (Carrie)

Movies

Miss Honey (Matilda)

Matilda (Matilda)

Barbie (Barbie's universe)

Ellen Louise Ripley (Alien)

Evelyn O'Connell (The Mummy)

Peggy Carter (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Sarah Conner (Terminator)

Cruella de Vil (Cruella)

Yzma (Emperor's New Groove)

Dr. Ellie Sattler (Jurrasic Park)

Harley Quinn (DC universe)

Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)

Jennifer (Jennifer's Body)

Maude Lebowski (Big Lebowski)

Eurodia Holmes (Enola)

Amy Adam (Arrival)

Ginger Fitzgerald (Ginger Snaps)

Mary Mason (American Mary)

Elsa (Frozen)

Mulan (Mulan 1998)

Beatrix Kiddo (Kill Bill)

O-Ren Ishii (Kill Bill)

Trinity (Matrix)

Sidney Prescott (Scream movies)

Dani Ardor (Midsommar)

M3gan (M3gan)

Aila (Rhymes for Young Ghouls)

Princess Kida (Atlantis: The Lost Empire)

Mother Aughra (Dark crystal)

Elizabeth Swan (Pirates of the Carribean)

Marla Grayson (I care a lot)

Heloise (Portrait of a Lady on Fire)

Diana (Wonder Woman)

San (Princess Mononoke)

Zeniba (Spirited Away)

Chihiro (Spirited Away)

Wlle Woods (Legally Blonde)

Rey (Star Wars)

Princess Leia (Star Wars)

Haley Graham (Stick it)

Cruella (101 Dalmatian)

Kiki (Kiki's Delivery Service)

TV Shows

Xena (Xena the Warrior Princess)

Gabrielle (Xena the Warrior Princess)

Callisto (Xena the Warrior Princess)

Buffy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Willow (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Sabrina (Sabrina the Teenage Witch)

Morgana Pendragon (Merlin)

Catharine Cawood (Happy Valley)

Donna Noble (Doctor Who)

Martha Jones (Doctor Who)

Female Doctor Who (Doctor Who)

Kaya (Supernatural)

Charlie Bradbury (Supernatural)

Claire (Supernatural)

Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Anna Clare (Being Human)

Poussey Washington (Orange is the New Black)

Sister Michael (Derry Girls)

Orla (Derry Girls)

Hayley (Hard Candy)

Vilanelle (Killing Eve)

Eve (Killing Eve)

Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack)

Ann Walker (Gentleman Jack)

Kim (Kim Possible)

Daria Morgendorffer (Daria)

Temperance Brennan (Bones)

Kim Wexler (Better Call Saul)

Katara (Avatar The Last Airbender)

Azula (Avatar The Last Airbender)

Toph (Avatar The Last Airbender)

Krosh (Kid Cosmic)

Guinan (Star Trek New Generations)

Bo-Katan Kryze (Star Wars)

Dong Eun (The Glory)

Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)

April Ludgate (Parks and Recreation)

Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn 99)

Dana Scully (X Files)

Kathryn Janeway (Star Trek: Voyager)

Calamity Jane (Deadwood)

Flea (Fleabag)

Michonne (The Walking Dead)

Trixie (Call the Midwife)

Sister Monica Joan (Call the Midwife)

Regina Mills (Once Upon a Time)

Emma Swan (Once Upon a Time)

Ruby Lucas (Once Upon a Time)

Mulan (Once Upon a Time)

Samatha/Sam Carter (Stargate SG-1)

Kira Nerys (Star Trek: Deep Space 9)

Jadzia Dax(Star Trek: Deep Space 9)

Eleanor (The Good Place)

Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder)

Cheryl Blossom (Riverdale)

Miranda Bailey (Grey’s Anatomy)

Lizzie McGuire (Lizzie McGuire)

Catherine the Great (The Great)

Dolores Abernathy (Westworld)

Maeve Millay (Westworld)

Lorelai (Gilmore Girls)

Paris (Gilmore Girls)

Morticia Addams (Addams Family)

Elisa Maza (Gargoyles)

Vera Bennett (Wentworth (2013)

Joan Ferguson (Wentworth (2013)

Constance Hardbroom (The Worst Witch (1998)

Princess Bubblegum (Adventure Time)

Marceline the Vampire Queen (Adventure Time)

Monica (Friends)

Phoebe (Friends)

Maisel (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

Shiv Roy (Succession)

Hannah (Please Like Me)

Lupe (A League of Their Own)

Jess (A League of Their Own)

Shahrzad (One Thousand and One Nights)

Michael Burnham (Star Trek Discovery)

 Emperor Phillipa Georgiou (Star Trek Discovery)

Dee Reynold (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

Kara Thrace (Battlestar Galactica)

Donna (Twin Peaks)

Laura palmer (Twin Peaks)

Audrey(Twin Peaks)

Marwa (What we do in the Shadows)

Nadja (What we do in the Shadows)

Love Quinn (You)

Allison (Orphan Black)

Cosima (Orphan Black)

Nyota Uhura (Star Trek: The Original Series)

Lisa Cuddy (House MD)

Leela (Futurama)

Bean (Disenchantment)

Pam (Archer)

Grace (Grace and Frankie)

Frankie (Grace and Frankie)

Helga Pataki (Hey Arnold)

Anime/Manga

Sophie (Howl's Moving Castle)

Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon)

Hotaru - Sailor Saturn (Sailor Moon)

Michiru – Sailor Neptune (Sailor Moon)

Haruka – Sailor Uranus (Sailor Moon)

Rei – Sailor Mars (Sailor Moon)

Homura (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Sakura Kinomoto (CardCaptor Sakura)

Tomoyo Daidouji (CardCaptor Sakura)

Onpu (Ojamajo Doremi)

Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell)

Striga (Castlevania)

Carmilla (Castlevania)

Misa Amane (Death Note)

Asuka Langley Soryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Shinobu Kocho (Demon Slayer)

Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Nana Osaki (Nana)

Hachi (Nana)

Jean (Claymore)

Clare (Claymore)

Theresa (Claymore)

Helen (Claymore)

Deneve (Claymore)

Casca (Berserk)

Haruno Sakura (Naruto)

Yosano (Bungo Stray Dogs)

Tome Kurata (Mob Psycho 100)

Nikaido (Dorohedoro)

Nia (Dorohedoro)

Maki Zen'in (Jujutsu Kaisen 0)

Yuno Gasai (Mirai Nikki)

Ichigo Momomiya (Tokyo Mew Mew)

Zakuro Fujiwara (Tokyo Mew Mew)

Historia Reiss (Attack on Titan)

Mikasa Ackermann (Attack on Titan)

Games

Nancy Drew (Nancy Drew)

April Ryan (The Longest Journey)

Kate Walker (Syberia)

Zelda (Legend of Zelda)

Impa (Legend of Zelda)

Urdosa (Legend of Zelda)

Evie Frye (Assassin's Creed)

Senua (Senua's Sacrifice)

Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn)

Elisabet Sobeck (Horizon Zero Dawn)

Serena (Skyrim)

Frea (Skyrim)

Morrigan (Dragon Age Origins)

Kreia (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II)

Kassandra of Sparta (Assassin's Creed Odyssey)

Heather Mason (Silent Hill 3)

Reika (Fatal Frame)

Rei (Fatal Frame:The Tormented)

An Shiraishi (Project SEKAI)

Nene Kusanagi (Project SEKAI)

Ena Shinonome (Project SEKAI)

Jesse Faden (Control)

Almalexia (The Elder Scrolls)

Billie Lurk (Dishonored)

Emily Kaldwin (Dishonored)

Cecelia (Dishonored)

Lizzy Stride (Dishonored)

Delilah Copperspoon (Dishonored)

Lohse (Divinity: Original Sin II)

Sebille Kaleran (Divinity: Original Sin II)

Siva (Divinity: Original Sin II)

Malady (Divinity: Original Sin II)

Dallis the Hammer (Divinity: Original Sin II)

Toriel (Undertale)

Undyne (Undertale)

Alphys (Undertale)

Commander Shepard (Mass Effect)

Tali'Zorah nar Rayya (Mass Effect)

Liara T'Soni (Mass Effect)

Aria T'Loak (Mass Effect)

Nyreen Kandros (Mass Effect)

Shala'Raan vas Tonba (Mass Effect)

Matriarch Aethyta (Mass Effect)

Yuna (Final Fantasy X)

Abby (The Last of Us)

Ellie (The Last of Us)

GLaDOS (Portal)

Chell (Portal)

Dr. Suvi Anwar (Mass Effect Andromeda)

Leliana (Dragon Age)

Parvati Holcomb (The Outer Worlds)

Chloe Price (Life is Strange)

2B (Nier Automata)

Comics

Stephanie Brown (DC comics)

Cassandra Cain (DC comics)

Zatanna Zatara (DC comics)

Elektra Natchios (Marvel comics)

Fanfiction

Ebony Dark'ness Raven Dementia Way

Web comics

Vriska Serket (Homestuck)

Jaden (Leasebound)

Antimony Carver (Gunnerkrigg Court)

Fictional Movies

Katya (Goncharov)

Podcasts

The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your Home from (Welcome to Nightvale)

Plays

Lady Mabeth (Macbeth)

Clytemnestra (Oresteia)

Miscellanous

Hatsune Miku (Vocaloid)

RULES:

All fictional women from a category will be randomized, and put into polls

Whoever gets 50 votes automatically proceeds into the next round. There won't be only one winner for each poll!

We will do one category at the time. We'll start with books.

We'll decide on a winner of each category, and then whoever had the most votes, will proceed into the Final 10.

I'll calculate how many votes each woman got, so that at the end of the voting, you can see how many other women also adored your favourite ones :)

This also means that once you vote, if there's someone else you also want to see in the finals, you can reblog and let your followers know who already has enough votes, and who needs more in order to proceed. I'll also sometimes reblog polls announcing that a certain character has made the cut, and now others need your attention. We're trying to see which ones are loved and adored enough to actually get a lot of votes, even with competition. The voting starts at the end of nominations!

(POLLS ARE COMING SHORTLY)

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Frozen Peas - Indiana Jones X GN Reader

Title: Frozen Peas

Indiana Jones X GN Reader

Additional Characters: Ella Fitzgerald (Mentioned), Charles Breckston (OC) (Mentioned) and some Baddies (Mentioned)

Requested by @hawkingstheories!

WC: 1,457

Warnings: Cursing, blood, wounds/injuries, cleaning of said wounds, weapons mentioned, anxiety, nervousness, embarrassment, slight angst, only one bed (don't wanna sleep on the couch) trope, stubborn Indy, and fluff

You had been sitting on your armchair, reading a book under your small table light. You had been relaxing to the sound of your record player; the sweet sounds of Ella Fitzgerald flowing through the air. And you had just finished your dinner, ham with mashed potatoes and some veggies. You even had some wine. But, the keyword was 'had'... You had been doing all those things until you heard a knock on your front door.

The first thing you thought was 'who would be here at this time?' But, nonetheless, you got out of your chair and tossed your book in your place. Checking the clock on the wall briefly, you walked to the door, checking the peephole before sighing. Unlocking your door, you opened the door. Indiana Jones, your friend from the college, stood before you. His shoulders were slightly drooped, the hat on his head barely covering his eyes. 

"Indy... What are you doing here?" You asked, as Indiana just brushed past you, and you watched him go over to your small couch, falling onto it. You slowly shut and locked your door again, crossing your arms as you leaned against it. "Indy?" You raised an eyebrow. You continued to watch Indiana as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking down at his boots instead of at you. Finally, after a few moments, Indy looked back up at you. There seemed to be a mix of emotions on his face, but they were quickly hidden under his hat as he looked back down at his boots. "Indy, what's wrong?" You asked him, stepping towards him. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on."

"I just came back from Brazil." He said shortly, "And I found the artifact, but the people after me didn't take too kindly to that." He winced, his hand going up to press against his side. 

You quickly rushed over, dropping to your knees. You leaned over, turning on another lamp light, eyes widening when you saw the blood staining his shirt. "Who did this to you?" You asked in a soft hushed voice, looking up at Indiana.

"Some treasure hunter, Breckston, something..." He muttered, as you gently took his hand off his wound, gasping at the sight of the large gash under the cut in his shirt.

You quickly look up at him, "Indy!"

Indiana grunted, nodding, "Yeah, I know. That damn maniac had a knife." He tried to sit up, wincing, "A big one too."

"Take the shirt off." You ordered, Indiana chuckling as you got up off the ground.

"Buy me dinner first, sweetheart." He joked as you left the room.

Looking around in your bathroom, you opened the sink cupboard and grabbed the med kit. Speed-walking back, you dropped back to the ground, opening up the med kit and pulling out cotton swabs. Looking at his side, you bit your lip. The cut wasn't deep, but there was no telling if the infection had set in or not. Grabbing some antibiotic cream, you poured it into the cotton swab, rubbing it along the cut, watching Indiana wince every time you touched the spot.

"There," You said quietly, "Sorry, but this is what you get for walking into his knife." You tried to joke, for mostly your own sake than Indiana's. The sight of Indiana being hurt, stabbed... It terrified you.

Indiana laughed weakly, shaking his head, "Walking into his knife?" He winced as you dabbed the cotton to his cut, "Feels like I ran into it." He tried to joke along. You sighed, before drying the wound and grabbing the roll of gauze. Carefully wrapping it around Indiana's torso. He made a grunting sound, "You done then?" He asked, and you nodded, tucking the end of the gauze into the top of the wrap, before looking up at him.

"Are you feeling alright? No other cuts, bruises, or anything else I need to heal?" Indiana just shook his head.

"They got a few good hits in, but nothing I can't handle." He groaned, leaning back against your couch as you sighed. You put your extra gauze away, close the med kit, and collect the used cotton. Standing, you rushed to the bathroom, putting the kit away before going to your fridge. Grabbing a pack of frozen peas, you walked back, opting to sit beside Indiana as you passed him the cold frozen pea bag.

"Here. For anything that hurts." You offered, as Indiana took the bag from your hand, pressing it to the side of his head.

It was silent for a while, just you sitting beside Indiana, looking down at your lap as Indiana pressed peas to his bruise, also doing the same. It was quiet between you two, only the sounds of the music playing in the background filling the room, but soon it stopped being quiet. "Are you alright?" You whispered. Your voice broke the silence.

He glanced at you, "Yeah... I'm alright." Was his simple reply, and you gave him a look of disbelief. 

"No... I mean, are you alright... Mentally?"

Indiana pursed his lips, shifting again in his seat, "I'll live."

"But-" You began to protest but he held up a hand, and you stopped immediately.

"Look, Y/N, you don't have to worry about me. I've dealt with much worse." He shrugged, "But..." He then turned to look at you, his brown eyes meeting your Y/E/C ones. "Thank you..." He reached over and placed a hand on top of yours, giving you a small smile. A genuine, warm smile.

Your breath caught, you could feel your face heating up. ‘He's so cute.’ You thought to yourself. ‘But so annoyingly stubborn.’

After that brief moment, Indiana pulled his hand away and got up. "Well... I should get going. I have to prepare for my lesson tomorrow."

You quickly grabbed his wrist, stopping him, "Stay, Indy." You began, looking up at him, "You're hurt. I can make up the bedroom for you. And I think it's best for you to call out tomorrow. You need time to heal."

Indy stared at you, before letting out a heavy sigh. "Alright, Y/N." He mumbled quietly, sitting back down next to you. "But on one condition... I'm sleeping on the couch." He spoke, his cheeks tinted pink at the thought of sleeping in your bed.

"Don't be silly!" You exclaimed, "You're taking my bed. You're the hurt one. I'll take the couch." You insisted.

Indy shook his head, "No way." He replied. "I am not taking your bed, honey. This couch is comfy. I’d sleep like a baby."

"Fine! We'll both take the bed. How does that sound?" You threw your hands in the air, as Indiana's cheeks burned.

"Y/N..." he started, but you interrupted him.

"No. No arguments. We're sharing that bed." You stated firmly. 

"Alright." Indiana finally agreed.

"Good. Now," You smiled, pulling him to his feet, "Let's get you some sleep." Indiana followed behind, gulping lightly as he entered the bedroom. He stopped at the foot of the bed, taking the bag of peas off his temple. 

"Are you left or right?" He asked sheepishly, as you pulled back the covers.

"Furthest from the window. So... Right." You answered before you snapped your fingers. "Darn, forgot the record player. Be right back. Get yourself comfortable. Let me know if you need new gauze or anything. Feel free to wake me if you're hungry. I can make a mean batch of midnight snack brownies." You called as you walked down the hall.

Indiana hummed, sitting on the edge of the bed before he tossed the bag of peas into a nearby trash can. Pulling off his boots, Indiana pushed them under the bed, resting his hat on the pole of your bed. As he lay down, he heard shuffling, and you peeked your head back into the room. "Everything okay?" You asked as he nodded. You smiled softly before closing the door behind you, slipping into the covers on your side. "Well, good night, Indy." You muttered, turning off the lamp on your nightstand.

"Night, honey.” You heard him say before all you could see was darkness, and you lay there, trying to fall asleep.

Your eyes fluttered open, and turning in your spot, you stared at Indiana's back. Hesitantly, you reached a hand out, your arm slowly going and wrapping over Indiana's shoulders, staying clear of his wound. You felt his hand grab your gently, pulling you closer slightly. You closed your eyes again, listening as Indiana let out a contented sigh, settling more comfortably in the sheets. Turning slightly, you rested your cheek against his shoulder, and both you and Indiana finally fell asleep.

[savstone-rp]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

full name — Savannah "Sav" Stone

faceclaim — Willa Fitzgerald

gender & pronouns —cis woman & she/her

sexuality — bisexual

age & birthday —  30 - December 18th, 1994

Zodiac — Sagittarius ☼ , Scorpio ☾, Virgo ↑

occupation — Stylist & Bartender

hometown —

neighborhood — 

length of time in blue harbor —Local, 30 yrs

Likes: Indie emo pop-punk of the early aughts (think Taking Back Sunday) to radio pop anything upbeat, frozen coffee (any time of year), tattoos, cigarettes (never gave them up), fast food, trash magazines from the checkout (also never gave them up), nights, her Roomba Scoot, narcotics of the upper kind, gossip from her clients, video games, walking, reality tv, coffee table books, leather, blue mason jars, Christmas lights (she's a year rounder), tarot readings, gas stations.

Dislikes: high waisted jeans, sit down restaurants, cleaning, not having cash, blow up decorations, sports and sports fans, early birds, country music, driving, movies made before 1980, chewing tobacco, French Bulldogs, cooking, black coffee, people who use big words in casual conversation, avocados.

~Biographical stuff~

Savannah was born a Holly —she loathes it and always as. Basically, since she could talk no one has actually called her Holly and out of sheer laziness hasn't ever bothered to change it legally. Her mother who she apparently knew a total of a month into having to be a mother was just high on morphine and was in a festive mood.

That said no she has never actually spoken to her birth mother, Cassie. Raised by her dad, Robbie. "Raised" is always the actual question, he was there, he did pay for things she needed until a point. Robbie wanted to party with his friends and continue living his life the way he always knew how. A kid wasn't an inconvenience, when she was old enough he just let her around whatever he had going on - her biggest source of booze and connections to whatever else she wanted to try.

Sav's first drink was probably around ten, and by the time high school hit if she wasn't picking up odd shifts/jobs where she could some cash she was running around with her friends getting into trouble - Drew Barrymore who? - this is where she started learning about cutting hair. Her grandma on Robbie's side, Sissy - and the grey's she rolled around with needed some cuts so it became a nice little income at the time.

Robbie- always the ladies man has another kid. A son, a similar situation he's on the birth certificate and some kind of a 'father' figure. Maybe. (This will be a wc, so UTP how that went) - Sav's got a good comrade-type relationship with him.

She was always popular - be it because she had 'the party' house or what, not really such a big deal in their little community but she was runner up for prom queen, where the nasty little rumor that hasn't fully shaken with the locals that she pushed her bestie Olivia down the stairs after she lost - the problem is Olivia did get hurt, like bad. Ended up paralyzed. (But she did get into an Ivy and has like 3 kids now, living in some cool big city - Sav's definitely a little a lot jealous) - just has turned out to be a formative experience that has haunted her ever since.

There was never a time she even considered college and after graduation- that she struggled to reach as is grade-wise - started at the cosmetology school in X. Got her certificate and started cutting hair (for real, not just her grandma and the senior citizens around town) - she's been at TBD since moving back on and off since she was 23.

~Random stuff~

Hardened by life perhaps, Sav's never been 'friendly'. Depending on the day she's a bit of a wild card. She'll say it like it is and does have a sense of humor about things just, she's also easily ticked off. Get her juiced she's much friendlier.

She's dabbled with saving to open her own salon one day but is also completely not serious enough at the moment and also way pessimistic on whether she actually could.

Sav lives in a house converted into 3 apartments, Sav's on the first floor with a roomie (or two). Definitely not in the best part of town of town, her landlord's raising the rent come the new year too so that's fun, she's pissed.

Not reeeally an animal person, she does feed the strays that come around. It's a problem.

She's only really put together and does her make up when working at the salon. Mostly always in jeans some docs and a t shirt, she will appear a little more stylish and an effort made while working at the salon.

She never owned a car and likely never will - so she says. She really hates being in one let alone controlling one.

~possible connections~

step-brother - robbie had another kid, that relationship utp (temp name Alex) Sav and him have a good one (unless we come up with something else)

long time hometown friends/acquaintances- obvi

clients - spill too much tea? get a bad haircut? i want it.

housemates? - roommates and neighbors 2 others live in the apartment above her and below her. (not the best area of town - I imagined a more than likely rundown old home converted and hasn't been updated for years)

co-workers - she works at Downtown Dye Hard Salon & Nail and sometimes bartends at X when she's a little strapped.

X folk (skies the limit lol) - she lived there while attending cosmetology school. Could play around with ideas for sure.

exes - i'm sure there's been some, happy to work out details.

enemies - she's got em I'm sure.

Legit down for anything, if there’s ideas toss them out. On dash chem is my favorite and just love winging it too! I’ll fill this all out more as time goes on for sure!

[mirandasidefics]

Songs for Nyx

I thought that it might be fun to share with you all the playlist I made for songs that the Reader in my fic "But Home is Nowhere" sings for Nyx. Not all of the songs will be featured within the story, but this gives a little more insight into who Reader is by the songs she is choosing to share.

I also don't have Spotify, so these are all YouTube links.

Isabella's Lullaby- Takahiro Obata (The Promised Neverland)-

All Is Found- Evan Rachel Wood (Frozen 2)

The Gartan Mother's Lullaby- Orla Fallon

She Used to Be Mine- Sara Bareilles (Waitress)

The Voice- Celtic Angels (org. Celtic Woman)

Téir Abhaile Riu- Celtic Woman

Dream A Little Dream of Me- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Once Upon A Dream- Mary Costa (Sleeping Beauty)

When You Wish Upon a Star- Cliff Edwards (Pinocchio)

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes- Ilene Woods (Cinderella)

Once Upon a December-Christy Altomare (Anastasia)

The Old Therebefore (Acapella)- Rachel Zegler (HG:BoSBaS)

Nothing You Can Take From Me -Rachel Zegler (HG:BoSBaS)

Tomorrow Will Be Kinder- The Secret Sisters (Hunger Games)

[whiteclericmaris]

I'm surprised Yusei can still jump after having those Ice Shard attacks and from Frozen Fitzgerald. He even got hit by the invisible wall that surrounded the duel.

[psyeince]

why r there so many gingers

maybe its the various showdown blogs ive followed but there r a lot of gingers in the media and ive taken it upon myself to sort them into the categories of gingers and redheads, this took me an hour and a half and my eyes r physically burning, my bad if i missed a character or two

gingers

riley williams (we are the tigers)

ocean oconnel rosenberg (ride the cyclone)

caleb widogast (critical role)

itsuka kendo (my hero academia)

donna noble (doctor who)

batgirl (dc)

beverly crush (star trek)

ginger fitzgerald (ginger snaps)

nami (one piece)

mito freecss (hunter x hunter)

wendy corduroy (gravity falls)

alfredo linguine (ratatouille)

william “dex” poindexter (check please!)

wylan can eck (six of crows)

ichigo kurosaki (bleach)

mafuyu sato (given)

gimli (lord of the rings)

akane hino/cure sunny (smile precure)

daphne blake (scooby-doo)

reisuke houjou (mirai nikki)

fiona (shrek)

risa koizumi (lovely complex)

dexter (decters laboratory)

kim possible (kim possible)

cady heron (mean girls)

katheryn janeway (star trek)

shoyo hinata (haikyuu!!)

himaru kenshin (samurai x)

rosetta (tinkerbell)

amy pond (doctor who)

firestar (warrior cats)

rand al’thor (a wheel of time)

kaoru and himaru hitachiin (ouran high school host club)

asuka langley soryu (neon genisis evangelion)

ponyo (ponyo)

crowley (good omens)

athen cykes (ace attorney)

bloom (winx club)

samael keene (homesick)

kenny luckstar (homesick)

tulip olsen (infinity train)

wanda maximoff (marvel)

max mayfield (stranger things)

christine “ziggy” berman (fear street 1978)

buffy gilmore (scary movie)

theo (scary movie 2)

gideon nav (the locked tombe)

cal kestis (star wars)

hiromi higa/shadow (sk8 the infiniry)

anne shirley (anne of green gables)

hercules (hercules)

vicky (fairily odd parents)

suzuki shou (mob psycho 100)

reigen araraka (mob psycho 100)

rowena macleod (supernatural)

jack merridew (lord of the flies)

raven (theyll never catch us)

polly plantar (amphibia)

jay ferin (just roll with it)

natasha romanoff (mcu)

giselle (enchanted)

winnie sanderson (hocus pocus)

candace flynn (phineas and ferb)

phineas flynn (phineas and ferb)

leon kuwata (danganropa)

childe (genshin impact)

akito shinonome (project sekai)

garfield (garfield)

ruby roundhouse (jumanji: welcome to the jungle)

tasuki (fushigi yugi)

lysandre (pokemon)

monkia (doki doki literature club)

misty (pokemon)

aviendha (wheel of time)

coran (voltron)

ashlynn ella (ever after high)

sparrow hood (ever after high)

holly o’hair (ever after high)

poppy o’hair (ever after high)

futaba sakura (persona 5)

anna (frozen)

general hux (star wars)

kanon tachibana (the world ends with you)

ron delight (ace attorney)

kyo sohma (fruits basket)

rei yasaku (do it yourself!)

diluc (genshin impact)

gren (the dragon prince)

chiyo sakura )gekkan shoujo nozaki-kun)

philip j fry (futurama)

felicia sundew (amphibia)

blossom (power puff girls)

april o’neal (teenage mutant ninja turtles)

junichirou tanizaki (bungou stray dogs)

captain amelia (treasure planet)

rachel elizabeth dare (percy jackson)

emma (the promised neverland)

penny polendina (rwby)

elizabeth afton (five nights at freddys)

orville elephant (freddy fazbears pizzaria simulator)

dana scully (x-files)

atushi otani (lovely complex)

merida (brave)

puss in boots (shrek)

little my (moomin)

quasimodo (the hunchback of notre dame)

sora takenouchi (digimon)

ikuyu kita (bocchi the rock!)

gwen tennnyson (ben ten)

ahiru/duck (princess tutu)

eda clawthorn (the owl house)

shallan davar (stormlight archive)

clary fray (shadow hunters)

keyleth (vox machine)

ms. bellum (power puff girls)

zarine (the pirate fairy)

chuuya nakahara (bungou stray dogs)

subaru akehoshi (ensemble stars!! music)

yuta aoi (ensemble stars!! music)

hinata aoi (ensemble stars!! music)

jenny bennett (monster house)

nick wilde (zootopia)

redheads

tomo aizawa (tomo-chan wa onnanoko!)

kirishima eijirou (my hero academia)

hikaru shidou/lucy (magic knight rayearth)

urbosa (breath of the wild)

bowser (mario)

operetta (monster high)

knuckles (sonic)

poison ivy (dc)

starfire (dc)

silver (pokemon)

ranma saotome (ranma 1/2)

will vandom (w.i.t.c.h)

grell sutcliff (black butler)

undyne (undertale)

janai (the dragon prince)

red guy (dont hug me im scared)

wendy (wendys)

ronal mcdonald (mcdonalds)

anastasia romanova (anastasia)

anzu hoshino (romantic killer)

michizou tachihara (bungou stray dogs)

ezra scarlet (fairy tale)

lizzie hearts (ever after high)

shirayuki (snow white with the red hair)

reki kyan (sk8 the infinity)

luna (scooby-doo)

zarzamora (saber marionette j)

jessica rabbit (who framed roger rabbit)

707 (mystic messenger)

kyle broflovski (south park)

souma yukihira (food wars!)

circus baby (five nights at freddys: sister location)

mikoto mikoshiba (gekkan shoujo nozaki-kun

karma akabane (assassination classroom)

kineshi hairo (saiki K)

ariel (the little mermaid)

clifford (clifford the big red dog)

rinne amagi (ensemble stars!! music)

hiiro amagi (ensemble stars!! music)

mao isara (ensemble stars!! music)

[pinknatural]

FICS FROM THIS YEAR:

spun gold (4k) The first two rules, in the Winchester Guide To Hunting, are this:

1. Deals always come back to bite you in the ass. 2. What’s dead hardly ever stays dead.

folded paper roses (1k) the first year anniversary gift is paper. 

dean looked it up something like four months ago, out of curiosity and unsure if he’d have to save up for something like gold. but it’s paper. dean isn’t really sure how to translate paper into a gift cas will like–he considers stationary, but does cas want nice stationary? does he need a new notebook? what would he even write? so dean’s stumped. what do you get a guy whose true happiness is just being with you?

days & weeks & months (1k) “You’re staying?” he asks. 

“Do you want me to?” Cas says, and Dean drops his face into the place between Cas’ neck and shoulder, wraps his arms firm around Cas’ chest. 

“You’re staying,” he declares, and Cas puts his arms around Dean’s back. For a moment, Cas holds him, as Dean attempts to physically hold Cas down. He can’t leave if Dean’s all over him.

oh my darling (1k) An angel faces the task of peeling an orange, with various results.

some regrets (500) Dean asks Cas to run away with him.

as you wish (1.5) in which Dean has been kidnapped and the mysterious man in black accuses him of some awful things... (Princess Bride AU)

where the light pours down (1k) Dean's favorite places through the years, featuring his favorite person.

not for a lack of trying (4k) One Wednesday a month, the Singer-Harvelle-Winchester-Turner-Mills-Hanscum-Fitzgerald-Kline clan all get together for family dinner. Since the Roadhouse is closed anyway, and nobody wants to host all those wild animals at their house, they meet up here.

frozen pines (2k, written for @thenightwemetnatural) Cas has, of course, noticed snow before. He has always found it beautiful. But now--now that he’s not really an angel anymore--everything seems even better than it always has.

the lord of the lake (and i don’t want to leave it) (29k) The lakehouse is haunted.

i wrote a lot of fic this year!! i put a lot of effort into all of these!! thank you all so much for reading them and supporting me :)