#his first appearance alone was epic

[mrsdesade]

What about some Homelander x needy fem reader smut? He made her cry and then he goes soft on her? :)

Say no more anon, here's something for you! It will definitely be something long because I liked the idea so much!

Afterparty;

Pairing: Homelander x fem!super (Ophera as usual) TW: NSFW, mention of drugs, teasing, smut, fluff, aftercare Words count: 2,6k

You and Homelander are attending a night party hosted by Vought, a grand event where the company's high-profile visitors and staff gather to mingle and celebrate.

Was as extravagant as ever, with celebrities, influencers, investors, and a few lucky civilians gathered together in an opulent ballroom. Laughter and music filled the air as people mingled around, engaging in small talk and celebrating.

You've had plenty of conversations, meetings with executives and public appearances with Homelander. By the looks of it, you've both done your part to keep up the public image that Vought has made of you two.

Exausting.

As the night starts slowly to wind down, you find yourselves with a brief moment alone. Homelander looks at you with a mix of tiredness and relief, as if he can finally let his guard down now that you two are out of the spotlight.

"Goddamn, these parties are a pain. I know they're important for the image, but dealing with all those people trying to win my favor… it's starting to wear me down."

He lets out a frustrated huff, his eyes flitting over the crowd around you.

"I swear I could snap the neck of the next person who comes up to me asking for an autograph or a selfie..."

You simply let out a little laugh, but your eyes are wandering around, and your arms are crossed at your stomach, you seem distracted.

Homelander notices the hint of something amiss in your laughter, his sharp senses picking up on the fact that you're not quite comfortable.

"Hey, you alright? You're not your usual self tonight."

''I think I drank too much, I've been feeling strange ever since the party began...but I only drank two glasses of champagne, alcohol usually doesn't cause me problems.''

It's clear that something is wrong, the more he looks at you, the more the signs of your discomfort are visible. Under the beautiful make-up that has been done on you, your cheeks are red, and a few small drops of sweat slide down your temple. Quite strange, since it's December, outside is snowing.

"Two glasses of champagne shouldn't have that kind of effect on you. You're a damn superhero, and a strong one. Are you seriously getting ill from some champagne? I was waiting for a more epic weakness, you know? Something like kryptonite, I don't know."

''If you're here to make fun of me you can go back to the party. Fuck, they must have mixed some kind of drug in my drink. Maybe something that would kill a human has that effect on me. That's the only explanation I have..."

''Someone was stupid enough to drug you? I should find whoever did it and rip their damn head off."

''You're not helping me.''

Your look of disapproval is eloquent, you would like to explain the situation to him better, but you can't do it explicitly. He seems really stupid to you right now. You're holding your chest tight with your arms, your legs are shaking slightly and for the first time you're struggling to stand on your heels.

"What do you want me to do, hold your hand and comfort you? I'm not exactly known for my tender side, you know."

Despite his words, he comes closer to support you with a hands on your back, it seems like you could fall to your knees at any moment.

But immediately he can feel your skin unnaturally warm to the touch. It's at that moment that he starts to notice something unusual, a change in your demeanor. Your breathing is rapid and shallow, and your eyes have a glassy look.

Homelander's eyes widen in realization, as he finally connects the dots.

''...those bastards. They have put an aphrodisiac in your drink.''

''Wow, It took you a while to understand, men never think about these things, I honestly envy you.''

The situation is quite embarrassing for you, but you still manage to want to make fun of him. You have found a stable and comfortable position holding on to his arm, everything seems normal to the people around you, but you know that you will be able to control yourself only for a short time.

He notices the change in your behavior, feeling your hand gripping tighter onto his arm, and the proximity of your body next to his. He clears his throat, trying to maintain his composure.

"Yeah, laugh it up. But you're the one who's struggling to stand still. How the hell did they pull something like this off? I thought Vought security was supposed to prevent something like this from happening."

It's clear that you're not listening to him, you feel the warm from your legs coming up to your throat. You bite your lower lip trying to think as little as possible, but your gaze falls on his hands, causing your mind to drift to absolutely less pure thoughts.

"What are you looking so intently at my hands?''

You lean in a bit closer to him, your playful demeanor turns more tempting, and your voice lowers to a sultry tone, his right hand still holding onto your waist and your running up on his fingers.

''Can't you imagine?''

Homelander tries to maintain his cool demeanor, but he's failing miserably.

Your fingers continue to softly caress his hand, tracing circles on his knuckles, adding to the tension between you two. You take a small step closer, your body now almost pressed against his, and look up at him through your eyelashes, a sly smile on your lips.

"All the things I'm holding myself back from asking you to do to me right now."

His mind suddenly fills with images of what you're hinting at. But he remained silent, faking a smile to the guest who are still walking around the room.

''Come on Homelander, let's get away from this party. I need you. I crave your touch. On me. In me.''

Your lips ghost along his jawline, pressing the promise of a kiss near his ear. You know exactly what to say to convince him, even If your mind is not completely clear, you know what you want and how to get it.

"Please, I'm begging you."

His self-control is about to snap.

''Fine, let's get out of here before I lose my damn mind. Follow my lead and act natural."

He starts guiding you towards the exit, with a certain urgency, casually nodding to guests and saying brief goodbyes as you make your way out of the room.

As you make your way through the crowd, you try your best to act normal and compose yourself, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep up the facade. Finally, he finds a secluded corridor and leads you into an empty room, shutting the door behind him.

The moment the door closes, the illusion of control shatters. The tension that have been building up between you two throughout the night reach their peak, and he takes a step forward but you are the first to close the distance and kiss him. Your body wants nothing more than him, the effect of the drug is getting worse and although you haven't said anything, your body language is more than eloquent.

The sight and feel of you, craving for him so openly, is intoxicating.

"God, you're too damn beautiful, Ophera. I've never saw you so messy and needy... only for me.''

''Oh, just for one time, could you just shut up and use your hands for something useful?''

"Eager, aren't we? Don't worry, I'll gladly indulge you.''

He wastes no time in doing as you demand. Your sparkling red dress falls to the floor, but the heat you feel continues to increase, you feel his hands descend on you, and his fierce kisses forbid you to breathe.

He pushes your legs apart with one hand, then he starts caressing you, making you release a sudden moaned whimper. The feel of his leather clad fingers moving so slowly it immediately brings you closer to the edge.

Ridiculous, how is this possible? You think. Ah, yes, that's right, the aphrodisiac, this sensation is like nothing you've ever felt. But it feels so freaking good.

His two fingers slides inside of you, he's enjoying the idea of torturing you. He can feel himself hardening more with every wet sound and moan from you, but driving you insane is going to be way more fun for him than sharing a temporary pleasure.

''...look at you, so needy just for my fucking fingers. You are truly shameless.''

Back against a cold wall, hands on his shoulders, balancing precariously on your heels while your legs tremble and your mind doesn't think clearly, this time he's in control. He's the one in charge.

Time begins to pass. Half an hour, an hour, two, three.

You're whining, you're moaning, and it sounds gorgeous.

What you don't know, is that from the exact moment he saw tears appear in your eyes, he wants to see you cry in his arms. He want to see you desperate for pleasure. You're nearly scream his name.

''You're making such a good show for me, keep going. Keep going...''

He’s enjoying how you’re desperately thrusting against him. Begging him do not stop. Ah yes, sxx between superheroes, durability is the key word to having an extreme fun. Or extreme pleasure. Y'know.

At a certain point you feel his hand move away a little, perhaps his intention was to move on to something more substantial, more thicker. But you immediately block him by grabbing his wrist. Your eyes meet again, and you really are a beautiful mess.

''Don't you dare...to stop...''

''You’ve had thirty orgasms. I'm at zero. How greedy you are.''

Bastard. He’s been keeping count.

''I don't care...touch me again, only one more time. Please...''

Your mind, now overwhelmed by ecstasy, having now the most intense moment of your life. It seems like you can't get enough, and here's his chance to get what he wants. He wants to see you cry.

''Then beg for it.''

His hand that he had leaning against the wall now comes violently wrapped around your neck. Since he can't satisfy himself, he decides that he will have fun in another way. Can't have the pleasure? Then he will have violence. Both are perfect.

Your legs are shaking again and your breath becoming more shallow. You murmur his name in short moans, begging him as he ordered, eyes closed as your makeup slowly begins to run on your cheeks, accompanied by a few small tears.

He is extremely fascinated by you in that moment, you're so lost in pleasure, so desperate for his touch to the point of crying.

''Homelander...''

You cried out as your body finally release, another orgasm coming down hard from your desperate wait. Your body shudders as your walls squeeze tighter around his fingers.

Then he pause, fingers slip out, he stopped for a second looking at you, still lost in the pleasure aftershocks.

Your body is drained of energy, your breathing ragged. You are too tired to speak, the intense moments you’ve experienced leaving you breathless. Your body feels weary and heavy, the afterglow of your passionate encounter still lingering in your core. And then your legs give out, and you stumble, risking falling, but the fact that he is in front of you, saves you.

''Hey-- you feel good? It was too much?''

He asked a bit worried, his arm wrapped securely around you.

A small, weary smile curves your lips, acknowledging his unexpected concern.

''Are you serious? It was...incredible. I assure you I'm fine, more than fine. Just a bit tired.''

He holds you firmly against him, his strong arms encircling your trembling body. He notices your exhaustion and the way your legs give out, nearly toppling over.

''Don't lie to me, tell me If there's something wrong.''

''Dear, I'm being more than sincere right now, do I seem regretful or unsatisfied? I don't think so.''

You laughed, taking him off guards with your spontaneity.

''Well--uhm, yeah okay, good. Now, let's get back to my apartment. The effect of the aphrodisiac has worn off, and soon you will feel cold with only this fancy dress on.''

''Sure...let's get back to the 99 floor.''

You try to move away from him a little, just a little to walk to the door, but you feel the balance missing and you fall back with your hands resting on his shoulders. Your expression is tired but amused, you find funny even a moment like this.

''Where do you think you're going? Come here, you tired diva. You don't have to walk, I'll carry you.''

He lifts you in his arms carrying you as you weigh nothing, and then he let out a short phrase whispered with kindness.

''I'll take care of you.''

He pauses for a moment, realizing the unfamiliar words that just slipped out of his lips. He clears his throat, trying to cover up the unexpected softness in his voice.

Your reaction is one of mild surprise mixed with a hint of amusement. You look at him with a sly smile, raising an eyebrow. Knowing damn well that he's not used to doing such things.

''Oh, what happened to the tough, domineering Homelander? Suddenly, you're acting all caring and loving.''

"Listen, why do you have to be so annoying?"

Homelander rolls his eyes in response to your playful remark. He knows you caught him in a moment of unexpected tenderness.

''Don't get used to it, doll. This is a one-time exception.''

You let out a small, satisfied laugh at his response, knowing you got under his skin again, like usual.

''Oh come on, lighten up. It's quite charming, you know. You playing the concerned and gentle lover.''

''Concerned and gentle lover, that's not really my thing, if you didn't notice.''

He watches you with a hint of skepticism, waiting for your next smart answer.

''So why did you put your cloak around my shoulders when you lifted me up? It was a spontaneous gesture and you didn't even notice it.''

Homelander froze for a moment, caught off guard by your observation. It was true, he had subconsciously done that without even thinking. He lets out a defeated sigh, realizing that you know that he cares, no matter how much he tries to deny it.

''Fine, you win. I didn't like seeing you shivering. And maybe because I…care.''

"Aww, who would have thought? The great Homelander, soft? For me? How unexpected. Maybe I should thank the one who put the drugs in my drink, without his intervention I would never have discovered this side of you.''

You smile warmly, teasingly caressing his hair with your hand while he's walking outside the room, It's now late at night and there's no one one around. Only the silence and the neon lights of the big Vought tower.

You hug him, staying close to him, safe in his arms, enjoying that moment of kindness that you don't know if it will ever return. But for tonight that's fine. You give him a gentle kiss on the cheek and let him carry you to his room.

''Damn you for making me say things like that.''

He whispered, after after gently placing you on the bed, where you will sleep together that night. You sink into the soft bed, a soft smile on your lips. You look up at him in the dim light, waiting for him. That smile will be his downfall, or yours, who knows.

He's secretly pleased by all of your lovely reaction, and he adores you so damn much, but he will never admit it.

-------

Thanks again for the request, it was really entertaining to write, hope you like it! Kisses <3

[eddieandbird]

Dream Girl—

Sequel to How Romantic. Eddie and you took the rest of Corroded Coffin to brunch to talk about your wedding night. [part 3]

a/n: thank you to everyone who requested a second part to this! tags are in the comments- bird

tags/warnings: fluff w/ slight angst | 3.1k words | f!reader | rockstar!Eddie

———

“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” The officiant’s voice was distorted and flashes of darkness stuttered in your vision.

“Come here, baby,” Eddie pulled you by the hips, and in a blur of colors, you felt him dip your body down. His hands were firm, cradling your head in one hand and your waist wrapped in the other. The last thing you saw was Eddie’s half-opened eyes and dark tendrils hovering over you before he kissed you.

You could hear a boisterous chorus of cheers behind you. Your eyes were squeezed shut as you tried to follow along with the rapid movements of his lips. When you were lifted back to open your eyes, you saw Jeff and Gareth out in the pews still cheering and repeating Eddie’s name like he just won a high school football game.

Suddenly you were brought back into the present with Eddie squeezing your thigh tight.

“Hey. You alright?” Eddie asked quietly.

You swung your head around, taking note of your current environment. You were sat outside at a cafe with the rest of Corroded Coffin’s band members.

“Yeah, I’m just a bit tired,” You lied, offering him a weak smile to keep up appearances for Gareth and Jeff.

Eddie worried about you. He noticed that you seemed uncharacteristically spaced out, almost dazed since you both had met up with the band. He watched you plaster on a convincing smile as you reassured him. He didn’t quite believe it, but he didn’t want to push the topic in front of the others.

Gareth leaned over to the two of you, a wide smile on his face. “So last night got pretty wild, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” You said in a slightly mocking tone.

You pouted and shoved a few bites of scrambled eggs in your mouth. “Do you guys remember what happened or were you too far gone like me and idiot Munson over here?”

Eddie leaned in, raising a finger, about to protest but you jokingly made kissy faces at him to get him to shut up before mumbling “Don’t start, darling, I wanna hear the other guys talk first,” You shook your head.

Your eyes flicked between two other members, waiting for someone to speak. Eddie rolled his eyes at your playful jab. Gareth and Jeff exchanged a look across the table, both of them grinning from ear to ear.

"Dude, last night was epic," Gareth said between laughter. "You guys were out of your minds, all over each other-"

Jeff interjected, his voice full of excitement. "And then you both stumbled into that chapel and bam! You guys got hitched!"

You held your head in your hands with a louder scoff.

“Neither of you thought ‘Hm, that’s our lead guitarist and our manager at the altar, let’s stop them from randomly getting married’?” You realized your voice raised a bit and you almost instantly gave them a wave as a gesture to apologize.

“Hey, leave the guys alone, this was our fault,” Eddie’s voice was strained in attempt to not yell at you. The look in his eye was trying to tell you to stop revealing details about your plan before the guys catch a whiff of it. You reluctantly obliged.

“You’re right. I’m sorry I just— I’m just still a bit shocked I guess. We did a big thing last night,” You sighed before taking a long sip of your orange juice.

Both Jeff and Gareth's grins faded slightly as you spoke. They could tell that you were stressed and overwhelmed with how the night's events had turned out, so they decided against making any more jokes.

Jeff reached across the table to pat your hand comfortingly. "Hey, don't worry about it. We get it, this was a wild night for all of us."

Gareth nodded in agreement, "Yeah, and hey, with how long Eddie's had his eye on you, this wasn't that surprising."

You lifted your head like a dog who heard a whistle in the distance. Gareth’s comment was ringing in your ears. You turned to look at Eddie in an almost robotic manner. Your glare was sharp enough to stab him with a sugary grin that didn’t match at all.

“Eddie, what are they talking about?” You asked, your eye was borderline twitching.

Eddie bobbed his head and wiggled his hand, in an attempt to downplay what was just said. “They’re obviously exaggerating, baby,”

He casually chuckled then pushed your hair behind your ear. His hand was on the back of your neck and he pulled you close to obscure his face from the rest of the table.

“Let’s not tell these blabbermouths it’s all a ruse just yet, yeah? They’ll blow our cover way too quickly. Just go with it,” Eddie whispered to you.

You could feel the heat of your anger rising up to your ears, but on your face, you remained stoic. The whole point of brunch was supposed to be telling the band about your situation, but Eddie didn’t seem interested in letting Jeff or Gareth in on the plan. Now with Gareth’s innocent slip of information, you were beginning to understand why. You mimicked Eddie’s grip on his own thigh, digging your nails into the denim of his jeans.

“You three are so funny,” You flashed another false smile to the table before sitting back in your seat with your arms folded.

Eddie could sense your frustration, but he knew that he needed to sell the illusion of a happy couple. He managed to brush your lips with a kiss which you had little response to. Jeff and Gareth exchanged a quick look after you sat back in your seat, both of them raising their eyebrows at each other in confusion.

"Uh... So-" Jeff started, but Gareth spoke up before he could continue.

"Are we missing something here?" Gareth asked cautiously, his gaze darting back and forth between you and Eddie.

“No! No, nope,” You interjected before the other men could speak. “As you probably know, I’ve been very… private about my relationship with Eddie considering I’m your guys’ band manager and all that. Almost like it wasn’t even a thing before last night,”

He subtly elbowed your arm, giving yet another reminder to reel it in.

“I just can’t believe everything is coming to light now. It’s overwhelming. We’re finally married and it’s… awesome,”

You mustered the best look of excitement you could as you stabbed away at your meal with a fork. Eddie couldn’t imagine how vexing it was to hear that he could’ve possibly had feelings for you way before this whole accidental wedding fiasco happened.

“I know. I am so happy. How about you, babe?” Eddie pressed a kiss to your cheek and you reluctantly returned it with another fake grin.

“The absolute happiest,” You said, knowing damn well you’d be scolding him the next time you were both alone.

Eddie could feel the tension radiating off of you, but he kept his hand firmly placed on you under the table. Jeff and Gareth glanced at each other again, both of them confused by your unusually nervous demeanor.

"Uh... Well, congrats you two," Gareth said tentatively, his eyes darting from your face to Eddie's hand on your leg.

"Yeah, it's about time!" Jeff chimed in, his enthusiasm not exactly matching his bandmates'.

You nodded silently for a moment, reigning in your emotions that were very close to spilling out. “We appreciate your guys’ support, we really do. But, I think it’s about time we go back up and pack our things, yeah? We gotta be in Salt Lake City tomorrow night. C’mon, Mr. Munson,”

A loud creak rang out as you stood up and pushed out your chair. You held out your hand for Eddie. Another smile hid just how confused and irritated you were with the mop-headed boy. He let out a breath and pushed back his chair to stand up next to you. He took your hand in his and squeezed it. Jeff and Gareth watched the two of you as you prepared to leave, both of them slightly concerned by your hurried demeanor.

"Uh... yeah, alright. See you guys later," Eddie said to them, still attached to your arm.

The guys nodded, their eyes still fixed on the pair of you as you hurried towards the exit.

Your footsteps were quick, Eddie was barely keeping up and you couldn't care less. You needed answers and couldn’t wait another moment for them.

“Hey, hey! Slow down, would ya? I’m not as fit as I look-”

“I can’t believe you,” You interrupted as you dragged him inside the elevator, pounding the buttons like it would take you up to your room quicker.

“What are you talking about?” He gave a pinched expression. You couldn’t tell if he was faking it or if he was genuinely lost once again.

“Please don’t make me feel crazy, you know what I’m talking about,” You begged, continuing your strides to the room.

Eddie followed closely behind, quickly matching your steps despite his earlier comment. He tried to pretend clueless, but he knew there was no point. As soon as your hotel room door slammed shut behind you, he let out a long sigh. He ran his hand through his hair anxiously as he struggled to find the right words to say.

“Okay. What do you want me to say?” he finally mumbled, avoiding your gaze.

You scoffed and scrubbed your face in your hands. "Jeff and Gareth basically said you've had a thing for me for ages. You didn't even deny it. You want to start telling me about that?”

Eddie’s mouth kept opening and closing his mouth, but he said a whole lot of nothing. It bothered you the way his eyes floated all over the hotel room skipping over your face, but you knew better than to expect him to talk to you in this state. You had to have a softer approach. You caught his chin and pinched it between your index finger and thumb, positioning him to look at you.

You closed your eyes and brought your heart rate and breathing back down to a normal pace before speaking again. “I’m sorry. I won’t be mad, it’s just… in order for this whole thing to work, I really need to know the truth,” You let him go, allowing him the space to confess.

Eddie’s face flushed slightly, a mix of guilt and embarrassment. He couldn’t deny it any longer. He swallowed hard as he gazed down at the floor, unable to look at you.

“It’s true,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve had my eye on you for a while now, I didn’t know how to approach you with it. You’re always so good at keeping your feelings inside and- and I just-” He trailed off, struggling to find the right words to say.

That was not what you wanted to hear. A big part of you felt betrayed by Eddie. You stepped away from him, taking in his whole frame as you watched him in shock. Your promise of not being upset had been completely thrown out the window.

“So, what, you decided you’d trap me into a marriage because you have a crush on me?” You said with little breath behind your words.

“Hey, no, don’t do that. That is totally not what happened here,” Eddie’s breath was shooting harshly from his nostrils as he pointed down to the floor. “Last night was an accident and you know that,”

He paced the room for a moment, scratching at his dark curls before continuing his rant. “And it’s not like you would’ve given me a chance anyway. You’re always so busy buzzing around the band and worried about being ‘professional’. You would’ve turned me down instantly if I told you how I felt,”

Eddie’s face fell, his stupidly charming smirk was now replaced with a deep-set frown. He was a tornado of hurt that spun around you and it crushed you. Your chest ached and you were softening at the confession of his reservations.

“You don’t know that,” You muttered. You weren’t even sure if it was true, but you shook your head to further your statement.

Eddie let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, please. You would’ve laughed in my face if I told you I had feelings for you. You keep everyone at arm’s length, especially when it comes to romance. You always say relationships are a waste of time. How am I supposed to believe that you would’ve given me a chance if I did things differently?” He continued pacing the room, his voice growing more and more frustrated.

“You always put up this tough act like everything’s fine like you’ve got everything under control, but deep down, I know that’s not true. You’re scared to let anyone in,”

“That’s not it, you know it’s not true-” Panic was coming up on you as you saw Eddie waiting for you to continue. You waved your hands at your eyes, trying to suck up your tears. You needed to gather yourself quickly. “Eddie, you’re the closest person to me. You’re my best friend,”

No matter how hard you denied it, he was right. You had walls up that refused to let down. You decided a long time ago that’s what you needed to do to keep yourself from getting hurt, but Eddie was a bulldozer to all your apprehensions. His childish humor, his fearlessness, and his ability to light up any room was special to you. You didn’t want to ever lose that.

Eddie stepped closer to you and placed his hands on your shoulders.

"But that's exactly my point," he said, his voice softened. "You're comfortable with me as your friend, you trust me, but you’d shut down the idea of anything more. You don't want to risk losing what you have."

He gently pulled you a bit closer to him, determined to make you understand where he was coming from. Words bubbled up from your stomach, threatening to come out of you like a shaken soda can. What were you even supposed to say when he was staring at you with those giant golden brown eyes? You gulped before attempting to speak once more.

“What do you even see in me? Why do you want to be with me? I don’t exactly think I fit the description of your ‘dream girl’,” You asked the burning questions to further avoid your feelings.

Eddie rolled his eyes at your questioning. "Dream girl?" he repeated, shaking his head as a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He leaned closer, his breath gently caressing your face. "You could never be just a dream girl... You're the real thing, better than anything a dream could conjure up. Tough as nails, smart as hell, a badass through and through."

His hands moved to rest on your hips and he pulled you even closer. He could still see the gears turning in your head. You were still having a tough battle inside of yourself. He let out a sigh and hung his head before you. He was getting tired of all the bickering. He wanted to get back to the part where you two were on each other’s side again.

“I know it’s a lot. I’m also wrapping my head around it, but I’m giving you what you want, right? I’m putting all my cards out on the table, but that doesn’t mean I’m trying to make you feel anything you don’t. I’m sure you already feel like I’ve forced you into enough for one Vegas trip,” He chuckled ironically, scratching at the side of his neck.

And with that small gesture, you could feel the bricks of your walls starting to chip away. Upon first meeting Eddie, anyone could easily brush him off as someone who was too odd for his own good. Not you. You saw Eddie the way he wanted to be seen. You were impressed with his talents, you were amused by his jokes. Though you were blunt and closed off, you were not judgemental. That’s one of the things Eddie liked the most about you.

“Hey,” you lifted his chin to look at you once more. “What happened to this being both our faults?” You gave a quiet, breathy laugh.

Eddie chuckled along with you, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Technically, it is," he agreed, a teasing grin playing on his lips. "But I'm the one who decided to get married on a whim, remember? I don't think you had much say in that."

He moved even closer, his arms now wrapped around your waist, pulling your body flush against his. The tension and frustration between you seemed to melt away, replaced by that familiar easy banter. You gave your infamous shrug, but this time it was paired with a wiggling smile on your lips as you pushed the hair out of his eyes.

“You’re right. You should know better that I can’t fight off a guy who’s a full foot taller than me hauling me down the aisle, but I was the one who followed you into that chapel last night,”

A grin spread across Eddie's face as you spoke. The tension in his shoulders dissipated slightly, replaced with a sense of relief.

"Yeah, you’re right. Sorry, I couldn’t resist getting into the whole ‘kicked puppy’ act," He paused to hear you join him in laughter. "So we’re on the same page, then? You forgive this idiot?"

You jumped up an inch from the floor to get your arms over his head to pull him into a hug.

“Of course, I do, idiot,” Your laugh was muffled by his shoulder. “I’m sorry for all this stupid arguing. Of course, we’re on the same page,”

You definitely weren’t good with stuff like this, but you hoped you could assure him even in the slightest. You felt he deserved it more than anything.

“But to be on the same page, we really need to agree on what we tell people and who we’re telling things to. We’re in this together. Deal?” You flipped back into a stern tone, a hint of playfulness in your grin.

Eddie's grin widened at your words and the way you jumped into his arms, wrapping him tightly in a hug. He let out a content sigh as he returned the embrace, burying his face in your tousled hair.

"Deal," he agreed, nodding his head against the crook of your neck. "We'll get our story straight before talking to anyone else."

He couldn't help but chuckle at your quick transition back to your all-business tone. "You know you're cute when you get all serious, right?"

“Shut up!”

[apomaro-mellow]

King and Prince 30

Part 29

Steve wasted no time appearing in town to challenge Jason. Eddie accompanied him, keeping a low profile as the horse he rode on again. Steve dismounted when they got to the butcher’s shop and Jason came out immediately as if summoned. He probably just saw them through the window the moment they arrived.

“Well look who decided to grace us low folk with his presence.” Jason’s apron was bloody and he was wiping it off his hands also.

Steve’s expression was stony. “Did I ever make you feel low? Even when we were alone?”, he asked.

“I always knew there was something off about you. That alone was enough.” Jason tossed the red stained cloth over his shoulder. “Why are you here?”

“I want you to rescind your blasphemous lies. I am no longer an agent of my homeland. I didn’t come here intending to invade this kingdom.”

People began to gather, first because of the brilliantly black horse, so rich and fine, then because of Steve who was equally fine. Folks began to murmur, speculating that this was the man who had their king so enamored. Jason was good at both gauging a crowd and turning them to his favor. And he saw opportunity.

“What happens if I refuse? I haven’t been shown any proof to the contrary.” Then he projected his voice. “Will you smite me? Or will His Majesty? If I’m wrong, reveal it to be evident. But if I am simply silenced, everyone here will know your true face.”

Steve’s frown deepened. “Will you not seek a more honorable path?”

“And what, pray tell, is the more honorable path?”, Jason questioned as his parents stepped out, curious about the wealthy looking man on their porch.

“I challenge you, Jason Carver, to a duel”, Steve said.

Jason smirked. Something about it reminded Steve of a predator. But he stood strong. The best man would win and that was him. Jason held out his hand, smears of blood still on it.

“I accept.”

Steve held his own hand out and shook it. But then Jason didn’t let go on the downswing as the crowd’s whispers began to rise. Steve tried to pull his hand back but Jason held firm. He took too many steps forward until he was in Steve’s space. 

“You’re going to regret this.” He was grinning still until the horse whinnied and pushed his head threateningly between Steve and Jason, causing Jason to rear back.

“Easy, easy, I’m fine”, Steve soothed, petting the horse’s snout. He continued to shush them as he got on its back. “A messenger will be forthcoming with the details.”

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

The duel was set for a week’s time and in the following days, Eddie unfortunately saw Steve less and less. It wasn’t for lack of trying too. When he heard that Steve was taking on knights in the training room, he had come right over, gift in hand. They were gloves for his lovely hands so that he would never need to touch the likes of Carver ever again.

But before he could even enter, Dustin barred him, hand in his face.

“You can’t come in”, Dustin said.

“And why on this green, verdant earth, not?” He wasn’t in the mood for whatever Henderson was playing at.

“Steve told us he can’t be distracted while he trains.”

“I wouldn’t be a distraction”, Eddie argued.

“He specifically said, ‘if Eddie comes, don’t let him in’”, Dustin echoed.

“Mhm, but since when do you listen to whatever people tell you to do?”, Eddie challenged.

“Steve promised to show me a disemboweling move if I did”, Dustin said. “You got something to top that?”

Eddie highly doubted Steve was going to follow through with that promise, so he wasn’t going to one-up him just to satisfy Dustin. If Steve wanted to focus on the duel, he would respect that. The door opened and Lucas stuck his head out, allowing Eddie to hear the ruckus going on just beyond it.

“Dustin! Get back here! It’s so epic!”

There were cheers at least a dozen strong that supported Lucas’ claim and Dustin rushed to get back in and shut the door behind him, leaving Eddie all alone. He sighed, forlorn, before picking himself up. If Steve was throwing himself into this, so would he. It had been some time since he had to make a show of power to his people.

Eddie coordinated the dueling venue, erecting an arena in a dusty, flat area. During fall and winter, it was a congregation for demobeasts as it got cold and hard. During the warmer parts of the year though, it was either empty or frequented by youngsters playing their own games. By the week’s end, there was a view box for the king and his entourage, benches for the other spectators, and a ring in which the fighters would battle.

It wasn’t just people from the town immediately outside the castle that came. Word traveled fast and people from neighboring cities came as well. When dawn arrived of the duel, Eddie wondered if there would be proper accommodations. In the form of a raven, he flew over the duel grounds and saw that while the morning mist was still evaporating, people were already gathering to claim their spots.

That all suited him just fine, he decided. He would be announcing his courtship officially and the more ears the better. 

The sun rose higher and the time was nearly here. Eddie had behaved and not distracted him at all, but he couldn’t resist coming into his tent as he prepared.

“Did you-did you cut your hair?”, Eddie nearly squeaked as an attendant tied leather to Steve’s shin.

“I do that sometimes for the summer”, Steve said, sitting on a stool. It wasn’t much of a change to be honest but it still drove home how Eddie hadn’t seen Steve in days. Just a couple inches off his hair felt like an immeasurable distance.

“You look as dashing as ever”, Eddie said easily, taking steps forward then realized they weren’t alone. “You may take your leave”, he ordered.

The attendant left, closing the tent behind themselves. There was a crowd ebbing and flowing outside but they were in their own little world now. Not a servant or chaperone to be spoke of. Eddie knelt down before Steve and finished the job, tying up his other leg. Steve was suddenly very conscious of his own breathing, of the way Eddie’s eyes focused on the task before him, of the tip of his nose, of the way his hands lingered. 

In order to tie down the protective layer, he had to touch his calf, the back of his knee, his ankle. His clothing stood between skin to skin contact, but that didn’t stop the touch from warming him. It was the reverent way Eddie did it. It was having a king on his knees. It was Eddie adding something to protect him.

“In case you were wondering, this is why I couldn’t have you watch me train”, Steve said, his voice just ever so slightly breathless.

Just to be cheeky, Eddie kissed his clothed knee. “I heard you put on quite the performance.”

Steve moved to stand and Eddie helped him to his feet. Their only point of contact was their hands and yet it felt like so much. Not for the first time, Steve was trying to remember why he wasn’t allowed to kiss Eddie right now. He wanted to. Eddie wanted to. And Eddie seemed to have the same realization as his eyes met Steve’s. He brought the prince’s hand towards him to kiss the tips of his fingers, then the palm of his hand.

Eddie’s lips ghosted over the inside of his wrist when a blast of fanfare broke the illusion of privacy. But there was a moment still, where they both considered stealing just one more second to act on their desires. But then Eddie pulled away.

“Our public awaits”, he said, starting towards the tent’s opening.

Steve walked out with him, but they had to part ways so that Steve could enter the arena and that Eddie could go to his viewing box and announce the start of the duel, as well as lay out the terms to all in attendance. 

“Enjoy the show”, Steve said with a wink.

Part 31

Taglist CLOSED

@thesuninyaface @only-evanescent  @snakeorsquid  @ignoremyworld  @theclichefortunecookie 

@goodolefashionedloverboi  @just-a-tiny-void  @0body0disphoria0  @cinnamon-mushroomabomination  @samsoble 

@jamieweasley13  @y4r3luv  @xtkxkrzrizir  @un-knownperson  @greekgeek24 

@justdrugsformethanks  @potato-of-the-lord  @notaqueenakhaleesi  @swimmingbirdrunningrock  @queenie-ofthe-void 

@nebulainajar  @lil-gremlin-things  @nicememerino  @robininblue  @hornedqueenofhell 

@anne-bennett-cosplayer  @moomkin77  @here4thetrama  @bookworm0690  @autumncrocusandladybug

@lil-gremlin-things @littlebluejane @puppy-steve

[pmamtraveller]

DANTE AND VIRGIL /1850/ by WILLIAM-ADOLPHE BOUGUEREAU

This work is inspired by Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy explores the prevailing beliefs of the Middle Ages regarding the different stages of the afterlife. In the poem, Dante is led by the Roman poet, Virgil, through all the realms of the afterlife.

Bouguereau skillfully illustrates a line from 'Inferno', the first part of the poem that portrays the never-ending circles of hell. This is a scene of 'Inferno', Canto VII, lines 112-114, which reads, “They smote each other not alone with hands, but with the head and with the breast and feet, tearing each other piecemeal with their teeth.”

This realm is reserved for fraudsters and deceivers. Dante and Virgil observe from afar as two damned souls battle. Gianni Schicchi, the man on the left, is sinking his teeth into Capocchio's neck on the right. Other struggles can be seen behind the main subjects, with a man lying on the ground just behind the two fighting.

Bouguereau demonstrates his painting abilities by depicting nude male figures. Their muscles contract, extend, and rotate while they wrestle each other. The men appear to be shining brightly while the rest of the surroundings are dark. The academy had a high admiration for Bouguereau, especially for his skill in portraying skin tones.

[mistystepmoonbeam]

Reborn in BG3: Chapter 14 - Astarion's Night

You're reborn into BG3 with only the memory of your past life. Now you're Tav's companion on his journey, and must learn about yourself as much as your new reality.

Chapter 14 (Astarion's Night): Your first night in the Underdark. You catch Astarion sneaking back into camp after a hunt, and he finds out you're more injured than you let on.

Tav's Night

Gale's Night

Word count: 1.9K

A/N: Don't mind the slight differences in reveals, it'll all come together. Somehow. At some time.

You get a blissful couple hours of sleep before your eyes open and refuse to close.  The only comfortable position you could find with your bruises was on your side, but now there’s no position that gives you any relief.  Finally you sit up, wondering just how bad your back looks for it to ache so much.  You would give all your gold for an aspirin right now.

It’s too dark in your tent to check your wounds.  Even if you use your staff the light won’t be enough to tell the difference between the shadows and the bruises.  With the camp quiet you step out of your tent and into the firelight.  The braziers are still going, flames a little smaller now but giving off plenty of light.

The first few nights you’d been too scared to take off any of your clothing to sleep.  Your jacket, socks, boots, everything had stayed on.  But you’ve grown comfortable enough to take some of it off.  You walk on the balls of your feet to get to a brazier, enchanted socks whisking away the dirt as fast as it touches them.  Those, your loose pants and untucked tunic are all that protect you from possible attack.  You’ll be fine within the base, surrounded by weirdly overprotective barbarians and Scratch.  The dog lifts his head when he spots you, tail wagging but he remains laying by the campfire.  You hold up a finger to your lips and he sets his head back on his paws, eyes closing.  His tail gives a couple more wags before settling.

It’s hard to manoeuvre your body well enough to see all of your injuries.  You can see the dark blue bruise on the right of your hip, which wraps around to your back, the edges fading to lighter colours.  There’s an equally dark bruise on the right side of your ribs—had you been jabbed there?  Between the goblins' pikes and a couple of falls you’re not sure who is to blame for what bruise.  But those ones aren’t the ones bothering you the most.  The ones in the middle of your back are what keep you from a comfortable sleep and you can’t see them at all. 

You poke at the bruise on the right of your ribcage when a voice startles you. 

“You’re still injured.”

You drop your shirt, hiding your wounds.  You look at the broken wall that leads to the Spectator, finding Astarion crawling in, blood on the collar of his shirt.  His words don’t really register, neither does the guilt in his eyes or his downturned lips.  Instead all you can see is the blood on his shirt and hands, and you rush over to check him for wounds.

“Astarion,” you hiss.  Your hands hover around him, eyes searching for any sign of injury but it doesn’t appear to be his blood.  But he’d just come from—what was he doing out there?!  “You shouldn’t go out there alone!  It’s—that way is…bad.”

It’s no wonder he called you dim when this was how you spoke to him.  Lying on the spot is so much harder when it comes to life and death situations.  You sidestep him and peer outside but there’s no evidence of an epic battle between the vampire and the Spectator.  The petrified drow are still scattered across the cliffs, the explosive mushrooms unexploded.  When you turn back to Astarion he seems lost in thought, eyes on your torso.

“Are you okay?” you ask. “Did you go hunting?  You should have waited until someone else could go with you, we don’t know what’s out there.”

Liar.  Well, half-liar.  The Underdark in the game is only a sliver of your new reality.

“You’re asking if I’m all right?” he questions.  “You…”

He cuts himself off with a sigh.  He grabs your hand and begins to pull you to his tent, muttering something you can’t make out.  When you say his name he doesn’t respond, and you are dragged inside, the flaps closing shut behind you.

Unlike in the game his tent is almost as sparse as yours.  But you can’t really tell because it’s nearly pitch black inside, only the faintest of light coming from the braziers outside making it through the fabric.

“Lie down,” Astarion orders.  You squint into the dark, his hair and shirt the only things you can somewhat make out.  With another sigh he grabs you by your shoulders and manhandles you to the ground.  Your body goes pliant as he sets you facedown on his bedroll and begins to lift your tunic.

“Hey!” you yelp.  His knuckles brush against a tender spot.

“Be quiet.  I don’t feel like being tackled by the tiefling again.”

“But what are you—”

Something cold is pressed against the bruise on your hip.  You flinch as Astarion rubs something against your skin, his fingers warming the spot.  

“It’s a healing ointment,” he says quietly.  “Since you refuse to let the others help you, this will have to do.”

You open your mouth to argue but he quickly continues, “And if you say you’re fine or you don’t need it I will get Tav in here to pin you down while I apply it.”

You snap your mouth shut, face heating at the thought.  You raise your arms to bury your face into them, mumbling your thanks. 

Astarion’s hands are soft as he applies the ointment.  He doesn’t spend too long rubbing it into the wounds, and he’s gentle enough that it doesn’t hurt.  You let out a soft sigh as both his hands travel beneath your shirt and stroke over your upper back.  He’s quick to pull back at the noise, but doesn’t comment on it.  When he’s done with the bruises on your back he tells you to flip over. 

Your eyes shoot open, blinking wide.  You shift and try to sit up when he pushes on your shoulder to keep you on the bedroll.  You lie on your back, wishing you could see his face clearly and at least guess what he’s thinking.  Him being so nice and quiet right now is off putting.  But without his hands on your back the ointment begins to cool your wounds, and the pain fades.  Unsure of what to do with your own hands you clasp them together atop your chest.

Astarion lifts your tunic until he uncovers your ribcage.  You’re about to offer to apply the ointment yourself when he dabs his finger into a cylinder by his knees and leans over you.  You watch his hair fall in front of his face while three fingers press against the bruise on your ribs.  You inhale sharply as he puts too much pressure on the sensitive spot. 

“Apologies,” he says.

“It’s fine,” you whisper back.  “And thanks.  I didn’t know stuff like this existed.  It doesn’t hurt so much anymore.”

Astarion huffs and you see the hint of a smile on his face in the dark.  But still, he doesn’t respond in the usual Astarion fashion.  Instead he drags his fingers down your ribs, almost tickling you until his full palm is against your skin.  His hand keeps going lower until it’s cupping the bruise on your right hip and just…stays there.

“You were telling the truth, weren’t you?” he asks.

Probably not, you think to yourself.  “About what?”

“About…my being warm.”  His fingers dig into your hip, just enough to remind you there’s a wound there.  “Am I…now?”

“Yes,” you answer.  

Whatever expression he’s making is lost in the shadows.  And he still doesn’t move, even with all your bruises coated with the ointment.

Having him there, the warmth of another person and your bruises no longer so sore, you find your mind trying to drift off again.  The couple hours of sleep wasn’t near enough to stave off the exhaustion of the previous day, and Astarion’s bedroll is more plush than yours.  Your eyelids are fluttering closed but you can’t help but wonder aloud: “Do you think it’s because I’m a necromancer?”

“I doubt it, but who knows?”  Astarion pulls his hand off of you, fingers dragging along your hip as if savouring every moment against your skin.  

“Do you think…”  You hesitate, lowering your shirt while Astarion lies down beside you, head propped in one hand.  “Do you think Ethel was telling the truth?”

You can’t bring yourself to face him as he looks down at you.  Not that you’d be able to see him clearly even if you turned your head.  You keep your eyes on the roof of his tent, pretending like this is the most normal of situations.

“It would explain why you’re parasite free,” he replies.  “If you were a Chosen of some high and mighty god.”

“No.”  You turn on your side, mimicking his position and pointing a finger at him.  “Because if I was a Chosen of some high and mighty god they wouldn’t have let me get taken in the first place.  And–and!  I’d remember them.  Gods don’t like to be forgotten.”

Yes, this makes sense.  You continue, “So, Ethel is wrong, and I’m just a really rich person from Baldur’s Gate and no gods love me.  Done.”

Astarion’s brow furrows but he’s grinning.  It’s only because his face is five inches away from your own that you can see this.

“Maybe you should try praying,” he suggests.

Your nose wrinkles.  

“Oh, you have, haven’t you?”  He sets a hand over his heart.

Does drunkenly cursing the gods at the tiefling party count as praying?  You give a small nod, finger finally lowering to press into the bedroll.  Your eyes follow the shadow of movement, no longer wanting to look at the vampire.  “I know the gods don’t really care about us.  Chosen are just…favoured toys for a little while.  Passing fancies.  I’m not about to hold my breath waiting for divine intervention.”

Had you been looking at Astarion you would have seen his eyes flick up and down your features, studying you intently.  You go on, “It would just be nice to…know something.”

When you finally look up at Astarion a breeze flows into the tent, temporarily moving the flaps and letting the firelight in.  The light catches in his eyes, reflecting like rubies when an image flashes in your mind.

Your heart rate spikes.  Or maybe your heart just stops.  That’s what it feels like.  The wind is knocked from your lungs, vision blackened just as quickly as the image had arrived.   A car horn screams inside your head, a voice trying to match the volume of the horn.  Male or female, you can’t tell.  You can’t even understand the words as it all vanishes.

Brake lights.  You’d seen brake lights.

You choke, stuttering breath from your lungs as you try to remember how to breathe.  When you shoot your torso upwards Astarion joins you, watching as you cough and wheeze, choking on nothing.

That was…your death, wasn’t it?  But the first time you’d seen a truck coming at you, now it was brake lights?  You cough again, hands grabbing at the fabric of your tunic and pulling.  God, why was it suddenly so tight?  You pull and pull but it feels as if something is wound around your chest–your heart and lungs and mind.

“What is it?” Astarion questions, voice giving away his worry.  “What’s wrong?”

You gasp for air as another breeze shifts the flaps of the tent.  Someone is watching you, someone that isn’t Astarion.  You peer beyond the tent, past the braziers and campfire to find the source of your unease.  And you see him.  You’d actually forgotten about him, for a bit.  But he’s watching you now from across the camp.

Withers.

Taglist:

@half-poison-and-half-hope @sanscas @hotmesshobbit @godoffuckedupcats @thequeen-oni @terrenuserinj @straewberrysoda @theomnipotentfox @becksynthetic @quitecontrary-to-mary @furblrwurblr @mega-trash-cringe @fandomsbookclub @dontneedbiologytoadopt @pebble-bb @v3lv3tvampir3 @mrow-kat @jeneralmischief @notsaelty @runaway-17 @aoirohi @tinswhimsy @xxgrimripp3rxx @kemonocat-blog @thetiredtoad0-0 @sleepydang @iwannabealocalcryptid @troutberryspoon @betwixttheweave @the-pale-elfs-love @kindadolly @bitchyzombienacho @game-savvy @hardbarbarianfox @secr3tlover @stranger-owl

[rillils]

STEVE & BUCKY'S LOVE STORY, UNABRIDGED SOMEWHAT ABRIDGED, part 2/3 (here is part 1)

picking up from where we left off:

some 65 years into the future, steve's plane is fished out of the ice, and they find him, frozen like a sexy hot-dayum popsicle, but still alive thanks to the same super serum that made him go from Smol to Lorge.

steve is thus brought back into the world, but it's a world he no longer recognizes after all these years; a world where all the people he used to know and love are long dead, and his own face has been turned into a tool for propaganda over the years. obviously, he has a hard time adjusting, and he turns to fighting again, joining this group of kinda possibly superheroes, aka the avengers.

lots of exciting new things happen, sure; but steve is still pretty miserable. until one day, a mysterious masked assassin dressed in bondage gear (but not really), and sporting one very shiny metal arm (!!!!), is sent to kill steve's sort-of-boss. and then to kill steve himself. oh no!!

in what is possibly the most gripping, most visually pleasing hand-to-hand fight sequence in the history of cinema,

(NO BUT SERIOUSLY, all jokes aside, if you've never watched it then please do bc it's!!! *shrieks* so fucking good!!!)

a fight sequence which also happened to unlock both steve's and an entire fandom's competence kink with that little sexy knife-flipping trick alone -- i know you know what i'm talking about, don't you lie to me babes--

as i was saying, steve manages to knock the mask off of his opponent's face. and who do you think appears before him? can you guess??

DING DING DING!!! EXACTLY!!! IT'S HIS LONG-LOST BAE BUCKY! who apparently doesn't recognize him??

confused and upset, steve fights to uncover the truth. turns out, the man is indeed the very same bucky he grew up with and loved. only, he didn't actually die in that tragic fall in the ravine; rather, due to the experiments performed on him while he was a war prisoner, he survived long enough to be found and captured by the enemy. who then proceeded to torture and brainwash him, using him as a tool for murder against his will, and literally putting him back in the freezer when they didn't need him.

which, as it happens, is how he stayed so young in the first place: he, uh, spent the better part of 70 years frozen. yeaaah, are the parallels paralleling or what, hmmmm?? preserved in ice like your mom's best lasagna from last week? plunging to a 'death' that isn't really a death? waking up in the future kinda screwed over? :D

ANYWAY

steve is even more devastated than before, now that he's learned that while he was asleep in the ocean, bucky was out there suffering. when he finally confronts bucky again (and it's fucking epic and also fucking heartbreaking, believe you me) steve is desperate to bring bucky, his bucky, back. knowing in his heart that his bae is still somewhere in there, no matter how deeply buried.

in the most critical moment(TM), steve chooses to stay behind, on a plane that's about to fucking blow up around them - just like bucky did for him all those years ago - because if he can't save bucky, then he'd rather die with him.

only, bucky is scared and confused af at the moment, and he attacks steve, because 1) he has a mission after all, he's supposed to kill this guy dammit, and 2) wtf is even going on here??? who IS this man, WHY does he keep saying that they've known each other their whole lives?? and WHY does bucky feel like he's actually seen him somewhere else before?????

AND HERE IS THE PIVOTAL MOMENT OF ALL PIVOTAL MOMENTS: for the first time in his life, steve refuses to fight back. like he literally drops his shield out of the plane and into the river underneath, in a very powerful and symbolic gesture, signifying his surrender: he's not going to hurt bucky anymore, no matter what. THIS FUCKER LITERALLY LETS BUCKY BEAT HIM TO A PULP, WITHOUT EVEN TRYING TO DEFEND HIMSELF, 100% ready to let bucky kill him if that's what's gonna happen here, because that's still better than living in a world where bucky's gone - a world where bucky will look at him and only see a target, or a stranger at best.

and then!!!!

no this is like, this is THE most romantic shit, okay, like you could try to convince me that it isn't for the next hundred years and i wouldn't buy it, because. BECAUSE.

at the very last moment, steve finally manages to break through bucky's brainwashing, breaking the metaphorical spell bucky was under. and do you know how he does that? i ask you, do you know how steve does that, my love?

by repeating to bucky the very same words bucky offered him way back in the beginning, when he proposed asked steve to move in together. till death do us part the end of the line, baby. romeo could NEVER

bucky, who was about to deal the fatal blow, freezes instantly, finally recognizing the man under him.

and when steve falls out of the plane, bucky jumps after him, instinctively saving his life instead.

but bucky can't stay. confused, wounded, vulnerable, and only just beginning to remember who he used to be and what was done to him, he slips away and hides from steve - and from all the other people who might be looking for him, and probably want him dead. you think this is gonna stop steve, though?? now that he knows that bucky is still alive, and that he remembers him??? now that he knows that bucky's not lost to him forever?? AS IF!!

(to be continued in part 3)

[calderacitylovers]

Zutara SlowBurn FanFiction: Personal Favs, part II

·        DESTINY IS A FUNNY THING by Megara Pike | Published: 2020-08-21 | 198K Words | 45 Chapters

ATLA Season 3 rewrite, fills in a lot of blanks between canon scenes. From the Southern Raiders to Sozin's Comet through coronation and aftermath. Growing friendships, bonding, being there for each other, a carnival & a cave, epic spirits' appearance on the Ember island, sparring, nightmares, assassination attempts, political ruses, and covert operations. Lovely, sweet. Exciting plot.

 ·        ATLA Book 4: Ashes by elayne_cypher | Published: 2018-10-27 | 306K words | 34 Chapters

This action-packed story picks up right after Ember Island Players and continues well after the war. Zuko is facing many challenges as a new Fire Lord. Romance, tough decisions, rebels, traitors, out-of-body experiences, secret headquarters, angst, teamwork, fire jets. The story has a bunch of OCs.

 ·        Refraction by caroes3725  | Published: 2020-09-09 | 215K Words | 37 Chapters

After breaking up with Aang, Katara needs to figure out her place and role in the patriarchal world. As determined Katara stubbornly bulldozes her way through Fire Nation political scene, her feelings for Zuko grow. Diplomatic visits, Gaang reunion, bonding with Kanna, insights into the life of Caldera city, stuffy politicians, cute correspondence, tropical storm, women supporting women, assassination attempts, personal boundaries. A sweet well-written coming-of-age story with a healthy measure of slow-burn and mutual pining. Katara and Zuko are both POVs, but the story mostly follows Katara. Bonus: Mai is NOT a clingy resentful idiot, but a smart person and a good friend. Some explicit language here and there, a bit of mild smut.

 ·        I Asked You First by halfhoursonearth | Published: 2020-10-03 | 142K words | 22/? Chapters

Ongoing, incomplete. Post Southern Raiders ATLAS3 rewrite. Mostly canon-compliant with blanks filled in between familiar scenes. Zuko and Katara develop a close friendship built on trust and sharing each other’s fears and hopes. Includes mentions of implied child abuse, Lu Ten’s diaries, exploring Avatar Roku’s legacy, sharing a balcony, heart-to-hearts, a hot spring under the stars, an actual date, and artbending. It’s incomplete, but what we have is bliss. Slowburn, mutual pining. Zutara-centric, but also explores the personalities of Team Avatar and their relationships.

 ·        Katara Alone by cablesscutie | Published: 2020-05-31 | 21K words

Katara is not an “unnecessary accessory to a more powerful man”. After the war, she is willing to forge her own path as she turns to people who need her the most on her journey of self-discovery. Features character exploration, correspondence, exploring outback villages of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom, sweet reunions, and new firebending skills.

 ·        THE PHOENIX AND THE DRAGON - THE COMPLETE SERIES by JasmineTeaLatte | Published: 2021-06-11 | 100K words | 31 Chapters

This story picks up after The Ember Island Players. Zuko and Katara get to know each other during a late-night conversation by the campfire. In this story, you will find healthy boundaries, protective Sokka, a dash of Taang, sparring, funny banter & lots of flirting.

·        HESITATE by tiffaniesblews | Published: 2020-07-11 | 22K Words | 12 Chapters

This story picks up right after Zuko's coronation and spans two years afterwards. Zuko & Katara talk, share a few beautiful moments, write to each other, and reunite for the 2nd anniversary of the war ending. Very sweet, fluffy story about two sweethearts figuring out their feelings for each other.

·        LIKE WE'RE MADE OF STARLIGHT by Naladot | Published: 2021-11-28 | 5K Words

Katara leaves her post as the ambassador to the Fire Nation to take up a new one as the ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe. Her absence makes Zuko realize that he's got an unfortunate crush, which he is determined to keep secret. Unfortunately for him, subtly has never been one of his strengths—especially when he arrives in the Northern Water Tribe and she keeps taking him on what seem to be dates.

·        FIGURE IT OUT by clearascountryair | Published: 2021-12-20 | 35K words | 13 Chapters

After choosing not to kill Yon Rha, Katara rethinks her sense of self and others' perceptions of her. Or,    In which Katara learns that there’s a really big difference between being kissed when you don’t want to be and being kissed when you do. Aged-up 3B/Ember Island AU.

-  I FOUND YOU by that_turtleduck | Published: 2020-11-01 Completed: 2024-02-24 Words: 157,541 Chapters: 28/28

After divorcing Aang, Katara uproots her family and travels to Caldera. There she finds comfort, kindness and support from an old friend. Katara tries to find her footing as an independent political figure. Great story & relationship dynamic of Momtara & Dadko in their early 30s (Ember island, diplomatic meeting, dancing, turtleduck pond, letters). Delicious slow burn with rewarding spicy resolution in the end (explicit open door). Titters on the side of Anti-Aang.

Here’s a link to Part I of my personal favorites.

Here’s a link to Wholesome Zutara Short Stories.

[happeehippie]

instagram j.b.

Summary: follow along with joe and his wife evie as they go through his football career.

*face claim is yasmin quintana*

series masterlist

joeyb_9

liked by evie, bengals, and 607,427 others

joeyb_9: my first dump

view all 7,629 comments…

sam_hubbard_: excellent

charmin: First dump huh, we got you covered. 🤝

> evie: ohhh. this is crazyyyy! 🤣

user: I LOVE THIS POST

evie: big dumps only. make sure you wash your hands after.

> joeyb_9: if there’s one thing i’m good at it’s post dump hygiene.

user: the arms?????

user: chess king

evie

liked by millyg, joeyb_9, and 910,003 others

evie: like we were in paris..

view all 3,201 comments…

user: i’m obsessed with you guys

millyg: i double tapped every pic bc well i love you

> evie: not the triple double tap!!! 💗💗

user: do you follow him everywhere

> evie: he typically goes to football practice alone.. so nope.

joeyb_9: i was taken by the view..

> evie: careful jb your swiftie is showing.

> user: it’s okay ev, we already know he secretly loves her.

> joeyb_9: i only know the words because evangeline has listened to it no less than 500 times since we landed..

user: does joe always have to make an appearance in your posts?

> evie: i mean.. he’s like.. idk.. my husband??

user: yes yes yes

> evie: xoxo

joeyb_9

liked by evie, lahjay10_, and 690,720 others

joeyb_9: with @voguemagazine doing some new things

view all 6,829 comments…

nfl: 🔥🔥🔥

user: gosh i love u

evie: babe literally who gave you the right

obj: Brrrrrrrddddd

user: @evie tell us the tea.. did he have the bracelets on under the suit?

> evie: 👀

user: joey you know exactly what you’re doing

> evie: yes, he does.

user: this is great on so many levels

user: very chic joe!

user: MY MY MY WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE

> evie: a major hottie

user: ev how do you handle the epic levels of thirst under joes posts?

> evie: i just can’t really blame anyone.. i mean 🥵

evie

liked by joeyb_9, lahjay10_, and 890,826 others

evie: pasta 10/10

view all 703 comments…

user: you are perfect

millyg: MRS worldwide

> evie: angel face.. come see me soon.

user: eating good huh?

> evie: eating GREAT actually

joeyb_9: 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

> evie: lovie 💗

user: i remember when you used to do lives eating mcdonald’s in bed, now you’re eating pasta in paris!!

> evie: dreams really do come true..

> user: don’t act like you got yourself here, you’ve been piggy backing off joe for years.

> evie: yes, i’ve been using my HUSBAND for years to get rich and famous (even though when we started dating he was a backup qb). go to therapy.

> user: eat them up bby.

evie

liked by joeyb_9, bengals, and 567,129 others

evie: i’m so in love that i might stop breathing

view all 5,829 comments…

millyg: damn near 10 years together and you’re sooo obsessed with each other. it’s sick.. and precious.

> evie: quit being so jealous mills. you know i love you too.

user: i am SOBBING

> evie: me. too.

user: i want to be you when i grow up

user: happy sunday, you deserve this love.

> evie: i’ll do everything in my power to make sure i keep deserving it.

joeyb_9: forever and ever x

> evie: never gonna change. 💗

lahjay10_: oh burrow is going to be obsessing over this

> user: @ all the people who complain about her posting him too much. he loves it shut up.

> evie: you said it 😅

evie’s stories:

*tell a friend to tell a friend…. she’s baaaaack!!! i just couldn’t stay away from evie for long, idk how often i’ll update these throughout the season but they will be coming sporadically. meanwhile, send requests!

[yamayuandadu]

Is Humbaba's appearance ever described in detail in any written sources? When looking online, I keep seeing artists depicting him in very specific ways (head covered in entrails, scaly skin, snake phallus...), but I'm having trouble finding the sources for those same specific details

This is something I've spent quite a lot of time investigating myself last year when I was working on his wiki article. The short answer is that not really, but we can piece something together from the available scraps - and it’s not really similar to the modern standard you're describing. You are definitely looking in the right places for Humbaba information if you found no trace of these traits - only one of them goes back directly to an actual source, and even then it’s less firm than it might seem at first glance. More under the cut. 

The textual sources are actually very lax when it comes to describing Humbaba’s appearance, What is emphasized are his supernatural powers and authority granted by the gods - Wer (they set this guy up like he’s the next arc villain in a shonen in the Old Babylonian version’s Sippar fragments) and Enlil or Enlil alone. There’s a decent chance he was viewed as largely human-like. Andrew R. George ( The Babylonian Gilgamesh epic: introduction, critical edition and cuneiform texts, p. 144) describes him as “essentially anthropomorphic” though speculates he might have been imagined as tree-like. Multiple considerations regarding Humbaba’s iconography can be found in the articles from Gilgamesch: Ikonographie eines Helden, especially in Lambert’s and Collon’s. Collon essentially just concludes that Humbaba was simply depicted as an unusually tall and/or broad but still largely human-like figure, Lambert notes similarities to the lahmu (so we’re still within the realm of burly hairy men, essentially). Piotr Michalowski (A Man Called Enmebaragesi, p. 205-206) argues that at least in the standalone narratives Humbaba was essentially a parody of various peripheral “barbarian” rulers. It is perhaps worth pointing out that while the etymology of Humbaba’s name is up for debate, it is clear that it was originally an ordinary personal name, and individuals bearing it appear in administrative texts from the Ur III period before Humbaba the literary character arose.

While myths and the epic itself are lax, plenty of information about Humbaba’s appearance can be found in other genres of texts. This evidence has been collected by George (same monograph as above, p. 146-147). His face was regarded as outlandish, with a bulbous nose and big eyes. There are references to diviners spotting Humbaba’s face while analyzing animal entrails. An artistic representation of this phenomenon is seemingly known from one exemplar, and is the source of “entrails-faced” Humbabas in modern work.

A unique sculpture from Neo-Babylonian Sippar seen above (you can view it from more sides here) is inscribed with a short formula starting with “If the coils of the colon resemble the head of Huwawa”, and has accordingly been described as the visual representation of this statement since the 1920s. Identification as Humbaba has been affirmed for example by Anthony Green in his 1997 article Myths in Mesopotamian Art (p. 137-138 + 150 for a confirmation of the museum number; published in Sumerian Gods and their Representations; you can find it online,it’s worth checking out since it also includes timeless classics like Wiggermann’s Transtigridian Snake Gods and Westenholz’s Nanaya, Lady of Mystery). I’m not actually aware of any parallels, but it’s a cool, striking visual and I personally don’t find its modern fame undeserved.

However, it needs to be stressed that it’s not standard. Humbaba’s face is also quite common in visual arts. In fact, it’s so common that Frans Wiggermann (Mesopotamian Protective Spirits: the ritual texts, p. 150) argues that the face came first, with the name perhaps representing a unique sound made by the creature while grinning or laughing (what is this, One Piece?) and only developed into a literary character later. These images served an apotropaic purpose guarding doors (examples have been discovered in situ), appear chiefly in Old Babylonian times, and show remarkably consistent traits, here are some I’ve assembled for the wiki article last year:

Scaly skin doesn’t show up anywhere as a trait of Humbaba’s, as far as I am aware. That’s Tishpak’s thing. However, it is perhaps worth noting that a type of lizard, ḫuwawītum, was named after Humbaba (George, p. 145). This was discussed briefly by Claus Wilcke a long time ago in Humbaba’s entry in the Reallexikon (p. 535); he pointed out the animal was compared to a gecko or what he identified as some variety of agamid. Not sure if anyone ever tried identifying it more precisely with any species of reptile which can be found in Iraq or Syria. Given Humbaba’s apparently outlandish looking eyes my first thought was a chameleon, honestly, but don’t quote me on that, plus note that it seems chameleons were called bargunna (or bargungunna).

As for the other reptilian matter, snake phallus is a part of Pazuzu's iconography (see his Reallexikon entry by Wiggermann, p. 377), not Humbaba's. As far as I can tell, the Humbaba plaque above is naked and shows no such characteristics. Many other possible depictions of Humbaba show him in some sort of kilt with no phallus of any sort in sight (see the numerous seals shown in Collon’s article mentioned above, for instance). I know the snake phallus claim was even on wikipedia at some point - long before my involvement - but it doesn’t come up in any publication about Humbaba I read from within the past 40 years.

[greenfiend]

Will Byers the Love Guru

In Stranger Things 3, he’s the one who’s “not gonna fall in love”, yet he’s out there fixing every one else’s relationship problems…

Lucas/Max

Jonathan/Nancy

Dustin/Suzie

Hopper/Joyce

and even…

Mike/Eleven…

So come along on this wild journey with me as I explain Will’s influence on those pairings…

Before I begin, I must remind you that everything is intentional within this show. If Will suddenly appears within a shot or someone says or does something that doesn’t seem relevant… it is still relevant but just not in the way you might initially think.

I’m going to start with the more simple “fixes” and end with the most complicated.

Lucas/Max

Their relationship in ST3 was fairly low key. Their “breakups” were not serious and were always temporary. Lucas does mess up at times though.

Oops! Code red! Code red! Lucas needs some help asap!

Well that was a close call! Thanks to Will of course, who magically appeared in this shot and clearly influenced Lucas.

Will understands the mysteries of the female species better than these guys clearly. Not sure what they’d do without him.

Jonathan/Nancy

Jonathan and Nancy had a major fight in ST3, and Will is having none of his big bro’s BS! He instantly calls him out for not being there for Nancy.

Will strikes again! Thank goodness for his influence. What a good little bro!

Dustin/Suzie

Okay, things are getting stranger now.

No one believes Dustin has a girlfriend… except for our dear lil Will! But I can’t really blame the others, she did seem unbelievable. I mean she did come from “Camp Know Where”. Sounds pretty made up to me.

Did Will conjure her up? Well… let’s just say it’s interesting that the first ever shot we see of her involves her holding up a book about a wizard… I’m not ruling this out as a possibility… 🧙🏻‍♂️

Hopper/Joyce

Oh Will… sweet sweet Will. He’s worried about his mother, and doesn’t want her to be alone anymore… so what does he do, you ask? Well…

He Marty Mcflys it! He influences Hopper by “flaying” him and pushes him together with his mom!

Things get a tad awkward though. But his intentions were pure!

Mike/Eleven

So… this one is the most complicated one because Will is very biased here obviously. He’s hopelessly in love with Mike. In the beginning, he had a hand in Mike and El’s breakup as he was pulling the strings behind Hopper’s intervention. Hopper “threatened” Mike due to Will’s influence. Now, don’t worry, Will didn’t actually threaten to kill Mike, Mike made that very clear.

Mike and Will have their epic rain fight and things are tense.

Until… Will has a change of heart.

Notice how Will is clearly in the shot here? Well it’s because he is wanting to give his “olive branch” to Mike. He’s tried of the tension between them and wants to make things right.

Look at the words here! These are not Mike’s words. They’re Will’s words to Mike!

Both of these moments are Will putting words into Mike’s mouth, just as he did to Lucas, Jonathan, and Hopper! But he’s not as successful.

The first moment was just bad timing as El was not even present. The second time, the connection was poor, that’s why Mike was literally drawing blanks and unable to complete his sentences. We know this because the walkie talkie call from Dustin provided the subtext for it.

Mike actually doesn’t even remember saying the words because Will said them for him…

In conclusion, Will is a great love guru, but still cannot fix Mike and El’s problems. Dunno if even the most powerful wizard could successfully fix their problems…

[katerinaaqu]

Okay so that people will not think that I am an unecessary hater here are some things that I actually liked or loved about Epic the Musical:

So everyone who knows me, I openly express my dislike on the changes of Epic the Musical (although as I say many times the music is really good, the production very passionate and I congratulate the creator for getting so much love despite the fact that I personally dislike his artistic choice on the matter)

However here's a small list of things that I actually liked very much about the musical (sorry if it gets long!)

The first two sagas:

Honestly the two sagas (Troy and Storm) were masterpieces not only song-wise but also plot-wise. The adaptation remained loose with many things being adapted for modern audiences but it was still generic to the Epic Cycle in general and Odyssey in particular. The pace of the plot was quick like the fall of Troy was, the heroes speak as if they are on the right ("tonight we shall make the Trojans pay") to encourage each other even though then the reality check falls on them. Amazing fast pace songs give their turn to a slow and dramatic one

Odysseus and Astyanax:

More specifically as a sequence on the above I really liked the way the myth was depicted and again very loosely adapted off Iliou Persis version which is the one version we know where Odysseus clearly kills the baby with his own hands by "throwing it off the walls". Even if generally I am more aligned with the version of the myth that has Neoptolemous doing it, the fact that we have the actual protagonist do the brutal act was a very good touch and I love it how he uses only that small and so under-analyzed concept and he created a very beautiful moral dilemma. The setting stone of "monster vs man" was a promising thing too (although I personally got disappointed at the actual execution of it because of the changes in storyline). The way that Odysseus knows it is the logical choice to kill the heir of Troy and it tears him apart inside is not just amazingly executed but also very much IC with Homer's Odysseus.

Full Speed Ahead:

No need for explanations here. The song was great, was keeping in touch with the original Odyssey, spirit of Odysseus on-point and the essence of it great! Although it was way too happy after the darkness of the "Just a Man" one can understand that the tension created should be released and somehow it did point out the coping mechanism of Odysseus at some parts of the Odyssey which also lead to many emotional breakdowns for Odysseus (ironically the most infamous was the one that got him to offend Poseidon in the first place)

Giving Eurylochus and Polites more lines:

Eurylochus is known for questioning the authority of Odysseus and Polites for being his best friend but in general we do not see too much of them in the Odyssey (especially Polites who only appears once as mentioned at Circe's island). Even if making Polites a bubbly token character to balance the whole emotional burden of the war was a bit too overused theme for me I didn't dislike it per se. And it was good that he plays a good balancing role there. Also generally speaking Eurylochus's character development was not bad either (daresay I liked his character development more than Epic!Odysseus! XD) because it starts from a strong but opinionated man to a basic arch-rival figure to the end part.

Which is why I was kinda disappointed that Polites was killed off at Polyphemus's cave because it seemed to me that he was there for the drama (even future scholiasts of the Odyssey do not think that Polites was in the cave at all yet alone killed in it) but again given that Polites is pretty much a clean slate character if that was like the major change of it I wouldn't necessarily mind it.

Warrior of the Mind:

The song was beautiful and it captured Athena's essence very well (minus the very much overused mind vs heart content of hers which is good that it was somehow rectified a bit with God Games given that Athena was never against emotions neither did she try to stop her champions from having them and she doesn't make separation of logic vs emotions. In fact she fires up emotions to her champions many times knowing what a helpful thing emotion is. I think he overplayed the fact that Athena encourages logic to make her "cold logic material" but that wasn't really my issue so much I mean it is just an over-used trope but it is not completely inaccurate).

It was interesting to connect the boar of Parnassus to Athena (which is again a common trope in greek mythology that gods send random tests for whoever is worthy) and how ellegedly Athena and Odysseus meet in this context. Again it has nothing to do with the original Odyssey and yet this loose adaptation of their meeting was an interesting interraction with a lot of potential and emotional connection. I also like how Athena appears more cold in her speech like "change from the way I designed you" or "don't disappoint me" which is basically a genuine trope of Athena's. Like every champion of hers that disappointed her (for example Tydeus) didn't really end up well! Which is a change I adored for the Musical adaptation

About 2.5/3 of "Remember Them"

Okay the part with the dialog with Athena had me cringing a bit but the rest of the song was a masterpiece. Odysseus saying that there is no time to bury or mourn but have time only to save themselves and remember their fallen friends afterwards is EXACTLY what Odysseus would say and encourage his men to work their backs on something to save themselves and get out of their nasty situation. Also the final 45 seconds of it with his name reveal was probably what hyped me and wanted to get into the musical in the first place (before I started disliking the changes) because it was EXACTLY how it would go down! Also the choice for Odysseus's name officially be revealed on that song was incredibly clever and very nicely chosen

So basically I would only remove the dialog with Athena there given how it just didn't do justice in my head to the extremely complicated situation that led to him revealing himself. I also felt that the line "let's grab the sheep and away we go" was a bit too hasty to show their escape given how much complicated it was but I also understand the way to keep the song going and that wouldn't be done by adding a dramatic angst in the middle. That would mean that there should be a song in-between with their escape and that the second half of "remember them" would turn into a reprise of some kind. So yeah I understand that.

How Much Longer:

That song was also amazing and again not an event that happens to Odyssey but something that perfectly aligns with the spirit of it. Having Eurylochus openly disagreeing here and Odysseus taking him to the side to talk to him, the way that Odysseus comes up with a crazy plan before to groppel upon the castle that floats in the sky etc. It was a great foreshadowing on the actual events that follow which again seem to align greatly with the Odyssey and the events of it even if that itself is not linked to the material itself.

Done For:

Again one more song that I hyped over was "Done For". Harmonies were perfect, the way that the two of them have a duet, which is something that doesn't happen before in order to signify their aligning was amazing and the way Odysseus acts like a cheeky bastard there was something I adored. (Of course got crushed with "Other Ways" hehehe but the build up till there was great. To be fair "Other Ways" till that freaking "I can't!" or the whole "seduce so you can kill him" theme which also kinda ruined it fo4 me, was also a masterpiece to me, like I mention to another post of mine it would be great if the song was to signify their intercourse). The song was a perfect adaptation of the homeric poem for modern audiences (for it doesn't include everything like Odysseus drinking the potion, Circe being terrified and in wonder that her spell doesn't work on him etc) and it keeps the essential part of their interraction making it into a great choreography (with the exceptions of the "I have to protect my nymphs!" thing but again if that was the only change they made on it I wouldn't mind it so much at all in fact it is interesting that the nymph servants of the goddess mentioned in the Odyssey make a cameo here. Would i have liked that we wouldn't get a toned down Circe and instead we got her in her gray glory? Absolutely. But like I said if that was the only thing added here i wouldn't have minded it so much. Unfortunately though it was the whole Circe misadventure that was changed so yeah for me it was potential lost but i hyped at Done For).

Chorus of the Underworld:

Like you know I am one of the exceptions that wasn't impressed by the Underworld Saga and found it brushed off however the idea to add the dead men singing and bringing more guilt to Odysseus was an idea I knew Jorge would go with and he did and it was interesting. Not only the melody of that part was really beautiful and haunting but also the impact was great (I will just choose to ignore the part of "ruthlessness is mercy" and the "klling of cyclops" because of thesame reason that I didn't like the dialog between Athena and Odysseus before the revelation of his name). I also liked the parts of Odysseus's solos but for the rest of it again I think it would be more impactful to me if the original plot was followed more faithfully.

Tiresias song was good, very good actually, as a song but as I mentioned to another post of mine, too vague, too not answering anything.

The rest felt scrapped off. I would love to see at least one or two of the interractions of Odysseus with the dead especially his mother because as I mentioned before it is of outmost importance that Odysseus knew beyond doubt that his mother didn't just die waiting, she died BECAUSE she was waiting. And that has a big difference for me. But again that is just my opinion.

Aphrodite speaking of other types of love:

Gods Games is just a not for me for many reasons but the detail of Aphrodite mentioning a mother's love intead of romantic love was a great touch and amazingly changed from the usual reoccuring pattern of romantic love or passion. It was good that her arguement was based on a mother's love and pain and ironically Aphrodite herself is a mother who has children to protect

The final part of Love in Paradise:

The rest of the song was ak-ok for me (and thank the old gods and the new that at least THIS experience of Odysseus was kept faithful to the original up to one point. I mean the sexual abuse is not touched there directly but given the leap of time and the condition Odysseus is to the final part one can expect that it did happen maybe? I am talkng only on the perspective of the listener since I do not know the background info on it). In my mind it happens and the song just dodges to addrsss it like it happened before but as I said that is only me hearing THIS specific song not any other around it or the background info of it.

But the final part where Odysseus stands at the edge ready to throw himself at the sea to his death is definitely having me "FUCKING FINALLY!" and be so happy that they kept that dark theme at least! Because I simply loved that essence of the myth in the Odyssey and it was something I can absolutely see happening myself and contemplating it as a scene when reading the Odyssey; how Odysseus might possibly make more than one attempt against his life and Calypso stopping him somehow.

The rest of the song was okay as I said before and thankfully it was touching the homeric thing (I lso liked how Jorge chose to get there by having us hear the small portions of other songs as Athena "scans" although as I said the chole concept of "my goodbye" or something just didn't align to me) but the choice was really good but as I said before it was the final part that truly got me! With the final prayer to Athena which again would be something I would SO imagine myself Odysseus would do! In fact I myself imagining him doing it many times over!

That part was probably my favorite so far and is just a few seconds! Which again makes me wish more things were like that...

~*~*~*~

Anyways I believe that concludes it so far. Generally as you know I am not a fan and no I do not have problem seeing this as "different media" or "loose adaptation" or "retelling" or whatever. It just is not my cup of tea and I it doesn't need to be (and the fact that it is so changed beyond recognition of the original is what makes me think of it of yet another average "loosely based on" holywood film material and we have had enough f those already in my opinion of course). I still adore the harmonies the music the singers and such are amazing and the passion is apparent

Is just that I just cannot stand the butchering of the story to the point of literally being easy to replace the characters names and still with the proper background buildup the story can still be told! Because it is not the Odyssey anymore.

HOWEVER

No one said that I disliked every single bit of it. This is a small sample of things that I liked and a small reasoning why. I hope that helps

[morganacorp]

Rewatching It’s a Super Life (comfort show, comfort episode) and I just have to vent for a second...

Kara was chilling with Alex talking about the whole situation with Lena, a random Mxy suddenly appears and offers his help. Kara asks how he could possibly help her and then he plays Lena’s confession of her killing Lex on the tv…

Alex’s face while watching was so funny- she hadn’t been there so she didn’t know how Lena reacted or how she told Kara what she did (did Kara even go into detail about the drama? or was she just like 'she knew' and left it at that?) and then that scene just keeps playing in the background (with Kara intently watching even while he keeps talking).

I wonder if Alex was like ‘this is gayer than you described??!!!’ or ‘no wonder she’s mad, you didn’t say shit!’… because the look she gives Kara after the whole ‘I’m not a villain, you shouldn’t have treated me like one’ is SOOOO epic 🤣

And then her indignation with Kara considering the possibility of ‘changing history to save a friendship?’ while Kara gives the lamest excuse to do it before saying ‘I don’t know if I have what it takes to stop her’.

Then when we get to the first scenario and they watch Lena talking to Sam Kara hears Lena’s POV for the first time (and she didn’t understand): Lena remembered how back when they were fighting Reign Kara had been supportive and kind to her, but Supergirl had been horrible instead, and that made her wonder which was the real Kara. That’s the part Kara never understood. That’s what hurt Lena, not the secret, because ‘if the real Kara thought I was a villain, then maybe that’s all I really am.’ (and then Sam tells her she was never a villain and actually the hero...)

But then Kara goes back to thinking: ‘the Lena on this timeline may never forgive me’ instead of understanding what she just heard her say. Lena was never mad about the secret, it was about that double personality and behavior toward her.

‘I get it now! My dual identities made Lena think that she couldn’t trust either side of me. I was a hypocrite.’ Wrong.

Then when she tries again and tells her before the big Kryptonite fight, Lena’s upset because she went through the dangers of helping Sam/Reign alone. This is the one timeline where she was indeed mad about the secret, but it’s kind of a forced reaction imo. At least Mon-El had a bit of wisdom to share and tried to make her understand how vulnerable Lena would feel when she’s betrayed (Kara should’ve known this too) and said she’d forgive her once she understood- which she did (until Reign killed her and Mon-El 💀)

‘Lena was never angry about hypocrisy, she was angry because I never shared my identity with her in the first place.’ Wrong.

Bonus: ‘I can’t believe I was fooled by a pair of glasses.’ Oh Lena 🤣

Bonus x2: ‘Having supergirl as a partner… it gives Lena the credibility her last name never could.’

Bonus x3: these tapes

The wigs though. They were atrocious 💀

[sserpente]

LOKI SEASON 2 FINALE ... LET'S DO THIS

One last time. Let's do this. *hands out tissues*

HEAVY SPOILERS FOR THE FINALE UNDER THE CUT!

Okay. Let's face it. I was sobbing, you were sobbing, we were all sobbing, right?!

This episode was so damn good. An absolute cinematic masterpiece and a finale worth a beloved character like Loki.

If you've seen my Instagram story today you'll know that I was ugly crying and struggling to breathe.

Honestly. I was a mess. I still am a mess. I'm tearing up again as I'm writing this. I'm still processing. And I have so many questions!

First of all... Loki learned everything O.B. knew about the Temporal Loom and the mechanics of the TVA, spent fucking centuries doing this? Can we please talk about the commitment? I realise there was a comical aspect to this but UM?! The commitment!

The winks throughout killed me. Betcha. His calm professor-like voice had me feral, thank you very much.

When he realised that there is nothing that could fix the Temporal Loom... I immediately thought he's gonna have to stop He Who Remains from dying. When he went back there... my heart almost stopped.

For a moment, I honestly believed that he would kill Sylvie. I thought that's where the conversation he had with Mobius (which was so damn heartbreaking and epic and such an amazing verbal conclusion to Loki's way of thinking and realisation... you could practically see him struggling with the right decision and the fact that he went to ask Mobius for help is just so damn heartbreaking and sweet!) was leading. That he'd sacrifice the one person who was truly like him, who he was on one wavelength with, an outsider like him.

(That conversation with He Who Remains... him saying he paved the way for him to be able to manipulate time... and Loki outsmarting him and finding a way to keep everyone alive?! PLEASE CAN WE JUST?!)

But instead... damn, talk about a sacrifice. Loki is a fucking hero. Even writing this is so damn satisfying. Loki is a hero. And you know why that is so damn special? It's not because we wanted to prove that he's not a villain, it's not because we desperately wanted to see something in him that we obviously knew was there but it's because we didn't need him to be. He's our Loki, our cheeky God of Mischief. We loved him regardless. And now he is a hero.

Loki, the God of Stories. Loki, the God of Time.

The very moment he went down there I started sobbing. I knew at that moment that there was going to be a sacrifice of some sort. As he walked out there... and the cape appeared and those HORNS. THOSE HORNS that looked just like the cracked marble of the Citadel and He Who Remains' TemPad... I was screaming, sobbing, ugly crying... is it silly when I say that I was actually struggling to breathe?!

Can we please talk about how powerful Loki is? The fucking most powerful being in the entire multiverse? He practically became the Temporal Loom. He controls everything now, sees everything, protects everything... I still can't wrap my head around this!

It is epic. It is so fucking epic and such an amazing conclusion to his arc. Is it the end? I'm not sure. I don't want to think so. There's gonna be a multiversal war, there's gonna be Kang Variants...

We saw purple light when Renslayer woke up in the Void and I'm sure as hell that was a Kang Variant who came to pick her up. So she's gonna make another appearance for sure. So I am 100% sure this is not the last we've seen of Loki or Sylvie or Mobius. There's gonna be more, I'm sure of it.

But it was epic. Epic, epic, epic. I loved it so much. When that throne turned golden and he sat down on it, I lost it. That last scene where he smirked? THE MUSIC? The fact that his cape turned into fucking time branches?!

I have so many damn questions still. Will he be there forever? Will he be alone? Loki said that he's afraid of being alone... and now he is and that is so fucking tragic and heartbreaking. Is that the true sacrifice? The true act of heroism here, the Loki lesson to be learned? Is that how it has to be for the rest of his existence? He doesn't deserve to be alone even if this was the most selfless thing of him to do. Selfless. Loki. Beyond him saving his family I never thought I'd write something like this. Gods, damn it. And what will happen once the multiversal war breaks out which, inevitably, it will?!

Guys... let's do a group hug. I think we all need it after this epic finale.

EDIT: I forgot to mention how epic I thought the Yggdrasil reference was. I immediately cried out Yggdrasil when I saw it!

[xbomboi]

misc. bribelle thoughts

prefacing this by saying bribelle is my favorite ship. actually might be one of my favorite all time ships considering whenever i catch 11:11 i make a tweet on my priv twitter saying “11:11 bribelle and rarijack” because i’m insane.

anywho…

i think it’s a lot easier to justify saying faybelle potentially has feelings for briar in a canon context because even aside from her diary, her behavior in epic winter can most definitely be read with flirtatious undertones, especially after witnessing the dream sequence

but i’m always trying to justify things to myself in accordance to canon without feeling ooc, because i’m the type of creative who would rather write my own original thing than make alterations to a pre-existing work. that’s just me.

and briar is trickier to do so with. in the show alone, she only actually verbally responds to faybelle once and it’s a line that also adds exposition. “but it’s forbidden!” girl come on throw faybelle a bone at least…

by epic winter, i’d say briar could potentially have had surface level attraction to faybelle, but it isn’t until having that dream and probably especially post-epic winter when she’d get time to actually reflect on it that she’d start to develop palpable feelings for her.

i’ve kinda noticed something about briar: she likes attention. i guess she’s kinda like faybelle in that respect.

briar grew up with neglectful parents. fill in the blanks. why wouldn’t she want attention when she lacks it properly from the two most important people in her life?

along this line of thinking, briar especially values explicit displays of affection, particularly from a potential romantic partner.

so, regrettably, let’s look at her relationship with hopper.

i.e. briar’s behavior in the webisode “Here Comes Cupid.”

when she first confronts hopper about his unconventional advances, she’s disinterested and borderline repulsed.

but after hearing him profess his love via the recording, she’s taken aback and actually grows endeared.

until this BAFOON fumbles the bag and does some really creepy shit by leaning into her personal space and calling her hot. understandably, this miffs briar and she once again loses interest.

(side note, too many people ignore how blatantly creepy hopper is to women, ESPECIALLY briar. he needs to be held accountable, not rewarded by getting the girl.)

even then, despite not necessarily returning his affections, she’s somewhat comfortable in the status quo that he devotes his attention to her. which is exactly why i think in bunny’s diary (bunny is wrong btw she doesn’t know a damn thing so idk why the one wiki that’s not the official wiki list hopper as briars crush when the source is bunny’s word like fuck all) bunny mentions observing briar appearing disappointed when ginger asks hopper to the dance and he accepts.

to briar, it’s like she’s losing one of the few things she’s familiar with, the few constants in her life. in this case, her only plausible option who she’d have reason to believe would accept. and we all know how briar is about losing things.

briar sorta settles into this state of fondness towards hopper’s affections, despite them being unrequited. because at least he gives a damn about her.

faybelle—at least, outside of her diary and up until epic winter—might as well be any villain; faybelle just wants to cause chaos for the sake of ruining somebody’s day. and i don’t think briar likes it that way.

i’d assume around the time of faybelle’s introduction to the series, briar’s stance would be one of upset towards faybelle, believing she doesn’t take their story as seriously as she(briar) does. that her role in sleeping beauty isn’t as important to her as being evil in general.

i have half the mind to say that this could potentially be read from briar’s behavior in faybelle’s diary.

first off, that underlining wasn’t added; the underlines are in the official print. meaning briar is putting emphasis on those words specifically. sure it’s a lesson to faybelle about not being an asshole, but also it reflects on briar in a way. like it could be her saying, “you’re supposed to be my villain, but you act like i’m no different to you than anyone else.”

now, this next part is obviously a surface-level gag about faybelle making a malicious act seem so thrilling, but if we close our eyes and pretend that we’re in a different world called I.D.G.A.F. dimension, we can now analyze this in a different light.

briar’s confused by faybelle’s verbal expression of almost-affection. it doesn’t help that she’s most definitely barely awake. but i’m willing to say her confusion is partially born out of actually having heard faybelle say such a thing. it’s gotta be surprising and hard to believe in that moment, because briar has every reason to think otherwise.

in the show, like i said, faybelle just does whatever the fuck. open a sweat shop? sure why not. assist her peer’s mom in attempting to turn the entire world into her own dictatorship? count her in. make a deal with the mafia? just a regular tuesday. but god forbid she focus on being the one to make the sleeping happen in sleeping beauty.

i think that irks briar. or at least make her generally act indifferent when faybelle comes waltzing around to do god knows what; if she won’t care, why should briar, right?

then there’s epic winter. or, as i like to call it in bribelle terms, “they finally fucking interacted”

when briar explains faybelle’s inclusion of herself to crystal, she simply says it’s her thing and cites the sleeping beauty story. like “hey crystal this is my villain btw, trust.”

later when briar’s yapping about the story, some may say it’s counterproductive in relation to briar’s arc that ashlynn brings up the miserable part of it only for briar to talk fondly of it, but i know briar personally, and have been filled in as to what the truth is.

briar dropped that attitude because faybelle was there. she started talking up the story, almost as a cue to faybelle, like “hey remember how you’re like a big part of my life’s purpose???”

faybelle butts in about it. and briar doesn’t get the chance to respond, but i think she was almost expecting faybelle NOT to gaf, so her doing so threw her off just a little. maybe she expected to hear something like “who cares?” instead.

then of course when they get to the castle briar’s little act is dropped and her deep fear of the sleeping beauty destiny is once again present. and of fucking COURSE that’s when faybelle decides to CARE ABOUT THEIR STORY.

listen to me, LISTEN. briar looks at faybelle BEFORE faybelle actually says “no, there’s another room far more important to our story. isn’t there, briar?” she looks at her BEFORE she actually talks. she was looking to see if she’d react, then when faybelle does speak she looks away, then she bumps her to get her attention so briar has to fight the adhd and lock in.

and faybelle just keeps instigating which honestly kinda takes briar out of her typical sulking over her destiny mood and more of like ‘what is your game here exactly’ mindset.

there’s so much to that look briar gives her. so many emotions in there.

after this they go up and faybelle taunts some more only for briar to almost actually prick her finger yada yada. and like i said, it’s a lot easier to understand faybelle’s pov. it’s very clear she doesn’t actually wanna go through with cursing briar, teasing and all. she makes as much obvious by her reaction alone when briar gets too close.

but once briar’s fine she’s like ‘yeah, okay, back to normal,’ meanwhile briar is kinda just done because faybelle is acting a fool. but she never shoves faybelle off of her unlike she did when hopper intruded on her boundaries huh briar why is that what’s that about briar still, briar has yet to have any indication from faybelle about how she actually feels in regards to their story and her role in it. or how it pertains to their relationship with each other. rather, faybelle doesn’t take it seriously much to briar’s chagrin.

then the dream sequence happens.

to me, this is the turning point.

it’s a stupid music video for an insert song, but goddamnit it confirmed darabella and even hunter got to be there with ashlynn so i’ll die standing on business.

this is what briar’s been waiting for from faybelle. that frenemy status is something i think briar wants to figure out which one to see faybelle as, depending on how she really wants to proceed with the story. and i’d say faybelle surprises her; hell, she even shows her a side of her rarely seen.

like with hopper, an outward display of affection such as this is something briar is drawn to. faybelle’s display towards briar in the dream sequence is something briar would be endeared by, as she goes out of her way to prevent her from experiencing the very thing she’s been dreading for so long. that’s gotta fit briar’s love language.

side note, i think it’s very very interesting to note that faybelle is the one to swoop in and save briar in this case, without any other characters present to show a significance in the ending of the story. i say this because hunter gets to be in ashlynn’s sequence and the bears are in blondie’s, despite none of them being in the tower asleep. all this is to say, if briar really did have feelings for hopper or really was gonna end up with him or some guy, they’d be there, right? but nope, just faybelle. I Understand.

after that we don’t really see them interact at all again, but there’s the general disdain for faybelle’s actions as a shared sentiment amongst the others. either way, by the end she shows remorse and seemingly ends on good terms with everyone, meaning i don’t see why briar wouldn’t be left thinking about the dream, seeing her in a whole new light. honestly briar would probably be kinda intrigued by the idea of the bad girl having a soft side for her. briar and i actually spoke about this the other day.

either way, this is briar learning that despite the general ignorance faybelle portrayed, she actually does care about her.

faybelle demonstrating, proving to briar that she is capable of showing affection and actually does care for her is what i think is enough for briar to begin to start falling. (which is kinda reflected in how i approached their relationship in fable fest.)

because briar knows there might actually be something there.

or maybe it’s a kid’s cartoon and one girl mean other one nice, idk.

[howlsofbloodhounds]

Delta anon here again and I have a wonderful angst idea

(Tw: violent lash outs, s/h)

So obviously, Delta and Beta have anger issues. This is a known thing among the fandom, due to him canonically being a hothead.

But due to the more recent headcanons about them being able to mask their emotions and fake it to the point of being able to hide their glow internally, what would they do when they can finally let it out?

I'd imagine they'd lash out at the nearest object or person. And God forbid Color or Epic try to stop them from lashing out - or even go near them in that state.

If one of them tried stopping them or touching them, then Delta, who is running on fighting instinct and adrenaline at this point, would lash out at them and probably harm them. Grabbing at them, punching them, accidentally burning them - they're not thinking at this point and just need something to attack.

(We really gotta invest in getting this man a punching bag that won't break on the first punch lmao)

Obviously, whichever one isn't being attacked at the moment immediately runs to help and at least get Delta far away enough so that they can get the other out of there. Delta doesn't even realize what he's done until a while after, probably after he's done destroying whatever room he's in.

Eventually, after he's calmed down, Delta would remember what they did and immediately get wrecked with guilt. Did I hurt them? How badly did I hurt them? What did I do? Why did I do that? Why did I hurt them? I didn't mean to, I didn't want to. Why did I do that?

Imagine the panic, not just from him, but from Beta as well. Will they leave us now? What if we hurt them so badly, that they hate us now? Do they still like us? Do they still want us around? What if they don't? Will they leave? What if they think we're too dangerous or violent to be around, and then they finally leave us?

The angst of them frantically wanting to apologize, horrified of what they've done, yet freezing up, unsure if Color and/or Epic even want to see them right now, much less be around them. Should we wait? Should we let things calm down for a little? But what if they think we meant to do it? Are they okay?

Now, this thought process would probably lead to a panic attack. And what makes it worse, is knowing that they're entirely alone, have no one to call for help, and might never have anyone again. Because all they can remember is that they hurt someone - they can't remember how badly they did. Oh stars, what if they killed them? What then? The only people who ever really cared about them, their best friends, and yet he hurt them. How could he? They must hate him, surely. How dangerous really was he? Are they really too dangerous to be around?

And when they finally get over the panic attack, probably multiple hours later, they're able to pull their shaking body off the floor they collapsed on and push the door open to go check on whoever they hurt. Afraid to find out, but afraid to not.

(And at this point, I'd also imagine that due to the intense emotions and the idea that the burn appears based on the intensity of his emotions, they'd most likely have hurt themselves by now. Purposefully burning themselves, genuinely believing that they deserved it after all the pain they put their friends through.)

Eventually, he'd be able to find them. I'd imagine he'd be anxiously peeking the door open, trying to subtly glance in the room without raising alarm, not wanting to scare or hurt them further but being too afraid to not check.

Would Delta/Beta allow themselves to be comforted, or would they immediately seek isolation after checking on them to make sure they're okay, out of the fear that they'll hate him and want nothing to do with him - so they take care of it themselves. Not to guilt trip them, but out of genuine concern and fear. He doesn't know if they want him around anymore, and are too afraid to ask and find out.

And if they did hurt themselves, would they allow themselves to be healed (reguardless of how serious the burn is) if Color and Epic found out, or would their insecurities and fear take hold and stop them from allowing anyone to help them, and also from reaching out? Would he force himself to endure the pain and refuse to heal himself, especially if it's a serious burn?

And when Color and Epic finally did find them (let's be real, they probably had to seek him out and hunt him down), do you think Delta would put the offer of hurting him in revenge up for them to take? Because surely, that's why they came here, aside from an apology. Wouldn't they want revenge against them for what they did? They deserve to be hurt and in pain for what they did, don't they?

(How horrified would Epic and Color be at this offer? How would they convince Delta/Beta otherwise?)

What do you think the aftermath would be, depending on who they hurt and how badly? How would they move on?

(Also if Killer caught word of Delta doing this, and Delta had accidentally hurt Color, would Killer go after him immediately while Delta is still in his rage? How bad would that fight get? How would it get stopped, if it did?)

Thoughts?

You know, this actually made me think of a scene similar to a fanfic i read. Where Killer hunts Delta down with intent to kill if he had hurt Color, only to come across Delta and Beta in a very not good state and feeling a sudden sense of deju vu, and before he knows it hes triggered into Stage 1 or like, gently “nudged” aside.

Someone crumpled and curled up, hurt and bleeding, alone and afraid and guilty after hurting someone they didn’t mean to or want to. Afraid to face the world and the consequences. Killer’s been there, even if the reasons for hurting people/loved ones are vastly different.

Perhaps this is the moment where they gain an understanding. Where Killer can take everything he’s learned from Color and therapy and his healing and his own experiences, and help someone else now.

Or perhaps Killer doesn’t switch into Stage 1 fully, but that eyelight glows in his right eye socket and hes uncomfortably aware that the sight is familiar. Which can be a jarring experience for Stage 2, not really known for such empathy, and the moment is very likely fleeting and he likely experiences something like emotional amnesia towards the moment later.

Maybe Killer decides to help Delta and Beta treat their wounds, which also gives them some time to pull themselves together before facing Epic and Color. If Delta and/or Beta tries to pull the “I hurt them, i don’t deserve it, you should be trying to kill me,” card, Killer reminds them of what Color always says: “It’s not about deserving. Do you want it?”

So would they want Killer’s help? If even Killer can offer this moment of what seems to be forgiveness, understanding, then Color and Epic definitely would. Do they want it?

[shallowrambles]

I'm alone and sore, and I'm thinking about early-to-mid season 5 Dean...

Somewhere, I have a post about how in I Believe the Children Are Our Future, Dean is suddenly acting giddy, like he has a crush. (Also, hello, plaid-cheque of the family diner-that-someday-SOMEDAY-I-will ramble about on @wheretheloveisstored. Dean is playing tricks on Cas just as he comes to the human family table!)

Dean -> wHo pUt ThAt ThEre??? & then Cas pops open his jacket almost like he's stashing the damn thing for later???

I think this is the episode where Dean started acting idk...more visually and verbally worried at least.

"He's a buddy of mind. He's not bad...just confused."

//

Then we have that moment in Changing Channels were Gabriel has the gameshow announcer talk about how Cas is good-looking and Dean has such a strange little reaction.

-> "Mr. Trickster does not like pretty-boy angels."

It reads like, "Cas? That Cas? *double-take/eyebrow POP* Wait, actually-wowza. I can't believe I just thought that. Look what you made me think in front of an audience UGH."

///

Like, I think in this little span of time in early 5, where we get dorky, complicated, epic-fail-moments-Cas is when Dean starts to get those fluttery feelings in his belly fluttering a little more sharply.

Up till this point, he's had the awe for Cas's rebellious mettle and hero worship-ness for Cas's powers and steadfastness, but it's here that it seems to be mixing with...something else. Something "UGH - embarrassing!"

Dean starts to like Cas, and then he starts to innocently-I'll-never-act-on-it-because-it's-safe-and-unavailable...like Cas.

///

Right before these, you've got the Free to Be You and Me, then you've got The Endverse, and then by the time we get to I Believe, the Children Are Our Future, Dean is practically hair twirling and playing pranks (even when Cas is trying to kill a hybrid child.)

///

Then, by Changing Channels, he's verbally worried about him in a way we haven't seen before. In fact, it's when Cas gets spirited away by Gabe the second time that Dean snaps:

CASTIEL is flung backwards into the wall, his face hidden. The TRICKSTER appears at the door. TRICKSTER: Hello! Applause and cheers. CASTIEL gets up; his mouth has been duct-taped shut. TRICKSTER: Thank you. Thank you, ladies. CASTIEL glares at the TRICKSTER. TRICKSTER: Hi, Castiel! The TRICKSTER gestures at CASTIEL, who vanishes in a burst of static. SAM: You know him? DEAN: Where did you just send him? TRICKSTER: Relax, he'll live. ...Maybe. Laugh track. DEAN: All right, you know what? I am done with the monkey dance, okay? We get it. TRICKSTER: Yeah? Get what, hotshot?

"He'll live...maybe" -> Dean's HELL NAH gets activated and he gets up in Gabe's face even though he just learned Gabe's powers are scarier than he appeared even before now. Remember, at this point, this is an entity that killed Dean over and over, and Dean's even aware of that (he says as such in this episode).

And then, Gabriel viciously slams Dean against a wall. It's dangerous.

///

We get this scene, visually very similar to when Cas appeared to Dean in Free to Be You and Me:

DEAN finishes brushing his teeth and spits. DEAN: I'm worried, man. What that SOB did to Cas. You know, where is he?

///

DEAN: Well, first of all, you're gonna bring Cas back from wherever you stashed him. GABRIEL: Oh am I. DEAN: Yeah. Or we're going to dunk you in some holy oil and deep-fry ourselves an archangel. GABRIEL snaps his fingers. CASTIEL appears. DEAN: Cas, you okay? CASTIEL: I'm fine. Hello, Gabriel.

Anyway, this era is definitely lurching into a critical "I-care-about-my-buddy-and-maybe-I-sometimes-have-a-harmless-crush-actually," territory for me.