#i had a thought and it wouldn't go away

[sunlightdances]

Stay (Dean Winchester x OFC)

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Original Female Character Rating: PG-13 for swearing and mentions of sex. Summary: Dean and Avery have a two-night stand, and after that weekend, they go their separate ways. They never expected to see each other again, but the universe has other plans. A/N: Guys, where do I even begin? It’s been ages. I miss you. I see your messages, your likes, your reblogs. Thank you. Here’s this. I wrote a lot of it on my phone, so bear with me if there are typos.

It just goes like this, doesn't it?

One night where the both of them could let go of expectations, of being who the universe was making them be. One night.

But just like they knew they didn't have a choice but to be who the universe wanted them to be, they should have known the universe would pull the absolute worst April Fool's Day prank of all time.

They gape at each other, minds racing as images of tangled sheets, open mouths, and moonlit smiles come flooding back.

The task at hand doesn't let them linger too long.

She's firing with military precision, and he's right there with her, sweat dripping down his jaw as he reloads round after round, wondering if the universe put them both here to die together.

But then Sam shows up, like he always does. He saves them both, and the three of them save the day.

It takes longer for Dean to work up the courage to look her in her eyes. He feels-- he feels ashamed somehow, that he let her go that rainy Sunday morning.

There was never an argument or anything. They both just knew it was time. She had said she had to catch a flight and get back to work, and he lied and told her he had to do the same thing.

They had two nights of connection, of passion, but also of affection. He told her things he never told anyone. They spent a Saturday night fully clothed, eating take out straight from the containers in a hotel's king-sized bed. He felt comfortable with her like he hadn't felt with anyone in years.

And yeah, it sucked when she left. He sort of hoped there'd be a knock on the door saying she missed her flight, but he wasn't sad. They both knew what they were signing up for when they met at the bar that Friday night, eyes only for each other.

Still, he thinks he's remembered her kiss every day since.

He still thinks no one has ever touched him like she did.

So, yeah, he's a little angry and flustered when he sees her here, because she said she worked in marketing or some bullshit, and while he didn't expect her to be totally truthful with a stranger, this is a little too coincidental to be believed.

She bats his hands away when he offers to help her bandage a big scrape on her leg, and he tries not to make a face at the rejection. He's very aware of Sam watching him closely, but he has no idea what to say.

There's no point in lying about knowing her. He told Sam that he had spent a weekend with a woman the day he came home from his impromptu trip, but that it was nothing special, nothing but some no strings attached fun.

Turns out Dean might be the one who had a few strings.

.

Her face feels like it's on fire. Her game plan so far is just to refuse to speak to him, but that feels a bit stupid given the situation they just found themselves in.

Jesus Christ, but he couldn't have said he was Dean Winchester when they met? To be fair - she didn't give a lot of details about herself either. They didn't even really talk about work except when she said there was no way she could stretch her trip into one more day. She had to work.

(She lied about work just like he did, but that's neither here nor there)

She just never thought she'd still be thinking about him months later, much less seeing him in person. In the middle of a hunt.

She did have a real job. She wasn't lying about that. Her work for the FBI is very, very, VERY top secret. Fringe Division has been practically dead for years, but ever since the almost-apocalypse (she supposes she has Dean to thank for that, too), their work is more important than ever.

She was just supposed to be doing field work. Recon. She was never supposed to get involved, but here she is, trying to put a bandage on herself in the middle of the woods.

She can’t stop herself from watching his hands, remembering when they traced every inch of her skin and made her gasp and writhe and the way in the next breath they’d find a ticklish spot and make her laugh.

It’s just all so unbelievable.

Sam is the one to break the ice, which feels inevitable. “So. Anyone want to explain this?” He gestures between her and Dean.

Dean’s jaw clenches. For a moment she feels frustrated because why is he angry? They parted mutually. They both told lies and half truths and let themselves escape in high thread count sheets and each other.

She thrusts out her hand. The one not currently covered in blood. “Avery Harper.”

“Avery.” Sam repeats.

“Technically it’s Special Agent Avery Harper, but I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Dean chokes out a laugh, but it’s a little bitter. Avery’s smile doesn’t meet her eyes.

“I think we have a lot of catching up to do,” she suggests. “Food?”

She turns and heads toward her car before anyone says anything else. She hears a whispered argument, an exasperated sigh, and then finally the sound of footsteps on the crushed gravel. A hand grabs her elbow a moment later, then releases her like she’s on fire.

“We look like shit.” Dean’s voice is gruff. “Pizza at our place instead.”

The drive to their place is pleasant, at least. She struggles to keep up with Dean’s car, but she suspects he’s doing it on purpose so she lets him. He’s never truly out of her sight. She uses the time to try to work her way out of this, but decides there’s no point.

The only thing she needs to do is make them understand she’s not trying to take over their turf and that she has no interest in arresting them, and hope that they hear her out.

She follows along a long dirt driveway. The building looks rundown from the outside, but she trusts them. Trusts Dean.

Inside, she’s not ashamed of the way her mouth falls open as she takes in the gleaming tiles and smooth wood. The place is incredible.

“The inner sanctum?”

“Something like that.” Dean mutters, brushing past her. They both pause at the contact.

“I’m going to…. order pizza”. Sam says, quickly making himself scarce.

She and Dean stand there in the fading sunlight streaming in through a nearby window, and the light catches on his eyes. He’s hurt. She can see that, and she does feel guilty. Even though they were both doing the same thing, she’s realizing now that he probably would have loved to know he was completely understood.

That night, even though she didn’t know who he was, she felt a connection that was deeper than attraction. Now she knows why.

“I didn’t know who you were.” She says, hands tightening at her sides.

“How is that possible?”

“Not every agent is out to get you.”

He smirks. “Most of my interactions with the feds say the opposite.”

She exhales.

He rubs a hand over his face. The sound of his stubble scratching against weathered palms takes her back to a warm bed, a feeling of being so cocooned with someone else she couldn’t tell where he ended and she began.

“Is Avery even your real name?” He asks, voice rough.

“Yes.”

A beat. “Marketing?”

She can’t help but laugh. “I didn’t know what to say!”

“You could have bragged about having a badass job.”

She’s surprised, but tries not to show it. “So could you.”

He shrugs. “Wanted to… shed it.”

“Me too.” She admits softly.

This time when he meets her eyes, his are vulnerable, a dark green that leaves goosebumps on her arms. “I—“ he stops himself. She wishes he wouldn’t. He changes tactics. “Let me take a look at that arm.”

“It’s alright-“

“Ave. Let me.”

A shortened version of her name hits her right in the gut. It’s familiar, intimate in a way she hadn’t been expecting. “Okay.” She relents.

.

He can’t take his eyes off her.

He was angry for a minute, he felt off guard, off kilter, but now that she’s in front of him he can’t bring himself to hold a grudge. He’s just happy to see her.

The FBI.

What a fucking day.

She doesn’t tell him much about why she was hunting, how she knew about the fight he and Sam were in on, how she showed up right when they did and where any of her intel came from.

They’ve always known that someone somewhere in the feds had an inside track, and it always bothered him. But because it’s her, he can’t find it in himself to be angry.

He thinks of the way she didn’t hesitate, just set up shoulder to shoulder with him and aimed her weapon like she’d be damned if anyone or anything tried to get close to the Winchesters.

He’s pretty amazed by her, he’s got to admit. She’s everything he’s ever wanted wrapped up in the most beautiful package, and that’s what makes him pause. Because he’s never allowed to have good things for long.

In his bathroom he inspects her wounds, uses the excuse to crowd her a little bit, inhales the familiar scent of citrus and vanilla that follows her like a cloud.

If she notices she doesn’t say anything and he’s grateful.

Her hand fits just so in his.

“Thank you.” She says eventually.

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“Dean—“

He looks up, sees her eyes uncertain, a little wild.

She kisses him before he can take his next breath. It sends heat sizzling up his spine, electricity crackling in the space between them.

It’s exactly how he remembers it, and somehow more. More because they’re truly themselves now, no secrets between them.

His hands are in her hair. Hers are tight on his hips, digging in, a desperation in her touch that he's relieved to feel, proof that he isn't the only one feeling this way.

When the need for air is too much, they wrench apart, gasping. Her mouth goes to his neck, and his lips find her forehead, and he can't do this again. He can't pretend.

"Wait. Avery, wait."

Her eyes are unfocused when she looks at him. "Sorry--"

He shakes his head. "Don't be. I-- god, I wanted that. I just... it's too much. I can't."

"I've thought about this for months." She admits, and his eyes slide shut.

"Don't tell me that."

"It's the truth." When he opens his eyes again, her smile is sad, but there's a bit of hope there too, and it makes his heart pick up speed. "I didn't want to go, that morning. I wanted to give you my number, I wanted to see you again."

"I did too. I wanted you to come back."

"It feels cursed, Dean." She says quietly. "This-- this is all too much of a coincidence."

He nods. "I know. But-- is that so bad?" He leans close, lips at her temple. Can't stop touching her. "Can't we just give ourselves something to be happy about?"

"We do have a lot to fill each other in about." She agrees, words sounding more like a moan in the quiet room.

"Stay." His voice is hoarse. "Stay with me. We'll figure it all out after."

He's tired of denying himself things he wants, things that make him happy. And if all the decisions he's made over the last few months, every thought and every choice have lead him right back here to her, then who is he to question it?

She stays.

[gen-toon]

[scottishaccentsareawesome]

...Do we actually know for sure that Arthur can swim?

The one episode of "Merlin" where I remember seeing him in the lake, he'd been nearly drowned by an enchantress, but we've never really see him swim.

I bring this up because the common headcanon I've seen is that when Arthur "rises again", he'll come out of the lake where Merlin laid his body to rest (Viking funeral-style).

But just imagine...Old Merlin comes to the lakeside (again) one morning, and he sees Arthur in the middle of the lake.

But Arthur is flailing around because he can't swim.

So if there are any onlookers around, they just see this really old man furiously swimming out to the middle of a lake to save a Ren-Fair participant

[thehandmaidenofcreativity]

Time to Relax

WC: 1.5k

Knowing he hasn't been feeling his best, Hyunjin decides to help Seungmin to relax.

Just a fluffy, sweet afternoon with Seungjin.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ ✧ ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

“This is a great idea, mate.” Felix ushers Hyunjin in with a smile. “He really needs it.”

“And you know he won’t do it for himself,” Hyunjin agrees. He’s got a tote full of candles, shampoo, conditioner, and a nice bubble bath. They make their way to Seungmin’s bathroom, chatting about Stay’s reactions to the performances they’d worked so hard on following their return to Korea. They’d had no real time to rest, and all the members were feeling it in one way or another. For some reason, Seungmin had more trouble than usual adjusting to the time zone changes, and along with the jet lag, he’s been dealing with some neck pain - not that he’d really tell them how bad it is. 

Hyunjin began placing the candles around the bathroom, lighting them one by one. Felix assured Hyunjin that he’d get the water just right so that it’ll be the perfect temperature when Seungmin gets home. He dug into the bag for the bubble bath. “What scent did you bring?”

“I figured he wouldn’t want anything too strong, so I had to test a bunch to find the right one. It's French vanilla.” Felix gave him an approving look as he took the bottle to add to the quickly filling tub. “The candles all match it pretty well. Vanilla, jasmine, ah and smell this cherry almond one.”

“Oh, it’s so good,” Felix sighs out. “Kinda strong, though.”

“Yeah, that’s why I only got one.” Hyunjin has it all planned out. He glances at the time. It’s getting close. “I think he’ll like it. Looks like he should be back soon. Can you shoot him a message to check?”

“Of course.” Felix smiles and places a hand on his shoulder. “He’s gonna love this, Hyun. You don’t need to be nervous.”

Hyunjin laughs and gives himself a small shake. “I don’t know why I am. I guess it’s just ‘cause it’s something I’ve never done before?”

The two of them head to the living room. When Seungmin texts back saying he’s on his way up now, Hyunjin snags a beer from the fridge and scurries off to the bathroom to wait in the candlelight. Moments later he hears Felix greet his roommate and encourage him to go relax in his room for a while, that he’ll handle dinner.

Seungmin drops his bag in his desk chair and nearly collapses onto his bed before he notices the light coming from his bathroom. Confused, he makes his way over, and the scent of the candles reaches him. He pushes the door the rest of the way open and is met with a beautiful sight: Hyunjin is bathed in candlelight, smiling shyly. 

“Welcome home.” He gestures to the slightly steaming tub topped with a light layer of bubbles. “I thought you might need a little something extra to help you unwind… What do you think?”

“This is really nice, Jinnie.” Seungmin smiles as he takes a couple steps into the room, grabbing one of Hyunjin’s hands in his own. “You didn’t have to do all this.”

“I know.” Hyunjin gives Seungmin’s hands a brief squeeze before moving to push the jacket off of his shoulders. “But I wanted to. And you deserve to be pampered every now and then.”

Seungmin goes to remove his belt, only to receive a light slap on his hands. He fixes Hyunjin with an exaggerated glare before allowing himself to be undressed. With each article of clothing, Hyunjin dropped a kiss - on a shoulder, a hip, a calf. He encourages Seungmin to hop in to take a quick body shower, so that he’ll feel nice and clean climbing into the tub, and turns on some soft music. As Seungmin settles into the warm water, Hyunjin hands him his beer and sits on the ledge just behind his right shoulder. 

“Is your neck still bothering you, Minnie?” Hyunjin doesn’t wait for an answer, immediately dipping his hands in the water to bring a bit up to the back of Seungmin’s neck. He starts kneading into the tense muscle. 

“You really don’t have to do all this,” Seungmin sighs. Even as he says it, he hopes that Hyunjin will disregard him again. His hands are like magic, and Seungmin can already feel himself falling into a more relaxed state than he’s been in in over a month. With the soft, sweet fragrance in the air and the warmth around him, he’s ready to turn into jello. Hyunjin works his hands up into Seungmin’s hair. Seungmin sighs again and whispers, “thank you.” 

“Close your eyes, jagiya.” Hyunjin grabs the cup he’d set aside and guides Seungmin to tip his head back so the water won’t run down his face. He takes his time lathering his favorite shampoo into Seungmin’s hair, rinsing, then massaging in the conditioner. “I kinda wish I’d done this before you cut your hair so I could compare the experiences. It’s weirdly soothing.”

“Mmm,” Seungmin murmurs. “You’re telling me. I never wanna wash my own hair again.”

They both laugh then settle back into a comfortable silence. When Love Poem by IU begins to play in the background, a smile lights Seungmin’s face. Seungmin has a lot of smiles that he shares with the world, but nothing beats when he has that look of pure, private enjoyment on his face. Hyunjin pauses in his to simply revel in its beauty. 

Seungmin cracks an eye open after about 15 seconds. “You done up there?”

“Oh!” Hyunjin giggles at himself a bit. “Sorry, got distracted. One more rinse.”

Once he finishes up with Seungmin’s hair, Hyunjin tucks a rolled towel under his head then moves to the other end of the tub and tries to convince Seungmin to lift a foot out so that he can continue his massaging. Seungmin isn’t having it, though. He takes another sip of his beer and tells him, “Jinnie, you’re doing so much. Why don’t you go get a drink for yourself and when you get back, I’ll sing for you a little bit.”

Hyunjin fake pouts, but makes his way out to the kitchen. When he returns, Seungmin’s eyes are closed again, that faint smile on his lips. As much as he loves to hear Seungmin sing, Hyunjin decides to linger by the door for a few minutes, allowing Seungmin to just sit and relax. It speaks to his need for just that when he doesn’t seem to notice how long it takes Hyunjin to return.

After a while, Hyunjin dips his hand into the water to check the temperature. Not too cool, but it’s getting there. He leaves again, grabbing the towel Felix was kind enough to throw into the dryer for him. “About ready to get out, Min?”

Seungmin had been on the verge of dozing off. He blinks up at him a few times and nods. After downing the rest of his beer, he trades the bottle for the warm, fluffy towel. He sees that while he was soaking Hyunjin added some candles to his bedroom as well, maintaining the spa-like ambiance. His favorite t-shirt is laid out on his bed with fresh briefs and shorts. He realizes that Hyunjin must’ve put them in the dryer as well when he feels their warmth. He really thought of everything. Seungmin’s gotten so tired that all he wants to do is crawl into bed, but he can’t do that when Hyunjin’s just done such a nice thing for him. 

“How about I treat you to dinner?” He turns to face Hyunjin with a smile. He gets one in return, but the other man is shaking his head. 

“Nope.” Hyunjin moves to put his arms around Seungmin. “It’s time to get cozy. Plus, Felix said he’d take care of dinner, remember?”

“Well, I have to do something for you, jagi.” But even as he says it, his tired body allows Hyunjin to press him back to sit on the bed. “You’re staying for dinner with Lix at least, right?”

Seungmin slides under the covers, and Hyunjin slides in right after him. “Of course. I just figured it’d be nice to cuddle for a bit first.” He knows Seungmin is ready to sleep. He’s just resisting because he doesn’t want Hyunjin to feel like he’s blowing him off.

“Just for a little while then.” Seungmin turns onto his side so that Hyunjin can take the big spoon position. He twists back for a brief kiss before snuggling into his pillow. With Hyunjin wrapped around him, he lets his mind replay his little spa day. He could really feel how much Hyunjin cares for him; he almost can’t believe that he put so much effort into this afternoon, except he can, because it’s Hyunjin. He’ll need to plan something special for him, too. He needs him to know how much he cares as well. Seungmin drifts closer and closer to sleep, going over different ideas until he’s just left with the thought… “I love you, Hyunjin.”

Nuzzled in behind him, his thumb absently drifting back and forth over Seungmin’s, Hyunjin stills. Did he just…? “Minnie? Are you still awake?”

There’s no response. Seungmin’s finally drifted off to sleep, unaware of the confession that’s got Hyunjin’s heart hammering in his chest. Maybe when he wakes, he’ll feel brave enough to say it again. Until then, Hyunjin presses a soft kiss to his shoulder and whispers, “I think I love you, too.”

[andy-clutterbuck]

9x01 | A New Beginning

[chimerafeathers]

there's an essay jumbled up in my brain about dunmeshi's beginning and how clever and deceptive it is as a sleight-of-hand trick that distracts the audience from the depth and scope of the worldbuilding and foreshadowing that's being set up the entire time by dangling zany characters and wacky dishes and biology fun facts in front of us, and how that serves to catch invested viewers off guard when those elements come to the forefront, but also how it works against it with other viewers wanting "more" and not seeing it because the plot bait isn't laid out up front

how people getting frustrated with the characters "not taking things seriously" is mirrored and refuted in the confrontation between Laios and Shuro. how the characters' attitudes aren't just a result of shallow low-stakes "comedy rules" where nothing matters, but are an extension of their personalities (Laios's nonstandard expression of emotions being offputting even to people he knows) and the world and social environment (adventurers being desensitized to death and injury because resurrection magic is commonplace). the way the party refers to "saving Falin" instead of "retrieving Falin's corpse," indicating that they still see her with full personhood, and how that phrasing leads to some readers/viewers believing that Falin is alive in the dragon's stomach, conscious of being slowly digested while the party carelessly fucks around "wasting time." how the weird tonal dissonance makes sense in-universe and yet is deliberately challenged more and more the deeper the party goes

all the character building and pieces of lore slowly weaving together the shape of the larger world, laying the groundwork for the major themes that will surface later. so much is right there in the "low-stakes" early episodes if you know what you're looking for (or pass the perception checks).

it can be so satisfying to see new viewers/readers pick up on the clues even in the earliest "simple" episodes, or notice new things and make connections yourself....and it can also be frustrating to see people dismiss oddities and dissonance as shallow or bad writing because they don't expect a "cooking anime" to have depth like that. why try to question and understand and peel back the layers when you don't expect there to be any layers?

why can't laios take things seriously for once?

[gendercriticalthinking]

A Thought

If homophobia was eradicated, same-sex-attracted people would have happier, healthier, overall better lives. Any distress gay and bi people experience regarding their sexuality is only because they are targets of prejudice regarding it. Homosexuality is not innately hateful or harmful.

But even if transphobia was eradicated, trans-identified people would still experience distress. To identify as trans or non-binary inherently requires one to hate your body and, by extension, yourself. Trans identity hinges on self-hatred as well as (mental and/or physical) self-harm.

A Thought: Part 2

If sexism was eradicated, this would also benefit same-sex-attracted people as much of homophobia and heteronormativity, concepts that harm gay and bi people, are both based in misogynistic ideas.

But if sexism was eradicated, this would hinder trans-identified people. Our misogynistic concept of gender (or "gender stereotypes" if you prefer) is, """at best,""" a useful tool for trans-identified people to communicate their gender identity to others, or, at worst, a motivator and encourager for people to identify as trans. Either way sexism ends up being reinforced by trans identity because gender itself, a concept that harms women and girls, is based in misogynistic ideas.

[theladyfae]

i think human nature/family of blood is a really good two parter in how it manages to show how full of shit ten is 🫶

[aggressionbread]

Hey tumblr, I got my gallbladder removed last night?? So that's what's up with me

[taegularities]

just thinking thoughts

[amelikos]

Thinking about how Onyx and Sango's first scene together had Sango complaining that he had to tag along with her when Hamber told them both to accompany him to the castle back in HZ024.

Yet they are both pretty much constantly shown attached at the hip. Hanging out together, being together during and outside work, oddly being the most domestic in their group (they know each other's quirks and habits and call each other out on them), implied to get food together (not shown but still, Horizons has a theme of sharing food with those you care about and food as a means of connection). Basically, both of them staying together even when they don't really have to.

[laesas]

did you ever make a post about pete not liking tankhun ? i know you mentioned it a few times in your tags but i don't remember seeing a post. (i share your opin ions.)

I definitely toyed with the idea of meta or a gifset but I didn't ever make a full post! I love unrequited love and I ESPECIALLY love the extremely rare platonic version which Tankhun and Pete absolutely nail in my opinion!

There are loads of moments where Pete's smile drops around Tankhun very quickly, or he insults Tankhun behind his back. Instead of laughing things off like Arm and Pol, he almost has a wincing fear-response to Tankhun, which we don't really see at all from the other bodyguards.

I think that Tankhun likes to think of himself as being close friends with his bodyguards, and he does genuinely show a lot of open affection for Pete and eventually concern for his safety. But I think ultimately for Pete, Tankhun is just a part of Pete's job, and over time resentment has built up until he thinks of Tankhun as one of the *worst* parts of it. I definitely don't think he resents Tankhun enough to hurt or endanger him, but that's about as far as it goes, there's certainly very little love there.

Something about that dynamic is just particularly brilliant, especially when combined with Pete's eventual defection from Tankhun's side to Vegas'. He chooses a man who has beaten and tortured him over a man who showers him in affection and throws parties on his return.

I utterly adore Tankhun but I think as a character that's grown up in a gilded cage, he doesn't really understand that what Pete needs is a sense of his own autonomy rather than being dragged to "fun" "lets cheer up Pete" parties that Tankhun has demanded on his behalf. At least with Vegas he *chose* to go back, he handed Vegas the ropes, let him lock him back up again. Even before he develops feelings for Vegas, Pete has clearly felt like a subhuman pet for Tankhun and the main family for a long, long time and I think ironically Vegas acknowledging Pete's humanity is the tipping point for him.

I think even without their nascent romantic love as a factor, Pete would always choose Vegas. Because despite the threat of suffering, he offers a sense of freedom that Tankhun's gilded cage does not. It all makes for an incredibly interesting betrayal, and makes Pete choosing Vegas over Tankhun all the more pointed. By choosing to be Vegas' pet, he chooses to be human.

[found--family]

they couldn't let cesar and jesse return bc they would've taken one look at dean and cas interacting and known they had it bad for each other

[wat-zu]

Absolutely love your art. I want to nom it.

Also, Hollow Heads Siblings my beloveds,,,

Theyre the doomed siblings ever its not even funny

[vraska-theunseen]

aughhhh. aughhhhhjhhhh

[starry-bi-sky]

back on my bullshit

and by bullshit i mean "rewatch MCD for the millionth time in a row and resist the urge to make an MCD OC"

i have yet to succeed in my bullshit.