#s3 fic prep

[joysmercer]

please share some of your thoughts on the repercussions of nini leaving!!

ok it's less repercussions and more like a bunch of thoughts lol but:

firstly, it was a bit random? like LA is where the music scene is but throughout season 2, the thing holding nini back was ricky (/his desire for control/stop change), not SLC in general. there was no point in time where she was like "i need to get out of this town." so her being like "i feel more free in LA!!!" felt a little off to me, because that wasn't really a sentiment she had shown before. but if olivia was leaving the show and couldn't commit any more time to s3, they did the best they could i guess.

it's extremely...weird that she didn't tell anyone she was leaving; miss jenn was the only one who knew she was even considering it! and she left before curtain, presumably without coming back to salt lake! idk if i were kourtney or ashlen or ricky, i would be a bit hurt by that lol. but also, the fact that she wasn't there but all of them still had so much success in the show (personally professionally etc) is also so telling. her arc was done; she changed and changed others over her two seasons. it was the right time for her to go.

the lottery card is my favorite thing that came out of her exit, because it really does symbolize ricky growing up. his first love, his oldest friend, quite literally helped him complete his childhood goals and move forward. he initially thought he didn't get one at all, only for jet (a "mini-ricky" in so many ways) to find it for him and gina (his "future") to tell him to open it. i also like that she apparently asked him to hand out cards for hsm3 opening night—glad that they're more in touch than just following each other on social media, and that he's really taken on her old role of being the heart of the program.

but, like i said, i wish she had given him and everyone else the cards personally and the og squad got one more night together. they left an open-ending for her so olivia could come back if she wanted to in s4, but it translated to less of an open-ending and more of like "that was it?"

(on the other hand, there is something poetic and final about her not seeing ricky open it. her being there may have dampened that effect a bit. in an ideal world, i guess she'd hand out cards personally but leave the lotto ticket in ricky's room for him to find afterward, his last gift of his birthday.) (but then gina wouldn't be the one to tell him to open it, which was also so important and symbolic) (so idk) (anyway)

gina and nini's juxtaposition throughout the show really came to a head at the end of season 2 (and throughout nini's exit). in many ways, they had opposite trajectories: nini was the lead for the first time and gained the confidence to believe in and fight fore huge success, which eventually led to her spreading her wings and moving away; gina needed to learn that she doesn't need to be front-and-center to have an impact, which eventually led to her putting down roots and making her own little family for the first time. and connecting the two of them is gina's brother, someone gina barely knows but who was such a catalyst for nini. it's also really interesting that jamie's offer is the reason nini leaves and what allows gina, slowly over the first two seasons but quickly in s3 and 4, to really take on a position as ricky's closest confidant (instead of nini). the whole love "square" between nini, ej, ricky, and gina is so fascinating because there are parallels in every direction; history repeats itself again and again with those four, but each time, different choices are made and different paths are taken, until, by the finale, everyone is exactly where they're supposed to be and it's hard to picture any other ending for any of them. and that started with nini taking that first leap and saying goodbye, before ej had the courage to, before ricky got over his fear of it, before gina even knew what was coming. that was the catalyst, whether or not anyone realized it or not.

[qprstobin]

It's interesting to me that the fandom looks at the "Steve Harrington isn't an asshole after all" line and 1) lords it as the first time Steve's gotten a compliment from a friend on screen and 2) that it's about Steve's growth as a character. Like I'm a Steve girlie don't get me wrong, that man is my pride and joy, but that line/exchange was very much about Eddie.

There's a whole layer of Eddie's story that fandom seems to love to ignore, in that the whole season he is grappling with the fact that the way he viewed the world (based largely on stereotypes and his viewpoint being the correct amount of nonconforming) is wrong. That's what the Munson Doctrine is all about. That preps act a certain way, that band geeks act a certain way, and that jocks act a certain way.

And he is finding out that this is wrong! That these people he judged as shallow his whole high school career and beyond are not actually as shallow as they appear! First it was Chrissy, then it was Steve and Nancy and even Robin!

And this isn't an insult lobbed at Eddie that he's uniquely ignorant lol. This is something all the teens (minus Argyle rip) go through when they get introduced to the Upside Down. Jonathan literally calls Nancy shallow and fake while defending the creep shots. Robin of course has her own "Mr. Cool Mr. Funny" speech about Steve in s3 and then later calls Nancy a priss. Nancy's is probably the most obvious because, yaknow, Barb

Like a key theme to the teens' Upside Down introduction arcs is that not only is their physical world being flipped on its head, but also that the petty shit that seems important isn't actually that important when your life is being threatened. Being introduced to the Upside Down very much also removes them from the main stream of high school life, and so even when they return to school they are not focused on the same social BS that they are before.

It really is nothing about Steve or Steve "changing". They don't know each other lol, I doubt either of them have given each other much thought before the kids joined Hellfire. But Eddie believed the world worked a certain way, and very much judged people for what their interests were and whether he considered them to be "conforming" or not. (Which, wasn't just about being a jock lol, he calls out the band kids and science kids before he even gets to the jocks and the partiers.) The Upside Down experience makes him realize that he is fitting people into boxes in the same way that he was protesting against.

It's actually really fun character growth, and a fun parallel I think to the other characters but especially s1 Steve. I really like it a lot and wish that fandom included it more in fics. It's wild to me that this aspect of Eddie's journey has just been completely dropped.

[phoebenpiperx]

HSMTMTS spoilers ahead!

My friend (a Big Red fan) and I (a Seb fan) were prepped to hate s4, so we decided to binge the entire thing tonight to get it over with! I had completely avoided spoilers (and had managed to avoid the seblos duet all this time) because I wanted to see everything in context and like it or not as it was meant to be seen. Luckily, the season left me feeling really happy! I feel like they did a great job of wrapping things up (which I had thought they didn't know it was ending and was expecting a true cliffhanger, so the closure made me really happy!) Most importantly, there were so many things in the eps THAT WERE STRAIGHT OUT OF MY FICS!!! Like my friend was constantly turning to me going "OMG you literally wrote that!" and is convinced someone's been stalking my ao3 account. I just think it shows how much I love these characters and how much I've tried to be true to them in my fics (and can't wait to write more!!)

More thoughts below

I know people will have different opinions about this, but I was so relieved about the Seb/Big Red thing. When Seb said he cheated, I freaked out because I was like "Seb would not cheat!!" But after a moment, I turned to my friend was like "Unless it was with Big Red. I think I'd be okay with that." My friend and I were so upset that our characters weren't going to be on s3 that I wrote an entire fic about Seb & Big Red hanging out over the summer while the others were gone and Seb helping Biggie realize his sexuality. Even though I didn't have them get together in my fic (they just hang out and watch Heartstopper a lot), I felt like I could see them both missing their sig others and accidentally getting together, so I was like "I could forgive Seb if it was Big Red, and vice versa." So when that happened, I felt relieved because I felt like it was truly in-character (while any other "cheating" would be completely out of character). So while I know others have issues with this, I'm just relieved (and glad that it was just a kiss and not actual cheating!) Also, the Natalie thing is hysterical. The very first HSMTMTS fanfic I ever wrote was Seb discussing auditioning for Sharpay with Natalie!! However, the Natalie/Seb thing doesn't work with the timeline because Natalie says in season 1 that she was the stage manager for Brigadoon the year before! But I'm willing to allow that inconsistency since at least we got Natalie in the final season! And I really liked the Big Red and Ashlyn scene (which I know others have issues with). But it was so cool to see that discussion on a "kids show" and to see that they could still be friends. And I loved redlyn, but I really like madlyn and wasn't sure how I was going to deal with a redlyn breakup, but this scene made it okay for me! I have lots more to say but I'm barely going to get 4 hours of sleep as it is so I'll stop rambling here. But I'd love to chat with people about s4 or the entire series! I now want to go and reread all my old fanfic (I've literally written over 380K words of HSMTMTS fanfic) and start writing some new. If anyone else is interested, my fics are here: season 1 season 2 [plus others, but these are in order for these seasons]

One last comment--I never realized that 1) I had so many random scenes AND choreo from HSM3 memorized and 2) I always sing the Troy harmony on all the Troy/Gabi duets! HSM2 is my fave, but I really enjoy 3, too. Oh, and Seb getting to sing along with "I Want It All" from the audience made me feel better about the fact that he didn't get to be Sharpay!!!

[hydriotaphia]

Hello!

After reading the bit about the Antwina-issance in the recent 2023 fic year in review post, I went to have a nosy at your previous asks (sorry if I spammed your notifications lol).

I came across this one from a while ago, and enjoyed your Kate insight! Wondering about the headcanon PS section at the end. If you remember what it was at that time (or even if it's changed); would you share some more of that headcanon?

Hellooo and please don't apologise. I re-read that part about the Antwina asks and it was slightly more melodramatic than I was intending - perils of a midnight post! I loved getting the asks though was a little bemused it was for a side-pairing I occasionally write😆 This ask was equally lovely to see - thank you! I enjoy sharing headcanons and characterisation.

My headcanon at the time was that Kate would struggle with the shifting identities of trying to hold on to who she is, navigating the new vulnerability and demands (and happiness) of her marriage, while also navigating the Ton as one of them and as a the head of a highly individual family.

It sounds less obvious now because the s3 synopsis seems to be going somewhat in this direction but most early fic and even current fic have Kate excelling in her new role, whereas I think rewriting one's entire world view and planned future, no matter how much in love one is, is difficult and a source of dissonance until you finally feel settled.

Additionally, Kate wasn't emotionally prepped for this at all. I wrote a scene in Beloved (IDK if you've read it) where Kate and Anthony fight about her penchant for riding unaccompanied as a way to navigate what it means to go from being an independent woman whose attitude to any constraints is 'fuck this, fuck you and fuck off' to having to actually represent the Bridgertons in the Ton (and while Violet is still around as a very well-regarded comparison).

The other downside of having the kind of love that poets sing of is that you may find yourself more wrapped up in your spouse than in your family, and there's a chance they'll overcompensate in that direction. They're also very demanding and critical people - pushing themselves and their siblings hard to achieve their measure of success, but I do note that most of s2 is about how Anthony realises he can't keep stomping around making his siblings afraid of/avoid him and Kate realises she does not always know best and barely knows herself.

[God, I love s2 for giving us such relatable protagonists while showing them with all their flaws!]

[vendettasfanfictioning]

Since I can't, y'know, shut my mouth, I decided it's better to make a whole ass post about this so thank you @juniperjello for asking.

Here are my Top 13 Destiel Traxx AKA Fic Recs:

And This, Your Living Kiss (M) is a GODSEND I've read this more times than I can count, I even have NerdyNerdenstein's podfic of it saved on my phone, it is that good. It stars poet! Dean relearning his love for the arts and Literature professor! Castiel, whose favorite author just so happens to be Jack Allen (AKA Dean). I also love love loved the family dynamics here, it's all so homey and cozy. The poetry in this is stunning too. Highly recommend this one!

A Thousand Lies (E) follows con artist! Dean on his latest assignment of unraveling rich businessman! Crowley's secrets by playing as his secretary, all the while juggling dates with accountant! Castiel. Except there's more to them than meets the eye, and the plot gets thicker and thicker until you find yourself stuck to your phone for more than 4 hours, hopping from one chapter to the next. Yes that's exactly what happened to me lmao I was hooked, and stories like these where the angel fam are humans are always so fun. I love spotting the parallels and whatnot.

(goldenraeofsun, author of the previous fic, has a ton of fics I highly recommend so if you vibe with their style, go check out their account! I was torn about what to put here between "The Original Apple Pie Latte", "Not the Fire, but the Spark" and this—also I'm pretty sure I have half of their works bookmarked by now 😭)

Forget-Me-Not Blues (E) has all the correct vibes of a classic early 2000s romcom. It's set in Sam and Jessica's wedding, with Dean as the former's best man and Castiel as the latter's. Oh, and did I mention they have history? A particularly roughly-broken high school love story? That they absolutely refuse to acknowledge so now the wedding prep is so full of tension it's choking everybody? Yeah... This is a good one.

An Exercise In 'Worthless' (M) is one of the first destiel fics I've ever read. At that point, I was only on S2 or S3 and had no idea what was happening or who most of the other cast was, but the vibes were immaculate and reading it again as I progressed through the show, it just kept getting better. It's got tattoo artist! Dean whose shop is set up beside Gabriel's cafe (it's called the Physical Graffitea heh). It's got grad student! Castiel attending the same uni as Sam for a niche course in dialects. It's got Dean thinking Cas is more interested than Sam (missing the heart eyes Sam and Gabe are giving each other). It's got family feels!!!!!! as these four idiots live normal, non-supernatural lives!!!!!!!

Kissing Strangers (T/E) is a happy(!!!!!) queer awakening story, wherein Castiel realizes he's not as straight as he thought when he gets kissed by Dean for a social experiment. There's actually three fics in the series, the first one covers The Kiss while the next two are insights on the progress of destiel's relationship. It's really neat, and the author—sharkfish—has a lot of fics I've been reading this past week. (They have a lot of good ace! dean and/or ace! cas fics!!!!!!!!!!)

In Due Time (Dean Winchester is Saved) (T) is not only touching as hell but also mind-blowing. 26-year-old Dean is zapped to the future by an unknown power, and what does he see? Himself, happily settled; married to an angel of the frickin' lord with a son; and his brother, still hunting. THIS FIC IS AN ABSOLUTE GEM!!!! Baby Dean interacting with Cas means So Much to me.

Broadway Musical (T) is, in my humble opinion, an absolute banger and a classic. It's got the fun, lighthearted tone of a romcom and my favorite trope of "they may all be dicks but at least there's no murder" with the angel family. It's a reimagining of the first ever Armageddon: what if, instead of being the Righteous Man himself, Dean was chosen to father the two brothers of old with Jo Harvelle, with the entire Host of angels excitedly chattering about it in heaven. Except the cupid's arrow doesn't sink in, to either Dean or Jo, and they don't fall in love. So good ol' Cas comes down to take matters into his own (awkward) hands.

Sand and Salt (E) continues off of S9 fallen angel! Castiel. The timeline is important to me for two reasons, namely: Kevin and Charlie. Destiel are highlighted at the second half but the first is just Sam, Dean, Kevin, and Charlie helping Cas settle in as a human. They go to a mall to shop and eat and bond and they are so, so precious to me.

Carnival Oasis (E) is a series as well, but it's honestly SO worth it. We have creature! Castiel who eats sin and extremely guilty! Dean who first confessed his sins to Cas as a way to gauge what the fuck he is. But then he kept coming back. They get all gooey and shit here, as they should be. Plus the reveal on Cas' background??? It made me go insane I swear.

Convenient Husbands (E) is honestly just. So good. I've reread it multiple times over the past few weeks and it never gets tiring. This one's about hunter! Dean and Garuda! Castiel forming a marriage bond... Purely for convenience, of course. I'm also obsessed with the set-up of the hunting community in this AU, they got a whole network and base and it's awesome you should definitely read it. (Annie D also has a lot of fics on AO3 that you should check out—I'm very partial to "It's Always the End of the World Somewhere"!!)

This Witch!Cas AU series is based off of probably my most favorite story prompts to ever trend in Tumblr history: it's about witch! Cas who's moved to town after his grandmother's passing. Madame Novak's will is all that everyone's talking about, as it states that Castiel needs to marry to not only inherit the estate but also to keep his magick. Gardener and shopkeeper! Dean finds this tasteless, what with everyone treating Cas like he's just some prize and not, y'know, a person. Then, Castiel makes an announcement: he ties the key to the estate to his cat's collar, and whoever gets the key may take his hand as well. Everyone scrambles to chase after the surprisingly smart feline... except for Dean, who's slowly warming up to the little guy, and the cat to him in return.

it's brighter now (G/T) is actually a series but!!! It's a babyjackverse like come on, how can you resist that? This speaks for itself and it says all you will ever need in a fic, which is BABY JACK!!!!!!!!!!

conversations between brother & sister (T) is, simply put, criminally short but perfectly encapsulated my ideal ending for Supernatural. It's two fics; the first is about Jack and Emma, and the second is about Jack and Claire. The reason this is here is because I am a firm believer that this deserves more recognition and love and we need more AUs like this. Destiel are so, so tender and sweet but the main focus is, of course, Jack's conflicting feelings. I would leave a hundred thousand kudos on this if I could.

[simplylove101]

FANFIC TAGGING GAME

I got tagged by my lovely bestie @backtothestart02. Thanks for thinking of me, hun. <3

1. How many works do you have on AO3? - 11 (and at least 4 on ff.net, though I had a few I deleted as well, including my longest story on there out of embarrassment lol)

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

168, 530 words

3. What fandoms do you write for?

On Ao3, it was strictly Gertchase from Runaways (Marvel) but I've also written for Gossip Girl & Harry Potter as well.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Most of them are my earlier stuff but there's one that was more recent that people seemed to like my take on a scene. 1. A Place Isn't Home - it's my baby, my first dip into writing fic in YEARS & for a ship that I'd only just gotten into. I put a lot prep & care into it beforehand so I'll always be proud of it considering it's centered around one trope - sharing a bed. lol 2. Lost Moments - doesn't surprise me now since there were lots of missed opportunities for good Gertchase content in S2 so I just had to do a missing moments fic for them 3. Over & Over Again - inspired by the Runaways promo team releasing the first few minutes of S3 before the season dropped & gave me the opportunity to write in Chase's pov which I love since it's easy for me. 4. Maybe I'm Falling - based on the teased bed talk with Gertchase before S2 dropped (which is still a cute scene) but I kinda prefer my version lol And 5. It's Your Call - my two different takes on Gertchase's S2 kiss scene written right after the trailer had been released. And guess what? Neither one was at all like what we got. lmao

5. Do you respond to comments?

Most of the time. Considering kudos are usually the only way I know if people are liking a fic by me, getting any comments on one is kinda a big deal to me cuz I love getting them. lmao

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Angstiest ending... Well, even when I write angst, there's generally some kinda hope since I like to write angst with a purpose even if it cuts hard. But since you were my home but now i'm (so) lost is about Future Chase reflecting on Gert's death & deciding to save her, I guess that's the automatic answer. But also, Lost Moments technically since it ends with Gert deciding to get over Chase after his betrayal (I was proud of that chapter tbh)

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Ummm, basically the majority of them are happy like I said. lol Maybe I'm Falling is the purest tho since the whole thing is fluffy. hell was the journey but it brought me heaven was pretty cute too imo.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not on Ao3 since like I said, I hardly get comments as it is. But on ff.net... Trust me, I got some flames. It wasn't pretty. lol

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Before I wrote love doesn't know what distance is, the answer would have been a hard no. Mostly because I would always chicken out before I even got started. lol Somehow I convinced myself to get it a proper try on that fic and I didn't hate it??? Do I think I'm the best at it? Still no. But I'm not as scared now. It's pretty basic but at least I did it. lol

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Not with my Gertchase fics cuz I suck at that kinda thing but during my Harry Potter days I used to experiment with AU ideas that never went too far before I deleted them. I remember I was gonna use a Real World (yes, the reality show lol) concept for a Harry/Ginny fic that never made it passed Chap 1. lmao

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of...

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Oh, this is so hard these days because younger me would always say Chuck/Blair and they are still up there.... I think Cole/Cassie from 12 Monkeys might be my most epic ship tho, despite me never having written for them before (I wouldn't know where to start tbh) And my heart will always belong to Ron/Hermione too. I love Gertchase but at the end of the day they might actually be more of a top 10 ship for me, I just am able to be inspired to write for them.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

The ultimate WIP for Gertchase for me is a post-canon fic that initially was gonna be just a simple proposal but then I wanted to include other stuff like Gert getting pregnant, etc. so it could be a mini fic. But I've just never written it because of lost inspiration (the real life drama of the cast did kinda taint the show a bit at one point but also, the fandom's pretty dead too) That said, never say never. Maybe one day I'll do it. There's scenes I had written for it that I still have somewhere so it's possible. We'll see. lol

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue. lol I know it is because that's how I start writing my fics. I tend to write scenes out like a script first because it's how I'm able to start visualizing the rest of it. Rarely does a fic of mine not start with a quote or at least a train thought by a character. I also like to think that when I do write angst I'm not afraid to go for the jugular so to speak because it's meant to hurt BUT I do always want it to have a purpose and move the story along. Also, apparently when I'm really feeling a chapter I'm not afraid to have a big word count. I can't help it. lol

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

The actual writing process. lol It doesn't always come naturally to me. I don't usually write anything all in one go unless I'm truly feeling it. Also, descriptive stuff. There's a reason why dialogue is my strength. It's writing around all that I struggle with a lot.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Um, it's intimidating. lol I did consider doing it a few times because Gert is fluent in Spanish & she was supposed to tutor Chase for it so I always thought it would be fun to tease that in a fic or two but never did. I don't want to get the translation wrong.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Harry Potter. Because I was obsessed with Ron/Hermione. And yet if you looked at my old ff.net account you'd assume it was Harry/Ginny because I deleted all my RHr related fics. lol

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Omg, the hardest question. lol Most of them are all my bbs for different reasons. I do think my mini The College Woes trilogy is some of my strongest work to date tho because all of that is pure me going for it since it's all post-canon. I did research and had fun with the process.

Anyway, I don't really have anyone to tag myself because I don't know who follows me and wants to answer these questions but hey, if you write fic and see this, consider yourself tagged! Also, even tho I haven't written in a while & might never again in the foreseeable future, if you like Gertchase, my A03 account is When_the_Day_Met_Night21 :)

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (5-11 Nov 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😍 Till there were no more wolves in the West (dharmashark) - 71K, stucky, USAmer civil war/western setting - incredibly skillful job fitting canon events believably into this setting - absolutely loved it. Also adored the Logan cameo

😍 A Restless Truth (The Last Binding #2) (Freya Marske, author; Aysha Kala, narrator) - reread in prep for final book, having book 1 fresh in mind was great, lots of small details I had missed

🥰 A Power Unbound (The Last Binding #3) (Freya Marske, author; Josh Dylan, narrator) - Very satisfying conclusion to the series! Really loved seeing everyone together again and while I don't disagree with those that say it focused more on the plot than on Jack/Alan's relationship, this wasn't a negative for me. I wanted all the juicy goodness about systems of magic and magical houses. SO MUCH MAGIC HOUSE STUFF! (p sure there was a sideways little nod 'stately home of wiltshire'!)

😍 All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) (Martha Wells, author; Kevin R Free, narrator) - Murderbot reread in prep for System Collapse

💖💖 +81K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

Unsolicited Cake (Stevieschrodinger) - Stranger Things: Steddie, 4K - short but cute af wrong number AU

Of Scars and of Wounds in the Heart (Dira Sudis (dsudis)) - Green Men Series (KJ Charles): Barney/Max, 3K - "Max is in a state, and Barney helps him through it." feat. some first rate tentacle sex

I Wanna Hurry Home To You (hawkeyedpeas (pandacowhipster)) - Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: Edgin/Xenk, 16K - Ed & Xenk are basically married for a while before they realize it; really love how this author writes these characters

For Want of a Bookman (phoenixflight) - crossover of KJ Charles' Band Sinister & Society of Gentlemen series, 7K - delightful 'what if' of how the Ricardians and the Murder might meet & mingle

The Buried Treasure Racket (Dorinda) - The Sting: Henry/Johnny, 26K - amazing fic of the next con Henry & Johnny run

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Shakespeare & Hathaway - s1, e5

QI - series T, ep 9-11

Murdoch Mysteries - s16, e6

Dirty Laundry - s3, e5

D20: Burrow's End - "Reactor Charlie" (s20, e6)

D20: Adventuring Party - "The Burrito Was Achieved" (s15, e6)

We Are Lady Parts - s1, e1-6

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Re: Dracula - November 5: Three Graves to Find

Missing Pages - Paradigm Shift: Copyright & Fanfiction: Who Owns What?

Re: Dracula - November 6: That Moment of Final Dissolution

Re: Dracula - Epilogue: 7 Years Later

Today, Explained - Ceasefire?

Switched on Pop - The Beatles: "Now and Then" and Forever

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Cum On Feel the Hitz: The Best of Slade [Slade] {2020}

Presenting Lady Gaga

Problem Patterns

The Linda Lindas

Meet Me @ the Altar

Presenting Spandau Ballet

The Look Of Love - The Very Best Of ABC [ABC] {2001}

A Life of Surprises: The Best of Prefab Sprout [Prefab Sprout] {1992}

Presenting Britney Spears

Presenting Christina Aguilera

Presenting Shakira

[gins-potter]

7, 8, 12, 21 for Daphne. We don’t know much about her, and would love to know some of your thoughts and head cannons!

Oh, I love Daphne, I can't wait to write more for her in my rewrite 'verse.

7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

similarly to flora, i simply love when the fandom gives her more depth and personality. i've seen some awesome posts about how she would adjust post restoration which really consider what a trauma her curse would have been, which i think is cool

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

hmmm i don't think the fandom talks about her that much to have anything that i despise, but i supposed i don't like it when she's reduced to bloom's sweet older sister and nothing more.

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

it's not fully fleshed out yet but i do have the headcanon that she has some sort of lasting marks or scars from when she was cursed/kept underwater.

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

i haven't written it yet so i don't want to give too much away but i'm very excited to write daphne in s3 because i think it will explore a different side of daphne, the side of her as someone who grew up royal and prepped for the possibility of assuming the throne one day. not necessarily a darker side, but definitely a harder side.

[tomwambsgans]

man i rewatched seasons 1 and 2 weeks ago to prep for both s4 and also a fic that i'd naively thought i might finish before the premeire (alas i'm like 1/4th of the way through instead lol) and now i'm finally starting my speedrun through a s3 rewatch but insanely enough it's making me just yearn to rewatch the first 2 again. there's so much that goes on i feel like i could never be bored, i'd always have new stuff to notice and everything will always just feel inexplicably nostalgic despite me only having even been into this show for like 6 months

[joysmercer]

the weirdest thing abt ej's jealousy of ricky is that the only other person who knew something happened bw ricky and gina is ashlyn. gina didn't tell him s2 and certainly wouldn't have after they started dating

[dr-lizortecho]

RNM fic masterlist (sorry guys but I felt like it <3)

not all my wip’s are on here, but I wanted to have somewhere to store these by relationship (fandoms + ships I write for)

RNM Echo:

within series

Absolutely Smitten: their first meeting on the playground and what was going through Max’s head

Bubblegum Babe: set somewhere in s2, Liz spends her first night at Max’s after the resurrection

The One I Choose: 4x01 fix-it of sorts, in which Liz is the one proposing on the roof top

Alien Therapy: 4x02 fix-it-fic, in which Max and Liz discuss the repercussions of him threatening Anatsa

Sexual Healing: 4x09 fix-it-fic, in which Liz accepts her whole self and Max sees her faults and loves her easily (threesome’s solve everything apparently)

Biblical: post series, Max is on book tour and has to miss Liz’s birthday

Meet Me by the Ocean: post series, beach wedding

Happily Ever After: post series, a look into their everyday lives

you could be a bumper car, bumping: post series, Liz picks Max up from work (written for RNMAfterDark22)

Supergalactic Lover: post series, Liz arrives at the CrashDown to do some wedding planning and finds Max in an unexpected condition

to be totally locked up by you: post series, their beach wedding; with dancing and sibling bickering

Husbandly Duty: post series, established relationship, smut, they’re literally that married couple

cause this is my game and you better come to play: post series, smut (forewarning: this is a kink fic)

au

The Ugly Bug Ball: Max and Liz meet at a black tie event thrown by Rosa’s art gallery and immediately hit it off

as long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand: mermaid au, Liz is a marine biologist who stumbles upon a mermaid trapped in a net, and decides to catch and release- except the releasing but is more complicated than she assumed

Kyliz:

within series

Miss Americano & the Heartbreak Prince: highschool era, Liz seeks comfort in their relationship

Sexy Dirty Love: pre-2x04, a look at why Kyle was at Max’s place so early in the morning (in other words it’s angsty smut)

Valevans:

within series

Doctor, Deputy: lost decade, they have a hate-sex thing going, idk why

capti a vobis: s2-ish, TVD crossover

Damn Valenti: pre-s3, established relationship/secret relationship and Taylor Swift drag night

Home Grown: pre-s3, Kyle forces Max to help build raised garden beds in his yard, so they can grow tomatoes

Lover: pre-s3, established relationship, angst, Max is dying need I say more?

Use Me Absolutely: 3x03, their fight scene but without clothes

You Got Time, You’re on the Mend, Babe: 3x05, the missing scene of Max getting Kyle all snuggled up, but he gets to snuggle a different alien

You and Her, Cosmic: 3x13, Kyle prepping Max for the adrenaline extraction leads to them discussing their unresolved sexual tension

Alien Cuffs: post s-3, established relationship, Kyle retrieves the un-alienified Valenti radio from Guerin’s grotto, and borrows something else

I’ll Stop the World and Melt With You: post s3, getting together fic, Kyle finds himself seeking comfort from Max after a long day

au

Swing Life Away: Highschool all human au, in which Kyle, Alex, and Liz start noticing strange things about the Evans triplets after they move into town, and decide to investigate (mutant powers, malex, and lizobel)

Treading Water: sequel to Swing Life Away, all human au, Kyle&Alex&Isobel open up their PI practice while Michael and Liz pursue other careers, Max deciding to work for Michelle Valenti and switching his life plans at the last moment, all while they search for Bonnie Parker

Wanna See What’s Under that Attitude: fake dating Christmas au, in which they’ve been enemies for over a decade but Max needs a boyfriend and doesn’t know who else to ask

Drunk on a Plane: Kyle and Max meet on a flight to Mexico, one to his sisters wedding the other to his solo honeymoon

Kaliz:

within series

Restless?: ambiguous timing, there was only one bed

Our Hearts Beat as One: ambiguous timing, in which Kyle is dosed with sex pollen and communication ensues

Paper Rings: 2x06, Max tries flirting with Kyle but it goes over his head, after regaining his memories he and Liz make a gesture

Cubed (or the Power of Three): 3x04, Jones runs into Kyle in his office (Jones/Kyle)

Could it be I got my wish?: post s-3, Max throws a Halloween movie night and echo attempts to seduce Kyle

au

If we’re made of stardust…: angsty soulmate au (malex, rosabel)

Meet Cute: Kyle runs into a couple at the movie theater

Sugar Sweet: christmas all human au, Liz gathers a team to beat Maria in a gingerbread house competition (background malexa)

Kybel:

within series

I Forgot that You Existed: pre-s3, Maria and Isobel help Kyle through his break up (Maria/Kyle)

That Damn Valenti Code: Kyle and Greg discuss Isobel and Kyle’s new found feelings

My Final Touch, Your Fatal Curse: post s-3, Kyle and Isobel get together

Kissable: post s3, Kyle borrows Iz’s clothes and makeup

Lizobel:

within series

Baby, I’ll Treat You Right: au pre-2x05, just smut (written for RNMAfterDark22)

Pod Squad:

within series

the futures in the hand that you hold: pre-series, Max and Isobel’s first meeting (Max&Isobel)

Suddenly Everything Changed: 3x01, Michael is alone when he meets up with Max in the pod cave and learns about his heart failing (Max&Michael)

Three Becomes Four: 3x10, in which Michael and Isobel reach out to Dallas without omitting Max’s existence (Dallas&Michael&Isobel)

Decisions Not Temptations: post 3x10, after his calls to Michael and Isobel fail Max calls Kyle who brings the newest alien in tow (Max&Dallas)

The Perfect Marshmallow: post s3, they got camping and Isobel’s brothers tease her about Kyle (Max&Isobel&Michael, Kybel at heart)

Pod People: 4x02, Isobel returns home to find a sad Max on her couch and she comforts him through the denied marriage proposal

au

Hygge: Jim makes sure Michael gets adopted into a good family (baby Michael & baby Kyle)

søskende: sequel to Hugge, Michael reunites with Max&Iz (Michael&Max&Isobel)

Rosallas:

within series

I Woke Up in Mid-Afternoon: post s3, Rosa and Dallas grow closer while she shows him all of Roswell’s secret places

Then Woo Me: post s3, Rosa helps Dallas out with the creative aspects of his work

Tuchans:

within series

Scientist Kink: pre-s3 through 3x09, Max and Heath hookup during the gap year and Max deals with the emotional fallout

What’s love got to do with it?: 3x12 (sequel to Scientist Kink), Max and Heath discuss Liz and Dallas

Joniz:

within series

Crimson Red Paint on My Lips: 3x11, in which their brunch gets kinky (written for RNMAfterDark22)

Jones/Kyle:

within series

Birds Singing in the Sycamore Tree: 3x06, Jones finds more than just his sword (hints of Max/Kyle)

Cruel Summer: Jones has a thing for Valenti’s idk, he’s more sexual during their two interactions

Clones

within series

the Allure of Darkness: pre-series, Clyde’s relationship with Jones and Bonnie on Oasis

Anatsobel:

within series

To Touch Things From Another World: 4x04, Isobel gets to take her girlfriend to the pod caves

Guertecho:

au

Burn for You: 1x01, in which Liz and Michael dated during senior year of high school, before he broke her heart right after her sister died, now ten years later she runs into him at the Wild Pony

forever is the sweetest con: 1x09, in which Max’s high school crush was just that, and Liz takes a moment to comfort Michael in respect to his sister, because if she can understand anything it’s losing a loved one

Guerenti:

within series

I Think He Knows: lost decade, Kyle and Michael hook up shortly after Kyle moves back to Roswell

Malexa:

within series

Ours: post s3, Michael, Alex, and Maria agree to take care of a baby left at the sheriff’s office (accidental baby acquisition)

Mylex:

within series

Inner Sanctum: post s3, Kyle learns how to feel at peace within Michael and Alex’s house

Forlex:

within series

gonna learn to love you right: pre-3x01, Forrest joined Alex in his mission between the seasons allowing them to grow closer, and he green lights Alex pursuing Michael (pre- Michael/Alex/Forrest)

Max/Michelle Valenti:

within series

Baby, Pull Me Closer: lost decade, Max still needs to shave cause grooming standards

Miscellaneous:

within series

Shania & Soda: pre-series, Michelle lets loose and dances with her son and husband

Happy Home: 3x05, Kyle & Liz discuss the implications of Jones vs. Max on the drive

What Did We Miss?: post 3x08, Max and Kyle get caught up during the three day gap

Family Ain’t Blood: 3x12, Michael and Maria take a moment to make sure Walt is okay before going after Jones

She’s the Best Thing That You’ll Ever Have: Kyle laments never being the right guy while helping the ‘right’ guy out (ends in Kybel or Valevans or neither)

a partner to ride with you when I can’t: 4x10 missing scene, Max&Rosa discuss his decision to get his powers back

The Better Kisser: post s3, Max, Kyle, and Heath hang out at the Pony and make out for science

An Eternity of Misery: canon divergent 1x05, the pod squad make Liz leave town, and Max/Jenna fall in love

Man and the Serpent: canon divergent s3, Max doesn’t get healed, Kyle&Rosa discuss love and loss

Familia: Kyle is sick and the Ortecho’s take care of him

au

High Infidelity: Jim Valenti/Michelle Valenti, in which Michelle confronts Jim about Jesse Manes

our only defense to brave the wilderness: Max/Dallas, Christmas fic, fluff, getting together

between the woods and frozen lake: Isobel/Anatsa/Liz, Christmas fic, fluff, gift exchange

cause it’s a long road to wisdom, but it’s a short one to being ignored: (Arturo&Michelle&Anne) they bond over parenthood and their kids secretly dating

[inevitably-johnlocked]

You do such incredible work for this fandom! Thank you for everything.

I'm about to reveal myself as a ghastly fandom hag, but do you have any post-S3 & post-TLD fix-its that DON'T feature Rosie or either of the boys parenting? Whether she was someone else's or the pregnancy was fake, whatever. The idea of the Baker St Boys as parents just squicks me out tremendously. Which is really weird since I love parenting in my other ships, like Aziraphale/Crowley. I appreciate anything you can mention, since I keep finding stuff that sounds good but then it turns out the author just forgot to tag for child, sigh. Heartbreaking every time.

Hey Nonny!!

AHHHH not a ghastly fandom hag at all, LOL. I just sadly don't think I know of many fics that are post-S3 without a baby. MIGHT be some on my Fix it fics lists... (actually probably a lot of them, since post-S3, people didn't know if the baby was real or not). You can peruse the fic lists here:

Reunion and Other Post TRF Fics

Reunion and Other Post TRF Fics Pt. 2

Reunion and Other Post-TRF Fics Pt. 3

John Finds Out About Hiatus

John Joins Sherlock During Hiatus

Johnlock Against the World

Sherlock Returns from Hiatus Injured 

The Empty Hearse-Related Fics

TSo3-Related Fics

Post John’s Wedding Fics

Gay Bar Scene

Talk After John’s Wedding

Stag Night

HLV Fics

After the Gunshot (HLV)

Tarmac Scene

Post S3 Fics

Long S3/Post-S3 Fics (20K+ w.) [Apr 2020]

S3 / TAB / S4 [FIX IT] Fics (March 2019)

I should probably do a proper list, now that I'm looking at all of these possible lists... Hmm.

I think I'll prep one, but in the meantime, if anyone has any, please do add them!

[invisible-pink-toast]

what about the stranger things wlw ships? like elmax, ronance, whatever vickie and robin's ship name is (rickie???)

Thanks!!

Elmax

I like elmax, but more in fanon, but I'm glad in canon that they're bffs. I just really love lucas and lumax

Ronance

hilariously i am not a ronance shipper.... i know it became like The Ship for wlw after s4 came out, but i just don't see it??? I LOVE them as friends and their dynamic, but honestly i just see nancy as straight sjflkasdflahsdf plus there's not a ton of really close female friendships with a straight girl and a lesbian and i appreciate that. i don't mind the ship if it pops up but i'm not actively searching for it

love the ship name though!

Vibin

I think vibin is a cute name for robin x vickie. i'm conflicted about them because i WANT to love them, i wanted robin to get a gf and be happy but they're relationship is so in the background and we know Nothing about vickie that i'm just not there yet

There's potential, but knowing the writers.... it's not really gonna go anywhere

I adore Amybeth McNulty though, and she's so talented and she's bi like GIVE HER AN INTERESTING BI CHARACTER TO PLAY!

...embarrasingly probably my fave stranger things wlw ship rn is buckingham aka robin buckley and chrissy cunningham

Buckingham

do they interact in canon? no. is chrissy dead? yes. do i still think they'd be adorable together? 100%

chrissy is just a character with such potential, and i ended up deep diving into the eddie & chrissy platonic soulmate fics and... robin kept appearing as chrissy's love interest. and i was hooked! plus like cheerleader x band geek, prep x goth (robin was more goth in s3!! bring that back!!!!!), sweetheart x sarcastic - they fit a lot of tropes i love.

ALSO KALI

She is a lesbian and deserves a love interest, but given that she's only interacted with El and we haven't seen her for so long (bring her back!!) i'm not sure who i ship her with. i did see a sort of crack ship chrissy x kali fanart once and they were very cute....

[foxyanon]

tell us more about the Clever Fox fic bestie

I’m still workshopping it, buuttttt…

We need more Sihtric fluff so it’s another fluff piece! This one is Sihtric x Aesira (my darling widowed witch). She’s plus sized and a single mom!

Concept: Uhtred just had to go and get himself cursed by Skade, and now Sihtric has to seek out the powerful seer that can help fully break the curse. Takes place in S3, after the crew get to Dunholm. Brida actually decides to have the seer retrieved when Uhtred’s condition doesn’t fully improve the way it’s supposed to.

Teaser:

He was cursing his luck, knowing this task had to be done but furious all the same. Lord Uhtred hadn’t improved the way Brida expected him too, Skade continuing to try to cast her spells even after the Nithstong was placed in front of her prison. He had had enough with witches and magic lately, but he also knew that this one was legitimate and far more powerful than Skade. At least, that is what Brida had said and he did not know Brida to be a liar when it came to the old ways. He just hoped this hag could help, otherwise he might be inclined to run both her and Skade through, consequences be damned.

So here he was, riding through the forest aimlessly while he searched for this seeress. He had travelled for gods know how long before he heard a haunting voice echoing through the forest, the sound calling him like a siren. He urged his horse forward towards the sound before he stumbled upon a woman along the riverbank, her enchanting song filling his ears as he watched her foraging for mushrooms and other herbs that grew along the waters edge. He watched her for a moment before dismounting and cautiously approaching, taking that time to give the woman a once over. She was a thicker woman, the fabric of her green dress doing little to hide her full figure. He took one step in her direction and she looked up quickly, her dark brown eyes enchanting him in an instant and baring her teeth while she held her blade firmly in her hand, prepping to defend herself if needed.

Fuck me, she just had to be a pretty one. Couldn’t be hag like I had hoped. Sihtric thought to himself. He knew he was in trouble now.

[cicaklah]

picard thots 3x06 & 7

this show man, this show

🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

So last week I was on holiday and watched episode 6 on the way. And by watched, I mean, treated like a podcast because it was so dark I couldnt see it on my phone even in full light.

also it used up all my battery, and since I forgot my charger I had to spend £10 on a new cable, and I hold this show personally responsible.

anyway I said to @apricotbones that this show is speedrunning all the problems of the other shows and I stand by this, because it is speedrunning ITS OWN failings at exponential rate. Idiot ball handling is at an all time high. New characters keep being introduced. No one on the writing team has ever watched star trek, or more likely, watched all the episodes once as prep for this story, but have never thought about them.

anyway now I'm going to yell about the dominion war.

how fucking DARE they white man burden the dominion war, how dare they take five years of careful nuance and human failing and literal genocide and boil it down to federation is bad actually justification sauce, ESPECIALLY having stolen Odo's backstory for it!!! NONE of you were fucking there, and that is the PROBLEM. the series is ten episodes trying to condense five or six years of show into a backstory of a single evil character, and said show was 'starfleet and the federation have loads of shades of grey and we will carefully examine them for the first time with a clear head, coming off TNG and forty years of nostalgia and we will fucking ace it, also all of our aliens are deep and complex and bad things happen to bad people and good people, self-determination is a good thing and a life of revenge is not one worth living etc etc etc. Complexity, built up and well earned.

honestly, picard s3 is trying to be in the pale moonlight and fails. badly.

ds9 is my favourite of course but the one mistake it made was having section 31, not because it was badly done at the time, but because it has become a cudgel in the hands of lesser screenwriters wanting Darker and Edgier.

anyway at this point is anyone left high up in starfleet??? or is it just romulan spies, changelings and synths stabbing each other in the back?

also, no jack crusher revelation is going to be satisfactory, so i dont know why theyre trying??? He's either been replaced by a synth, a changeling or I dunno, a Q; either way beverly will have lost her son alongside everything else she's lost. beverly was right. this entire show is bullshit and I'm annoyed.

and do not get me fucking started on data, although Lore's petty jibes reminded me of this glorious fic so I guess its not all bad? but the geordi/data scene pissed me off for other reasons!!! Stop trying to paper over your shit plot with nostalgia bait!!!

I am enjoying all the voyager references even if voyager isn't my favourite, I am becoming more and more feral about writing my seven of nineifesto fic. I love her, her and raffi deserved better, we all deserved better.

[inkingtwice]

Me, rewatching Stranger S1:

1. Wow, Si-mok spends a lot of time in these first few episodes running interference for Eun-soo.

2. OH HEY, so does...Dong-jae? (Sort of?)

3. ... And Chang-joon keeps putting her in the line of fire and watching to see what they'll do, good god, how did I not get that last time?