I couldn't stop thinking about @neonspirals tentacle bf au so I sent an anon message to ask if writing sth would be okay wrote a little thing. I hope you like it!

-> Arthur is trans, his genitals are referred to as clit, lips, hole and so on (just a heads up if anyone's uncomfortable with that); tentacles (duh), maybe a little size kink?, might seem dubcon but it’s not. I don't know what else to say, it's actually really fluffy.

Arthur stirred in his sleep. A quiet whine and the rustling of the bedsheets disturbing the peace of the night. He reached out to pet the end of the tentacle resting next to him, turning his head that was bedded on the thicker part of it.

The tentacle underneath his head didn't move, but at Arthur's feet two others soundlessly emerged from the mattress, wriggling underneath the blanket.

They slid up against his legs, teasing the skin and putting a little smile on his lips. Arthur shifted a little and rubbed his legs against the smooth appendage out of reflex, still hardly awake.

The tentacles carefully found their way around his legs, wrapping themselves around them. One of them slid up far enough to caress Arthur's fingers and entwine with them while the other glided up his inner thigh. The touch on Arthur's thigh went from the tip of the tentacle tickling him to a more firm grip as soon as the thicker part of it was wrapped around his thigh, sliding in between his legs.

Arthur's breath hitched, the tentacle slowly rubbing against him through his panties as he finally stirred awake. He slowly blinked his eyes open, but it was still too dark to actually focus on anything around the room. The pressure of the tentacle between his legs became a little more fierce and Arthur's eyes fell shut again.

A content sigh left his lips when the tentacles wrapped around both his legs to spread them a little wider and Arthur ran his thumb over the thinner end of the tentacle that was woven around his fingers. The wet patch staining his panties grew bigger with every rub against his clit and Arthur quietly cursed the fabric separating him from getting proper stimulation.

As if they were reading his mind the tentacles slipped beneath his panties, pulling them down a little to make room for them in the interspace. They slowly crept up his inner thighs again, meeting between Arthur's legs. One of them pressed between his lips, dipping into the wetness and making Arthur gasp, while the other focused on holding his legs apart.

The initial surprise quickly turned into pleasure when the tentacle kept rubbing and pulsating against his clit. Arthur's breathing got heavier and he broke into a slight sweat. It felt so good, but... but... A buck of Arthur's hips was all it needed to let the tentacles know he wanted to feel more of them.

He moaned when one of them finally urged inside him, wiggling slightly. With his free hand Arthur reached down to lightly hold onto the tentacle penetrating him. He felt it gliding through his hand inside him. The thick girth stretched him to a point where the slight burn made Arthur hiss, but the wetness dripping from his hole spread around it and it quickly turned into a pleasurable feeling.

Arthur lightly touched himself where he and his boyfriend connected and felt his juices dribble from his slit as the tentacle kept moving. It didn't need any hard thrusts to make him squirm and moan, the feeling of the tentacles caressing his skin, keeping him in place, and wiggling deep inside him was already enough.

The heat in his abdomen became tighter and Arthur turned his upper body a little, clinging onto the tick tentacle he had been using as a pillow all night. It didn't move but he could feel the muscles contract underneath his cheek as he pressed multiple kisses onto it. A breathless laugh escaped Arthur when he felt the rounded tip of one of the other tentacles nudge his cheek to get his attention.

When he turned his face towards it, it wandered from his flushed cheek to his lips, grazing them as if to kiss him back. With one hand he reached up to pet it and opened his lips for them to deepen the kiss. His tongue played with the tip, panting breaths coming from Arthur's mouth whenever the tentacle gave him a little break.

The one inside him curled up a little, knowing exactly how to find the sweet spot inside him that made Arthur buck his hips, searching for more. He swore he could hear a faint snicker echoing from the walls, but was too far gone to care or investigate it.

His moans became louder, more frantic, nearly turning into cries as the tentacles' grip on his body tightened. Part of it kept fucking in and out of him at a slow pace while stimulating him from inside over and over. Arthur gasped and bucked his hips desperately, when the wet tip of the tentacle he had been making out with touched one of his nipples. He was so close. If he didn't know that his boyfriend would restrain his arms if he tried touching himself now, he would help himself to his orgasm.

Once again the tentacles seemed to sense what he needed, and Arthur felt the one that was holding his leg in place move. It pressed against his swollen clit, one of the suction cups engulfing it. The stimulation drew a sob from Arthur's throat. The suction cup tightened around his clit just as the other tentacle found his g spot again and he came with a cry.

A few stray tears escaped his eyes when his boyfriend kept up his ministrations. It only stopped after Arthur's body fell limp from being wrecked by another three orgasms. He lost the feeling of time, nodding off from the exhaustion soon, but when Arthur woke up, he found himself savely wrapped in the tentacles keeping him warm.

season 3 but instead of billy, neil was flayed.

he had been acting... off the last couple of weeks. distant and withdrawn, completely the opposite of how he usually is with billy.

he first notices the difference in behavior when the abuse stops. maybe he gets home late for dinner and instead of the usual stern look he gets before a smack when max and susan go to bed, neil just smiles all big and wide, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes, before he welcomes his son home.

then neil starts coming home later and later, giving susan some bullshit excuse about work and overtime and she eats it right up. chooses to believe that he’s somehow morphed into the perfect husband and father overnight. on top of that, he smells like bleach and chemicals and his eyes seem so dead. billy can tell what the guy is thinking or feeling through one look at his expression, but now he’s just eerily blank.

so billy follows him on 4th of july, surprised to find himself in the starcourt parking lot for the second time that day - he dropped max off earlier to hang out with her shithead friends, but it’s past closing hours so she shouldn’t still be inside unless she’s at the movies, the only part of the mall that remains open late. he watches as neil marches into the mall, fists clenched at his side. billy has no idea why neil is even at the mall so late when he should be at work or wherever he’s been going and lying to susan about. so, he follows him in.

he doesn’t know what to expect, but seeing his little sister and her gaggle of friends screaming as neil gets closer and closer to them. squinting, billy can see black veins crawling their way up neil’s neck, discoloring his face and eyes. he jumps when he hears the first bang, the sound of a firework exploding way too close for comfort.

then he spots it. the huge slimey alien being that screeches when the first firework hits it, then second, third, and so on.

and like. what the fuck.

his eyes must be as wide as saucers as he stares at the thing, gangly and screeching with every hit, trying to swing at anyone it can reach. he doesn’t have time to process what the actual fuck he’s looking at when he hears someone yell his name. max.

“billy! BILLY!” she screams, absolutely terrified. “DO SOMETHING!” she demands.

immediately, his eyes search for fireworks. looking up, he finds harrington on the second floor in matching work uniforms with a girl - buckley, his brain distantly provides. they had the same ap literature class. the fireworks get louder and louder along with the monster. he eventually finds a small kiosk set up for the 4th, so he follows suit and grabs his lighter, blindly throwing at the monster as he watches the scene unfold in front of him. his father approaching a girl around max’s age with a maniacal expression on his face, eyes about to burst out of his goddamn head. he hears the kids screaming in protest to no avail. pretty soon, they run out of fireworks and his dad’s got this girl beneath him on the floor.

he’s about to intervene when the girl lets out this piercing scream, almost louder than the shadow, and suddenly his father is thrown up in the air then launched right at the monster. he’s caught mid-air by a tentacle - wait a goddamn second are those human body parts??? and teeth????? - right in the center of his chest. billy flinches, watching in horror as his father screams in pain before he’s dropped onto the floor, head smacking the tile before he goes limp.

it feels like the world goes still for a second, everyone standing still, eyes wide and mouths open in shock at the scene before them. distantly, he hears the monster screeching, but his eyes are locked on his father’s body - torn open and bleeding out. what eventually brings them all out of their stupor and back to the real world is the same girl standing and screaming at the monster, merely feet away from the thing. her hand is shaking in the air, nose dripping with blood as the monster’s screeches grow quieter, its body shrinking. soon enough, it hits the ground just like his father. limp and silent.

billy just watches the scene unfold, his mind racing yet completely blank. he knows he should move, grab as many little shits as he can and run, but he’s stock still, unable to process what he just witnessed. ironically, it ends up being the kids who run to him first.

“billy,” max calls as she reaches him. “billy!” she grabs his shoulders, shaking him until he acknowledges her. “billy we have to go. now! come on billy let’s go!” her hands are shaking as she grips his shoulders.

he blinks a couple of times before he nods once, then again.

“shit!” he hears harrington yell, footsteps approaching them as the two teenagers run down from the top floor right before it comes crashing to the ground. soon enough, the mall is falling apart, the ceiling caving in.

billy finally kicks into action, wild eyes and expressions matching everyone else’s as the teens drag the kids out of there, the group sprinting outside in time to watch the mall crumble to the ground with his dad’s body trapped in it.

he doesn’t know how much time has gone by when ambulances, fire trucks and police cars appear. he’s stuck in place as parents reunite with their children while paramedics check on everyone, wrapping heavy blankets around them. billy manages to sneak off to the side, hiding behind an ambulance. he spots max with sinclair and susan, harrington with buckley, girl and boy wheeler close to the three byers, accompanied by the police chief.

billy’s alone, he realizes. he looks back at the mall, now in flames and taking his father down with it. his hands and legs begin to tremble and he’s sliding down the side of the ambulance, unable to breathe as he hits the floor. hugging his knees to his chest and holding his head low, he takes in short breaths and ends up wheezing, unable to get enough air into his lungs. he doesn’t realize he’s crying until his vision is blurred and cheeks are wet. he’s hyperventilating and is pretty sure he’s about to black out.

billy’s alone.

everyone here has someone and he doesn’t.

his mother left and now his father is gone and he doesn’t, can’t understand why. yeah, neil was abusive and cruel but he was all billy had left. he lost his friends, the ocean, his life the second neil ripped him away from california and dragged him to a state where he knew he’d get hurt if neil caught him with a boy again like in cali, except this time he knew it wouldn’t be just neil pounding on him for his “sickness.”

billy misses his mom. wants nothing more than to be held and comforted by her. to hear her soft voice as she sings or hums or shushes him as she rubs his back and plays with his hair and kisses his head and tells him everything’s going to be alright.

except everything’s not going to be alright and now he’s sobbing silently, soft whimpers and harsh wheezing being the only noise leaving his body.

with the rest of the world tuned out and only hearing his own choked sobs and sharp breaths, he flinches when he feels the hand on his shoulder, trying to scramble away from it.

“hey,” the soft voice says. “its okay. hey, kid, it’s okay. it’s just me.” she immediately pulls her hand away, holding both up to prove herself as unthreatening. “just me.” she repeats gently.

billy slowly raises his head, eyes and cheeks red and blotchy and puffy and wet. he finds exhausted, sad brown eyes looking over him.

“oh, kiddo, you look like you’ve seen hell.” she sounds motherly. “c’mon, breathe with me. take deep breaths, okay? count with me.” she encourages as she kneels down to his level. “deep breaths. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, breathe. in and out, just like that. you’re doing good.”

pretty soon, his wheezes and rushed breaths even out. he takes his first deep breath of fresh air, releasing a shaky relieved sigh.

“you must be billy, max’s brother. i’m joyce, jonathan’s mom.” she introduces, except neither of them are in the mood for small talk. “i, uh,” she sighs. “there’s a lot we all have to talk to you about,” she sits down beside him. “but that can wait,” she assures. “until you’re ready.” she adds on quietly.

he stares at her a couple seconds before he breaks again, a strangled loud sob ripping its way through his chest and out of his mouth. he doesn’t even think about it before he launches himself at her, fully prepared to cry to this woman he’s barely met yet spent hours knocked out cold on her ground only after breaking one of her nice plates.

she - joyce - seems to have the same idea because as soon as he starts crying again she’s opening her arms and reaching for him. they meet halfway in the middle.

“it’s not fair.” billy chokes out, trembling in joyce’s surprisingly strong arms as she holds him upright. “it’s not fair.” he repeats, louder yet more broken.

“i know, sweetheart.” she nods, rubbing circles on his back with one hand, the other gently running through his hair. “god i know.” she sighs and, poor woman, it sounds like she’s been through it. he vaguely remembers hearing about her sons - zombie boy and creepy byers. his brain isn’t processing enough to connect any dots just yet.

“she-she just left,” he holds onto joyce tightly. “she left and now he’s gone.” he cries. “he’s gone.” he repeats, again and again. “they all leave. why do they all leave?” he asks weakly.

joyce’s heart breaks for the boy shaking apart in her arms, using her last remaining strength to hold him upright and provide any comfort she can. she can’t help but look around, searching the crowd for anyone who might be there for him. she frowns when she finds everyone’s eyes on them yet no one making any moves to approach. she wishes she could hate them all a little bit for it, for leaving him alone. letting him feel alone and unwanted. unlovable. she knows the feeling and it’s the worst.

“well, blondie, looks like you’re stuck with me now.” her attempt to make him feel less lonesome seems to work, just a little, if the way he squeezes her for a second is anything to go by. “i don’t give up. i don’t leave. i promise.” she kisses the top of his head, gets the scent of hairspray, cigarettes and ash.

over the top of his head she finds steve harrington still watching them, a distant look in his eyes. he seems conflicted, staring at billy with wariness as he bounces nervously from foot to foot, holding the blanket hanging loosely around his torso.

he seems to make a decision when billy releases another sob at her promise, striding over and draping his blanket over billy’s shoulders. he goes out of his way to tighten it around him, making sure it’s comforting and cozy around his trembling figure. he hesitates once again as he goes to walk away, fist clenching and unclenching at his side before he looks back to billy with sad, tired eyes and rests his hand on the blonde’s shoulder, squeezing just once before he walks away. the same hand is nervously flexing at his side once again.

Soul

Breaking news, everyone: Pixar made another slapper.

I’m gonna get it out of the way first, but the only (and yes, only. Not like someone trying to say “only” even though they have many more nitpicks that they just don’t want to talk about) problem I had at all was that the super high realism of the settings of Earth kind of made the more cartoony faces of the people look a little more off. But, it’s kinda like the same thing people were talking about with that cat in Toy Story 4. It looks super real, which is impressive, but I feel like it was almost too real compared to the faces. Obviously it was too real compared to the supernatural settings because that was intentional, but yeah. It’s not even a big problem, it’s just the only one I can think of. I do think the realistic renderings of hair, light, water, etc at least work with cartoony stuff, but apart from that it looked almost like it could’ve been a photograph, with no exaggeration in the buildings or anything else.

I mean, I love the faces, so I definitely wish they went the extra mile showing extra personality and character in the buildings, as faces do with characters. Considering the faces matter like a bazillion times more, I still think they knocked it out of the park on the visuals. People with more investment and knowledge into the topic already said that the faces of any of the people of color felt cartoony and unique while also being true to life and respectful (My family recently stumbled onto some old animations from the 30s and lemme tell ya... We’ve come a long way), but seriously the characters that sold me on the visuals were the Picasso-esque beings who may or may not be the Gods of the universe maybe?

Spoiler boundary of course. It’s definitely worth a watch.

And that’s honestly what made the realistic world so much better. When the accountant guy went into the real world to set the count right, it was one of the most fun I’ve had just watching something. The sheer contrast between him and the world was so much fun, and it even solidified that those beings weren’t even acting in a different dimension or anything. They’re literally just beings that exist, meaning that all the other parts with the unborn souls and such are just as real as Earth. Or, even better, they’re the ones who can just casually rip a hole in dimensions. As far as depictions of Gods go, if they are even Gods at all, I think they’re one of the best I’ve ever seen. They feel like they could actually be how Gods actually exist, since all the commonalities of Gods involve supernatural power, which would suggest they’re supernatural themselves. I mean, I have a story with Gods in it too and they’re basically just that although admittedly a lot less imaginative.

With those guys being my favorite design, second place definitely goes to the lost souls, although obviously for more subjective reasons. 1) They’re purple, 2) They have one eye, 3) That eye is yellow which I always think is the best compliment to purple, 4) Tentacles, 5) Creepy in a kid’s movie. Franky, I would’ve made them a lot creepier, but even then they’re super creepy, if not visually then in their behavior. They’d just be kind of sad if they were just mumbling around, but since the first introduction to them starts charging at the main characters like a deranged monster. Considering how weird everything in that dimension is, finding something that isn’t nearly as innocent as everything else instantly invokes fear, since you have no idea what that thing can and wants to do to you. Sort of similar, I would’ve also made the “In the Zone” moments a bit more crazy and colorful, like when Joe fell through the void between the road to the Great Beyond and the You-seminar (is that how it’s spelled?), but these “I would do it differently”s might just be a fault of my design ideas or just subjective interests. I would’ve watched 2 hours of pure, nonsensical abstract worlds like the You-seminar with no explanation to how they work.

I definitely have a relief with the story, mostly entirely revolving around 22′s character. I was kind of worried she’d be too childish to really enjoy, but I feel like she was done really well. All the major historical figures’ remarks on how hopeless she were both funny and also really tied into her character “flaw” at the end as she was a lost soul. It might not be the most unique character archetype of all time, but it definitely makes sense, with all the people bringing her down implanting in her mind that she was an anomaly, and after a while was just sort of following it. Plus, she seemed genuinely interested in Joe’s weirdness, instead of being super mindlessly irreverent. And her being able to expand Joe’s understanding about his own world, like with the barber and his student, brings her up as more than a whiny, bratty child in the scope of the story. She didn’t JUST learn.

Even though I kind of expected it from the get-go, I’m also relieved that the movie didn’t shy away as much with the dark elements of death. It was kind of suggested that this wasn’t going to be a perfectly casual romp through a magical afterlife like Inside Out was with the mind because of the unborn souls unabashedly saying “Hell” in the TRAILER of the movie. I feel like that alone made the story super interesting, because it shows they’re actually going to be a bit more serious with things instead of just simplifying the unknowable complexities of the before & afterlife. Even with the dead souls going into the Great Beyond, it was a mix of being weirdly peaceful for some and super scary for others. My family thought it was peaceful for the most part, but my mom specifically though it was terrifying, and even though it’s a lot more peaceful than almost all other depictions of death, I can’t blame her. The souls were just kinda accepting it, like they’d been brainwashed or something, but still acknowledged that they were dead and were going into the afterlife. Plus, Joe, being the main character who we are supposed to sort of reflect in a way, was super freaked out by it, so that could easily suggest it’s to be afraid of and the other people are the weird ones.

I think the true message of the story being so strange was better too, because it would’ve been so boring if it fell into a super basic message we’ve heard millions of times. I feel like it has a similar sentiment to the basic messages, but is at least a more interesting way of saying it, if it is even like that in the first place, because it’s also somewhat vague in a good way. I think my brother/mother misinterpreted and simplified things a bit too much, where they thought it was sort of like a happier way of saying “accept your lot in life and don’t change it.” I could probably go on a full other rant about why I think this is wrong, but part of it is I don’t really know how they came to this conclusion in the first place, considering with that scene with that guy who threw the computers off his desk as his lost soul was cured (I guess you could call it that?), who obviously realized he wasn’t okay with his lot in life and was destined to change it. I think they sort of misinterpreted “the spark” and other things it as a 100% for-real, this-is-how-the-real-world-works sort of way, and not as much as a fictional way of saying things. Not necessarily symbolic, but I guess symbolic also? It has some of the same weird logical problems as the Cutie Marks from My Little Pony, except they’re obviously better since Cutie Marks determine your life down to your very job some of the time, while “sparks” are more vague and seemingly up to you. They’re more like when an unborn soul realizes there’s something on Earth they want to figure out, not necessarily their hobbies or jobs. For example, they kind of cited the barber character as the one who supported their point, but I think he does the complete opposite. He wanted to be a vet, but he ended up being a barber. But, they sort of assumed his “spark” was to be a barber, and that his personal interests didn’t matter because the “spark” forced him into a less favorable job. But, in reality, I feel like his “spark” is more his interest in love for the people around him, which is why he decided to get a more practical job to support his daughter (wife? one of the two) when he really needed to. Plus, he still enjoys being a barber because his devotion to love lets him connect to people as he cuts their hair. After all, he seems to be succeeding in his goal, since Joe was just like “Hey, let’s go see this guy he’s the exact guy we need!” People who don’t show love and interest for others don’t make that kind of impression in people’s minds. I feel like if we knew each story of everyone’s life down to the last detail we could fully determine what the mechanics of the world and its people are meant to say from a fictional context, but with such a limited selection I don’t think you can say something so sure. Sure, every choice in a movie is made specifically for a purpose, but I feel like if a movie tries to hard to be like “Oh but don’t worry here’s an exception” a million times it gets bogged down by its own attempt to make the message as obvious as possible.

Anyway...

There are also a lot of neat little details I loved, like how even though they did this for basically no other point in the movie, they made sure to include people from all around the world in that mess of dead souls, firmly sort of putting in the idea that the entire globe is in a sense one single entity that leads to the same place. They could’ve so easily just made everyone speak English for that throwaway scene, but I feel like including people from all around the world was very beneficial. Even the EXTRA little things, like the path to the Great Beyond looking like the neck portion of a guitar with the metal bits that separate the notes, or the facial features of the Gods blurring when they turned their heads in the other direction.

But yeah, who would’ve guessed Pixar made another good movie, right? Even then, Soul’s in the upper echelon of Pixar films. I really hope they (and Disney) realize they can go bonkers with a movie and still benefit/survive from it, since they’re so damn rich and inherently profitable. I think AAA animated movies like this that are the perfect amount of artsy are few and far between, and we need more of them. If anything, I hope they get more artsy, but I guess I’ll still never say no to a fun fantastical romp either. Basically, Pixar has looped me into watching any and everything they produce because it’s never “bad” I think. In the grand scheme of quality, even their worst work (Cars 2) is still not “terrible,” per se, even if it feels like it exists more as a cash grab than a genuine tale.

The Best of 2019

What a year. By the time 2019 ended, I had seen over 130 new movies. It's actually probably closer to 150 but I lost count. There are a few titles I missed, such as The Dead Don’t Die, The Fanatic and Honeyland so obviously, this is not an all-encompassing, definitive list of 2019’s best, but it should give you a good idea of which films you need to check out if you haven’t already.

I usually like to save the #10 spot on my list for a movie that’s just for me. Normally, this would mean a giant monster movie, an off-beat creation nobody else saw, a comic book movie that spoke to my particular tastes or maybe a Canadian movie I know didn’t get the opportunity to shine like it should’ve. This year, that’s not happening. Trimming my list down to 10 was hard enough. I certainly wasn’t going to sacrifice one more to make it just 9. Let's dig in.

10. The Farewell

It’s been weeks since The Farewell and I’m still thinking about it. If I was put in the same position as Billi, I'm not sure what I'd do? Is it better to tell someone that's dying that their days are numbered, or should you spare them from that burden? Is it really them you’d be sparing, or is keeping the secret for your own selfish needs? Writer/director Lulu Wang asks serious questions about culture I had never contemplated before. There’s a lot for you here and even more if your family comes from mixed backgrounds.

9. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I heard some complaints about Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks) not being the main character of this film by Marielle Heller, from writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. It was the right choice. The plot has a cyical reporter meet Rogers and through their relatively brief interaction, learn what we knew going in. It delivers a moving character arc without having to stain its subject with flaws we didn't want to see. The quasi-meta presentation is what elevates it into top-10 status. That extra touch means it does a lot more than simply re-iterate what we saw in the 2018 documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?.

8. Knives Out

Knives Out is one of the most entertaining films all year. There are no profound moments of meditation, no earth-shattering realizations about yourself, just a mystery to be solved. All the suspects are so intriguing they could be the stars of their own movies. Put together in the same house as a dead body and you’ve got no idea who did it. Its screenplay is excellent. The twists are juicy. Everything ads up in a satisfying manner. Rian Johnson is already working on a sequel. I can’t wait.

7. Apollo 11

There are few holdovers from the list I made halfway through the year, which either says something about the strength of the second half of 2019, or the weakness of the first. Either way, you’ve got to see Apollo 11. It’s the closest thing to going back in time and being there when man landed on the moon. The tension and anticipation are overwhelming. Knowing what happened doesn't matter. The way the footage is assembled is nothing short of incredible. Why this documentary wasn't present at the Academy Awards is beyond me.

6. Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler should’ve been nominated for an Oscar. He wasn’t. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts it's because of his association with all of those brain-dead Happy Madison Production comedies. His history with cinema shouldn't matter. The movie is what matters. The fact is, this was the perfect role for him. It isn’t even that Sandler’s doing something different, it’s that he’s being used to his full potential. If you weren’t glued to the screen, eager to see what’s coming next, this movie would have you jumping out of the window screaming - anything to escape the anxiety the Safdie Brothers serve up with devilish grins.

5. The Lighthouse

Next on my list is The Lighthouse. Right away, the aspect ratio and black-and-white cinematography lets you know you’re in for something different. You have no idea. What I love so much about this film is the way it handles madness. At the end of the day, I’m not sure if I could tell you if Robert Pattinson’s character was crazy, if Willem Dafoe’s character was the nutty one, or if they both were. It shows you just enough to make you doubt your own sanity. It’s also unexpectedly funny, which makes it feel oddly genuine. In one scene, Robert Pattinson's Ephraim Winslow gets a hold of the lighthouse's logs. In it, his boss, Thomas (Willem Dafoe) recommends Ephraim be disciplined for masturbating excessively. Considering Thomas has been cavorting with some kind of tentacle creature up in the lighthouse (at least that's what I think I saw, I'm not so sure anymore), all you can do is laugh. What kind of loony bin is this turning into? One I'm looking forward to revisiting.

4. 1917

Shot in a way that makes it all look like one take, 1917 is a technical marvel. It hooks itself up to your circular system and steadily replaces your blood with pure, undistilled stress. As you're about to flatline, it stops and gives you a breather. A shot of a meadow untouched by the ravages of war; a reminder of what the soldiers are fighting for and of how utterly devastating armed combat is on humanity as a whole. Gorgeous cinematography, powerful emotions, magnificent production values.

3. Joker

Along with Godzilla: King of the Monsters (a movie they basically made for me), this was my most anticipated movie of the year. To get ready, I watched Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, two Scorsese films Joker director Todd Phillips drew a lot of inspiration from. For some reason, it seems as though many critics took offense to the similarities. Sometimes I understand differing opinions from mine. This time, I don’t. It’s a great film that warns of the dangers of letting people like Arthur Fleck (brilliantly performed by Joaquin Phoenix) fall through the cracks. Left unchecked, he discovers that by doing terrible things, he becomes a “better” version of himself. It’s not a drama. It’s a horror movie that spins the familiar Batman archenemy in a new direction but also stays true to the character. There are several scenes in this movie that are going to be permanently imprinted in my brain. Those stairs. Need I say more?

Runner-ups

Avengers: Endgame

Even if every single Marvel movie going forward is awful, this caps off the whopping 22-chapter saga epically. A couple of aspects bugged me enough that it could only manage to make the runner-up list but it's a terrific film.

Booksmart

The funniest comedy of the year. I think back to Amy and Molly using their hairs as masks and still can't manage to hold back a few chuckles months later.

Toy Story 4

This one was hard to cut. The only flaw I could find was that it isn’t on the same level as 3… even though they’re both 5-star movies.

Midsommar

I’ve heard the extended cut is even better than the original. I wish I’d had the chance to see it in theatres.

Jojo Rabbit

Audacious and heartfelt. I loved those scenes of Scarlett Johanson being a mom. Her agent might've dropped the ball getting her cast in Ghost in the Shell but she sure knew how to pick great work in 2019.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino brings us back to a time when Roman Polanski was simply a good director instead of a convicted rapist, movie stars were untouchable, and the death of someone’s wife under mysterious circumstances was nothing to raise eyebrows about. It’s not a movie that screams “here and now”. If anything, it’s regressive. That said, I cannot deny the experience I had watching it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kinda thing and I doubt even Tarantino could pull it off again. I wonder how many people went in knowing what happened to Sharon Tate like I did.

Marriage story

It’s nothing but raw emotion and powerhouse performances in this drama about two people you love going through a divorce. I always make it my goal to watch movies all the way through without any interruptions. Several times throughout, I was tempted to hit "Pause" so I could catch my breath.

Internet lists are everywhere. You know why, don’t you? They suck you in and when you get down to it, most don’t require all that much effort to put together. Except when I make them, apparently. These bi-annual lists always turn out to be difficult to put together. 2019's proved particularly arduous. I’m fairly sure that my #3 movie belongs there. Out of all the movies on this list, it’s probably the one I’m going to go back to most often. The other two? I’d say that technically, one may be better than the other but I think the other one is “more important” so that gives it the edge. What I’m trying to say is, they’re all winners and on a different day, I might even swap them around.

2. Little Women

I have only seen three of the seven silver screen adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s novel and I don’t expect any of the others to top this one. The secret ingredient to this one's success is Greta Gerwig. Writing and directing, she does so much more than merely translate the classic to movie form. She re-arranges the story to give the events a greater punch than they would if they were shown chronologically and puts a little more emphasis on a couple of key moments (that tear-jerking Christmas, for example) to crank up the emotion. She also makes it more modern without having to change anything about the setting or characters. Admittedly, the back-and-forth between the past and present is a little jarring at first - makes you wonder what Greta Gerwig could’ve done had she been given the de-aging budget Martin Scorsese was given - but that’s where the performances and costumes come in. It takes mere moments before you get what the movie is doing. I’ve said it already but it made me cry.

1. Parasite

To make this list, I didn’t go through all of my past reviews and check which ones were rated what. I thought back to which movies gave me the most vivid memories, which ones gave me the biggest reactions. I’m still not sure how I feel about the final final moment but there’s so much about Parasite that I admire. This would be a great one to watch with others just to see their reactions to the reveal about the bookcase.

Destiel Fic Rec List Part 1

Last Updated in October 2014. Posted in May 2020 for posterity. Listed in no particular order - the total rec list will have ~250 fics. Header graphic used with permission.

This part of the list contains: 48 fics.

Other Destiel Rec Lists: [1]. [2]. [3]. [4]. [5]. [6]. [7].

For Science! by pm_lo E | 21k | ABO, Omega!cas, Alpha!Dean,

Selected transcripts and supporting materials from Dr. Castiel Williams and Dean Winchester’s seminal study on physiological and psychological sexual response by gender designation.

Even though this is a dialogue/email text only story, I still very much enjoyed it and found it ridiculously hot. Maybe I'm just easy. (No I'm not. This fic is good, read it.)

Forget-Me-Not Blues by noangelsinthegarrison E | 68k | Firefighter!Dean, Professor!Cas, Misunderstandings, Mutual Pining

Sam and Jess are getting married and Dean couldn’t be any happier for them. Honestly, they’re kind of disgustingly perfect for each other and Dean’s pretty damn excited about staying with them the week before the wedding. He’s Sam’s best man, of course, and he doesn’t even mind that Jess has her own best man to share in all the organizational duties. The more the merrier, right? Except Dean must have done something to epically piss off the universe because Jess’s best man just happens to be Castiel friggin’ Novak. He’s got even hotter since High School, but apparently no friendlier and if Cas wants to spend the week pretending like they’ve never met before? Fine. Two can play at that game.

THIS WAS SO GOOD I'M TEARING UP. tropes abound and I love it!

Cops and Robbers by kinkstiel E | 53k [WIP] | Detective!Dean, Criminal!Cas, Top!Cas, Bottom!dean

They locked eyes for a minute and then Cas leaned back as far as the cuffs would let him go, spreading his legs obscenely wide. “I want you to suck my cock, Dean.” Dean balked, mouth going dry in a second, eyes slipping to the now visible bulge in Castiel’s suit pants. “Um,” he said stupidly, face flushing red, eyes unable to pull away. Cas hummed. “Depending on how well you suck me, I might just tell you everything you want to know.” He licked his lips, smirking slightly when he caught Dean’s gaze. “And with sinful little lips like yours,” he made a low whistling sound, “I don’t doubt you’ll get every last name out of me.

So very good. Love the dark and dirtiness of it. It does get lighter and sappier towards the end tho.

Cursed or Not ❤ by Ltleflrt E | 115k | witch!Cas, shapeshifter!Dean, switching

While experimenting with magic when he was a kid, Sam accidentally cursed Dean. Now, Dean is forced to wear a spelled amulet constantly, or he'll turn into a random animal. For a little over a decade, he's learned to live with the curse, and has even found it useful in some cases, but he sure would be happier without it. When he meets a witch named Castiel, he's offered a deal. Instead of assuming all witches are bad, Dean can spend a season getting to know him. If at the end of the season, Dean still thinks he's evil Castiel will send him away with his memory wiped of the whole experience. But if he learns that Castiel is not the monster Dean assumes he is, he'll lift Dean's curse. It's an offer Dean can't bring himself to pass up.

Literally perfect. Enthralling world, magical relationship.    

Surprise Package by wannaliveindeansdimples E | 3k | Hot, , Dom Cas, Sub Dean, Light BDSM

When Cas' roommate Meg has to go out of town suddenly, she leaves him an unexpected gift.

So so hot. Non extreme Dom!cas and sub!dean.    

Never Have I ever by sweetdean M | 78k | Fluff,  High School AU, top!cas, bottom!dean

When Jo drags Dean along to a game of "never have I ever" with her friends, he finds himself getting caught up in a lot more than just a game. “Never have I ever hung out with such an asshole,” Dean countered, positively shocked at his own sass. Cas smirked again. “Oh, are we hanging out now?fricken adorable  

Road Signs by gemmiel E | 9k| Canon!verse, true form

Dean is curious about how angels have sex. Castiel shows him.

Damn. True form, soul sex, and regular sex. Yes please.    

It's Brilliant, Really by snarkymonkey E | 15k | Fluff,  AU, Professor!cas, Stuntman!dean

Castiel Novak is a History adjunct at Stanford University. He's also the most patient younger brother. When his older brother, Gabriel, decides to start *wooing* one of his younger waiters, Castiel reluctantly agrees to double-date with the intended paramour's older brother. What he didn't expect, however, was how much his own life would flip over such a careless decision.

Adorable. Hot, and adorable.  

Gabriel's Unfortunate Mistake by JackHawksmoor E | 8k | Hot,  AU

an answer to a prompt: Gabriel decides to hire a prostitute for his virgin brother Castiel as a joke, but instead accidentally hires Dean, a professional Dom. The moment Dean first lays a hand on him, Castiel knows he is lost. Dean/Castiel AU.

Um mm.... Damn. That was hot. Newbie sub!cas and pro dom!dean    

Well-Beloved Unto Me by  Moorishflower E | 3k | Alt!Canon, tentacles

The Winchesters don't get rewarded for all the shit they go through, so Dean is understandably wary when a few recharged and promoted angels offer him and Sam the vacation of a lifetime. Title comes from the Song of Solomon.

True form. And sex. MY FAVE.  

How to Date an Angel in 12 Easy Steps by Fourthduckling E | 23k | Fluff,  Alt!canon

It's not that hard to date an angel. All Dean has to do is fight off hordes of vampires, research gay porn, get sucked into a crappy Narnia, endure Sam's comments, creep out on Dr. Sexy, get harassed -- oh, and that's right-- figure out he's into Cas. Easy, right?

SQUUEEEE. Perfect and cute and cuddly.  

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right But Three Rights Make A Left by the0voice0from0above E | 45k | High School AU, Dancer!Cas, Welder!Dean,

The beautiful Garrison Ballet School becomes home to a reckless bunch of misfits after the Colt Welding Academy is severely damaged in a fire and has to close for repairs. Needless to say, Castiel and his friends clash with their unwanted guests but there's one boy in particular who infuriates him.

Dancer!au. Love it love it love it!    

Rest My Angel by cobalt_wings E | 86k | Fluff,  Season 9 AU

Angels are falling from the sky, and Dean is losing it. Sam is dying in his arms, and one of those burning, twisting figures blazing through the night air might be his very own angel, Castiel. What can he do to help those he loves?

Sex and domestic and lots of fucking. My fave.    

One Species Too Many by wallmakerrelict E | 21k | Fluff,  Alt!canon

While Dean is laid up for a month after breaking his leg on a hunt, Cas decides that it's a perfect time to adopt a litter of kittens. But even though he's gotten better since Purgatory, Cas still isn't quite the same as he was before fixing Sam's head, and being trapped in a cabin with him for weeks on end is making that all the more obvious to Dean. When Sam takes off on a hunt, Dean has to figure out on his own how to navigate his new relationship with Cas while also helping to raise a bunch of fuzzballs that aren't even cute. Not even a little bit. (Well, maybe a little bit.)

Team free will with kittens!! So fluffy and domestic but also a touch of angst.    

It's A Bet by vitamindesi E | 34k | College AU, top!cas, bottom!dean

Destiel College!AU in which freshman Dean is dared by his best friends to hit on senior Castiel at a party. He wants to say no but then someone starts a bet and Benny bets a sum that is ridiculously high for a student and Dean can’t disappoint Benny, right? I deviated only, but hopefully it suffices.

So fabulous and smutty I want to cry. Literally perfection.

Your Call Cannot Be Completed As Dialed by eBob, K_K_TiBal T | 66k [WIP] | Fluff,  College AU

AU in which Castiel accidentally sends a text message to the wrong number and befriends the person at the other end of the line. However, accidents don’t just happen accidentally, and sometimes two completely different people are exactly what the other needs.

LITERALLY THE BEST. So many feelings. I WANT IT TO BE COMPLETE SO MUCH. Abandoned WIP.    

Equinox by luchia E  | 12k | Alt!canon, time travel

In which Castiel is the weird time-traveling freak who just might be the love of Dean Winchester's life.

Confusing but perfect time travel fic.   

If I run by betty days E | 4k | Hot,  AU, sexting, long distance relationship

"Dean Winchester is a red-blooded American male. He lifts all the things. He aims for functional strength. He counts his macros and makes fun of curlbros. He is not a member of the Tarahumara tribe and he will not read Born to Run, no matter how many times Sam tells him to, because Starting Strength is the only book Dean will ever fucking need." Wherein a friendly competition with the mysterious ThursdaysAngel turns into a sexy selfie-trading spree that motivates Dean Winchester to train for his first marathon.

Soo. Hot. Makes me want to actually exercise?    

The Little Things by Alreadypainfullygone T | 2k | Angst,  Cancer, Major Character Death

Au based on 'the big C' in which Dean gets very sick, and deals with it the denial way. Meeting a homeless man on the way. Dean/Castiel Angst. Warning for trigger - Cancer. sorry if you think I dealt with it badly.

This is only 2.8k words, and yet it managed to make me cry.    

Do What Feels Good by  Catchclaw, cymbalism E | 12k | Hot,  Alt!canon, PWP

Castiel learns to love alone time in the shower. And then he learns to share.

Fuuuuuck that was hot. Castubation and shower sex is just so hnnnggg.    

All That Is And Used To Be by MisaChan E | 26k | Alt!Canon, wing!Kink

Dean never even knew anyone was living in the old estate outside of town until its mysterious occupant contracts his shop for a very specific job: a custom piano bench with grooves cut into the back. He finds Castiel and his terms to be eccentric with a capital E but the money is too good to turn down and anyway, Dean can't help indulging his curiosity about the guy and his secretive, isolated life. There are secrets that will not stay hidden and stories that refuse to be forgotten. Especially when they happen to involve Dean Winchester and the angel Castiel.

Ugh, I love this story. Concept, execution, and characterization are all perfect.    

Do I Have Something Like That? by MysticMoonhigh E | 2k | Hot,  horn!kink, wing!kink

based on the tumblr post I made: Does anybody know any demon!Dean fics where Cas makes Dean climax by basically giving his demon horns a hand job because I want this so badly out of lifE | I'm. I've read this about three times and I think I'm finally coming to terms with my alien biology kink. Hot. Wink!kink and horn!kink. Yes.    

The Doctor Will See You Now by  PetrichorPerfume E | 7k| Hot,  PWP sub!dean, gentle dom!cas, wing!kink

Dean has a medical kink. Castiel is more than happy to oblige. Starring Castiel as the slightly unorthodox Dr. Novak who enjoys prescribing enforced chastity and daily tease and denial sessions, and Dean as his needy, submissive patient who will do anything for a chance to come.

Wowowwowowow. Um. This was super hot. Nnnghhhh.    

Into Your Hideaway by thepinupchemist E  | 176k |Angst,  a/b/o, omega!dean, alpha!cas, mpreg

Driving down a deserted road in the Rocky Mountains, Castiel finds something unexpected: An omega. Not only an omega, but a naked, injured, pregnant omega. Dean doesn't talk much at first, but that doesn't change the brightness of his soul. It also doesn't stop Castiel from falling in love with him.

I just... Wow. This was an amazing story. Beware that it is possibly very triggering, because of rape, assault, violence, and general bigotry. But perhaps because of all of that, you get a story that is almost painful in its reality, and it is all the more loveable for that.    

The World Crashing All Around by thepinupchemist E | 36k| Alt!canon, best friends wing!Kink, kid!fic

During a storm in September of 1987, Dean and Sam hear something hit their roof. When they brave the backyard to investigate, they find a fledgling angel. A story about best friendship, spoiled plans, and love, in four parts.

OH MY GOD. This was perfect all the way through. From soul bonds, to slow burn, to growing up together as best friends, it's all my favorite. And it even has wing kink, which is literally the best.    

Share Your Burden by aTimeOfMagic E | 3k Hot,  PWP, Sub!dean, dom!cas

Set at the end of 'Are You There God? It's Me Dean Winchester.' 4.02. Castiel shows Dean that he deserves respect, and Dean comes to see that Cas is not, in fact, just a 'hammer'. He also learns that his 'people skills' are definitely not entirely 'rusty'.

Damn. Um, really hot. Also, unexpectedly sweet.    

Flawless by Vaerin E | 69k | a/b/o, accidental bonding, sub!dean, dom!cas

A contract is out on the Winchesters, a large sum of money the reward for throwing them off their game. A witch in the town they happen to be passing through decides to collect. She sets her sights on Dean, trying to seduce him into leaving his job to stay with her. When she can't even convince him to warm her bed, she decides to turn her job into his punishment. Knowing he fears commitment and can't stand the thought of being with a man, she works a spell between him and Castiel... the one friend he can call a safe haven. When they end up mated the next morning, not only does the Winchester family business suffer... but so does Dean's friendship with Castiel.

Cute long soul bond fic. Contains sabriel.    

Chasing Normal by Donovanspen M | 16k | Fluff,  First time, Cuddling & Snuggling

Dean reevaluates his definition of an 'apple pie life' and what that means for him, personally.

This is the definition of domestic fluff and smut. There's a wee bit of angst because hey, it's set in the canon verse. But so worth it.    

Hold On by somuchforbaggles E | 92k | Fluff,  Angst,   mental illness

Castiel is sure that nothing in his life will ever change. Everything that happens to him is predictable, from the stability of his job to the unrelenting sporadic anxiety attacks, he can rely on his life to stay the same forever - until he saves Dean Winchester from the path of an oncoming train. From then on, everything changes for both of them, and the only way they can deal with it is together.

Woww. This was an amazing ride. Angsty and fluffy, then angsty again, then back to fluffy. So good.    

I said to myself again by avyssoseleison E | 2k | Fluff,  Praise!kink, Self-esteem issues

Dean finally lets himself be appreciated and cared for by his angel.

Praise kink is my ultimate weakness    

The One Thing You Can't Lose by MajorEnglishEsquire T | 4k | Fluff,  Cuddling & Snuggling

You know what I like a lot? The thought that Dean can just tug Cas anywhere at any time and Cas, who can lift tons without effort, who can demolish things with the light of his grace, who has battled and gone to war, has defended and broken, will just let Dean do it.

fluffy love    

Spit Slick by VeraBAdler M | 1k | Fluff, , First Time

[no description]

A super cute fluffy little oneshot :3 (tags say 'happy sex' and 'sexy cuddling' if you need more to go on)  

Late Bloomer by somuchforbaggles T | 7k | Alt!Canon, Wing!kink, Wingfic, Soulmates

On every child’s seventh birthday, a celebration is held to mark the beginning of their journey as a fledgling - a sprouting ceremony. It doesn’t matter if the child hasn't shown the symptoms of emerging wings yet, for it is scientific fact that every child grows wings in their seventh year, sometimes even earlier. Castiel is not every child.

A coming of age wing fic. With mates. Basically, I'm in love.    

Sleight of Hand by aileenrose M | 64k | Angst,  Human AU, psychic cas, journalist dean

Dean Winchester has interviewed them all--mob bosses, serial killers, crooked politicians. Next he plans to unveil the con-man who markets himself as Castiel, a reclusive and secretive "healer" who claims to heal the sick in return for thousands of dollars. Dean's expecting a challenge, but he never expected Castiel to be so clueless or sweet...or that he might be telling the truth.

I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS AU. The one where Dean is a skeptical journalist/professional idiot and Cas is a socially inept healer and mind reader. There's lots of angst, but the payoff is so worth it.    

Leaning In by Anonymous T | 15k | Hospital AU

Castiel never changed out his scrubs, Dean had a way of getting himself injured and Sam seemed to think it was a good pairing

Even though I have no idea who actually wrote this story, it's worth a read. I'm always up for a good medical AU.    

Someone I Forgot to Be by  MatildaMavis E | 36k Fluff,  Angst,  Human AU

Castiel is content - sort of - with his quiet life in Boston...at least, until his new neighbor moves in. It's Dean Winchester, the cliched long lost love of his life. Can these two idiots find their way back to each other after eight years, after fame and loss and heartbreak? After Dean has found love again with Cas' neighbor, Lisa? Fate can be a sadistic bitch, they've both learned that, but maybe they've matured enough to be able to handle it this time. The sparks, the attraction, the tension...or maybe not.

I thought this would be extremely painful, and it sort of was. But it was so worth it.    

Didn't Get That Particular Memo by Snarkymonkey E | 5k

Dean has worked with his best friend for years and maybe it's a bit more than that for him but not for Castiel, right? Right. And really, he'd feel so much better if Castiel would just get a companion already. Because it's not like Castiel actually wants him, right? Right.

Damn, that was fucking hot.  

Cas, You Had A Baby? by allthebeautifulthings9828 M | 132k | Fluff,  Alt!Canon, Kid Fic, Slow Build

At some point in every angel's life, raising a fledgling is required. Castiel's turn comes rather unexpectedly when his superiors hand off a newly created infant angel to him and leave him to raise it with all of Heaven's principles of blind obedience. He's not sure what to do, so he tucks the fledgling in his coat and goes straight to Dean and Sam Winchester. Together, Dean and Castiel hatch a plan to raise the fledgling away from Heaven's control. And soon, the angel Hael arrives with news that, after Castiel disappeared, she and four other angels ran from Heaven's oppression with their fledglings. Castiel finds himself the unwitting ringleader of angels choosing to raise their fledglings with the principles of free will. Is angelic parenthood too much for his deepening relationship with Dean? Who can they really trust? (Disclaimer: This story depicts fledglings consuming honey for the nourishment of their undeveloped graces. Human babies cannot consume honey, so please do not feed it to your infants. This is fiction.)

Oh. My. God. I admit that I was skeptical at the beginning about this story, but let me tell you, it sucked me in. Sometimes, you run across a story that has wonderful OCs that you get attached to. This is one of those. And of course, the baby is adorable.    

Healing by Jacqueline Albright-Beckett M | 2k | Fluff,  Canon!verse, PWP

Castiel can heal more than just physical wounds.

Sensual and romantic.    

Better Late Than Never by whelvenwings G | 23k | Fluff,  Alt!canon, friends to lovers,

When Dean first sees Castiel, he's clinging on for dear life - and things never really get any easier. In fact, they get a lot harder; Dean's worst enemy isn't always the monkey bars. Bound together year on year by the ritual pact of being a Guardian Angel, Dean and Cas grow close, showing loyalty and bravery in the face of danger. But will they ever find the courage to admit their true feelings for each other - and will it be too late by the time they do?

i LOVE best friends to lovers fics! and this delivers on that perfectly.    

Like A Candle In The Window On A Cold Dark Winter's Night by TardisIsTheOnlyWayToTravel T | 6k | Fluff,  Canon!verse, asexual Cas

In which Castiel saves Dean, Dean saves Castiel, there is beer and TV watching, and if it weren't for the monsters and assassination attempts, life would be almost perfect.

A cute little fic I've read multiple times :)    

How many slams in an old screen door? by dandelioness T | 15k | Fluff,  Theatre AU, Asexual Cas

In which Castiel is a theatre major terrible at first impressions; Dean is a set designer who likes Cas anyway; and the most chaotic production of Les Miserables in history somehow manages to go off without a hitch. Or, just as you should never give a moose a muffin (because he'll want some jam to go with it), you should never give a blank check to a university theatre department.

This is perfect. I can't speak for the accuracy of the information and feelings given about asexuals/asexuality, but I enjoyed this fic nonetheless.    

Breath of Heaven by solacesnake18 E | 9k

When Dean is wounded and dying in Purgatory, Castiel returns from his self-imposed exile to help him.

Wow. True!form cas and metaphysical sex that somehow manages to be poetic, emotional, and erotic all at once. I approve.    

The Mirror by CloudyJenn M | 24k | Canon!Verse,

When Dean touches a strange mirror, he's whisked away to one alternate reality after another and it doesn't take him long to realize the universe is trying to tell him something.

One of my favorite fics, and a fandom classic. So beautiful. It's a trip, but you'll love it. The ending makes me really emotional.    

Rock 'n' Roll Queer Bar by chasingrabbits E | 121k | Fluff,  Human AU

Ellen and Jo Harvelle run Harvelle's Roadhouse, a bar that unintentionally becomes a beacon for wayward queer souls. Her employees: Dean, the smartass runaway with a big heart and bigger mouth; Castiel, the college drop-out turned hippie; his (surprisingly heterosexual) trouble-making brother Gabriel; and Charlie, who has been told several times that the back room is not to be used for after-hours Dungeons & Dragons games. But there's a lot of love in this place, and a new family for anyone who may otherwise be without.

Sweet little (well, not so little really) universe. Link is to the series.    

A Million Ways to Go by chasingrabbits E | 91k | High School AU,

Castiel Novak is a preacher's son living in a world of black and white. Pragmatic and dutiful, he doesn't understand why anybody would want to make waves. Then the Winchesters move in down the street. Soon many of the skeletons in the Novak family's closet are exposed, and as the family faces them, Castiel begins to understand that there are many ways to see the world and so many more ways to live than what he's been told.

Wow, this was a ride. Set in an alternate!canon where Cas is a repressed preacher's kid and dean still grows up a hunter. Also, lots of Sam and Gabriel brother!feels. Not sabriel.

Like That Foreigner Song... by DevilMadeMeDoIt E | 5k | Hot,  Alt!Canon, Deancest, Time trave

Dean and Cas have been together for a while now, but Dean always regrets that he has been with so many people in the past. He wishes he could go back in time and tell his 15 year old self that there is someone worth waiting for. Cas gives him the chance and the outcome is one that neither of them expected.

Oh god, this was a perfect little story. So much love.    

TutorMate by faeryn M | 21k | College AU

Sam leaves Dean's laptop logged in to some app called "TutorMate" and Dean meets his brother's tutor. Cas helps him with his own work and they strike up a friendship. Before long Dean finds himself growing attached to the cute, clever Cas and flirtatiously suggests they go on a date if he applies himself to his college work. Cas agrees, but Dean discovers his online friend is not quite what he expected. (Or, in which Dean thinks he's met a cute girl and finds out he's actually met a cute boy.)

Wowowwowowow adorable. Perfect little college AU.    

More recs coming soon.

Cooking Dates 12th Doctor x Partner Reader

@pompeiianbollocker

It was one of those rare days were you weren’t on some forgein planet or running for your lives. It was one of those sweet, simple days where you and The Doctor enjoyed each others company in pure domestic bless. You have been travelling with the Timelord for just over two years now and in the last, roughly, six months, You have been dating.

You remember bringing up the idea of theses dates to The Doctor a few weeks ago, he didn’t really understand what you were trying to say.

“Just one day every now and then to spend with each other.” You calmly smiled.

“We spend everyday together.” The Doctor pointed out, confusion written all over his aged features. You sighed to yourself knowing this was going to be difficult to explain.

“Yeah, I know but I want it to be just us, without any immediate danger lurking around each corner, perhaps just us in the T.A.R.D.I.S?” You suggested.

“Why would we do that?” He frowned again.

“It’s romantic, well by Earth standards.”

That really seemed to offend The Timelord who started ranting about how he was over 2000 years old, he knew romance, he was practically Doctor Love! That everything he planned for us was romantic and my idea of doing nothing wasn’t going to top anything we’ve already done.

Trying to ease his wounded ego, you just suggest that you try your idea once and if he was right then you wouldn’t do it again. He childishly agreed only because “there’s no way, Human days in are better then all of space and time.” It was almost 2 months later and you regularly have these stay in days.

“[Y/N], what mundane human activity do you have planned for us today?” The Doctor grumbled. You looked up from the book you were reading, towards The Doctor, he was trying to bite back a smile. You rolled your eyes at his antics, placing a book mark in the book you were reading.

“Well I got lost again yesterday.” You started, The Doctor just you a look of pure disbelief. He opened his mouth to say something, probably a retorting remark knowing him so you cut him off and spoke louder than necessary. “Anyway, I stumbled across a kitchen, did you know we had a kitchen?”

“Yes, of course, where would I put my groceries?”

“What? Groceries? When do you even have time to go shopping.”

The Doctor just gave you a pointed look while geasturing all around him.

“Oh, yeah, time travel.” You mumbled before composing yourself. “Anyway, I think we should cook together, I can teach you.”

“What do you mean teach me?” The Doctor huffed. “I can cook.”

“Uh Huh.” You agreed sarcastically. “I’ve know you for 2 years and not once have you ever cook. We always get takeout.”

“I just haven’t cook recently, but it’s like riding a horse.” You were about to question his anology but decided against it. “Come on let’s go.”

The Doctor grabbed you hand and pulled you down the T.A.R.D.I.S many corridors in Search for the kitchen.

...

“So,” you dragged out as you pulled your sleeves up “what are we cooking?”

The Doctor thought hard for a second before walking to what you assumed was a cupboard. It was one of 5 small cupboards, all in a row above what you assumed was a stove, by the 4 elements on top of it.

“I was hoping we could start simple, like baking a cake!” You suggested as you walked over to the taller man and wrabbed your arms around his thin waist, you waited for him to flinch but found him sigh and lean back into you slightly. A small smile pulled at the corners of your lips and you squeezed your [E/C] eyes together. You remember the early days in your travels together and how The Doctor was against physical contact of any kind, you both had come so far.

“Hmm, what ingredients normally go into a cake?” The Doctor asked over his shoulder.

“I thought you knew how to cook?” You teased, The Doctor sent you glare that you supposed was supposed to be threatening but instead made you giggle, that seemed to further frustrate the Timelord, who was full blown pounting now. Taking pity on you boyfriend you controlled you laughs and answered him seriously. “Flour, eggs, milk, Uh butter,-“

“Argh, Earth stuff.” He groaned, rolling his eyes. You quickly let go of him and crossed your arms, glared up at the taller man.

“What do you mean by that?” You glared, The Doctor opened his mouth and glanced at you sideways because choking on his words. He straightened himself out before calming replying.

“I’m just fresh out of Earth animal products.”

You nodded your head in understanding before stepping in front of him to open one of the cuppords. A chilly breeze hit your skin instantly, making tiny goosebumps arise up your arms. The Doctor placed his large, gentle hands on either arm and rubbed quickly trying to warm you up with the friction.

“It’s a freezer?” You stuttered out. The Doctor nodded, leaning over you and closing the small cupboard door.

“The temperatures are significantly colder than regular Earth freezers.”

“What kind of food do you keep in here?” You asked, your natural curiousity spiking up again. You walked across the bench and ran your fingers over the other non-cupboards, stopping on one two down from the freezer. Your fingers reached for the handle, The Doctor wrapped his bony fingers around your wrist, stopping you in your place.

“Not a good idea without safety gear.”

You turned towards him with wide eyes, a little scared what that means.

“Obviously, you don’t have any normal food in here, so what are we going to cook?”

The Doctor thought for a moment before walking back over to the freezer and opening it. He put his hand in as he squinted his blue eyes, trying to search for something unknown to you. After a few unsuccessful attempts he moved his hand in more and more, untill his entire arm was in the freezer.

“Bigger on the inside?” You laughed as you watched him struggle to get anymore of his arm in, suddenly his eyes widen as he quickly ripped his arm out. Attached to his finger tips was some sort of crustacean the size of a cat, it had two thin tenticales that were firmly wrapped around The Doctor wrist, a scorpion-like tail that had a large crab claw on the end and unfortunately it was very much alive. You let out a shriek as your boyfriend frantically flicked his arm trying to get the creature to let him go.

“Doctor what do I do?” You screamed out over the sound of The Doctors frantic breaths and the Aliens high pitch scream. The Doctor forced his hand down onto the bench and placed his other hand firmly down on top of the creatures tail.

“Behind the plates were the tentacles come out, there is a soft patch of skin that his directly over its brain. I’m sorry but I’m going to need to press your thumb into it.” The Doctor sorrowfully answered, his expression grim and regretful as he made eye contact with you. You hesitated, you knew The Doctor had a no kill policy, and quite frankly you don’t think you had the guts to kill. The Doctor must have seen the look of horror in your eyes as you contemplated your decisions.

“It won’t kill it.” He quickly rushed out, “They have three brains, all for different functions, this will just paralysis it.”

Suddenly the undersides of its armour started to glow a deep purple, glowing brighter and brighter and its screech got louder and higher in pitch. “What’s it doing?” You panicked. The purple glow started to slowly steep down its tentacles towards The Doctor’s hand.

“[Y/N]!” The Doctor snapped, his face full of panic. You quickly shoved your thumb under the creatures hard armour. It’s skin underneath was silky and wet, making you cringe in disgust, you felt a slight bulge under its skin and pressed down. The creature groaned as it suddenly froze up, the purple glow disappearing. The Doctor sighed in realese as he detached his hand from its grip, rubbing his wrist that was now marked with angry red lines.

“Can I let go yet?” You asked, shakily. The Doctor shook his head, holding up one finger as he quickly walked back over to the freezer, sticking his hand back in once again. You eyes widen in slight shock, was he actually going back in for a round two? A few seconds later he pulled his arm back out with what looked like a bunch of grapes, except the ‘grapes’ were about the size of kiwi fruits and a dark purple.

“What are they?”

“Eggs.” The Doctor smiled, “like chicken eggs, except the chicken is an Alien crab-scorpion and the eggs are well.. this.” He mumbled.

“Are they fertilised?”

“No, The Duür are mammals, mate and birth live babes, they lay these egg sacks for food.” He explained as he placed the egg bunch on the bench and finally approached you and the Duür, you were still paralysising. He gentle picked it up with both hands as you continued to press down on one of its brains.

“On the count of three we’ll gently toss it back into the freezer, Okay?” You nodded quickly as you step in time with the man towards the cupboard it came from.

“One.” You wet your lips, a nervous tick.

“Two.” You tightened your grip on the Duür’s pressure point.

“Three!” You quickly fastened your pace towards the open fridge, only letting go once The Doctor instructed you too. The door was slammed shut as soon as your hands were out of harms way. Panting, you both looked at eachother before erupting into a fit of giggles. You leaned into his arms, nuzzling your face into his vest covered chest.

“All that trouble for space grapes.” You laughed, The Doctor chuckled, giving you a quick squeeze back before picking up the grapes.

“These are a delicacy across three galaxies, I’ll have you know.” He defended as he plucked an egg and bite into it as if it were an apple. A purple slim oozed out and dribbled down in chin, you may have gagged a little. He offer the egg out towards you as he had a slight difficulty chewing.

“No thanks, Hun.”

He shrugged as he continued to demolish the entire egg, wiping his mouth on his coat sleeve.

“So, what are we going to make with these?” You asked, eyeing the putrid looking food.

“A, Uh, dessert soup?” He mumbled, seeming a little confused himself.

“Are you sure you can cook?”

“Yes!” He snapped, “I just can’t describe the dish in a way that your tiny pudding brain can comprehend.”

“Pudding brain?” You hated when he acted superior, yes, he had thousands of years on you and had seem things you could only dream to imagine but it didn’t give in the right to put others down just because his ego was wounded. You were mad at the Timelord, who had turned his back towards you to rummage around the kitchen to collect the rest of the ingredients. You refused to help or speak to him till he apologised. After a few minutes of silences from your end The Doctor turned towards you with a curious look on his face.

“What’s this?” He asked as he geastured to your whole face. “Your doing a thing.”

You glared at him, crossing your arms to show him you mean business, hoping that he would realise what was wrong, He just stared blankly at you. He opened his coat and pulled out a small stack of que cards. He flipped through the cards, glancing up at you between each flip untill he stopped a one. You sighed as he walked towards you holding the card against your face, a deep look of concentration on his face.

“Doctor, I swear to a higher power, if you don’t get those damn emotion sample cards out of my face, I’m going to be even angrier.” You growled out. The Doctor quickly withdrew his hand but started to cheer.

“Yes! I knew it, Anger.”

You tried your hardest to stay mad at him but it was impossible, he was too much of an idiot. You buried you face into his chest to hide you wide grin.

“I love you, let’s start cooking.”

“I love you too but I thought you were angry with me?”

“I can’t stay made a you.” You laughed, “You’re the best thing that happened to me.”

The Doctor squeezed you tighter, burying his nose into your [H/C] hair.

“Okay, first we have to boil the sludge from inside the sack.” He suddenly sprung into action as he pulled out a pan from a draw and setting it on an element, ready to boil.

“Can you start breaking the sacks open and pour the inners into the pot?” He asked, his hands on your hips as he guided you to the counter, you stomach turned with nerves under his touch. He handed you a chopping board and knife, you numbly took them to distracted by The Doctors touch. His hands left your hips to make wild geastures as his mouth moved in the shape of unheard words. Your [E/C] eyes focused in on his soft pink lips, licking your own subconsciously. Suddenly The Doctor stopped moving as he leaned right in close to you, his face centremeters from your own.

“Don’t get distracted.” He breathed out, a blush colouring your face at being caught.

“Y-Yes, sir.” You awkwardly stuttered out, blushing at your wording. You turned your focus towards the task at hand and got to work. The Doctor flitted around you working on the other aspects of the so called dessert soup, talking out loud about what he was doing or the historical facts of the ingredients.

The ingredients were all combined and boiling together on the stove as The Doctor and yourself were seated in the second level on the console room.

“How much longer is it going to take?” You whined after the first hour has passed without The Doctor even checking on the food. The Doctor shut his book and checked his watched before looking back up at you.

“Only two more hours.”

“Two more hours?” You yawned out, already falling asleep.

“Go to sleep my love, I’ll wake you when it’s ready.” The Doctor whispered as he put down the book he was reading and stood up. You only nodded your head as you drifted off to sleep, a small smile on your lips. You were the luckiest [Gender preference] in the universe to have The Doctor as your partner. Even with his older apprentice, grumpiness and general inability to understand human emotion, he was perfect, he was so wonderful, kind, strong, brave and amazing. You loved your alien idiot so much.

Homebrewed Bloodhunter Junk

So I am DM’ing for a few groups of friends and drawing homebrew stuff from a bunch of different sources. The bloodhunter class (courtesy of Critical Role) remains a little experimental so I really couldn’t find any pre-existing homebrew stuff for them. Instead, I made 2 orders myself: The Order of the Faewarden and the Order of Nightmares.

It may still require some playtesting and fine-tuning, but check it out.  

Order of the Faewarden

As one of the planes directly connected to the Prime Material Plane, the Feywilds and their strange denizens indirectly influence the world. The Order of the Faewarden protects the realm from the whims of the chaotic fey and territorial dryad. Members seem less bestial and monstrous than those of their sister orders, but even brief contact reveals that their mutation is affecting them. Their mannerisms, their eyes and even their movements are alluring but inhumane, making them as much an outcast as any bloodhunter.

Rite of Wilting

When you join this order at 3rd level, you learn the primal rite:

 Rite of Wilting. Your rite damage is poison type.

Starting at level 11, when you strike an opponent that isn’t immune to poison with the rite of wilting, they must make a constitution saving throw DC: 12. If they fail, they take additional damage equal to your wisdom modifier and are poisoned till the end of their next turn.

 Irrational Rationality

When you join the Order of the Faewarden at level 3, you become accustomed to dealing with extreme emotion and understand how to remain a calm and stable beacon in even the most extreme of situations. Once a day, you can cast the spell ‘calm emotions’. The spell save DC for this is 8 + your wisdom modifier + your proficiency.  

 Beguiling Defense

Starting at level 7, when you are attacked in melee range, you can use your reaction to cast a terrifying or seductive glance at your opponent. If they opponent fails a charisma saving throw (DC: 14) they lose focus and have disadvantage on their attack roll.

Rite of Summer’s dance

When reaching 11th level, you learn the esoteric rite; Rite of Summer’s Dance.

 Rite of Summer’s Dance: Upon successfully hitting a target, you can choose to disappear into the ethereal plane as if using the blink spell. You reappear within 30 feet of the space you disappeared from at the beginning of your next turn. At the end of subsequent turns, you have a chance of disappearing again. DC: 8 for the first turn, with a +1 DC every next turn. You can choose to dismiss the Rite of Summer’s Dance without using an action.

Succesfully using the Rite of Summer’s Dance six times in a row teleports the player to a random location in the Feywilds.

Feywild Delirium

Starting at level 15, the bloodhunter learns to instill emotions like a creature of the fey does. A visible creature of the bloodhunter’s choice within 60 feet must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is charmed or frightened (player's choice) for 1 minute or until the bloodhunter’s concentration is broken (as if concentrating on a spell). This effect ends early if the creature takes any damage. Until this illusion ends, the creature thinks it is lost in a misty realm, where only they and the bloodhunter exist.

Blood Curse of the Planar Traveler

At 18th level, you have mastered the chaotic energy of the Feywilds. You gain the Blood Curse of the Planar Traveler for your Blood Maledict feature. This does not count against your blood curses known.

Effect: As an action, you use the magic in your blood to summon a portal to a different realm. The target creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier) or get sent to one of the elemental planes, the feywild or the shadowfell, as if targeted by the ‘Planeshift’ spell.

Amplified effect:  This curse can target 2 creatures within 60 feet of you

Order of Nightmares

The consumption of Hunters’ Bane is a painful, often deadly experience, but bloodhunters in the Order of Nightmares damage their psyche and mutate their body beyond the limits of even the other bloodhunters. In order to fight abberations and creatures from the abyss, they have accepted their essence into their physiology, making them something wholly inhuman.

Anon_H’s note: Pretty unbalanced but I like the concept. This order takes choices away from the player by forcing them to pick their perks through a roll of the dice. I realize this is not the most player-friendly, but it does portray the involuntary mutation aspect of this order. Might have to workshop this.

Baleful mutation

After ingesting the mutagen concocted by the Order of Nightmares, your body begins to mutate and transform in a horrifying manner. Roll 1d4 for one of the following mutations.

Abyssal Gaze. You have darkvision of 120 feet. You gain a proficiency in perception. If you are already proficient, you may double your bonus.

Black Blood. Whenever you are struck by a melee attack, you deal 1d4 acid damage to your attacker, by hitting them with your poisonous dark blood. You gain a proficiency in medicine. If you are already proficient, you may double your bonus.

Maw of Horrors. Your mouth can unhinge and is filled with unsettling daggerlike teeth. You gain a proficiency in intimidation. If you already have proficiency, you may double it. You are proficient with biting attacks, dealing 1d4+str modifier+proficiency bonus in damage.

Pursuit. Your legs are mutated to increase your speed and agility. Your movement speed increases by 5 feet and you gain proficiency with the athletics and acrobatics skills. If you are already proficient, you may double your bonus

Iron Will

When you choose this archetype at level 3, you grow accustomed to the company of abberations and horrors and learned to steel your mind. You gain resistance to psychic damage.

Nightmare Physiology

As you reach level 7, your body future twists and transforms, making you further resemble the nightmares you combat. Roll 1d4 for one of the following mutations.

Depths of the Abyss. Your mutation transforms you into a completely amphibian creature. You can breathe underwater and gain a swimming speed equal to your movement speed.

Eyes of the Many. New eyes open, close, disappear and reappear all over your body at all times. You’re senses are heightened, giving you near perfect battlefield awareness. You can use your reaction to make an attack of opportunity with ranged weapons as well.

Horror of the Shapeless. Your form twists and slumps, as if you’re barely solid at all. You gain resistance against bludgeoning damage and have advantage against being knocked prone or grappled.

Strike of the Leviathan. Your limbs can stretch and twist in unnatural ways, tearing themselves apart and supporting themselves with a oozing black ichor. The reach of your melee weapons increases by 5 feet.

Rite of the Abyss

At level 11, you learn to harness the crushing power of what lies beyond the celestial sea through the esoteric rite of the abyss.

Rite of the Abyss: your rite damage is force, ignoring resistance. Opponent must make a constitution saving throw (DC: 8+wisdom modifier+proficiency) or get knocked back 5 feet upon impact. When you activate rite of the abyss, your weapon will glow in the presence of abberations.

Blood curse of Ceaseless Horror

Starting at level 15, you can channel the horror of the nameless ones, and master the appropriate blood curse.

Effect: drawing on the deepest fears of a creature, you create illusory creatures in their minds, visible only to them. The targeted creature must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes frightened for the duration. The illusion calls on the creature’s deepest fears, manifesting its worst nightmares as an implacable threat. At the end of each of the frightened creature’s turns, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage. On a successful save, the spell ends for that creature.

Amplified effect: Every creature in a 30 feet radius is effected by the curse.

Abyssal Symbiote

At level 18, you undergo a final transformation, becoming as much of a horror as a mortal. Roll 1d4 for one of the following mutations.

Abyssal Spawn. A small amount of black sludge oozes from your skin and can be captured in a glass or stone container. Keeping this sludge in clean water and tossing in an amethyst, a ruby, a sapphire and an emerald, will cause the sludge to take form. In 4 weeks, this sludge will grow into a clone. When the player dies, and their soul has not been destroyed or consumed, it will seek out the Abyssal Spawn. After being killed, the player can continue playing as the Abyssal Spawn, retaining all their memories and experience. This feature can be used once a year

Eldritch Flight. Large skeletal wings sprout from your shoulders. You gain a flying speed equal to 2x your movement speed. You need a free area of 30x30x30 feet to safely take off.

Eternal Hunger. Once a day, you can consume a spell targeting you. You must be aware that this spell is being cast, and you must either be its target or stand in its area of effect. The spell cannot be higher than 7th level. The moment you consume the spell, you can use a bonus action to either cast it or absorb it to heal for 1d8 per spell level. If you hold onto this spell for longer than one hour, it dissipates.

Grasping Abyss. You open up a portal to the infinite layers of the abyss. This portal is 20 feet in diameter and spawns in a location that’s within 100 feet and visible to the player. Monstrous tentacles erupt from this portal, dealing 6d8 bludgeoning damage to everyone beginning their turn within 30 feet of the center of the portal. Creatures dropping to 0 HP within range of the tentacles will be dragged down to the abyss and consumed. This feature can be used once before requiring a long rest to be used again.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Bizarre Beach! Torn Between Scylla and Charybdis!

JJBA part 4 fan fic. Chapter 4: Joestar Versus Twostar!

Summary: During his stay in Morioh, Jotaro needs to come up with a subject for his doctoral thesis in marine biology! Strange happenings in the waters of Morioh beach piques Jotaros interest, making him investigate strange sightings of a mermaid, followed by injured surfers! In hopes of finding a subject for his thesis he teams up with Kishibe Rohan and Joseph Joestar to solve the mysterious happenings! Is it the work of an actual mermaid or is there a Stand user lurking around the corner?!

Number of chapters: 9

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Total word count for all chapters: 12 749.

Chapter 4 word count: 1554.

Authors note: this is my first fan fic, I tried my best and hope you will enjoy it! You may also read it on my Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20937995/chapters/49778429

Caught in the whirlpools waves, Jotaro suddenly sensed something coming towards the boat at an outrageous speed, summoning Star Platinum to grab the object just as it was about to pass the boat. “Huh? What’s that all of a sudden?!” Rohan shouted, clinging to the boat. Star Platinum gave the object to Jotaro, “A paper airplane!” Jotaro unfolded it, “with a map showing the Stand users location! On the bottom of the sea, just a few meters from here!” Jotaro was ready to dive in, putting a foot upon the railing of the boat, when Rohan stopped him. “Wait! I think I can be of assistance here. It might be troublesome facing an enemy under the water so...” he said with his pencil in hand, “I’ve got an idea.” Jotaro nodded and faced Rohan, “Bring it on” “Heaven’s Door!” Rohan summoned his bright white little Stand, who opened up Jotaros face like a book and scribbled down a few sentences into it, before closing it again. Jotaro touched his face after the slightly bizarre experience, “What did you write?” Rohan smiled, “One: I will remember exactly how the map of the ocean floor looked. And two: I can breathe underwater.” “Cool, thanks,” Jotaro said prepared to jump in into the whirlpool. “Also,” Rohan continued, “It would be troublesome if you got caught in the whirlpool. So, three: the next punch from Kishibe Rohan will send me flying ten meters away from the whirlpool!” and before Jotaro had any time to react, he flew through the air ten meters away into the water, clearing the whirlpools area of effect. Yare yare… clever solution, you bastard, Jotaro thought, focusing in his mind where he was and started to swim towards the location of the Stand user, with Star Platinum summoned next to him. When he came close to the bottom of the sea, he noticed that there were quite an amount of trash lying around, stuck in the rocks and plant life growing there, a turtle trapped with plastic around its neck, horrible, the marine biologist inside him shed a tear that just blended with the water, but it was not the time for that. He had to find the user. He swam to where it should be, and he saw something green glimmer behind a large rock. As he swam around the edge of it he once again saw the mermaid. She stared at him and he stared back; she truly was beautiful. While getting closer to her Jotaro started to notice the details of her appearance; something was not quite right about her skin. It was as if the green glimmer created a thin veil of beauty around her. Focusing with Star Platinum’s precise eyesight the mermaid’s skin looked very rugged and the dark hair seemed to consist of seaweed and the half-fish body… seemed to be made up of several clams and old fins from dead fish. If mermaids ARE real, this could NOT be a real mermaid!, Jotaro raised his guard. “ORA!” Star Platinum launched a quick powerful strike into the mermaid which started to shake, making the beautiful veil disappear and revealing its parts starting to crumble. It seemed the skin and upper body was made out of starfish arms. The mermaid then suddenly exploded into a burst of bubbles of green Stand energy. Was that it? Jotaro thought, looking toward the area where the whirlpool had been; it was still there, dragging the boat further down. The Stands ability was still activated. He faced back towards the no-longer-mermaid and saw the green bubbles coming together into a larger shape, revealing the Stands true form; a monster with four eyes, six long necks with smaller eyeless heads filled with sharp teeth and twelve tentacles as legs. This is the Stand!, Jotaro looked around the close vicinity for any human beings, but quickly realized there were none and no places to hide, the only life forms he could see there… were a colony of starfish resting on the seafloor beneath him. It can’t be! The Stand user is a starfish! Jotaro realized, then the Stand attacked him with quick attacks from its six long necks, Star Platinum parrying the sharp teeth but not successfully. One of the necks had snuck around Jotaro and bitten him in the arm, intense pain flowing into him. Jotaro remembered how two of the swimming victims had immediately lost consciousness when being attacked and he felt slight drowsiness. However, as his body was hardened from many battles he was able to stand against it for now. I have to find the starfish and a way to immobilize it, Jotaro focusing his senses, seeing one of the starfish emitting the same green energy as the sea monster Stand. It was not the first time he had encountered an animal being a Stand user, but something this puny still surprised him. But since starfish can’t move very fast it means the Stands reach could not expand further than the meters around the starfish – and the mermaid form was probably a weaker remotely controlled Stand ability. However, this also meant that the starfish had a great defence around itself through its Stand being so close. This made the situation complicated as it would make it much harder to just immobilize the starfish. He did not want to obliterate it completely with a barrage of punches from Star Platinum, which would also harm innocent starfish. He made an attempt to get closer, but the sea monster Stand guarded its user leaving no opening. Star Platinum parried the necks once again, this time more successfully, but the monster shot its tentacles forward in an attempt to grab Jotaro. Star Platinum punched the sand in the seafloor, creating a smokescreen-like diversion. Jotaro backed away from the monster and it became out of range, its tentacles and necks no longer reaching him. The monster idly waited a few meters away and just as Jotaro suspected; it was a short-ranged Stand and it couldn’t move any further due to the starfish now being able to move fast enough. Thinking he was in safety he suddenly felt something sharp pierce his shoulder. Blood rushed into the water and he looked at his shoulder; a spiky rock had been launched from somewhere and pierced him. He turned around and faced a rock bed where there were several more starfish, one of them emitted blue energy, sending away another spiky rock towards Jotaro, who grabbed it with Star Platinum. Then the blue energy expanded and took shape into a round thorny fish-looking ball, no eyes but a huge gaping mouth with hundreds of teeth in it. There are two stands! Two starfish users! This is what’s causing the uproars in the beach waters recently! he thought looking back and forth between the two starfish with their Stands on each side of him. The round fish Stand used its Stand energy to rise rocks from the bottom, launching them towards Jotaro. Star Platinum smashed them apart, but Jotaro felt his movements becoming sluggish as some of the rocks grazed his body. The fish Stand started to make several rocks float, swimming by every one of them to sharpen them with its teeth. Jotaro was surrounded by rocks, except for his back, facing the sea monster. Jotaro carefully observed the surroundings and took a chance, he backed a slightly one and a half meter backwards. The floating rocks being shot at him lost velocity quickly, making it easy for Star Platinum to parry them all. He was still out of reach for the sea monster behind him and he decided to verify his chance. He waved his hands in front of him and behind him; both enemies Stand attacks managing to reach his hands but he dodged them, quickly pulling the hands back to his body. This position right here, it’s precisely in between the two Stands but also precisely out of reach for them. Yare yare daze, I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place… To defeat these starfish could potentially prove quite an easy feat; just pausing time and smashing them apart would probably do. But that would not answer the question as to why they attacked people in the first place. There was also the risk of the starfishes just regenerating and continuing to create mischief. Either way, Jotaro felt the previous attacks of the sea monster getting its grasp on him, most likely some kind of poison. He could not risk a situation with a prolonged fight so he looked around for an optimal way to escape this spot and noticed that the whirlpool around the boat had dissipated. The sea monster was calmly observing him from a distance but the toothfish was still launching rocks toward him in vain, not reaching him with Star Platinum still parrying the rocks. So the ugly fish Stand is the one causing the whirlpool huh? But now it’s busy trying to reach me. Good. Jotaro saw this as an opening and deemed that he had gathered enough information. “Za Warudo! Stop time!” he shouted in the water, not giving a damn about no one being able to hear it. Time paused and he started to make his way to the boat at the surface.