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writershapeholeonthedoor · 8 months

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My favorite ships ranked!

There's a huge chance this list will change once every two days at the very least, but let's do it!

1. SUPERCORP

Literally my favorite ship ever. They're just perfect for each other in every possible way. Their love languages complement each other perfectly, they can rely on each other, and they work together like the best team in the world. Lena needs love and Kara knows how to offer it without asking for anything in exchange. She will take whatever Lena is willing to give her and be happy about it. But Kara still needs someone that will look at her and see who she really is, no judgment, and someone who she will be comfortable being herself - Kara Zor El - with.

Speaking of fanfic, I think it’s safe to say these fandom has some very talented authors who gave us very well written works. They can also work in every possible scenario, so that's a huge bonus.

Favorite scene: "Supergirl might have saved the city, but, Kara Danvers, you're my hero."

2. SHOOT

Shoot is THAT couple that should have ended up together, but didn’t. I don't hold a grudge on it, though, because Root's death made sense to the show's ongoing plot. I can't say they would be perfect like Supercorp because Shaw has some emotional problems and Root is just also in love with a artificial intelligence or whatever, but they would work. Shaw would try - for Root - and Root would love every part that Shaw allows her to see.

Favorite scene: "You can't live with me and I can't live without you."

3. WAYHAUGHT

Do I even have to say anything? Our most perfect CANON couple. They were perfect from start to finish. The way Nicole absolutely adored Waverly, almost like a worship even, but wasn’t afraid to stand tall on her ideas and opinions. The way Waverly acted like Nicole hung the moon and stars in the sky just for her, and how we know she would be able to do anything to keep Nicole happy. They're that couple that make everyone's teeth rotten with how sweet they are.

Favorite scene: "You guys make The Notebook look bleak."

4. CABENSON

One of my favorite gay ships, so it has a special place in my heart. In the early seasons, it's pretty clear, at least for me, that Alex and Olivia could have something going on. I believe they were both shoving it away because none of them was ready to get seriously involved with anyone and they knew that whatever they decided to have would be too special to be treated lightly. Unfortunately, time was cut short for them when Alex got pulled away for WitSec.

I do think they will forever be each other's "almost", or "what if", but they're long past that now. They changed too much and they did it separately. If they were together, they would have changed around each other and, possibly, be able to work those differences to stay together. But now I don't think they would be able to keep a relationship. It's a bit sad, but it's also a very good portrait of reality.

Favorite scene: "You like being back on court, don't you?"

5. BISHOVA

I'm new to this ship, but I already love it. They remind me a lot of Shoot, actually. We just know that Yelena needs to find someone who would love her with no restrictions and that she deserves to find love. And Kate needs someone able to ground her, but also someone who allows her to be as silly as she wants, someone that will always have her back, doesn't matter how insane her plans might be. They have chemistry too. Also, I can see them getting together with no drama at all, or maybe something they can easily solve, and then being together for the rest of their lives to the point that they can't even remember a time they didn’t know each other. We didn’t get to see them that much, sadly, but I keep my hopes up for more scenes of them in the future.

Favorite scene: "You have one fork?"

6. FLEURMIONE

Okay, two intelligent and beautiful women together? Sign me in! I've been in Harry Potter's fandom for many, many, years now and, after giving it too much thought, I can safely say that Fleur would be the perfect match for Hermione. She would challenge Hermione, they would have endless discussions about any and every subject, they would have enough books together to fill up a library, and they would make each other want to be better every day. I also see Fleur being a bit sarcastic and Hermione keeps rolling her eyes at her at least fifteen times a day.

Fleur is constantly curious about the muggle world, always eager to learn anything Hermione is willing to show her. She would have a great relationship with Hermione's parents, mostly because she thinks they're one of the most genius people on the planet because they know how to fix people's teeth. Meanwhile, Gabrielle would loooove to talk with Hermione, especially when they get together to embarrass Fleur.

Favorite scene: You know, the totally canon one when Fleur asked Hermione to the Yule Ball.

7. LOU MILLER X DEBBIE OCEAN

Heist wives? Yes, please.

We don't even need to pretend. These two were totally banging throughout the whole movie. The headcanon is that they used to date, then Debbie made some stupid decisions, met the wrong people, they broke up for a while and then Debbie got locked up. I believe Lou was so angry with her for both being stupid and for ruining what they had because she wanted to get more money than they actually needed, that she didn’t even visit Debbie in prison.

While there, Debbie had enough time to realize how much of an idiot she had been, so it's up to her to win Lou back. Meanwhile, Lou knows that she's screwed the second she sees Debbies smile again. She just can't help but orbit around her.

Also, they're the Moms, no doubt about that.

Favorite scene: "Baby, I don’t have a diamond yet."

8. DANSEN

The only reason they’re all the way down here is because I hate CW, but I actually love them more than half of my family. They’re married, they’re moms, they’re in love, they’re perfect. Someone as caring as Kelly needed someone to make her go crazy like Alex, while Alex deserved someone that would understand her no matter what. Honestly, I just love them.

Favorite scene: THE PROPOSAL

9. CAROLNAT

Is there any chance this could happen? No.

Do I still dream about it? Constantly.

It's just one of those couples where things would just work. My biggest headcanon for them is that they would be constantly laughing and having fun. Always joking and playing around with each other. Natasha would crave physical touch and Carol would be happy just to be around her at all. Carol would finally find a reason to stay on Earth without feeling guilty about it and Natasha would one thousand percent make a retirement party for her.

Also, they would protect each other so fiercely that no one would even dare to warm any of them.

Favorite scene: The one where Natasha ends up on top of Carol in the training room. Totally canon, trust me.

10. GLORBIA

Might sounds crazy, but hear me out.

Barbie is literally Gloria's dream Barbie, and Gloria is the reason Barbie is alive. Once Barbie becomes human, I can totally see Gloria falling for her without even noticing it, while Barbie takes a while to realize what are those things she's feeling. I do believe Sasha would have a strong part in bringing them together. She would be the one to explain to Barbie what a crush is and what being in love should feel like, and then she would have to give her mom a gentle push to acknowledge her own feelings.

After that, fluff all the way. Gloria would be the most patient person in the world while she sees Barbie navigating human life, just happy to have whatever Barbie is comfortable giving her. Meanwhile, Barbie keeps getting surprised by how strong her feelings can be every time she even looks at Gloria.

Favorite scene: Not a scene per se. Instead, I'm bringing that Tumblr post that says "Ken only has a great day when Barbie looks at him. Gloria always has a great day when she looks at Barbie."

Bonus

11. GAY BELLA

Quite literally, any lesbian ship from Twilight. My favorite one is Rosella, but Bella x Tanya is a close second. Bellice is also a very strong candidate, not to mention Bella x Kate. And, oh, did I hear someone say Bella x Irina or was it Bella x Leah? Honestly, just give me lesbian Bella and I will be happy.

12. ROJARIAS

One of the hottest couples that exist.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

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girl4music · 3 months

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DomKat's physical and emotional chemistry: Chin lifting to get each other's attention to kiss each other

This is Part 1 in a meta series in observing how DomKat portray physical and emotional intimacy as WayHaught

What I mean by physical chemistry is natural and automatic bodily responses to one another in a scene where they perform some kind of physical intimacy. It doesn't have to be physical but, for WayHaught, it is more often physical than emotional. However, I will cover both because they do have both - which is extremely rare for WLW ships. Sometimes the intimacy is choreographed by the director or an intimacy coach, so they may be only following that direction. But even so, to portray intimacy in such a way where it does not seem that way is a talent that can only really be done by actors that do have great physical and emotional chemistry with one another. That know how to use body language to communicate and convey intentions and emotions so that each other knows how to react in response to the other to portray their characters' intimacy.

These physically intimate bodily responses to one another from the episodes 'Shed Your Skin' and 'Whiskey Lullaby' in Season 2 of 'Wynonna Earp' could be choreographed, could be improvised. Either way, they are portrayed by DomKat chin lifting the other to represent WayHaught's desire and need to be physically intimate. Something like this can look so forced without that great physical chemistry that these two actors appear to possess. It looks real and convincing and authentic rather than acted, choreographed and scripted. As if they feel like they're the only two people in the room.

It's easy to just assume when we watch physical and emotional intimate scenes between characters that it's because it is the actors' real feelings for each other or even their real desires for one another. And it may be so that that is the case sometimes because many actors that have portrayed romantic couples have fallen in love from it and even gotten together. But in the interest of appreciating and praising an actor's acting talent and respecting them as real people I do not like to think that way myself. Not only can it come across as disrespectful to them as real people if that assumption is pushed on them, as some fans love to do, but it also can disrespect them as actors because it puts their acting talent down to real thoughts and feelings. Meaning it's less acting and more genuine behaviour and action. I never like that assumption and I never like assuming that way myself because being able to portray any kind of intimacy with someone you have absolutely no real life intimate connection with is a talent. It's very true that close friendship and love between actors can translate as romance between their respective characters but to say it's entirely down to that disrespects their talent as actors and it can disrespect them as real people to say it's more than friendship when they'll likely be very uncomfortable with that assumption. Fandoms love to see their ships performing intimacy and it is genuinely down to the real chemistry between the actors most of the time why they do. But it goes too far for me when it is assumed that it's not acting or there's very little talent needed to perform that intimacy because they think that the intimacy is the real deal. I'm not ever denying that it can't or won't be when this assumption is made for any ship, I'm just saying I don't like what that implies when it is.

With DomKat portraying intimacy as WayHaught it's difficult to deny and denounce this assumption because both actors have come out as queer during the period of filming their scenes together, so at the least it confirms that they felt attraction to one another - which is fine, of course, if they're fine with it. In addition to that is that they have been really good and close friends all the while - and therefore much of their friendship and love translates as romance on-screen. And even though the assumption is strong in the fandom that there's more between them, the Earpers are a respectful fandom and do not push the assumption on to them. There might be a few that have overstepped their boundaries and tried to coerce DomKat to confess if there is, but the majority of the fandom have refrained from doing so while still supporting them coming out as queer because of their individual experiences in portraying Waverly and Nicole and the fact that the physical and emotional intimacy between WayHaught has contributed to the choice to address and announce their queerness.

I feel very at home in this fandom. I've been apart of fandoms for other queer ships where the fans were not mature and have tried to push their assumptions and agendas on to the actors because they were so desperate for that representation from them. And while I absolutely understand that desperation and those feelings as a queer person myself, I won't stand for that kind of behaviour in a fandom and will instead choose to separate and exclude myself from it if boundaries are crossed and any kind of violation is committed.

My objective for doing this meta series in observing DomKat's physical and emotional chemistry is to appreciate and praise the acting talent it takes to portray physical and emotional intimacy as their respective characters on-screen and I'm hoping the amazing Earper fandom will see this series and follow suit in doing the same because the more we express and discuss about how physical and emotional intimacy requires physical and emotional chemistry without just putting it down to the assumption of real thoughts and feelings and behaviours and actions, and rather how honestly hard working this specific acting duo works as a unit in their scenes together, the more we can help to encourage other actors to portray this level and intensity of physical and emotional intimacy with each other without being scared that they'll be exposed for being queer if they are closeted at the time, or if they're not and just want to provide queer representation in solidarity with their queer audience. I think it's very important that we are able to show that we respect them as actors and as people because it's a very difficult thing to do to put yourself out there like that whether you're queer or not queer.

Part of the reason I had the idea to do this is because Dom PC confessed in their coming out announcement with Advocate that they felt like they were a hypocrite in portraying a queer character and representing a queer on-screen relationship with Kat Barrell when they couldn't come out as queer themselves. It made me feel upset and sorry for them that they felt that way when everybody - be it an actor or not - are on their own journeys with experiencing their queerness and I think that the courage and strength that they had to portray Waverly Earp and represent a significant and deep on-screen intimate relationship with another same-sex actor even though they had not yet come out as queer themselves is fucking incredible. Not to mention that they were also closeted in gender identity at the time too. They had no idea they were non-binary and not female which must have just made that coming out journey all the more difficult to do while still in the spotlight and representing WLW. They probably felt they were even more of a hypocrite because they weren't being honest about either their sexuality or gender identity when that's just not how it works. If you don't know, you don't know.

So, you know? I just feel like something like this is necessary to do and I guess I've decided to "start the wave" - as Dom likes to put it. So as I talk about and post this meta series, I would like to see other Earpers or other creators in other queer ship fandoms follow suit and show appreciation and praise and respect for what these incredibly amazing and talented actors do for all kinds of queer representation. How they do it and what it takes. The effort and dedication and talent. I think we owe it to them for what they do for us all the time in sincerely representing who and what we are as queer individuals even if not queer themselves or haven't yet come out as queer. Maybe something like this will help them begin their own journey because it really is a two-way street how this whole thing all works.

#wynonna earp #shed your skin #whiskey lullaby #wayhaught #domkat #waverly earp #dom pc #nicole haught #katherine barrell #meta series #part 1 #physical chemistry #emotional chemistry #physical intimacy #emotional intimacy #chin lifting #representation #wlw representation #queer representation

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starseneyes · 8 months

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Ineffable Husbands / Aziracrow / Crowley x Aziraphale - Good Omens - A Thought

Y'all, I am super late to this fandom. But, I devoured both seasons like Aziraphale with a plate of ribs and then went back for seconds, and thirds.

Up until now, WayHaught has been my favorite queer ship, but these two adorable beings have slithered their way into my heart and flown into my mind.

I'm not planning to Meta these (I'm still behind on the Spapel finale, the Chenford REWINDS, and never even got to start Nace). But, I do have a thought that I can't get outta my head.

SPOILER ALERT: There's no removing this once it's in your system. I will be talking about both seasons. So, if you're still unspoiled (as I was until very recently), and want to stay that way, proceed no further.

Again, this isn't a full Meta. Just my own weird contribution to the conversation based on uneducated observation and fanatical attention to detail. I might be way off in my interpretation, but I haven't seen this thought discussed elsewhere, so I thought it should be said.

Ready? Let's dive in.

Aziraphale Feels Love

We establish early in Season 1 that Aziraphale is able to feel love. We don't know if all angels share this ability from the show (maybe the book-readers can tell in the comments), but we know he can.

He feels it when they go to the former Nunnery. He feels it when they're driving right before they run into Anathema. Aziraphale feels love.

And, yes, the book is in my TBR pile. I promised a friend to give them script notes, and I've told myself until I fulfill that promise, no other reading. So, soon enough I'll be caught up! But, in the meantime, I treasure the wisdom of those of you who've gone before.

I could wait to write this until later... but like Aziraphale after doing a good deed, I'm about to pop!

Anyway, we also see Aziraphale reveling in the ball and the pureness of the perception of the era. He loves a slow-moving romance spoken through kissing hands and whispered conversation. While Aziraphale has not experienced physical love, he's no stranger to the concept of love in its many facets.

Crowley/[Insert Angel Name Here] and Aziraphale have been doing a dance since before the Earth began. The first time they met, Aziraphale was immediately keen on him. And The-Angel-Futurely-Known-As-Crowley was happy to have someone to share in his moment of triumph.

If we look at the Bible, there's the idea of companionship—that humans were not meant to be alone. I would argue that the same could be said of our favorite eternal beings.

The-Angel-Futurely-Known-As-Crowley was trying to crank all this up by himself. It's not that he wasn't capable. He could've held the plans between his feet, or something. But, an angel happened by who was willing to stop and help—a pure heart eager to lend a hand.

That's where it started for them. And I argue that at the Eastern Wall, Crowley wasn't sure how he'd be received by Aziraphale... but he had to try. And being the angel he is, Aziraphale chose kindness toward the fallen angel.

By the time we reach 1941 (which sounds like a very critical year for these two), they've been through a lot. They've formed "our side" and Crowley's loneliness got a little more bearable while the weight of Aziraphale's conscious increased.

They've traded temptations and blessings, flipped coins, shared meals, supped and sipped. But in their last documented interaction before 1941—in 1862—they had a fight.

Crowley asked for Holy Water. For insurance. And Aziraphale's poor word choice led to their first real breakup (that we've seen.. 1650 and 1793 had the "I Was Wrong" dance, so they might've broken up, then, too, for all we know).

"Look, I've been thinking, what if it all goes wrong? We have a lot in common, you and me."

They're still not putting a label on it. These cutie-pies have been doing this for 6,000ish years and they still don't know what to call it.

Now, to be fair, they're doing this in secret knowing that if either side finds out they'll be destroyed. So, can't really blame 'em for not knowing what to call it.

"I don't know. We might have both started off as angels, but you are fallen."

Gee wiz, Aziraphale! I get that you have to ground yourself in your deeply instilled rote morality, but way to alienate the love of your life, dude!

"I need a favor." "We already have the Agreement, Crowley..."

Before, Aziraphale didn't want to put a label on that, either. Now, we saw back with Shakespeare that Crowley's the one who came up with that label.

But labeling aspects of their relationship is easy for Crowley. Labeling them is another thing entirely. And it's the last thing on Crowley's mind—this time he's actively asking for something outside the norm.

This is a new layer to their trust in one another. Crowley is asking Aziraphale to take a huge risk, and Aziraphale is mis-reading the situation.

"Out of the question." "Why not?" "It would destroy you. I'm not bringing you a suicide pill, Crowley." "That's not what I want it for."

They're talking past one another. Yes, I know this is classic them. But before the bickering can get much further, Aziraphale drops this on him:

"I'm not an idiot, Crowley. Do you know what trouble I'd be in if... if they knew I'd been fraternising?" ... "Fraternising?"

"Fraternising" applies to brotherhood and friendship. To this point, the only one we've seen call them "friends" was an outsider at the Theater. Neither of them has yet adopted the moniker "friend" when addressing the other or speaking conversationally about the other.

And, yes, we're going with the English spelling on this one. No, the characters aren't actually English. But they've both chosen English accents for their existence, so we're gonna roll with it.

"I have lots of other people to fraternise with, Angel." "Of course you do." "I don't need you." "And the feeling is mutual, obviously."

Of course these two idiots need each other. They're utterly alone in the world without one another—both aligned with a side... as far as they can go... but also with each other.

But Crowley is lashing out. Because he's not ready to put a label on this, and he has to keep himself distanced from Aziraphale and anyone associated with his former bosses.

And Aziraphale's fighting to maintain his very black-and-white view of good and evil, here, so as soon as Crowley seems ready to walk away, so is he. Though, we all know deep down neither of them truly want that.

In a fit of anger, Aziraphale flings the paper at the water. And, in an appropriate measure of response, the scrap obeys the laws of physics and flits down to the water rather than sinking into it like a thrown stone.

That's how we leave them (so far as we know)... at odds and decoupled in 1862.

Then comes 1941. The blissfully gullible angel has tried to do right and found himself in the snares of a trap. Bless his heart. (Yes, I'm a Southern Yank—which sounds contradictory, but I briefly studied at Leicester, so I know what my Uni mates'd call me)

"What are you doing here?"

The last interaction of which we're aware prior to this is the one where Crowley dramatically announced he didn't need Aziraphale, and our angel boy responded in kind.

So, while there have been many scrapes before where Crowley played hero to Aziraphale's damsel-in-distress, our angel wasn't awaiting rescue this time. He's genuinely surprised to see Crowley there.

But Crowley has had time in the in-between to consider their friendship and what it would mean to him if Aziraphale were to be discorporated, and if that would lead to him losing his place on Earth. Crowley can't have that.

Aziraphale assumes Crowley's there with the baddies. But, no, he's there for his angel.

"I just didn't want to see you embarrassed."

Watch Aziraphale soak that in. He turns his head to the left, away from Crowley, as he often does when confused or struck by something his sweet demon has said.

"Anthony?" "You don't like it?" "No, no. I didn't say that. I'll get used to it." ... "What does the J stand for?" "It's just a J, really."

Without so much as an apology from either one, they've fallen into a familiar rhythm. And, yes, apologies are very important, and these two need to get the hang of them, someday. But we can clearly see why they've survived so long without them.

When you're about the be discorporated at any moment, time for apologies is short.

"And if, in thirty seconds, a bomb does land here, it would take a real miracle for my friend and I to survive it." "A real miracle."

Of course, we're all focusing on the fact that Crowley is saying, "I did the bomb, you're doing the saving". But there's also a key word in there... friend.

Not so long ago (in their time, anyway), Crowley was incensed at the use of the word "fraternising", yet here he is calling this angel his friend.

I think in the time apart, Crowley realized just how important Aziraphale is to him. He really doesn't get along with the other demons on a social level, and he's failed to make any lasting human attachments. In all the universe, there's one being he can count on—his angel.

So, while we all know "friend" barely begins to cover it with these two, Crowley is finally ready for that label. Friends.

"That was very kind of you." "Shut up."

There's Aziraphale trying to thank Crowley without thanking him, once again pointing out what he sees as angelic traces in the demon before him.

And there's Crowley rejecting those same traces with all his being because he's embraced his exile internally and can't sever from that headspace anymore than Aziraphale from his desire for Heaven's affirmation and acceptance.

"Oh, the book! Oh, I forgot all the books."

Because in this moment of importance, he's going to prioritize Crowley. He put everything he had into keeping them from being discorporated.

But Crowley's wearing a smirk with flare. While the angel flails, Crowley strides confidently to the waiting bag of books.

"Oh, they'll all be blown to…"

His words trail off as he sees Crowley's right hand holding the precious bag. The music shifts as soon as Aziraphale makes the realization—Crowley saved the books.

"Little demonic miracle of my own. Lift home?"

Their fingers barely overlap as they exchange the bag, Crowley looking to not make a big deal of this. But it is a big deal.

Much as Gabriel was smitten with Beelzebub for a gift, Aziraphale is swayed by Crowley's first true act of love towards him this side of Heaven.

Yes, Crowley has saved Aziraphale multiple times. They've crossed paths over and over. But something's different. This time, Crowley called them friends. This time, there was something extra.

And while I know we were all taken in by Aziraphale looking at Crowley like he'd hung the moon and stars in the sky... which he technically did... there's a little sigh there that makes me wonder—was this the moment Aziraphale felt love from Crowley for the first time?

Remember, Aziraphale feels love. And we can tell he's enamored with Crowley long before this moment. Remember how his eyes lit up to hear his love's voice when he was locked in the Bastille? Remember the heart eyes he gave Crowley in hopes that the demon would work a miracle for Hamlet?

Yes, I believe Aziraphale feels his own affection for Crowley growing... but in part because he feels Crowley's love for him.

Now, there are many types of love. It doesn't have to necessarily be romantic (though we all know it is). But it plays into Aziraphale's prevailing theory that the demon is at least a little good and capable of good things—including love.

I think it's easy to pass off waves of love from around you as something else when you're not touching the person who loves you. Because they did touch as they traded that precious bag of books.

And that was an act of love. Beyond saving lives, Crowley protected something material that held meaning for Aziraphale. We all know Crowley's repeatedly stated that he doesn't read books. He doesn't adore them as Aziraphale does—but that doesn't matter.

Crowley saved the books because no matter what they meant to him—nothing—he knew they meant the world to the one who means the world to him.

It was an act of love. And I fully believe Aziraphale felt it.

Slipping into Season 2 with that same night, we can see that Aziraphale's still reveling in that feeling in the car with Crowley as they race through the embattled streets of London during the Blitz.

I paused it at a particularly adoring look from Aziraphale to Crowley. I mean, he's basking in his love.

"You know, that was a very nice thing you did for me." "Shut up." "There must be something I can do for you in return?" "Forget it, will you?"

Crowley's not ready to talk about it. He's never ready to talk about it... not until it's too late. And it's always too late, right?

But Aziraphale is fully enamored and looking for a way to reciprocate. This goes outside their usual Arrangement, and you can tell he's filled with feelings and wants to channel them into an act of love for Crowley.

And Crowley's brushing it off. Because it's easier for him to act than it is for him to talk. If you label it or try to define it, he's going to jump ship. But if you let it be, he's happy to ride the wave of... whatever this is.

Rather than wait in the car, Aziraphale follows Crowley inside. They're both savoring the time together, this time. It's somehow different, and I love that.

"Um, I wonder if I might be able to help you on behalf of my... uh, good friend here."

And, there it is. Aziraphale sees a way to live one of his greatest fantasies and help out Crowley. He has nothing to give him, but this'll do the trick, eh?

Also, look at him adopting "friend" as quickly as Crowley was willing to claim it. While Crowley is the one pushing them forward in many ways, he holds them back in others. This was a case where Aziraphale was a little faster to move forward emotionally than Crowley.

And this is the first night they've spent together in some time, if what we know of canon holds true.

Why am I going into all this!? Because, 1941 feels like one of the bigger turning points of their relationship. Of course, Job was, too. But I spent so much time watching that final confrontational scene of Season 2 Episode 6 only to keep returning to 1941 in my head.

I saw folks positing that Crowley's confession was the first time Aziraphale felt his beloved's love... but I argue he's felt it in waves throughout the centuries and been able to dismiss it as coming from somewhere else.

When their fingers touched in 1941 as Crowley gave Aziraphale a most-treasured gift—his books' survival—it was undeniable. Aziraphale felt Crowley's love.

And he spends the rest of this night trying to return Crowley's affection.

"Cheers for getting me off the hook." "Oh, there's no need to thank me. That's what... friends... are for."

He's still testing it out. The last time he used a word even close to that, Crowley had walked out of his life for half a century. But this time Crowley isn't correcting him, and Aziraphale loves that.

"You're going to need a 100% reliable marksman. Someone you can really trust." ... "Oh, I've got the perfect man for the job. At least, I think I have."

There's no question in Aziraphale's mind that he trusts Crowley enough to aim a bloody firearm at his face, pull the trigger, and that he'll be just fine afterwards.

And Crowley knows he's never fired a gun, but he also knows that if he doesn't say yes to this, his angel's gonna try to find someone else who will—and he can't have that.

He knows he'll miracle it away if something goes wrong. Crowley has to be the one to keep his angel out of harm's way.

"Haven't you fired a gun before?" "Not as such."

You. Two. Idiots. Seriously gotta work on your communication skills. but watch how Crowley's trigger finger actually shakes as he feels the weight of Aziraphale's trust in him.

That's love. That absolute trust. And while Crowley doesn't fully understand what's going on between them, he knows he can't betray that trust. He can't let anything happen to Aziraphale, and he's going to find a way to protect him.

Afterwards, backstage they're sharing the evening like a pair of old lovers celebrating a win. Crowley's lounging on the chaise longue. A triumphant Aziraphale winds a feathered boa around his neck. They're reveling in this moment, and it's the most relaxed we've seen them together to this point.

They could have gone separate ways as soon as the trick was achieved, but Crowley chooses to stay with Aziraphale. He's spent the last 50 years without him, realizing just how much this angel means to him, so he lingers.

Afterwards, they're back in the bookshop sharing wine on what Crowley believes may be his last night on Earth. He chose to spend it with the person he most wanted to be near.

And, yes, Aziraphale knows that he switched out the photo, but Crowley doesn't. For all his anger at their last meeting about "fraternising", it's all he seems to want to do, now.

Aziraphale notes that Crowley's glass is empty and fills it—a small act of love... but it's there. Feeling enamored and inspired, he tests the waters of discussion.

"I, uh, I knew you would come through for me. You always do."

Crowley tosses it off, but doesn't completely ignore the subject, for once.

"Well, you said, 'trust me'." "And you did."

He almost whispers it, like the three little words a lover whispers affectionately to their dear one. It's trust.

For an angel to be able to trust a demon... for a demon to be able to trust an angel... that right there is so far outside the bounds of what they both have been told is supposed to be.

But in one another they found one being in existence that they know will trust them wholeheartedly, and whom they can trust in return.

"You could've walked away. If you were truly as evil as you like to paint yourself, you would've done." "Nah, that's the trouble with you lot. You tend to see things in black and white. Sometimes, you've just gotta blur the edges."

And, let's be honest, his lot tend to see things the same way. Crowley is unique in that he truly wishes to understand. It's not that he wanted to thwart the will of God. He wanted to understand what was happening, to question it, to delve deeper than unanswered, unwavering dedication to a "Great Plan" that didn't make sense.

In Aziraphale, he's found someone as close to his morality as he'll ever discover (someone who goes as far as he can, but ultimately has a separate moral code). But Aziraphale lacks Crowley's distance from Heaven, and thus lacks his perspective. That'll eventually catch up to them.

But, tonight, they're both savoring the seconds of shared security. In the safety of the bookshop, they toast to, well, them.

"Well maybe there is something to be said for... shades of grey."

Aziraphale holds out his glass to Crowley, inviting the agreement. And, of course, Crowley will drink to that. Because that's where their love lies. In the black and white, it wouldn't be possible.

But because these two beings are able to think in the grey, to live in the grey, to love in the grey... they have a snowball's chance in hell of making it. Because something majorly shifts between them in 1941.

Yes, they've been doing this love dance since the beginning. But I think in feeling Crowley's love, Aziraphale is that tiny bit more emboldened.

Yet even after all that... Aziraphale hasn't quite reciprocated Crowley's act of love. Yes, he got him out of a bind with the delivery, but we can argue that Crowley had to rescue him right back with the bullet drama.

Enter 1967. We can assume that these two saw each other again in 1941 based on the fact that the "I was wrong, you were right" dance was in-play and we didn't see it. But we don't know what else might've transpired before 1967.

All we know is that Crowley's planning a "caper" to get the one thing he thinks he needs for insurance... the one thing Aziraphale outright denied him when he asked as a favour.

Crowley slides into his Bentley as the familiar swish of Aziraphale's miracle magic fills the air. The demon's tail lands in his seat just as the angel appears.

"What are you doing here?"

He's echoing Aziraphale's words from 1941. This isn't one of their planned clandestine meetings, and Aziraphale clearly doesn't want to risk the tiniest chance at an audience overhearing or witnessing this exchange.

Where the bookshop is the angel's sanctuary, this Bentley is Crowley's. And they're about to have a very secret exchange.

"I needed a word with you." "What?" "I work in SoHo. I hear things. I hear you're setting up a... caper to rob a church."

In a very Aziraphale coded move, Crowley looks away from the angel at the mention of an uncomfortable topic.

"Crowley, it's too dangerous. Holy Water won't just kill your body. It will destroy you completely." "You told me what you think 105 years ago." "And I haven't changed my mind, but I can't have you risking your life."

Here's the thing, as much as Crowley felt fiercely protective of Aziraphale in 1941, that's how much more Aziraphale feels now. That level of trust and love builds and builds.

Because what Aziraphale is saying to Crowley right now is—I can't lose you. Even though I hate this. Even though I don't want this for you, if it means I get to protect you, I'll do whatever it takes. Because I need you.

Which is why Aziraphale gives Crowley the Holy Water without understanding why he wants it. It's a gift without strings, without conditions, without preamble. Because Aziraphale knows if he's the one to do it... Crowley will at least be safe for now.

Just as Crowley agreed to do the shooting trick... for the exact same reason.

And while Crowley doesn't feel love in the air the way Aziraphale does, he does feel it from his angel. He understand the risks that Aziraphale took for him. And it means even more that his angel took these risks without understanding the reason... simply because this angel trusts this demon.

Crowley's lips part as he accepts the gift, and the two are very careful not to let their fingers touch, this time. Perhaps Aziraphale already feels quite exposed and doesn't want to risk the rush of another wave of love.

"Should I say thank you?" "Better not."

Aziraphale can't even look at Crowley. He's terrified he's just given the love of his life a suicide pill, but also so thankful to know he's safe, for now.

"Well, can I drop you anywhere?" "No, thank you. Oh, don't look so disappointed. Perhaps one day we could, I don't know... go for a picnic. Dine at the Ritz."

And this scene really shows me that Aziraphale is not oblivious to what's going on here and how he feels. But, he's placing very clear boundaries on where he hopes they can someday reach... sharing meals together in public.

Because I tend to agree with those who say that celestial beings love differently. We saw with Gabriel and Beelzebub that there was almost nothing physical to their affection. Their connection was enough for them. Without labels. Without definitions. Just... love.

But I think Aziraphale and Crowley are different, still, from the other celestial beings... partially because of their long time spent on Earth.

They like to eat and drink. They both like to listen to Earth music (though on different ends of the spectrum). Crowley canonically likes to go to the movies. Aziraphale soaks up books like sunshine, and loves learning new "human" things the human way.

These two can love in a purely celestial way. But, I argue they both have formed ideas of love that are a little different from their peers. They experience so much of existence in the human manner that it's impossible for their perspective of love to not be thus colored.

And right now, Crowley is feeling the impact of Aziraphale's love, much as the angel felt his in 1941.

"I'll give you a lift anywhere you wanna go."

Crowley is willing to let Aziraphale set the destination, here. And he'll go. Anywhere. Anywhere with him.

But Aziraphale's not quite ready for it. He knows he doesn't want to lose Crowley, but he doesn't yet know how to move past his angelic programming to fully embrace what they can be to one another.

"You go too fast for me, Crowley."

My. Heart. Stopped. The first time I heard this sentence come out of Aziraphale's mouth, I had to immediately rewind and rewatch. Because the hardest part for these two is always going to be the boundaries they put up in their own minds.

They've spent a long, long time on "opposite sides" while sharing an existence built on half-truths and trauma. They're both traumatized and both struggling through it. It's a miracle (heh) that in all this they've found one another at all.

And when it all comes crashing down in that truly devastating confession/kiss at the end of Season 2... Oh, they're both breaking apart because that trust that has been the foundation of everything for so long finally feels broken.

Crowley admits what they are. Out loud. No more, "Shut up" or "Forget about it". He opens himself up in a way he never imagined to the one being he could always trust.

And David Tennant takes us on the ride of our lives. Look, I'm a long-time fan of Tennant, starting with when he took over the role of The Doctor. But, golly, he destroyed us all with this confession.

Crowley removes his glasses before his beloved at the start of the conversation. And once he realizes how lost Aziraphale is to the system, he could have given up and left. Instead, he gathers his courage to speak his truth.

They're a team. A group of two. And he wants to spend... every second with him. Just being... them.

And they can't really run away from it all. It'll find them, eventually. But they also can't go rushing into the lion's den wide-eyed and unprepared.

But neither's truly hearing the other right now.

Aziraphale wants to bring Crowley with him to change things from the inside. Crowley sees there's no changing anything, and wants to spend whatever time he has left loving Aziraphale.

And. He. Falls.

Aziraphale isn't there to catch him. Because our poor sweet angel has drank the Heavenly kool-aid and earnestly believes he can make Heaven better for his beloved fallen angel.

They're both so bitterly lost.

Crowley covers his eyes and stalks away, muttering "good luck" to his thoroughly confused angel. They're both confused, really.

Because they both want to ultimately be together, but they're talking past one another. The mixed messages that once shielded them through suspicion and scrutiny have sealed their undoing. At least, for now.

In a last-ditch effort to get through to Aziraphale, Crowley takes a truly human approach with "one fabulous kiss". But it's not loving or tender. It's hurt. It's angry. It's as broken as they are.

Crowley takes one step, two steps, hands land on Aziraphale on step three before he gather's the angel's lapel in his hands and tugs him in. The choreography probably had to be perfect for poor David Tennant to make his mark through the glasses and contacts.

As their lips connect, Aziraphale's eyes widen in confusion. But it doesn't taken long for them to close, and as he relaxes into the kiss, his brow furrows as he presses himself into Crowley, wrapping his arms briefly around him.

When the perspective shifts and we're looking at the kiss from Crowley's back, Aziraphale's hand slides down Crowley's shoulder blades, where his angelic/demonic wings rest, hidden from human eyes. The angel's answering Crowley, now.

But fear kicks in, and the angel starts to flail. He's terrified. He's terrified of what he feels. Of what he wants. Of what this means. And he's heartbroken that Crowley would do this now when he's already refused Aziraphale's offer.

But the angel never. breaks. away.

He doesn't shove Crowley off. He waits until Crowley releases him to step back, and once he does he's overcome with emotions. There are too many feelings, too many thoughts, too many possibilities.

And Michael Sheen takes us through all the heartache, the pain, the longing, the hurt, the love, the devastation... Oh, he gives us every emotion and then some.

His, "I forgive you" cuts in jagged edges along our souls, like a papercut shreds skin, but on a cosmic level. And it shatters Crowley, similarly.

They part ways... broken.

Aziraphale is gutted to watch him go. More than any other time, this one feels final. In his confusion and pain, Aziraphale's trembling fingers find their way to his mouth, the taste of Crowley still fresh on his lips.

He presses his fingers against his mouth, trying to figure out where that sensation came from, but all he can recreate is a dim memory of the feelings crashing through him when Crowley's lips met his.

But the one thing that gives me hope is how Aziraphale keeps looking out that window. He can feel Crowley there. He can feel Crowley's love.

I've often wondered how they constantly find one another. Can Crowley feel where Aziraphale is and makes sure to be close in case of calamity, claiming that he's in town for a temptation? Does Aziraphale feel where Crowley may be and maneuvers himself as close as possible while feigning nearby blessings?

Because in the wake of their heartbreak, it's clear that he knows exactly where Crowley is.

He steps back to look out that window because he know that's where Crowley will be. He knows that Crowley hasn't peeled out of there in his Bentley. He knows he's waiting for him.

He feels Crowley's love. And when the Metatron confirms Crowley's words by mentioning the Second Coming, the way that Aziraphale looks back that last time feels charged.

I feel like Aziraphale wanted to run back right then exclaiming, "You were right. I was wrong!" But he can't. I mean, the Metatron is standing right there and expects him to come up and run this thing. If Aziraphale backs out now, who will be in position to stop this thing once and for all?

And maybe, maybe Aziraphale can protect the being he loves most by being in the room where it happens. Maybe that's the key, right?

But this is all projection. I'm more clueless than most of you because I've yet to read the book (yes, I will prioritize it after I finish these script notes!).

These are just my uninformed thoughts! But, I really do think that Aziraphale feels Crowley's love. And I think he's felt it for a very long time, at least since 1941. And I really can't wait until we get our Season 3 renewal notice.

Will I ever write full Metas on this ship? Gee, I don't know. We shall see, I suppose (which is only marginally less annoying than "wait and see").

Be good to one another. Spread love. Choose kindness. Give yourself grace. And don't forget to breathe.

#Good Omens #Good Omens Season 2 #Good Omens Spoilers #Aziraphale #Crowley #Aziracrow #Ineffable Husbands #Aziraphale x Crowley #Crowley x Aziraphale #Neil Gaiman #Michael Sheen #David Tennant #Terry Pratchett

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korradoras · 1 year

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TOP SHIPS OF ALL TIME:

this is in no order but it will be numbered for my sanity.

1. slexie - mark and lexie/greys anatomy

• i am so attached to this ship, i have never sobbed so hard an my life than when i first watched the season 8 finale/season 9 premiere of greys anatomy. i still rewatch only their seasons quite often.

2. catradora - catra and adora/SPOP

• ultimate comfort ship, i rewatch she ra whenever i am going through it. i first watched it when i was 15 and i still watch it for comfort. 15 is a nostalgic age for me, she ra reminds me of what it was like before anxiety. 😩

3. korrasami - korra and asami/LOK

• another comfort ship, comfort show, etc. lok and avatar are more shows i watched when i was 15, when the pandemic hit i was almost 16. i was locked up in my room, no school, no going out, no friends. i had a basement room with a couch and a huge tv, i spent MANY weeks watching netflix on that couch and the feeling was immaculate. i rewatch the atlau shows VERY often.

4. bellarke - bellamy and clarke/the 100

• once again another comfort show, i rewatch the 100 annually and have been watching it since season 4 came out. my dad started watching it, then my mom, then my sister. it became a show we watched all together, and i had a little ritual when it came to new seasons. i am an impatient person in some ways more than others, i do not have the patience to maintain interest when watching episodes weekly but i have no issue waiting for the whole season to be out. so every year as the episodes came out, i ignored them. when they all hit netflix, i would binge. however, for season 7 of the 100 i waited 2 years. i think i was procrastinating letting it end. bellarke was THE slowburn. i was so sure they would end up together, in a way im glad they didn't, but i loved them so much. i cannot describe the way that i feel when watching them and this show.

5. clexa - clarke and lexa/the 100

• GAY SLOWBURN. y'all i have so many fics i read consistently about clexa. i have like 3 on shuffle that i've read 10 times minimum. i cry like a bitch every time i rewatch s2-3 of the 100.

6. avatrice - ava and beatrice/warrior nun

• so i had heard a lot and seen a lot about this show before i actually watched it, which was actually in january of this year, several months after the 2nd (and final 🥲) season came out. i QUICKLY fell in love w both avatrice and ava/beatrice as individuals. i also read a lot of avatrice fics and cry thinking abt it being cancelled 😭

7. stydia - stiles and lydia/teen wolf

• BEST SLOWBURN OF ALL TIMEEE. it's weird to think teen wolf ended SIX years ago, this is another show i rewatch annually and what's funny is when i was 12 watching this show i did not care for stydia. i liked scott's relationships with allison and kira, never paid much attention to stiles and lydia until i was 16/17 and i rewatched and realized that they are AMAZING.

8. sameena - sam and deena/fear street

• MORE ANNUAL REWATCH SERIES. i LOVE LOVE LOVE these movies, and when i say sam and deena i am also including sarah and hannah. ex's/enemies to lovers in HORROR? forbidden love? sapphics? say less.

9. glaggie - glenn and maggie/twd

• so this was my first ship ever. started watching this when i was 11, i watched it over and over and over, i read the first 3 compendiums of the comics, then season 7 rolled around, i watched three first episode live then never watched another episode last season 6 again.

10. delena - damon and elena/tvd

• honestly they sort of give me the ick now but 12 year old me ATE that shit up, would also like to add they were my sexual awakening. i remember watching one of their spicy scenes and feeling a little funny 🥴

11. wayhaught - waverly and nicole/wynonna earp

• hottest ship ever. i fucking love them and i still need to watch the most reason season which is not that recent.

12. (honorable mention) camren - camila and lauren/5h

• camren gets only an honorable mention bc i don't ship them anymore, but they were MY gay awakening. when i was 13 i discovered fifth harmony and, naturally, i discovered ✨camren fanfiction✨ i literally did not know i was gay until i started reading fics about them. it just clicked when i felt more reading than i ever had for real life boys. :) anyways i don't support shipping real people anymore at my ripe age of 18.

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of-monsters-and-werewolves · 2 years

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While EFA_Podcast is a good start to WEarp fanfics keep in mind that they tend to only highlight and promote fics from authors they are buddies with. There have been many amazing writers that never get spotlighted by them in favor of those they are friends with whose works are not great. So yes, EFA is a good starting point, but not the end all be all of Wayhaught fic knowledge.

That's understandable. I'm definitely taking stuff like that into account when trying to find fics to include, and if there are biases in certain spaces, that can be a good point to make on their pages. I'm trying to get a fairly varied selection of influential and popular fics, for better or worse, whilst also keeping in mind my own limitations in knowledge and the Earper spaces I inhabit and interact with.

Taking a look at the fics on Ao3 ordered by kudos, hits, comments etc (somewhat arbitrary standards of popularity I admit, but they can be a good base if nothing else), and most of them are multichapters. I don't often read long multichapters myself, primarily as I don't often have the attention span, and don't really know which ones are both popular and influential in the fandom. Even back during Seasons 1-3, I wasn't really reading a whole lot of fics, and have only recently started to take a look now.

Feel like I should definitely include an Omegaverse fic, cause they appear to be fairly popular (and it would be interesting to know why). One fic I've heard stuff about, and skim read it too, is 'Sky Funeral', and something by that author seems a decent option too.

If you have any suggestions of fics that are either well known in and of themselves, or are an example of a common trope in Wayhaught fanworks (perhaps one with Daddy!Nicole, or Drunk!Nicole, or Angel!Waverly) if you think they've been overlooked or underrated, that would be awesome.

#wayhaught #wynonna earp #waverly earp #nicole haught #my asks

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heartstoppermybeloved · 2 years

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Charlie and Nick Heartstopper Season 1 Reaction Part 1 This show gives me all the feels!! Wayhaught Wynonna Earp Love Story Reaction: ... via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCXczvx_qZE

#heartstopper

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casualearper · 5 years

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Dolls knew right from the start...

#wynonna earp #wynonna earp season 1 #wayhaught #waverly earp #nicole haught #xavier dolls #agent dolls #wayhaught season 1 #dominique provost chalkey #katherine barrell #kat barrell #shamier anderson #wynonna earp edit #wynonna earp scenes

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flecker-illustrates · 2 years

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I watched Wynonna Earp over the summer and I gotta say, I had the time of my life.

There's so much love, so much heart throughout the entire show. It's mesmerizing, it's beautiful, and an absolute win for the gays, trust me 🔥

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fandomcentral101 · 2 years

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Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught

Wynonna Earp 1x02

#wayhaught #wynonna earp 1x02 #wynonna earp season 1 #waverly earp #nicole haught #waverly x nicole #wayhaught season 1 #wayhaught 1x02 #gif sets

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mustbebunnys · 3 years

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Wynonna Earp rewatch ➤ s1e10, She Wouldn't Be Gone

#wynonna earp #waverly earp #nicole haught #wayhaught #wayhaughtedit #wynonnaearpedit #wearpedit #we: season 1 #we: 1x10 #rewatch #oh take me back to the start #my stuff

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beautyandthemess · 4 years

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1x09//4x06

#nicole haught #wayhaught #kat barrell #wynonna earp #wearpedit #this head tilt just really reminded me of this season 1 scene #i know it's subtle #but... !#mine

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girl4music · 3 months

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DomKat’s physical and emotional chemistry: Comforting each other through trying times

This is Part 3 in a meta series in observing how DomKat portray physical and emotional intimacy as WayHaught

I’ve covered in Part 1 and Part 2 of this meta series what physical chemistry and physical intimacy is and how DomKat portray it as WayHaught. Physical chemistry is about bodily responses of a physically or sexually intimate nature. It’s in how two people are able to naturally and automatically respond to one another with their bodies and the intense sexual energy that they share between them when engaged in physical intimacy of any kind. Waverly and Nicole are one of the very few TV art/entertainment WLW ships that I have seen that - when they engage in physical intimacy - look real and authentic. Where the two actors that portray the characters even look like they are genuinely physically attracted to each other when they engage in physical intimacy. When they kiss (because they kiss a lot - and it’s no wonder why when it looks that damn real and authentic) DomKat really just fucking go for it. The physical chemistry between them is so electric that I can feel it myself when watching their scenes. It’s honestly the best representation of physical intimacy that I’ve ever seen in TV art/entertainment for a WLW ship by far. The only other WLW ship that I can say even comes close in representing this - again, that I've seen - is Calliope and Juliette (Calliette) from 'First Kill' - portrayed by Imani Lewis and Sarah Catherine Hook - but WayHaught have a much longer arc.

Emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy on the other hand is something quite different. So different in fact that it doesn’t require sexual energy. And therefore any relationship you can have with someone, be it romantic or platonic, can be emotionally intimate. But it really does say something about a romantic couple (and two actors portraying that romantic couple respectively) if they have emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy. The quintessential example of a WLW ship in TV art/entertainment that I’ve seen for representing this is Xena and Gabrielle from 'Xena: Warrior Princess'. They are, to me, the epitome of emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy in TV art/entertainment and a huge part of the reason why this is is because WLW ships in TV art/entertainment today aren't ever really afforded the screen-time to bond together and develop. They aren't given the chance for a slow burn progression to evolve their relationship episode by episode from friendship into romance naturally and organically because emotional intimacy requires much more set up and build up than show runners and creators are ever afforded in TV art/entertainment in this day and age. Thus, a major difference with Xena and Gabrielle to pretty much every WLW ship in TV art/entertainment is that they're both main protagonist female characters with their own individual character representation and development arcs as well as their own arc as a relationship dynamic. Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor are the only two actors that are credited in the main titles throughout all 6 seasons of the show. Well, Renee isn't credited in the 1st season but she has just as much screen-time as Lucy in it. And so they have a shit load of screen-time to bond together and develop their relationship episode by episode from friendship into romance naturally and organically. What's ironic and probably the reason why the show lasted as long as it did is that they were never meant to be a romantic couple at all. They weren't set up as a romance initially. However... the emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy between Lucy and Renee was so great that the creators basically just said "Screw it. We're doing it!" because it only made sense to as it was the most natural and organic progression for their characters' relationship to move into romance given their love for and devotion to each other was immense and all-encompassing.

'Xena: Warrior Princess' aired in the 90's. In a time and place when there was strict and severe censorship of WLW or queer representation in art/entertainment of any kind. But especially of a visual format. So Xena and Gabrielle were never confirmed as a main-textual canon romantic couple in the show itself. But I've said this many times now in my writings about Xena and Gabrielle. Not only does it not matter whatsoever that they weren't, it is probably the number one reason why their relationship is that damn deep and intense in the first place. You see, in order for the creators to avoid or escape censorship while still providing sincere and genuine WLW representation between the characters, they had to rely on everything they could to provide it EXCEPT physical intimacy. They had to use other ways for showing their relationship as a romance besides sex and kissing. I mean don't get me wrong - there is some of that shown - but it's very carefully written and portrayed that it can be interpreted as not being there at all. Which is exactly what they wanted to keep the censors off them. This meant that emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy was amped up to the point where every other scene between them (which was most of them) was encapsulated in compassion and care for one another. And it is the emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy between the characters that sells their relationship as a romance. That makes it so damn worthwhile watching and interpreting as an epic love story. All of the love, trust, faith, compassion and care. All of what you would get in a real-life romantic relationship between a WLW couple is there between Xena and Gabrielle naturally and organically. It's the source of the entire show. The heart of what it is. The core element that drives most of, if not all, the themes and narratives in it. So Xena and Gabrielle are not only a one-of-a-kind WLW ship to this day because no other has ever matched their level of emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy to this day, but they're also the reason why WLW ships are even allowed to be seen on-screen at all. I KNOW they were never confirmed as canon then and it is still down to interpretation whether they are now, but they are still the green light and blueprint to WLW representation in TV art/entertainment regardless because they're only WLW ship I can think of in TV art/entertainment that gave us exactly what we should EXPECT and DEMAND to be provided for WLW representation besides the easy and lazy physical intimacy or AT LEAST alongside of it. Hence... why I relate to and resonate with WayHaught. Why I've fallen in love with them and their dynamic. Why they remind me so much of Xena and Gabrielle.

Waverly and Nicole are also a WLW ship in a TV show that lasted beyond 1 or 2 seasons that were also - for the most part - main protagonist female characters. And the show runner and entire Earper community had to fight like hell for the show to remain on air because the incredible WLW representation provided sadly was the reason why it wouldn't be able to. The majority consensus viewed it as a problem and networks or streaming services listen to the majority consensus. Which is that of straight white conservative men. Nevertheless, the fandom went fucking hard to make sure 'Wynonna Earp' was not cancelled without conclusion and they were rewarded with a 4th season in which the WLW representation was rampant throughout and WayHaught ended up successful endgame which is so incredibly rare to get. Not even Xena and Gabrielle had it.

They gave us more WayHaught than we could possibly handle in that one of the main driving thematic narrative plots of the entire season was that one of the characters in the WLW ship was separated from the other character for what seemed like a brief period of time for us but was actually, for her, as long as 18 months, 3 weeks and 4 days.

Why is this significant WLW representation in emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy? A quick synopsis of the plot to Season 4:

Nicole, in the meanwhile Waverly and Doc are stuck in the Garden of Eden since the finale of Season 3, and Wynonna, who goes after them to save them at the end of the first episode of Season 4, gets left behind and endeavours to protect the Earp Homestead from the new supernatural nasties that have entered the Ghost River Triangle since the gate to the Garden had been opened. She had someone with her to help her but this someone doesn't feel as emotionally racked as Nicole does from the whole traumatising situation of losing both her lover and her entire found family in one-fell swoop since it happened. She goes through a period of depression that leaves a mark on her even after she is reunited with Waverly and the others. And despite not relating to nor understanding Nicole's condition, Waverly tries her best to comfort Nicole through her trauma. This is not the only time when emotional intimacy is shown in the relationship between them but it is the most significant time to explain just how deep and intense their relationship is and Dom and Kat's portrayal of that emotional intimacy and the emotional chemistry that they have between them so that it looks real and authentic and resembles shades of Xena and Gabrielle's dynamic, which is much more emotional intimacy than it is physical intimacy. Waverly and Nicole's dynamic is the other way around in comparison but the emotional intimacy always leads into physical intimacy which gives all the physical intimacy narrative foundation and therefore it feels much more earned because of it, which I KNOW without a doubt would be the case with Xena and Gabrielle if they were allowed more physical intimacy between them.

The other significant time to me is in role-reversal opposition in that it is Nicole helping Waverly through a traumatic situation in Season 2 when Waverly finds out that she is not an Earp and not even human. This affects Waverly so much that her character becomes a shell of the exuberant and assertive character we are introduced to in Season 1, where she believes she can be of help to Wynonna as the Earp Heir and her supernatural investigation tag-team force with Doc and Dolls. Nicole makes a mistake in attempting to protect Waverly from the truth of her true heritage and nature, which leaves their relationship on a rocky road when what she does is involuntarily exposed initially, but ultimately her heart is in the right place in trying to alleviate Waverly from the pain of finding out that she isn't who she thinks she is and her family (mostly Wynonna) have been lying to her about it all this time. And they do eventually get passed the hurt and overcome their conflict because their love for each other is greater than all of the negatives. Emotional intimacy isn't easy to have with another person because it often means having to be vulnerable in what one feels with that person. Having to express and share personal experiences of past grievances or trauma to be able to relate to that other person in how they’re feeling so that they can comfort them through their trying times. I haven't seen any other WLW ship or two actors portraying that WLW ship provide that representation of emotional intimacy since Xena and Gabrielle. Again - partially because it requires much more screen-time and relationship foundation and development that is never afforded WLW ships in TV art/entertainment because they just as quickly cancel the show or kill off one or both of the characters before that can happen or even just as it is happening. It's extremely frustrating. But the other reason why I haven't seen it since Xena and Gabrielle is because there's never been two other actors portraying a WLW ship that I've seen that possesses anywhere near the emotional chemistry required to be able to portray such real and authentic emotional intimacy as their respective characters in their dynamic that feels natural and organic and not forced and contrived.

WayHaught and DomKat is the only time where I can say that that's not true because despite 'Wynonna Earp' being much shorter than 'Xena: Warrior Princess', they have relatively the same amount of screen-time to be able to provide that same level of representation and they have a show runner and two actors that are just as adamant and dedicated in and to providing it. And it's still a great feat and achievement that Wynonna was able to do this even though censorship of WLW representation isn't as strict and severe as it was when Xena was on air because WLW representation is unfortunately still one of the main reasons why shows get cancelled to this day. I mean 'First Kill' and 'Warrior Nun' are quintessential examples that this is true because those shows were extremely successful shows as far as general viewership and fandom engagement goes. They were the top 2 streaming service original shows with main protagonist female characters in WLW ships that had enough screen-time to represent emotional intimacy to a degree where they didn't appear to just be there to fill in the queer representation quota of the streaming service sales month - which is 99% the reason why I believe WLW ships exist in TV art/entertainment nowadays and why they never look or feel as real or authentic as they should look and feel when they actually want to provide sincere and genuine WLW representation. When they actually want to give you a WayHaught or a Xabrielle. When they actually want to provide for you a strong, substantial and significant WLW ship in BOTH physical intimacy AND emotional intimacy without cutting it loose the very moment that it is able to achieve it. The problem is not the talent. It’s not even the chemistry between the talent. The problem is representation anxiety and cancellation anxiety. That is not only the reason why the WLW representation suffers, but also why the storytelling itself suffers. And you can't really have one without the other for me to jump onboard the ship and go as hard in supporting and celebrating and talking about it as I have done for Xabrielle for my entire life.

You see, canonship doesn't matter to me in the slightest. I don't and never care whether the WLW ship is canon or not. I care that it is written and portrayed well. As Xena and Gabrielle have demonstrated - you can do that even when the WLW ship isn't confirmed as canon. But unlike with Xena and Gabrielle - you don't have to anymore. You can provide both canonship and well-written and portrayed WLW representation if you care to. That is what WayHaught is for me. It's representation of physical and emotional intimacy by actors that have great physical and emotional chemistry between them and the individual acting talent to portray that level of representation. Some WLW ships in TV art/entertainment look so damn forced and contrived that it's unbelievable they even exist in the first place. You wonder if they even had a screen test. This is when you know that the show runner or network doesn't care. They just want to fill in that fucking viewership, and therefore, sales quota. They have no interest in providing the representation other than that and people need to start differentiating the difference and supporting the sincere and genuine ones in the art/entertainment industry providing WLW or any queer representation at all. They're few and far between, it's true, but they're there and they need you to show up for them and wrap your entire support system around them or you won't get anything like either Xena and Gabrielle or WayHaught again. You won't even get WLW ships that have that carefully and lovingly wrapped package and that last long enough to be able to bestow the gift of that carefully and lovingly wrapped package on to you so what's the point in making an effort for them? This might be a nihilistic take but I'm so tired of showing up for what never will for me. I'm exhausted in trying for what never will for me. I'd rather invest all my attention, time, energy and money into what I know always will. Into what gave me a Xena and Gabrielle and WayHaught and I suggest and hope that you all will do the same because I know we're all desperate and there's success in numbers.

We should never have to drive ourselves into the ground to fight and beg and plead for on-screen representation of what and who we are and I think it's time that we take back all our power that we willingly gave to those that didn't deserve it and instead give it to those who do because they will be the ones to use it for “the greater good” - as Xena and Gabrielle would put it.

This is the final part in my DomKat/WayHaught meta series. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Here is Part 1 and Part 2 covering physical chemistry and physical intimacy if you have not read them yet. They include cool gifs. I didn't include gifs in this part because emotional chemistry and emotional intimacy isn't a "in the moment" thing. It requires narrative set up and build up for it to really work and hit. Therefore, it isn't what you get with any WLW ship. Especially not today when shows with WLW ships in just get cancelled before it can ever progress to a point where emotional intimacy is represented. I'm just glad Xena and Gabrielle came at a point in time when that wasn't so much of a problem even if their canonship was severely censored. Waverly and Nicole are the happy medium for me and I appreciate it.

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