One of my favorite things to do is live vicariously through other people, because sometimes my life is dark and full of terrors. (I'm fine.) I particularly like to live through fictional characters. One of my favorite things (and tumblr's favorite pastimes in general) is to 'ship' couples together, or root for two characters in a particular TV show or movie series to get together. I become so invested in their relationship that it's all I care about when watching the show. Every interaction between them is analyzed for any indication of them getting together. When it actually happens, though-- that's a whole new ballgame. It's the culmination of all the feelings I've had over the past few months or seasons coming to a head. Suddenly, everything is so not okay and so okay. There are too many feels for me to make a proper list about what you go through when it happens, but I'm sure going to try.

1. You think maybe tonight's the night. They're going to get together. The anticipation is overwhelming.

2. Every second of the episode hurts you. You're waiting. And waiting.

3. Your desired couple is touching. They. Are. Touching.

4. Intense eye contact. HERE WE GO.

5. They didn't kiss. It didn't happen. The episode is over. What.

6. The teaser for next week's episode is giving you no promising information.

7. Waiting the week for the next episode is still torture.

8. You've made it. It's time. This will be your couple's episode. You believe in it.

9. All of your friends are telling you that you're wrong, and that your couple isn't getting together now, and maybe not ever.

10. Once again, the anticipation is unreal.

11. Anytime someone in the same room as you so much as breathes too loudly, you almost lose it.

12. What..? WHAT?! Something is happening. This is not a drill. They're making that kind of eye contact. You thought you were ready. You aren't.

13. THE LEANING IN IS HAPPENING

14. They kiss.

15. ...can we just...

*Internal Screeching*

16. You can't really fathom what just happened.

17. You rewind and watch the scene over and over and over, just to make sure it's real.

18. You want to tell literally everyone about it, but no one else you know is as into the show as you are.

19. You do, however, make sure to rub it in your friends' faces that you were right.

20. You go on the internet to see if anyone else is as hype as you are about this new relationship.

21. You cry a little bit more.

22. Finally, you can go to bed happy. Your heart is full.

23. You watch the scene like, 15 more times. It's more magical each time.

24. You thrill at the prospect of all the new lovey antics to come.

Congrats on being the captain of a 'ship' that's setting sail. I'm going to go cry about Malec (from Shadowhunters) because I'm still not over it. I'm so far under it. I have a lot of ships to wrangle.