aristocratic-otter

[aristocratic-otter]

no purity tests

Voter suppression is very real, and it doesn't just show up as long lines, gerrymandering, and other physical barriers to putting your ballot in the box.

Voter suppression most frequently means demoralizing, discouraging, and other emotionally manipulative ways to convince people that their vote doesn't matter. One of the most common and effective tactics online is to work people up with purity tests, to convince people that, for instance, it's a good idea to kneecap the one guy who is currently the loudest and most effective voice countering Trump, because [fill in whatever the reason, usually that he's a lame centrist].

Newsom is my governor. He leaves a LOT to be desired for leftists like me, but he's a powerful, effective, unflinching and relentless voice speaking truth to Fascism. We need him. We need more voices like his.

So when you hear someone praising him for speaking up, when you see one of his clever posts skewering shitler, and you see people responding positively to his willingness to fight, and fight hard, just join in that celebration. And shut down anyone who does "yeah, but ..." because now is not the time.

We are all in this together. Fuck Trump, fuck Maga, and fuck everyone who supports them.

They are our enemy -- a word I don't use lightly -- and we need to remember that. Stay on target.

[aristocratic-otter]

Hey @best--dress, thank you for the tag.

Here are my very belated results:

"The comforting yellow rays of sunshine on your skin

Your stories may not be the most popular, but they never fail to put a much-needed smile onto someone’s face. The joy you bring to others through your talents is truly a gift. Your words and stories carry a lightheartedness that the world is constantly in dire need of. At times, you may feel discouraged from writing and that you’re not good enough, but you have to ignore those thoughts. Give yourself time to rest and soon enough the sun will shine on you again."

Ouch for that second line, but the rest is true enough. Tagging for funsies: @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @cutestkilla, @artsyunderstudy, @j-trow-95

hi so i made a uquiz that will tell you what color is your writing? 

i hope you have fun and enjoy it! i would love it if you reblogged your result and told me if you agreed/disagreed with it!! 

[aristocratic-otter]

So you know when they say that the presence of some animal is a sign of a healthy ecosystem? Like "the american green tree frog is an indicator of environmental health." Or whatever other normal things people say in conversation. I'm feeling that way about daydreaming about this fic. "Thinking up silly scenes that make me laugh and don't even have a place in the fic is a sign of a healthy AU." Vital part of the ecosystem.

So that's where we are with my sci-fi/horror AU. The ideas are coming together. The brainstorm doc is at...24k. Scenes starting with [ok this probably won't actually happen, but] are being written. Scenes that actually will happen are even being written. Still not a whole lot of samples I can give without big spoilers, but here are a couple small bits.

He caught himself thinking that Baz was a good [redacted] and barked a sharp laugh. Without exaggeration, Baz was the most fucked up [redacted] on the planet. But he was good in an emergency.

and

“I can give you something to help you—” “How about you save that to shove up your ass instead.” Simon rolled onto his back. He stared up at the crooked teeth of the cavern ceiling and tapped his fingers over his chest. “Tell me a scary story.”

Tags under the cut <3

@aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @alexalexinii @bookish-bogwitch @best--dress

@cutestkilla @fatalfangirl @facewithoutheart @ileadacharmedlife @iamamythologicalcreature

@mooncello @rimeswithpurple @raeny-day @ladylasarus @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

@youarenevertooold @sillyunicorn @thewholelemon @monbons @bluedahlia912

@martsonmars @onepintobean @run-for-chamo-miles @forabeatofadrum @ivelovedhimthroughworse

I tried to do this alphabetically and it really didn't work out. Anyway I hope y'all have at least one good day this week <3

[aristocratic-otter]

WIP Wednesday

2025.07.09 - 2025.07.16

A collection of the WIP fics that have posted in the last week.

ICYMI, @carry-on-big-bang 2025 started on 7/2! Check it out.

Across the Universe [T, 2/?] by @rupaulsduckrace /pianorat

Hapless Supernova [M, 18/?] by BBirdy, @theearlgreymage / EarlGreyMage

Just A Stage Kiss [G, 1/?] by LovelyLittleLadzzz

Magickal Creature Ambassador [T, 3/8] by a_charmed_life with art by @rimeswithpurple / RimesWithPurple

A Pitch With Wings and a Bloodthirsty Chosen One [T, 1/6] by @roomwithanopenfire / IL46 with art by @lauillu / laillu

Rising at Dawn [T, 8/?] by iamwheretheseasleeps

The Salisbury Boy [E, 10/20] by @alleycat0306 / alleycat0306

Simon Snow and the Sands of Time [T, 1/19] by @martsonmars / martsonmars with art by @talentpiper11

Sleep With Me [NR, 5/6] by Who_Cares

Snowbaz in the adventures of the lost pharaoh sepulcrum [E, 1/?] by @mauve-bric-a-brac / A_unicorn_frappuccino with art by @arthurkko / arthur_kko

Stars, Flowers, and Children [E, 11/20] by @aristocratic-otter / Aristocratic_Otter

There are Monsters in the Wood [E, 2/18] by @artsyunderstudy / artsyunderstudy

They Get Married. [E, 6/12 ] by @colddeadqueer / colddeadqueer

Through Dangers Untold [T, 2/13] by @pidgelikethebird / Pidgelikethebird with art by @lovelettersto-mars / Loveletterstostar

When That Light Hits the Sky [T, 3/6] by @thewholelemon / TheWholeLemon

Carry on AU Fest fic. Carry on Big Bang fics.

[aristocratic-otter]

friends! for once in my life i have something to share AND it's a wednesday. thanks to everyone who tags me, i love you all <3

so, on monday i saw the new superman movie, fell in love with it, and immediately drafted a snowbaz au. it needs much work but it is at least fully drafted, so there's hope it'll be ready soon—i even already have a banner and all.

here are some random sentences:

“You didn't read my article?”

“Not for a lack of effort.” I turn back to my computer, type a couple of fake sentences to give myself more of an aloof air. Then I kick the floor and let my chair spin closer to him. Very elegant. “Every minute you spend looking at a Thesaurus should be taken off your paycheck.”

He scoffs. “At least I didn't get stuck writing about rat infestations for the third time in a week.”

+

“You’d let me interview you as Superman?”

“Why not?” he shrugs.

“Because you know it's gonna end up in flames.”

Thirty minutes later, we're shouting.

+

“And I definitely don't want a harem of wives to spread my perfect alien genes.”

He lets out a half-laugh, and it makes me smile. Maybe this is not a good time to tell him that I've definitely thought he should be the father of our genetically superior children.

i also have a poll. i wrote this fic with simon as superman but it doesn't feel completely right, and i'm wondering if he shouldn't have a more carry on related superhero name.

i may not respect your wishes but maybe i will.

under the cut, something from the second chapter of my indiana jones au cobb, which will maybe motivate me to continue it, and a million tags

Not that I should be doing this, but a shipment of dubiously obtained objects was delivered to the museum in the middle of the night, courtesy of some old lady whose father bought land, a parliamentary seat, and crates of things from a country he'd barely know where to place on a map, using the money he got through trade with people whose language he’d refused to learn, and Bunce — the father — handed me a letter opener, a duster, and the lack of knowledge to deal with it.

@facewithoutheart @sillyunicorn @onepintobean @shrekgogurt @wellbelesbian @palimpsessed @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @forabeatofadrum @fatalfangirl @cutestkilla @ileadacharmedlife @bookish-bogwitch @artsyunderstudy @orange-peony @larkral @raeny-day @stitchyqueer @hushed-chorus @technetiumai @brilla-brilla-estrellita @theimpossibledemon @imagineacoolusername @blackberrysummerblog @theearlgreymage @rimeswithpurple @messofthejess @alexalexinii @whatevertheweather @jbrrring @prettygoododds @youarenevertooold @best--dress @theotherhufflepuff @monbons @run-for-chamo-miles @aristocratic-otter @noblecorgi @bookishbroadwayandblind

[aristocratic-otter]

Hello, honey blossoms! Thank you for the tag @monbons!

I already wrote this post once and it disappeared. Let’s see if I have better luck this time.

Chapter 3 of When That Light Hits the Sky is up! Read it here!

Under the cut, tags and a snip from the chapter that just posted so you know what you have to look forward to.

“You should take my number!” Simon practically shouts instead. Baz looks startled, and Simon sighs at himself. That’s not … well, it’s not his best line, but he’s done much worse. In this conversation alone. “I mean, just in case something comes up. And we need to be in touch.”

“Okay,” Baz says, the corner of his mouth lifting, just a bit.

“And … and I should take yours,” Simon says firmly.

“Ah, well, you already have it,” Baz says shyly.

He does??? Find out what happens next in the chapter…and share something of your own if you like.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall @facewithoutheart

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @mooncello @nausikaaa

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @pato-roldnart @palimpsessed

@prettygoododds @raeny-day @rimeswithpurple @roomwithanopenfire @run-for-chamo-miles

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[aristocratic-otter]

Stitches and Sentences

Happy Sunday! I'm halfway through my summer break and sad about it. To cheer myself up, have some cheer AU in all forms!

STITCHES Simon in my Cheer AU is my precious little baby. I want to wrap him up in a blanket and keep him safe. Although I've made cheer Simon before, I decided to try my hand at making cheer Simon from this specific AU in a different body style. (He is one continuous piece so that he has a booty.)

Behold, both my attempts because the first one was too skinny and tall. (And yes, Simon has a pierced belly button with glittery cherry jewelry in the fic.)

SENTENCES This fic has officially surpassed both my previous long fics in word count. We are at ~55k in the beta doc. I wrote roughly 18k of that in the last two weeks, which is wild. I am also nowhere near done.

Despite all the words, I can't keep giving you too many sentences or I will spoil my own fic. So please have the following lines, all featuring the cherries.

As soon as she turned the corner, Simon knotted his tee up by his ribs, revealing his navel piercing (some sparkly cherries) and the rainbow-colored waistband of his briefs.

“You’re just mad you don’t get to lick those cherries.” Dev winked at me. 

He looks the same—perfect curls, gold hoop in his nose, a peek of glimmering cherries between his too-short top and low-slung joggers.

May sparkly cherries be in your future.

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy, @bachusekart, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @emeryhall, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @mooncello, @nausikaaa, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @pato-roldnart, @prettygoododds, @raeny-day, @rbkzz, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @rimeswithpurple, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold, @jyae23, @j-trow-95

[aristocratic-otter]

WIP Wednesday

hello muffins! Thank you for the Wednesday tags @leithillustration @roomwithanopenfire @artsyunderstudy @facewithoutheart @prettygoododds! you all made me want to join in the fun.

But first, a reading update: I finished Aristotle and Dante. I'm slightly bereft. Such a great book. I'm going to be slow to recover from it.

Up next: The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei. Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (I'm loving the translator note alone, even.) And I've got to read Kings Rising! Don't tell anyone but I started reading these books when I was sick and I read so much that my eyes literally gave out on me and stopped working, so I had to skip to the end in order to not die from suspense. Sadly, it killed my momentum. But I feel some Damen/Laurent energy coming back to me so, it's gonna happen.

under the cut, tags and TWO snippets for your reading pleasure, both from the next unpublished chapter of When That Light Hits the Sky, one a Simon Spiral™️ and one...also a Simon spiral. But shorter. haha.

“Are you all right?” Baz says. “You seem nervous. Do you think—is something going to happen?” “I’m not nervous!” Simon says, outraged. He looks around again. He’s not nervous, he’s keyed up, he’s just on alert, this is necessary vigilance, he’s not anxious, doesn’t have anxiety like that one therapist suggested, the one he had to see before he could leave the hospital with Penny after the Humdrum. He’s not anxious, it’s just that he can’t stop watching, can’t stop monitoring, can’t stop feeling responsible for every one of the people he sees. BATMAN FAILS TO PROTECT THE CITY. Again, Simon adds in his mind, again again again. “Okay,” Baz says, very calmly.

And as a treat:

“It’s all right,” Baz says politely. “I stop in here a lot. They have a queer book club here that I go to sometimes.” “Hmm,” Simon hmms. Another thing he’s failed to give much thought to that seems to be fairly straightforward for other people. FAILED SUPERHERO STILL DOESN’T KNOW IF HE’S GAY OR NOT. Which reminds him…

What does it remind him of??? Tune in whenever I publish this chapter to see...

share if you want! and feel hugged.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @best--dress

@blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @monbons @mooncello @nausikaaa 

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @pato-roldnart @palimpsessed 

@papierhaikuphoto @raeny-day @rimeswithpurple  @run-for-chamo-miles 

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon 

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[aristocratic-otter]

Thank you @facewithoutheart @roomwithanopenfire and @artsyunderstudy for the tags today.

I am loving all the new fics hitting my feed and email. There L’s a certain joy from all your favs updating all at once and the rush of catching up.

I’ve been working in a little bit of everything but most Questions We Don’t Ask. Thank you again @artsyunderstudy for putting that as a rec.

It’s funny to me, when I decided I wanted to make that Fic happen, I told my friend that this is one just for me. That I “knew” it wouldn’t go over well but that I had to get it out of my brain. I knew it was angsty. I knew it brought to light the parts of Simon and Baz that get glossed over. But I had to. So thank you to everyone who is reading that and leaving just the best comments ever. It means the world to me.

Here’s a little tease from part 3:

Then because he can’t go even a few moments without saying something that leaves me speechless,says, “You should get a cat.”

“Why?” I ask with a chuckle.

“Because you’re all alone. And you’re definitely not a dog person.”

“I’m not lonely.”

“I didn’t say you were lonely,” he says, once again looking at me like he sees through me. That even though he didn’t say it, he knows I am. But he doesn’t let the somber mood settle. He jumps up on his knees and leans over me to kiss me soundly. “Let’s go, I’m feeling restless.”

He leaps out of bed, picking up his clothes as he goes. I watch as his bare arse walks out of my room and laugh at the absurdity of my life.

Also, in case you missed it, @pidgelikethebird and I posted the first few chapters of our COBB submission, The Great War. I don’t know when the next chapter will go up, but here’s a snippet of a convo between Baz and Dev:

“I’m… surviving.”

“Barely,” he snorts.

“I’m doing my best,” I argue.

“Bet that doesn’t help,” he says, motioning with his chin towards the path that leads to the gardens.

There’s Simon, arm and arm with Lady Wellbelove, walking toward my mother’s gardens without a care in the world. Him smiling at her. Her laughing at something he whispered in her ear.

It’s like a stab to the heart.

Welp, that outta do it. Happy Wednesday everyone!

Tags: @ic3-que3n @dohrnaira @thewholelemon @imagineacoolusername @shemakesmeforget

@ivelovedhimthroughworse @wellbelesbian @rimeswithpurple @aristocratic-otter @cutestkilla

@blackberrysummerblog @nausikaaa @supercutedinosaurs @valeffelees @iamamythologicalcreature

@shrekgogurt @ileadacharmedlife @martsonmars @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @hushed-chorus

@youarenevertooold @noblecorgi @bookish-bogwitch @talentpiper11

@alexalexinii @monbons

[aristocratic-otter]

WIP Wednesday

2025.07.02 - 2025.07.09

A collection of the WIP fics that have posted in the last week.

@carry-on-big-bang 2025 started on 7/2! Check it out.

Baby Mine [M, 7/15] by @aristocratic-otter / Aristocratic_Otter with art by @argumentativeantitheticalg / argumentativeantitheticalg

The Great War [E, 2/?] by @prettygoododds / PrettyGoodOdds

He loves me not [T, 4/?] by @camellia-kind-of-love / Camellia_kind_of_love

A Horse With No Name [M, 1/10] by @shrekgogurt / shrekgogurt with art by @artsyunderstudy /  artsyillustrations (artsyunderstudy)

Magickal Creature Ambassador [T, 2/8] by a_charmed_life with art by @rimeswithpurple / RimesWithPurple

Men of the Night's Watch [M, 6/7] by @bazypitchandsimonsnow / bazypitchandsimonsnow (ChessPargeter)

Not At Heros Fit in Boxes [NR, 3/?] by The_Single_Chocolate_Bar - Part 1 of Vampire Simon and Human Baz

Sweeten the Deal [T, 2/?] by @camellia-kind-of-love / Camellia_kind_of_love

Vampire Empire* [NR, 12/?] by CoolVintageCassette

The Way We Are [M, 4/8] by @roomwithanopenfire/IL46 with art by @alexalexinii/AlexAlexinii

You & I Will Always Be Unfinished Business [T, 3/10] by @aristocratic-otter / Aristocratic_Otter with art by @rimeswithpurple / RimesWithPurple

You've Got Mail [E, 1/?] by @bluedahlia912 / BlueDahlia912

Carry on Big Bang fics. Carry on Reverse Bang fic.

[aristocratic-otter]

WIP Wednesday

Hey everyone! I hope you're all surviving. I'm sadly struggling with all the current events and my only real solace is working on There are Monsters in the Wood which I did finally start posting. Really lovely to be active on AO3 again because it's truly helping me. I'm trying to get back into reading fic, too. Everyone who is writing and posting right now: I appreciate you so much. I am including some fic recs under the cut.

Here is an excerpt from chapter 2 of Monsters, which will be posting on Sunday.

The quiet doesn’t last. There are distant, careful footsteps. Even with my eyes shut, I know who it is. I almost groan, picturing him tall and haughty, his shiny brushed black hair. When I open my eyes, that’s exactly what I see. He’s already glaring down his long nose at me from across the path.  Of course. Prince Basil. Basilton. Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch, what a name.  I glare back. He never wears leathers. Only silk and velvet. Judging by the way the plush of it catches the light, his gown today is the latter. A bold purple lined in fur, though it’s hardly cold enough for furs. The doublet beneath is patterned with golden vines that reflect the light as if made of real gold. What a peacock. Do they not teach him to fight? Is he too fine for that? I wonder if anyone’s ever knocked him into the mud or if his warm, reddish skin bruises as easily as spoiled fruit.

Recs and tags under the cut!

On The Rocks by @noblecorgi is getting close to finished and it's truly been like, a thing that's kept me going during some harder times. The honest way it deals with mental illness and trauma and addiction is really gorgeously and empathetically handled. Recent chapter has my tummy doing backflips.

Questions We Don't Ask by @prettygoododds is also a standout, deals with the really complex and painful reality of adultery while also being kind of ridiculously hot??? It's really well done, I'm completely hooked no matter how it ends.

more than a footnote by @mooncello just wrapped up a few weeks ago and it is a triumph, especially considering I really wasn't terribly invested in DeNiall when I started reading it. Heath's character work is outstanding and beautiful and nuanced, the relationship deeply compelling, the sex is gorgeous, and they truly made these characters their own. I am in the middle of a reread and really soaking it all up. Please please give it a read, I promise you will be obsessed with it.

The Salisbury Boy by @alleycat0306 also has me by the throat. It's dark and fucked up and complicated and deeply sexy, and also the plot is SO fascinating. I am so absorbed by this world, and desperate to read more.

A Horse With No Name by @shrekgogurt (with art by meeeee) okay obviously I have a personal stake in this one BUT also Mary's so fucking good. It's so GENRE. The western vibes of this fic are so outrageously fun and good, and I'm so delighted by the story itself. It's incredible and I'm super excited to be a part of it for COBB.

I know uh, a few of these are heavy reads. That's kind of my jam! But if you love angst and messy feelings, the ones above are beautifully done. Also encouraging everyone to leave even short comments on people's fics, I think a lot of people need community more than ever. And also if a story is helping you through a tough time, as an author that's a really powerful thing to know. I say this not for myself, just for fic writers in general. I'm trying to be better about letting people know they make a difference, even if it's just a brief escape from The Horrors.

Tags and hellos!

@stitchyqueer @rimeswithpurple @imagineacoolusername @ileadacharmedlife @aristocratic-otter @letraspal @whatevertheweather @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @raenestee @shrekgogurt @prettygoododds @brilla-brilla-estrellita @ivelovedhimthroughworse @martsonmars @c0nsumemy5oul @facewithoutheart @alexalexinii @iamamythologicalcreature @supercutedinosaurs @best--dress @messofthejess @mooncello @orange-peony @bookish-bogwitch @confused-bi-queer @youarenevertooold @that-disabled-princess @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @blackberrysummerblog @nausikaaa @thewholelemon @cutestkilla @emeryhall @hushed-chorus @forabeatofadrum @roomwithanopenfire @noblecorgi @monbons @run-for-chamo-miles @skeedelvee @valeffelees @ic3que3n @drowninginships @talentpiper11 @fiend-for-culture @leithillustration @j-trow-95 @bookishbroadwayandblind @the-beard-of-edward-teach

[aristocratic-otter]

Happy Wednesday!

I don't have to work today so today is beautiful weekend wednesday for me, i hope you guys are enjoying your week. i actually have some things to share today! See my numbered list!!

It's COBB season and while my posting date for my 2025 COBB isn't quite here yet, i just posted Chapter Four of my 2024 COBB with @alexalexinii!! Even if you're not in the mood to read, I'd suggest looking at the fic just to see the amazing art Alex has done. There's a piece for every chapter and I'd hate for you guys to miss it. (More chapters and art coming soon <333)

I've been reading again!! Like actual books as well as fanfic!! Don't get me wrong, I love fanfiction, but in middle and high school i used to read like three book every week PLUS my nightly fanfictions, i was insane and i miss that (college does not leave me with as much downtime). But it's summer and i've finished 5 books in the past 9 days which has felt great! Notable books that I've finished include: When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley (i heard you guys talk about it and i wanted in!), Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab (i literally loved this book, i'm such a big fan of V.E. Schwab's writing style and I really enjoyed these characters. Also.... lesbian vampires?? need i say more?????), and Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack (not my usual genre, but i actually super enjoyed it! I listened to it while i was at work. the narrator was so slow that i had it on 3x speed the entire time tho 😭). If you want to see what i'm reading, you should friend me on storygraph!!

I am still making edits and posting them. It's a lot of fun and i'm getting faster with creating them (Also have downloaded so many scenepacks, my poor storage space on my laptop, i need to get a couple thumbdrives or something).

I'm writing again and feeling good about it! I have some final polishing stuff to do on my first chapter of my upcoming COBB (I also desperately need to come up with a title). Something that's i think helped me start to come out of my writing funk is really just remembering that this is for FUN. (thanks to @fiend-for-culture and @thewholelemon for all of your writing thoughts the past few months). I think one thing holding me back from posting more of The Way We Are was just that I wanted it to be perfect to justify me spending so much time on it. But that's not possible, and more importantly, it's not fun. Writing fanfic is a hobby and i don't need to be stressing myself out it so much that i psych myself out of posting fics that i've pretty much finished writing.

Speaking of writing for fun, I'm following my whims and choosing joy and that joy happens to be extremely complicated omegaverse canon-rewrites (a 9-1-1 fic, sorry carry on only mutuals 😔, i hope someone will write you a detailed omegaverse rewrite one day too, i will be first in the comments). That joy also includes collabing with my friend @sweetronancer for a fluffy omega/omega stranger things fic, because why not?

Snips for the fics I've talked about today are under the cut:

The Way We Are (from the recently posted Chapter 4), Baz POV

Marjorie reaches across the table to grab another helping and as she comes back, her piece of steak passes right under my nose. My fangs drop. Fuck. I try in vain to will them back into my mouth, but it’s no use. Too many smells and too many nerves, not to mention the nearly full drink I’ve consumed making it harder for me to control them. Keeping my mouth clamped shut, I hope no one notices. I can’t be the only vampire who can’t control their fangs. I feel like a dog who needs to be house-trained, unable to be among good company because he bites.

Currentely Untitled Upcoming COBB 2025 fic

“It all boils down to this,” Simon casts behind me, and when I turn, I see his water has joined the bubbling chorus of the room. “Great job, Simon!” Madam Bellamy leans over his water. “Your vowels could stand to be a bit crisper—would bring the water to a higher temperature, but very impressive.” Trixie beside me snorts. “Lucky Simon. He got one spell right.” Simon must have heard her, because he casts again, this time on Penelope’s cup. “Boil over.” Madam Bellamy beams as the water bubbles over the rim of the cup. “Excellent job!”

My 9-1-1 Omegaverse fic that I'm affectionally calling omega!buck

With Eddie turned away towards the trash can, Buck notices it: the faded bite mark on the side of scent gland. No one’s ever said Buck has tact. “You’re bonded?” he asks. Eddie grimaces, which is not the usual response. A bonding mark is meant to be seen. It’s like a wedding ring. Which Eddie doesn’t wear, Buck’s now noticing. “Uh,” Eddie starts. “Yeah, but she’s— We’re not—” Eddie’s face shifts through the spectrum of emotions as he flounders before landing on. “It’s complicated.” “Bonded but you’re not married?” Buck pushes, looking down pointedly at Eddie’s hand, empty of any kind of ring. “Well, we are married, but—” “Separated?” “Maybe?” Eddie’s voice has kicked up to a higher pitch, and Buck backs off.

shannon diaz, idk what i'm gonna do with you in this fic yet, but trust i would never do you as dirty as canon does

Omega/Omega Ronance Stranger Things Collab w/ @sweetronancer

“Are you feeling better?” Nancy asks. “Yeah, I…” Robin takes a deep breath. “I think so. Not so… unsettled anymore.” “That’s good,” Nancy murmurs sleepily into Robin’s neck. Robin’s acutely aware that she woke her up from her nap with her freak out. “I…” Robin doesn’t know why she’s still talking. “I should get out your hair, right? I’m probably good to leave now.” Nancy hums and just wraps herself tighter around Robin. “Stay here anyways.” Oh.

tags and hellos!!

@aristocratic-otter @argumentativeantitheticalg @artsyunderstudy @arthurkko @beastmonstertitan

@blackberrysummerblog @best--dress @bookishbroadwayandblind @bookish-bogwitch @the-beard-of-edward-teach

@brilla-brilla-estrellita @confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @facewithoutheart

@emeryhall @hertragedyconnoisseur @fiend-for-culture @hushed-chorus @iamamythologicalcreature

@ileadacharmedlife @theimpossibledemon @jyae23 @larkral @lovelettersto-mars

@meanjeansjeans @m1ndwinder @monbons @nausikaaa @noblecorgi @mooncello

@orange-peony @prettygoododds @raeny-day @rimeswithpurple @run-for-chamo-miles

@rbkzz @shrekgogurt @simonscones @skeedelvee @supercutedinosaurs

@talentpiper11 @thewholelemon @valeffelees @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe 

please let me know if you'd rather not be tagged and i'm tagging you, OR if you want to be tagged and i don't have you on my list! I haven't updated this list in a while so maybe i'm missing someone. (also i love being tagged in things even though i'm not interacting as much. i still really appreciate being thought of!!!)

[aristocratic-otter]

2025.07.08

You & I Will Always Be Unfinished Business [T, 3/10] by @aristocratic-otter / Aristocratic_Otter with art by @rimeswithpurple / RimesWithPurple

“I think Agatha’s in love with Baz. And he’s not even here! He should be here.” I’m so frustrated and exhausted that I’m losing control over my magic once again. I can feel it rolling off of me in waves. Penny sighs. “Agatha’s not really in love with Baz. She’s just looking for something that sticks. It’s romantic to be in love with a dead vampire.” My heart stutters in my chest. “Dead?” is all I manage to get out, though a hundred responses to Penny’s statement are suddenly swirling around my head.

Across the Universe [T, 976] by @rupaulsduckrace /pianorat

When Simon Snow accidentally walks through a gateway that transports him one year into the future, the last thing he should expect is a sudden friendship with his sworn enemy Tyrannus Basilton Pitch, right?

Carry On Big Bang fic.

[aristocratic-otter]

Sometimes I am compelled by a higher power (adhd) to use a photo reference of Saoirse Ronan to make a wistful picture of the Fool. (I chickened out doing his tattoo for now.)

And then it happened to be Wednesday (as of about 40 mins ago) so let’s say this is a wip.

Thank you @monbons, @fiend-for-culture, @nausikaaa, @best--dress and @thewholelemon for continuing to tag me in your wonderful updates. They always brighten my week, even when I’m spoonless and unable to reciprocate or comment.

Happy Wednesday to you all. I hope this week is treating you kindly 🩵

No pressure tags under the cut

@youarenevertooold @iamamythologicalcreature @alexalexinii @cattocavo @that-disabled-princess

@orange-peony @cutestkilla @rimeswithpurple @larkral @best--dress

@scribble-tier @theimpossibledemon @artsyunderstudy @thewholelemon @raeny-day

@nightimedreamersworld @itriednottothinkaboutit @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @angelsfalling16 @willowjh

@the-beard-of-edward-teach @monbons @katatsumuli @fiend-for-culture @tragediegh

@aristocratic-otter @argumentativeantitheticalg @lovelyladzzzz @nausikaaa @blackberrysummerblog

@prettygoododds @mooncello @leofrun

[aristocratic-otter]

Something something Sunday, hello, it's Sunday and I have some sentences. I had things to say too, I think, but look, it turns out sleep is kind of important, and all I've got left in my head now is about five brain cells that can't find each other. But for now it is a day and there is sun and there are also sentences from one of the projects I'm trying to eke some hobby-related happiness out of in between all the other things going on.

I was going to share from two, but topically I am just feeling this one from my sci-fi/horror au.

“I didn’t sign up to die because my handler is too sleep-deprived to help me.” “I’m not sleep-deprived.” “Then you’re sleeping on the fucking job,” Simon grunted. His hand jerked, and the sample snapped in two. He cursed and smashed half of it under his palm. “All those times you don’t answer me, are you just fucking passed out up there?” “No. I sleep when you sleep.” Simon rolled his eyes, slotting the empty slide back into his pack. “That’s—” “I’m not tucking in for a nap with no fail-safes in place,” his handler interrupted. “Any substantial change to your breathing, heart rate, or environment will wake me. I wake up every time you have a nightmare.” “Yeah, well." Simon plucked out a vial and scraped the whole mess into it. "So do I.” “You don’t, actually.”

Tags under the cut <3

@monbons @thewholelemon (thank you for the tags!) @artsyunderstudy @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @cutestkilla

@cutestkilla @rimeswithpurple @alexalexinii @iamamythologicalcreature @mooncello (y'all do we still need to separate tags into groups of five)

@fatalfangirl @best--dress @ladylasarus @run-for-chamo-miles @bookish-bogwitch

@aristocratic-otter @ivelovedhimthroughworse @youarenevertooold @raeny-day @facewithoutheart

[aristocratic-otter]

Six Sentence Sunday

thanks for the tags @monbons and @thewholelemon!

so, after a few months of barely writing, i've gotten my motivation back but decided to do some restructuring.

as you may know, my novel was shaping up to be an absolute behemoth, definitely on the far side of 200k words, which is about twice the length of the average novel and four times the length of the minimum requirement for something to be a novel. i was kind of worried, because more words equals more pages, which means a higher expense for publishers, which means they're less likely to take a chance on you.

after speaking briefly with Terry Deary at a book signing and my dad cynically pointing out that more books = more money, i've decided it might be better to split my book into four (or maybe five?) smaller books, so i can really take my time with the long and complex story i want to tell. this has it's own challenges, as if i publish the first book and it does poorly, the rest might get dropped, and i really want the whole series to see the light. maybe i could self publish, but that would require learning all sorts of new skills... however, it would also give me more creative control. i could commission my friends to do cover art!

i've decided i'll cross that bridge when i come to it. i need to finish the thing first. but the final drawback of this plan is that now i have to think of four titles instead of just one, which all feel connected but distinct, and i'm so so bad at titling things! you can't just slap some fitting song lyrics on there like you can with fanfic!

let me know your thoughts: traditional publishing or self publishing? pros and cons of each?

so, i've decided each book will follow four point of view characters: Andromache, Helenus, Deidamia, and a fourth character who changes per book to give some outside perspective (Oenone, Briseis, Hermione, then finally Astyanax)

i've also switched from past tense to present tense, so while i can preserve a lot of what i've already written, it's going to need some intensive rewriting.

finally, since the story is no longer told through the framing device of a character recounting events to a teenager, i can get dark with it. really dark. no self censorship. the myths are fucked up, and i don't want to shy away from it. i might not end up including it, as i want to be sensitive with it and i'm worried it will make some characters too unsympathetic to readers, but i'm writing it all the same, so that i have the context in my notes whether i include it on the page or not.

so... here are some of those sentences, set just before the really dark stuff.

Like a deer when it knows it is surrounded, my legs refuse to obey me. It's an effort to even stay upright, when every fibre of my being wants to drop to the floor and weep, tearing at my cheeks and beating my breasts in grief for my husband, my son, my home.

Neoptolemus is upon me in a few strides, grabbing a fistful of my hair, his face suddenly contorted in rage. “Why won’t you make this easy and do as I say?” He roars, flecks of spittle hitting my face. I reel back, but he yanks me down to his level, making me cry out.

i tag @forabeatofadrum @cutestkilla @run-for-chamo-miles @roomwithanopenfire @prettygoododds @bookish-bogwitch @youarenevertooold @that-disabled-princess @noblecorgi @orange-peony @larkral @confused-bi-queer @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @thewholelemon @alexalexinii @hushed-chorus @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @martsonmars @meanjeansjeans @leithillustration @j-trow-95 @bookishbroadwayandblind @blackberrysummerblog and @ic3que3n

[aristocratic-otter]

Six Things Sunday

thank you for the tag @monbons! six things:

1-Napoleon cake. What a wonder. This has to be Simon Snow's favorite cake. It is 95% butter. It wasn't at the french bakery stall this weekend and I was heartbroken. The french bakery stall at the farmer's market sounds extremely fancy, but it's really a guy with a folding table who speaks French. His pastries are outstanding, though. I need him to be set up somewhere other than a folding table next to a fried chicken store so I can eat his napoleon cake every day.

2-I finished Crying in H Mart (recommend) and started Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe while waiting at the library for my kid to decide what extremely detailed insect book he was going to bring home (spoiler: all of them). I haven't read Ari & Dante before, and I love it. The style isn't what I was expecting at all; it feels bare and restricted and sparse and the amount of storytelling that happens in the blank spaces is really doing it for me. I'm really enjoying it.

3-I also started On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder; also good although sitting around thinking about the rise of tyranny in America is not the most fun pastime. It's very short though, just twenty lessons on resisting tyranny and fascism; spoiler, the first two are don't obey in advance and protect institutions.

4-I got some V.E. Schwab books in the YA section while I was sitting waiting to be able to stop looking at magnified pictures of ticks; I like her books but I like her newsletter about writing even more. It's one of the only newsletters I read.

5-I finally read Follow the River by @ninemagicks. Why did I put this off? I guess I didn't want it to be over. I really loved it, which is not a surprise; every fic they write is a forever-rec for me.

6-and finally, I've returned to working on my Batman fic for the Carry on AU fest, When that Light Hits the Sky. No new chapters yet; I'd really like to have it done so you can have the rest on a schedule and not have to remind yourself what the whole thing is about over the course of months. What about you--do you prefer it chapter by chapter when they're written, or do you like knowing it's all done and you'll get it on a schedule?

tags (above and below) and a snippet of that below the cut--

Penny’s decided they’re celebrating Christmas early because she’s going to be with Micah for the holidays this year. She’d wanted to stay in London, but Simon insisted. He wanted to pretend it was the darkest days of January already anyway, that Christmas had come and gone. He had always had to work that day; he didn’t feel too attached to it. Even now, Simon tells her it’s too early, but she bribes him with popcorn to “string” and gingerbread biscuits, and he relents. They decorate them together while bad pop music plays on her phone; as is tradition, he makes her a tiny Penny with crooked glasses and purple hair like she had the first time they made gingerbread together at Christmas. Hers has the buzzcut he used to wear when he was still in care, his shitty trainers. He decorates one round biscuit in honor of the red bouncy ball that he’d been in tears over losing when he was too old to be crying over toys, in honor of how they met; Penny was the only kid in year six who helped him look for it. It never turned up, but Simon thinks if he got Penny out of the deal, the sacrifice was worth it. They toast with hot chocolate and bite their own heads off.

hope your week is shaping up to be a nice one. did you do something imperfect this week that you want to share? also I really loved reading the nice things you were looking forward to last week; if you want to tell me another nice thing you're looking forward to, I'd love to hear it.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall  @facewithoutheart

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @mooncello @nausikaaa 

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @pato-roldnart @palimpsessed 

@prettygoododds @raeny-day @rimeswithpurple  @roomwithanopenfire @run-for-chamo-miles 

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon 

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe