#Harriet writes: 1k ficlets

[harrietwritesstuff]

I wrote this a while ago; after that one video where Vova went to visit the printing press in Kharkiv & the way he held himself that day just, stuck with me. I think I posted this on my other blog, but it doesn't harm to have it here for prosperity.

Title: Printing Press

For the first time in a long while, Maks isn’t sure what to say; the words he wants to automatically rely on feel trite and useless - 

You’re not okay, are you? I’m sorry. It’s awful. Tomorrow will be better. Let me hold you. I know. I know. You're doing the best you can-

Sometimes, more often now than at the beginning- there is anger, rage; a vicious snarling fury that comes out at night. It’s something he knows how to handle, he knows what to do when there are no other thoughts than revenge like a razorblade; he’ll roll with the punches in the gym at whatever hour, with the barely controlled force that comes and then just as suddenly - goes. He picks Vova up off the mat and holds him quietly as he trembles. This time, he doesn't see the rage come, or go- just the aftermath in all its brittle fragility.

The office is dark now, too dark. The day is at an end and Volodymyr is a silent, faceless figure, bowed beneath the burden he carries, the Ukrainian flag at his back.

“Volodymyr- I think it's-”

“What?”

Volodymyr's rough-edged voice cuts through Maksym like a knife, leaving him flayed open suddenly- a quiet, lone syllable drenched in barely concealed bitterness; what do you want from me now? I have so little left to give.

“Talk to me.”

He doesn't say anything; still staring at his desk. The papers have been filed away, his phone sits silent; there is nothing for him to work at; but he sits, motionless. Maksym bites down on the inside of his cheeks until he can taste blood, his own body aching to reach out, to gather Volodymyr to him and take him away from all this hurt. But he can't. Not yet. Not now. He thinks about the possibility of - one day; of pulling Vova away from this, the moment when he will hand his precious, beloved country to another. He thinks about a quiet, warm cabin in the Carpathian Mountains, or a small, private place by the sea, below the endless blue sky, somewhere he can see his country whole and entire and blossoming. Somewhere he can heal, where he can rest - finally.

But that will come later; Maksym tells himself. It has to. What they have is here and now. He takes a breath in.

“Please. I know today was-”

“Books. Maksym. Children's books-” his voice cracks over the words, one hand clutching hard at the edge of his desk as though if he were to let go, he would shatter irreparably. The pain in his voice runs deeper than water, than blood. His raw, unfettered grief is for more than material as it always is; for the lives lost, the loves fragmented, the families shattered. For the children's books and all they represent - their future as a nation, their hopes for a peaceful and prosperous democracy no longer under the shadow of war. Ukraine's children and all their unchecked, still unrealised promise, waiting to bloom in the sunlight.

“I know.”

The look on Volodymyr's face feels like someone has reached into his chest, pulled out his heart from behind his ribs and crushed it beneath a steel-toed boot. He wishes more than anything he could have been there to try and help somehow; the image of Volodymyr amongst the ruined printing press and damaged books, his face like an open wound will stay with Maksym for a long time. He thinks of the way Vova had folded his arms, gripping onto himself as he listened silently to the manager- another senseless tragedy among hundreds that seem to occur without pause. He doesn't know what to do, what to say to make this hurt lessen somehow.

Vova's quiet inhale is half a sob, some strangled cry from within dragged to the surface and Maks cannot bear it.

“I don't- I don't know how-” 

“I–” the words for a reply are stuck in his throat, lodged there. I know, love. But he doesn't know. 

It is not for want of trying, painfully evident in each quiet attempt Maksym makes to take some of the weight from Volodymyr with varying degrees of success. Sometimes they get little moments together - an hour here or there to read, to drink coffee, to watch the football or listen to the radio. They feel like miniscule victories to be treasured wholeheartedly. Other times, there are days, weeks in between the tiny moments. Countless nights where Maksym places an arm around him and pulls him away from his work at an ungodly hour in the night because he has worked for eighteen, nineteen hours - too exhausted to do anymore. There are weeks on end where he travels through several time zones and speaks myriad languages, until he is too drained to talk, to think, to do anything.

Maksym moves forward and gently turns Vova's chair to face him, placing a hand on his cheek, guiding those dark, tired eyes to meet his, before pulling him to his feet, guiding him to rest against his chest. He swallows hard, but his voice is firm, steady as he speaks, one hand rubbing quiet circles against the knots, the hard grooves of tension in Vova's back

“You're doing everything you can. No-one could ask anything more of you.”

“It's not enough-” Vova’s voice cracks in two again, something desperate about it, agitated.

“It is.”

It has to be - because this country, your most beloved Ukraine; she will swallow you whole if you are not careful and you would let her because you love her; because you would give her anything. You are giving her everything. 

But we cannot lose you. I cannot lose you.

“I promise you. It is.”

In the dark of the office, Maksym feels the weight of Volodymyr in his arms and knows that in the morning, these shadowed minutes of raw, broken misery will be shoved aside in favour of work, of action- always moving forward. But, for now, he can stand here and hold on and let the moment pass through them.

[theroomofreq]

Feb 2021 Fic Recs

I AM JUST REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT FANFICTION, OKAY.

I didn’t have as much time to read fanfic this month, but I still want to share the stories I fell in love with. There are so so many good fics out there, and I wish I had time for them all! Here is a list of the fanfic that I read this month and truly adore. 

A majority of my reading this month was spent on Fem!Jily fics! Which I LOVED. I whole heartedly rec every single one!! There is a collection on AO3 of all of the fics written if you are interested! This list would be AGES longer if I added all of those gems. Trust me they are SO worth it! 

Below the cut are 20 wonderful fics. Happy reading my friends!!

Romione Fics

Who He'd Miss Most by @ashotofogdensoldfirewhiskey 

T 2k // I CAN’T EXPRESS ENOUGH LOVE FOR THIS FIC.  This missing moment is just brilliant. RON is fantastic in it, written so well. The Harry & Ron BROTP gives me too many emotions. The Romione vibes are spot on. I read this three times before I could find words to leave a review. I plan to read this one again and again and again. 

A Crown of Violets by katsala

T 2k // A fem!romione story? Yes! Please! I adore the way that Ron, (who is named Ginny) is written in this story. It’s very very very good. 

Hinny Fics

The Potters and the Weasleys by @goodlifewrites 

G 82k // The latest chapter of this fic dropped while I was brushing my teeth. I immediately sat on the floor and read it, toothbrush still in my mouth. AND ITS FAB. The way this story is written is just next level. The characterization, plot, writing style? Everything is INCREDIBLE. I’m in love. 

Am I Your Lockscreen? by @narukoibito 

T 1k // The moment I got the email about this fic I stopped everything to read it. I laughed through the entire thing. Not going to lie, I’ve probably read it 5 times since it was posted. The dynamic of the characters is fantastic. Harry in this is just top notch.

Ginevra by @clarensjoy 

T 3k // I am really emotional about this story. Every scene in this story hit me hard. I desperately wanted more, but it was so so perfectly transitioned to the next scene. I love my girl Ginny and I ADORE this story. 

borrow the moonlight by @could-have-beens 

G 700 words // I talked about this fic earlier this month, but it deserves to be rec’d 100 more times. Every time I read it I am super emotional about the way Hinny’s relationship is portrayed. :’) 

out the window by @displayheartcode 

G 500 words // EVERY TIME ONE OF THESE LITTLE MASTERPIECES IS DROPPED ON ME IT LIVES IN MY HEAD FOR WEEKS. THIS ONE IS AT THE TOP OF MY BRAIN ALL THE TIME. MIGHT ABANDON ALL MY WIPS AND JUST WRITE ABOUT THIS AU NON STOP. 

He looks at her and sees the rest of his life by @fightfortherightsofhouseelves 

G 700 words// This little gem makes me so emotional about Hinny. I love the way Harry thinks about/describes/loves Ginny. It’s this really powerful little love story that turns me into an absolute sap. 

take what i took and give it back to you by fairytiger 

T 4k // One of the first stories I read after retuning to fandom last year. I’ve probably read it 7+ times. A favorite go to fic. I came back to it this month because I think about it every other week. Ginny in this story is so clearly written and characterized. OH I LOVE IT. 

trouvaille by @gryffindormischief 

G 6k // The way that Harry was written in this story stayed with me for long after I read it. It is so so so perfectly Harry that it kills me. Musician Harry? YES PLEASE!

Jily Fics

Shelf Awareness by @ghostofbambifanfiction 

M 28k // HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS. WHY DID YOU ALL JUST LET ME STUMBLE ON THIS BY MYSELF. I can’t even begin to talk about this fic. Bookstore AU? Sold. Dorky James? Sold. Pining Lily? Sold. Oh it is so so beyond good. I know I am so so late to this party, but it’s just unreal. 

to be always kind and true by @clare-with-no-i 

G 2k // You know that moment when you read a fic by an author and then you ignore everything and consume every story they have?? Yeah, I did that after reading this fic. The characterization alone could kill me. Not to mention the writing style. FAB.

they loved. by @mppmaraudergirl

T 400words// I read this little ficlet about 7 times hoping that there would be more each time I got to the end. It always stopped in the same place and broke my heart every time. It’s soooooo gorgeous I can’t stop thinking about it. 

bisous, bisous by @clare-with-no-i 

G 1k // When you read this fic it’s like you are actually in the story. The atmosphere is so powerful. It’s just this brilliant piece of art that makes want to curl up and read it under a cozy blanket. 

The Fabulous Baker Brothers by @frustratedpoetwrites 

T 8k // This fic has me running to a bakery every time I think about it. I love the characterization in this story. OH how I love Lily in this fic, she is just wonderful. And of course, I am a huge sucker for a well written Remus. 

Summer Girl by @efkgirldetective

E 41k // I dare you to find a more lyrically written first person narrative. NOT POSSIBLE. This story is flat out gorgeous and I am very much obsessed with it. One Sunday night I found out I didn’t have to go into work the next day so I immediately started this fic and didn’t stop until I finished it at 2am. 

Earthquake Drills by @efkgirldetective 

M 132k WIP// After finishing Summer Girl at 2am, I read this story until 5:30 am. I got 4 hours of sleep and then woke up and read it more. I crave dynamic characters the way Efk wrote them in this story. It is just WOW. 

Other Fics

see where you hide by @alrightginger 

T 1k // When a George/Harriet fic is posted I RUN. I love love love fiery Fem!Harry. And I love the way that this story pans out, wonderful. Give me all the Fem!Harry. 

And We Are In Bed Together, Laughing by nevernevergirl  @yorkesteins

T 3k // The Remus/Tonks fic of my dreams. This fic is a collection of missing moments that tells their story. I fell in love with the writing style and the way that these two are written. GORGEOUS. 

 Miasma by @medric

T 5k // This story hit me so hard, it’s the type that gives you heart ache in the most beautiful way. It’s the story of Remus’ life, the two wars and who he loves. Wolfstar and Remadora. I’ll be thinking about it non-stop for the next month. 

[pendragyn]

The Ineffable Bastards Universe

In The Garden

 ~15k words, 6/6 chapters. Meant to be unshared worldbuilding but then it went off the rails. There were two angels sent to guard the Garden of Eden. They had never been meant to be friends, those two odd angels that didn’t quite fit in. Their bosses had expected them to be wary of one another, to even be sworn enemies one day; all part of the Great Plan. Perhaps they should have told them that. Or perhaps not.

Serpents and Ladders

~6k words, 4/4 chapters. More worldbuilding, more rails left in the dust. The Garden of Eden is gone and Aziraphale and Crawly have been sent back to heaven and warned to forget they even met. Oddly enough, they do not listen.

Stacking The Deck

~1800 words,  1/1 chapters. The world is building itself at this point. We got to see the shuffle, but someone decided to stack the deck. (This is a story about Harriet Dowling because moms deserve good stories too.)

Nature vs Nurture

~11k words, 4/4 chapters. I think it’s pretty clear where this went in regards to worldbuilding and rails. It’s all in the upbringing. But what does an angel or a demon really know about raising a (mostly) human child?

Ineffable Bastards

~93k words, 23/?? chapters, updated Oct 10, 2019. An ongoing opus with a lot of worldbuilding. (youdontsay.jpg) Rails highly ineffective. Send help. The world didn’t end, but everything changed, and the reformed angel and the former demon decide to forge a new path together after breaking free, and neither hell nor holy water is going to stop them now. They have their own side to look out for, and it’s a lot bigger than just the two of them. Which is good because you can’t fight heaven and hell alone. (Well you can try, but…) Along the way they make an arrangement of mutual trust with some witches and wizards and end up saving the world, and each other, again.

Wilde Card

a ficlet, exactly 1k words, an actual miracle. 1/1 chapters. So I had an idea about why Aziraphale had a complete set of Oscar Wilde writings. And how they had probably left a trail of infatuated and disappointed humans in their wake in all those clubs they’d gone to for intellectual stimulation and a good meal and dance lessons.

[lower-east-side]

2018 Fic Masterlist and Wrap-up

I’m really proud of my output this year. I wrote over 180K and posted at least one thing every month! I began writing in HP last year, and posted my first fic in October 2017, so this has been my first full year as a writer in fandom. It’s been SO rewarding. I’ve met amazing people and want to thank them in another post. For now here is my 2018 masterlist.

January

Draco Vs. The Volcano  3K, E, H/D All Draco wanted was to enjoy his holiday.

February

Fool Me Once (tumblr ficlet) 1K, PG, gen What if, in the summer before sixth year (when Draco was Marked and given his assignment by Voldemort and Narcissa saw it for the punishment and suicide mission it was) she went to Andromeda instead of Snape for help?

March

Wolves and Lambs Look Not  3.3K, M, H/D, MCD "I perceive that goodness and justice have dwelt in your heart: we could not live together."

April

Whole New Kinds of Weather 2.6K, E, H/D, genderqueer Draco She’s just as compelling as she’s ever been. (for @dracotops-harry)

Bed Music  29K, E, H/D The new call-in sex advice show on the WWN is Very Inappropriate, Harry thinks. But he finds himself spending more and more time with Malfoy anyways. Will Draco be able to convince him of the necessity of open discourse on sex, consent, and intimacy? And what are the Greengrass sisters plotting? Caller, go ahead! (for HD Consentfest)

Electric Demons in Love  2.2K, E Draco Malfoy is on the dance floor; then Harry Potter is on his knees. Or, the one where Harry is not a tourist, thank you very much.

May

Really Good, Indeed  1.3K, E, H/D Draco benefits from Harry taking charge. (Remix of sugareey’s art Feeling Good, for @hd-remix)

June

Does Your Heart Beat Slower  6.6K, M, Draco/Pansy, Non-Con Draco had no idea it would be like this. Pansy will use all of her Slytherin cunning to save him, even if she can’t have him for herself.

July

In this world (we’re just beginning)  2.9K, T, H/D Like their clothes, they have a new lease on life.  (for @hd-wireless)

ART by @mad1492

August

all the good that won't come out  5.2k, T, Daphne/Pansy, Draco/Astoria Let's talk about all our friends who lost the war, and the novels that have yet to be written about them. Or: the Greengrass sisters write their own love stories.

House Cup Blues  2.3K, E, H/D Something strange is happening to the hourglasses...

Three Little Words  298 words, G, H/D Discord Drabble Challenge

September

Variation  88K, E, H/D. After suffering enormous losses, Draco Malfoy must now struggle to define his place in the post-war world. Through dashed hopes and changing fortunes, Draco carves out a new niche for himself. But adapting to life with Harry Potter may be the biggest challenge of all.  (for @harrydracobang)

ART by @cryptomoon

October

To Keep the Heart’s Action 12K, E, H/D, vampire!Harry What happens in Budapest stays in Budapest.  (for @hp-creatures)

November

Taphonomy  2.7K, T, Lucius/Narcissa It's a slow process, turning into stone.  (part of the Variation series, for Ice Royals Winterfest )

Turncoat  985, G, gen (pre H/D) In the heat of battle, a reckoning. (for @gameofdrarry)

More Than Friends  200, G, H/D Harry and Ginny clear the air while returning from Christmas Break. (for @gameofdrarry)

Harriet Evans and the Happily Ever After  1.6K, G, Ron/Hermione, implied H/D When it’s Hermione’s turn to tell Rose a bedtime story, she wants to provide some positive female role models. And out of the mouths of babes…

December

H/D Erised fic to be revealed!   Cryptography  19K, E, H/D Draco Malfoy is still a puzzle that Harry Potter wants to solve. Good thing they both solve puzzles for a living.  (for @hd-erised)