#I STILL READ IT AS. ARTHUR BENNETTE

[a-cat-in-toffee]

art block killing the shit out of me. have this drawing of arthur bennett

[luck-of-the-drawings]

"I think this is the most inhuman; and human, that I've ever felt.." MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR. IN FIVE YEARS. A DECADE. imagine how much can happen in a century. just ONE (1). How will you grow? what phases do you find? even in 5 years, you will find patterns.

[sluckythewizard]

The Altered Beast[FULL SUITE] COULD be arthur bennett or adjacent to whatever hes got going on in tha finale. if ur brave enough. IF UR BRAVE ENOUGH [tldr its just about Things eating Things and becoming New Terrible Things. it also fucking jams]

[monstrousparalysis]

Flowers May Wilt in the Dark, but Black and White is Far Too Stark

Warnings for sexual themes, fear and pain play, slight violence, level one blood bonding, and dubious consent (for things other than sex tho, the implicit sex at the end is fully consensual). Read at your own discretion.

Fandom: Just Roll With It: The Suckening

Characters: Arthur Bennett, Shilo Bathroy

Relationships: Arthur Bennett/Shilo Bathroy (Royal Pain)

Word count: 2,303

Summary:

Shilo Bathroy does not have much experience with the world outside of his room in Dracula's Castle, or with life or unlife in general. There are plenty parts of his sudden survival out of the castle that are almost completely new to him! And in a world and a society so unkind to inexperience and innocence, it's a good idea for him to ask somebody he trusts to introduce him to the darker parts of this world.

What isn't a good idea, Arthur knows, is trusting him.

Written for day 1 of @sintember, "Innocence"

(also posted on AO3 here!)

Shilo:“What is there to lose now anyway?” Arthur:“Humanity, prince. There is always something to lose. You do not know true darkness until you have become nothing but a beast.” Shilo:“Then show me. Show me what it looks like.” Arthur:“Do not blame me if you regret this.” -Just Roll With It:The Suckening, episode 5, "The Unseen One", 2:27:27-2:27:54

Shilo kneeled in the middle of the darkened room, blinking curiously. Most likely, he was getting accustomed to the room being so dark that he couldn't see a difference between opening and closing his eyes.

Of course, Arthur could see through his own darkness just fine. He could see Shilo start to tense up, anxiety settling in. Even though the prince naïvely trusted Arthur, pure darkness scared most people.

Hence why he'd asked Arthur to help accustom him to fear, and other things he had little exposure to due to his upbringing. He wanted some level of experience with these feelings that most people were much more acquainted with.

It wasn't a bad plan. For as virtuous as the prince's inexperience made him, it also made him, well, inexperienced. In a world as cruel as theirs, it was smart for him to gain some familiarity with hardships like fear and pain in a controlled environment.

The only mistake Shilo had made was asking Arthur to help with it. To be the one to introduce him to the darkness of the world.

To take his innocence, as he'd so unknowingly phrased it, because surely Arthur could be trusted to only do enough to get the point across, to not hurt Shilo too badly. It was of no issue to the boy that he knew nothing about Arthur's past, and how he was the last person who should be trusted with something good.

He'd warned the prince over and over to keep his guard up, but he was still insistent on believing that Arthur was good. Really, it was only filling his obligations for what Shilo had asked him to do if Arthur took advantage of that faith in him.

Arthur circled Shilo, already restraining himself from pouncing on him. It wouldn't do to give in so quickly. He wanted to slowly work him up. Watch him get more and more frightened until he realized the mistake he'd made.

“Arthur?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, prince?”

Shilo jerked, head turning in the direction Arthur's voice came from.

“Oh, I did not know you were moving! I suppose that makes sense, it is…more unsettling to not know where you are.”

He paused for a second, clearly nervous, before continuing, “Um, did you have anything else planned for all of this?”

Arthur stepped slightly closer, standing at some random angle away from where Shilo was looking.

“I do,” he answered. “What most fear about the darkness is the unknowns inside it. It removes your ability to see what's coming, and that is the greatest fear of all.”

Arthur's voice softened for a moment, thinking of how many unknowns the prince was already dealing with. “In this respect, prince, you've likely already learned more about how to survive this type of fear than I could ever teach you.”

The following sight of Shilo so genuinely happy with Arthur's praise of him threw off his control of the shadows enough that for a moment, Shilo may have literally glowed.

The Beast within him growled with the desire to snuff out that light. The darkness snapped back so quickly that it was rather easy to condense some of it even further, into a group of tendrils surrounding Shilo.

The tendrils began to wrap around him, and his smile quickly faded as he let out a yelp of surprise, followed by a groan at the cold, firm sensation of them. Yet, for all he seemed to dislike them, he didn't even try to struggle, letting them restrain him without complaint or question.

This, Arthur reasoned, was exactly why it was ultimately a good thing that Shilo came to him for this. The prince had no clue how tempting he was in his submission. Of how it made The Beast Inside yearn to take advantage of him, to debauch and to touch and to corrupt him. And no matter how monstrous Arthur was, he knew just how much other kindred could be worse.

The largest tendril, practically as thick around as his thigh, wrapped around his small waist. Another grabbed his arms, securing them together in his lap. The last two wove in between his legs, forcing them a touch more open to make space.

The prince shivered, opening and closing his mouth multiple times but finding nothing to say. Perhaps he felt it would be shameful to express his fear when he'd asked Arthur for it.

Arthur moved, silently stalking through his darkness to a spot directly in front of Shilo. He took a knee to come down to Shilo's level, and with a hand, he gently tilted Shilo's head up.

The prince gasped at the movement, staring directly forward into what happened to be Arthur's eyes. The concern and confusion behind his own eyes was tantalizing.

In a low murmur, close enough for Shilo to feel the cold breath against his face, Arthur said, “You're doing well, prince.”

Arthur had never known a vampire to blush before, but then again, both of the twins were unusual in that way. The smell of rushing blood nearly made him dizzy with craving.

“Thank you, sir,” Shilo replied. Arthur raised an eyebrow, and after a moment, Shilo corrected, “Ah, my apologies, Arthur, I don't- I didn't mean to be so, well, formal all of a sudden.”

“No offense taken,” Arthur said, straightening back up. “Quite the interesting reaction,” he thought as he circled around behind Shilo with careful movements. Was the prince subconsciously trying to appease him with deference now that he was so clearly at his mercy?

No matter. He sat down, now just behind Shilo, and gently pulled the fabric of his clothes away to inspect his tender neck.

Shilo tensed. In a tone reminiscent of frayed strings pulled taught, he asked “What are you doing now?”

Arthur raised his other hand, wrapping it around Shilo's neck to tilt his head out of the way.

Speaking with his lips nearly against his ear: “It wouldn't be unknown if I told you, Shilo.”

He moved, tilting his head down to press his mouth against Shilo's neck, and finally, far too late, Shilo started struggling.

“Arthur, I do not think this is a good idea- ah!” he cut himself off with a yelp as the tendrils tightened around him further.

Arthur opened his mouth, savoring the scent of the prince's blood, the sight of his terror, the sound of his whimpers, and the feel of his porcelain skin against his teeth.

His teeth wouldn't be able to pierce Shilo's skin, but the prince hadn't been made aware of that yet.

Arthur began to bite down alongside the tendrils' continued tightening of their grip, pressure steadily increasing until something broke.

A bone in Shilo's arm snapped, and he let out a cry, blood beginning to drip down his face.

With the sound of the break, Arthur released his bite, and the tendrils returned to their casual holds. The mark on Shilo's neck was bruising, yet another fascinating piece of his biology. Fortunately for the prince's propriety, his collar perfectly hid Arthur's mark. He couldn't tell if he was disappointed or sickeningly satisfied with that detail.

“Apologies, prince. You had said you wanted to gain more experience with pain as well, and this was an effective way to introduce that.”

Shilo panted, breathing in air to speak only for it to forcefully push out of his lungs in sobs for a moment.

Slowly, he contained himself, and responded with a strained “I understand. Thank you, sir.”

This time, he didn't even correct himself. He was probably too absorbed with the pain to notice, so Arthur shrugged it off.

“Now, let the shock and hurt settle until you can think through them. If it is too much for you before then, you can heal it.”

He kept his eyes on Shilo as he spoke, watching his expressions. The prince gave a slight nod, wincing in pain as he tried to focus. He still breathed in and out, which wasn't unusual for kindred trying to collect themselves.

Even in his pain, he was tempting, letting out whimpers or whines on every other exhale and biting his lip to distract himself. Arthur couldn't take his eyes off of him.

After a few moments, Shilo's breathing slowed, and his sounds became quieter, more sporadic.

He released his bottom lip from his teeth and let out a shaky chuckle. “I- I think I've got it. It is still—” he shifted the slightest amount and gasped in pain— “still unpleasant! But- I am talking to you now, am I not?”

Arthur hummed, standing up with a pat to Shilo's shoulder and circling around him again. “Well done, prince. Of course, in real danger, you won't have this much time. But in those situations, adrenaline often helps you to ignore pain.”

Shilo smiled, closing his eyes to focus on healing the injury. “I suppose I will have to get my experience in real danger from somewhere else,” he joked.

The idea of anyone else putting their hands on Shilo in such a way sent a stab of protectiveness (or maybe plain possessiveness) through Arthur.

“Ideally, you won't have to,” he said curtly.

Shilo laughed softly. “Since when have you been an optimist?” he joked.

In a state that Arthur wishes he could call frenzy, but knows was simply his own temptations winning out, he grabbed hold of his shadows again and yanked.

The tendrils wrapped around Shilo shifted rapidly, pulling him down to pin him against the floor. He yelped at the sudden movement, only to cut himself off as his head hit the hard floor just hard enough to shake him up.

Arthur kneeled down, this time straddling Shilo. He really didn't need to, his darkness was more than strong enough to hold the boy down, but the sight of Shilo so small and helpless under him was something he hungered for more than blood.

“You misunderstand, prince. You are correct, optimism is not in my nature,” he said, grabbing Shilo's chin again, this time tracing his bottom lip with his ungloved thumb.

Shilo opened his mouth, to ask a question or plead or scream, and Arthur interrupted him, sticking that thumb in his mouth to hold his tongue down.

In a voice with a chilling calm he didn't truly feel, Arthur continued, “I was being an opportunist,” as he pressed his thumb against one of Shilo's fangs, cutting it open.

Shilo's mouth was still agape, just enough for Arthur to watch his own blood drip down, covering his tongue and pooling near his throat.

Shilo's eyes widened as he felt the sanguine fluid collect in his mouth. Immediately, he tried to close it, tried to thrash his head out of the way, but he only succeeded in cutting open the digit more, causing more blood to flow.

Once he felt enough had dripped in, Arthur removed his thumb, shadows quickly crawling up Shilo's face to cover his mouth. He licked the wound to seal it closed, savoring the spark of bliss that Shilo's fang digging under his skin had brought.

With the shroud of darkness around them now unnecessary, Arthur dispelled it, examining Shilo's shock in all its details. His wide eyes were a deep, rich ruby red, matching the eyeshadow the boy wore around them, and Arthur removed his sunglasses as he stared into them, Shilo finally seeing the slits his pupils had become.

“Well, prince?" he asked. “I believe it would be rude of you to refuse a gift from a subject.”

To Arthur's surprise, Shilo nodded, keeping his gaze locked on Arthur's, throat bobbing as he swallowed. Perhaps the prince saw no point in resisting?

He removed the shadows over his mouth, still trying to figure out what to say next, only to have his thoughts interrupted by another surprise.

Shilo whined again in a way that bordered on obscene as his mouth was uncovered. Seemingly involuntarily, he bucked beneath him, and Arthur felt an unexpected firmness against him as their hips made momentary contact.

He froze in place, going completely silent.

As Shilo calmed down, he noticed Arthur's response, and his blush returned in full force.

“Sorry! My- my apologies, sir- Arthur, I mean, I did not mean to be improper, but I- it- the blood bond, you know how it works, and-”

Arthur lifted a hand, and Shilo stopped his stammering, sheepishly looking away.

“This is the first time I have given you my blood, prince. The only effect should be heightened emotions.”

Shilo's embarrassed silence said more than any explanation of his probably would. Arthur…had to take a moment to process this.

Shilo fidgeted, still worked up, and after a few moments, coyly said, “...since it was you who offered the blood, should you not take responsibility for its side effects on me?”

Arthur would've matched Shilo's blush if he could.

Shilo, able to see Arthur's confusion easily without his sunglasses hiding his eyes, pouted.

“Is this really such a surprise to you? I was trying to be rather clear with my desires without having to be crass,” he explained.

Internally, Arthur remembered more than his fair share of strange interactions in the past. Interactions that he'd only been told afterwards, when he recounted the story to somebody like Mary or Magnus, were flirting.

“What a pain,” he sighed.

And despite the annoyance of courtship rituals he didn't understand, Arthur conceded to Shilo's offer, accepting that maybe Shilo had already been less innocent than he'd given him credit for.

[astronaut-karenwilson]

For the end-of-year book ask meme: 3, 17, and 24! (If you don't mind me asking multiple ones, lol)

I don’t mind at all, thank you so much!! 💖 I hope you don’t mind me rambling about books a lot lol

3. What were your top five books of the year?

1. Cascade Failure & Gravity Lost by L.M. Sagas

Okay I cheated a little, but I love this new series so much!!! Space adventures! Found family! Imminent peril!! I’ve been out of the sci-fi genre for years, this was a wonderful way back in.

2. The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa

Oooh, baby, let’s talk about a dystopian classic for a new generation. Fahrenheit 451, please take a seat, Book Censor’s Library is here.

3. All the Sinner’s Bleed by S.A. Cosby

I’d say I’m still new to the mystery genre, but this author is a master, and the audiobook narrator really brought everything to life.

4. A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter

A gorgeously interwoven tale about five generations of Métis women. Slower-paced, but excellent reading during the cold winter months.

5. Moonbound by Robin Sloan

Let’s go 13,000 years into the future. Dragons live on the moon and also they ate part of it. That’s the first chapter, friends, and it just gets more wild from there.

Honorable mention to the 1981 BBC radio production of LOTR I found on Libby, but that doesn’t exactly qualify as books lol

17. Did any books surprise you with how good they were?

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

This was a slow start for me. The author does not wait for the readers, just drops you right into the world he created with a lot of new vocabulary and complicated societal structures right off the bat. But it works, because if you stick with it, the mystery that unfolds is full of exciting twists and turns.

24. Did you DNF anything? Why?

I have such a hard time DNF-ing, even when I really should. I should’ve DNF-d The Winter Knight by Jes Battis, it took me over a month to read. A queer retelling of King Arthur sounds like it should be right up my alley, but I just never fully connected with it and it was sheer force of will to get through to the end of it.

[libertyreads]

Book Review #4 of 2024--

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. Rating: 4 stars.

Read from January 17th to 20th.

Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Del Rey Books for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Tainted Cup is a Holmes and Watson-esque novel that follows investigator Ana Dolabra--a detective whose eccentricities are matched only by her brilliance--and her assistant, Dinios Kol who are called to work a case after a high imperial officer is killed when a tree erupts from his body. As they follow the clues, Dolabra and Kol just might uncover a darker secret than this poisoning. The Tainted Cup comes out on February 6th and is available for pre-order now.

I had such a fun time with this one. I'm a bit of a Sherlock Holmes fan girl so I was worried that picking this one up would set off a chain reaction of disappointment. But the way this story unfolds in this fantastical world and the way the mystery gets laid out for the reader makes it so much more fun and accessible to the reader. In most of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle I've read over the years, there would be leaps in logic that were too difficult to follow unless you had very specific, detailed knowledge. And, while Ana does had a little bit of that going on, the author managed to find a way to keep the reader invested and to keep the reader's suspension of disbelief going. The world building and the pace of the story worked really well for me. There was a small section at the beginning where it felt like you were just thrown into the story, but given the fantastical world and how short that feeling lasted I'm going to say that part was still a thumbs up from me.

The characters are probably what I think could have used the most work. We do get some of the Holmes and Watson-esque interactions between our investigator and her assistant but I felt like we could have gone further with it. I still feel like I know so little about Ana. Maybe that's a choice the author made because of her being a representation of Sherlock Holmes. But I just wanted more from her. I also spent a lot of the book thinking there would be some dark reveal about Dinios but it never went in that direction. And I kind of wish it had. He's a little too squeaky clean for me. But know that's coming from a girl whose favor characters are all morally grey.

Overall, this was a fun and engaging read that I think fans of Sherlock Holmes can enjoy while acknowledging that it's separate from the original stories. It always felt like the plot was pushing me to read more and more which made it a faster read than I was expecting.

[tawneybel]

Note: Hottest animated characters, part twelve. It was hard to find HD screenshots for a couple. Still watch mostly live-action, but trying to read more graphic novels. I never watched Vampire Knight, or finished the manga. Maybe after I catch up with BNHA...

The League of Villains minus Toga can use me as a couple of holes anytime lol.

10. Dark Bunny (Bruce Dinsmore) from Arthur 

Bruce Wayne’s actual fursona. 

9. Rido Kuran from Vampire Knight

When I read this, I was squicked out by his not-so-fraternal/-avuncular feelings. Still, a yandere with possession abilities...

8. Clarence from Through the Woods

Or the tentacle monster wearing Clarence’s skin, rather.

7. “Deprive” android from Robot Carnival

Hotter as a robot, but it’s nice to have a bishie form, too.

6. Vortex (James Monroe Iglehart) from Helluva Boss

Too bad the style did not give him fuller lips and thicker legs...

5. Brain Eating Meteor (Jeff Bennett/Voltaire) from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy

Sexy-voiced by a professional voice actor and a professional singer.

4. blacksmith (Hank Azaria) from The Simpsons

Stupid sexy blacksmith.

3. Zaheer (Henry Rollins) from Avatar: The Legend of Korra

I will never be as disciplined as him. He can discipline me, though.

2. Atsuhiro Sako from My Hero Academia

Mister, compress your [REDACTED] on my [REDACTED].

1. Joel Goldschmidt VI (Akira Ishida) from Blood+ 

Is actually kind, so he’s #1 lol. 

Note: Previous part. With the realization I’m attracted to that meteor, I should just make a list of bizarre monsters/abstract characters I find hot lol.

[dandelion-daisys]

American Girl is absolutely the reason that I am so interested in the history of the home and everyday people. It was the gateway for me towards experimental archaeology! Enough so that I wanna offer up some book recs to others who enjoy this, and I'd love to hear some in return.

If walls could talk: a history of the home by Lucy Worsley.

I really recommend this book! An easy and intriguing read for those who don't know much about history. It goes room by room. Want to know about the history of the bed? Masturbation? Breastfeeding? Sexually transmitted infections? Praying before sleep? Those are all in the bedroom chapter alone. Covers the late medieval ages to around the mid 20th century for England (much of the info is general for western Europe as a whole too.)

There's also a docuseries by her that contains much of the same information. They each contain slightly different notes, so I'd recommend both reading and watching it.

Wild Nights by Benjamin Reiss

Honestly I haven't read all of this yet, but still a high recc. Easy to read, and you can learn more about 'first and second sleep' that people used to take in Europe (and still do around much of the world). Focuses on Europe and America, but covers other cultures and areas as well.

Fabricating Women: the seamstresses of old regime France, 1675-1791. By Clare Haru Crowston

A delightfully specific read! I found it fascinating. Covers Parisian seamstresses and the guild they created. Highly recommend if you love fashion history or the history of working women.

Bachelors of a different sort by John Potvin

Pretty good, overall. I'd say this is definitely more of a 'borrow from the library' book than a 'buy it' book. Discusses queer men in the 1890s to 1940s-ish, with a focus on England. Covers Cecil Beaton, Cedric Morris, Arthur Lett-Haines, Edward Perry Warren, and the Lewes House. Focuses the connection between queer men and interior design. Not a super easy read like the other couple of books, but not difficult either.

Centuries of Childhood by Philippe Ariès (originally in french, I have the Robert Baldick translation)

From the 1960s, so the writing style is very "upper class" if you know what I mean. Still pretty easy to read, though. I haven't actually read this yet, just skimmed it, but it has some of that classic mid century racism though. I'd still recommend you at least flip through it at a library and check it out. Focuses on France.

A history of everyday things in England 1066-1799 by Marjorie and C.H.B. Quennell

Can be a bit of a slog, but has greatly in depth information. Published in the early 1930s, so uh... yeah it literally mentions the word "negress" in a brief mention of Uncle Tom's Cabin, some outdated language like that. But I'd still recommend for the depth! It goes into not just cutlery, but into the use of spoons and knives and forks and fingers at tables over time. It discusses children's games and how they were played.

The Pastons and their England by H.S. Bennett

I really liked this one. The Pastons were a Tudor-era family of the Norfolk gentry who we know by their letters. It's a good look into the various dealings of a single family, so you can get a really rounded look at what Tudor life was like for some people.

One of the cool things about the American Girl books is how they focus on the domestic side of history. Other books set during wartimes might have done plots like, "Felicity helps George Washington" or "Molly tracks down a German spy". But this series stays grounded in the daily life that was still going on amid all these big events. It focuses on the things that kids can relate to in daily life--school and holidays and birthdays--which helps sell the idea that people have always been people, even while history was happening around them.

It also has a uniquely feminine view of history--which shouldn't be a surprise in a series called American Girl, but I want to appreciate how the books, for the most part, engage with female life in those eras on their own terms. The history sections at the back might mention that girls had a harder time getting an education or had certain restrictions, but within the stories themselves, the girls aren't sitting around complaining about it. They're not lamenting how terrible it is that they don't live in our modern times, which so much historical fiction can do. They're just living their lives and even finding fulfillment. Felicity doesn't get the same education as the boys, but the skills she learns are useful in her society and she likes her lessons. Samantha gets to learn from all Cornelia's suffragette leanings, but she still wears bows and ruffles and frilly dresses instead of, like, insisting that girls should wear trousers. It presents a clear-eyed view of history that teaches kids about these eras without imposing too much of a modern, judgemental lens upon it. And that makes these books a surprisingly good intro to American history.

[anime-lover-forever-1127]

The Vampire Diaries Universe Longer Stories Masterlist

12 Moons {Klaus Mikaelson x Caroline Forbes}

Niklaus Mikaelson is the feared Original Hybrid King of New Orleans, ruling the kingdom of the night with an iron fist. Well Caroline Forbes is a reporter trying to save a sinking relationship.

She does not expect that on a trip to New Orleans, trying to save her relationship, the hybrid would kidnap her, claiming and mark her as his mate.

Giving them exactly 12 moons for him to make her fall in love with him, and accept their bond.

Intro,

Always & Forever {Klaroline}

What if when Klaus died, he didn’t stay dead, but was reborn as Arthur Leywin. Soon after he comes, he realizes he wasn’t the only one to be reborn. Because the Mikaelson’s will always find each other again, even in a different universe.

Always & Forever,

Right?

The Mikaelson’s are a united family

The Mikaelson’s will receive the happiness they deserve

OP Klaus, OP Caroline, OP Mikaelson’s

Pairings: Klaus/Caroline, Elijah/Katherine, Kol/Bonnie

P.s. I also love the idea of them being vampire’s too much to let it go. So I won’t. They will eventually become vampire’s here as well; and Klaus will still have his wolf. (and yes Freya, Bonnie, and Kol will still have there magic)

Intro,

Back To The Start {Klaroline}

When the white oak stake pierced through Klaus’ heart, nature became imbalanced. To fix this, the witches on the other side were forced to combine their powers and return the balance to nature, by spending the Original Hybrid back in time to when he first entered Mystic Falls, looking to break his curse.

Now, armed with all his memories of a future he refuses to live through again, Klaus intends to make some changes.

Ones that he will result with his family by his side, and Caroline Forbes in his arms.

Intro,

Expecting... Pups {Klaus Mikaelson x Caroline Forbes}

What if Klaus had not only gotten Hayley ‘pregnant’, but Caroline pregnant with his child as well. How would they take the news?

What would happen when a certain doppelganger brings Hayley’s secret to light? Would it finally earn her, her long desired freedom.

And the biggest question of all, how would the story change if it was Caroline that was pregnant with Klaus’s triplets?

Intro, Chapter 1: I’ll Always Choose You, Chapter 2: I’ll Wait, I’ll Wait, Chapter 3: I Can’t Believe He’s My Godchild’s Father

Klaroline ABC

Come learn the alphabets with Klaroline.

So far, the plan is to write a (Short - ?) piece, for a word starting with each letter. It can be canon and canon AU. So basically I’ll write the scenes with extra Klaroline. It will be mostly Canon/(some)AU-Canon (Maybe some past/future as well). So I won’t be diverging too far from the script with these ones.

I won’t be writing them in order - but I do plan to arrange them in order.

Allure of Darkness, Everything You Want In Life,

Morningstar {Bonnie Bennett x Kol Mikaelson}

Bonnie Bennett is a homicide detective in Los Angeles, working as a member of the L.A.P.D.

Kol Mikaelson, better known as Lucifer Morningstar was the ruler of hell, until boredom overtook him and she decided to take a vacation.

What will happen when their paths cross?

(Kennett Lucifer AU)

Intro,

Once Upon A Hybrid {Klaroline}

Where Caroline is the Evil Queen, and the hybrid worms his way into her and her son’s life, becoming a pillar in it. Where one Mikaelson is, the others soon follow.

And when Emma Swan joins their story, people soon discover that she may be more Mikaelson than Charming.

A TVD and Once Upon A Time Crossover starring Caroline Forbes as the Evil Queen and Klaus Mikaelson as the (Read: Puppy) Hybrid.

Pairings: Klaus/Caroline, (Established by the next chapter), Katherine/Elijah (Established), Enzo/Bonnie/Kol (Established Polly), Finn/Sage (Established), Freya/Emma, Rebekah/Hook

Chapter 1 - I’ll Take That As A Challenge,

Queen {Klaus Mikaelson x Caroline Forbes}

What if everyone was wrong about Caroline? She wasn’t weak, useless or shallow. Klaus was right all along, she’s strong, ageless, fearless.

She is a Queen.

.

.

.

Also, did I forget to mention that she’s Dragon, Vampire, Witch, Werewolf, Phoenix, has Silas powers, Qetsiyah’s powers, She can control the veil, see ghosts, and that she can compel anyone and anything, Honorary god, Has the power of the 12 Olympians, and Odin, Loki, and Hela.

She’s an Alpha Female, ready to claim her Alpha Male

(And let’s not forget about her BFF’s Katherine, Stefan, Kai and Enzo)

Intro/Info You Will NEED (Please Read T-T), Chapter 1: You Brought Me Back

Sired {Klaus Mikaelson x Caroline Forbes}

What if Tyler wasn’t Klaus’ first hybrid? What if it was Caroline, who was now as a result sired to him. She must now choose between what is right, and what is easy. But is what’s right, still considered the same as it was before?

Would Caroline choose to unsire all the hybrids?

Would Kol still die?

How would the bond affect their relationship?

Intro,

The Good Girl In Dagger Heels & The Mafia Boss In A Henley {Klaroline}

Caroline should have known the money from the heist was too good to be true. But now the hot dad she met during the robbery/one night stand, turns out to be the Mafia Boss she stole from?

Yeah, that can’t be good.

And when she was praying for a miracle to get her, Katherine, and Bonnie out of this mess.

Mother Nature answered instead, just not in the way she expected.

Now, she’s carrying said, Mafia Boss werewolf puppy!

Intro,

The Hybrid & The Harvest Witch

What if instead of four girls sacrificed every 300 years, it was five? Marcel may have not made it in time to save three of them, but he did arrive in time to save two; Davina Claire and her cousin, Caroline Forbes.

Or

Where Kol isn’t the only Mikaelson to fall in love with a Harvest Witch.

Intro, 1. The Harvest, 2.Princess Grace & Nik

The Mikaelson’s Mother

What if Klaus was still the product of an affair. But instead of Esther, it was Mikael who had an affair with a werewolf.

How would one woman,

One mother,

Change the story?

When Ester cast the vampirism spell on the originals, Mikael secretly gave Astrid the drink as well. Now, a 1000 years later. Mikael and his family are once again in Mystic Falls, to break the curse binding the love of his eternal life, and their son’s werewolf sides.

Intro, 1.Katherine’s Escape, 2.The Vow I Swore A Thousand Years Ago, 3.Elijah Eloped?!

The Swan Queen {Klaroline}

What if Sophie, to keep Klaus in control, decided to curse Caroline to live as a swan whenever the sun shines?

Klaus chasing desperately after a swan?

Yes

Caroline waking up in ridiculous situations?

Yes

Kol having a field day and an endless supply of Swan Princess jokes?

Hell Yeah!

(Another Klaroline fanfic that sounds like a crack idea, but I promise it’s not…ish)

Pairing: Klaroline, Katherine/Elijah, Enzo/Bonnie, Kol/Davina, Marcel/Rebekah

Intro, 1.Together,

Watching The Show Where A Klaroliner Creates The TVD Plot (Klaroline)

Despite what the title suggests, I swear to god this is not a crack fic!

What happens when the Originals, the Mystic Fall gang, and some special guests are whisked away to a room outside of space and time to watch The Vampire Diaries and The Originals.

With me making some special twists of my own.

Because the Originals are GOD DAMN +1000, immortal vampires who should be frickin respected!

Also pairings will include: Klaus/Caroline, Kol/Bonnie/Enzo (Poly), Stefan/Rebekah, Elena/Damon, Finn/Sage, Elijah/Katherine, Marcel/Camile, Silas/Qetsiyah

Bashing: Damon, Elena, Tyler, Cami, Hayley

Intro, 1.White Oak Stakes, 2.The Last Day (And Damon Dies Twice!), 3. Caroline Has a GPA of 4.0 & Klaus is Proud His Wifey (how can he not be?), 4. I Owe You?

What To Do When You Are Reborn As Katherine Pierce {Kalijah}

What happens when Katherine dies, she is reborn as Katherine Pierce right before the supernatural soap opera starts in Mystic Falls. Well she makes a very simple survival plan of course. Step 1, become Caroline’s new BFF. Step 2, Get into Elijah Mikaelson’s bed!

Intro,

[flowerinyourcare]

Reminiscence of the Unfinished Wine - Chapter 7

🍷 September seasonal permanent event; banner characters Shylock, Murr, Bradley; 2022/09/11 - 2022/09/19 JST 🍷

--

(Location: Western wine town market, day)

Arthur: Bradley's team seems to have plenty of energy to spare.

Nero: 'Cuz they can make as much wine as they want with their magic. As long as there's still customers, they'll keep rakin' in the cash. We don't have that luxury.

Even if customers come, we won't make any sales if we have no wine. When it comes to sheer numbers, the odds are against us.

As we quietly absorbed the facts, the few remaining wines were steadily selling out.

Rutile: At this rate, Mr. Bacchus's vineyards will…

As the atmosphere grew tense with anxiety, Shylock's calm voice got our attention.

Shylock: We have yet to play our final hand.

Shylock: <Inviebelle>.

As soon as he recited his spell, a bottle of wine appeared in his hand. The dark bottle was polished to an enticing shine.

Akira: A new bottle…?

Before I could even ask what it was, Murr's eyes narrowed at the bottle.

Murr: Ah, that's Bennett wine.

Akira: Uh…

I almost couldn't believe it. I looked at Shylock in shock.

Akira: (Bennett wine? But, that wine is…)

Akira: Aren't there very few bottles left…?

I had been told that by none other than Shylock.

He had explained that there was a limited amount of Bennett wine left, and as no more was being produced, what remained was very precious.

Shylock himself was greatly looking forward to opening and drinking those last bottles; he anticipated seeing who it's with, when he does it, and under what circumstances.

My face went pale, but Shylock simply nodded elegantly at me, as if to confirm that I was correct in my "no way!" response.

Shylock: Indeed, this wine is very dear to me.

Shylock: But if this is not a special occasion on which to use it, then what is?

Shylock: Besides - haven't you learned this of me by now? I hate to lose.

Saying that, he glanced sidelong at Murr. Although his voice was languid, his unfaltering smile was like a blade pointed at Murr's throat.

Murr narrowed his eyes coldly in return, like a cat facing off with its prey.

Murr: Of course. I can still read ya like a book, Shylock.

Bradley: Ahahaha!

Raucous laughter interrupted the moment. Bradley sidled up and clapped his hand on Shylock's back, looking thrilled.

Bradley: Looks like you're gettin' pretty heated too, huh? What a damn treat. Ya don't see this very often.

Akira: Shylock…

Faust & Nero: ……

The gathered wizards all seemed to be at a loss for words. Shylock hadn't said much, but he didn't need to - he had made his proposition clear.

But selling this precious wine would be on a whole different level from those in the now-exhausted collection.

Shylock: Don't go pouting, now. This is my game, and I intend to win.

Akira: But…

Oz: This competition was Shylock's decision.

Oz: As long as the person involved has made up their mind, there is no point in interfering.

Akira: (...It still doesn't feel appropriate…)

Something that Shylock had dedicated his heart and soul to, carefully guarded, and loved so dearly, was going to be given away.

Just the thought of it made my heart ache.

???: Wait, please!

-- At that moment, someone rushed towards us.

Shylock: Bacchus?

Bacchus: I have wine! Here, sell this!

He breathlessly recited his spell, and many cases of wine appeared.

Rutile & Arthur: …!

Oz: This wine…

Bacchus: These are vintage bottles from my archives that I've made over the years. If you need wine to sell, sell these!

Keeping up his desperate momentum, Bacchus rushed up to Shylock and bowed his head deeply.

Bacchus: Shylock, I'm sorry…! I apologize for causing you so much trouble.

Bacchus: You even sold so much of your precious collection to try and get my vineyards back. 

Bacchus: So I can hardly get away with sitting around and sulking any longer…!

Shylock: ……

Shylock didn't offer a word of comfort nor reproach to Mr. Bacchus, whose body trembled as he continued apologizing.

Instead, Shylock narrowed his eyes and put his hand on Bacchus's shoulder, as if to calm him.

Shylock: Come, then. The true competition has just begun.

(fade to black and back)

Rutile: Everyone! We have Bacchus wine over here!

Arthur: Please take this chance to taste the history of Bacchus's magnificent winemaking!

As the Sage's wizards worked, Mr. Bacchus himself reached out to guests at the front of the shop.

Bacchus: Even though there's no new batch this year, we are re-releasing many wines from previous years! Older and more recent wines alike are available!

Tourist: Bacchus wine?

Tourist: Wow, they're right. So many discontinued wines from past years…!

As soon as we set the new  stock out on the storefront, rumors of Bacchus wines spread throughout the market, and guests began to gather in no time.

Tourist: Is this really the rumored Bacchus wine? I wanted to try it for the first time this year.

Tourist: You're going to love it. …Ah, this wine! I've been looking for it for ages, and couldn't find it anywhere!

Nero: Whoah, that must be a new record time for pullin' in new customers…

Akira: (Bacchus' wine really is famous, isn't it…!)

People who were buying Bacchus wine for the first time. People who had tasted it countless times before. A wide variety of customers from all walks of life were flooding the shop.

Among them, there were some folks who seemed to be regulars, and they eagerly made small talk with Mr. Bacchus.

Tourist: Bacchus, the wine from the year before last was delicious. My wife asked me to see if I could bring more home.

Bacchus: Eh? Th-thank you!

Arthur: Bacchus. I can't find any wines from that year. Are there any left, or have we sold out?

Bacchus: There should be some in this case over here. Give me a moment, I'll dig it out.

Tourist: Excuse me! Can I get one of these?

Tourist: May I have two bottles of this wine?

Akira: Yes, coming right up! Oz, I'm sorry to ask, but I need a hand… Could you take their payment, please?

Oz: Very well. …Give me your money.

Tourist: Uhh…

The word spread quickly from person to person, and the store was soon bustling again. Even local townsfolk sometimes stopped to lend a hand at the shop. 

Resident: You guys seem busy! I'm free right now, so I can help you out a little.

Faust: My savior. We were just in need of more manpower.

Tourist: Ah, isn't this nostalgic… this is what my deceased father used to drink.

Tourist: Oh, here's the wine from ten years back! I'm so happy. I missed that year's vintage.

Rutile: You're in luck, then! We have plenty of bottles in stock. Feel free to take a look.

People flocked to peruse Bacchus' wine, and many seemed to have gotten their hands on something they had been searching for. 

Each customer's face was aglow with joy, as if they had been reunited with an old friend.

Shylock leaned over and whispered to me, in a voice so soft that only I could hear.

Shylock: Although this scene seems to have made you speechless, it has helped you to understand what I meant, hasn't it?

Shylock: You can feel how beloved Bacchus wine is, and how it has made a home in the hearts of many.

--

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10

[muttmoxley]

THIS IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY GOOD ASSESSMENT. emizel is for sure the type to pretend not to like it to protect his Dignity.... soda would go crazy for that shit. he'd have the fnafisms terminalstyle. he is also em's excuse for his fnaf knowledge. shilo would be FACINATED by it the way one is by a strange bug or an interesting texture. frankly i think he'd love meta in general he's a curious little gal. he hates the jumpscares and always has the comment section timestamp warnings pulled up. not soda level obsessed but definitely intrigued. arthur bennett does not give a fuck. hes off reading marx or whatever. he probably knew marx. they were tight. if marx was still alive he would talk about hating fnaf with him.

wveryone shut up. suckening fnaf au. jeremike fizzfangs. elizabeth shilo. evan's death is faked with one of emizel's lives. william as arthur AND ! deacon as henry emily. im a genius.

[luck-of-the-drawings]

OH ARTHUR BENNETT.. such a gorgeous and intriguing character. terribly burdened by a GRUESOME set of crimes, his light suffocated by a HEAVY century of GUILT. so tragic, so dark and broody, and yet PAINFULLY awkward in any social setting ever

[charmingpplincardigans]

Books 2021

I read so many books this year! Or well, I listened to so many books this year. There was a moment in September where I had gone through 70 and thought, 'I could read 100 books this year if I really tried', but uh, you can probably tell that shortly after that I stopped trying. See also the part of the year where my collected non-fiction reading looked like I might be gearing up to build a sexbot to upload my consciousness to. I'm still not ruling that out.

The Parable of the Sower // Octavia Butler (science fiction)

Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology // Adrienne Mayor (non-fiction)

The Duke & I // Julia Quinn (romance)

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches // Audre Lorde (essays)

Perfect Sound Whatever // James Acaster (non-fiction)

The Viscount Who Loved Me // Julia Quinn (romance)

Dearly // Margaret Atwood (poetry)

An Offer From A Gentleman // Julia Quinn (romance)

How to Write An Autobiographical Novel // Alexander Chee (memoir)

The Sandman: Overture // Neil Gaiman, JH Williams III, Dave Stewart (fantasy)

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton // Julia Quinn (romance)

Cemetery Boys // Aiden Thomas (fantasy)

Here For It // R. Eric Thomas (essays)

To Sir Phillip, With Love // Julia Quinn (romance)

Sandman (audio) // Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs (fantasy)

The View From the Cheap Seats // Neil Gaiman (essays)

Bluets // Maggie Nelson (poetry)

Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living // Jes Baker (non-fiction)

A Study in Scarlet // Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

When He Was Wicked // Julia Quinn (romance)

The Sign of Four // Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes // Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes // Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman Burglar // Maurice LeBlanc (mystery)

The Return of Sherlock Holmes // Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)

Sex, Race, and Robots // Dr. Ayanna Howard (non-fiction)

It's In His Kiss // Julia Quinn (romance)

The Raven Boys // Maggie Stiefvater (fantasy, re-read)

The Dream Thieves // Maggie Stiefvater (fantasy, re-read)

After Callimachus: Poems // Stephanie Burt (poetry)

Blue Lily, Lily Blue // Maggie Stiefvater (fantasy, re-read)

The Raven King // Maggie Stiefvater (fantasy, re-read)

On the Way to the Wedding // Julia Quinn (romance)

Call Down the Hawk // Maggie Stiefvater (fantasy, re-read)

Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place a transgender memoir // Jackson Bird (memoir)

Felon // Reginald Dwayne Betts (poetry)

If Birds Gather Your Hair For Nesting // Anna Journey (poetry)

Mister Impossible // Maggie Stiefvater (fantasy)

Visual Poetry in the Avant Writing Collection // edited by John M. Bennett (poetry)

Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) // McElroys et al (non-fiction)

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb // Cat Sebastian (romance)

Counting Descent // Clint Smith (poetry)

The Paper Magician // Charlie N. Holmberg (fantasy)

Somebody's Daughter // Ashley C. Ford (memoir)

Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything // Lydia Kang and Nate Pedersen (non-fiction)

The Family Plot // Cherie Priest (horror)

Don't Call Us Dead // Danez Smith (poetry)

The 99% Invisible City // Roman Mars (non-fiction)

The A.I. Who Loved Me // Alyssa Cole (romance/science fiction)

Upstream: Selected Essays // Mary Oliver (essays)

The Glass Magician // Charlie M. Holmberg (fantasy)

DMZ Colony // Don Mee Choi (non-fiction/poetry)

Turned On: Science, Sex, and Robots // Kate Devlin (non-fiction)

Fierce Fairytales // Nikita Gill (fantasy)

One Last Stop // Casey McQuiston (fantasy)

Medium Raw // Anthony Bourdain (memoir)

Aerial View of Louisiana // Cleopatra Mathis (poetry)

The Body is Not An Apology // Sonya Renee Taylor (non-fiction)

Dolly Parton: Songteller // Dolly Parton (memoir)

Winter's Orbit // Everina Maxwell (science fiction)

The Universe of Us // Lang Leav (poetry)

The Master Magician // Charlie N. Holmberg (fantasy)

Paperback Crush // Gabrielle Moss (non-fiction)

What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat // Aubrey Gordon (non-fiction)

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? // Caitlin Doughty (non-fiction)

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing // Hank Green (science fiction)

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor // Hank Green (science fiction)

The Midnight Bargain // CL Polk (fantasy)

Unmentionable // Therese O'Niell (non-fiction)

Here //  Richard McGuire (comic)

Mr. Humble & Dr. Butcher // Brandy Schillace (non-fiction)

A Darker Shade of Magic // VE Schwab (fantasy, re-read)

Good Omens // Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (fantasy, re-read)

A Gathering of Shadows // VE Schwab (fantasy, re-read)

Women and Other Monsters // Jess Zimmerman (non-fiction/memoir)

Lessons on Expulsion // Erika L. Sanchez (poetry)

[inceptionficrecs]

Sleeping with Ghosts

Main Relationships: Ariadne x Mal Cobb

Summary:

“Are you… Are you Arthur’s?” Ariadne gets out, voice cracking in the middle, the words scraping against her scratchy throat.

“S’il te plaît,” Mal says and motions at herself with one of her hands. Ariadne’s gaze is instantly drawn to the soft fullness of her chest, the arch of her waist, the daintiness of her prominent collarbones. “Arthur ‘as never seen a woman this way once in ‘is life.”

Or, by inheriting dreamshare from Dom, Ariadne gets more than she bargained for.

A Peek:

Ariadne’s glance is drawn to something across the room and she frowns behind her mask, trying to pinpoint what it is. It doesn’t take her long to notice a figure near the grand staircase leading to the upper level. She wears black, both her grandiose dress and her showy mask. In her gloved hand, she holds a black fan she’s wagging in front of her face lazily.

It’s too long a distance, but Ariadne can swear their eyes meet, and she freezes. There’s something familiar about this woman — this projection — that Ariadne can’t quite place no matter how much she stares. The projection’s body language doesn’t change, and her movements are still languid as she steadies her fan and runs her fingers through its ribs.

As if transfixed, Ariadne sucks on her bottom lip and shuffles on her feet. She’s unable to look away for some reason, and it feels as if the rest of the space fades away, leaving only the woman in the clear focus as Ariadne watches her coquettishly raise the fan in front of her face.

“Arthur?” Ariadne croaks out.

“Mm?” Arthur says absently, his attention fully on Eames, who’s wearing the forge, now, and circling Bennett like a predator stalking its prey.

Ariadne should tell Arthur about the projection, should mention how the suspicion is curling tight in her belly. In their line of work, instincts are sometimes the line between life and death, but when the projection claps the fan closed and taps her left cheek with it, Ariadne’s intuition stops any words from escaping.

“Do you think it’s okay if I go survey the upstairs?” she pushes out in lieu of anything else.

Author’s Tags: Post-Canon, This is, i don't know what this is, All I can Say Ariadne's Gay For Pretty Girls

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Words: 3395

Author: rbcch

Read it

[zodiyack]

Protection For The Lost

Requested by anon: hello! would you consider writing lost and found but instead of them meeting and having this cute reunion he finds out that she has a abusive possessive boyfriend (some arranged dating) and that boyfriend tries to keep tommy away from her? with a happy end?

Pairing: Thomas Shelby x reader

Warnings: Swearing, angst, violence, mentions of abuse, small abuse(?), alcohol mention, cigarettes (the word “fag” is used for it once, but it’s British slang, not a slur!), kinda cheating??

Note: I’m sorry! I'm sorry if I strayed from the request a bit! I’m not sure if I went a bit overboard with any angst or violence or anything- feedback is appreciated! In other words, I hope you like it and now I’ll leave you to read the fic.

Taglist: @captivatedbycillianmurphy​, @stydia-4-ever​, @matth1w​, @redspaceace​, @jenepleurepasbaby​, @simonsbluee​

Masterlist | Peaky Blinders Masterlist

Everyone has a reason. A reason to live, a reason to fight, a reason to sing, a reason to do things in general. If it wasn’t a lover, it was a person of an equal, yet platonic love. Perhaps a relative, a friend, a best friend, it could really be anyone. 

Most of the Shelby family already had theirs. Although John had Martha, who sadly passed, he grew to crush on a woman. A woman who, unfortunately for him, was only interested in pleasure. Arthur had Linda, their marriage happy and strong. Ada was...under suspicion to have a lover, but the point was that she had someone.

Sad, horrifying, terrible memories burned their way into Tommy’s memory. The war had an impact on him, an impact horrible and scary, but there was a sliver of light to those memories.

A woman. Or as Tommy called her, an angel sent from the heavens. As soon as he got home, he was determined to find the mystery woman who helped him, healed him, saved his life, and became his reason.

So shockingly to everyone, Tommy did have reason. She just hasn’t found her way back to him. Worries struck his heart each day, wonders of her health and if she was even alive. But determination and love were quick to ease his racing thoughts.

“I’ll find you, Angel. I’ll never give up. I promise.” Though he was aware that his vow to her was unheard, he still planned to stay true to it. 

And that he did.

Each day he got up, went on a search for Y/n/n, and talked to his family about her appearance, hopefully giving enough information that they could spot her if she were to end up in the Garrison or betting shop, pretty much anywhere they were.

With each ask of her name, everyone said no. A couple people recommended asking nurses from France who just so happened to be in Birmingham currently, or to ask a hospital. 

Tommy followed their advice and set off to the nearest hospital, only earning back a bit of information. But a bit was more than plenty to Tommy, at least in this situation.

Soon enough, he ended up far away from Birmingham, at the doorstep of a man named Henry Bennett. He didn’t know why but if it got Y/n one step closer into his arms, he was willing to do anything. Maybe it was her father? Or brother? Maybe a friend? He was so deep in thought that he didn’t notice the door swing open and an agitated looking man lean against the door frame.

The man, who Tommy assumed was Henry, cleared his throat. “What do you want?”

“To ask you some questions.”

The man chuckled mockingly, “about what?”

“Well, do you know anyone by the name of Y/n/n?” Tommy quirked a brow when the man froze and widened his eyes after hearing the name. He glared at Tommy and readjusted his position to a more intimating stance- failing miserably at scaring the raven haired Shelby.

“Yeah. What of her?”

John stepped up from behind Tommy, “mind if we come inside, eh?”

“Personally, I’d prefer you didn’t, but seeing as the conversation’s topic is of importance,” He moved backwards and kicked the door open harshly with his boot, “come on in.”

The three brothers stepped inside the house, looking around and taking in the place. It smelled strongly of alcohol and cigars. They sat down on the sofa and waited for the man to sit in the chair next to it.

“What’d you say your boys’ names were again?” He groaned as he sat down, moving a bit to get comfortable.

“We didn’t. However, I believe I know yours. Henry, is it? Henry Bennett?”

The man, now confirmed as Henry, nodded his head and lit a cigarette, putting the fag between his lips. “That’s me.” Henry breathed out the smoke before moving the stick back to his mouth, stopping only to ask a question. “How’d you know that though?”

“We have our sources. Now, back to Y/n/n?” Tommy was eager to learn more- whatever he could about the woman he was so whipped for. He would take anything he could get, let it be another address, name, number, meal, anything that could possibly be of any help to his search. “What do you know about her?”

“I could be askin’ you the same thing. Bloody Peaky Blinder goin’ after my girl.”

Arthur and John froze in place, like Henry did earlier, and slowly turned to Tommy. Their faces held confusion and slight worry, Tommy, much to their dismay, returning a similar look, mixed with a tint of jealousy. Arthur tried his go at the maker of their clueless emotions. “How-”

“You think I wouldn’t notice you lot? I don’t know your names, nor do I give two fucks, I don’t know if the rumors are true, again, I don’t really care, and my lack of knowledge for the two subjects do not matter to me.” He got up, walking to the fireplace and grabbing a shot glass from beside it, “plus, the hats really gave you away. I was warned ‘bout those.”

“Where are you from, Mr. Bennett?”

“Here in the United Kingdom actually. But I went to France after the war. And before you ask, no I did not fight in it. Frankly, I don’t care about that shit either.” 

John chuckled quietly at Henry’s response, a chuckle of bitter amusement. Purely disgust of the man. Tommy shared the same feeling, whispering “coward” under his breath.

Arthur continued questioning Henry, “Then why did you go to France?”

“Same reason your glare-y friend here came to my home.” Arthur raised his left eyebrow. “Y/n.”

John and Arthur looked over to their brother, communicating with their eyes to wordlessly see if he was alright. His jaw was clenched and his fist tightened. He couldn’t have been- was Tommy too late? Y/n promised herself to him, why was Henry saying, or rather hinting, that they were an item? Had she forgotten about him? Had she lost hope?

“What’s going on? Between you two? Are you childhood friend’s or somethin’?”

“Actually, we’re lovers. Engaged, to be married in three months time. Why else would I go to see her in France? I had to ‘confess my undying love’ one way or another.” 

Arthur, being the eldest of four, knew when someone was talking just to piss another person off, and this was definitely one of those times. Whether what he said was true or not, he was running his mouth to spite Tommy. “Okay, then wh-”

A door creaked open, causing Arthur to stop in the middle of his sentence, all four men going silent and waiting for the cause of the nose to reveal itself. Soft padded thumps sounded in the hall, stopping next to the entrance of the living room door, the door pushed open to reveal a woman with a blanket draped over the parts of her body that weren’t covered by her night-gown.

“Henry? You have guests?”

Tommy’s eyes shifted from the woman to Henry. He noticed how he tensed up and was quick to dismiss her. “Go, I’ll uh- I’ll be there in a moment.” He turned back to the ashtray next to him, putting out the cigarette. Henry waited a couple seconds before facing her again, “I said go. Get. Out. Now.”

She flinched slightly and backed up like she was the prey to his predator. Tommy swore he could see the fear flash through her eyes. She looked familiar...

The female still hadn’t left the room, cowering even farther into the corner, if that was possible, when Henry jumped up from his seat. “I said get in the fucking room!”

Arthur jumped up from the couch. “Hey! You don’t fuckin’ yell at her like that! I don’t give a fuck if she’s a relative, some woman you’re cheating on Y/n/n with, or really who she is at all. Don’t fucking yell at her!”

Tommy looked at her again, his eyes following hers as they widened with fear and shock. “You don’t get to tell me what to fucking do in my fucking house, got that, Peaky Blinder?”

“Henry-” Her hand reached out his arm in attempt to calm him, the attempt working to no avail as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him despite her small whimpers; “Henry, stop- you-you’re hurting me-”

“No! I’ve had enough from you too!” He pushed her to the ground. Probably one of his biggest mistakes, action wise, to commit in front of the Shelby boys. The blanket fell off her body, making the hidden marks and bruises visible to everyone in the room.

Her identity clicked into place. Tommy knew exactly who she was. “What the fuck have you done to her?!” He stomped over to Henry, connecting his fist with his jaw before he could respond. “You bastard!”

Henry spat out blood, coming back up with a punch of his own that hardly affected Tom. “Get the fuck out of my house.” He stepped in front of Y/n, blocking her from Tommy’s sight. “Now!”

As much as Tommy wanted to charge at Henry, tackle him to the ground and beat him until he was six feet under, he knew it wasn’t the time. John tugged on his arm, nodding towards the door.

“Let Y/n come with us-”

“No. You’ll stay the fuck away from my fiancé!”

Henry pulled a gun from the side of his pants, pointing it at the men as Tommy repeated himself. “Let-”

“I said no! Get out of my house before I blow your bloody brains out!”

Tommy ignored Henry’s rage, walking to the door with one last look in Y/n’s direction, “We’ll be back for you Y/n/n, I promise.”

“Tommy!? No, he’ll kill y-” the rest of her sentence was muffled, a hand covering her mouth, succeeding at blocking her words but failing to block out her loud cries accompanied by tears. 

Tears that matched the ones falling from Tommy’s ocean eyes as he tried his hardest not to look behind him, in fear that he’d never be able to bring himself to leave.

. . .

Not even a full month had passed, and Tommy stayed true to both promises. He broke into Bennett’s house after learning his schedule. Y/n was forced to stay home and only leave the house with him, likely thanks to Tommy, but it was still a problem, especially if it was already a thing.

Why would she marry him? Why would she accept? Tommy wondered why Y/n was committing to that toxic relationship. The bruises on her once clear and stunning skin were burned into his brain like the war.

This was the war.

His war.

And he was going to win it again.

He quietly walked through the halls, inspecting each room with his gun in hand. Where cold she be? If there was ever a time in Tommy’s life when he prayed so hard he was about to cry, he was 100% sure this was that time. 

A small creak came from under his foot, followed by a feminine sounding squeal. Rushed footsteps were heard from a door on his right, disappearing into silence. That silence was sliced with a sharp squeak of a bed, as if someone had jumped onto it or tried to push their way under it.

“Y/n/n?”

In the room, Y/n hid under Henry and her, unwillingly, shared bed. Her breath matched her heartbeat, uneven and faster than the horse races. Her nickname was spoken from a familiar voice, coming from the other side of the door. The nickname was never spoken again after the war. Henry disliked it and refused to call her by it, as well as told everyone they knew that she hated it.

The door handle twisted a couple times before the door pulled open. “Tommy? You came back?” He nodded. “I- Henry’s gonna murder you, ya know that?”

“...Why?”

“Pardon?”

Thomas looked away, wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers. “Why do you stay with him?”

“Tom...I don’t really have much of a choice. He’d hurt me if I left and it’d hurt my mum if I left. Either way, I can’t get out of this.” Tommy looked back to her, his eyes bulging. “You have to leave. He could be ba- mmpf!”

Tommy’s hands cupped her cheeks, making sure to be gentle with her weakened body. She didn’t finish her sentence or argue, instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

After they broke the kiss, Tommy pulled Y/n into his chest. “I thought I’d lost you forever.”

“I thought that too...” Y/n drawled, tears threatening to spill.

Tommy wiped away the watery threats and smiled lovingly at her, “run away with me.”

“What?”

“Right now. Let’s go back to Birmingham, you can live with my family and I, we can break the news to your mother whenever you’d like.”

“Tommy...” She thought for a few seconds, Tommy’s smile broke into a frown, his nerves mixing with anticipation. Y/n looked back up to meet his eyes, finally breaking on a decision. “Is there anything I need to grab before we go?”

[dancedance-resolution]

i was tagged by @c-nan for this interests tag game :) thank you for the tag <3

MUSIC Favorite Genres: some modern day pop (like taylor swift and olivia rodrigo) and not-depressing-alternative (like florence welsh and hozier), 70s pop/rock, romantic era and later classical music, jazz standards (like ella fitzgerald and nat king cole)

Favorite Artists: abba, billy joel, donna summer, ella fitzgerald, fleetwood mac, florence welsh, the guess who, hozier, nat king cole, ola gjielo, olivia rodrigo, the orion experience (but only for cosmiccandy), stevie wonder, sugarloaf, taylor swift, and a lot more!

Favorite Song: oh gosh i have so many, but for now i'll say: treacherous by taylor swift

Most Listened to Song Lately: we built this city on rock and roll by starship

Song Currently Stuck in my Head: the day before you came by abba

Five Favorite Lyrics:

just. the entirety of treacherous by taylor swift.

dress in love, she lives for life to be / green-eyed lady feels life i never see (green-eyed lady by sugarloaf)

address the letters to the holes in my butterfly wings / and when the clouds won't iron out / when the monsters creep into your house / well, i hope you know how proud i am you were created (hope ur ok by olivia rodrigo)

the autumn chill that wakes me up / you loved the amber skies so much / long limbs and frozen swims / you'd always go past where our feet could touch / and i complained the whole way there / the car ride back and up the stairs / i should've asked you questions / i should've asked you how to be / asked you to write it down for me / should've kept every grocery store receipt / cause every scrap of you would be taken from me / watched as you signed your name marjorie / all your closets of backlogged dreams / and how you left them all to me / what died didn't stay dead / what died didn't stay dead / you're alive, you're alive in my head / and if i didn't know better / i'd think you were singing to me now (marjorie by taylor swift)

hey, look up / you don't have to be a ghost / here among the living / you are flesh and blood / and you deserve to be loved / and you deserve what you are given (third eye by florence + the machine)

radio or your own playlist | solo artists or bands | pop or indie | loud or quiet volume | slow or fast songs | music video or lyric video | speakers or headset | riding a bus in silence or while listening to music | driving in silence or with radio on

BOOKS

Favorite Book Genre: niche non-fiction! and fic <3

also gonna add my Favorite Fic Tropes/Tags: hurt/comfort, slow burn, fake dating, roomates au, there was only one bed!, college au, enemies to lovers, idiots (pining) to idiots (togther), established relationship, sports au, royalty au, fantasy au, friends to lovers, and many more!

Favorite Writers: marguerite bennett

Favorite Fic Writers: ayeti, bigmamallama5, coffeeshib, drfitzmonster, ekingston, jazzfordshire, littlemousejelly, lovedandliked, robie, searidings, shipsandglitter, takarter, wtfoctagon, you_get_to_exhale_now_cyrus, zedpm, and so many more!!

Favorite Books: the poet x by elizabeth acevedo, 1984 by george orwell, rebecca by daphne du murier

Favorite Book Series: the babysitters club by ann m martin, the mother-daughter book club by heather vogel frederick, mercy watson by kate dicamillo

Comfort Book: robie's wedding date au

Perfect Book to Read on a Rainy Day: jazz's 70s au

Favorite Characters: the second mrs de winter (rebecca), mercy watson (mercy watson)

Five Quotes From Your Favorite Books:

mi boca no puede escribir una bandera blanca, nunca será un verso de biblio. mi boca no puede formarse el lamento que tú dices tú y dios merecen. tú dices que todo esto es culpa de mi boca. porque tenía hambre, porque era callada. pero, ¿y la boca tuya? cómo tus labios son grapas que me perforan rápido y fuerte. y las palabras que nuna dije quedan mejor muertas en mi lengua porque solamente hubieran chocado contra la puerta cerrado de tu espalda. tu silencio amuelba una casa oscura. pero aun que riesgo de quemarse, la maripose nocturna siempre busca la luz. (the poet x by elizabeth acevedo)

but if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. (1984 by george orwell)

but by degrees the flood of music drove all speculations out of his mind. it was as though it were a kind of liquid stuff that poured all over and got mixed up with the sunlight that filtered through the leaves. he stopped thinking and merely felt. the girl's waist in the bend of his arm was soft and warm. he pulled her round so that they were breast to breast; her body seemed to melt into his. wherever his hands moved it was as yielding as water. their mouths clung together. (1984)

but you could not have pure love or pure lust nowadays. no emotion was pure...their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. it was a blow struck against the party. it was a political act. (1984) (this quote is so gay lol.)

he did not stir, because julia was sleeping with her head in the crook of his arm. most of her makeup had transferred itself to his own face or bolster, but a light stain of rouge still brought out the beauty of her cheekbone. a yellow ray from the sinking sun fell across the foot of the bed and lighted up the fireplace, where the water in the pan was boiling fast. down in the yard the woman had stopped singing, but the faint shouts of children floated in from the street. he wondered vaguely whether in the abolished past it had been a normal experience to lie in bed like this, in the cool of a summer evening, a man and a woman with no clothes on, making love when they choose, talking of what they choose, not feeling any compulsion to get up, simply lying there and listening to peaceful sounds outside. (1984)

hardcover or paperback | buy or rent | standalone novels or book series | ebook or physical copy | read at night or during the day | reading at home or in nature | listening to music while reading or in silence | reading in order or reading the ending first | reliable or unreliable narrator | realism or fantasy | one or multiple POVs | judging by the covers or by summaries | rereading or just once

TV AND MOVIES

Favorite TV/Movie Genre: .........ones with actractive actors...

Favorite Movies: pretty woman, muppets from space

Comfort Movie: i don't really watch movies that often lol. i find them hard to get into since they're so short

Movie You Watch Every Year: the year without a santa claus

Favorite TV Shows: supergirl, batwoman, legends of tomorrow, parks and rec, the good place, veronica mars, andi mack, diary of a future president, arthur, word girl, closer to truth, martha speaks, cyberchase, curious george, the king of queens, and probably more that i'm forgetting!

Comfort TV Show: the king of queens, arthur, parks and rec

Most Rewatched TV Show: the king of queens, martha speaks, word girl, cyberchase, parks and rec

Five Favorite Characters:

kara zor-el

veronica mars

leslie knope

zari tomaz

lena luthor

tv shows or movies | short seasons (8-13 episodes) or full seasons (22 episodes or more) | one episode a week or binging | one season or multiple seasons | one part or saga | half hour or one hour long episodes | subtitles on or off | rewatching or watching just once | downloads or watches online

this was really fun to do fhsdhfkd. tagging anyone who wants to try this!