#I read it in a post in the hos tag and I just had to remind everyone

[forkaround]

Thai BL can't Bury the Gays! I'm sorry it just can't. Neither can just about any other BL or GL. BL isn't American television! Western tropes have no power here!

[manicmanuscription]

Selfishly Late

This is the the second part to unapologetically selfish!!

Pairing: Azriel x Reader

Word Count: 1554

Tags/Warnings: Fluff, suggestive, possessive Azriel.

Summary: Azriel has you running a little late to your introduction with his family. But he just can't seem to keep his hands off you.

A/N: I have literally rewrote this piece like five fucking times no joke. It's still not perfect in my eyes and there's definitely going to be a part three but I needed to post this before I went insane.

Thank you all for your patience I love you <3

acotar masterlist | main masterlist

You took one last look in the mirror before scoffing. 

Azriel had absolutely covered you in hickies. On any inch of skin he could reach, paying extra attention to your throat and collarbones. You gave him a pointed glare as he finished dressing behind you in the mirror but he was too busy fixing the cuff of his sleeves to notice. With a roll of your eyes you reached down for the scarf, draping it over your neck and brushing your hair back from underneath. 

“What do you think you’re doing?”  Azriel asked, slightly appalled as you adjusted your scarf and hair to cover some of the more egregious bruises.

He crossed the room in a few strides before standing directly behind you as you sat at your vanity. You didn’t even have a chance to respond before he pulled the scarf away from your neck gently and pinned your hair up with the jeweled metal hairpin he had gotten you last year as a birthday present, perfectly showing off the hickies.

“Azriel!” You exclaimed, turning in your seat to face him and his eyes gleamed at the yellowing dots decorating your bare skin. “I can not show up to your family’s house like this!” 

His brows furrowed slightly, the only sign of confusion you’d read off the usually stoic male. “But you look so pretty like this my love.” He murmured, reaching down and brushed his fingertips against the tender skin, his breath tickling your ear as he pressed another biting kiss to the juncture of your throat. 

Everyone told you once a mating bond snapped the males got unusually possessive, of course you believed them but Azriel was something on a whole different level. When you first met him he explained Illyrians were more territorial, all the instincts heightened. You couldn’t remember the exact sciences on it why but it made you feel so safe, loved and incredibly turned on. 

You gave him an exasperated look through the mirror, one he promptly ignored. His hands curling tighter around your shoulders. This had been going on for years. Every attempt at an introduction was thwarted by Azriel’s skilled persuasive abilities and intoxicating touch.

You did your best to stay strong this time, trying to ignore the way your entire being electrified at his close proximity, sparks running along every expanse of skin he touched. Your toes curled and you let out a soft breathy moan. One that Azriel had still heard and a victorious smile graced his lips. He hid his face in your neck so you didn’t see it. 

But you still did and it was enough to -barely- break you out of his spell. You stood up out of your chair and he rose to full height with you, towering over you slightly. “Azriel!” You reprimanded. “We are going to be late.”  

“We’re already late, what’s an extra five minutes?” He smirked, his shadows swirling around his shoulders as if in agreement. You scoffed, letting out a few curses under your breath. He had been pulling this all morning. 

You didn’t have to be a Spymaster to know Azriel was dragging his feet, first holding you tighter in bed so he could keep using your stomach as a pillow, spilling coffee on the outfit you’d picked out so you’d have to spend another 15 minutes trying to create a new one and now this hickey situation.  

You knew the High Lord or Lady was yelling at him too if any of the occasional winces and rubbing his temples were anything to go by. 

“I’m going to be making such a bad impression already!” You protested, holding your palm out for your clothing back. “Now give me my scarf so we can go please.” 

Azriel just looked at the light brown fabric still wrapped in his hands as if it committed a grievous act against him. “You’re so obsessed with this scarf.” 

You groaned, this time you were the one soothing your head with your fingertips. You knew he struggled when you were gone for long periods of time, both of your work schedules making it endlessly hard to actually have time to be husband and wife, mates, and life partners it drove you crazy too but you’d have to find a compromise because there was no way you were showing up to the High Lord and Lady of the Night Court’s estate covered in hickies. 

You told him as much and he paused, finally noticing your nerves of the event. Years after missed dates and scheduling conflicts and getting distracted by Azriel’s sly touch was all coming to an end, you were finally meeting his family, it loomed over your head and nerves pumped violently through your bloodstream.

It was a bittersweet feeling and you just wanted everything to go well, Azriel wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing his family was. His love for them ran deep and if they somehow didn’t like you….

Azriel begrudgingly passed the scarf over, your comfortability and safety would always come first and he tamped down those raging instincts telling him to whisk you and mark you more thoroughly and reclaim you over and over again especially after your long time apart. He instead pressed a comforting kiss to your forehead.

“Don’t worry love, we are completely mild compared to the crazy shit I’ve seen or heard my brother’s get into with their mates.” He shuddered and you laughed a little bit, pressing yourself closer to him so you could give him a quick hug and a soft peck to his lips, hearing a mumbled “Gods you’re killing me.”  Before sitting back down at your vanity. He sent a wave of reassurance through the bond and you returned it. You've dined with High Lord’s before this would be fine, you were fine. It had to be fine. 

“He’s not coming.” Mor said with finality. Looking over at the golden watch on Amren’s wrist. “I mean they were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago.” The ancient female pulled her hand away from the blonde sharply, giving her an even harsher look of disdain.

Cassian eyed the clock nervously and shot Mor a warning glare. It was incredibly important to him that this went well, you were a major part in his brother’s life and he wanted to not only make a good impression but also make sure you were good enough for Azriel, he recognized it as a silly thought you’d been mated for many years (unbeknownst to him) -and he’d definitely be having some words with Azriel about not being there for his mating ceremony later- but he wanted to make sure Azriel felt loved and cherished, taken care of with all the shit he’d already been through in his lifetime. 

Rhysand just let out a soft sigh, swirling the orange juice in his glass, desperately wishing it was something stronger. He’d assumed his dear brother would be late based on his previous patterns and the little reunion they’d witnessed last night but not this late and he was giving the Spymaster five more minutes before he winnowed the entire family, and their dining table to his living room torches all ablaze and pitchforks raised.

Although he couldn’t help but let out a soft smile at the thought of the usual strict and punctual Shadowsinger was willing to abandon his rigid routine for someone. 

“He’ll be here.” Feyre assured on her mate’s behalf, although her own confidence in him was waning, he did have a habit of simply not showing up when an introduction was planned. 

“You’re sure the female you saw wasn’t an illusion or a paid actress or-?” Mor started but suddenly the lighting in the room dimmed, shadows moving briefly across the edges of the floorboards before the sunlight streamed through the windows once again. An unfamiliar female’s voice rang throughout the large house as she laughed and Cassian’s heart flooded with relief at the sound, anxiety simultaneously  pumping in his chest, he wanted everything to go perfectly.

 “-are absolutely ridiculous.” “Yeah, yeah.” The shadowsinger muttered, the leftover pieces of conversation barely reaching the Inner Circle’s ears. 

Two sets of footsteps echoed across the floorboards, getting closer and closer to the dining room.

 Mor whispered a shocked. “No way.” Another step. “No way.” Another step. “No way.” 

She whispered it after every movement made until finally the couple came into view, standing in the open doorway and she couldn’t even make a sound, her mouth dropping at the sight of you. 

There was a few stunned moments of silence. 

The Inner Circle was staring at you as if you were a foreign creature and you shifted a little bit under their gaze, your mate had prepared you for an endless stream of questions but not the wide eyes and open mouths although you guess it was to be expected and Azriel tightened his hold on your shoulders protectively. 

“Surely you have better manners than this?” He bit out a little harsher than originally meant after a few more uncomfortable moments of stillness. 

You gave them a bright smile and a timid wave, breaking them out of their trance and all of a sudden they erupted with movement pulling you in for hugs and shaking your hands. Not so subtly inspecting you all the while bombarding you with questions.

This was going to be quite the breakfast. 

divider by @strangergraphics-archive

[bruhstories]

Bet V

p.1 here & p2. here & p.3 here & p.4 here

mandatory mdni. you were not tagged in this because you are not over 18.

summary: in his attempt to break you, in-ho breaks himself pairing: hwang in-ho/the front man x civilian!reader warnings & content: age gap, masturbation, voyeurism, afab!reader, slightly detailed descriptions of reader’s background for plot purposes, red text for in-ho, purple for reader, pre 33rd squid game, canon divergent, veeeery slow burn, reader’s dad is dead w/c: 2k

a/n: this is my half-assed attempt at writing a game lol. if you would like to be tagged for the next part, please check this post! thank you for reading! please remember that if you asked to be tagged but i can’t find your age on your blog, you will NOT be tagged. there will be smut and people dying lol.

Neolttwigi had been another success. The seesaw game eliminated 91 people, and with 97 remaining players, In-ho proceeded with tuho. He paid close attention to the masked soldiers who directed the survivors to the same place where they had previously played Red Light, Green Light, only the floor was divided by a bright blue line in the middle. The ceiling was open, letting players experience natural light for a second time in a row.

The game was awfully simple —  throwing arrows into the neck of a jar. In-ho remembered reading about that game in school, how it was played by royal families and the upper class before becoming a game for everyone, and the jar had a narrow neck, making it easy to miss the mark. He had rarely played it as a child, preferring juldarigi or squid, games he taught his younger brother.

It became a habit for him to check the cameras in his penthouse whenever you were there. It brought him a strange peace of mind knowing that Eunjoo was safe in your hands, but he couldn't, for the life of him, stop looking at the selfie you sent the day before. In-ho knew that walking into a lamppost was bullshit, but he didn't want to pressure you into telling him the truth. He needed you to trust him, to tell him willingly. 

Still, he examined the picture —  your cheek in particular — and concluded that you lied to him. In-ho took it as a triumph. He didn't win the bet just yet, there was still time for you to mess up, but the fact that you chose to not tell the truth only solidified his belief that you were the same as everyone else. In four days he would return to Seoul and win. The prize? He wasn’t sure. Perhaps just the satisfaction that he was above you.

Players entered the field, and the voice in the speaker instructed them to split into teams of two in less than thirty minutes, which was unfair to player 002, since there was an odd number of people. 002 was taken away by a guard, and the remaining 96 players grouped into pairs. While the objective was indeed simple — throw the arrows in the jar — it came with a twist. It always did. Each player was given four arrows, but one of them was blindfolded and threw the arrows while their teammate picked the jar up and tried to catch the arrow in it. Once all four arrows were thrown, the teammates switched places. If at least six out of eight arrows hit the mark, both players passed, but if one player threw four arrows and the other only two, they both died. 

The game took out fewer people than In-ho had hoped — 19 to be precise. Player 002 was alive and well, and the remaining 77 survivors returned to their chamber, where more and more beds had been removed, exposing the remaining three games on the walls — Hide and Seek, Yutnori and Ssireum. He remembered his time as a player, how he was the only one who paid attention to his surroundings and anticipated the following games. In-ho used all of his skills and knowledge as a detective and emerged as the sole survivor and winner. Did it bring his wife back? No, but it did make him feel so good when proved he earned his right to live.

Players were receiving less and less food, and from the comfort and safety of the control room, In-ho watched them slowly lose all traces of their humanity. He wondered how you would've performed in the games. Participants would have abused your kindness, and your good intentions would've gotten you killed. To make it worse, he was certain you would've sacrificed yourself to save someone else, someone you deemed worthy of winning. But in his eyes, only you deserved to live.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, and In-ho took it out to read the text from you. He knew it had to be you. Who else would text him at that time?

Hellooo, I took a look in the fridge and noticed the eggs and milk will go bad before you come back. I was wondering if I could give it to someone who needs it.

Damn it, you did it again. In-ho couldn't be sure that you actually gave the food to someone else — he had to take your word for it for now.

Of course. May I ask who you're giving it to?

Remember the family I told you about? The one I teach Korean to? The wife is pregnant and can't work. I think she's due to give birth soon, actually, and they could use all the help. Besides, it would be a shame to throw away perfectly good food :)

Don't you want it, miss? When we first met, you told me you didn't have a good financial situation.

Oh, no, no. I'll be fine. They need it more.

Very well, please give it to them.

Ah, I also remembered you left some money on your nightstand. With all due respect, Mr. Hwang, that's very irresponsible. Anyone could take it.

Were you lecturing him? Him? Cute. In-ho even chuckled at your reprimand, finding it adorably amusing. If only you knew the things he did, the people he killed. How would you react? That question was beginning to take over his mind like a maggot wriggling inside of his brain. Would you be disgusted? Would you go to the police? Would you agree with his ways of cleaning the world of its impurities? It was no different than how you cleaned his penthouse — you both got rid of trash.

You're right, miss. There is a safe hidden in my wardrobe. Please put the money there. The code is 1321.

Surely you would crack at the sight of so much money and try to take some. No one sane would miss such an opportunity. But then again, maybe you weren't sane. Maybe you just needed a little push, a little encouragement. In-ho poured himself a glass of whisky and thought about the wound on your cheek, and the night you were crying on his kitchen floor. Someone had hurt you, and he needed to find out who so he could exploit that. And then, you would break. 

He was, however, slightly conflicted, because he didn’t want to ruin you. In-ho merely wanted to make you see things eye to eye. Just like him, life had been unfair to you. And just like him, you needed to survive. Kindness wouldn't take you very far — you had to witness the cruelty of the world somehow, and the only possible way to do that was to play the game and survive it, something In-ho knew you would never do due to your values and morals. And he couldn't wait one more year to push you past your limits. He needed to think of something else, and he needed to do it fast — time was ticking and you were a project he refused to let slip through his fingers.

In-ho checked the cameras at the time you normally arrived at the penthouse, patiently waiting for you. He was pleased to see that you were in a better mood, cheerfully greeting Eunjoo as you went about with your tasks, but something was different. You appeared to be texting someone, and he never received any notifications on his phone, yet you were quite busy chatting back and forth. His stomach churned, an amalgamation of feelings bubbling and boiling in his core. Anxiety? Anger? Jealousy? 

Jealousy.

You always sent him a text upon your arrival. You always let him know that you were there, so who occupied your mind if not him? The sudden lack of the very little control he had over you made him trip in his room and lose balance, and he forcefully ripped the mask off and tossed it on the floor. 

In-ho was losing the bet he made with himself, and not in the way he had imagined.

It wasn't him who lived in your mind, but you who invaded his, and it infuriated him, because after his wife died, he refused to get attached, refused to fall in love. Luckily for him, it wasn't love that he felt for you, but an unhealthy obsession to watch you, to know your every move, to find out who hurt you and make you hurt them back. 

You performed your tasks with utmost perfection, and placed the money in his safe while ignoring the riches inside it, but you were distracted, constantly looking at your phone and half-smiling whenever it lit up. In-ho couldn't have that. 

How's Eunjoo?

Since you were so busy talking to someone, he expected you to frown at his text, to scoff and ignore it. But you did worse. You stopped folding his clothes and sat on the edge of his bed, beaming at the message on the screen.

She's alright! We had dinner and a cuddle, and now she's playing next to me. I'll send you a picture!

In-ho watched you struggle to take a photo of the cat — each time you took out your phone, Eunjoo stopped playing, so you swapped to the front camera, trying to sneak a picture. You even smoothed your hair and made yourself look presentable, and he found it quite adorable that you tried to look presentable for him.

I'm sorry you have to see my face, but she wouldn't sit still for a photo!

You were stunning. It was all In-ho could think about when he opened the photo. Your bright eyes were like a drug to him, instantly hooking him, forcing him to regain a shred of humanity.

Don't apologise, miss. You're beautiful.

There it was, the crack he so desperately sought for. You were practically hyperventilating in his bedroom, struggling to breathe, constantly rereading the words on your phone. And then he heard you talk to Eunjoo, heard you question your own sanity. But no, In-ho didn't like you. He was simply interested in breaking you, oblivious to how you were breaking him.

"Damn it. I promised Donghyun I'd go for a coffee after work tomorrow. I'm so confused now." Your distorted voice crackled through his speaker, and In-ho clenched his jaw, barely stopping himself from breaking his phone.

Who the fuck was Donghyun? And more importantly, why did he care? 

He didn't care, or at least that was what he told himself for the past few days. He didn't care. He didn't give a shit about you. He didn't-

The familiar words of Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon stopped him dead in his tracks. In-ho turned the volume up, still in disbelief that you knew the song, that you sung it in his bedroom like no one was watching you. It was impossible how similar you were to him, to how he was before life took a turn. But a song and a kind heart weren't enough to change him. It was far too late for that. The only possible outcome was for you to become like him, and he wouldn't accept anything else.

For the first time, In-ho didn't offer you privacy when you stepped into his bathroom. For the first time, he watched as you peeled off each layer of clothing, and for the first time, he saw every scar and scratch, every burn and bruise on your body, new and old, and he understood. You had already faced the realities of this cruel world, and you chose not to become vengeful. Your father died, your uncle abused you, and yet, you shined.

The unforeseen urge to protect you seeped through his veins, but not before you got your revenge. You deserved to get revenge more than anyone in the world. And if you didn't want that, he'd make you want it one way or another.

"Fuck." In-ho whispered when his cock twitched in his trousers at the sight of your bare body. So vulnerable. So weak. So perfect. 

He sat down, phone in one hand and his eyes only on you. It was pure instinct when he fisted his cock, pure instinct when your name spilled from his lips, pure instinct when he imagined you under him, wriggling and writhing, pure instinct when he came on his fingers, disgusted with himself.

Pure instinct. Nothing more.

tagging: @ri1liane  @anmert1  @syraxnyra  @frshluvcats  @lanyia  @mettreads  @nightdark-dreamdark  @bridge-always  @lovekm  @audrey223  @starkeyszn  @hobiesbrownsgf  @thoughtfulbelieverstrawberry  @maria-trisha @akiqvq @10hrs26mn @okaycharr @politicstanner @moonxknightx @googie-jeon @swthrtbyeol @mariiestfu @ratsnestinmyhair @missroro @talia-the-gemini @fortluocha @true-queen-of-mischief @ssa-callahan @bibliophile-yomna @wwastro @heartsforseo @marymun @glads-stuff @starryeddie @kisses2kanao @gagaga167 @l4venderia @scryi @lelisae @twicelover2 @ashtrosstuff @cruel-affair @cdej6 @veragrhm @nikos-a-clown @cchewhaz @pepsicolacoochie @lily-ann-b @red22wolf @nellabear  @unabletonotlovesatoru @happiness2112 @waterjewelsspite @luna-looniesblog @plan3t-plut0 @full-sunnies @warlabels @xcinnamonmalfoyx @rickgrimesismydaddy1 @jasonpetertoddismygod @marihoneywk @llghtsnoww @torkorpse @salivasupplier @okqur @jamiewritesfanfiction-blog @certifiedlevisimp @kiss-themoongoodbye @bluehourss @alexa554 @sinful-tawtute @ithoughtthinks @nacatna-blog @riri53 @alexisabirdie @houta-habtet-houta

[cybrasigilism]

how dae-ho would act like if he had a crush on reader and how he’d ask them out

this is too cute! i desperately need to write for dae-ho more, he’s just such a sweetheart i fear :>

Crush Headcanons! (Player 388/Kang Dae-ho Headcanons)

warning: no smut! | lowercase intended | not proofread! | these are my headcanons for this character, please be respectful even if my opinions on the character differ from your own :)

character: kang dae-ho (player 388)

A/N: this is a mix of headcanons + drabble but i hope thats alright it’s nice to take a break from smut every now and again :) i’ve got lots of dae-ho in my requests so i’ll try my best to feed you all .3. of course, i hope you enjoy!

   ────  ☽⃝ ────

⟢ the moment he first took notice of you as everyone was getting their photos taken for the games, he was completely starstruck. from that point forward, dae-ho found his eyes being drawn to you wherever you guys were

⟢ he felt a new sense of urgency to make sure you lived throughout these games, after red light green light he made a vow with himself to ensure you were protected at all costs. he was quick to introduce himself post the first game, and you guys were fast friends.

⟢ he’s not the type to be insecure or jealous when he sees you interacting with the other men inbetween games. there was few men you did talk to anyways, seeing as most of them either got on your nerves or intimidated you way too much. however, he did find himself a tiny bit jealous when he saw how easily you got along with the other guys in his group

⟢ you didn’t end up making it on dae-ho’s team for the six legged pentathlon, but he did his best to calm your nerves before the game started up. he promised he would cheer you on and that he definitely did. he definitely lit up when you ran up to him afterwards, going on about how worried you were about him after you left

⟢ he 100% would share his food with you, especially if he noticed you were particularly shaken up after a game

⟢ adding onto the last piece, dae-ho will also definitely try to cheer you up after the games

⟢ i think he would definitely hold off on asking you out, especially during such a high stakes situation as the squid games. at some point later on, when you guys are closer, you two will promise to see more of each other once the games are finished.

⟢ although dae-ho certainly isn’t one to start a fight, he will put himself between you and any unruly players who try to start something with you. he doesn’t have any trouble putting someone in their place if he feels you would be in any sort of danger

⟢ insisted that you slept with his group during lights out, so he could watch over you and be certain on your safety when you were sleeping

⟢ 100% hugs you tightly after the mingle game, especially if you two got separated. you could tell he didn’t want to let you go at this point, as he was definitely worried that you didn’t make it into a group before the time ran out

⟢ will for sure ask you all about your life before the games, and even about what you’ll do with the prize money when you guys get out

────  ☽⃝ ────

apologies for the less headcanons this time around! i saw more opportunities for small drabbles between the headcanons and i had to seize it! i had a lot of fun writing this out, and i hope you guys all had just as much fun reading it! as always any advice/constructive criticism on how i can improve my writing is appreciated and requested

have a splendid day lovelies 💋

tags: @gongyoosgf @agorsnotsworld @kvstjwonnie @marymustdie @pink-apples001 @wonestro @luvlyfandoms @putrescentpoet

[heartavenue]

Don't Be A Chop Ho.

The title of this post was inspired by @yoyoaizawa and the contents of this post directly come from @clickercouture I repeat this post was inspired by @clickercouture I simply wanted to add on to it!

Read this in the voice of Gina Linetti from Brooklyn Nine-Nine for a better experience! creds: @/n3rdy247

"How are a loser in your own fantasies?" - a tweet that I saw please I've been trying to find op for DAYS

CW: This post may be a bit harsher, so if you do not like that, STOP READING RIGHT NOW!

"How are you a loser in your fantasies?" really clocked my tea and it should clock yours... But let's change fantasies to imagination. How are you a loser in your own imagination? Why would you willingly be a chop ho in your imagination? -@yoyoaizawa

I was on here scrolling through the shifting community on here and my lovely mutual said this,

Why I've Stopped Trying to Shift ★

"I'll get straight to the point. In my belief system, the 'shift' is in the mindset. Reality comes after that. Once I'm in the mindset of being wherever, and I can maintain that, then I've already shifted. I'm done. So, I don't try to shift, I just do. The narrative that we have to try to shift, in my opinion, is harmful. When you want to drink water, you do it. You don't try to. You just get up and drink the water without a second thought. Why should shifting be any different?" -@clickercouture

And that was so good I just had to make a post out of it! Read what they said, "once I'm in the mindset of being wherever, and I can maintain that, then I've already shifted. I'm done."

Exactly that my loves! All you have to do to shift IS shift. You don't have to try anything, shifting is innate. It is not something that you have to learn shifting is a part of you. So stop trying to shift, and just SHIFT. Make that assumption, that you are already in your desired reality and maintain that. I don't care what the physical shows you, just shift.

Now going back to the title, don't be a chop ho. You are omnipotent and omniscient, how are you pure consciousness but can't even shift realities....How do you let an illusionary source run you? How do you let an intrusive thought overtake you? Why would you assume that you will fail when you already succeeded?

Don't be a loser in your imagination, YOU run this! You are the author of your own life, you make the rules! If you want to get a million bucks in your bank account you can. If you want that sp, you GOT THEM! Take control because at the end of the day, it's all you and it's always ONLY going to be you.

Why would you sit up there and boohoo over things that YOU control? You shift your reality INSTANTLY! You manifest INSTANTLY! Why would you willingly hand over your power to someone else, you know who does that? LOSERS! And I don't know about y'all but I refuse to be a loser in my OWN life!

P.S: Although this was more of a harsh post I just want to say that everyone's feelings are valid and if you feel upset/frustrated/irrtaited/sad about anything that is perfectly fine and my dms are ALWAYS open if you need someone to vent to!

Tagging them one more time but please show some love to my follow mutuals who inspired me to make this post in the first place: @yoyoaizawa & @clickercouture

[thefrontmanscockwarmer]

Ruined

Player 001 x reader [SMUT] 📸

Masterist <- Comment on this post to be added to the tag list

Note: takes place during season 1, bc the marble games seemed so prefect for him. Also remember that Korea currency is LESS than American currency.

“Come on (y/n)” young il pulled at your jacket sleeve. You asked him to wake you right as you had to get up for the next game.

“Ughhh, I don’t wanna” you whined.

“(Y/n)(l/n), get out of this fucking bed or I swear to all things earthly, I will drag you by your fucking hair”

“Mmm, you’re gonna pull my hair?” You smile.

“(Y/n) let’s go, come on” he says. You reluctantly get up, dragging your feet as you did so. Scowling at him as he scowled back at you. “Don’t look at me like that”

“Like what?” You yawn and stretch

“Like you hate me. I’m your husband, you like having me around.” You and In Ho joined the games as an opportunity to have fun. Fortunately, this was right before the VIPs formally arrived. You and In Ho were just having some fun.

You passed Oh il Nam, remembering that he also joined the game, he was the that extended the invitation to you. The 3 of you had a one way ticket to freedom town after this game, as the next one was surely a matter of actual life or death (it was the glass bridge).

You and Young il split up to find 2 other players to be partnered with, as it would validate your ’deaths’ following il Nams steps.

You faked a loss at marbles, allowing yourself to get “shot”. You were allowed out of the game room and into the hallways on the outside of the isolated room. Tracking through the hallways you walked into yours and In Hos shared room.

Jumping into the shower and letting the past few days wash off of your skin. You took care of your basic needs, scrubbing your face and hair, removing the dried blood that was caked to your neck. Sighing with relief that you were finally clean. You put on your black silk robe and roamed your way into bed, setting up your skin care routine as tea boiled.

You comfortably sat reading your book, face mask on, tea setting to a perfect temperature when In Ho walked in.

“Hi honey” you said as he threw himself onto your thighs. “How’d your game go?”

“I hate my job.” He declared loudly. You played with his hair as he gripped your thighs, tightly. “You know not having you these past few days has been driving me crazy…” he trails.

“Shower first. I do not want 5 day old ball sweat anywhere near me. You’ll screw up my Ph balance” you say, eyeing him. He sighed dramatically. “Don’t be such an actor, go shower. You can indulge in me later.” Another dramatic sigh.

“Fine.” He said before kissing both of your thighs and getting up “You are so spoiled” he told you as he looked down at you. You smiled widely.

“Oh am I?”

“Yes, you are. Laying in silk sheets, in a silk robe, a ₩50,000 face mask, I bet, reading a book sighed personally by the author that I got you, and probably the most expensive tea someone in Korea could buy, laying in a ₩20,000,000 bed in a trillion won building” he lists. “With me, a man whose net worth is over ₩6 billion.”

“Ohhh my goodness, yes I’m so expensive” you feigned sadness.

“I’m gonna go shower. Care to watch me?” He teased, holding your dainty hand in his.

“Only if carry me to the bathroom” you say. He drops his head with a smile.

“Of course” he picked slid the blanket back, and picked you up, carrying you to the bathroom and gently setting you on the counter. He stood off to the side so he could look in the mirror, some blood was caked onto his collar and he had a streak that ran down his neck and onto his shirt.

He stripped as you watched him, his bare body being scanned by your calculated stare. He chuckled as he stepped out of his boxers.

“Like what you see?” He said with a cocky smirk. He stood between your thigh coming in for a kiss.

“I will after you shower” you say laughing as you pushed him back. He held your hand to his chest and kissed you quickly. Smiling as he moved away before you could slap his shoulder. He entered the shower, you could deny, he was gorgeous. The way water dripped down his abs, and how his hair stuck to his head.

“Use the exfoliation scrub, In Ho” you remind him. “You haven’t showered in like a week.”

“Yes, my love, I’m aware.” He replied, grabbing the container and showing you. The water turned off and he opened the glass door, wrapping a black towel marked ‘his’ on it. A wedding gift from your cousin. You stared at his body, his cock slightly hard and visible through his towel.

“Now, I love what I see” you say as he wraps his arms around, pulling you toward the end of the counter. He lays a kiss on your lips as he presses himself against you. A light hum left your lips. He chuckled into the kiss. Trailing down your neck to your collarbone, sucking and marking you as his.

“Am I allowed to indulge in you now?” He whispered, playing with your clit. He wasn’t asking, he was telling. Not having him for days was driving both of you insane, you were surprised you both made it that far without running off and fucking in a corner.

“Please do, Mr. Front man” you moaned, moving your hand to drop his towel. He wasted no time in pressing his cock into you. You moaned loudly as he did, he groaned into your mouth as your tongues danced together.

“God, I needed this” he says between kisses. He thrusted inside you, but differently than you expected. Not rushed, not rough, but in a love making, I miss you sort of way. “Fuck I love you” he said in your ear before attacking your neck.

“In Ho, I’m close” you whined.

“So am I. I’m so close (y/n)” he replies breathlessly fucking into you. He sped up, racing towards your climax, his threatening to burst. You heard a voice in your room.

“Oh, In Ho. Where are you?”

“Fuck, fuckkkk” he drawled quietly. His orgasm ruined, he looked at you before looking away wanting to avoid your of obvious frustration. Denied an orgasm, and it wasn’t even apart of the sex. He pulled his dick from you, a whine of dissatisfaction left you.

“Babygirl, don’t be upset with me” he said pulling on his towel. Grabbing his mask on the counter. “It’s my boss” he said leaving the bathroom. You followed behind him to see Il Nam standing in the center of your room.

“Ah, Ms. (L/n)” il Nam bowed. You retuned the bow.

“How are today, sir?” You ask. You had already seen him, but you knew better than to interact, you could see that he had a poor soul on the hook for failure.

“very well today, I am getting ready to go to the hospital and live my final days.” He exclaimed. There was no evidence of sadness in his voice, almost like he was happy to be gone. “Watch of Player 456, he has goodness in his heart. I hope he wins.” He says to you before turning to your husband. You turned away from the an walked towards the big screen on the far end of the room, turning it on to watch the rest of the players, Player 456 was shedding tears as he walked back to the common room. You faintly heard conversation:

“I am ready to go, In Ho.” The old man said. “Please meet me in my quarters when it is time to leave” you walked over and said good bye to il nam, vowing to visit him at the hospital when he was all settled in. he gave a gentle kiss on the cheek. In Ho held onto your waist, allowing you to remove his mask.

“I’m assuming there isn’t time now to finish what we started.” You stated lovingly.

“No, my dear, im afraid not. We are officially interrupted and our pleasure for the moment is ruined. I have to work” he says looking deeply into your eyes. You could tell he wanted nothing more than to continue the love making you were both so excited for, but work called.

“Come say good bye before you leave, wont you” you tell him, kissing his shoulder. He placed a kiss on your forehead.

“ I will. And, I’ll be back to finish what I started with you” he winked before letting go of you and disappearing into the closet.

[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

Hii, I love your fics, especially the Moon Knight ones, sometimes I'm so giddy that I need to take a step back and remember myself that they aren't real.

May I request headcanons about the Moon Boys overhearing reader talking to their pet (probably a kitten) about how much they love the boys, and their quirks and their little differences and just going on and on about how perfect they are?

I understand if not, I will love whatever you post regardless!

Oh my gosh, this is so adorable! I hope I did it justice!

Just Happy

Jake Lockley x gn!Reader • Rating: PG pals Masterlist• ao3• want to be tagged? | request info • buy me a coffee? • ask-travaganza masterlist •

Summary: Jake eavesdrops.

Warnings: Fluff, Jake being emotional, not beta read, please let me know if I have missed a warning!

Word Count: 482

You stroke behind Salem’s ears, the small kitten’s eyes are closed, his head pressed as close as he can to your hand. 

“You like that, hmm?” You smile, “Who’s my favourite little guy?” 

Salem purrs loudly. 

Jake smiles from his position in the doorway, his hair still damp from the shower. Both Marc and Steven were still asleep, Steven hadn’t come to bed until well into the early morning and now that things in their life were calmer Marc was using the opportunity to catch up on fifteen years of rushed power naps. 

“Who is it, hmm?” You lean down and kiss the top of Salem’s head three times. 

Jake can’t help himself, he slowly takes out his phone from his pocket, not wanting to alert you to his presence. He finds the perfect angle and then starts filming, he’d have to send this to the group chat Steven had created. Affectionately called ‘The Body 💪📖🚗⚾’

“It’s yoooooooou!” You say sing-song to Salem and grin, “Well you’re my favourite little cat guy. I think Steven, Marc, and Jake might complain if they’re not my favourites too. Though I don’t think they’d mind being second best to you.” 

At the sound of Steven, Marc, and Jake’s names Salem perks up his ears and meows softly. 

“Yeah! You love them too, don’t you? They are the best, we love them so much. Because they’re so kind and great. And they give you the best pets, don’t they? Well, second best, I’m best obviously.” 

Jake covers his mouth with his hand, trying not to laugh. He’s smiling so hard it’s hurting his cheeks, his chest so light it’s almost painful. Tears prick at the corner of his eyes, his throat thick. He tries to force the emotion down, but it just builds and builds. 

“I know part of the reason you’re so excited when you hear their names is you think you’re gonna get extra treats, I know they give you more than they should.” You smile. “Can I tell you a secret?” You lean a little closer and Salem looks up at you with large eyes. “I love them so much, literally so much. Every day my heart gets a little bigger with how much I love them. Opposite Grinch situation going on in here.” You tap your chest. 

“Amor,” Jake’s voice makes you jump, and you turn from your position on the floor just in time for him to wrap his arms around you in a bear hug. 

You let out a little oof of air and then giggle, “Were you spying on me?” 

“Yes.” He mutters into your neck, his voice is thick and wavering. 

“Hey, you okay?” You stroke his back and try to move to see his face. But he just snuggles deeper into your chest and squeezes you tighter.

“I’m fine.” 

“You sure?” 

“Just happy, my love. Just happy.” 

Thank you for reading!

@pleasurebuttonwrites @raven-rk @campingwiththecharmings @alexxavicry @whatthefishh

@romanarose @strangerhands @saturn-rings-writes ho

@steven-grants-world  @eyelessfaces @angel-of-the-moons @minigirl87 @lunar-ghoulie

@silvernight-m @autismsupermusicalassassin @apesarecuul @reallyrallyauthor @basicalyrandom

@alwaysmicado @mangoslushcrush @marc-spectorr @spxctorsslxt @novarosewood 

@pygmi-cygni @hammerhead96 @emma23 @sub-aro @killerdollz

 @maplemind  @mwltwo @loonymagizoologist @dameronshandholder @queerly-anxious

@homuraak3mi @swiftiegirliepop @oscarssimp @milkypompon @eternallyvenus 

@mandytrekkie @lounilu @avengersinitiative2012 @pigeonmama @marcsb1tch 

@iolaussharpe-24 @chaithetics @DowBaStan @faretheeoscar@lonelyisamyw-0love 

@queerponc @twwcs @Spnwhore2430 @mari-thesimp @ominoose

@ierofrnkk @have-you-seen-my-sanity @to-be-a-sunshine @blushingrn @missdictatorme

@musicalnacho @buckyssugarchick

@soft-girl-musings @casa-boiardi @theratscorner @krakenkitty @amasdaydream

@i-have-all-these-freakin-uwus  @purple-amaranthe @brunlocc @bookoffracturedescapes

@marcsb1tch @pigeonmama @sergeant102105 @weekendgothgirl @silvernight-m

@klillah @howellatme @mystic-writings @f0url3af

If you'd like to be taken off the tag list please let me know here

[weirdsht]

What if i have an idea and it's orv's "incarnation kim dokja will be killed at the hands of the person he loves most" BUT it's reader and cale

May Our Fates Intertwine Once More - Cale/Reader

notes: 1. Anon I'm sorry for taking so long to write your req; and 2. I'm sorry to everyone who saw the small preview I posted before and thought it was fluff.

tags: fluff, no gender specified for reader, novel spoiler (sealed god's test), hurt no comfort, angst, death, canon divergence from 620

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Constructive criticisms and any kind of interaction are more than welcome

Requests are open and welcome

Buy Me Dessert

Navigation Masterlist

One moment you were next to Cale then the next second you’re standing in the middle of an unknown place with this weird half-transparent blue screen in front of you.

[Quest List:]

[1. Pass the tutorial

2. Launch a widescale attack on the safe zones during the eclipse 

3. Die after fighting a magnificent battle at the hands of the person who loves you the most]

“What the fuck…”

You cursed as you read what the screen says. You tried to see if you could touch it but something else popped up as soon as your finger made contact with it.

[WARNING!! WARNING!!]

[All injuries sustained in this body will be mirrored in your real body!]

“This isn’t my real body? But it looks the same.”

It really does. The only thing that has changed is your clothes. You’re wearing something that fits the image of a deity.

Still confused, you look around you. There’s nothing you recognized. But it does look like you’re somewhere abandoned.

[A message has arrived! Tap here to read!]

You tapped the new overlay that popped up and it instantly brought you to the message.

[Are you enjoying your lover’s original world?]

The anonymous message said. Immediately, you had an inkling as to who it could be.

“What the fuck? You must be that stupid god presence we felt back there.”

[Such brash words while talking to a god… Anyway, are you aware of where your lover is?]

“His around here too right? What the hell did you do to him?”

[Nothing much. His just under my test to overcome his despair. I’m waiting for him to be consumed by it so he can take my hand.]

“Knowing Cale, I'm sure he’ll overcome it. He’d rather die than work with you.”

[That’s where you come in dear.]

You feel like you can hear the god’s vile laughter even through the screen. But you wondered how you’d help meet Cale’s demise. Unless a demon possesses you to the point where you can’t control yourself, you won't do it.

Then it dawned on you.

The mission.

[3. Die after fighting a magnificent battle at the hands of the person who loves you the most]

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! You’re quite witty, aren’t you? On the bright side, I found out Cale loves me the most thanks to you.”

[It’s great, isn’t it? If you don’t do your missions you’ll be stuck here forever. If you do them you’ll die. Whatever you do you love must say goodbye. An instant recipe for despair.]

“We’ll see about that. You might be underestimating me too much.”

You pointed your middle finger towards the screen with messages before closing it.

Getting past the tutorial was easy. Turns out you have an inventory that contains countless supplies of food and other necessities. You also have the ability to summon monsters.

The same monsters your lover told you he fought in his previous life before becoming Cale Henituse.

“Ho? This is interesting. It feels like I’m playing a game of some sort.”

You said no one in particular as you read the descriptions of the monsters at your disposal. You spend the whole day navigating the screen that calls itself the “status window”. According to it, you have the whole day free today as the eclipse will happen tomorrow.

As you take yourself on a tour of your inventory one particular item catches your attention.

[Sword of Liubi Duplicate]

It was your sword. Well, a duplicate of it. It was given to you by Cale after you first met. Clicking on the sword, you read what properties would its copy have.

[A sword replicated from your world. It’s strong, probably one of the strongest swords on Earth 2 despite being nerfed. However, since it’s a duplicate it will only have half of its original prowess. It is still a remarkable weapon nonetheless.]

Some of the terms used like “nerfed” you don’t understand as they don’t exist in your world. But it still gave you a general idea as to what the status of your sword is.

Well, it’s better than nothing.

Plus you think the only time you’d have to use it is when you fight Cale so it’s better that it’s not as strong as before.

“Either way I die huh…”

You mumbled as you stared up at the ceiling of the abandoned house you found. Usually, a person would not be able to stay in such a place so leisurely. However, since the monsters won’t touch you it's a different story.

“What am I getting sad for? I was supposed to die way back! I’m just fulfilling it now…”

It’s the truth. If it wasn’t for your lover and his friends you would’ve died a long time ago. You guess someone bound to die early will die early.

You dismissed the thoughts of your death out of your head. Instead, you focused your energy on thinking about how you would get Cale to fight you so he could complete his mission.

With those thoughts in mind, you slowly fell asleep. 

“Okay, this is kind of fun… but I feel bad since Cale and the others are fighting the things I summoned.”

You’re on top of a building. A good distance away from Cale– no Kim Rok Soo’s safe zone but still near enough to be able to observe what’s happening.

“Is that Choi Han? At first I felt bad for them, but now I feel bad for myself. They’ll finish my babies in no time!”

Observing Choi Han and the others fighting, you kept summoning more monsters. The monsters you summon are regulated by the status window but you still find some joy in doing it.

It is getting tiring though.

You can’t believe you have to keep doing this for 24 hours straight. You’re not even getting paid…

[Alert!]

[One (1) of your “Grade 1 Taster Monsters” have broken from the pack]

[Alert!]

[Two (2) of your “Grade 1 Taster Monsters” have broken from the pack]

“What the hell? I swear my dearest must have an ancient power that allows him to gather powerful beings. His even stealing away my babies.”

You huffed in frustration as you watched two of your summons go over to Kim Rok Soo’s side.

“Isn’t this whole thing too good for me though? Everything I need to survive is free… And summoning monsters doesn’t cost anything.”

[It's the least I could do for someone bound to die either way]

That pesky god messaged you again.

“Well look at you being Mr. Nice. Are you flirting with me? Sorry, I’m taken.”

For emphasis, you brought up your ring finger that contained your engagement ring. As if flipping the god off.

[Blasphemous as ever. It tempts me to take you as one of my children. Too bad you won’t be able to take in the despair that comes as a price.]

“Yeah yeah. Just shut up. It’s not like I have any plans teaming up with a god.”

Sealed God shut up and you lived the next days in peace.

You have the monsters at your disposal that can do whatever you need them to do. And you have no quest assigned to you aside from that dying one. Your mind has also been at ease as you have a general plan as to how you’ll get your love to fight you one-on-one.

[New Mission Alert!]

[Summon one (1) Electric Eel in Gwangalli Beach]

Gwangalli Beach where is that? You have absolutely no idea. In fact, you’re tired of your status window acting as if you were from this world.

“I’m sure the monster will know where it is…”

Convincing yourself that your summons will know where it is you summoned a flying monster to take you to that place.

Luckily, your assumption was correct. In no time you were where you need to be.

“Status window summon one Electric Eel… Who named this thing? I mean it’s a snake that will be summoned from the sea, and has electricity as one of its powers. But Electric Eel? Seriously?”

After bashing the monster’s name a little, you summoned it.

“I’m sure you already know what to do…”

You mumbled to the monster before going away to hide before someone saw you.

All that’s left for you to do is watch and wait for your entrance.

3 days. That’s how many days it took for them to defeat the Electric Eel.

While everyone was doing that you were watching on top of the building. Your robed dress flows freely in the wind as you do so. There were a lot of instances you wanted to intervene. Wanted to go help the love of your life and the man you considered your brother.

But alas you couldn’t.

The status window with only one quest left reminded you of that every time.

[Are you ready for the final act?]

Sealed God messaged you again. As if laughing at your inevitable demise.

“Just watch my performance. It’ll be spectacular.”

For a moment you were tempted to curse him out as you usually would. However, you decided that if you’re gonna go out today, you’re going out with grace and elegance. It's only fitting as the fiance of a duke’s son.

[Player _____ will be killed at the hands of the person that loves them the most]

[The last arc of the game…]

[Starts Now]

Ignoring the status window, you ride the flying monster waiting for you. It’s the same monster that brought you to the beach before.

“I worked so hard just for you to defeat my baby.”

You gently spoke as you gracefully descended from the monster's back and onto the dead Electric Eel. 

“...That’s your baby?”

Kim Rok Soo mumbled quite mournfully. He was supposed to be your baby after all.

“Wait how are you even here?”

He asked. Looking at you curiously. 

“Oh, I’m the one summoning all the monsters you’ve been fighting. Was it fun? Ah, don’t ask me where they come from though. I have no idea where they came from. I can only summon them.”

You spoke as if there was nothing wrong. As if you guys aren't standing on the opposite sides of the battlefield.

“_____-nim…”

Choi Han, the man you have come to consider your brother, slowly called out to you.

“What are you doing?”

He asks, not minding the whispers from the people around you three.

“So that’s what happened to my Dark Tiger… Asking permission to borrow my things would have been appreciated, Your Highness.”

You addressed Alberu first before answering the swordmaster’s question.

“Don’t you still get it? Every play must end with the hero defeating the evil mastermind! And you Kim Rok Soo…”

The sword you summoned on the way here pointed towards your lover.

“You shall be the one who strikes the final blow.”

Kim Rok Soo’s brain connected the pieces. You smile while observing him. And that smile pissed him off.

Because you were smiling as if everything was okay.

As if you hadn’t just announced your death.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll be stuck here and die. You wouldn’t want that would you?”

“So I just have to kill you here?”

‘And then you’ll return to my arms in our world?’

You knew the silent question that lingered in the commander’s reddish-brown eyes.

“Yes.”

Yet you ignored it. Letting him believe that everything will be fine. That you will only die in this world. That nothing will happen to you in your world and all shall be well.

It was for his own good.

The only way for him to not fall into despair once more.

Drawing your sword once again, you beckoned for your lover to fight you.

“Everyone else stay back. I’ll summon another unranked monster if you interfere.”

“Follow what they say and just watch.”

You and Kim Rok Soo said before your powers clashed with each other.

Lightning after lightning struck you. However, your sword blocked most of them. Dodging the ones you couldn’t block.

When it was your turn to attack, you struck your sword towards Cale. Each slash either landed on the Indestructible Shield or was blocked by the Fire of Destruction.

“Your sword is stronger than this. I did not give you such a flimsy thing.”

Cale spoke as you failed to cut through his shield once more.

“Don’t worry this isn’t the one you gave– Ugh!”

A lightning struck you. Cale used it as an opportunity to land more hits.

“I was talking you know? You’re as rude as ever. Anyway, this one is a duplicate.”

Your sword managed to land a cut on the commander’s arm. Everyone else watched the two of you. People who don’t know you were wondering how can the two of you fight while bantering as if your lives aren’t on the line.

But not everyone in the audience didn’t know you. Two people in there knew you very well. 

“I’m going back first. Something about this feels off.”

Alberu told Choi Han who was gripping his scabbard tightly.

“His Majesty is going first?”

“Seems like it.”

You can Cale continued talking as you fight. It reminded you of the small talks he would engage you in as you train.

It reminded you that this is probably the last time you will be able to talk to him like this.

“Ow! That hurts you know!”

A particular attack from the Sky Eating Water rendered you unable to pick up the sword. Cale took this as an opportunity to hold you down using the trees summoned earlier to fight the Electric Eel.

You watch as Cale turns off his Sound of the Wind. He walks towards you at a leisurely pace, picking up your sword on the way. 

“I’m sorry.”

He said and you noticed his hand tremble ever so slightly.

“Don’t be. I’m happy that it’s you. Do you want to know what’s the prerequisite of my death?”

Cale did not answer but you said it anyway.

“I shall die by the hands of the one that loves me the most. That’s what it said.”

The commander’s eyes shook along with his hand.

“That’s why I’m glad…”

Blood spilt from your mouth as your sword stabbed your heart. From the corner of your eye, you could see Choi Han running towards where you are.

“_____-nim!”

Your brother called out to you as Cale let go of his control on the trees in favour of holding you instead. 

There’s still blood spilling from your mouth but that didn’t stop you from smiling at him. Your smile was weak and tired, but it was the best you could do at the moment.

“I’m fine…”

You assured Cale squeezing your hand.

“I’ll be waiting for you in our world. So don’t be sad okay? Remember you have to overcome despair.”

“Promise?”

Cale asked you as he cradled your body in his chest.

“I promise.”

You left out the part that you’ll probably be dead or dying when he sees you. 

Weakly, but full of determination you raised your left hand to link your pinkies together. The diamond in your engagement ring shone as you did. Meanwhile, your right hand is being held by Choi Han.

They said that your life will flash in your eyes at your last moments. No such thing happened to you. But you did remember a conversation that you and your lover had prior to this whole thing.

“So you’re birthday is on November 8th? Why are you only telling me this now? There’s so little time to prepare a gift for you!”

“What are you talking about it’s still so far away?”

“No, it’s not! It’s not enough time for me to prepare the perfect gift for you.”

That’s right, today is November 8 in this world. It’s Cale’s birthday…

“In Raon’s castle… My gift is there. He should know about it…”

“You can just give it to me yourself when we get back.”

Cale answered and you almost laughed at his cluelessness.

“...Happy birthday my love. May you always find happiness.”

Those were your last words before you took your last breath. Before your body slowly turned into dust in Cale’s hold.

But Cale wasn’t in despair even as you die.

He may be sad, but he wasn’t in despair.

It was because he was holding onto your words that you’d meet him back home.

That’s how Cale was able to pass the Sealed God’s test.

But why…

“MOVE ASIDE, LET PENDRICK AND SAINT-NIM HANDLE IT!”

Why was the first thing he heard as soon as he came back Alberu’s shouting when he was supposed to be in his castle making preparations?

“CALL FOR MORE HEALERS WE’RE LOSING _____-NIM!”

“_____ wake up. Please wake up.”

Alberu and Raon’s voice rang on his head. 

At that moment. Rosalyn and Eruhaben noticed that he was back. They quickly greeted him before calling over Raon and Sherrit to remove the barrier that surrounded him.

“What’s happening?”

Cale asks as he enters the room where the shouts are coming from.

The sight made him stop in his tracks.

Laying on a grass bed that’s similar to where he was just a few minutes ago was his lover. His fiance.

They were lying there. Bleeding.

On the heart.

Exactly where Cale had stabbed them back on Earth.

A realisation dawned on him at the moment.

You just promised that you would meet him back home.

You did not promise that you would meet him alive.

Cale, the fool, had only assumed you would.

[kithtaehyung]

— ryen’s tumblr wrapped 2024 

i didn’t even know these were a thing but i did notice that tumblr wasn’t doing those wrapped posts, so thank you to @yoonia and @jjungkookislife for tagging me so i could join! fashionably late but i’m slidin’ through the door :D 

before we get to the stats, i just wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone that’s been here with me in 2024. many things happened, both on and off this blog, so to know who’s a real one and either stuck with me or trusted me makes me happy and at peace. there’s a lot i haven’t said, but just know that i love you all and am grateful for the kindness and support. all the messages, reblogs, comments, tags, etc. kept my spirit alive, and i hope anything i’ve shared has given you some modicum of love, hope, home. let’s get to it!

— kithtaehyung 2024 wrapped 

total posts — art posts: 55 | gfx posts: 13 | fic posts: 8 total word counts — posted: 69,200 | written: 100,000+ total asks — answered: 1,442 | inbox: also a number😅 milestones — 3 years with 3tan | 2_,___ followers | crossing 7,000 3tan asks (ho ly shit lma oo ?? ?)

FIRST FIC OF 2024: broken, pt. 2 (3tan) (myg) ; 240209 ; 1,728 notes  

the current, most recent part of the main 3tan storyline. this one broke me, put me back together, then broke me again. the mental strain of writing both broken pt. 1 and broken pt. 2 was one of the main reasons why i had to take this long of a break. but we’ll be back to the main storyline in 2025! 

series notes: idr but it's a number!!!!

MOST POPULAR FIC OF 2024: minted: part one (myg) ; 240805 | 2,835 notes

was absolutely nervous to post this one because it’s incredibly different from the rest of “the ryenverse” as y’all call it, but the reception? holy crap! y’all are amazing and have been incredibly kind and supportive. i’m so glad we can all scream about gangster mint-haired yoongi together now.

series notes: 5,163 total | part two: 1,321 | part three: 1,007

LAST FIC OF 2024: holiday (3tan) (myg) ; 241227 ; 536 notes 

the yearning for these two was hurting us so badly that i spewed out a whole 8.1k in a week lmfao. hope it was able to lift some end of year/holiday spirits. 

2024 IN SONGS: HUH?! - agust d ft. j-hope | HISS - megan thee stallion | LOST! - rm | heart on the window - jin ft. wendy | NISSAN ALTIMA - doechii | overnight - connor price ft. tommy royale | tv off - kendrick lamar | sticky - tyler, the creator ft. glorilla, sexyy redd, lil wayne | too much - kid laroi, jung kook, central cee | woke up - xg

2024 IN FIC RECS: (it's a goal to read more in 2025 omg.. these are all the ones from friends i'll plug for now, and all the fics sent to the artist drop channel in our server!) éffleurer (ksj) - @sugaurora not yet (myg) & substance (knj) - @newmittens obsidian (myg) - @sailoryooons cyberslut (myg) - @kimnjss party on you (jhs) - @here2bbtstrash in motion (jjk) - @yoonia lover to lean on (pjm) - @sketchguk no strings (pjm) & the holi-date (kth) - @kpopfanfictrash moonlit throne (myg) - @hobidreams miracle of the season (jjk) - @cybrsan midnight (jjk) - @leahsfavefics crystallized (ksj, myg) - @floralseokjin server artist drops: friendcation (myg) - @kingofbodyrolls i will come to you (ksj) - @/kingofbodyrolls whalien52 (pjm) - @/kingofbodyrolls end of the world (myg) - @/kingofbodyrolls i'm not sure?! (pjm, kth, jjk) - @melancholy-of-nadia infatuation (myg) - @/melancholy-of-nadia love you lately (myg, knj, pjm) - @/melancholy-of-nadia too high (myg, jhs) - @ysljoon whirlwind (myg) - @/ysljoon midnight snacks (kth) - @xiumya the moon goddess's chosen (myg) - @army93bangya gods of the dark (myg) - @/sailoryooons need you to be sure (kth) - @yoongimain route 613 (knj, myg, vmin) - @daegudrama elemental (jjk) - @/kpopfanfictrash txt - a night out at the club - @jettithink risky business (jhs) - @jaysdimples what the moon saw (myg) - @violetsiren90

2025 PROJECTS: 

ot7 releases: release at least one fic or drabble for every member!

open source fic rec form: a form for both writers and readers to submit their fics or recs so we can all have a centralized list. 

3tan physical copies: get these babies out in the world! i know y’all have been wanting them so i’ll try.

3tan finale: finish out the main 3tan storyline. this is gonna destroy me in every way possible, but i think i can do it. we’ll make it through. 

what a damn year! dunno how we managed to do all of this in 2024 but i'm grateful y'all are still here or ventured through the blog at some point. thank you all again!

this was so late so I’m assuming i’m the last to do it, but if you see this and wanna consider yourself tagged then be my guest!

[wangxianficfinder]

Fic Finder

May 13th

~*~

1. I really need help finding a fic! It's either ABO or the Chinese equivalent kunze/qianyuan. It's got some sort of arranged marriage, as Madam Yu(?) marries WWX off to LWJ. In this universe Alphas often do not allow their Omegas to bite them back and create a reciprocated bond, as it gives them power and status in society. LWJ lets WWX bite him back (because he's a romantic and a sap), and the Jiang's are salty because JYL wasn't given a reciprocal bond when she married JZY, so WWX is technically of a higher status than she is now. @star-whatevers

FOUND!🔒Alliance AU by Ilona22 (E, 21k, WangXian, JYL/OC, Arranged Marriage, A/B/O Dynamics, PWP, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Intersex Omegas, Not JC Friendly, Matchmaking, canon Jiang family dynamics, Family time, Night Hunts, Mention of male omega pregnancy, Intrigue at Jinlintai, Mentions of Prostitution, War, Conflict between characters)

~*~

2. Hi! Fic finder plz. Looking for a fic where wwx is "sacrificed" by the other great sects to the gusu lan (in exchange for something? Don't remember). He is given to lwj and all the sects assume wwx is going to be a concubine (so much so that when they present wwx to lwj they dress him up like a concubine). Wwx also expects this and is very surprised when Iwj treats him nicely and everything. You can tell that lwj has fallen for wwx but is holding himself back. Wwx gradually falls for him too. I remember there was a part where the great sects came to visit and were surprised that wwx wasn't treated like a concubine. Tysm!!

FOUND? golden when the day met the night by glitteringmoonlight (Not rated, 95k, slow burn, sugar daddy LWJ, light, angst, fluff, developing relationship, eventual smut, WIP)

~*~

3. Hiii!!!

I'm looking for a fic where Lan Zhan is de-aged and the juniors take care of him while on a night hunt. Wei Ying is still away and has not returned and they have not confessed yet. Baby LZ just wants his WY so the junior quartet takes him to Qinghe to a discussion conference or smth. Wei Ying is also called there and LZ just goes and hugs him.

That's all I can remember. I think he was cursed to be more open and vulnerable so that he could confess.

Thanks! @ffaddictsrn

FOUND! Send Me Your Earnest Love by goneforthestars (T, 13k, WangXian, Age Regression/De-Aging, Curses, Attempt at Humor, Light Angst, baby LWJ, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Post-Canon)

~*~

4. I hope you can help, fingers crossed! I've tried everything on this one... Jin sibs murder JGS? sort of along the lines of Qin Su and the boys, but I can't even remember if it was a full fic on Ao3 or maybe even a ficlet/snippet on Tumblr? I think JZX was very shocked/normal reaction but siding with his siblings and JGY/MXY/QS were all stab-happy gremlins? I think JGY and QS might have found out much earlier that they were related and planned revenge together? Any help would be great, thank you! @katonahottinroof

I read #4 a few weeks ago😭 I believe lan zhan was a courtesan/prostitute who was supposed to assassinate wei ying, and lan zhan was beholden to meng yao for saving him. lab zhan ends up going to wei yings home in the burial mounds and gets poisoned I think ? does this sound familiar? the story may be tagged under courtesan lan zhan or prostitute lan zhan

NOT FOUND! out to get you (to get you) by iliacquer (E, 41k, wangxian, graphic depictions of violence, switching, top/bottom LWJ, top/bottom WWX, power play, courtesan LWJ, assassin LWJ, dark lord WWX, bondage, happy ending, past slavery)

FOUND! 🔒Something is Rotten in the State of Lanling by East_Of_Akkala (T, 42k, XuanLi, 3Zun, LQY/QS, Fix-It, Character Death, Angst, Family Feels, Black Comedy, Except for chapter 1, MDZS SPOILERS, Canon Divergence, Jin Siblings Dynamics, QS Deserves Better, Humor, Fluff, Background Relationships, Warning: JGS, POV Multiple, POV QS, POV MXY, POV JGY, Murder, Attempted Murder, Illustrated Fic)

~*~

5. Good afternoon! I hope everyone has had a pleasant day.

Can’t say how many of my favorite stories have been found through you guys!

For the next fic finder.

I’m looking for a fic that has both a/b/o in it but also the lan clan were dragons and wwx was a fox, I think. Either one or both, I can’t quite recall.

Oh and it’s set in study arch.

Wwx and Lwj were already a couple or courting at the very least.

Anyway what I remember the clearest was a part where wwx was walking some stairs, might have been the stars to cloud recesses.

Anyway a spiritual dog suddenly appears and I think starts chasing or just barking at wwx.

Anyway twin jades to the save.

It is later revealed that the dog belonged to Jin Zixun which was confirmed by Zixuan who recognized the dog.

That’s all I remember.

Have a nice day and keep up the fantastic work! @ravenwithwings

FOUND! Jades' Lotus by keela_1221 (E, 125k, LXC/WWX/LWJ, Jadecest, Incest, Non-Traditional A/B/O Dynamics, Fluff, Smut, True Mates, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, No Sunshot Campaign, WWX Has a Breeding Kink, Male Lactation, Marriage Contracts, Polyamory, Pining, thirst, Mpreg, They Experiment a Little, Cum Marking, switch everyone, Double Penetration, graphic description of childbirth, Sprinklings of angst for flavor)

~*~

6. There's this wangxian fanfic I know I've read more than once, but I can't seem to find it anymore! Ok, so it's a modern world with cultivation fic, and in it the 5 Great Sects are like big crime syndicates or something similar. Wei Ying has his own territory in Yiling where he is known, of course, as the Yiling Laozu. The story uses specific terms to refer to some characters' status. Ex: Lan Wangji is the Red Pole of the Lan Sect, and Meng Yao is, I think, the Straw Sandal. Pls help me find it? @dreammaiden21

FOUND? 🔒 Words are Gonna Bleed from Me by GravityWinsAgain (E, 173k, WangXian, WIP, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Triad AU, Blood and Violence, Explicit Sexual Content, warnings in the notes, Modern with Magic, Dark Magic, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, Murder Husbands, POV WWX, Organized Crime, lovers to enemies to estranged lovers and back to lovers, it gets weird when somebody dies but not really, Angst, Feels, BDSM Switch WangXian, Ghosts, Body Horror)

~*~

7. Hi there! I hope you can help me figure out which fic I have just remembered. I think it might have been an ABO fic, but I'm not sure. All I remember is one scene. There was some kind of trial, and WWX was seated in some kind of special alcove where nobody could see or hear him, so that he could watch without encountering the Jiangs. I think he made some kind of comment about the type of court drama that would necessitate such a feature being built. Does anyone else remember this? Thank you!! @balleyboley

FOUND! 🔒 Crossing Paths by Ilona22 (M, 21k, wangxian, shapeshifter au, graphic depictions of violence, war between sects, war crimes, not JC friendly, happy ending)

~*~

8. hi! potentially very long shot, but I'm looking for a fic with this quote "Besides, no one ‘was good,’ in some isolated way. Good was a relation between people. Good was a thing you did." I saved this quote then, and sadly can't remember any other details about this fic... I'd love find it to reread again, thank you! @potatokunst

FOUND? I Started From the Bottom/And Now I’m Rich by x_los (E, 57k, WWX/WRH, WWX/JGS, wangxian, JYL/JZX, time travel fix-it, Pining, Marriage of Convenience, Arranged Marriage, No Sunshot Campaign, WQ Lives, Transmigration, Weddings, Sugar Daddy au, Sugar Daddy, Black Widow, Protective Siblings, Family, Dysfunctional Family, Family Bonding, Sugar Baby, consort, Politics, Demonic Cultivation, Canon-Typical Violence, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Canon-typical domestic dysfunction, Canon-Typical Gore, Ballad 39: Tam Lin, YLLZ, Crack Treated Seriously) did a search for the quote and it came up -- ch 3, specifically

~*~

9. Fic finder request: there's a fic I only recall some details of. In this fic, dual cultivation in the Cold Pond Cave contributes to the security of the Cloud Recesses, but it has to be done by powerful cultivators with a member of the main family. MY and LXC are married in this fic, but they are unable to use this method of boosting security because MY's cultivation level is not high enough. Wangxian do it eventually, and when they leave the Cold Pond Cave, they are congratulated (?) by the Lans, who were waiting outside. WWX is also welcomed into the sect as one of their own. I think JC comments at some point that it's really weird for him to be safe in Cloud Recesses because of this reason. Please help me find this fic!

FOUND? The Ritual by nightwalker (E, 12k, WangXian, Sex Magic, Post-Canon, Fluff and Smut)

~*~

10. Hello! I am looking for a fic that might have been canon-esque, but also could have been modern, where Mama Lan calls Lan Zhan her little bird. Only I think for a while the author gave us the Chinese word for it, which I don't recall what it was. It's translated later in the story. Thank you!

~*~

11. Looking for a longfic I read a while back. The elements I remember are that the Lan figured out that WWX wasn't being properly compensated/treated as a head disciple of the Jiang and the deliberate stunting of his academic education was a violation of (handwavy) Jianghu high academia codes of conduct. As a result the Lan got WWX his backpay and the Jiang teachers got shunned by their academic peers. Had similar vibes to Stunted, Starving Juvenility, but I did a reread of that recently and I'm pretty sure it was a different fic. Thanks! @alychelms

Love this one and recently read it, but not it. The fic I'm looking for was definitely in canon-setting

NOT FOUND sounds like part of the story for 🧡🔒Truth Will Out (when caught on video) - End_OTW_Racism! by KizuKatana (E, 178k, WangXian, WN & WWX & WQ, graphic depictions of violence, modern cultivation, canon divergence, YZY abuses WWX , caught on camera, partial core removal, WWX kicked out of Jiang sect, livestreamer WWX, meet ugly, dual cultivation, smut, no war)

FOUND!🔒 the language of flowers and silent things series by Reverie (cl410) (M, 107k, WangXian, LXC/NMJ, LWJ & Madam Lan, NHS & LWJ, LWJ & LXC, LWJ & NMJ, LWJ & NHS Friendship, Developing Relationship, POV LWJ, Minor Injuries, Autistic LWJ, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, aka the YZY warning, Genius WWX, Light Angst And Hurt/Comfort, WWX Protection Squad, Gusu Lan Sect, Slow Burn, Protective LWJ, LWJ-centric, Politics, Canon Divergence, No Sunshot Campaign, Cultivation Sect Politics, Protective WWX) I don't recall if backpay was a part of it, but 11 reminds me of this

~*~

12. Hi, I really need help finding a fic I read on ao3 some time ago. It was a modern day fic, I believe set in America, where wei ying and lan zhan meet again at jiang yanli’s wedding. They both act awkward around each other and don’t really interact until they are all in the hotel lobby and wei ying is trying to leave because LZ…but yanli tells lan zhan to give him a ride because it’s suppose to be a long ride home (to a different state I believe and lan zhan will be driving by it either way so it’s ideal) Wei ying tries to reject the idea but LXC gets involved too and he’s like it’s a good idea. It’s like a long drive/road trip fic where they are forced to interact and make up. Thank you for your time and effort.

Hi, I wrote to you asking for fic #12 on your may 13th post. I ended up finding it. It was a wlw fic 7:15 from Chicago by milesofheart. I’m sorry for the inconvenience but thank you for this platform, allowing me to ask in the first place.

FOUND! 7:15 from Chicago by milesofheart (T, 24k, WangXian, F/F, Modern, Rule 63, Road Trip, Getting Together, Female WangXian, matchmaking siblings, recovering from traumatic childhoods, spiritual trauma, Lan Disciplines as modern religious fundamentalism, LWJ's defiance of the Lan Disciplines, activist LWJ, the universal rage of women in a sexist world, Estranged Friends to Lovers, Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, brief references to sexual violence, references to past alcohol abuse, mention of spiking a drink as a bad practical joke but in a safe environment, mentions of real American political and social issues, brief mention of physical child abuse, past experiences of homophobia)

~*~

13. I need help finding a fic. I've looked through my AO3 history and had no luck. Here's what I remember: Its a modern AU (I dont recall if its modern Cultivation or modern without magic) WWX is on the outs the Jiangs but is close to the Nies. There is a scene where NHS puts put Nie braids into WWX hair, and LWJ is jealous and takes them out. WWX developed a software that the Nies distribute and the Jiangs use. When WWX does online tech support for the Jiangs he uses the alias MXY.

FOUND! Come Around and Stay by trippednfell (M, 160k, WangXian, NieLan, Slow Burn, Kid Fic, Found Family, Modern AU, It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better, PTSD, Blood and Injury, Dissociation, Angst with a Happy Ending, Musicals, POV Alternating, Baking, Yunmeng reconciliation (eventually), Friend Zoning, Literal Sleeping Together, Hurt/Comfort, Panic Attacks)

~*~

14. Hello, how are you doing? 👋

I am looking for a fic which i found on this blog i think, i am not sure. It's where wwx breaks up with lwj as a dare but they're actually meeting for the first time. I thought i had it bookmarked but unfortunately i was wrong, please help me find it. 🫰

~*~

15. Heya bros!! Got a request for the ficfinder? I read it a while back but accidentally closed the tab.

It was Wen Ning and Nis Huaisang centric. Chapter one was Wen Ning helping NHS escape qishan, chap 2 was NHS helping WN break outta the Jin dungeon and I think chap 3 was them talking about it??

I think Hua Cheng and Xie Lian made a very brief cameo in the third chapter?

FOUND? Jailbreaking by CullenBlue (T, 21k, WN & NHS, Canon Compliant, POV NHS, NHS Is A Little Shit, Cinnamon Roll WN, Fierce Corpse WN, Ghost General WN, References to Heavens Official’s Blessing, References to The Scum Villain’s Self Saving System, NHS insulting the Wen Clan’s taste in interior Decorating, Mentions of Murder, WN made a friend by talking about his childhood trauma, BAMF WN, Panic Attacks, mentions of gore, Canon-Typical Violence, Violence in the Name of Comedy, Trauma, Is NHS taking anything seriously? who knows, Bromance)

~*~

16. Hi...

I am looking for this fic that I read a long time ago. It's a modern au and mpreg, where at the airport Wei ying went to the toilet and left a yuan with strangers (Mr & Madam Lan). Both of them thought twin jade especially lan zhan had a secret child as a yuan share similarities with the lan gene. If I'm not mistaken, Wei ying works together with lan zhan before leaving the country because of pregnancy and lan zhan doesn't even know about it. I don't remember why...🤔

Please help me find it. Thank you for your time 😊 @hazeylove89 //

Hi. I would hope to find this fic I read a long time ago. It's modern au where Wei ying leaving a yuan with stranger in airport for toilet break however the stranger is Mr &Mrs lan. Both of them thought a yuan is lan zhan child as a yuan share similarities with lan zhan. Btw this fic is mpreg n lan zhan don't know that Wei ying is pregnant.

Sorry if it's a difficult request. Thank you.

~*~

17. hello! trying to find a specific tumblr post (not here but out in the wild) about yllz wwx actually being a fairly solid ghost who died in the burial mounds and knows he's dead but expects the ones he loves to also pick up on that and mourn him/give offerings? but none of them do; they see solid and assume alive, so he's feeling hurt about it. pretty sure it's here on tumblr somewhere but will accept fic recs

~*~

18. this for fic finder <3 i remember reading a fic where WWX is a paperman and is spying on LWJ bathing. and then paperman wwx gets a cut and lwj gets angry or sulking at him for disregarding his safety @notdaniee

FOUND! I don't know about a fic but there's a comic by @moobiess like that

~*~

19. hello, thank you for your help!

i was looking for this fic where wwx and mianmian are dating (?) and wwx accidentally moans lwj's name while making out/intercourse. i am unable to find it anymore. could you please help?

thank you again.

hello! #19 from the latest fic finder (may 13th). yes! it does! wwx goes to lwj's and they 'talk' about whatever happened and then they end up having sex.

bummer that they made it private, thank you for the help though!

sounds like a fic that has been privated/hidden by Pancho I believe , in the story does wei ying end up going over to Lan zhan and they have sex?

~*~

20. hiii, i need help finding a fic on ao3 where lan wangji and wei wuxian time travel to the past and tell the sect leaders some form of info. the sect leaders are then nosy and weird about it so they end up using something to spy on them? lan xichen feels guilty but joins in anyway. in the scene that the sects see wwx and lwj are sitting and wwx is combing lwj's hair i think ? the two are aware that they're being watched as well. i don't remember much else, but i hope that's accurate enough. thank you so much.

FOUND? lan xichen is very concerned (and confused) by theninjacat (T, 3k, WangXian, POV Outsider, Time Travel, Canon Divergence, Sunshot Campaign)

~*~

[halogalopaghost]

Okay so. I just saw someone had straight up posted all 8 pages of the ROTTMNT 40th anniversary comic and like...yo ho and all that, pirating is good and fine...but this is not the time. I have two points:

1: if you want more ROTTMNT, Nickelodeon only measures ONE FUCKING METRIC and it's MONEY. Reading the comic on tumblr, raving about it or trending the tag or engaging with the creators on twitter, none of that matters to them. They don't go on tumblr, engagement isn't actionable and more importantly it means jack diddly squat to board members and investors, who are the REAL target audience of literally everything. If you want more ROTTMNT, you HAVE to buy the fucking comic with your actual money

2: the publishing industry, both of comics and books, works a whole lot differently than the movie and TV industry. Pirating comics and books

a: directly takes money from the hands of artists and authors in the form of royalties,

b: lowers chances of landing on bestsellers lists, and

c: means you are less likely to see more of it because the industry measures success in money!!!!

That goes for all of you who want to see the 2003 series get the Saturday Morning Adventures treatment. You have to show up with cash in hand.

In summary: if you want to pirate the comics because you can't afford it or whatever, that's okay. I'm not making moral judgements here. But you should do it quietly, and wait a few weeks at least. I cannot even imagine being the artist who worked for weeks on that comic to see it on tumblr in full the day of release, that's just fucking awful. Be respectful and remember that if you want more of something, you DO have to pay for it.

[reingkings]

"Can you recommend a fanfic where the characters are closer to their versions in the series? For example, I saw someone write that they are writing a fanfic where Gi-hun is much closer to his version in the series."

Apologies for the delay. This question really stumped me, if I’m honest ;-; Mostly because I don’t know what “closer” means. I think there’s many different interpretations we can have based off canon. Here’s some I like from a canon-compliant character study lense:

lighter fic:

> Protective Measures by faintneko

Outsider POV from Sae-byeok’s perspective. No Squid Games AU, but the adjustments are accurate. The character voice is very strong in this one.

> this morning, this evening, so soon by layoyo

A what-if story exploring if Gi-hun got on the plane. I love stories that feel like gentle rain, and this one I think is one of them. It follows Gi-hun very closely in the process of grief and healing, and In-ho here is very much a “reaching out to you and hope you take my hand” version.

> When Will You Return + Sequel by Lust4Wife

This premise of this story is what if Gi-hun had never entered the games and met Il-nam before he passed, only to be left a small bit of inheritance. If you want a fic that feels like S1 Inhun, this is a very strong contender. I will note it’s in mandarin (I used google translate to read it), though it has an English translation. I still prefer the mandarin one. I think the English version was written to sound “perfect” to natives but it sacrificed a bit of the nuance.

> One Rainy Night In Seoul by hl14

A canon-divergent fic in which a 2015 In-ho meets Gi-hun before he becomes the Frontman, and it changes his life. hl14 is an authors whose body of work I think exemplifies the different ways In-ho and Gi-hun can be interpreted while still feeling like their canon selves.

> in other words, please be true by songxiong

This fic is a fascinating one in that it has the same premise with the opposite take: In-ho meets Gi-hun before he becomes the Frontman – and it finalizes his decision to become him. One of the earlier fics I read in the fandom and it really helped refine my perception of In-ho’s possible motivations.

> Сyclicity by Dragira_Dje

Canon AU in which every time Gi-hun dies he gets a redo, but he still joins the games. Magical realism take on canon essentially (and I know I’m cheating a little with this one). I particularly really liked the character voice. It felt very much like Gi-hun.

> The Life and Times of Worker 456 by Nite_Rose

A fic in which Gi-hun is a worker instead of a player. Based on the premise, it might not sound like a character study but I think it can definitely be seen an exploration of how different choices could lead to different outcomes, while still staying true to Gi-hun.

darker fic (heed the tags):

> i don't dream of unicorns by ha1lmary

A post-season 2 fic. We get really in Gi-hun’s head for this one and it’s just about as heart-wrenching as the first time I watched the finale. You really see Gi-hun fall apart. Which you know, is my cup of tea.

> sheepskin by throwafit

Explores the premise of “what-if Gi-hun chose to get on the plane” as well but it’s a different interpretation than this morning, this evening. In this one, In-ho’s machinations are more intense, and I think you it really emphasizes Gi-hun’s loneliness.

> Ghost of the Longing by Beb

An In-ho POV fic where he pretends to be a ghost to haunt Gi-hun after his “death.” In-ho feels very keen and spider-y in this one if it makes sense. I do so love the wolf-among-the-sheep character exploration of him.

> i'm your man series by gaycultivators

Canon-adjacent fic in which In-ho pretends to have sex somnia in order to have his way with Gi-hun. I think it plays well with the tension of what we know as an audience and what Gi-hun knows, and particularly enjoyed how it portrays In-ho’s brand of manipulation.

> Take the Bait by crankyLilah

Intense character study of In-ho’s POV from season 1 to the present. The undercurrent of obsession and delusion is impeccably interwoven into the events. It’s just poetry, really.

~ * ~

Anyway, I have 100+ bookmarks so I can be here all day. I mean just based on canon-adjacent character studies only I had to exclude a abo fics, historical, fantasy (please ask me for fantasy recs ;-;) etc since characters are affected by the world they live in. If you enjoy any of these, please remember to give the authors their flowers 💐

[lagncx]

Rough hands

Karl Heisenberg x pregnant fem reader. Poc safe i believe as a poc myself i think i didn’t do anything to make it not such.

Tw: gore its resident evil get with it.

// wow okay so this is a fucking long time coming. Sorry to those who fucking waited for this but it is 8k words long idk I felt like if i release something short people would hate me and not want to read the rest but I realize I can just post another part//

And my heart filled with rust!

These hands will always be rough!

You held your newborn baby in your arms and she was wrapped tightly, the biting cold hitting you harshly. “Karl- just come with us.” You begged once again, you forgot how many times you had asked.

———-

You had been in the village since forever raised by a flower selling mother and a priest father, you had picked flowers for Your mother but froze when you saw Mother Miranda and a boy you felt your excitement thrive as she approached you “Hello {❤️} out here picking flowers for your mother?” You nodded and got on your knees bowing your head. She brushed your hair back.

“This is my son,” she said, looking up and seeing the boy up close, tilting your head to the side. He was being held by the wrist, his body language shielded, and his eyes wet with tears. He must’ve been scolded.

“His name is Heisenberg. You’d be well off to remember, you’ll see a lot of him. I want you to be his friend, show him around get him fed, and take care of him when I can’t.” You whined to yourself immediately stopping when Miranda spread out her wings.

Years spent with the boy honestly if it wasn’t for you, you don’t know if Karl would’ve survived.

You sighed as you watched him follow you from ten steps behind. It was like having a shadow, you stopped and turned around stepping towards him and he backed up. Saying “Huh?” To yourself then you smiled and started jogging after him making him back away “Fine! You want to follow me! Let’s play tag!” You giggled as you began to sprint making him let out a gasp as he started to run away for reals this time. You laughed as you zig-zagged around the other villagers. “You sure are fast fatty” You laughed but felt yourself fall on your ass after bumping into him. “What?” He said you let out a panicked laugh filled with anxiety “I uh-…”

“Fatty?!” He growled and then you heard something else growl, you smirked as he looked down shamefully, a blush on his chubby cheeks “Ooooohoho” you giggled “Someone’s hungry!” You teased before getting up wiping the dirt off your butt. “Come,” you said

You thanked your father for the shillings and grabbed Heisenberg's hand walking with him “Father is priest?” He suddenly asked with his heavy accent “Haha yeah but he’s not strict! He’s cool!” You smiled stopping at a door with its window open, the smell hitting Karl’s nose and making his stomach burn in hunger. You had said something into the window standing on a loose brick putting the shillings on the window sill and grabbing two loaves of bread and cheese. You hustled back to Karl and gave him a bread loaf “Here you go.”

Sitting by the reservoir you and Karl feasted, you ended up giving him the rest of yours since he seemed to be so hungry “Geez Karl does Mother Miranda not feed you?” He froze. “Don't like eating it.” You nodded silently, not pushing the subject. “Well… just come to me and I’ll keep you fed. How about we get some of Luiza's chili next time?” Karl nodded, smiling for a second. You looked back at the group of kids swimming and laughing with each other sighing. Karl watched too “Why are you alone?” He said. You sighed and rubbed your hands against your shirt “I don’t like those kids. But it’s fine because I like you. Cause you're weird! And I think that’s cool” you smiled with shining teeth.

You were both inseparable you guys would catch fish and the duke would give you both books and that’s honestly how you both learned about the outside world, You even taught him how to ride a horse, and you pulled out an animal book and he would chew the inside of his cheek learning about all the animals, from cows to elephants. He would ask you questions…so many questions and you’d try your best to act the way the animals would, making him laugh. He deserved to laugh.

Then things changed as you both aged a bit more.

You groaned thrashing around on the grass field.

“I’ll be there," he says! ‘Just wanna get away for a bit!’ He says! Brings me out here only to not show up!” You yelled mocking Karl. You stayed till sundown. It wasn't safe after that to be out here in the pitch black. So you went home. Your father had almost lost it praying himself to death that you were safe and your mother exaggerated saying how she had readied a bunch of roses for your funeral.

“Asshole Karl.” You sighed looking at the mud on your boots and throwing them next to your door taking off your clothes and putting on night clothes crawling into bed snuggled against the wall side of it. You were slightly asleep when you heard your window being pushed and something fell inside making you gasp and sit up.

The dark was hard to see in as you turned to your side to see two glowing gray eyes. You took a deep deep breath. “Don’t scream.” The person said “Karl?!” You screamed before shutting your mouth. You scrambled to light a candle and saw the way he shielded his eyes from it. “Too bright.” He whined, “Hurts!” He said you blew the candle out immediately “What’re you doing here? Wait! You left me waiting all day!” You huffed hitting him in the chest “Ow! I had to…Miranda she-…experimented on me” Your face softened “What?”

After explaining, you took a moment to take in the scars on his face, the exhaustion in his eyes, and the obvious change in them — gray, bright gray like a snowy night. After a few minutes of silence, he only cried, “I wanna go home.” He sniffed. ��Karl, you're being too loud.” You hushed him, pulling his sobbing form into your chest. “It’s okay…”

You whispered.

Since then you lost faith in Miranda and you grew to hate her for what she did to her “children” poor Karl, poor Alcina, and Donna…Moreau.

One night when he visited Karl declared how one of these days he’d “marry you” and it made you laugh but he was dead serious. Promising to get you both out of here…and to stay by your side forever he felt safe with you. A guardian of some sort is what Miranda would describe you as when you walked him to her when it was time for him and his siblings to be given their gifts.

After that, he stopped showing up and stopped talking to you. It didn’t bother you…it did but you didn’t really feel romantically towards Karl till way later. It just felt like he disappeared and didn’t say goodbye so In your young adult mind it was fuck him.

All the other people your age started working under these new four lords. Miranda’s children and your father had held your hand when he showed you the altar and your eyes trailed over Miranda, Alcina, Moreau, Donna. She was beautiful but now she hid behind a veil. It must've been Miranda. ”Karl.” You sneered seeing the picture of the now teen Karl lil asshole with his hat and glasses your father sighed “he’s a lord now. Maybe you should offer something to him. I'm sure he’d appreciate it since he hasn’t spoken to you in so long.”

You crossed your arms “No! It was me I stopped talking to him! He’s lame dad so I don’t care!” Your father huffed a chuckle “No you didn’t…and you do care” Your father was no fool. When you told him what Karl went through losing his family your father told you to stay quiet. However, something in his eyes seemed to already know.

So here you both were next to the horse statue. Your father putting a piece of gold into the horse's mouth you scoffed “This is stupid” you sighed but you pulled out some piece of trash you could think of then you stopped feeling a cold piece of metal on your fingers you pulled out a locket, you swallowed a wad of spit. You opened it the engraved.

“closest to your heart you will never forget my face”

Hell yea fucking metal! Maybe it’ll make the asshole feel bad. Leaving you like that with not a word, not a letter. You put the locket around the horse's snout, the locket hanging in front of the open mouth. You had no idea where you found the damn locket. “Come, sweetie. It seems to be the first snow.” Your father said, guiding you away.

You had a nice meal at Luiza's home but you got up grabbing the church’s ax for firewood for the village with a mission. “Ducking Asshole! You become some big shot and forget about me.” You mumbled.

What set this off?

Two things, he's been off the grid not even sending you a damn postcard. Two, some girl at Luiza's house said that ‘she and lord Heisenberg had Found a nice little creek to go and have a smoke!! Oh, and they had a good time! Said Karl’s such a good kisser had the best hands and fingers were like heaven she said she felt blessed oOooOoohhh what a load of- “bullshit!” You yelled, smashing the ax into the bronze horse statue, and pulling it back the statue fell in the process but you smashed it with the blunt back of the ax “Don’t show!” Hit “For…Years!” Another swing the hide of the horse denting…

Damn, you're strong.

“And then!” Another hit “Some girl says you fucked her! What happened to getting married!” You screamed, slamming the ax again, the sounds from the hits rang in your ears,

you beheaded the damn thing. You were gonna leave but you sneered turning back “You don’t deserve that locket I found” you whispered. Digging through the treasures you couldn’t find it your hands froze when you realized

Out of all the gold and diamonds, food and jewels he took only your rusted silver…

———

Later that week, You went to the group around the beheaded horse statue “whoever did this will be punished” one of the observers whispered. You shuffled rubbing your hands together like there was blood on it.

Your father looked at you knowingly disappointedly but he kept quiet before leading the group back to church service leaving you there. You didn’t realize how hard you were biting your bottom lip till you let go and sighed when the blood rushed to the numb piece of skin you turned towards the puffs of smoke in the air, the factory. Maybe…no. You turned away walking to the gate that connected the village, the gates branding the emblem of the lords all except Heisenberg.

You stretched and pushed the gates turning to see your freind “Hi duke!” You smiled sweetly. He clapped his hands “Hello sweet plum. How have you been?” He jested he knew exactly what you’ve been going through, all your breakdowns always found their way into the duke's ear. “Quite a number you did on that horse hm…” you pulled on your face a deep groan erupted from you “Fuck that horse and Fuck Karl!” You spit

The Duke smirked “It’s lord Heisenberg now, you know that right?” You looked at your boots pushing it into the ground pushing grass up with it “Foolish of you to think I give a damn about him being all official. Not just anyone deserves my respect and the asshole just goes missing to become a lord under the Bi-…the person who abused him.” You shook your head “Assholes become so entitled he started thinking it’s okay to fuck village women!” You could feel your brain letting out steam.

The duke hummed “Does he?” You snapped your head to him “The girl said it herself” you growled “He said he would marry me, Duke!” The duke chuckled while eating something watching you pace around “did he?”

“Not that I wanted him to because we were kids but I thought that meant he wouldn’t leave me alone!” You can’t lie the thought of marriage with Karl made you have a small crush on him but it faded quickly when he stopped showing and you only saw his pictures in church his hair had grown which it seemed Miranda kept shaven on the sides pomade in his hair slicking it back but it didn’t fit him, but he almost looked, handsome? You sighed ready to continue but you heard the gate open with more force than needed, the gate crashing making you freeze.

The Duke looked down at his pocket watch “Ah my lord you came just in time!” You froze, lord? You didn’t turn your bones rattling, you heard a cough deep, scratchy. footsteps..heavy. You saw the corner of your eye and a hand dropped Lei on the table. “I heard about your offering statue, a shame it was really beautifully crafted.” The duke hummed. You cursed yourself under your breath. “Yea, she had balls.” The man said you felt eyes burn a hole into your head. “Are you gonna greet your lord? Or are you gonna stand in my way?” The voice said the words pulling like a leash the sound of heavy metal smashing on the ground.

You slowly turned, taking a deep breath. “funny thing, you think I’d bow down to you, got a bit entitled didn’t you fat boy.” You smirked, you saw the way he sat there in silence.

Karls eyes widened so much you could almost see them from behind his glasses, he whispered your name almost like you were an Angel meant to be awakened. The Duke cleared his throat after a long few minutes “your cigars my lord. And I cleaned this for you” You glanced at the cigar box and around it was your locket. Karl took it and looked at you “How have you been?” He said his voice was strong, almost like he didn’t know what to say. You shook your head “Why do you care, give me the locket. You can get back to whatever bitches bed you’ve been keeping warm.” You went to snatch the chain and he pulled back a hand on your chest pushing you back “Are you serious?! Fuck! I knew you were mad but you really think I left to go fuck village pussy?!” He looked genuinely hurt of course you didn’t think that.. you knew it was Miranda he could read it on your face you knew it was fucking Miranda that kept him from you. So say it, stop being so headstrong and say it. Don’t try to blame him.

“You remember when you said we’d get married! That you’d get us out of here?!” You said finally snatching the locket “But we were kids! So I guess I shouldn’t have got my hopes up.” You sucked a breath into what you were saying. You knew he was put through unimaginable torture and pressure torn away from his own home and made to be some little monster but your pride was bigger than your heart..maybe.

You turned to the Duke and said, “I’m sorry, Duke. Bye.” With that, you left and looked back maybe once…hoping he'd chase you. He didn't…couldn’t.

——-

Finally, you were an adult. Mid-twenties now, and you hoped and prayed to Mother Miranda you’d be picked to work for one of the lords. You didn’t worry about Heisenberg; nobody ever worked with him except the men. Like you’d want to anyway. You fiddled with your locket the cold piece of metal on your chest. Maybe Donna…you did love that home next to the waterfall. It was breathtaking, plus Father told you how to sew. You smiled thinking about the nice moments you’d share with Miss Benneviento. You wouldn’t hate the castle, it was big and just a prime example of that book you read once about Gothic architecture. You wondered how many rooms were in there. And if the wine was as exquisite as they say. Lost in your thoughts standing in the line of girls you looked up and met those piercing eyes of Mother Miranda. She smiled at you, warmly more warm than anyone else. Her fingers ghosted over your cheek “My my…the woman you’ve become.” She smiled, those two gold claw accessories she had going around your neck

“Still as much of a troublemaker as when you were still a child. You were getting my son into mischief” Oh yea. The lords were here to pick someone to work for them. Moreau, Alcina, Karl, Donna. You frowned “I apologize for the trouble I caused upon this village.” You laughed with the group of girls and some of the boys joked about it “Just a little? Yeah, you and Karl almost lost the cattle”

one of the boys scoffed you rolled your eyes “Only cause I wanted them to be free.” Miranda laughed “Alright that’s enough. What I’m saying is I’ve seen how you’ve matured.” You smiled Miranda leaned in and whispered “What house did you wanna be in?” Her hand patted your hair “kinda hoping for Donna.” You whispered smiling when she made eye contact with you. You could see Donna shaking in slight excitement.

You saw Karl look between you and her before he dropped his hammer off his shoulder “Mother!” Miranda turned to him “What is it?” She raised a brow “Can I uh-..confer with you on something?” Miranda smiled at you and put a hand on your shoulder before going to him as they walked a little ways off. Donna shyly scuttled to your side. “H-hello…” she whispered, her voice was so much more powerful than she acted. It had a warmth to it. It wasn't rough or loud, just warm. “Hello Miss Benneviento.”

You bowed and she took a second before asking “Why did you choose me over Karl?” You looked down, everyone expected you to choose Karl. Like a best friend reunited. Honestly, you liked Donna and you had a lot to make up for. You put a hand on hers that held Angie making her jump “Think of it as me making up for all those times I’d be rude to you.” You smiled at her.

You heard the sound of snow crunching under your shoes “Donna! Away from her.” Miranda boomed not angrily but just an order. Donna walked away, her head turning to see Karl, his face unreadable. Miranda walked up to you. “Unfortunately you will not be chosen today.” You dropped your arms to your side. “What?” You whispered “But do not fret it was nothing about you, you're alright. My son has said it is not your time.” You stiffened and so did Donna.

Karl could feel your stare. The way your nose flared hes only seen that look once before.

—--------------

You threw a stone into the water a bottle of wine in your hand you snatched from your mothers cabinet you were mumbling curses to Karl obviously pissed off the alchohol made you feel fucking sick you didn't see why people drink this shit but now you do, its to drown out there sorrows. You watched the sun lower itself over the hills, the dark bringing wind that whispered to you.

You slurred a little song sounding like a damn squealing hog while you sang falling on the ground “Iveeee fallen!” You whined “Plewseeee mother Miranda saveeee meeee” you giggled as you howled jokingly. Shutting you up quickly The sound of howling and growling and the hushed steps over the dry grass making you snap up. You looked around you, not trusting your eyes and the swaying of things. “Hello?” You yelled “Look village boys don’t fuck with me! Go to your job…I don’t know.” You grumbled grumpily. You saw a silhouette stand up then another…then more. You blinked hardly and rubbed your eyes

You pointed and started to count “one…two…” before you could finish you felt nails scratch and pull at you your screams were vibrating your ears. You clawed at the dirt getting stuck under your nails and felt your leg be thrashed around teeth latched into your skin. You felt like a rag doll. You cried out in pain but the shock of it all caused you to go silent, your vision blurred before you finally passed out.

You opened your eyes, head thumping against the ground as you got pulled into a broken down sanctuary. You groaned “please…someone.” You whispered the smell was putrid and you hissed feeling your leg be yanked on. You whimpered when you got thrown down into a pile. You turned yourself over and shrieked in fear, disgust and shock “..L-..Luis?” You whispered breath shaky. You saw the way his eyes seemed to have lost its flame the way a large gash laid across your fellow villagers cheek. You whimpered quietly crying before you froze when steps came around this death pile.

“No…No! This is the exact bullshit I’m talking about, you smelly fucks! I said no women! No children!” You heard the sound of metal bang on the already ruined ground the sound of the smelly fucks in question scuttling around quickly like a scared kitten. “Don’t fucking run from me! You guys still don’t fucking listen! You!”

You heard the sudden sound of wind breaking an object flying overhead and banging into one of the growling specimens, whining from the pain. So…obviously this was Karl you should’ve known he was a fucked up dude. Maybe the universe did you a favor pulling him away from you.

“Pull that one out.” He yelled and you heard sniffing and felt the sudden urge of pain jaw logged in your leg pulling you out the pile. “Fuck…shit…” you heard Karl whispering

“move! Get away!” Karl ordered he kneeled next to you “shit, not you. Not you.” He grunted and picked you up. You must’ve looked dead, you couldn’t speak and felt numb. You could smell him though…you breathed it in almost filling your nose with regret. The smell wasn’t exactly what many women would want a man to smell like. But it was comforting somewhere behind the must and…the smell of gas which was comforting his clothes wet with sweat.

“I’m gonna clean you up…just gotta get you there..keep your eyes open dammit.” He slapped your cheek harder than intended making you hiss, feeling seeping back into your cold skin. “Shit shit…sorry.” You couldn’t fight it and closed your eyes. You also knew that you trusted him to keep you safe. You kept him safe all those years before.

Vision hazy you opened your eyes feeling cold water seep into your hair, almost like heaven you felt fingers knead into your scalp cleaning the blood and dirt and musk of those man like things from you before a hand poured water over your legs and stomach and well everywhere someone holding your head were you naked? Shit who gives a fuck…you just wanted to rest.

But you felt hands gently scrub away the dirt and clumped blood “You're gonna be just fine.” He whispered and off to sleep you went

—-(gonna try writing more idk…better)—-

The gentle thud of metal against metal roused you from your slumber. As you attempted to sit up, you realized that tight bandages and sore muscles rendered movement impossible. Surveying the room, you noted its blandness and simplicity. The makeshift mattress, devoid of any comfort, offered only a pillow and a large tarp. Your breathing was steady, but you felt almost numb from your chin down to your feet, as if you were barely present. Observing your upper half covered in tight bandages, you couldn't help but scoff inwardly at the thoughtfulness, as they only served to restrict any semblance of relaxation.

As you closed your eyes, the piercing screech of the door interrupted your peace, followed by an unnaturally forceful slam. Familiar mumbles and curses filled the air as the door to your room swung open, and you debated whether to feign sleep or attempt to sit up. Opting to remain still, you watched as your rescuer paced the room before settling into a makeshift metal chair at a desk, driving a small knife into the worn wooden surface.

You looked up at the ceiling clenching your jaw but relaxing and letting out a small “Karl?” Your voice is almost unrecognizable…almost but you saw the way he stiffened his posture before stopping whatever he was doing. Turning around to look at you, his sunglasses hiding if he was glaring at you or looking over your wounds, there was a long silence that you decided to break. “Where am i?” you said you heard him huff to himself “No thank you? Typical.” He looked back at the desk pushing the knife into the wood “you've become such a stuck up bitch.” You were caught off guard “Excuse me?”

Stuck up bitch?

Yea after leaving you for years wondering what happened what you did? What’d he expect you to open your arms? He only sighed “you’re in the factory.” He grabbed his knife and walked out the room slamming the door behind him. You furrowed your brows “the factory?” You whispered to yourself. His factory. Far away from the rest of the village is where you heard he settled in an abandoned factory. The mysterious metal castle, its smoke rising into the air ,wonders only he knew about.

You huffed and pulled yourself up and out of the bed stumbling over to the desk you doubled over in pain gasping at the sharp edge in your side. You stumbled over to the door pushing it open, the sound of it sliding on the floor was like hell. Heat hit you immediately you had spent so much energy pushing the door you could only lean down on your knees and lay on the metal floor.

It was comforting there was an unnatural heat coming from under but you closed your eyes letting sleep take you.

Waking up you looked around feeling a blanket over you still laying on the heated floor you snuggled up “You awake?” You sat up too fast only yelping from the pain looking up at Heisenberg smoking a cigar “You crawled out that room to sleep on the floor? Hm.” He blew out some smoke. You licked your lips looking at the glass of half drunk water on a crate placed upside down with an ashtray on it.

There was an old tune that seemed to skip back a few seconds on a record player. Karl saw the way you looked at the cup, he sighed and turned his head away from you looking over at a wall. You wanted to ask him if you could drink it, your lips cracked and sore and your eyes heavy still.

You looked down readying yourself to push yourself up to your feet then you saw a sliver of metal almost the size of a band wrap around the base of the glass cup and flying over to you. You quickly grabbed it, drinking it all even then your throat begged for more. You looked at him “Can I have more…please?” He shrugged and you heard a faucet in the kitchen area and you bit your lip “I can’t walk.”

The cup pulled away from your grip floating to the faucet before coming back filled to the brim. You took it and drank it all. “Thank you.” it felt sour thanking the man who abandoned you, though you knew you were exaggerating it. He nodded, “So do you want help getting up?” he said, pulling off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. You answered with a small and quiet “yes.” He stood up and walked over to you grabbing onto the back of your bandages you winced from the pull he lifted you like a dog being lifted by its scruff.

Sitting you on your feet supporting you up before letting go when he was sure you could stand on your own. His eyes looked into yours piercing your thoughts, your memories. You shrunk away but he had already grabbed you

“About what you saw.” Dammit.

You shook your head “I didn’t see anything.” You were pleading with him, asking him not to kill you. “Just-…next time be careful. Those bandages need changing, sit down.” He pointed at the couch walking over to a cabinet with its doors opening on its own.

You sat on the couch, legs stinging.

Karl came back with clean bandages “any irritation?” He said leaning down unwrapping the bandage around your chest “Just tight…” you shivered under his gaze, your chest on full display, he didn’t seem to care, but he noticed your discomfort. “Just gonna check on the wounds and then re-wrap.”

He pulled off his leather gloves and lifted your breast gently, his eyes looking at some of the scarred tissue. “You’ll be fine in a few days.” You avoided his gaze. You were just being an asshole now he’s being all caring. He hasn’t changed, yea he’s rude and has a foul mouth and he’s got some hair down to his shoulders he’s still, The same boy that cried in your chest heaving and wheezing.

He pulled away before wrapping you up again. You took a deep breath and sighed “Sorry, that I was so rude-“ he grunted a small snort “Yea you were rude.” He stood up and sat next to you, a groan coming from his bones popping loudly. You looked down “I’ll walk you home. Least I can do.” He grumbled his mouth occupied with a cigar as he scratched his beard. You nodded “Thanks.”

——Year later—-

You pumped water into the bucket watching some of the other villagers roaming about. “Hey! <❤️>” you turned and saw Joshua, a blonde bubbly man wearing a heavy coat holding a bag that made clicking sounds. “Hi Joshua, whatcha got there?” You asked, he huffed a breath. “Some metal for Lord Heisenberg, a package. Courtesy of the Duke.” You smiled “Since when are you doing delivery runs for Heisenberg?” You said watching the way his eyes flickered to your lips before answering “Oh- uh…since well I got hired a few months back.”

You smiled “Has he been working you hard?” You said worry slightly in your tone he shook his head “No, he’s actually quite nice if you stay out of his way. I just do repairs and some wielding if needed.” He chuckled “I get lots of breaks and I don’t work with the heavy machinery, thank the lords.” He said laughing. “Oh uh- let me grab that for you.” He said lifting the bucket of water.

Holding it steady he asked “Where do you want it?” You smiled before leading him to your small home, your father reading scripture in a chair before saying hi to Joshua.

You put the water in a pot to boil. You sighed “just want a bath. The reservoir is getting a bit crowded and too unclean.” Jhosua bit his lip, letting it go and saying ridiculously loud “Would you be interested in going out with me <❤️> ?” You blinked at him “Oh Joshua.” You smiled though you both haven’t talked.

You both were single and well nights can get lonely and you didn’t want to wait till you were dust to marry someone, and Joshua was good looking, maybe he’d be a good husband. You started to take off some unnecessary layers that you put on to block the cold and threw them on a dresser before turning back to face him. “Maybe when you're off duty, you can come back for dinner.” You smiled at him sweetly.

He nodded “Thank mother Miranda. I didn’t think you’d say yes! Honestly I-“ he cleared his throat “I’d love to.”

You both had a few heart to hearts and then you made it official. It wasn’t hugely about love, more of just security and gave your mother some breathing room before she passed away knowing someone would be there for you. Though Joshua was always loving and sweet. Like a gumdrop he was…

So five months later, it was an awkward day.

Joshua cleared his throat fixing his clothes before looking at you “You ready?” He asked, his hand slipping into yours. You nodded “Yes my love, are you? You're sweating.” You laughed. He sighed “I’m afraid she’ll say no.” He whispered.

you shook your head pulling your scarf correctly over your head, the wind blowing it uneven “Joshua, Miranda has no reason to deny her blessing.” He hummed in hesitating agreement. You smiled and pushed open the church door, the sound of bickering already reaching you both.

“Why are we here?” The groaning of irritation came from none other than Karl, his knees cracking as he twisted in his seat “Quiet child! Mother Miranda is doing her duties to the village and we are lords. Does that dumb it down for you?” They weren’t able to fight any longer when Mother Miranda had lifted her wings “Silence.” Her voice wasn’t loud but it was enough that not even the wind blew without her permission

Karl put his head down in submission. And lady Dimitrescu sat down pushing her lips together. Miranda smiled and opened her hands to you “Come child, into the light I want to see how you’ve grown.” You felt a chill when eyes landed on you. Their eyes all glowed like cattle at night watching you. You approached the light from the broken roof sun setting on you. Mother Miranda put her hands down “Hello, child.” Her eyes flicked to your right “Come forward.” You turned to watch Joshua approach.

He cleared his throat “hello, mother Miranda. Lord Heisenberg. All of you.” He said, bowing down a bit.

Heisenberg chuckled “Hiyah Joshua, came to see me on your off day? You must love me.” He smiled almost uncannily, moving the cigar around in his mouth. Joshua shrugged, “Of course my lord, I always miss you.” He smirked before clearing his throat looking around shyly “Mother Miranda, I wanted to ask you something.” Miranda signed him to continue a smile on her face and she quickly hushed Angie’s ranting to Moreau. “Go on, my child.” She whispered as she approached.

her eyes had traveled down to look at your clasped hands. Joshua squeezed your hand softly “Mother Miranda, I-..we wanted to ask for your blessing. To marry.” He smiled suddenly hissing, taking his hand away from yours to scratch the sudden pain away from his right forearm. You looked at him “Are you alright my love?” He cleared his throat, his eyes looking over to Heisenberg's direction then back at you before he pushed his lips together in a straight line. “Yes darling. Just fine.”

You rubbed his back soothingly, kissing his shoulder as he straightened up. You didn't notice the way that everyone took a glance over at Karl.

Miranda returned her attention back to you both. “You have my blessing.” Joshua smiled “Thank you Mother Miranda you don't understand how much this-” She put a hand up silencing him, “Do not drag.” she stated. Miranda, turning away from you both “Congratulations.” You sighed releasing any stress and hugged Joshua who caressed your side lovingly “We shall have a big and beautiful wedding.” He whispered, turning away. “You jest.” You laughed, “We don’t need a huge wedding.” You laughed

The day of the wedding was better than expected and bigger than expected. After months your mother had passed and she was proud of you.

Days with Joshua were filled with his bubbly attitude and the way he would help you with taking off your clothes and shoes to lie down. In bed he held you close and gave you warmth. You ended up falling for him and for the first time ever you trusted him with something precious, your body. You would think after marriage sex was immediate. But you couldn’t even stomach the thought and he didn’t force you to.

Joshua was always nice like that.

So one night you told him that it’s been a long time and that you were finally ready, you don’t know what you were afraid of, his judgment, silence, disgust. But when you revealed yourself to him he ran a hand up your stomach and around your waist pulling you into him.

“You're perfect.” He whispered lips against your stomach that quivered from his touch. That night was filled with a different kind of passion: connection, mind, body, and soul. It was also the last night you would ever see him again.

—------------

You sighed, closing the shutters as the cold set in waiting for Josuha to return to you soon. You had dinner waiting for him but you had your fathers company to keep you entertained. You sat across from him and he started talking.

His hands had made their way over to yours, “I love this for you you know?” He said.

“What is it, father? " you asked. He shrugged, “You’ve settled down. I’ll admit I did worry about you.” He rubbed your knuckles. “You were so headstrong and stubborn, like your mother, and you could be so impulsive.” He sighed, “I just want you happy and safe.”

You smiled “I know dad, and well I’ve grown up.” He only sighed and shook his head “No, you're still the same.” You tilted your head. “I love you dad.”

Suddenly there were sounds of snow crunching outside. You clapped “Joshua!” Ready to open the door, getting up your dad sat you back down. “Woah there sugarplum.” He said as he listened, the crunching was behind your home.

You guys didn’t own animals or really have anywhere open for animals to walk back there. Both lost listening you guys were startled from the sound of glass breaking in the other room. You felt yourself being whipped back into the pantry area by your father. “Dad, what are you?” You couldn’t even finish before you were shut in. “Dad?!” You pushed on the door. There was the sound of a clink, familiar when your dad went off to get rid of the rodents feasting on one of your neighbors crops.

“Dad! Dad! What are you doing?! Is that Joshua’s hunting rifle?! Let me out!” You felt only panic rush through you. But there was the calm, collected voice of your father. “Hush now sugarplum, you just stay there and I’ll go check it out.” Then the front door shut.

Your father was always the protector.

You counted three shots. It wasn’t long before someone came in but it was heavy and quick there was growling and sniffing there was a crash and suddenly things started to go to hell, it was a fire, and you were locked in the pantry. Coughing you had tried to open the door using your body to bang against it, “Dad!” You yelled. You looked down the crack under the door emitted an orange color and you felt a burn in your throat coughing harshly. “Dad!”

Suddenly there were footsteps and the door opened. You looked up and let out a cry “Joshua!” You fell into his arms and he picked you up effortlessly and ran out. “Joshua, wait where’s dad!” You looked around frantically. “Don’t know, there’s something going on, the village is under distress.” He said suddenly you were back on the ground. He had pulled the shotgun from under his arm and put in two shells. “Can you walk?” He asked, you nodded.

Joshua had taken the lead walking through the dense woods sounds from the village like yells and screaming had haunted your ears. You wanted to ask where he was taking you but he seemed out of it you were watching your step in your own little world before you bumped into his back “Omph- sorry.” He was silent, his head whipping around. “Joshua, what’s out there?” You whispered as he looked down “Those…things, lycans. They attacked the village. I'm not sure why…but, I know who.” He turned to you and pulled you into a hug.

“But we have to get you both safe.” He whispered his lips kissing your forehead. “And I know where” He pulled away and started walking again but held your hand gently pulling you along your feet ached and you being pregnant didn’t help. “Joshua, please I can’t keep up!” Joshua stopped but only for a second before he jolted you forward. “Joshua! The hell?!” You looked at him after you regained your balance.

He had cocked the shotgun and pointed it into the trees, you went quiet and listened. There was a crack and Joshua shot out on reaction. You had covered your ears, your brain throbbing, you looked up at Joshua seeing him so stone-faced was unlike him, he turned and grabbed your sleeve pulling you out of the woods and revealing the rushing freezing waters of the river. You looked up seeing the smoke coming from that factory…Heisenberg's factory. You felt your body shake “Joshua why are we here?” He only pulled you out of the path to the front gate “Careful where you step.” He said pulling you from stepping on a beeping disc, a mine.

He had sat you down onto your knees and he bent down pulling on a loose vent. “You're gonna go in here, and you’ll be okay.” You pulled his hand from the vent “What? Are you not coming with me?” You weren’t able to get a clear answer turning in the direction of loud whining howls. “There. Get inside. Keep crawling then turn left then right. Stay away from any flooded parts in the factory…”

He pulled off his metal band putting it on your forearm. He held onto your arm and let out a shaky breath kissing your forehead and your cheek and lips “stay safe. And stay Away. From the witch.” And with that there was a loud boom, a mine being triggered. By one of those beasts no doubt. He sighed pulling off any extra layers of your clothes so you could crawl pushing you into the vent before shutting it. You turned as much as you could “Joshua will you be okay?!” But it was silent and the fading sound of snow crunching under shoes. You continued crawling and the laying on your stomach made you uncomfortable.

You felt your eyes sting, either from the sudden heat or the tears. You found an opening and pulled yourself out the vent looking around you slid down the wall and landed on the ground.

Finding your was was obviously not easy, but you had kept yourself sane with counting the thumps of one of the machines. You heard a low growl, you turned to look at the noise seeing a wolf, baring its teeth. You then looked down and saw its paw, red and sore. He was hurt. You didn’t move, it seemed to think of you as no threat. “Yea, I got hurt by those things once too…” you whispered suddenly there was the thumping of heavy machinery, the dog ran down the hall, its pattering echoing through the place.

You put your hand on the walls feeling heat, it was comforting considering your husband pulled you through dense forest and snow. You continued down the hall. It was a humid feeling, like it was wet but hot. You only had one thought, where was Karl? How were you going to explain, and what was Joshua thinking bringing you here?

Walking around aimlessly you felt yourself lose air, you were beat, you leaned down crawling on your knees before completely curling up onto the floor that grew warm like a furnace, you took a deep breath “Haven't we been here before” laying flat against it, the heat warming you and the way your slightly swollen tummy had embraced the heat. Everything was so warm here. You closed your eyes exhausted and so much mental energy spent tonight you were lost into the sanctuary of sleep.

Dreams you started to have a lot of nightmares, pregnancy nightmares. They always ended up with your baby somehow being lost, you would walk in the other room and they’d be gone, you’d search for them, call out to Joshua who rushed by your side and next thing you knew you were being burned alive by the village tried with murder. Silly dreams.

Luckily a bang pulled you out of your sleep, the warmth had been lost for a while and you shivered from the cold metal floor, you opened your eyes and saw something close to your head you sucked in a breath turning your head up and seeing worn out combat boots with metal touches and a cigar butt dropped in front of you, you gasped and sat up quickly and looking down at you in a mixture of shock and disgust was “Karl..”

He suddenly used his thumb to crack a knuckle, and then you were pulled up by your arm with Joshua’s band held up high, your feet off the ground. “It’s Heisenberg, Lord Heisenberg. You’d better remember it, and what the hell are you doing here?” You felt the metal tighten, making you yelp. His hair had gotten longer; he had a beard. It seemed like Miranda didn’t make him slick his hair back anymore.

You pleaded “Joshua! He- he put me here! My house got attacked by those things that…” you stopped and you felt the young foolish girl rise within you again. “You. You ordered them! You had them attack my family.” Heisenberg blinked “Who?” You let out a huff “Those things! They look human but they act like dogs! Please…lord, let me down.” You felt yourself be dropped on your ass.

Heisenberg rubbed his eyes whispering “Fucking Joshua.” Suddenly you were dropped down and fell on your side, you felt your weight punish you even more trying to stand since you were starting to grow a belly, letting out a long breath you used the wall to support you, everything was metal well as far as you knew, so touching the wall shocked you slightly and almost at the same time it made Heisenberg grumble “Dont touch anything.”

You felt a lump rise in your throat “Im sorry i just needed something to support me” you explained

Heisenberg, with a hand on his hip, turned to you. “Isn't that what husbands are for?” Suddenly, emotions clouded your eyes, and you felt tears falling. “I would've stayed with him, but he pushed me in here! Oh Joshua, my baby!” you wailed.

Your cries flooded the halls You've never cried like this before, you felt sick, nauseous. You mumbled incoherent sentences. The loud sound of a bang rang through the building “Enough!” Heisenberg yelled you bit your lip. Sniffing up the snot that leaked out your nose. You looked at Heisenberg and his eyes…the striking green silverish eyes shined through the lens of his glasses “I'll take you up to the front, from there…I don't really give a shit I just want you out.”

—--

Why was he so cold to you? You showed him kindness as soon as he was brought to you by mother Miranda, you also showed him bitterness when reunited, but you know why he was gone. He was put in this factory and had to serve his mother.

Change was inevitable ever since that little boy crawled into your window with his eyes glowing like a wolf spirit. So now you were in a lift with him and couldn't help but notice the large scar across his face and the knicks on his lips. His hair was unkept. And he had silver hair. “Are you stressed?” you whispered the first time you spoke up since he shut up your crying. He let out a sigh and a laugh. “Are you talking?”

You frowned “Just asking..”

He growled “Well don't! You're not my babysitter anymore!”

You looked at him and shook your head “I never thought of you as a burden Karl.”

Suddenly you felt the band Joshua gave you pull back behind you throwing you against the gate. The gate started to pull apart and the lift had stopped unnaturally. “Listen, I dont owe you shit, matter of fact you owe me. Remember who stitched you up when your fucking guts were hanging on the fucking ground.” Suddenly you felt the gate pull apart pieces cutting your cheek. “Maybe i need to remind you of the feeling…” you felt something graze your belly but through your layers of clothing

Heisenberg hummed “Thin piece of jewlery hanging on your waist resting on your tummy, with the right amount of bending it can be lethally sharp.”

You gasped “Heisenberg no! My lord im sorry! I wont call you Karl again. Im sorry please! Dont do it, im with child.”

You were dropped.

The silence was loud and you backed away from the gate bumping into the lord who stood silently over you. “Pregnant?”

///

Wow okay so tagging my freind who probably waited for a while and people are still liking my Heisenberg shit but erm nobody likes delsin? Jk anyway sorry yall I also wanna go back to Levi Ackerman and astarion ofc ofc but baby steps I might burn out @nonchalantgat0

[angelynmoon]

Eldritch Steve verse

Part 9

I have an ao3, AngelynMoon, where this will be posted with chapter 10, I am no longer adding people for tags, (it's getting pretty long, sorry).

I still have no idea what to title this so feel free to leave a suggestion.

-

"So, Mate?" Eddie asked when the children were all laid out in piles on the living room floor, all of them more asleep than awake.

Steve blinked, how could Eddie know, then he remembered his threat, how he'd started it.

Steve felt a blush rise in his cheeks.

"I mean I don't mind, I just thought, maybe, we could go on a few dates first." Eddie continued.

"Why?" Steve asked, he alrwady knew Eddie was it for him, there was no reason for dating, he'd never love another.

Eddie was his, always had been, he'd have Eddie or no one.

Eddie blinked, "Is this one of those, um, Upside Down things?"

"What do you mean?" Steve asked tilting his head too far, looking at Eddie upside down.

"Stop that, I know you've been doing it to freak out Dustin and Mike." Eddie rolled his eyes as Steve popped his head back up the right way, "And you know what I mean, I knowyou've dated people before."

"Not really, they were just people Carol brought to help hide what I am." Steve said softly, "I don't need to hide with you, you know what I am." Steve reached out to cradle Eddie's face, "You know that I'm a monster and you are not afraid of me."

Eddie looked at him and turned his head to press a kiss to Steve's palm, "You're not a monster."

Steve blinked and then he chuckled, "Oh, Eddie, you are so very wrong about that. I'm a very unique monster, there's no doubt about that, but that doesn't change what I am."

Eddie opened his mouth, to protest maybe but Steve stopped him.

"You don't know what I did in the Down Below before I left. If you did, I don't think you'd look at me like that." Steve said honestly.

"Look at you like what?" Eddie whispered.

"Like you want to kiss me." Steve paused and then continued, "Like you want to keep me."

"What if I do, want to keep you, want to kiss you?" Eddie asked.

Steve stared at him, eyes unblinking for several long moments.

"There is a story I need to tell you before you kiss me, if you still want to kiss me after." Steve told him.

"I'll always want to kiss you, Steve." Eddie said.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Eddie." Steve said and headed up tbe stairs to his room, Eddie following. Once they arrived Steve sat on the bed against the head board, Eddie in front of him.

"This story begins long ago, or at least I think it was long ago, we didn't have clocks in the Down Below, not until Will was stolen, and even then they all read the same time, all the time.

"I was not the first to awaken, but neither was I the last, but I was different, so very different, and that difference was my undoing, it was the undoing of my kind as well, they just didn't know it yet." Steve began, not daring to look at Eddie, not brave enough to see the fear begin to form.

And by the time Steve finished his story, Eddie would fear him, Steve wouldn't blame him, even Wayne feared him after Steve told him everything, it was only natural.

Steve had committed a genocide, he'd practically created the Down Below as it was, leaving his kind to rot where they had fallen, it was the worst fate his kind had, to rot, to fester uneaten.

Steve had never once eaten one of hos own kind, that wasn't something he'd ever wanted, it had made him odd, broken, some had whispered.

But Eddie had to know, he deserved to know just what kind of monster Steve was, what kind of monster he was inviting into his bed and his life.

Even still, Steve would protect Eddie, even from Steve himself, if Eddie feared him too much Steve would let him go, even though it was against his every instinct to let his Mate leave, he'd let Eddie go, let him have another to make him happy.

And Steve, Steve would never spawn again, he'd waste away for centuries watching over Eddie's spawn, watching over Dustin's, protecting what belonged to his Mate for all his days.

Steve would never love another, Eddie was it for him, he wondered when that happened, this feeling inside him was much too old for it to have only begun at the boathouse.

But, Steve looked at Eddie, his last glimpse of him before fear would fill his eyes, he would not change it for the world, this one or what the Down Below had been before Steve had destroyed it.

--

Taglist: no longer taking requests for tagging in this verse.

@addelyin @merricatty @lesbiabrobin @apuckishwit @0o-mushroom-o0 @starlight-archer @darkwitchoferie @just-a-tiny-void @swimmingbirdrunningrock @intergalactic-president-awesome @vampireinthesun @goodolefashionedloverboi @adhdsummer @purpleanimeoverart @space-invading-pigeon @lilaclilyroses @nohomoyesbi @plantzzsandpencilzzs @korixae @subversivecynic @flusteredcas @persnicketysquares @freddykicksasses @little-trash-ghost @cupcakesnwhiskey @cats-ate-all-of-my-pasta @planetsoda @paintsplatteredandimperfect @irregular-child @daydreamsandcrashingwaves @lifeisnotsobadonceyoustopcaring @steddieassheg0es

Ao3 is AngelynMoon

https://archiveofourown.org/users/AngelynMoon

[thefrontmanscockwarmer]

My Lovely

Player 001 x reader [Fluff]🎀

Masterlist <- Comment on this post to be added to the tag list

You had an expensive day, to say the least. You were tired, walking around and carrying all your bags. You chose not to bring a guard along with you, it wasn’t’t like you were a celebrity or high profile. In fact, you could guarantee that no one knew who you were, only the fact that you were a big spender. But, you knew better than to assume that your darling husband would let you off the island without some form of protection around you.

When you first met In Ho and you walked around, you heard him say it once; that you were literally the safest person in the world in that present moment. You knew for a fact that if he said that while you were walking through Seoul with him, then walking alone… security was tighter than ever.

“Babe!” You shouted. You walked into the empty room. You dropped your bags, the others would be brought up within the next 5 minutes. Not a single one of those masked men on the island dare to keep you waiting, disappoint, or frustrate you. They’d rather die than face the monster out wrath of your husband, their boss, the Front Man. You thought it a good idea to soak in the tub, to wash away the smell of being outdoors.

You could admit, you were spoiled, probably treated better than any form of royalty, and you knew it. You heard the door to your room open, not bothering to call out to your husband. You laid for an hour longer before getting out and drying off with a fresh towel. You did your skincare routine earlier than usual, but you didn’t plan on going anywhere. Slipping your robe on and loosely tying it, you walked into the grand bedroom.

In Ho was no where to be found. You ventured further into your enormous room before seeing him settled in front of large screen tv, in his large black chair, pouring a glass of bourbon. Today’s game was playing in front of him,

“Dalgona” you say, from behind him. “Who picked that?’ You snorted.

“I cannot for the life of me remember which one of those game squares sugg- oh, you know what, it was il nam who did” he said not turning towards.

“Honey, haven’t I asked you not to watch that wretched game on the screen while I’m home?” You ask floating to his side, curling into his outreached hand.

“Yes, my lovely, you have” he said, clicking it off. He pulled you into his lap. “How was your day, gorgeous?”

“It was good. I went to all of my favorite little market shops, I picked up some more soaps for us. I was running out so bought us both some. Some magazines, and I ran into the recruiter today. He sends his wishes.” You said. “And the malls, until I got tired then I drove back to the ferry to be brought back.” You smile.

“That smile tells me my bank statement has something that tells you bought something you didn’t consult me over” he smiles at you. You shake your head. “(Y/n)?” In Ho drawled out tauntingly.

“Nothing I promise” you say quickly.

“Then, (y/n), who is this?” He pulls a sleeping kitten from beside him. You were busted.

“Oh baby, just look at him!” You squealed, with excitement. “I couldn’t help myself, and he was the only one!” You tried to defend yourself.

“I’m not upset, and he is quite adorable.” He agrees as he hands your newly adopted kitten to you. “What did you decide to name him?”

“I want you to help me decide”

“Oh, so, I do have say in the matter!” Your husband exclaimed. “How about Wiseuki?”

“I think it’s perfect!” You say holding the kitten.

“What breed is he anyways? He looks like a leopard or a jaguar” In Ho says.

“He’s a Bengal cat… or so the lady said.” You reply. “I’m getting tired, join me?” You ask.

“Why would I pass up the opportunity to sleep with my wife?” In Ho asks, not really looking for an answer. “I fed him already, by the way” he said. You look at him sharply. “I read the instructions, made sure I did everything right. His bed it set up, litter box in that far corner”

“You did everything!” You say happily, setting the kitten on his bed. “The woman says he’s already potty trained” you add.

“Oh good” In Ho says picking you up and twirling you around before laying you on your bed. You giggles slowly dying out.

“So, how was your day ?” You ask him as he undoes his long leather coat.

“Oh god. Il nam, is stressing me out. I mean, that man’s ode to dying is crazy. On his death bed and he chooses to join his own games, granted he has the immunity from death but how are we supposed to cover every game?” He says, he walks into the bathroom to brush his teeth, “I just don’t get it, and his guests arrive in just a few days and there’s just more responsibility placed on me that I don’t really want” In Ho gets into bed next to you.

“I’m so sorry baby” you reply cuddling up to him.

“It’s okay, laying here with you at the end of it all makes it all worth it. Keeping you happy, being able to just live how we do but are reminded I am just a man that loves his wife and just wants to be with her at night.”

“I love you” you say kissing his chest.

“I love you, more” he kisses your forehead. Sighing heavily as he relaxed. Holding you close to him and entangling his legs with yours. “I love you more.

[hobbitwrangler]

2024 Fic Roundup

thank you @imakemywings for tagging me! <3

Total Words Published at end of year: 49,104

Fandoms: Exclusively Tolkien - LOTR & The Silmarillion if you want to get technical.

Highest Everything (raw kudos, hits, comments): (I knew what the answer to this would be, the people have clear favourites xD)

Hits: Victory in Defeat (591)

Kudos: Victory in Defeat (84)

Comments: White Blossom (11)

New Things I Tried: Writing dark!fic, something that I never thought I'd do in a million years, and writing a modern AU. Also, although I've written with OCs before, I've never written them in the Tolkien universe, and it was kind of scary doing it, so I'm counting it.

Fic I Spent the Most Time On: the plain sight of our destiny is the cruellest thing of all. This fic was the product of several months on-and-off work and multiple rounds of editing and polishing.

Fic I Spent the Least Time On: The Face of Spring. I banged this one out in an afternoon, it was like I was possessed.

Favourite Thing I Wrote: This is a hard one because I love all the fics I've written this year but I'll go with the plain sight of our destiny is the cruellest thing of all, which is ironic, given that I initially abandoned it as a dud. I just so love all the characters I was able to create and their relationships with each other, and I had such fun exploring Umbar. Also I'm so proud of the claustrophobic horror vibes in this one.

Favourite Thing(s) I Read:

Right-ho, Edrahil! by oswinry - a Jeeves & Wooster style Finrod & Edrahil fic is absolutely inspired and this is so effortlessly, side-splittingly hilarious.

A Thing Strange and Crooked by Arveldis - great investigation of how Maeglin's insidious influence isolated and suffocated Idril, the characterisation of Maeglin as a horrible creep who slides beneath society's radar is perfect.

Unwary by Showed_Up_Late_To_The_Muster - beautifully written, emotionally raw exploration of Théodwyn's final days, the themes of difficult marriage, grief, anger and resentment are perfectly executed.

Love in Spades by 0Rocky41_7 - the fic that made me an aroace Maedhros fan. Every character interaction is flawless, every single relationship depicted is so rich and vivid.

a fish, floundering on dry land by ncfan - heartbreaking portrayal of Finduilas' suffering in Minas Tirith, made even better by the emphasis on her interactions with other female characters.

one of your girls by swanmaiden - this fic is very aptly named because it made me one of the celegorome girls. I don't even know what to say about this fic except that it's a masterpiece, the characterisation of Celegorm is just so delicious in this.

dawn by swanmaiden - beautiful, gorgeous, so painful, Rían's grief and hopelessness are so vividly brought to the fore, and Annael's attempts to bring her back to herself have me with my head in my hands every time.

Like a Wave That Should Engulf the World by Arveldis - put me through all the feelings with Faramir foreseeing Éowyn's death but the love and tenderness which this oncoming grief brings out is what really makes this fic exemplary.

Writing Goals for 2025:

Finish and post a multichapter fic. (I've got several in the works and if I can get at least one posted that would be great!)

Post at least one of my Arien fics.

Post at least one fic featuring (a member of) Duinhir's family.

tagging @emyn-arnens @from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras @dilettantefeminist @queerofthedagger if you'd like to do this (I'd love to see your answers!)