#I’m not doubting Erik or anything

[arrowfleur]

Vincent staying with the Clan would have made for a more interesting storyline I fear

[dxddykenn]

I apologize in advance if this isn’t well written. I’m fairly new to writing and wanted to get this idea out of my head after watching The Strangers lol. This most likely will be done in two parts. Feel free to leave any feedback or suggestions - Naiya🤍

Divider by @firefly-graphics

Michael B. Jordan as Erik “Stranger 1”

Aaron Pierre as Terry “Stranger 2”

Method Man as Damon “Stranger 3”

Home. A place that is your sanctuary. Somewhere you can escape from all the problems of the outside world. A place that provides you with a feeling of warmth and a sense of safety. What happens when it isn’t?

It was a late Friday night, the crisp Autumn air blew the fallen leaves along the ground. Freshly showered and skin moisturized you were on the couch catching up on your latest reality show obsession. As you were getting up to refill your wine glass, a loud thud sounded throughout the house. Your movements stilled, waiting to hear the noise again.

*Thump Thump Thump* the noise sounded again coming from the front door.

You glanced up at the clock hung in the living room ‘11:45pm’… strange, you aren’t aware of anyone planning to stop by. Walking to the door you peek through the curtain of the sidelite. You were met with complete darkness aside from the light shining faintly from the driveway.

Opening the door you’re startled by a man standing just below where the porch light normally would shine down. He was dressed in a jacket, dark pants and boots, but you were unable to see his face.

“Can I help you?” you ask him.

“Is…Y/n home”. A chill runs through your body. “I’m sorry?” you question.

“Is…Y/n home” he repeats.

You look at him curiously “Who are you?” you ask.

In return he doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he walks off towards the end of your driveway. Puzzled you reach up for your porch light, noticing that the bulb was slightly unscrewed. Tightening the bulb, you close the door behind you, wondering who the man was and where he came from.

Currently, you were in Georgia where you owned a vacation home that sat on a few acres of land. You were 24 years old studying to become an Optometrist. Between the never ending hours of studying, classes and life in general, you decided that you needed a mental break. Planning to stay for a few weeks you packed up and headed to Georgia. Only a very few people knew that you were leaving, which you preferred, allowing you to disconnect from reality for a little while.

Walking back towards the kitchen, you stop to set your alarm system “Better safe than sorry” you whisper to yourself.

Hours go by and you feel yourself slowly nodding off. Another episode of Reasonable Doubt playing in the background as your eyes grow heavier and heavier. Eventually you fall asleep, unbeknownst to the masked man standing behind the couch.

Three knocks jolt you awake. The man silently walking away, disappearing in the house.

Looking up at the clock again, it’s now 2 am. Getting up you cautiously walk to the front door. Peeking through the curtain of the sidelite you’re met with darkness again.

“What the fuck?” you say to yourself.

Quickly you disarm the alarm and snatch open the front door. Instantly your heart dropped, it was like the events from earlier were replaying all over. There the man was again. Still unable to see his face. Standing in the same spot as before. And the porch light out.

“Sir can I help?” you ask.

This time you notice the roughness of his voice as he repeats the same question “Is…Y/n home?”.

“Why do you keep asking that?!“ you snap.

Once again he just turns away and walks off. Slamming the door you rush back to the couch in search of your phone. Once in hand, you’re suddenly surrounded in absolute darkness.

“You can’t be serious”

Fumbling with your phone you turn on the flashlight, as your heart started to race. Slowly you walk towards the power box. It was located in a closet down the hallway just off of the kitchen. The light from your phone casting shadows along the wall as you moved. Your hand was out in front of you to ensure you didn’t knock into anything. Normally getting to the closet would have taken a few seconds but turned into minutes in your state of panic. Your hand grazes the doorknob rattling lowly. A sigh of relief escapes your lips as you grip the knob.

“Finally” you say as you open the door.

As you direct the light into the closet it hits something. Frowning, you steady your hold on the phone so you could see clearly. The light lands on a pair of boots. Moving up it falls on a pair of dark pants, next a jacket. As the light goes up further it lands on a straw face you jump in fear, when you finally realize it was a scarecrow.

“Y/n get a hold of yourself” you chuckle as you run a hand down your face. Clicking the switches, the lights in the house turn back on. Turning off the flashlight, you close the door turning to walk back down the hall when you smack into something. Stumbling back you grab onto the wall steadying yourself.

“What the-” you mutter.

Inch by inch you look up. The boots. The pants. The jacket. Looking all the way up, you lock eyes with the man from earlier. A burlap sack with two eye holes and a simple smile drawn onto it now covered his head.

A sharp, piercing scream leaves your mouth as you trip over your feet, knocking over a table in the hall. Frantically you run as fast as you could, trying to get to the front door. Snatching it open you’re met with another man. This one wearing a dusty black suit, a doll face mask covered his face and a knife in hand. You staggered back as tears well in your eyes.

“No…No!” you scream as you run towards the garage.

You only make it a few steps when you encounter another man. Towering over you he looked at you wearing a skull mask. A long sleeved flannel shirt and overalls covered his body, carrying an axe.

It felt as if the world just stopped. There were now three men in your house. There was no where to run, no where to hide. You didn’t know where to go or how to get away.

Backing up you go to run when you were grabbed from behind. Instantly you start to kick and scream when you feel a prick in your neck, your vision slowly fading to black.

Groaning, your head feels heavy and your body sore as you wake up. Blinking your eyes you're in a room illuminated by a red light. As you try to move you, you notice that you were suspended off the ground, bound by your arms and legs. That's when you notice three sets of shoes in front of you. Glancing up all three men were standing in front of you, masks still on their faces.

Your body starts to tremble in fear.

The air felt thick and that time was stuck as they just watched you. Breathing. Not saying a word. Just standing there.

All you could do was cry, not understanding why this was happening to you. “Why are you doing this!” you scream out, your voice shaking. The man standing in the middle of the other two slowly leaned towards you. Your eyes locking onto his, he mutters “Because you were home”.

As if on queue all three remove their masks, your breath catching in your throat. All three were breath taking. It didn’t make sense, what did they want?

“I’m Terry” the man wearing the burlap sack introduced himself. “This is Damon” he points to the man who was wearing the dusty suit. “And he’s Erik” he points to the man to the right wearing the flannel shirt.

Confusion was written all over your face as you just stared at them. Damon and Erik chuckle.

“Don’t worry we don’t want to hurt you Y/n” he strokes your cheek. You jerk your face away causing him to chuckle, gripping your throat bringing you back to face him.

“If I were you I would listen” Erik chimes in.

Terry rubs his finger along your bottom lip before speaking “We have a long night ahead of us. You’re going to listen and do what we say if you want to make it to the morning” he smirks before roughly letting you go.

What were you going to do?

[cezqstar]

ok so i watched the trailer but with english subtitles so i actually understand what’s going on and i have thoughts…

we’re pretty well aware at this point and have been since the synopsis release of episode 2 that felix is going to be homophobic towards mathias after finding out that he kissed erik. the trailer just proves that further with him telling mathias to find new friends & insulting him in the last clip of the trailer.

so from early on, mathias is faced with his ‘best friend’ turning on him & being homophobic towards him. which is no doubt the primary reason he’ll spend the season struggling to accept himself. now in the trailer, there’s a glimpse of that conversation between erik & mathias from episode 5 where erik asks what’s wrong between but ‘doesn’t get the answer he was hoping for’. now, we’ve all been speculating if it’s about the kiss and mathias’ (more than likely) feelings for erik and either mathias shuts it down or erik rejects him… but what if it’s not about that at all?

they are intentionally showing and even telling us that erik is becoming friends w/ felix and the boy group. even acknowledging it in one of the most recent episode descriptions. suggesting that erik is the ‘good one’ out of the boy group and that erik goes to tell them something before he finds out about the chlamydia business. and considering episode 1’s description mentions how mathias comes back but everything’s different now, i wouldn’t be shocked if the friendship is there from the JUMP! (which the topic of this friendship is something i have a lot of negative thoughts on)

so in the conversation between erik & mathias, it seems to be aiming in the direction of things are weird and awkward between them, not due to the kiss, but because erik is hanging out with felix. it seems like it’ll be more of a “the problem is you’re friends with felix” situation and an ultimatum will be laid out by mathias without him specifying why it’s so important to him that erik ISN’T friends with felix. hence why erik asks why he can’t hang out with felix AND be friends with mathias at the same time.

doesn’t help that mathias seems to still be pining after erik on the basis that this IS erik in the clip but i’m actually struggling to tell if it’s him or not. 😅

i’m still surprisingly confident that season 3 is matherik’s angst era and season 4 will be more in favour of them! but i think a lot of mathias’ story will be focused on him coming to terms with his sexuality whilst dealing w/ felix giving him constant shit over it. meanwhile erik… i don’t even know man. him being friends with felix genuinely baffles me more than anything!

btw credit to @/enviousouls on twt for the trailer translations!

[mal3vol3nt]

i’m so grateful that we had that apologizing scene between august and wilhelm during the white party. they’ve been at each other’s fucking throats and i’m so glad their story with each other has been given a civil ending. are they friends? hell no. family? nope. but they understand each other and have accepted their faults and admitted guilt to one other.

i think august’s apology was genuine. the dude’s actually come to terms with what he did, and even though there’s nothing he could say or do that would make up for it, i’m glad wille was at least given an apology.

but above all of that, i’m so fucking glad august reassured wille just how much erik loved him. wille will never stop mourning his brother, but im hoping august’s words were able to quiet down the doubts he’d been having over whether his brother would have accepted him for who he truly is or even continued loving him. so august telling wille that erik loved him more than anything and that nothing could have ever changed that—that the video wouldn’t have meant a damn thing—made me cry so fucking hard. i’m so glad he said that to wille. again, i think august’s words during this scene were genuine. he has no ulterior motives in telling wille that he’s sorry or comforting him a lil about erik. he’s slowly come to understand what the reality of being in wilhelm’s position would be like and he’s no longer so eager about it, especially since he can probably see that wille is losing his will to continue holding his title.

august finally got everything he wanted, but at what cost? i’m actually satisfied with where they took his arc. he began wanting to be in wille’s position and backstabbing people to get there, and ended with him realizing slowly that that’s not what he really wants. that he could never truly be happy as a working royal who is next in line. the recall to the whole “it’s a privilege not a punishment” thing with having wille, our hero, turn away from the crown while august, the villain, be punished with it was just 👩‍🍳💋

in short, beautiful season i’m so fucking happy

[enjoythesilentworld]

Wille's Month - Mental Health

day 14. @youngroyals-events <3

Wille steps down. Kristina steps up.

read below the cut or on ao3 (T, 900) cw: panic attacks

“Wilhelm?” 

A voice breaks through the ringing in his ears. Who’s is it? He can’t tell, can’t really hear, but can feel a slight breeze on his face. Is he outside? No, he’s walking — nearly running — down a hallway, inside. He’s inside the palace, still. They’ve just had a meeting with the court, and it was not good, and he needs to get away. 

“Wilhelm, snälla,” the voice calls again. It’s not angry or exasperated, though, it’s almost sad. He ignores it, anyway. Too many other thoughts swirl in his brain. 

They hated him. They all hated him. He’d felt so good about his decision when he’d first made it. So relieved, so proud of himself, so excited to tell Simon. Every day after that, he’d only had fleeting moments of self-doubt. But in the end, the day he’d made that speech, he thought he’d been doing the right thing. But now, his resolve is crumbling. Would Erik hate him, too, if he knew? His mamma? She’d said she was okay with it, was happy for him, even, but now? The whole country, it seemed, had turned against him. How could his family not feel the same? When it was really them he was betraying? Their legacy he was walking away from? 

His heart beat in time with his rapid steps down the hallway. His chest feels tight, too tight, and when he brings up a hand to press there, it does nothing to alleviate it. Somewhere, in a distant part of his mind, he hears the click of a second pair of shoes following behind him. It must be Erik’s ghost, come to haunt him and ask him why couldn’t he just handle it? Why couldn’t he stop being so selfish and start being the Crown Prince he was supposed to be? 

The dozens of statistics the court had presented spin around each other in his mind like a winter squall. Cold, tiny bits of ice stab into his skin, a million tiny reminders that he’s failed them. Why couldn’t they see? Didn’t they know it would break him? That role? It had dug its claws into him already and he’d nearly lost his parents and the love of his life because of it. The rift it created, the puppet it made you, it was too much. Why didn’t they know? 

Somehow, he runs into a dead-end. He’s lived here for so long and never gotten lost, but at this moment he doesn’t know where he is. Looking for something, anything to ground him, he reaches out and places both hands against the wall and tries to breathe. Why can’t he fucking breathe?

“Gubben.” This time, the voice reaches his ears and it’s a little more clear, though slightly muted. This time, he recognizes the voice. He spins around and tries to swallow the blockage in his throat and tries to stop the tears. He hadn’t even realized he was crying. Shaking his head, he pulls at the already loose tie at his neck and tries not to let his mamma see how much he’s breaking down right now. He still can’t breathe, though, still just sucking in tiny gulps of air. In a panic, he reaches out blindly, and she is there to catch him. 

Slowly, his mamma lowers them both to the ground, her arms wrapped tightly around him. Softly, she whispers quiet encouragement into his ear, reminding him to breathe. Gently, she runs a hand through his hair over and over, soothing him just like she’d done when he was very young. 

He chokes out an, “I’m sorry,” once he’s gotten his breathing mostly under control. Big, fat tears continue to run down his face, though, and he can still hear the sound of Jan Olof’s voice explaining just how disappointed the public was. And here’s his mamma, the person he’d disappointed the most, comforting him. Guilt crawls up his throat, suffocating him again. “I’m sorry.”

“No, no,” she whispers into his hair. “You do not need to apologize. Just breathe, älskling, then we will talk. Okay?”  

Unable to do anything else, Wille nods and tries to calm down. She doesn’t seem angry, which is the most confusing part. She seems more worried and scared than anything. The way she holds him now reminds him of that time she’d broken down in front of him and August. He’d been terrified, then. It feels odd, now, to have the roles reversed, but the warmth of his mother’s touch is so gentle and kind it nearly makes new tears well up in his eyes. This is all he’d ever wanted from her.  

Eventually, he calms down, methodically rubbing his thumb over his mamma’s hand where it’s gripped in his. He mumbles another apology, unsure what else to say, and she gently shushes him again. 

“It doesn’t matter what those people think, Wilhelm,” she says softly. “This was the right decision for you, for us as a family.” 

“But Erik–”

“Erik,” she interrupts, placing a hand on his cheek, “is not here.”

He feels that ever-present grief inside him pulse painfully at her words, but she continues. “But I think he would have been proud of you. I am proud of you.” 

A few more tears fall from Wilhelm’s eyes as he looks up at his mother. Not the Queen, not Kristina, his mamma. 

“We will go through this together. As a family.” 

Later, they find out that Jan Olof had buried the lead. In fact, the majority of the population was in support of Wilhelm’s decision. That does lessen the panic from his bones a bit more. But even more so does the love and reassurance his parents continue to provide through the transition. He is no longer Prince, but he is still their son. 

[dick-helmet-magneto]

I present something strange i've done. Charles/Logan/Erik but from some other POV that I don't even know. Anyway, it's 444 words.

“If you could go breathe somewhere else, that would be great.”

“If you could stop breathing that would be wonderful.” 

Everyone thought the Magneto’s fighting with the Professor was bad but it was nothing compared to this. 

No one was sure they had seen Magneto and Wolverine exist peacefully in a room before but it seemed like that was going to be the case for once. The Professor was sitting on the center seat of the couch, to his left was Magneto and on his right, Wolverine. 

The room was mostly silent. Magneto was keeping a hold on one of the Professor’s hands, the other holding a book—which was another strange sight but all the students were much too afraid to mention anything and break the delicate peace in the room—and Wolverine had his arm head resting against the Professor’s shoulder, his eyes closed. There were doubts he was asleep though. 

As for the Professor, his head was also buried in a book, a notebook on his lap where he would occasionally scribble a few words before he was back to reading. 

The answer to wether or not Wolverine was asleep came a few minutes later though, “If you could go breathe somewhere else, that would be great, Magnet.” 

“If you could stop breathing that would be wonderful,” Magneto returned without a seconds hesitation or even pause in his eyes scanning the page. 

Everyone in the room went still, watching the three men on the couch. A small smile was on Wolverine’s face, Magneto also looked amused but the Professor huffed at the two of them. 

“Honestly, you two, if you could behave. I believe you’ve both gotten what you want,” Professor X said, sounding fond, perhaps. But no one was certain who he was directing that tone at. 

“I don’t know, Chuck,” Wolverine said, “I could think of things I would prefer to be doing than this.” 

“I can’t believe I’m agreeing with that animal, but he does have a point,” Magneto added, a look in his eye that would have normally meant danger and the possible start of a war but now, as the students looked around the room, none of them were sure. 

It was a little too much like intruding in on a private, intimate moment between all three of them and, soon, the room was clearing out, the Professor’s face had turned red and no one wanted to stick around to find out just what that look meant. 

“You don’t think-“ Scott asked but Pietro pushed past him, a fast walk, anything to get him out of there faster.

“I don’t think,” He replied instantly, before the question could ever be asked. He didn’t even dare look back at the others. “I never want to think again.”

[fan-a-tink]

Young Royals S3 thoughts

EP5

Even just hearing this scene’s echo was horrific. It must have been so much worse to actually go through it. 

It must be so hard for Wille to reconcile how he knows Erik which what he now knows about him. And he is not here anymore to defend himself. Uuuurgghhhhh!

Please talk to Simon. Please talk to him. Shutting him out will not make anything better.

Sara and Felice doing desserts together, that’s the best idea anyone has ever had :) A chance for them to talk, yay!

This Micke is starting to be a dad too good to be true. This is sketchy behaviour. He is too happy, this is going to spiral out of his control. Oh Sara I am worried for you….

Ok, I am just going to say it (even 2021 me would judge me so hard for this) but August „redemption arc“ is working. Like I honestly believe that he is trying to be a little bit better as a person. I want him to be alright. And yes, I am shocked that I think this. 

Whose locker is number 60? Is that Sara’s? 

Wille once more calling his parents because he needs support. And his dad once more not stepping up. Nobody is perfect, not even Kronprins Erik….!

Edvin Ryding, the actor you are…

This episode it’s Wille’s turn to look as if his soul has left him. 

Oh shit this will be the music room fight. I am not ready. I am not ready. No no no no no noooooooo.

RIP Wille in the choir. Those scenes in episode two were worth it though :)) 

It is so typical for Simon to think that he has done something wrong. Simon, my love, you are not ‚difficult‘ for asking questions!! You are wonderful. 

Wille, those are your thoughts, not Simons. They are your fears, your doubts, your anxieties. And they are completely valid. But please don’t put words in Simon’s mouth and push him away like that. „Maybe he gave in to peer pressure. What do you know?“ Like, Simon is trying to help you here, he’s trying to talk it through with you and help you out. Nooo, don’t walk out on him?!!!

Simon being left behind in the music room is just as devastating as Wille being in there after their fight last season. I am done with this music room. 

The 36 on Simon’s locker is now always going to remind me of that fan exam :)) I was sooo unsure about that question haha

So she takes the letter, but is she reading it? Should we assume she read it? Or is she just not going to read it? I am confused…

Oh no. Micke has forgotten. The hope and desperation in her voice that she’s trying to conceal while leaving these voice messages for her dad is killing me. Also, ruuuuuun! You can still make it :) 

Why is Wille only ever with Felice when he’s had a fight or something with Simon? Like, when they’re good, he never hangs out with her. 

I also do believe he would have accepted and embraced Wille’s queerness. But I guess it’s the fact that we’ll never know that is so hard to deal with.

Purple nail polish ✨ slay :)

Sara made it :) But also, it’s stressing me out that she just puts her id back into her bag and doesn’t close it properly. It could fall out!

That is so heartbreaking seeing that Micke is falling back into the habit of drinking with his friends. And the worst possible moment for Sara to find out, mid-driving test, in the middle of the road. 

Linda giving Simon the long overdue hug and telling him he’s not doing anything wrong. YES!

„Love shouldn’t be this difficult“ - Linda, I trusted you!!! Don’t give Simon ideas.. 

Sara turning up at the house, breaking down. Simon hugging her. Forgiving her. I am in actual tears now. Can’t handle it. I’m sooo glad he is forgiving her. This was soooo necessary. Finally some healing…. 

That’s a decent apology text, Wille, I’m proud of you :)

The nail polish looks sooo good!!

And its off 😂 That was shorter than Wille’s career in the choir..

The Happy Birthday Song Scene will forever be my favourite Wilson scene. I am crying my eyes out because I know it’s all going to go wrong soon, and this might be one of the last moments of happiness. And it is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!! 

Also I am sooo glad the ‚Is everything ok between us?‘ line happened here and now was immediately answered with a ‚yes‘ - that takes away one of my biggest fears from the trailer… 

Also, he made him a sandwich? Asjdnä oajbef lskdfb .sjdnfsldnf lsdn 💜

I like Farima. Also her green suit is gorgeous :) 

They are holding hands in the car !!!!

„Maybe it was stupid to tell you that thing about Erik. I get that it must’ve been tough to hear.“ Yeah, no shit, August.

Simon is just chilling, living his best life eating cake :) 

„Cause there’s a risk of poisoning.“ Oooff. Simon’s expression is golden :))

I think Simon will never get used to having staff to take care of everything. And to Wille being absolutely ok with that and not even noticing it. 

Spotted Lisa Ambjörn, hihiiiii :))

Please make Simon feel welcome. Please. 

Why are they all pretending like everyone’s happy and fine? 

August is just so happy to be near Sara, it is actually adorable. 

Felice and Sara working side by side. I have so much hope that they can find their friendship again. Like, they are both loving being in each other’s company..! And Felice wanting to be a chef? I am here for it!!!! That whole little scene was beautiful :))

That is the most awkward dinner conversation ever. Poor Simon. Poor Wille. And they really don’t make it easy for anyone just bringing everything back to Erik. Like, that just adds so much pressure on Wille, and also this is such a vulnerable topic for him right now… 

Class Bad Boy. Lol

I love that he hates the title. Like, season 1 August would have loved it! That is GROWTH, ladies and gentlemen!

„It’s not very long. I’ll read it to you“ - dude, she can read, she just didn’t want to! 

His voice breaking up a little while he reads the letter. Malte is really on the next level this season…

The way he leans his head into that hug…! I have so much hope for them…. Please, please, please!

Yes, I can see that from Frederike’s point of view this looks bad. But you don’t know anything about the situation. And you’re just going to cause problems. But of corse she runs straight to Felice. Uuughhh, and things were just starting to look like they could be friends again someday. 

Wille playing a bit of the school song. Is that the only thing he remembers how to play, because he taught it to Simon? 

Wille, you’re being unfair. Yes, it’s hard for you. But Simon is also allowed to find it hard. And he is only trying to support you.

I’m sorry, but Wille’s parents could not be more useless right now. I am so glad Wille is finally speaking his mind. Maybe the delivery is not the most productive, constructive, diplomatic, but a child should not have to beg for his parents to be there for him. And they should not just leave the room when he does. Like, I understand that you are ill and struggling and that it must be absolutely terrible to deal with your eldest son dying tragically in a car crash, but Wille is right, you still have a son, and he needs you!!! 

The way Simon looks horrified and genuinely scared when Wille smashes the gifts. Like, he looks kind of scared of Wille. I bet he witnessed these kind of violent outbursts from his dad when he was younger. Oh Simon….

There it is: „Love shouldn’t be this hard.“ And it hurts just as much as I thought it would. 

Wille’s cheek is so wet, he must have been crying a lot already. 

Simon’s voice cracking when he says „Maybe it just can’t work.“ - he is breaking his own heart admitting this. 

The lyrics just before the cut „I got addicted to a losing game“ - KILL ME NOW!

I am in tears. Like, I knew they were going to come to a point like this, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok!!!

[capitalisticveins]

sorry to be a bother! but i'm no longer a patron and i'm wondering if erik like updated the text of a recent post or something to say if he's okay. not to be parasocial or 'people can't just step away from the internet for a bit without other people being weird/freaking out' or anything, but i was just wondering if you all who still have patreon know if he's doing alright?

Hi! No worries, I’m happy to answer!

Unfortunately we are just as confused as you guys. He hasnt posted since the Sam BA, and the only update we have abt his state is that his life isnt in a good spot rn, that was last week for reference. I’ve even tried seeing if him and Seph (thats her name right?) uploaded a new episode on their podcast but the last one was 10 days ago, so no update there either.

He’s supposed to upload an EA today, and if he does I’ll say so, although he missed the upload on Tuesday/Wednesday, so I doubt it.

[noforkingclue]

Come With Me (Erik Lehnsherr x reader)

Summary: You recently left the mansion in hopes for having an ordinary life. Turns out the Erik has something to say about that.

Author’s Note: So I recently re-watched X-Men First Class and Days of Future Past and this old hyperfixation of mine has re-emerged. Only difference now is that I have this blog to write stuff with!

I might a Professor X fic in the works as well before I also love James McAvoy

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @byebyebreezywrites, @spngingerbread21, @layazul, @lov3vivian, @simonsbluee

You had always longed for a peaceful life. One when you didn’t have too many stresses and you had the comfort and support of your friends and family. That was one of the main reasons why you had left. Of course Charles was sad to see you go but he wouldn’t do anything to make you stay. You had gone back to the shadows, to your original boring but stress free life.

You should’ve known it was too good to last.

Really, you should’ve expected this to come at one point. Metal curled around your wrists and pinned you against the wall. Your scream was muffled as another piece of metal snaked its way across your mouth. You glared as Erik came into view. When you tried to struggled the grip on your wrists tightened and you whimpered in pain.

“You should be able to break free,” Erik was now in front of you, “Use your powers.”

You glared up at him. It was clear from the amused expression on his face that Erik knew you were out of practice. You hadn’t used your powers in ages so you doubted you would be able to break free. He ran a finger down your cheek and said,

“Are you going to scream?”

You narrowed your eyes and weighed up your options. It wouldn’t do you any good to piss off Erik too much so reluctantly you shook your head. You let out a sigh of relief as the metal was removed from your mouth. However, that didn’t last long as it rested itself across your shoulders. A reminder for you to behave yourself.

Charles was one of your closest friends. He always made you feel warm and safe. You knew that you could return to the mansion at any time and he’d welcome you back with open arms. Erik though, Erik was completely different. Erik made you feel alive. You shuddered as you could feel Erik’s breath ghost over your cheek. You could feel yourself get hot as the suddenly became acutely aware of that your hands were still pinned by the side of your head.

“You left.” He said

“No shit.”

Erik gently cupped your cheek as he forced you to look up at him. You swallowed thickly as he brushed your cheek with his thumb.

“Why?” he asked

“Didn’t know I had to have one.”

“When it comes to Charles he likes to have one.”

“Maybe I got sick of the fighting,” you snapped, “Maybe I just want to have an ordinary life.”

“Humans will never let us have an ordinary life. Do you think they’ll treat you the same if they find out what you are?”

“Yes.”

“You have too much faith in them.”

“You have too little.”

“You’re starting to sound like Charles.”

“Is that such a bad thing?”

“It is if your foolishness get you killed.”

“I won’t get killed.”

“Then free yourself.”

Your glared returned and Erik gripped your chin tightly. He forced you to maintain eye contact with him and you tried to remember Charles’s lessons. Old memories from your time in the mansion came back to you, ones that you hadn’t thought about in ages. Reading with Charles, training with Raven, spending time with the lab with Hank.

Walking around the gardens with Erik.

Erik trying to teach you how to play chess.

Staying up late with Erik just talking and forgetting the time.

Erik teasing you as he helped you control your powers.

His lips brushing against yours before you panicked and phased through a wall.

You blinked at the last memory. Erik was still waiting for you to use your powers and you said,

“You know I could just call Charles. I’m sure he’d hear my thoughts even at this distance.”

“If you wanted to do that you would’ve done so already.”

“Why are you here Erik?”

“Because you left Charles.”

“And you think I’ll join your side? I want no part in any of this.”

“And I’m sure I can persuade you otherwise.”

[deffnotweird]

Zero:

John was a tall and slim guy with a stylish cut and well kept short beard, he was an office worker, had a bachelor’s degree and a steady income, despite this, he felt quite stressed whenever he had to pay for something, groceries, taxes, electricity, everything stressed him out, John lived in poverty in his early life you see, and his mind wouldn’t adapt to his new, much more stable condition no matter what he did. This, in turn, made his performance at work constantly worse, until one day his boss, Erik, decided to take action, Erik was a freakishly tall man, he went to the gym almost every day, and it showed, he and John had a similar hairstyle but his beard was far longer and majestic. Erik called his subordinate in his office and asked him why his performance was getting progressively worse, John, quite embarrassedly explained the situation. This surprised Erik, the man stood up and rummaged through a box he grabbed from the nearby shelf, after a while he took out a small piece of paper and handed it to John. On the paper was an address, but before he could ask any question the man was interrupted by his superior, “Go there after work today and all your worries will be gone”. John wanted to know more, but the way his boss said those words made him feel uneasy, he wasn’t certain going there was a good idea, despite this John still went, as he had no reason to doubt his boss. After work he arrived at the location written on the piece of paper, once he rang the doorbell John was surprised to see his boss answering the door, he knew this wasn’t his house, he had been in Erik’s house before for a colleague’s birthday, so whose house was this? Regardless he was welcomed in, inside there were three more people, one was a bit older than Erik, while the other two were about his age, Erik proceeded to introduce John to his three “friends”, after which they all sat down for some drinks. The office worker wasn’t sure how this would help him with his spending anxiety, but he didn’t pay it much mind as he was still having a good time, the night passed and before he realized John was black-out drunk, the older guy offered him to sleep over, as he was in no position to be driving, John reluctantly accepted and fell asleep.

The next morning he woke up in a dark room, John quickly realized that he wasn’t in a bed but a dog cage, despite his splitting headache he screamed at the top of his lungs for someone to come rescue him, yet nobody showed up, after a few hours of yelling and trying to break out by slamming his own body against the cage John was too tired to move. More hours passed until John finally heard a door opening and some steps, likely descending some stairs, in the dark he could see a humanoid figure had entered the room, despite wanting to speak John felt paralyzed, what if this figure was his abductor? The lights were turned on and John could finally see the other person in the room, it was the older guy from the night before, he was wearing a black leather jacket and pants: “Hello John, Erik told me and the boys about your worries, I’m here to make them all go away” having said this, the man opened the door to the cage, John tried to run out but was quickly overpowered by the older gentleman, before he could even say anything John was gagged and subsequently handcuffed. The older man, whose name was Steven, ordered him to stay on his knees, while terrified John obeyed as he clearly had no chance of running away at the present moment. Steven noticed a few tears were running down John’s face, and to his delight the office worker had a look of pure fear in his eyes. He got closer, hugged him and whispered in his ears: “Don’t worry John this is just part of the training, once I’m done you will be free of all your fears, all you need to do is obey and follow every command, will you do that for me John?” the man nodded and with a smile on his face Steven started to cut off John’s clothes, caressing his arms and pecs, giving soft slaps to his thighs and belly.

A few days passed and John was nearly unrecognizable, his beard was shaved off and his hair were no buzzed to a few millimeters, more importantly he was wearing a shock collar and cuffs to his hands and feet, his genitals were locked into a cage and over it he was wearing a fundoshi, reason being that “Erik loves japanese culture”, that’s right, Erik, his former boss was about to come pick him up, John was ready to become his servant. Over his gear the man was dressed in grey sweatpants and a baggy hoodie, once Erik arrived he was shown by Steven and his two lackeys a few tricks that John had learned “down, stool, clean” and so on, he was exhilarated to see his former employee turned into such an obedient slave, unfortunately for him however, John was putting on an act. As soon as they got in the car and drove a couple miles away John yelled at his boss, asking him what the hell he was thinking doing this to him, Erik was spooked by the sudden change, but immediately collected himself and calmly parked the car by the roadside, John tried to get out but of course, the doors were locked, “listen John, this is the best thing that could happen to you, you will be my servant and won’t have to worry about expenses any longer, so I suggest you take this chance with open arms, otherwise you can disobey me and try to escape, you won’t be successful of course, but in the off chance that you are, you should know that I sold everything you own and transferred everything to my bank account”. Hearing this John started crying, in silence of course, he didn’t want to upset his new master, despite Erik obviously noticing, and the drive home continued smoothly.

It took a while for the man to fully accept his new position, but with time he came to wholeheartedly enjoy it, he loved to clean Erik’s shoes with his tongue, serve him as a stool and even cook for him, Erik was actually quite benevolent, allowing John, or Zero as he was now called to sleep on a carpet sometimes, in the end, life was good, Zero realized that perhaps he worried for nothing, this was his true place, he had food to eat, showers and a Master who cared for him, and most importantly no more worries!

[enid-rhees]

a Young Royals inspired Enid fic 💜

A/N: this is heavily inspired by the last episode of my favorite show, Young Royals. every character from that episode is still the same, except for Y/N and Enid, who replace Wilhelm and Simon for this. i hope you all enjoy, this was written a few months ago on a Google doc 💜.

she sat in the car, across from her dad and next to her mom. the King and Queen, and she was the princess. everyone was now leaving, or still saying goodbye to their friends.

she couldn’t believe Hillerska was closing, and it could be all her fault. but she didn’t do anything wrong, she confessed that it was her, kissing down Enid’s neck in that video. she told the truth. like what you’re supposed to do.

Kristina turned to her, red still surrounding her weak eyes. it was hard for Y/N to look at it, knowing her mother — the Queen was so weak now, partly because of her. her “scandal” with Enid… and her brother’s death. it all happened in a year, nothing could’ve prepared any of them for it.

“it was a rough year, wasn’t it?” her mom spoke, breaking out of her trance. all she could do was nod and look out the window, watching August jump and scream with Vincent and Nils. she bit her tongue.

a rough hand touched her shoulder, making her look back. her mother smiled softly as the edge of her fingers twirled through Y/N’s hair. “you’re going to be such an amazing Queen.” she spoke, and sorrow filled overcame Y/N. being Queen meant she would become someone that wasn’t herself. it meant she couldn’t be with Enid. her heart ached at the thought of it.

she couldn’t live- breathe without Enid.

she looked her mother right in the eye, her words almost getting caught in her throat. “what if i don’t want that?” she asked quietly, but sincerely. her father looked over at her, and now she was looking between the two of them. her mother sighed, “don’t do this right now-”

“i’m not trying to make you mad, mom.” she said back. “that’s the last thing i want. but… you have a hard time taking me seriously,” Kristina sucked a breath in and looked out of her window. “and i know its ’cause i’ve said it in frustration and was impulsive…” Y/N continued. “but you haven’t let me have an actual, honest conversation about this.”

Kristina nodded slightly. “i understand that you’re having doubts and mixed feelings.” she said, as if she was trying to brush it off once more. “it was the same for me. but… there must be a worse fate to be assigned than this one.” she says, looking back at her. Y/N narrowed her eyes, “that’s the problem. we were assigned this… we didn’t choose it. nobody has, and i see how it makes you feel.”

her mother then avoided eye contact by looking down, and her father only looked at her, emotionless. “i used to think Erik was happy, but i don’t think he was.”

“i understand that.. this thing with Enid has been life-changing for you-“ Y/N shook her head, “this isn’t about her. it’s not about Enid, Mom. it’s about this role. it’s always been this role that has been the problem. to me.”

“yeah.” Kristina says, barely audible.

“i know you think i’m gonna change my mind, but i won’t. i don’t want this.” Y/N turned to the window, gazing over at August. “if you believe in the monarchy…” she started, raising her finger. she then pointed at August through the window. “if you believe that it’s important to be born into the right family, that this is right… then that is your heir. not me.”

the King and Queen looked over at him, and she watched as her mother nodded once and looked down at her hands. slowly, her mother looked up at her. “and i understand that you’re disappointed… but it’s the truth.” she spoke honestly, her heart starting to race a little faster.

“can you open the doors?” she spoke to the driver, and seconds later the door opened. her eyes shifted between her mother and father, “i love you guys.” she said, before stepping out of the car, watching as the door slid back shut.

“let her go.” Kristina spoke when the driver turned around to face her with panicked eyes.

her eyes surfed the crowded yard of Hillerska. everyone was still saying goodbye to each other, and the graduates were all jumping around in the back of a truck with wine bottles spraying everywhere. her eyes stuck on August for a moment longer.

there was no sight of Enid. every direction her head turned, she couldn’t spot those green eyes anymore.

but then a familiar white car started to exit the school. Sara, Enid’s sister drove that car here today. Y/N remembers because she was hoping Enid was in that car with her when she saw it was Sara.

her legs moved faster than her thoughts and she began to run after the car. August caught her running past him, and his heart sank at the realization of what just happened, and what was about to happen to him.

Y/N ran down the road, faster than she ever thought she could run. this had to be some insane adrenaline rush that she would never experience again. “ENID!” she yelled, voice booming through the trees. “ENID!”

Enid’s head snapped up at the call of her name. it was muffled- but so loud. she turned around, eyes widening at the sight of Y/N running after the car. she turned back, and took a deep breath, trying to calm down the nervous ache growing in her stomach. “Sara.” she choked out, “stop the car!” Sara stepped on the breaks, her, Enid and Felice all being swung forward for a second at the sudden stop.

Felice looked into the mirror, “is that-”

Enid opened the door and walked out of the car, watching Y/N stop in her place and breath heavily. she was a bit of distance away, but Enid could still see her chest rising and falling at a fast pace. Y/N began walking towards Enid, and she met her in the middle.

“i don’t want to be Queen.” she spit out, tears lining her eyes. Enid’s eyes widened slightly. “i don’t want to be a princess. i want to be with you!” she cried, genuine desperation in her eyes. Enid could only stare at her, not knowing what to say. did she—

“i told my Mom.” Y/N said. there was another silent pause between them, and then a small smile curled through Y/N lips. “she’s fine with it.” Enid tried not to show her smile immediately. she shook her head slightly, “did- did you do it for my sake?”

Y/N then shook her head repeatedly, “no.” she smiled, “i did it for my own sake.”

they still stood there, Enid not knowing how to process any of this. “are you sure you’re over me?” Y/N asked hesitantly, afraid for Enid’s answer. Enid looked at her, no emotion on her face before her smile finally broke through her lips. “what the hell do you think?”

Y/N laughed and ran towards Enid, engulfing her in the tightest hug. Enid gripped Y/N’s school jacket, tears now pouring down her cheeks. her lips were parted open as she looked at Y/N with pure disbelief. Y/N’s eyes moved between both of Enid’s and then down to her lips. Enid desperately pulled their lips together, giving Y/N her all in this singular kiss.

every single weight was lifted off of Y/N’s shoulders in that moment. she was free. she was no longer the princess, and would no longer become the Queen to millions. she belonged to herself, and Enid now.

“i love you.” Y/N whispered breathlessly against her lips.

“i love you.” Enid whispered back.

whooping and cheers came from behind them, causing them to break apart from each other. Felice and Sara clapped loudly, laughing at their blushing faces. “are you coming or what?” Sara asked with a laugh. Y/N leaned her head against Enid’s, staring straight into those green eyes she fell in love with. “yeah?” Enid whispered, a hopeful smile on her face. she nodded and Enid beamed, taking her hand and dragging her towards the car. they split ways as Enid got in the seat behind passenger, and Y/N smiled at Sara as she sat in the seat behind the drivers side.

Sara started the car again and all of the windows rolled down. when she started to drive, Y/N let out a loud “WOOOOO!” into the air. Enid, Felice and Sara all copied, all of them bursting into laughter afterwards. Enid slid over the seats and Y/N welcomed her into her arms. she hung her head out the window, the fresh air breeze never feeling so good.

she’s never felt so good, so free.

Enid put a finger on Y/N’s chin and turned her head towards her, connecting their lips softly. their lips moved in sync perfectly, fitting together like puzzle pieces. they always knew it; that they belonged with each other. nothing could ever get in the way of that.

Y/N wasn’t sure what was to come next, but as long as Enid was with her, it would be okay. wherever they end up, she just wants to live happily and freely with her. no cameras, no secrets, nothing. just her and Enid.

[the-wanderer-2022]

Feather Serpent Goddess Chapter 7 - Dark Namor x Reader

(Please note you can find the Masterlist for this series at the top of my blog)

Taglist: @historygeekqueen @bontensbabygirl @midnightman123 @imlikefrhungry @naiomiwinchester @zooni92802 @ohantonia @astrospunutt @omgsuperstarg @aslutforscarletwitch99 @multifandom-boss-bitch @tzurue @gardenof-venus @zheezs14 @bookfrog242 @honestlyka @weaponb33 @angel-bi666 @telepathic-queer @fckwritersblock @iceydicey11 @softclue @marice23top @like-things-thatarentreal

Her head whips back like a lightning bolt. It as if icy water has been poured down her back, the feeling of hands and fingers and breathing and the mist coming from her mouth in the cool air is all so much.

(Y/N)’s heart softens a little when she sees her brother at her side. They are sitting in the dimly lit fog of a cavern. She scans the room, struggling to see anything for a while, until him. And how she could have missed him is a wonder. He is within arm’s reach of her.

Seeing him up close is no easy feat to endure. He’s handsome, that’s for sure, but when she sees his face, it feels like looking at a ghost. Is it passion or insanity she gleams in his eyes as his calloused hands roll down her cheek, his breath heavy.

“My beautiful, beautiful (Y/N).”

“I . . .” The voice that has always been hers now seems strange to hear. “I am not yours.”

Not trusting herself to say more, she goes silent but the King appears undeterred.

“I have waited so long for this moment. Eric. Leave.”

“She’s uncomfortable . . .”

“Without reason I assure you. Do not be excessively troubled for her, it could be very hazardous to your health.”

It is clear Erik is torn but at her nod, he squeezes her hand and leaves.

“You dare threaten my brother?”

“I threaten everyone my queen,” he smiles with all the warmth of a boa constrictor. She flinches when he takes a seat next to her, wrapping her in his arms. Her attempts to struggle appear almost unnoticed by him.

“Fear is the most effective tool my love,” he whispers, leaning closer and inhaling her hair with long deep gasps. “You will see that in time.”

“Let go of me.”

“No.”

“I said let go . . .”

“I’ve waited an eternity to hold my mate in my arms. You don’t know what that does to a man (Y/N). How many days and nights, drawing you, dreaming of you, the scent of your hair, the richness of your perfume. The last time you were here . . .”

“The last time . . .”

He touches a finger to her lips. “Forgive me. I spoke too impulsively.” He paused, her face in his grip, not letting her turn away. “We do not want to anger the gods.”

She laughs but there is no mirth to it. “My heart aches for you my King. Not at the top of the food chain after all.”

Her expectations are disappointed as he chuckles in return, ignoring the insult. “Call me ‘my King’ again. It reminds me of . . .” His gaze flickers to her lips. “Old times. You know I really do love you (Y/N). It started as a tiny spark but now, sometimes I swear I feel it burning my insides up . . .”

“That doesn’t sound healthy.”

“Oh I know it’s not!” he roars, his eyes twinkling with laughter. “I know it’s not. But you haven’t seen me before you.” His eyes glisten, empty husks. “You don’t know how bad I can get. I’m damned without you but if you remain, then perhaps . . .”

“You’re insane.”

“Love drives men to insanity.”

“Clearly you’ve never met my ex . . .”

As soon as the words leave her mouth, she knows she has made a mistake.

“Yes . . . your dear Erik has been educating me about your surface world.” He twirls a strand of her hair around his fingers before drawing her face to his with a snarl. “I doubt I will ever have the chance to meet these so-called exes of yours. What with them being deceased and all, it might make setting up a meeting difficult.”

“Fucking let go of me!” (Y/N) snaps and the effort it takes to kick herself free from him almost sends her flying down the stairs. “You’re crazy! You’re insane! And I don’t know what the fuck you want with me but I’m having no part in it! I’m gone! I’m out! Gone! Now give me my brother and take me home!”

“To your father?”

“Yes to my . . .” The satisfying smirk he has on his face makes her want to grab a stalactite and impale him with it. “What?!”

“I warned you.”

“You didn’t.”

“I warned you that love makes people insane.”

“You son of a . . .” He grabs her arm in mid air as she tries to strike him, bawling so hard it’s a wonder she is able to see straight. “I hate you! I fucking hate you! I wish I’d never met you! My body, my brother, my father! What else are you going to fucking take from me?!”

“Come now my beloved,” he murmurs, kissing her clenched knuckles. “You are going to hurt my feelings. You wanted to go back to your father. Now he is no more and hence there is nothing for you to go back to. You’re where you always should have been. You’re mine. Mine. Mine.”

With every word his face becomes more distorted, his eyes ever shadowy, he looks like a demon sent from the pits of hell and she is just crying and crying and crying and his eyes are as devoid of emotion as could be.

“My little feather serpent goddess.”

[joshriku]

ages ago i asked for prompts on twitter and i think ava had requested cherik + bodyswap, and i forgot i wrote that til i found it looking at my files so i figured i'd also post it here ages later lol it's too short for ao3! but perfect length for tumblr.

-

“I don't know how you do it,” says Charles. 

His voice—it's Erik's, no doubt. Words coming from his mouth, his body. His body, that Charles is currently inhabiting. 

“Do what?” asks Erik, with—with his voice, God damn it. This whole situation is so strange. 

It's supposed to wear off in a few hours, said the other teachers. Just a mutant learning to control their powers, nothing else. But now Charles is Erik, and Erik is Charles, and it's been the most insanity-inducing hours of his life. They haven't left Charles' room, as they decided to spend this ordeal as quietly as possible: in bed, reading. 

“This. Alone with your thoughts,” Charles says. “I'm miserable. And overstimulated, even though I am not doing anything. It's…” 

So much. His skin is prickly, impossible to touch. He can sense the clock ticking—not just the one inside the mansion, but everyone's. Phones buzzing or vibrating. The kitchen. Jewelry. The televisions. The satellites. The cities further away. The core of the Earth—

Erik takes his hand. Charles takes a moment to note how different his own hand is, when he's being touched—this is not comforting. So many times he's held someone, held a student, tried to comfort them with a gesture. And now that he's being comforted by his body—God, he should never be close to people.

“Breathe in,” Erik tells him. “Narrow your focus to one thing. Try your wheelchair.”

It's such a big power. To narrow it to something so small like his wheelchair feels like an impossible task, but then he notices a little helping hand: it's sloppy and careless, but the undeniable sensation of a telepathic push. Erik’s not good at it—good God, how is he holding up with all those voices?—but he’s good enough to guide Charles to his objective.

His body slumps against the bed, once the world is reduced to just the wheelchair.

“How do you do it?” Charles repeats. “It’s so quiet. It’s so lonely. And this power—it’s too great, I’m afraid. How does your body not fall apart? How does your mind not fall apart? How do you—”

Erik cuts him off. “I am wondering the same thing about you, as we speak. There is so much noise. People cannot stop thinking, not even for one second. How do you not go insane?”

He supposes the same questions he asked have the same answer Charles would give Erik: you get used to it. You settle into it like a second skin, until one day you no longer get to think about it.

“You get used to it,” he says, although he knows Erik must have heard it, anyway. His grip on Charles’ telepathy isn’t that good—Charles presumes he doesn’t know how to leave his mind. Erik hums anyway. “I suppose it’s more impressive right now, to be in a body where—it’s truly yours. Mine, it feels like it shares a bit with every single person. I cannot stop myself from seeing through their lenses, even for a second. I guess being alone right now—truly and well alone, it just… makes me wonder. How you don’t go insane. How you talk to people, how you are such a good judge of character. I can only be one because of my powers, and even then, I can go so wrong.”

Erik raises an eyebrow in his direction. It’s so odd, looking at his face. Does Charles really look like this? No wonder he got into so many arguments. He’s rather annoyed at that face.

“Funny, again. I have been pondering that myself. If I could listen to every thought, every sentiment, and every motivation behind someone’s actions—well, perhaps I’d become a hermit. It takes incredible strength to do this. I admire you.”

Charles smiles a little. “I suppose we are both so exceptional,” he says. He squeezes Erik’s hand again, trying to focus on Erik’s body, wanting to be held by it instead. “Only a few more hours to go.”

“Maybe we won’t go insane in three hours,” Erik smiles back. “Who knows? We have got plenty of time.”

[martianbugsbunny]

Martian’s Masterlist!

Figured it was about time I collected all of my fics into one area, will ofc be updating it as I write more. It’s sorted by ship, including wherefrom they originate, with a brief description of what type (one-shot, chapter fic, same-universe if I’m feeling saucy) and a short summary of what happens. V proud of myself for figuring out how to link these tbh, but if any of the links isn’t working for the love of Pete please let me know. Fics with more than one chapter will be linked to the first chapter because...logic.

For the tags, I have chosen to only use the ship names, not __ x __ format, for the sake of trying to keep the tags somewhat in hand. I have, however, tried to use what I’m aware of being the most popular/common names for ships, as well as the alternate ones I’ve seen for more niche stuff. Also tagged are the shipped characters. If I add new ships, I'll have to reblog bc of the tag limit.

*Hands you the rabbit hole* Have fun going down!

CaptainCroc/GoldenHook (Rumplestiltskin x Killian Jones {Once Upon A Time}):

Is This Love Persevering? (It Feels More Like The End of the World): One-shot. Established CaptainCroc mourning the loss of Baelfire. Canon-divergent for the sake of Rumple actually getting to attend his son’s funeral.

Who Makes You See Color: Chapter fic, 14 total. CaptainCroc soulmates AU where one person sees color earlier than the other. Extends from pre-Dark One era to the First Curse being broken.

The Truth Echoes Darkly: Short series; part 1 for The Truth Echoes Darkly. Echo Caves AU where instead of Emma, Hook confesses that he loves Rumple for maximum awkward.

The Echo Goes On: Short series; part 2 for The Truth Echoes Darkly. Back in Storybrooke, Rumple finds himself obsessed with Hook and realizes that he’s fallen in love as well.

My North Star: One-shot. Established CaptainCroc vow renewal, featuring Hook’s inner thoughts about how much he loves Rumple.

Better Than Blood: One-shot. Pretty racy, but the point is thinking about the poeticism of having sex with your ex-nemesis.

Cherik (Charles Xavier x Erik Lehnsherr {X-Men Movies}):

Sweetheart Will You Sleep With Me: One-shot. The night before they fight Shaw, Charles and Erik make the most of the little time they know they have left together and sleep in Charles’ room. Fluff, don’t get too excited by the title lol.

Baby While You’re At It: One-shot. Based on a Jessie Murph song. Angst with a happy ending. Charles is furious when Erik crashes a party at the school, so they have it out in the kitchen and get more-or-less back together by the end.

Espionage Husbands (Talos x Nick Fury {Captain Marvel/Secret Invasion}):

Locked In This Embrace: One-shot. Focuses on the forehead-touching scene from Episode 1, plus an original scene or two afterwards. Mostly Talos pining for Nick with a happy ending.

If You Are Gilgamesh And Did These Things: One-shot. Angst without a happy ending because the author was very upset and sad when Talos died. Nick is grieving Talos; Sonya isn’t helping.

Frankenwolf (Ruby Lucas x Victor Frankenstein {Once Upon A Time}):

Den of Blankets: One-shot. Ruby’s wolf instincts kick in during pregnancy and she builds a blanket-fort den. V fluff.

She Deserves To Have Your Name: One-shot (possibly same-universe as Den of Blankets). Victor has doubts about whether or not their child should have the name Frankenstein, but Ruby wouldn’t hear of anything else.

It’s Just A Dream: One-shot. Ruby has a nightmare spawned from her fears of being a bad parent; Victor comforts her.

As The Storm Blows Through: One-shot. Victor has anxiety during a storm because of what happened with Gerhardt, and Ruby comforts him.

Secret Admirers Are For The Subtle: One-shot. Victor anonymously sends Ruby flowers at the diner so he can drop by, “notice” them, and stick around to sketch them, all so he can spend time with Ruby. She’s on to him the entire time.

Blue Skies Smiling At Me: One-shot. Utterly fluffy beach fic. Ruby is having a good day relaxing with her friends, and it only gets better when her handsome husband joins them.

Frankenberry And The Fruit Brute: One-shot. Fun little Halloween fic where Ruby and Victor discover the General Mills cereals that match their fairytale identities.

Precursor To A Love Song: One-shot. Hyperion Heights AU where Ruby and Victor meet and feel an instant connection, even though they don’t know why. She’s a fashion designer and he’s a piano player/freelance artist. Potential springboard for a full chapter fic if I feel like it.

HatterHare (Mad Hatter x March Hare {Adventures In Wonderland}):

The First Kiss: One-shot. Just a fluffy lil idea about what their first kiss might’ve been like.

Every Bit Of You: One-shot. Projection’n’stuff about food issues basically.

Kalluzeb (Garazeb Orrelios x Alexsandr Kallus {Star Wars Rebels}):

Don’t You Know It’s Because He Loves You?: One-shot. Kallus discovers that Zeb is in love with him via a Lasat Honor Guard tradition.

To Convince You That I Love You: Chapter fic. Kallus does risky things to prove he would do anything for love of Zeb, or that he’s worthy of him, and ends up getting hurt. Angst with a happy ending, hurt/comfort.

Lokius (Loki x Mobius {Loki}):

The Man Of My Dreams And He’s Just Out Of Reach: One-shot (with a very long name lol). Mobius stands there across the street from Don’s house and misses Loki. Author was having some Feelings™.

Outlaw Queen (Regina Mills x Robin Hood {Once Upon A Time}):

A Slice Of Life: One-shot. Regina spends the day with her boys and thinks about how awesome it is to have them. V fluffy because the OQ family didn’t get enough of that.

Paxe/AxePaz (Paz Vizsla x Axe Woves {The Mandalorian}):

We Are Mandalorians: Our Love Must Be Forged: Chapter fic, 11 total. Axe and Paz slowly fall in love as they engage in the battle to retake Mandalore, more or less a fix-it for Paz dying in S3 canon.

PloKit (Plo Koon x Kit Fisto {Star Wars: the Clone Wars}):

Reader, Plo Married Him: One-shot. Plo and Kit share some quiet time just after their wedding.

The Tender Daily Ritual: One-shot. Basically just fluff; Kit helps Plo with lotioning his skin because it dries out in oxygen atmospheres.

Scogan (Scott Summers x Logan Howlett {X-Men Movies}):

Torn Between Love And Fear: One-shot. Scott wants to stay after sex and sleep in Logan’s room, but Logan is terrified of hurting him during a nightmare. Angst with a happy (and sort of spicy) ending.

You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours: One-shot. Logan and Scott discover they have a mutual pain kink and indulge in it together for the first time. Incredibly spicy, I'm so proud of myself.

Spones (Spock x Dr. McCoy {Star Trek TOS}):

I Could Drink A Case Of You (I Would Still Be On My Feet): One-shot. Based on a Joni Mitchell song; angsty with a happy ending.

[mthofferings2023]

Thenomansland

See Thenomansland’s existing works here.

Preferred contact methods: Email: thenomansland@outlook.com Tumblr: thenoman-sland

Preferred organizations: - Rainbow Railroad - Transgender Law Center (See the list of approved organizations here)

Will create works that contain: Domestic stuff, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, most AUs, established relationships, character studies (for comics), dark!characters. I’m open to most things but I prefer to discuss it earlier.

Will not create works that contain: Anything omegaverse related, incest, mpreg, younger character/parental figure ships.

  -- Art --

Auction ID: 1021

Will create works for the following relationships: Erik Lehnsherr/Charles Xavier - Any Universe Erik Lehnsherr-centric - Any Universe Steve Rogers/Tony Stark - Any Universe Logan/Scott Summers - Any Universe Loki/Mobius - MCU Erik Lehnsherr/Logan - Any Universe

Work Description: I’m offering a digital illustration or a comic. Illustration: - $30 - 1 B&W illustration - $40–$45 - 1 full colour illustration - $53–$55: 2 B&W illustrations - $60–$63: 2 full colour illustrations For each illustration, the maximum of characters in it is three (3). Comic: - $30 - one B&W page - $40–$45 - 1 full colour page - $53–$55: 2 B&W pages - $60–$63: 2 full colour pages - $63–$65: 3 B&W pages - $78–$81: 3 full colour pages For the comic, I’m only offering a maximum of three (3) pages and only up to three characters main characters (this means, the comic will focus on those 1-3 characters. They will appear as many times as necessary in each page, but any other characters will be in the background and will be doodled) no matter how high bidding gets. For the illustration(s), background can be more complex. If it’s a comic, the backgrounds will be simpler. The final file will be delivered via email, high quality — the size of the canvas and file depends on the idea. I will start working on this as soon as we get in contact, but due to regular commissions, it might take a few months. You are free to print the work or post it anywhere you want (with credits) afterwards. No commercial use is allowed, though. I appreciate a brief description of your ideas and as much references as you can gather — a simple script too, in case we are working on a comic. I’m open to most ideas but it’s better if you reach out first to discuss it if you have any doubts.

Ratings: Gen, Teen, Mature, Explicit

Can pods bid on this auction? Yes - Podbids welcome!

CLICK HERE TO BID ON THIS WORK

The auction runs from October 22 (12 AM ET) to October 28 (11:59:59 PM ET). Visit marveltrumpshate.com during Auction Week to view all of our auctions and to place your bids!

[fullmetalfisting]

Here’s my August 2023 wrap up! Reviews under the cut. Also, I truly don’t understand how I wound up reading so many vampire-themed books this month! I don’t find vampires particularly interesting, this was just how my holds on books from the library shook out.

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer M. Armentrout | Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

⭐⭐

Summary: Poppy is the Maiden, a high-ranking position of power meant to usher in a new era of prosperity after she completes the mysterious “Ascension.” But as the Ascension grows nearer, her doubts begin to multiply. Her own misgivings paired with civil unrest cause her to question everything she knows. Also, one of her bodyguards is dreamy.

Thoughts: The worldbuilding was subpar to bad and the characters were all unlikable. The big twist was interesting, but not worth the slog it was to get there. Maybe I’m being too harsh, but I don’t understand why there are so freaking many New Adult Fantasy Romance books out these days. Of course, I would love to stumble upon a new Six of Crows or The Cruel Prince. But the fact is, not every author is skilled enough to write the new Grishaverse. I know a lot of people loved this book, but it just wasn’t it for me.

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard | Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Suspense

⭐⭐⭐ and 1/2

Summary: Lucy’s sister, Nicki, has been missing ever since she walked out of a Dublin bar late one night without a word to her friends. Angela is the Irish equivalent of a police dispatcher for the Missing Persons Unit who longs to be a detective herself. An unnamed man drives through the Irish countryside as he enumerates his crimes to the woman in his backseat, his latest victim. When Angela makes an alarming discovery, she sets a series of events into motion that changes the hunt for the serial killer plaguing Ireland and might just crack the case.

Thoughts: This was exceptionally entertaining, though the beginning was a bit slow. The commentary of what it’s like to be a woman in a precarious situation was spot-on, though it didn’t add anything new to the conversation. What I really enjoyed about this book was that it didn’t feel ghoulish, as crime novels often do since True Crime became so popular.

Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper | Young Adult, Witches, Historical Fiction, Mother and Daughter Relationships, Fantasy, Romance

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Avery Roe is descended from a long line of witches, all of whom resided on Prince Island, Massachusetts, giving up something unimaginable in order to obtain their magic, which they then use to protect the whalers at sea. But Avery’s mother saw the price that had to be paid in order to become the island’s witch and chose, instead, to attempt to make a life in Victorian society. Avery struggles against her mother’s rules, longing to go to her grandmother and learn the spells she needs to become the next island’s witch. But when Avery has a prophetic dream that shows her she will be murdered, suddenly Avery’s struggles become urgent.

Thoughts: This book had extraordinary prose and fantastic descriptions. Kulper masterfully depicted a tense relationship between mother and daughter. However, the price that is so built up that must be paid in order to obtain one’s magic was anticlimactic. I was, “That’s all?”

Naramauke by Lily Sparks | Young Adult, Companion Novella, Horror, Romance, Contemporary

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Erik’s version of events from the novel Teen Killers Club by Lily Sparks.

Thoughts: This novella gave readers of the Teen Killers Club series (final installment out in October) a glimpse into the motivations of characters that we didn’t get to see from Signal’s perspective. Definitely hyped me up for Teen Killers at Large.

Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long | Fantasy, Pirates, Romance, Magic

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: A swashbuckling fantasy set among pirates, tree spirits, and mages alike. Mary Firth is a Stormsinger: someone who can control the winds and weather with a song. She has kept her ability a secret all her life for her own safety, but when she is mistaken as a highwayman and brought to the noose, she has no choice but to sing herself out of the situation. Now, pirates and privateers are after her for her unique ability to sail ships wherever they need to go. But that’s not all they’re after.

Thoughts: While well-written and entertaining at times, I found myself at sea (pun not intended) for a lot of this. I think this type of story just wasn’t for me, and it isn’t going to be something I remember reading six months from now.

How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win a Wager by D.N. Bryn | M M Romance, Vampires, Contemporary, New Adult

⭐

Summary: Wes is a recent college graduate mourning the sudden disappearance of his beloved mother. Vincent is a starving, houseless vampire whose support system was yanked away from him when he was turned by accident during his freshman year of college. Together, they explore a milquetoast attraction to one another as Vincent experiences a veritable barrage of hate crimes while Wes stands insipidly by. Also, there are entire passages lifted from The Song of Achilles and reworded so it’s not technically plagiarism.

Thoughts: This was hot, wet garbage. It reads like fanfiction written by the cringiest theater kid you ever had the displeasure of meeting in high school. The dialogue reminds one of how young teenagers speak, not how adults interact with one another. Case in point: a side character asks Wes if Vincent makes him, “tingly in [his] pingly.” He proceeds to refer to his penis as his “pingly” for the rest of the novel. I can’t make this shit up. And while the plot was clearly too ambitious of a concept for the skill level of the author, I am still disappointed with the result of this whole pharmaceutical conspiracy.

Mister Magic by Kiersten White | Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Contemporary

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Everyone remembers their favorite childhood television show, Mister Magic. What no one can agree on is what Mister Magic looked like. Unlike most shows from the early 90s, it’s impossible to find recordings of the episodes, even in the furthest reaches of the internet. But in an era where nostalgia is extremely profitable, someone gets the idea to have a reunion of the cast of the show in the form of a podcast. Val is 38 and lives on a ranch in Idaho. She has no memories of her time before she and her father arrived at the ranch covered in fresh burn scars at the age of eight. But when three men show up to her father’s funeral, she feels like she’s met them before. And when they tell her that her mother is alive and they all share a past, she has no choice but to return to the place where Mister Magic was filmed in search of answers.

Thoughts: The opening of this book is stunning. It draws the reader in, playing on that weird Mandela Effect we all have about media from our own childhoods. However, as the story progresses, things become more and more surreal, to the point where I wasn’t sure I was following what exactly was going on. It was so abstract that I found myself getting frustrated and bored.

Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl | Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

⭐⭐⭐

NOTE: I read an ARC.

Summary: Isla Jane is an elder zoomer (not a millennial, as the book blurbs will have to believe) who was, like many of us post-college twentysomethings, one unforeseen expense away from financial disaster. That expense, for her, came in the form of a broken transmission, which caused her to miss rent payments, which caused her to get kicked out by her roommates. Thus kicks off Isla’s month-long struggle to keep her head above water while she sleeps under her desk at work, housesits, and crashes on her brother’s couch, all while her brother’s handsome best friend stands by, sometimes teasing her but most of the time supporting her.

Thoughts: Hartl discusses the economic woes all new adults face with startling accuracy (although I’m not sure why Isla didn’t go to a food rescue if she was so food-insecure). However, Isla’s introduction in the story is frankly a lot, and for a few chapters, I was siding with her roommates. I’ve had roommates of my own neglect to pay their share of rent and neglect to discuss it with me, and believe me, I was not happy when the landlord showed up wondering where his $500-odd dollars were. Despite the initial bad taste in my mouth, I did grow to like Isla and sympathize with her interpersonal problems with her parents: Boundaries matter. And I think Cade acted as a great foil in that regard. Just because someone had it worse than Isla, that doesn’t mean Isla isn’t allowed to be hurt by her parent’s thoughtlessness. Overall, a good portrayal of young millennial/elder zoomer financial struggles with a cute romance.

In Nightfall by Suzanne Young | Urban Fantasy, Horror, Contemporary, Young Adult, Vampires, Reimagining, Supernatural

⭐⭐

Summary: In this reimagining of the 1987 film The Lost Boys, a pair of siblings visit their father’s hometown in the wake of their parent’s divorce. While Marco immediately falls in love with the stunning and stunningly cool Minnow, our heroine, Theo, isn’t so enamored. Things get stranger and stranger as their visit progresses, until it’s clear that there’s something wrong with this town--and it’s gotten its claws into Marco.

Thoughts: This was maybe ten to fifteen chapters too long. The paperback is nearly 400 pages and if I’m being honest, a YA vampire thriller with no symbolism/philosophy to speak of has no business being so tedious and long. I had to force myself through certain parts. It had the potential to be really fun and creepy if an editor had gone through it with some hedge clippers. Instead, it was boring. Amazing cover though.

Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings | Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Mental Health, Travel, Humor

⭐⭐⭐

NOTE: I read an ARC.

Summary: Tilly just graduated high school by the skin of her teeth thanks to her ADHD making it impossible to focus in a traditional classroom setting. Oliver, also neurodivergent, runs a successful Instagram page utilizing Pantone’s colors to relate to the world around him and start a dialogue about color theory. Both have spots as summer interns for a startup nail polish company, where they traverse falling in love in a world that wasn’t made for your brain chemistry.

Thoughts: Despite its serious subject matter, I found Tilly in Technicolor to be both heartfelt and wildly funny. The dialogue was age-appropriate for a YA book without feeling like an adult was poorly imitating how kids talk, and the characters were all flawed from the jump without seeming unlikeable. I did, however, find myself rolling my eyes at the inevitable Final Act Breakup, though that was resolved in pretty short order.

The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan | Horror, LGBT, Mystery, Young Adult

⭐

Summary: Sloan and Cherry are the only two girls who survived a horrific mass-murder. Now, as Sloan is trying to recover her memories, she grows more and more certain that Cherry is gaslighting her about what really happened that night.

Thoughts: I was expecting a fun slasher book. What I got was two dysfunctional lesbians screaming at each for 75% of the book. I was like, Just break up already! You two are so toxic to one another! I was annoyed at how misleading the cover and blurbs on this book were.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas | Historical Fiction, Horror, Vampires, Vaqueros, Gothic, Romance

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: After a gruesome mauling by a gray, eyeless, humanoid monster, Néstor believes his childhood sweetheart, Nena, to be dead. In the wake of the attack, he flees the ranch he was raised on and spends the next nine years breaking horses by day and chasing Nena’s ghost away with copious amounts of alcohol and meaningless sex by night. But when he is called back to the ranch after the Texans declare war on Mexico, he discovers that Nena survived the attack, and she is furious that he left her without so much as a word. An accomplished healer, Nena accompanies her father’s battalion to war, where she and Néstor are separated from everyone else. Soon, she and Néstor learn that there is more to be scared of than just the Yanquís trying to take their land.

Thoughts: At first, I found this to be an excellent, immersive read that had me feeling Néstor’s grief and Nena’s anger. It transported me to mid-1800s Northern Mexico. As the story wore on, I found the interpersonal conflict to be deeply annoying. In his inner monologue, Néstor insists he loves Nena. Yet when the two fight, he hits below the belt, casting aspersions on her due to imagined slights and even blaming her for being complicit to the exploitation of the working class. Like, Dude. She’s an unmarried woman during the Victorian era and there are vampires attacking you. I’m all for bringing down capitalism but maybe some of your ire is a little misplaced. They both whine an exceeding amount throughout the story about their relationship.

Ashes in the Snow by Oriana Ramuno | Historical Fiction, World War II, Crime, Holocaust, Nazi Germany, Murder Mystery

⭐⭐⭐

Note: I read an ARC

Summary: The year is 1943 and Detective Hugo Fischer, accomplished criminologist, is sent to Auschwitz to investigate the mysterious death of a high-ranking SS officer. A young twin and current favorite of the infamous Josef Mengele, eight-year-old Gioele is the one who discovered the body. The boy strikes a deal with the detective: he will provide information if Hugo locates his parents.

Thoughts: This novel opens up with a punch to the face: Detective Hugo Fischer is standing on the train platform in front of Auschwitz, waiting to be escorted to the crime scene. From there, he watches as an SS officer rips a baby from her mother’s arms and stomps her to death. After witnessing such a thing, one would think that Hugo might not be shocked at the horror that awaits him inside the camp. Yet it seems as though every injustice shocks him anew. I’m like, Hugo, you just saw a man murder a baby in front of her mother and you’re shocked that the Nazis are performing human experimentation? Come on. But Hugo has, since the Nazi party seized power, kept his head down in order to survive, which is why he wears the swastika on his jacket and pretends his bad leg was the result of polio and not a degenerative disease. And while the book seemed to be leaning quite hard on Hannah Arendt’s idea of the banality of evil, there is no denying that what went on at Auschwitz was anything but banal. While it was an engrossing read, I found myself disliking all of the characters except Gioele, because I don’t believe the line of reasoning that plenty of Nazis were doing their jobs because execution was the only other option. We even learn that Hugo had job offers all over the world but chose to stay in Berlin. It was difficult sympathizing with a character who, when we meet him, witnessed the brutal murder of a baby girl without uttering so much as a word.

Eventide by Sarah Goodman | Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Magic

⭐⭐

Summary: When Verity and Lilah’s father is committed to an asylum after the death of their mother, the two sisters find themselves on an orphan train heading from New York City to the small town of Wheeler, Arkansas. When adorable, 11-year-old Lilah is adopted immediately and there are no offers made on taciturn, 17-year-old Verity, Verity must take on an indenture to stay close to her beloved sister. But Wheeler is an odd town with strange magic in its bones and not everyone is as they seem, especially the mild-mannered schoolteacher who adopted Lilah.

Thoughts: I really do not like the sort of story where something is obviously happening and everyone around the protagonist doesn’t believe them. At least Verity’s friends and the one social worker believed her. I suppose I found myself frustrated that Verity showed up to a town and had to pay for the sins of her parents. What a parent does shouldn’t be the child’s burden to bear and the ending wasn’t fair.

The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennet | Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Adventure

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Theodora Fox lives on the sidelines of her father’s Indiana Jones-esque treasure hunting career, staying behind at hotels with governesses and tutors as he and Huck Gallager--her ex-boyfriend and father’s apprentice of sorts--go on adventures. After Theo’s tutor absconds with all of her money, leaving Theo in a foreign city with no resources, the last person she wants to see is Huck Gallagher, who left in the middle of the night over a year ago without so much as a word. But when he tells her he believes her father to be in trouble, she has no choice but to set her feelings aside and team up with her former love to come to his rescue.

Thoughts: I really, really enjoyed the adventure side of this book. It was a fun romp through the Carpathian Mountains. The personal conflict between Huck and Theo, however, felt half-baked. It needed to be fleshed out a little more. And while the two seemed to agree that Fox (Theo’s father) was the root cause of their problems, that was never explored in any satisfying way. It felt like the author was rushing the ending rather than giving these characters catharsis after they’d been badly hurt by someone they both considered a parental figure.

With a Kiss We Die by L. R. Dorn | Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Ryanna Raines is an investigative journalist and host of the hit true-crime podcast known as, “The Raines Report.” Before landing on a subject for her sixth season, she receives an intriguing message on her tip line from a 22-year-old theater student from USCB whose parents were found murdered in their San Diego home. He knows that the police are days away from charging both him and his 18-year-old girlfriend with murder and he wants Raines to fly to California and give the young students a chance to tell their side of the story and proclaim their innocence.

Thoughts: At first, I found this read to be deeply absorbing. I liked the podcast-y format (though I haven’t listened to a podcast in years, I can still appreciate the unique approach to storytelling). But as the story wore on, it became clear that there would be no big twists or interesting discoveries. It was anticlimactic and perhaps that was the point as the book was a fictional lens with which to look at the true crime genre. Still, I found myself unsatisfied with the lack of mystery in this alleged mystery novel.

Cackle by Rachel Harrison | Horror, Fantasy, Witches, Contemporary

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Annie Crane, suffering from a devastating breakup, has no choice but to move out of her expensive NYC apartment she shared with her now-ex and take a job teaching upstate. In the small, picturesque village of Rowan, Annie meets Sophie and begins a life-altering transformation.

Thoughts: This was honestly a really funny read. I’ve read another book by this author that was equally as funny, so I expected that. However, I thought the plot could stand to be a little more developed and I would have liked it to be a little darker.

Jackal by Erin E. Adams | Horror, Race, Contemporary, Thriller, Black Horror, Supernatural

⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Liz Rocher grew up in the Rust Belt town of Johnstown, PA. A black girl in an affluent, predominantly white community, she struggled to fit in with her classmates throughout her childhood, and when she left the small town for New York City, it was for good. When her best friend announces she’s getting married, though, Liz sucks it up and returns to her hometown in order to be a bridesmaid and to visit her best friend’s nine-year-old daughter (her goddaughter), Caroline, who herself is half black. At the wedding, though, Caroline goes missing. This starts Liz down a path of discovery: black girls go missing every June in this little, idyllic town.

Thoughts: While this was an engrossing read, I can’t help but feel like it would have been more effective as a screenplay/movie. And while the novel subverted plenty of tropes, it was still in the tired genre of “woman with a substance abuse problem returns to hometown and stumbles upon a murderer.”

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine | Contemporary, Romance, Comedy, Vampires

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Chicago-based artist Cassie Greenberg is shocked to see a Craigslist apartment listed for only $200 a month. Financially desperate, she decides to meet her potential roommate, fully expecting to encounter a complete weirdo or worse. Well, her roommate is a weirdo: he’s wildly handsome, only comes out at night, never seems to cook or eat, and has a tenuous understanding of technology at best. When Cassie finds blood bags in the fridge, the pieces come together in her mind: her roommate is a vampire.

Thoughts: This was a super funny read. While I’d prefer the plot to be a little more developed, it was fun and campy and I laughed out loud more than once. Definitely didn’t take itself too seriously and I’d recommend it as a palate cleanser.

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt | Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Horror, Cults

⭐⭐

Summary: Wil and Elwood were best friends until her mom went missing last year. Then Wil finds herself being gaslighted by the local police and begins noticing all the deeply strange rituals of the local church. Worse, she’s sure she has seen members of the church wearing her mother’s jewelry. Elwood’s father is the preacher and leader of the strange church, and when Wil confronts Elwood, he chooses believing his family over believing her. That is, until he overhears his father speaking about human sacrifice to the local sheriff and realizes he must run for his life.

Thoughts: I thought the prose was overly-flowery and Elwood’s abrupt shift from steadfastly believing his family of being innocent to immediately believing them to be murderers was strange to say the least. He doesn’t even take the time to question what he overheard. He just runs away.