#I'm sick in bed with Covid so please enjoy

[squirrellypoo]

The Newsreader s2ep4 "The Hungry Truth"

[shurisasthmaticgf]

oh baby he down bad: charles leclerc x black fem! reader

summary: three times when you realized you truly did have your boyfriend wrapped around your finger

warnings: crying, period mention, swearing

blog moved to @delewlew

author's note: this is the first charles fic i've written so please be kind...i hope you all enjoy it. i'm sick with covid and i was loopy on meds when i wrote this so i hope it makes sense 💀 comments and other feedback are welcome and appreciated!

whoisyn uploaded a story!

you laid in your bed curled into fetal position with your phone mere inches from your forehead. the room was dark but light enough to see half of your face as your eyes welled with tears. you rambled, "a few weeks ago when i was visiting new york i bought a bunch of takis and nerds clusters because they don't sell them over here in monaco and i went to go get a bag of both and i didn't know i ran out! i'm so upset i don't even want to settle for anything else." you wailed loudly, mixing in a few laughs at how ridiculous you probably looked but you had no shame as you hit post.

the entire day had been going pretty shit from the moment when you woke up and bled through your favorite pajamas to nearly passing out when you wanted to have a relaxing hot shower to make you feel better. now you were just laying in bed clinging to your body pillow that had lingering notes of your boyfriend's cologne. it was early in the night but your entire body felt like it was hit by a bus and you were one tylenol away from needing a stomach flush yet it didn't actually feel like it was helping. to make things worse, all you wanted was your boyfriend but he was supposed to be going out right after he got off of work.

you laid stiff in your bed in an obscure position because you found that was the only one that didn't make you feel worse. the door to your bedroom opened and your boyfriend entered wearing pajama pants and no shirt. you squinted through the dim light and mumbled, "babe? thought you were going out tonight? you had that thing." charles placed two bags of your favorite snacks onto your nightstand and responded, "i was but i found out through twitter that my girlfriend was crying at home." you turned your face away from him out of embarrassment because you were literally crying over chips and candy. he turned your chin back to him, "why didn't you call me, mon cœur?" you shrugged and reached for the bag of candy, "it wasn't that serious." he pulled you closer to him and you shifted positions so your head was against his chest. charles pressed a kiss to your forehead, "anything that bothers you is serious to me, darling. but, i am here and you have your snacks so we can watch your movie like we always do, yes?" you nodded and turned on Princess and The Frog which was one of your comfort movies since childhood.

whoisyn posted a story!

replies:

lilymhe WHP IS YOUE DEALER PLS 🙏

↳ whoisyn lemme ask charles

francisca.cgomes feel better bby <3

↳ whoisyn thank you so much ily ily ily ❤️

logansargeant i still have like 3 bags of hot cheetos and those nerds things for you from when you asked me to grab you some when i had a layover in new york

↳ whoisyn omg i forgot abt those! i'll get them next week if u bring em. ty ty.

alex_albon lily wanted me to ask you who your dealer is? she said you'd know what she meant

↳ whoisyn oh my bad pookie i forgot...but charles said he just has a stash of american snacks at his place for me. i'll bring her some next weekend tho dw ❤️

↳ alex_albon THANK YOU OMG I COULD KISS YOU RN - lily

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

you cut through one of the alleyways out of street view once you noticed someone had been recording you as you walked through the streets of monaco. most of the time you managed to sneak through the city without being spotted but today you had to make a trip to the mall where a handful of people recognized you immediately. as someone who was never in the public eye and lived as a "regular" person you were still getting used to people recognizing you and following you around. time and time again you'd gone viral for your fan responses when they asked for pictures or autographs, usually a laugh and "why, i'm not the famous one?" you were genuine with your interactions and were known for helping fans get autographs or deliver fan letters to charles at grand prix weekends. although you enjoyed this aspect of his fanbase, sometimes it was too much and you just wanted to live in peace like you used to. so you'd learned every back road and sidewalk to your shared apartment for quick escapes.

the alleyway was quiet and away from the few people that were walking and talking beside you. just as you were to round a corner you heard a soft meow. stopping dead in your tracks you looked around confused to where the sound was coming from. there was silence then another meow, and another, and another until you realized a small orange cat a few meters away was the culprit. the tiny kitten was shaking and wet in some fluid you only hoped was water, but by the smell it was definitely sewage, pipe, or garbage juice. you wrinkled your nose and held the helpless fur ball in your palm, "shit...what the fuck do i do?" the kitten nibbled on your thumb and you stretched your finger away, "don't do that i don't want rabes or whatever cats can carry." you looked over your shoulder and sighed, "well i guess i have a cat now... let's go."

once back in your apartment you put the small kitten in your bathroom tub on an old rag. the small animal meowed and mewed the entire time you rinsed it off with the only soap you had that was safe according to google. instead of drying it's fur with your blowdryer you just towel dried it which he continued meowing. you'd never had a cat and didn't know what it meant when kittens meowed so you just started rambling, "well that's so interesting you feel that way because i literally said the same thing too! like i don't even know why that would make sense because when you really think about it they always want you to think that but in reality the truth is the complete opposite of what they want you to believe." the orange kitten looked at you with its head turned to the side and you sighed, "i don't know what you want from me man i just met you." the cat meowed louder and you mumbled, "that was definitely a cuss word but i'll let it slide."

an hour later you had given the kitten a small amount of some canned tuna and it fell asleep curled into your neck against the towel you kept it wrapped in.

charles entered your apartment with his eyes on his phone as he called out, "i'm home- oh." he usually expected you to be in your room so when you were out in the main room on the sofa he was startled. you sipped from the smoothie you'd gotten from the fridge and looked up from the book you were reading, "hi baby." charles stared at the kitten on your chest then back at you, "hi beautiful." he waited for you to say anything about the new addition and when you didn't he prompted, "what do you have there?" you looked at your hand and held up the cup, "a smoothie." you took a long sip and the straw crackled loudly, "oh yeah i figured out how to make that one hailey bieber has at that overpriced place in LA. it's actually really good i see why people lost their shit over it."

your boyfriend nodded slowly and pointed to the kitten on you, "my love, please tell me why is there a cat on you." for a minute you looked at him as if he was making it up but then you realized you never got around to actually texting him what happened. he waited for you to explain because the story had to be good if you, notorious anti-pet owner, came home with a cat and let it sleep on you.

you told him while looking at the kitten, "yeah, you're a daddy now." charles replied with too much ease, "i know that you call me that but that cat does not." you looked up with an exasperated glare, "can you be serious for one minute please." charles chuckled and apologized, "okay okay you go, tell me why i am now both of your daddys." you raised your hand to throw one of the clean rags you hadn't used at him which he shielded his face from, "okay i'm sorry go ahead." as you retold the entire thing charles just stood there with a fond smile, finding the whole ordeal quite amusing. at the end of your story he reached for the kitten and pulled back his hand, "why is it slippery?" you answered, "i put coconut oil on it so it didn't get ashy." charles started laughing once more and you smacked his shoulder lightly, "hey i never had a pet besides a fish okay! i'm trying my best here." charles pulled you into a hug and pressed a kiss to your lips, "and you're going to be a great cat mom too, you've already done a good thing."

whoisyn

liked by charles_leclerc, f1, and 44,304 others

whoisyn happy birthday son to my son chisme octavius nortorious C.A.T. l/n-leclerc

view all 12, 079 comments

username1 WE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST CHISME LMAO WHY WOULD YOU NAME HIM ALL THAT-

whoisyn chisme bc if you pretend to gossip he'll immediately listen and start spilling tea too. octavius because charles said it sounded regal, and notorious C.A.T. for the culture.

↳ username2 LMAO YALL KINDA ATE NGL

charles_leclerc my two loves ❤️

username2 i need limited edition chisme x ferrari merch @/scuderiaferrari

↳ scuderiaferrari 👀

olliebearman i miss my brother

↳ whoisyn he misses you too <3

username3 i remember when y/n first found him, i can't believe he's a year old already :( he's so big now

username4 i thought charles said he wanted a dog

↳ whoisyn well i didn't find a dog, i found a cat. so we have a cat.

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

the video had circulated on twitter only a few hours after it dropped and you'd noticed your name trending on the internet. after making the mistake of checking why you were trending once, you'd never really paid much attention to it again. the first time many people were shaming you for dating your boyfriend and making jabs at your physical appearance. rather quickly you realized it would be better to just keep up with silly memes your friends sent to you opposed to stalking every corner of the internet to see what people were saying about you.

this specific instance was charles in an interview and he'd mentioned you briefly while playing a game of this or that:

"do you prefer a weekend getaway to the coast for a snorkeling trip or the mountains for a skiing adventure?" the interviewer quizzed charles on his current vacation preferences. the driver asked, "is this by myself or with people?" the interviewer answered with a small smirk, "you and one other person- can be anyone, best friend, sibling, girlfriend, mom, etc." charles let out a laugh and knew what the interviewer was getting at and chose to went along with it for fan service. he thought for a moment then answered, "i think the snorkeling trip, my girlfriend likes this kind of thing with the fish, sea animals, and the diving in the water. that and she is better of a skier and snowboarder than me so..." out of the frame the interviewer laughed and joked, "a little mermaid moment, i love it."

you looked at the video and laughed when you noticed the small hello kitty band aid on his hand. earlier that week he'd gone with you out to the sea and you'd found a small cove to swim around in. somewhere along the way back charles had cut his hand on a rock and you'd put a little band aid on it from the only stash you had, and he had no complaints over the pink cartoon design. he found it cute and whenever he looked at it he was reminded of you.

whoisyn

liked by charles_leclerc, sanrio, and 53, 432 others

whoisyn oh, he look so cute wrapped around my finger 🎀

view all 12,855 comments

username1 SLIDES 5 AND 6-

alex_albon drop the link for the shirt

username2 CHARLES GOT THAT SHIT AWNNNN 😤😤😤

↳ comment pinned by creator

hellokitty we love to see this 🤩

↳ whoisyn omg pls sponsor me 😍

↳ sanrio check DM! ❤️

f1 i'd play mermaids there

↳ whoisyn we did 🤭

↳ landonorris WITHOUT ME? 😞

↳ danielricciardo X 2 💔

↳ georgerussell X 3 😪

↳ whoisyn my bad...next time we'll send a text

username3 oh baby he's down bad

username4 no way in hell she got this man in hello kitty pants after a long day of playing mermaids 💀

↳ username5 just say ur a loser who doesn't know how to have fun

comment has been liked by creator

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

the end.

[gingerbloof]

cough syrup (astarion x sick gn!tav)

contents: fluff, sick, stubborn tav, astarion being sweet, mentions of hunting, mentions of other companions (Shadowheart), medicine, kissing, sexual innuendo authors note: hii all, i'm still down with covid, unfortunately, but i hope this self indulgent fic will suffice for now! thank you all for the love on my past fics. i really apprecaite you all. please enjoy! word count: 1,726

You woke in the middle of the night, sweat trickling down your forehead despite your shivering. Gods, you were freezing…

The moon was full and big in the sky, and even the soft rays of moonlight made your head throb. You groan softly and sit up. As soon as you did, a horrendous sounding cough escaped your chest.

Oh, Gods… Please don’t be sick…

You swallowed thickly, your throat stinging in pain and parched. You slowly get up, careful not to wake anyone and make your way down by the river to get some water. You stumble a bit, your head pounding and your ears full. You knelt down by the bank and cupped your hands in the water. The coolness of it made you shiver even more. You brought your hands to your lips and drank down the water, your throat stinging in reply. Another ghastly cough left you, filling the silent night. You tried to muffle it as much as you could so you didn’t wake anyone.

Your head throbbed even more with each cough, every movement proving exhausting. You tried to stand, but your legs wobbled and you tipped over. Before your bottom could hit the dirt, a swift pair of arms caught you. A soft, familiar chuckle was heard from behind you, but you were too delirious to realize who it was, but as soon as a honeyed, yet snarky voice met your ears, you instantly knew who it was.

“Clumsy this evening, are we, my dear?”

“Astarion…” You hoarsely greeted him. 

There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that you two cared for each other. Astarion had even admitted it a couple weeks ago, though neither of you really knew what this was. Regardless, he had been a sweet and careful partner thus far, and you admired him more and more for that as each day passed.

He helped to shift you back onto your feet. You wobbled a bit as you regained your balance, trying your best to hide your illness. You cleared your throat nasally as you looked at him.

“I’m sorry, love. Did I wake you?” You asked, trying to keep your voice as still and well sounding as possible. “No, no,” He said, licking some blood off the back of his hand that you had barely noticed. “I just got back from hunting. Your neck is safe for tonight, my dear,” He gave you a playful wink. You chuckled softly, another cough escaping you. You tried to cut it short, but you struggled as you went into a short coughing fit. His face grew with worry as he stepped closer to you, rubbing your back gently.

“Goodness, my sweet… You sound positively dreadful,” He said, a tone of worry replacing his usual honeyed voice. “Are you ill?” He asked. You shook your head, your coughs residing for now. “N-No,” You struggled to speak, phlegm coating the back of your throat. “Just a sore throat is all.”

A chuckle left the pale elf’s lips, shaking his head. “My love, I can hear the way your lungs are struggling right now. This is no sore throat,” He stood in front of you and placed the back of his hand on your forehead, humming softly. “As I suspected. You’ve a fever… You poor thing,” He cooed, trying to place a gentle kiss on your dry lips. You pursed your lips and turned your head away. “Mm-nm, Astarion. I don’t want to get you sick…” 

He let out a soft laugh. “Darling, may I remind you… I’m a vampire,” He smirked. “I don’t fall ill unless I haven’t fed. Now, come. You are going back to bed,” He kissed your lips successfully this time, and swiftly lifted you into his arms bridal style. You let out a soft sound of surprise and instinctively wrapped your arms around his neck. 

Before you knew it you were laying back down, but not in your own bedroll. In Astarion’s. He spoke a gentle “Won’t be moment, dear,” Before he hurried off to gather some extra blankets. He came back a few moments later and wrapped you up snugly in them. He obviously loved coddling you like this, because you saw a faint smile on his face as you cooed in content at the warmness of the blankets.

He tucked some loose strands of hair behind your ear and placed a soft peck on your forehead. “Sleep, now, love. I’ll go and see if our healing friends can do anything about this come morning.” You nodded slowly, feeling the everloving embrace of not only your partner, but sleep overcome you.

You woke a few hours later in yet another coughing fit. You sat up so you could catch your breath and notice Astarion is no longer with you. You looked over to the flaps of the tent and they were tightly closed. The sun had risen and the very few rays of light that came into the tent practically blinded you as you slowly opened your eyes.

You heard the sounds of Astarion’s and Shadowheart’s voices just outside the tent, slightly bickering.

“What sort of cleric are you if you can’t heal them?” You heard Astarion scoff. You could practically picture the way he was standing; arms crossed, a slight pout on his face and very defensive. Shadowheart sighed hopelessly. “As much as I would like to heal Tav, whatever has infected them will not heal simply with magic…” She said reluctantly. “It’s not fatal, if that’s what you’re worried about. Unfortunately, however, they will have to face this the old fashioned way; by simply resting and natural remedies.” Astarion sighed, defeated. “Alright… Well, thank you for trying. Now, shoo. Or you’ll be ill next,” He said.

You heard Shadowheart’s footsteps walk away before the flaps of the tent slowly, carefully opened. As he shut them tightly, another coughing fit took over you. You were positively drenched with sweat and your entire body ached. You felt like death.

Astarion quickly turned to you and cupped your face in his cool hands, his face deep with worry. “Oh, my poor little love…” He cooed. He shifted beside you and rubbed your back as you kept coughing. Tears formed in your eyes as you struggled to take in a breath, every attempt causing you to cough even harder.

Astarion frantically searched his tent for anything to help soothe the cough, even if it was temporary. He quickly grabbed a bottle of simple cough syrup that Shadowheart had given him and poured you a cap full. He handed it to you as your coughing fit slowly started to stop. You waved your head in dismissal, shaking your head. “No, love…” You said, each word scratching and gnawing at your throat. “I’m fine.” You insisted. Astarion huffed, not budging and shoving the cap toward you again.

“Right, and I adore Gale,” He said sarcastically. This made you roll your eyes. You looked at him and he wore a stern, yet pleading expression. “Take the medicine, my love.” He said, holding the cap in front of you.

Your nose curled up in disgust as you eyed the thick red liquid. Ever since you were a child you hated medicine. Your mother had to practically hold you down and force you to take it because you hated it so much. You grumbled and shook your head at him.

He sighed, and raised a hand in defense. “Alright, if you’re so sure…” He begrudgingly gave in, taking the cap away from you. You smirk in success, a lighthearted “Hmph” leaving your lips. He smirked at you and shook his head. “Even sick, you are the cheekiest little pup, aren’t you?” He purred. You flushed through your already reddened face and looked away meekly. 

A moment passed, then his cold fingers took your chin and led your head back to face him. He smiled warmly and leaned in to you, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. You smiled into the kiss. He briefly swiped his tongue across your bottom lip, asking for access to your mouth. When you complied and parted your lips, you suddenly tasted a disgusting fluid entering your mouth. 

Cough syrup…

He kept his lips firmly against yours, forcing you to swallow. You shoved him away weakly, your face scrunching up in disgust once again. You stuck your tongue out in disgust. “Blech!!”

That sneaky bastard…

“Ughh, Astarion!” You groaned, the sickly sweet fluid coating your throat, already starting to alleviate some pain. He laughed successfully and hard, falling over onto his side, clutching his stomach. You pouted at him as he laughed. “That wasn’t funny…” You whined, crossing your arms.

He sighed happily, wiping a tear of joy from his eye. He sat up and kissed your nose sweetly. “Oh, my dear, you are too easy!” He scooted so he was next to you and propped up on his elbow on his side, giving you a devilish smirk. 

You rolled your eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle. “You asshole,” You said, curling up under your covers again. He giggled and shrugged. “I mean, it was either that, or I could’ve put it on my-” You gasped and quickly sat up, hushing him. “Astarion!” You said, shocked at the audacity of him. He laughed once again, laying you back down.

“You would’ve taken it then, wouldn’t you?” He asked, his smirk growing. You shook your head and scoffed, allowing him to lay you back down. “Shut up,” You said, nuzzling your face into his chest. He chuckled and kissed the crown of your head, wrapping his arms snugly around you.

You both stayed there for the rest of the day while your other companions went out to travel. You slept most of the day, although you were interrupted by a couple of coughing fits, thankfully not as bad now that you had taken something. All throughout the day, whether you were sleeping or not, Astarion would check in on you and check to see if your fever had broken, which it did after a few hours. He brought a damp rag to place on your forehead and would read to you while you would drift back to sleep.

He was the sweetest, most compassionate lover you had ever had… As long as you had him to take care of you, maybe being sick wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

[multifandom--mess]

Hannigram Fic Recs!

These are just a select few of my personal favorites. I'm sorry if these are too long but I mostly only read long fics

Shark Tank by xzombiexkittenx (71k) (Explicit) - Will and Hannibal meet in prison. Hannibal is still the Ripper, Will is still a profiler who had encephalitis. Only now they're cell mates (SO GOOD and i love love the ending of this one)

Five Times Hannibal Visits Will and One Time He's Already Home (or: Coffee Cake) by bones_2_be (82k) (Explicit) - When Will tells Hannibal to leave at the end of Digestivo, he goes. And then, a few years later, he shows back up. They have long conversations, drink a lot of wine, at the end of it all they find something that works.

In Sickness and in Health by BonesAndScales (76k)(Mature) - Everyone knows that Will and Hannibal are married. Not everyone knows that they are married to each other. (SO CUTE)

Letters to You by Wr4tttttthh (17k)(Explicit) - Will and Hannibal want to learn to love. It isn't easy, it never was. (Post-Fall where they both keep a journal and they write letters to each other. There's some angst but its so so so sweet such a good read)

Time Waits for No One by Shotgun_sinner (104k)(Explicit) - After Will turns Hannibal away in Digestivo, he does not surrender to Jack. Instead, he heads to Cuba with Chiyoh, where he recovers from emotional and physical wounds. Hannibal was resolved to let Will go, and he does. Until he reads a Wedding Engagement announcement, that is. (THIS ONE IS SO GOOOD)

On Hiatus by Observe_or_Participate (197k)(Explicit) - AU where Abigail and Hannibal met in similar circumstances to those narrated in S1, only without Will being in the picture. They bonded. 4 years later, it's early summer 2021. Hannibal and Abigail are living in Tuscany as father and daughter, where they run a high-end bed and breakfast in a remote location on the hills... amongst other things. FBI profiler Will Graham, on leave from work after the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic worsened his already iffy mental health, arrives on the premises, for reasons he is not fully ready to admit to himself. An incendiary attraction between our two boys is inevitable, but how honest can they really be with each other? (THIS IS SO UNDERRATED OMG)

between here and there by deadratz (78k)(Explicit) - Will's name is the last word Hannibal spoke in his presence. That was two months ago, directly after the fall, and Hannibal has not said a single word since. Now Will has to navigate through their lives together without Hannibal's voice to guide him. (PLEASE READ THIS ONE IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL)

Falling Away with You by Shotgun_sinner (191k)(Explicit) - Will Graham is a private detective with a fiancée who doesn't understand him, his empathy disorder, or his obsession with catching the Chesapeake Ripper. His night terrors force him into an ultimatum; couple's therapy, or their relationship is done. Will meets his new therapist, Hannibal Lecter, and his entire world is turned upside down. (this is one of the first hannigram fics i ever read and i still come back to it often it is so good)

Dianthus Barbatus by Cynthia_Cross (84k)(Explicit) - Set 10 years before the start of the show, Will and Hannibal meet in the dead of night while dumping the bodies of their respective victims in the same place. (THIS IS SOME GOOD SHIT HERE)

With a Crown of Stars by romanticallyinept (33k)(Explicit) - When the call connects, Will says, “I know what kind of crazy I am, but I’m not this kind of crazy.” “Will?” Dr. Lecter says. “Yes, hi, sorry,” Will says. “It’s me. There’s a baby on my porch.” (A cute kidfic to end with. I was grinning the whole time)

I hope you guys enjoy these. If you read any of them(or have read them before) tell me your thoughts. I feel like i don't have anyone to scream with about fics

@imthebisexual @mildlyinterestedcreature

[maniculum]

Bestiaryposting Results: Raggfong

This week's beast was the Raggfong, much to the dismay of everyone who is sick of birds. Again, sorry, there are a bunch... and the random distribution put a clump of them in December/January, so it's going to get worse before it gets better. If it helps, imagine it's some kind of ritual to empower the birds currently eating the Gävle goat. Or maybe a "Twelve Days of Christmas" sort of thing -- we've already had the partridge.

Also again please forgive me if I fail to string sentences together properly -- still sick. Covid, actually, turns out. The brain fog is difficult; almost forgot I was supposed to do this today.

Anyway, here is the link to the entry that our artists are working from:

(Why did I redact the Greek and Latin names for the coot? I'm not making any effort to hide its identity... baffling choice on the part of Past Me.)

And if you have no idea what this is about, you should take a look at https://maniculum.tumblr.com/bestiaryposting for an explanation and previous entries.

As usual, art will appear in roughly chronological order under the cut.

@elodieunderglass (link to post here) responded days before anyone else with this image, which successfully conveys a lot of emotion in my opinion. Those are some very communicative facial expressions on the birds. I particularly like the coot, and how it's positioned to shield the chick from the sun. The real gem here, however, is the text of the post linked above, which I would describe as a prose poem about the bird depicted. I'm genuinely a bit blown away by it -- go click the link and read it for yourself.

@embervoices (link to post here) has got some kind of effect going on here that I don't know enough about art to describe, but I like the way it looks. Her post mentions the phoenix connection, which I think comes through pretty clearly in the design and pose. The linked post explains some design decisions, including which real-world birds were the inspiration for this one.

@silverhart-makes-art (link to post here) helpfully specifies that this Raggfong is resting on a bed of sea kale. The design of this bird is very good, I think, conveying a certain gravity one does not always associate with seabirds. I also like the effect created by the background; it kind of looks like it's the cover for something, you know? The linked post explains the various birds from which the artist borrowed features and why, and also discusses the evocative nature of the entry this is based on -- I'm glad people are enjoying that aspect.

@rautavaara (link to post here) has made the executive decision that this bird is actually a frog, and the drawing is frankly too pretty for me to have any kind of problem with that. Look at that border. And the wonderful color palette. Also there's a flying frog, which is very cool.

@cheapsweets (link to post here) notes an emerging theme in these entries that birds (except coots) are jerks. I honestly can't remember how consistent that theme is across all the birds... I know there are some the author likes, but there are also definitely going to be additional Birds That Are Jerks in future. I like the crown-like crest on the Raggfong, and I'm impressed by the dedication involved in doing all those little body feathers with a fountain pen. Also, if you look closely, you'll see that one of those chicks the adult Raggfong is carrying has been shown staring off in the same direction as its parent, while the other has its head turned and its eyes closed, meaning we can expect it to join the coots off to the right... and there's already a young Raggfong there, too. The linked post contains a detailed explanation of design decisions, which you should go check out. (Also, thanks again for providing alt text.)

@coolest-capybara (link to post here) has employed her usual medieval stylization to depict a Raggfong inspired by an albatross (on the grounds that they are a seabird with "judgy" eyes... you know, I can see it). I am absolutely delighted by the scrungliness of the chick being shown here, which does indeed have the "muppet made from dryer lint" quality of a real albatross chick. They have also included a series of pictures that show the whole life cycle, which I've decided (after substantial back-and-forth) to not copy over here as there's a certain color-of-the-sky quality there, but which I strongly encourage you to click on the link and look at for yourself. I particularly like that the coot in the "life cycle" picture appears to have a couple Ilyechams in her flock in addition to the new Raggfong.

@moustawott (link to post here) describes their Raggfong as a gannet mixed with an eagle, and it looks pretty majestic, honestly. The background really enhances that effect, and I think it makes a much more entertaining contrast with the two little chicks being carried below. There's a certain severity to the design that I think is fitting.

@pomrania (link to post here) has ditched the whole "coot" thing for a more direct interpretation of the Raggfong's "common counterpart", which they deem the "Ritchfong". I kind of like the idea of two related species of bird that the human observer has interpreted to have class divisions. The crest on the Raggfong is also a very appropriate touch, I think. The linked post contains additional detail on design decisions, and links to some process images, so go check that out.

@treesurface (link to post here) has decided that the Raggfong should actually be a sort of insect that people mistake for a bird, which I think is quite clever. They explain their reasoning for that a bit more in the linked post, along with some other notes on design and execution that I think are worth reading. I really like the concept that the "unmoving wings" are elytra, and the kind of glittering quality that they suggest here. (I also appreciate that they provide their own alt text.)

@karthara (link to post here) has drawn a Raggfong in several scenarios to express the behavior described in the entry. I really like the overall design here, with the feathery tufts on its head. Also charming is that one flying up near the sun -- it looks so happy to be on fire. The linked post explains the design decisions and the real-world birds from which karthara has taken inspiration. They also mention they included the coot chicks after looking them up and seeing how colorful they are, so I did a quick google and found this great headline:

(Tl:dr coot parents show preference for more colorful chicks, so the later the chick hatches, the more colorful it is, allowing it to compete with its larger, older siblings for food and attention.)

And finally, the Aberdeen Bestiary depiction:

The one diving into the basin just looks so goofy to me, sorry. Anyway, as I'm sure everyone has guessed, this is the eagle.

Yeah. I know. The whole "fiery rebirth" thing sounds like it should be the phoenix, but this bestiary has an entry for "Phoenix" and it's not this one.

Regular listeners to the Maniculum Podcast may recall this particular eagle behavior coming up before, in the quiz-show episode we did for the second part of "Sidrak & Bokkus". I still don't really know where this idea comes from, but there you go. Eagles.

I feel like there's some kind of comment that could be made over the lack of compassion shown by the medieval eagle here and, you know...

... but I can't quite formulate it, so you'll have to write your own.

Anyway, see y'all next week for our next beaſt.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

hiya:)

i'm feeling kinda sick - just a common cold it's really nothing but annoying af. got any recs on common cold (pure fluff) fics? i tried to find sth in your tumblr but i kinda got lost... 😅

*bakes you some christmas cookies*

Hi Lovely *HUGS*

I'm so sorry you're feeling like shite <3

I have a few that deal specifically with being sick! I hope you enjoy these, and please, if anyone has others, please do add them! 

COLDS, FEVERS, and FLUS

See also:

Doctor / Caretaker John

Doctor / Caretaker John Pt. 2

Doctor / Caretaker John Pt. 3

Doctor / Caretaker John Pt. 4

Sherlock is Sick/Hurt (Sherlock Whump)

Sherlock Whump Pt. 2

John Whump / Sherlock Takes Care of John

John Whump / Sherlock Takes Care of John Pt. 2

John Whump / Sherlock Takes Care of John Pt. 3

John Whump with Guilty Sherlock

John at the Surgery

Quarantine / Lockdown / Pandemic (MFL’s)

COVID-19 Fic Recs (SWISS MISS List)

COLDS, FEVERS, and FLUS

You Lead, I Lead, You Follow, I Follow by BrighteyedJill (M, 862 w., 1 Ch. || Fever, Hurt/Comfort, John Whump) – John wakes up after a chase gone wrong to find Sherlock watching over him, but he’s a little hazy on the details.

Usefulness of Having Friends by ObservationofTrifles (K, 1,052 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship)  – Sherlock is sick and John is bringing him to the doctor's. On the way there in the tram, John decides to play a deduction game to cheer Sherlock up.

Sleep Tonight by Jenn1984 (T, 1,220 w, 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Bed Sharing, Worried Sherlock, Sick John, Hugs/Cuddles, Touch Neediness) – Fingers begin prying open his jacket looking for a wound and John would really like to swat at them. No, he's not hit anywhere, he's just damn sick.- John Watson has a fever.

Bringing Colour to the World by SD_Ryan (G, 1,168 w., 1 Ch. || Established Relationship, Sick Fic, Fluff, Schmoop) – In which we encounter a sick detective, a snuggle on the couch, and a silly fairytale.

I'm Sorry by bewdifuldragon (K, 1,172 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Sick John) – During a case - that just for the record, he never wanted to take on anyway - John falls ill; and a guilt-ridden Sherlock does everything he can to make amends.

Giveaway Fic #9 - Angsty Sick Fic/Sherlock is Sick by ConsultingPurplePants (T, 1,734 w., 1 Ch. || Sick Fic, Hypothermia) – The next time he awakens is even more chaotic. Two doctors are shouting at each other in the corner, and John is holding his hand so tightly Sherlock is worried he’ll break it. Part 9 of 1000 Tumblr Followers Giveaway Fics

The Adventure of the Mysterious Appearance of Tissues by Gwen's Blue Box (K+, 1,910 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff, Humour, Sick John, Caring Sherlock, Hurt/Comfort) – In which there is a case, John has caught a cold and is not interested in investigating, Mrs Hudson is away and Sherlock does the shopping.

Q 1 HR by StillWaters1 (K+, 2,234 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Sick John, Fluff, New Year’s Eve) – On New Year's Eve, Sherlock discovers that sometimes it's the seemingly innocuous, rather than life-threatening, conditions that can keep John from The Work. And John is reminded just how deeply their friendship runs.

Entanglement by orphan_account (G, 3,218 w., 1 Ch. || Confessions, Physics, Metaphors, Texting, Pining, Christmas, Mind Palace, Sick Fic, Fluff, Humour, Praise Kink) - On Christmas Eve, snow covers London, John visits Harry, and Sherlock and Mrs. Hudson untangle some knots.

Water Is Another Matter by cathedral_carver (T, 3,903 w., 1 Ch. || Sick Fic, Pining, First Kiss, Heat Wave, Skinny Dipping) – He thinks it’s in trouble, his poor heart.

Five Times John Cooked Something with Peas and One First Kiss by 221b_careful_what_you_wish_for (T, 3,915 w., 1 Ch. || 5 and Ones, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Cooking / Food, Sick Sherlock, Music, Domestic Fluff, First Kiss) – After John cooks five dinners that slowly reveal their hunger for each other, Sherlock and John finally share a first kiss.

I'll Take Care of You by Lastew (T, 4,123 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Sick John) – Sherlock doesn't always communicate well and sometimes that leads to problems. What happens if John suffers because of it?

Between Asleep and Awake by katydidit (K, 4,309 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Sick Fic, Post-TRF / Reunion) – John is sick. Incredibly, extremely, dangerously sick. Plagued by a high fever, he begins to hallucinate, start seeing things that aren't really there. Because they can't be there. Can they?

Cephalalgia by the_beekeeper_of_sussex (E, 4,979 w., 3 Ch. || First Kiss / Time, Sick Fic, Porn With Feelings, Love Declarations, Frottage, Friends to Lovers) – John is in pain and it's up to Sherlock to set him to rights by any means possible.

The Dying Detective Remix by SailorChibi (K, 6,563 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship & Family) – No one hates admitting illness or wounds more than Sherlock... perhaps that's why no one believes him when he actually gets sick. Fortunately, when he can't do it himself any longer, John and Lestrade are there to pick up the slack. Features Paternal!Lestrade and Gen John and Sherlock. One-shot.

On Favors and Keeping Score by Ewebie (G, 7,622 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Sick Fic, Fluff, John Whump) – John woke up to the horribly unpleasant sound of his clock alarm. Which meant he’d slept through his phone’s alarm. And for a moment he glared blearily at the noisemaker before smacking at it with his palm. Ugh, he felt like rubbish. The back of his throat was burning with the irritation that heralded a proper dose, his nose was threatening to drip every few seconds, and he had the uncomfortable flush that normally suggested a fever. Nothing high, just uncomfortable. Nothing deadly, just irritating. Nothing worth calling in sick with, just a full day of discomfort in the face of other people’s discomfort. It was going to be a day where he was forced to bite his tongue from telling people off. “You’re not as sick as I am, so off you pop.” Part 7 of Tumblr Shorts

You're a Doctor, Fix me by edken (K+, 8,792 w., 2 Ch. || Humour, Romance, Sick Sherlock) – Sherlock doesn't do anything halfway, and that includes getting sick. John nurses a very sick flatmate back to health using cuddles, forehead kisses, and a massage. Humor, and fluff promised as always, but also some character analysis because who doesn't love that?

Incapacitation by Cumberbatch Critter (T, 9,424 w., 6 Ch. || Hurt / Comfort, Friendship, Sick Sherlock, Doctor John, Appendicitis) – The doctor had just asked how bad the pain was when the pain spiked. Sherlock's initial response was a gasp that evolved into a whimper. "Ten," he gasped. "Ten..."

The Dying Doctor by Transcendental Starlight (T, 11,258 w., 3 Ch. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Sick John / John Whump, ACD Rewrite) – Loosely based off ACD's "The Dying Detective." Sherlock relives a case that should have killed him, but instead resulted in John being hospitalized for a deadly disease. Sherlock endeavors to catch the murderer, while attempting to envision a future without John Watson. No Slash.

Equilibrium by augustbird (M, 12,351 w., 1 Ch. || Flowers for Algernon Fusion || Jealous then Worried Sherlock, Sick John) – At Baskerville, John is infected by a virus that turns him into a genius. But when the infection progresses into neurodegeneration, it's a race against time to save himself.

Obsession by storylover18 (K+, 15,213 w., 10 Ch. || Hurt / Comfort, Case Fic, Friendship) - Dr. John Watson wakes up ill one morning but it is not the 24 hour flu he thinks it was. Soon he lands in hospital, quickly deteriorating and Sherlock must work to find out what has happened to his blogger before it is too late. Case!fic mixed with sick!fic / No slash.

Partners in Crime by Richefic (T, 16,560 w., 5 Ch. || Post-ASIP/Pre-TBB, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Sick John, Meddling Mycroft, Caring Sherlock, Domestics) – John Watson receives some devastating news which puts a spanner in his medical ambitions. Will Sherlock prove capable of the kind of comfort and reassurance he needs or will their partnership be ended before its even begun? 

I Will Take Care Of You by SailorChibi (T, 16,664 w., 15 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Sick Sherlock, BAMF John, BAMF Lestrade, Reunion Fic) – Two years after Sherlock's death, John comes to find him on the sofa. Wounded and ill, Sherlock is convinced he's hallucinating and refuses to share any details about Moran or the fact that Mycroft has been compromised. That doesn't stop John from stepping up and taking care of the last of Moriarty's web, BAMF-style.

Checkmate to a Castled King by LaSuen (T, 18,290 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Hurt / Comfort, Sick Sherlock, Reverse Reichenbach) - John dies. Or at least everyone thinks he does.

The Kissing Disease by cottonballz_of_death (E, 30,856 w., 15 Ch. || Sick Fic, Angst with Happy Ending, Case Fic, Self-Harm, Slow Burn, Jealous Sherlock, Body Image Issues, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, POV Sherlock, Oral / Anal, Thong, Frottage) – John brings home a boyfriend, shocking Sherlock, who long ago gave up hope that his straight flatmate would ever take a romantic interest in him. In a bid to reconnect with John, he tries to infect himself with a "harmless" virus. Neither of them is prepared for the emotional fallout that results.

You Have Drawn Red From My Hands by J_Baillier (T, 67,085 w., 17 Ch. || Three Garridebs, Heavy John Whump, Hurt / Comfort, Pining, Heavy Angst, Case Fic/Adventure, Slow Burn, Sick Fic, Injury, Guilt & Depression, Just Talk Already Please, Medical Realism, PTSD) –  John getting injured leads Sherlock on a path of guilt and revelations.

Summit Fever by J_Baillier (M, 78,802 w., 18 Ch. || Mountain Climber AU || POV John, Angst, Tragedy, Suicidal Ideation, The Himalayas, Mountain Guide / Doctor John, Mount Climber Sherlock, Loneliness, Drama, Suspense, Slow Burn, Injured Sherlock / Sherlock Whump, Pining John) – After graduating from medical school, John Watson followed his heart to the Himalayas. Ten years later, he's a haunted cynic working for his ex-lover's trekking and mountaineering company. Will leading an expedition to Annapurna I—the most lethal of all the world's highest mountains—shake John out of his reverie, and who is the mystery client added to the group at the last minute?

To Light Another's Path by BeautifulFiction (E, 128,654 w., 19 Ch. || Post-TGG, Sick Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Drug Addiction / Recreational Drug Use, First Time / Kiss, Case Fic) – Teaching John to observe seems to be a losing battle, but when Sherlock falls ill and submits himself to John's care, will he realise that there is more to life than the science of deduction? Meanwhile, there is a murder to solve, and John must try and convince Sherlock not to sacrifice his own health for the sake of the case.

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Hey people I love 🫀

Since we're already in the midst of MGK day and Bludfest is tomorrow I wanted to let everyone know I promise to try and keep up with updates but I may not post every single thing that comes out about both. I'm trying to find a balance to keep me from getting overwhelmed since I also have to take care of mom mostly alone on Sundays (dad has church things all day). I'm trying to both help you all to enjoy what's happening and keep myself sane. I'm sure a lot will be coming out but I believe I'll mostly stick to reposting main account things and not what is posted by fans. If something incredible is posted though of course I'll add it.

I'm so proud of both boys and I hope they're having an amazing time. I know a lot of you follow me for Instagram updates because you don't have it so I promise to try and keep on top of as much as possible but please understand if I'm slow tomorrow, there's a lot I have to take care of. Believe me, I wish I could solely focus on this. I've been a little sick since my birthday Thursday and I'd much rather curl up in bed online all day but I'll be here as much as possible to celebrate them both.

I hope you're all doing awesome! Stay safe out there, especially if you're going to either fest! I know covid is going wild again (I've been sick but haven't checked, and I know of a handful of people who have it presently) and I worry about all of you. Be safe, spread love, and be kind to yourself 🩷 I love you all so much and I thank you all for understanding. I hope you all have a great day/night/weekend! 🖤

[typingatlightspeed]

Ohh could you write some speedingbullet whump and/or hurt/comfort pretty please? alternatively some dom/service sub body worship dynamics between demo and sniper however which way you like it

TF2 Fanfic - Textures

Scout catches the flu and a sinus infection robs him of his senses of smell and taste, leaving him miserable and having trouble willing himself to eat. Sniper helps figure out a workaround to get him eating, at least.

Sappy Hope you enjoy, anon! I couldn't come up withy any good whump so I went hurt/comfort, drawing from some of my own experiences with illnesses over the years (and particularly my bout with COVID last year).

---------

"You've gotta eat somethin'," Sniper urged, setting a bowl of soup down on the night stand. "If you don't eat you're not gonna have the strength to recover.

"I'm not hungry," Scout mumbled though a stuffy nose, his eyes slowly rolling open, squinting in the low light that filtered through the blinds of his quarters. "Can't taste it anyway with this sinus infection."

"I know, Jer, but—"

"I can't get it down!" Tears pricked at Scout's eyes, and he rolled onto his side to face away from Sniper, shifting on the bed with what little energy he had. "If I can't taste it I can't get myself to swallow it. It's just nothin', no sensation. Everythin's just all snot."

Sniper sighed, sitting on the bed in the space Scout left, utterly frustrated. The younger man had been sick for a week and a half with what Medic was sure was the flu, and once the coughing had given way to a sinus infection, Scout had completely lost the ability to smell or taste anything. He'd claimed it had just tasted like rotten mucus, and he had stopped eating.

It had been a sad thing at first, seeing the usually spry and energetic athlete rendered inert and writhing with muscle aches and fever, coughing up his damned lungs. Ever the dutiful boyfriend, Sniper had done his best to tend to him while minimizing contact, not too keen on getting sick himself. But now that Scout wasn't eating, he cared less about his own safety and more about his boyfriend's.

"If I get you some interestin' textures do you think you'd be able to choke somethin' down? You've got to eat, Jer."

Scout mumbled quietly, his voice more a whimper than actual speech.

"Can't understand you." Sniper tried not to let himself get frustrated. Scout would always get so quiet and pathetic when he felt like shit.

"I can try," Scout repeated, unsure and exhausted. He'd half said it just to get Sniper to stop lecturing him, wishing he'd just let him sleep.

"Alright, that's all I ask is that you try. I'll figure somethin' out and be back. If you can, try to get some of that soup down too. At least drink some broth, yeh?"

"Okay," Scout mumbled, drawing the blanket up around himself. "Thanks, babe."

"You don't gotta thank me; just get better," Sniper sighed, petting Scout's hair fondly before standing. "Love you."

"Love you too."

Closing the door behind him, Sniper sighed and pulled off his hat, running a hand through his hair. Scout was an absolute mess, and he had no idea if he was getting better or not at this point. Medic had told him that progress was not expressly linear, especially with a flu as bad as Scout's, but it still didn't make him worry any less as he progressed from symptom to symptom rather than simply shedding them on his way to convalescence.

The fact that the poor guy just had to suffer through it as the virus ran its course just made it worse. Sniper hated seeing Scout have to go through this, and worse was that the only thing he could do was try to make sure he ate, showered, and made it to the bathroom if he was too weak to get there on his own. Thankfully, that last contingency had only come to pass twice over the past week.

With a shake of his head to rouse himself from his thoughts, Sniper donned his hat again and set off down the hall for the mess to try and scrounge up something with an interesting mouthfeel. Hopefully the novelty of sensation would be enough to get Scout past the inability to taste anything but his own infection.

It was hot. On a good day, the New Mexico badlands were blistering to the native New Englander, but here, curled up in bed with a fever rolling in and out like the tide, the heat came in unbearable waves. The slightest draft, the barest caress of a breeze made him feel like he was freezing and brought on fresh cramps and joint pain. So instead he would sweat, bundled tightly in his blankets on his stiff, unyielding RED-issue bed. Even so he shivered, too cold, too hot simultaneously, and he craved more blankets as though wrapping himself in a cocoon of warmth would somehow solve anything. Maybe he just craved the pressure that it would provide, some comforting weight to envelop him and make him feel safe.

He wished Sniper would come back, curl up with him, wrap his arms around him and tell him he was going to be okay. He craved the familiar embrace of his lover, gangly limbs holding him close, lips pressing kisses onto the crown of his head. He wished dearly for Sniper to envelop him in himself, to make him feel like everything was going to be okay, like he wasn't dying.

Scout didn't think he was dying. He'd died enough times to know how that felt. But here, now, shivering and sweating under his scratchy covers, Scout felt like death regardless.

He'd lost track of time, no idea how much or little had passed, when he heard a soft clack at his door, a single-knuckle knock of courtesy before it was opened and Sniper slipped inside, closing it quietly behind him. The bushman wore a smile writ with trepidation, and held a paper bag in his hand.

"'ope I didn't wake you, love," he soothed, his voice as soft as he could manage in spite of its rough, gravelly tones. Scout didn't mind. He loved the sound of Sniper's voice when it was quiet; he found it almost unbearably sexy. It was really too bad he felt too much like shit to properly appreciate it.

Scout mumbled muzzily, words not quite congealing out of the jumble of syllables he'd wheezed out. He tried again, his eyes cracking open to look up at the gentle, worried face of his lover, "It's okay, I been sleepin' so much."

"That's a good thing," Sniper replied, steadying himself with one hand on the bed as he settled onto the floor next to it, crossing his legs and setting the bag down. "Rest's important for you."

Inching to the edge of the bed, Scout flopped an arm over to pet at Sniper's cheek, his fingers clumsily tracing the line of his jaw fondly. He wanted to give him a hug, a proper squeeze, but could barely keep his arm up enough to do this. "'m so tired 'a sleepin'."

"I know, but you need it."

"I'm lonely," Scout murmured, curling his legs up a little tighter against himself. "But if you sleep with me you're gonna get sick."

Sniper sighed. He hadn't slept in the same bed as Scout in over a week, and he wasn't ashamed to admit he was lonely too. They'd gotten so used to the comfort and safety of sleeping in one another's arms, of just being around one another so constantly, that this time apart—marked by Sniper only visiting for brief periods and trying not to make too much contact—practically felt like one of them was in prison. At this point he'd almost wished he hadn't made the effort not to get sick, so they could at least have been miserable together through most of it.

"I'm sorry," Sniper replied, unsure what else to say. He opened the bag in front of him, withdrawing a few folded Chinese food containers and a styrofoam bowl with a lid. "We gotta get you better sooner then."

"Whassat?"

"Couldn't find anythin' on base to cook that would be good enough. 'Least, nothin' I know 'ow to cook," Sniper chuckled. "So me and Pyro went on a run to town for some Chinese. Pyro says 'e used to get sinus infections all the time when 'e was a teenager. Real sickly kid. Lost 'is sense of taste all the time. 'e said somethin' crunchy-fried'll 'elp with the whole texture-for-flavour substitution thing, and that we 'ad the right idea."

Scout blinked and slowly pulled himself up onto his elbow, realizing for the first time that it was nearly night. Grey light filtered through the blinds, the golden rays of sunset long past, but the blue shadows of night yet to fully overtake the desert. He'd been out for a while. "You went all the way to town for me?"

Sniper smiled. "'course. You gotta eat," he said with a shrug of one shoulder. "If this is what can get you to eat, then it's well worth it, I'd say."

"Mick..." A wobbly smile crawled across Scout's lips, and he felt like the slightest thing would set him off crying. Sniper was so sweet, so kind, so doting, and he could never really figure out how to handle it. Scout had spent his entire life as an afterthought, the last one to get anything, even respect. And here, this man almost twice his age treated him like he was his world. Scout still couldn't really wrap his head around it, and it made his chest flutter. A soft laugh escaped him, and he shook his head to keep his eyes dry. Then he stilled, the shake leaving him dizzy, all of the mucus in his head sloshing and shifting in horrible ways. When he could bring himself to open his eyes again, he looked into Sniper's, and lost himself there for a long moment. "I love you," he fairly whimpered, reaching to pet at his face again.

Sniper caught Scout's hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each fingertip before pressing a final smooch to his palm. "Come on, you sappy wreck," he teased. "Let's get you fed, yeh?" Scout stared a long moment, expectant, until Sniper rejoined, "I love you too, Jer."

That satisfied him, and Scout finally brought himself up to a seated position, folding his legs under himself and tucking his blankets as flat as he could. "So what'd you get me, anyway?"

"Fried pork and cabbage potstickers with ginger sauce, and some fried wontons. Got some sweet and sour sauce to dip those into."

"So it's just all crunchy," Scout mused. He inhaled, hoping against hope that the aroma of hot pork, ginger, fry oil, anything really, would break through the stench of rot and mucus that filled his senses. He suppressed a soft sob at his failure to smell any of it, and tempered his expectations accordingly. Eating without taste was like fucking without pleasure, leaving him wholly unsatisfied and desperate for any of the sensory input he craved. But as he took hold of a wonton and bit into it, he took solace in the crunch and crispiness, textures giving him something to cling to as he dutifully performed the joyless task of eating something to fuel his recovery.

"How is it?" Sniper asked.

Scout sighed through his nose, "I can't taste anything. Still. But at least it feels different."

"That's something then. All I ask is you get something down, so we can get you healthy again."

"I just wanna feel better so you can hold me again. I miss you."

Sniper frowned and stood, walking around to the other side of the bed. He kicked off his boots and set his hat and sunglasses on the footlocker at the end of the bed, and sat behind Scout. He lay down, rolling to face his lover's back, and wrapped an arm around his waist as he ate. He placed a kiss on Scout's side, ignoring the chilly sweat that had collected on him.

"You're gonna get sick," Scout mumbled around a potsticker, ginger sauce running down his chin.

"I'll be fine. And you're not gonna get any better layin' 'ere depressed and lonely on top of not eatin'. If I gotta curl up with you to get your spirits up, so be it."

Scout smiled at that, his free hand coming down to pet through Sniper's hair. "Thanks, Mick."

"'s nothin," Sniper mumbled in reply, snuggling in against his lover. "Can I get one of those potstickers, though?"

[potatoesandsunshine]

16 & 17 for the fanfic writer ask game, please.

16. where is your favorite place to write?: when i was in college it was my habit to go to the panera bread a few times a week to study/get as many iced tea refills as i could stand/hog a booth for a while. i really enjoy writing somewhere that isn’t home - since covid & everything that’s kind of fallen by the wayside, i’m still not comfortable doing it. so there’s probably a coffee shop somewhere out there that would feel perfect, but i’m not looking for it right now.

17. what is your favorite line you’ve ever written?: hooooooooo this is a toughie. this is hard. i’m a big rereader of my own stories - i couldn’t even tell you what my favorite published fic is, it changes any given day. and i'm greedy. here's five of my current favorites.

“Vaudeville trash, Mother says for the dozenth time, and Meg is exhausted coming off the fourth show, wishes she were sharing a cigarette with Diedre backstage before the fifth; it’s nearly enough for her to let the smile drop and say, Of course it is, we have a vaudeville act.” from The Most Self-Indulgent Fic Ever Written, looking lovely (burning bright) which was written in honor of my thirteen year old self who spent months obsessed with love never dies, a musical that 1) isn’t good and 2) hates women. what if the women in that kissed.

“And it is draped in green: her color, poison and rot and sick smoke, the lovely gleam of her scales in the dark.” from you are coming down with me, where raishan is one part cat playing with a wounded bird and one part possessive deity laying claim to an acolyte and a third, other part that’s just labeled ‘kinda horny about it all.’

“It’s a kind of luxury, Cass knows, that they can each eat two bowls of soup and have enough left for the morning meal. And the mattress is surprisingly soft, enough so that both she and the Courier roll to the dip in the middle of the bed.” from one more song about moving along the highway, which i wrote in a fit of spring sadness and love more and more as time goes on.

"Pike doesn’t love him the way he loves her. It’s impossible—because Pike is sure and real and true, and Scanlan is flashpaper and illusion. He thinks sometimes about the drive out of Westruun, watching her disappear in the rearview mirror. Three exits down the highway he pulled to the side of the road and sobbed until his throat was raw. And he didn’t call, because he knew it would hurt." from my current favorite wip which is just called WakingUpInVegas.mp3 right now. what if they woke up married. why not. modern au pikelan is built for angst

“You know I love you. It would take worse than this to make me stop—a fact which shames me to my very core. I, who cling so tightly to oaths and promises, abandon them at the first scrap of affection returned. I cannot call it anything but disgusting. How fickle I am, to turn my back on all of it for you.” which was part of an in-character letter from my old paladin to her knight boyfriend. Beatrice Pyre you will always be my girl.

[useyourtelescope]

yuletide letter 2023

Hello, mystery author! I’m very excited that it’s time for Yuletide again and I hope you have fun writing for it. I’ve a tendency to write a lot here, but if you already have an idea that you’re really inspired by don’t feel like you have to stick super closely to my prompts. All of my requests are for ships so my general preferences are focused on that too, however I have provided some prompts for each that could be taken in a Gen direction if that’s more your thing. And though some fandoms have more prompts and/or explanations than others, please know that’s not an indication of preference - I’m equally happy to receive something for any of these requests.

I’m also useyourtelescope on AO3, you can find me here for reference. My account is open for treats, which are very welcome if you are so inclined! I have chosen 'My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags (if 0: any from tag set) ' for all my requests, but for treats I'm happy to receive only one character.

My requested fandoms this year are: Friday Night Lights (TV), Nancy Drew (TV 2019), Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (TV 2022) & The Borgias (Showtime TV)

General Preferences & Prompts

I prefer third person to first person fic, though focusing on the POV of one or more characters is fine. I love both fluff and angst, though I like my angst with a happy or at least hopeful ending. Below are some tropes/moments I enjoy:

Fake relationship (in all its forms, especially marriage of convenience and undercover as a couple)

Mutual pining (unrequited pining turning into mutual pining also welcome)

Friends/partners to lovers

Hurt/comfort (maybe patching s.o. up after an injury, looking after them when they’re sick or taking home when drunk - emotional h/c is welcome as well as physical)

One partner reassuring the other

Fixing the other character’s clothes (straightening collars, fixing ties)

Clothes sharing/stealing (especially female character wearing male characters clothes, like jacket or sweater/shirt)

One character covering the other with a blanket when they’ve fallen asleep either in their current place or carrying them to bed first and then tucking them in

Domesticity (e.g. cooking together, going grocery shopping, house-hunting, painting their house) either in an established relationship or in the ‘friends’ stage of friends to lovers

Letters / Emails / journal entries / texts

Sleepy snuggles, intentional or accidental

Hand holding (or some sort of significant hand or touch related moment - love me some hand imagery!)

Capers/Heists

Outsider POV

General DNWs: Darkfic, horror, rape/noncon, torture, suicide, permanent death of requested characters (assumed or temporary death is okay), terminal illness, threesomes/moresomes, pegging, infidelity, genderswap, bestiality, scat, watersports, humiliation, unhappy ending, reader/you fic, high school AUs, mentions of COVID-19.

[See specific fandoms for some variations. Regarding my death DNW, by assumed death I mean its fine to have a scene where characters believe someone has died (angst potential!) as long as its known by the end of the fic that's not the case. And temporary death refers to something like in Nancy Drew when George technically died but was brought back - anything in that vein is fine if it works in the canon.]

Yuleporn: I’m happy to receive Explicit smut in 2 of my 4 requests and mild (Mature rated) smut is fine for the other two. Here are some general smut likes:

foreplay | foreplay/making out without necessarily leading to penetrative sex | communication | enthusiastic consent | dirty talk | sexting or phone sex | praise kink | competence kink | mutual masturbation | oral sex | wearing partner’s clothes during sex together or solo masturbation session | character showing their partner what they like | sex ‘lessons’ | inexperienced partner reassured by their more experienced partner | established couple experimenting in bed together 

And for further info linked here is my letter for this year’s Smut4Smut Exchange; for general preferences/DNWS this yuletide letter takes precedence and only one requested fandom there was the same as in this letter (WDTAE), but the additional smut tags I chose across the fandoms will give you more ideas/prompts for smut fic I would like generally.

Requests

Friday Night Lights (TV): Becky Sproles, Luke Cafferty

Fandom specific DNW - Aus that aren’t canon divergence. [Also, High school stories are fine for this request since that's the setting.]

Missing scenes of their relationship in the 8 month time jump between State and Luke leaving Dillon in the finale.

Slowly working out the physical side of their relationship in s5, putting the s4 ghosts behind them (mild smut - prefer rating not to be above Mature).

Future fic - Reuniting years later when Luke’s out of the army (Did they stay together through it all and it's a happy reunion just after he’s discharged? Or did they break up so its many more years down the line & seeing each other again is bittersweet until they reconnect and find there’s still a spark there even though they’ve gone down different paths? Also he gives her his state ring as he leaves, so what happens to it if they don’t stay together?).

Canon divergence - Becky keeps the baby and after a few years of raising the baby together, Becky and Luke fall in love.

Canon divergence/ future fic - Luke and Becky run a business together and their strictly co-workers & friends relationship turns into something more.

Becky turning to Mindy for advice on her relationship with Luke & her own future (missing time in the s5 finale, or post series).

Becky, Luke and Tinker shenanigans on the Cafferty farm.

Years in the future Luke meets up with either Vince or Eric and they catch up on old times.

This is one of my all time fave shows! I’m requesting Luke and Becky as I feel like there’s a lot more to explore with them; the s4 storyline was so emotional and in s5 we’d only really just got to see them get over their issues to get together properly shortly before the season (and show) was over. So there’s plenty of relationship development we skipped and oodles of potential for future fic. If you don’t want to write ship fic for these two, the last three prompts could be written in a Gen way, focusing on one of the characters in a platonic relationship and my other requested character in the background. 

I think it was for the best that Becky didn’t keep the baby, but I also enjoy the trope of two characters raising a baby together and love coming second so I can’t help but wonder about that scenario for these two, perhaps if she hadn’t realised she wasn’t pregnant until later on. My enjoyment of tropes where the characters are friends/partners first and lovers second also inspired the business partners prompt, as did the scene where Luke shows Tinker how to present Mirabel the pig. I have zero knowledge of how pageants and animal showing works, but I figure between Luke and Becky’s respective experience there’s some sort of business that could be had. 

Keeping closer to canon, it would be nice to see how they get from being teenagers not really sure how to do a relationship right to something more established and secure. I’m not sure they would have stayed together after Luke left for the army, but I think that’s okay! They’re so young in canon, they can grow as individuals and reconnect later on. We know Luke likes football but his desire to be great at it seems to stem more from wanting a scholarship to get away, and the army the option taken when he didn’t get a good football offer, so what comes after that? Does he return to the farm, or maybe football via coaching or something else entirely? And similarly with Becky, her pageants seem to be a means to an end for her too, so what does she end up doing later? 

For the last 3 prompts I chose the platonic dynamics I love most for these characters, plus Coach because even though he and Luke don’t have the same bond Coach has with some of the others I’m always down for a scene where he imparts some wisdom to one of the kids (and even years into the future I’m sure Eric would still see him that way). The development of Becky’s bond with Mindy was so unexpected but so touching and I loved Luke’s friendships with both Vince and Tinker. I think if Luke stayed close with any of the players post-school it would have been Tinker rather than Vince, so a reunion between Vince and Luke down the line could be especially interesting, esp if Vince’s star rose in college and the NFL while Luke is living a regular life.

Note for this fandom I prefer not to have the fic be above a Mature rating - mild smut is fine (hence my prompt about their physical relationship in s5, I think it could be interesting to see how they go from kissing to making out & more in a way that Becky is comfortable with) but I don’t want Explicit/PWP fic for this request.

Nancy Drew (TV 2019): George Fan, Ned Nickerson

���Will you ask me again one day? Please, Ned Nickerson?” “You better believe it, George Fan.” - This quote is crying out for a future fic! How do they get there?

Emails/Messages exchanged post s4 finale as they keep each other updated over the years while they’re apart (and eventually leading to a return of feelings…)

One of them turns to the other for advice with an issue in their current relationship and its fine until suddenly the other realizes they want them back and can’t just advise as a friend anymore.

Post-breakup working a case with the Drew Crew where they’re undercover as a couple.

Nick being there for one of George’s sisters when she has a problem and George can’t be reached.

Regency AU where George & Nick were engaged in the past but had to break it off.

College AU where the Drew Crew meet at college when there’s a mystery on campus.

1920s/30s Agatha Christie style AU where the Drew Crew meet because of a murder.

I can’t believe there’s no more Drew Crew adventures ahead! When I first started the show George and Nick were the first two characters I latched onto and I was really pleased when their dynamic turned romantic. I loved their individual character journeys and the futures they had ahead of them at the close of the show, but I do wish they’d had more time to find their way back to a relationship. Of course, they’re still young and I head-canon that one day they get back together so I would love a fic where that happens. However, if you don’t want to write ship fic for them that’s cool as I love the gen relationships on this show - feel free to lean into the Drew Crew/case-related prompts or Nick’s dynamic with the Fan sisters when he and George aren’t a couple.

I really enjoyed how the show could flip between more comedic storylines and also excellent emotional moments, so whichever you prefer to lean into for this fic (or a combo of both) is great. I was ultimately pretty happy with how the show ended, especially considering how late they found out they weren’t getting picked up for another season, and I even loved George and Nick working through their breakup in s4 and confirming they’re still each others biggest supporters and ‘best friend’ despite not being together - and yet! After everything they went through together it felt like such a shame that the show ended with them being with random love interests rather than together (in fairness, I did like Jade but it's hard to compare with the history George/Nick had, and I can’t even remember the name of the person they were suggesting George was into). So that’s why my prompts for ship fic are more related to them reuniting post-breakup rather than missing moments from earlier in the show.

Still, I genuinely love all the leads on this show, so a group fic is very welcome as long as George and Nick are front and center! (Think something like 4.07 where they all played the haunted board game and it was up to Nick to be the hero at the end.) It could be case fic, it could be a virtual game night as the crew keep in touch while they’re separated, whatever inspires you. I also ship Nancy/Ace so you’re welcome to include the pairing if you’re including the entire Drew Crew (and featuring Nancy’s dads as part of an adventure is always fun too). I’m also open to various AUs for this fandom, I’d just like the vibe of the show/characters to be transferred to the new setting and if you are doing an AU with a ship element to it I’d prefer a setting where George and Nick have already got some history rather than it being their first go at a relationship. 

Note for this fandom I would prefer not to have the fic be above the Mature rating - so mild smut is fine (in fact if you do write a reunion fic, I think it could be interesting to explore how their physical relationship is different the second time around) but I don’t want Explicit/PWP fic for this request.

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (TV): Frankie Derwent, Bobby Jones

Settling into married life and how their different upbringings impact their ideas for the future.

Dinner with Bobby’s Dad or Frankie’s parents (or perhaps all three at once).

(smut) Roleplay with Bobby in uniform.

One of them getting into shenanigans with Knocker and the other having to be the sensible one.

Frankie buys some handcuffs to practise getting out of them after Chipping Somerton (I feel like this could go down the route of working out emotional trauma from nearly dying, or a smutty route of her and Bobby using them in the bedroom - both are welcome!).

Canon divergence where their goodbye at the end of episode 1 is in fact goodbye for a while - how do their paths next cross? 

WDTAE happens in 1936, so it's not long until wartime - how about an emotional reunion after Bobby has been away in the navy for a while? 

AU where Bobby didn’t return from the navy before WWII, so the first time he and Frankie reunite since childhood is during wartime.

Regency AU where Lady Frances and Bobby the vicar’s son fall in love (with or without the murder mystery).

A light-hearted mystery where the leads fall in love while investigating is exactly my vibe so no surprise that I loved this series. Bobby and Frankie have great banter and chemistry, and the show delighted me by including so many tropes I like (Friends to lovers! Mutual pining made awkward through class differences! Casual domesticity!). I’m inclined to assume anyone who matched on this isn’t opposed to the ship since that’s such a focus of the mini series, but if you aren’t interested in writing ship fic for them, you can lean into the gen aspect of the prompts involving their families or Knocker (and even throw in Dr. Arbuthnot for some shenanigans too - shenanigans are always welcome and this is a fandom where they would be particularly fitting).

I think most of my prompts are self-explanatory - I haven’t mentioned the obvious one of them being caught up in another case because I’m not that interested in detailed case fic for this fandom right now, though it would certainly be fun to see them bantering as they try to solve another case this time as a married couple if you want to do something where a case is on the fringes in the fic. I’m also not super interested in a fic solely about their dynamic when they were kids, but I’m down for something set in present day/future that references more details from that time/includes flashbacks. The prompt of them reuniting post-WWII is because I don’t think I could handle a super angsty separation fic only set while they’re apart, but I’d definitely be up for reading something that explored some of those emotions that had a happy ending with them seeing each other once more. Although I haven’t included kids in the prompts I can see Bobby and Frankie having a few and I’m open to future fics that involve their children, I’d just prefer the focus not to be on the original child characters. Similarly, Frankie being pregnant in any kind of fic is fine, but I would prefer the focus of the fic not to be on the pregnancy.

I’m also interested in seeing how their canon dynamic plays out in a different time period - I suggested Regency AU as the class stuff in particular would be felt more keenly, but feel free to explore other timelines. My canon ‘what if?’ prompt is because I loved the angst of the way they left things at Frankie’s house near the end of episode one and I’m curious about a scenario where Bobby went off to London when he’d originally planned and had been working/getting himself set up there for a while before he and Frankie next saw each other. What’s it like for them to meet again there, in a place where their differences are more clearly marked?

I also feel like there’s plenty of possibilities for Explicit fic. The show gave me one of my general preferences having Frankie wearing Bobby’s clothes so I’d love a fic that went one further and turned into smut - or you could lean into Frankie finding Bobby ‘dreamy’ in uniform. Honestly they both have lines that you can take in a smutty direction! Also, we catch a glimpse of Bobby’s tattoo in the shaving scene in ep3 - what are Frankie’s thoughts on it when she’s at leisure to explore it? I could totally see these two having fun in the bedroom, experimenting/roleplaying and figuring things out as they go.

The Borgias (Showtime TV): Cesare Borgia, Lucrezia Borgia

Hurt/comfort - one of them is injured or sick and the other insists on being the one to take care of them.

Lucrezia realising she can get Cesare to do whatever she wants and having fun with it (I’m thinking petty revenges, or you could of course write it in a smutty direction).

Time Loop! This could be centered around something that happens in canon, or something new.

(Smut) Lucrezia accidentally witnesses some debauchery and grows intrigued by a position/sex act she was unaware of - and then goes to Cesare for enlightenment.

Maybe Lucrezia has been behind more ‘accidents’ than what we’ve seen on the show - and her confession of them has been made to Cesare.

(Smut) Lucrezia wants to use restraints on Cesare in bed.

Cesare acting fatherly to Giovanni Borgia or a future child of Lucrezia’s (and maybe that future child could secretly be his…)

Crime family AU (any era) where one of them is struggling with what they’ve been asked to do for the family and so the other offers to do it for them instead.

Modern AU where Lucrezia has a different/more active role in Rodrigo’s empire from the start - how does this affect her character and her relationship with Cesare?

This show passed me by back when it aired, so it's a very recent discovery for me and these two gripped me from the start. I find both their characters fascinating and their dynamic is just too good! I’m open to AUs as long as it translates some of the complicated family power dynamics to a new setting, i.e. DNW mundane AUs. (I just can’t see these characters working at a cute little small business unless it was a money laundering front for whatever shady thing the family is really up to.) Although I am very much here for them being obsessed with each other in a shippy way, some of the prompts could be written in a gen/family way only if that’s your preference.

Some DNW clarification - since this is a canon that has political alliances through marriage I removed my general DNW of infidelity for this request; anything along the lines of what happens in the show where they’re together despite being married to someone else is fine. However, if you’re writing an AU fic where that’s not a factor and they’re properly together somehow, then I wouldn’t want them to be cheating on each other. Similarly, my DNW of Darkfic is removed here as this canon can lean a bit dark/twisted & you’re very welcome to run in that vein, I just don’t want something unremittingly dark with a very bleak ending for my requested characters. My DNW of Rape/Non-Con still applies, but that's not intended to ignore canon - referencing Lucrezia's rape/discussing her trauma from it in either a canon story or AU is welcome, I just don't want a scene involving rape in the fic.

I think this request lends itself naturally to angst more than my others & I am very down for fic of them doing lots of hand wringing over their forbidden desires and/or where they go from the s3 finale, etc. - but I am also a fluff fan so if you have an idea for a fic where they manage to find some kind of happiness together I would love that too. And smut is more than welcome, in either type of fic! It took me the longest to come up with prompts for this fandom, in part because it's so recent for me so unlike the others I haven’t requested it before, but mostly because I simply want more of the insane behaviour I got from the show. Honestly I could boil this down to I think they should just be unhinged, in general and about each other!

I seem to have ended up with multiple prompts about Lucrezia doing bad. I think that would be interesting to play with - she starts the show almost as a symbol of innocence in her family, but I felt like she was intrigued by the more dangerous side of things even early on (like in her reactions to both Djem and Cesare promising violence upon her husband if he didn’t treat her well) - but though I haven’t got any specific prompts about Cesare’s bad deeds a fic focusing on those would be just as welcome. Given the canon I assume anyone who matched on this isn't surprised to receive shippy prompts but obv ODAO and since Yuletide is character matching not ship, I’m fine with the fic being familial only - if you go down that route and want to include other characters, Vanozza is the one I’d most like to see.

I don’t have a lot of detailed historical knowledge of this period & don’t care about sticking to what really happened (certainly any fluffy fics in canon would have to diverge!). If you prefer to keep closer to history my only request is that I don’t want a story set mostly about Lucrezia’s life post the real Cesare’s death (as per my DNW of permanent requested character death).

[shysneeze]

Can I order a sick!fic robin x reader? Maybe Robin sick and R taking care of her because she just won't stop being stubborn !

taking care of robin when she's sick :

warnings: i randomly decided not to use capital letters, short, fluff but obvious reference to being sick and flue medicine etc , keep reading button just because it will be lengthy on mobile

less of a fic and more of a scenario, but hope you enjoy regardless:

she's a sight for sore eyes, with flushed cheeks and watery, red-rimmed eyes blinking at you in the door way. with a small cough, she lets out a disapproving groan.

"steve told you." she sniffles, "i told him not to tell you."

"he didn't exactly put up a fight," you tut, coming forward, dropping your bag at your feet and taking a seat on the edge of her bed, rolling your eyes as she turns away from you, "and i'm quite glad he caved... look at you bub."

as you reach out to run your fingers soothingly through her dirty blonde hair, she pushes your hand away and wraps her duvet around her tighter with a defiant grumble.

"go home, (y/n)," she says, "you'll end up sick too."

you let out a breathy chuckle, kicking off your shoes and grabbing your bag, settling on the mattress beside her and spilling the contents out in front of you.

"i'll live with that risk, robin," you explain, "now turn around so i can look after you. i brought painkiller and vaporub, and a punch of corny movies."

robin sniffles from her duvet cocoon, but doesn't attempt to unravel herself. you smile a little at her stubbornness, resting your hand atop the duvet and letting out a sigh.

"rob, i'd rather get sick with you than sit at home knowing you're here like this," you explain softly, "and you would do the same for me, wouldn't you?"

her silence is enough confirmation.

"i thought so," you say, "now, will you please turn around so i can help you, bub? you're going to overheat like that anyway..."

there is a reluctant mumbling sound from beneath the covers, and she shifts with a complaining groan, unraveling from the cocoon to reveal her sniffly-nosed self. when you gently place a hand on her clammy forehead, pushing her sweat slick bangs from her face, she doesn't push you away.

she sits up slowly, covers falling down her torso as she blinks down at the scattered contents of your bag, clearly from the pharmacy. she reaches out to pick up the small teddy bear with a toy thermometer hanging from its mouth.

"you bought me a teddy bear?"

"everyone needs a sick-day teddy," you shrug, averting your eyes a little sheepishly, "and I kind of panicked in the pharmacy- i even got you kiddy asprin in case your throat hurt too much for tablets... sorry, it's a bit much, isn't it?"

her frown eases into a tired smirk as she curls the teddy bear into her arms, settling back against her pillows. in lieu of getting to kiss you, too scared of passing on her cold, she kisses the top of the bear's fluffy head.

"no, it's great," she says, smiling at you sleepily, "thank you, m'love."

can't believe ive had covid for days and not a single person has bought me a teddy bear smh

[theinvisiblecapricorn]

Surprise, surprise.

Author's note: This is my first ever written one shot. The inspiration popped into my head during my shower. Please let me know what you think. Enjoy

Fluffy one shot.

Part 1.

// Introduction //

A little info about Y/N and Vinnie.

So, you guys met during the first Covid lockdown.

You weren’t really seeing anyone of your friends during this time because you didn’t feel like taking any risks. So the only way for you to interact with anyone, was via social media. Before lockdown you also kind of give up on the idea of finding a lover because the last time you gave it a shot it didn’t work out.

You remember one of your best friends told you ‘’ Once you start focusing on yourself, it’ll come to you. ‘’ Well, what better way to focus on yourself other than during quarantine?

That’s when Vinnie came into the picture.

After many failed attempts of having a normal conversation with serval people, the last thing Vinnie expected was to meet someone like you. A lot of the time people tried to take advantage of the fact that he was famous. They would post his personal info on social media and share their conversations for clout. Just like you, Vinnie was kind of over the idea of meeting someone who would like him for his personality instead of his name.

You guys instantly clicked. It felt like talking to someone you’ve known your entire life. There wasn’t a thing you couldn’t share with another. But because the two of you lived in different time zones you couldn’t talk as much as you’d like, but you made it manageable. There was only one problem; traveling was not an option due to Covid, so the two of you had never seen each other in real life.

Until now…

// End of introduction //

Alex (Warren) set up his camera to make a video.

He clicked on record and looked into the camera.

‘’ So as you guys know, Vinnie and Y/N met online in the beginning of Covid, but they’ve never officially seen each other in real life. Now that traveling is allowed again and Vinnie hasn’t been feeling himself lately, I thought it was a good idea to surprise him. I bought y/n a plan ticket so she can come over and hopefully cheer Vinnie up. And I will document the entire journey. ‘’

// Vinnie’s POV //

It’s noon. I lay on my bed, scrolling on my phone through TikTok. I haven’t heard from Y/N all day. Normally she would call me before going to bed herself, but she never did. I tried texting her but no reply.

Y/NNNN????

Yo bro, you there???

I miss your voiceeee

Please don’t be asleep already 

Pick up!!!!!! Or else I’m coming for you.

God, I wish I could just fly to wherever she was at and kiss her entire face. Because, yes, I am indeed in love with her, and she feels the same way about me. I just never thought I could recognize so much of myself in someone else. She’s the most kind, beautiful and loving person I know, and I can’t wait to hold her in my arms one day and never let go.

I’m starting to daydream about a life with y/n without the long distance, because it truly sucks. Then I hear a knock on the door and before I know it Alex comes rushing in with his camera in his hand.

( Vinnie & Alex )

‘’ Vinnie, say hello to everyone! ‘’

‘’ Hello everyone. Alex what do you want? ‘’

‘’ Why are you assuming I want something from you? ‘’

‘’ Because you only enter my room if you either have one of your crazy ideas to share or if you want me to get involved in something I probably shouldn’t get involved into. ‘’

‘’ Pfft, not true. My ideas aren’t crazy, they’re brilliant in their own way. ‘’

Alex grins at me. Suspiciously.

‘’ Anyways that’s not the point Vincent, I actually came in to see if you would join me to get some groceries because the only thing left are rise waffles and I’m starving. ‘’

Alex is blinking his eyes with the same grin he has had on from the moment he came into my room.

He’s not going to leave until I agree on coming. So before I know it, we’re on our way to the grocery store.

// Y/N’s POV //

I received a text from Alex a few weeks ago. He told me about his idea to surprise Vinnie. I couldn’t be more excited. Ever since Vinnie and I started talking I have pushed many of my personal boundaries. In a positive way. Vinnie has helped me regain trust in others and has showed me that love is real. I have lost my faith in love due to my previous experiences. That’s why the connection that I have with Vinnie is so important to me.

I have arrived at the airport as I turn on my phone. My phone starts to receive all the missed text messages and calls from Vinnie. I smile as I read through them.

‘’ Oh Vin, if only you knew ‘’ I think to myself.

I hear someone yelling my name behind me. As I turn around, I see Nailea running towards me.

Nailea is a close friend of Vinnie so of course she was the first to know about Vinnie’s contact with me. She’s been super kind to me, and I consider her as the sister I never had.

Nailea hugs me once she has approached me.

( Y/N & Nailea )

‘’ OH MY GOD. Girl, I am so happy that you’re finally hereeeee!!! ’’

I laugh as I see people around looking at us.

‘’ I am also very happy to be here. To finally meet everyone. For real. ‘’

‘’ Yea, now tell me, does my nose look bigger on the screen than in real life? ‘’

‘’ Hahaha, no Nai. You look fantastic on the screen and even better in real life. ‘’

Nailea and I take my stuff and walk out of the airport.

Once settled in the car, I receive a text from Alex:

We’re almost at the store. He hasn’t got a clue. See you there.

This is all a part of Alex his big plan. First, I will act like a regular costumer shopping at the same store as Vinnie and Alex. Then once they get back, Alex will distract Vinnie just a little longer, so he won’t notice me walking past the car right away. Brilliant.

// Vinnie’s POV //

Alex and I walk into the store.

‘’ Alright, what do we need? ‘’

‘’ Anything but rise waffles. ‘’

I shake my head, laughing, as I walk to the lemonade aisle.

Alex is taking out his camera and starts filming me from a far.

I start singing Paparazzi by Lady Gaga as I act like I'm hiding from him.

‘’ Oh, you should also take a few cans of coke. ‘’ Alex suggests.

As I walk towards the aisle with cans of lemonade, I notice a girl standing in front of it. Her hair instantly reminds me of Y/N. The exact same length, color and texture. Call me a simp, but I just pay a lot of attention to the girl I love. I slowly approach the girl before Alex attacks be by throwing a teddy bear on my head.

‘’ Hey, watch it! ‘’ I fix my hair.

‘’ Sorry man, I just know how much you like teddy bears. ‘’ Alex’s laughing out loud as he zooms in to my face.

I laugh, as I start to think back to the day Alex thought it would be funny to buy a giant teddy bear and have Patrick in it to scare me.

Just then, I notice the girl was gone. I didn’t see her anywhere else again.

After collecting all the stuff, we needed, we went home.

Once we arrived home, Alex stopped me before I opened my car door.

‘’ Let’s just sit here for a bit and talk about some stuff. ‘’ I stare at Alex with a confused look on my face.

‘’ Yea, because the viewers want to know, how are things going between you and Y/N? ‘’

I scratch the back of my neck and start feeling the heat take over my cheeks.

‘’ I mean, it’s hard sometimes. She’s one of the most important people in my life, yet I haven’t even met her in person. But I just know that once I do, that everything will naturally fall into it’s place. ‘’

Alex pouts as he listens to all the sweet things I have to say.

‘’ You really like her, don’t you? ‘’

‘’ I mean, yea I do. I really do. ‘’

‘’ Alright, so imagine her standing in front of you right now, what would you do? ‘’

I look at my hands as I start to imagine a situation like that.

‘’ Uh… If she was standing in front of me right now.. I would.. ‘’ My eyes scan a figure walking past the car and I couldn’t believe my eyes.

// Y/N’s POV //

Shit, I almost got caught. The plan was to go into the store, just to admire Vinnie from a far. I didn’t plan to stand in the exact aisle, where he needed to get something from. Luckily, Alex had a plan to distract Vinnie while I fled to the exit. Phew, that was close.

Alex texted me, saying they were on their way home. That’s when it hit me, I am going to be able to see, touch and kiss Vinnie for the first time ever. Nailea noticed my anxiety kicking in and she told me everything would be just fine.

It didn’t take long before Alex’s car pulled up on the driveway. Alex and Vinnie stayed in the car for a bit. My phone started buzzing as I read the notification: ‘’ Now!’’ That was my cue.

As nervous as one can be, I walked past the car with the person who’s the other half of my heart in it. I didn’t dare to look in his direction.

// Vinnie’s POV //

I couldn’t believe my eyes. This isn’t real right? Was I dreaming? I mean, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night because I was worried sick due to Y/N not responding to me anymore.

I rub my eyes as I watch in the direction of the person again and there’s no way it couldn’t be her.

Then she turns her face into my direction and my heart starts pounding. There she is, the love of my life, the only person who can make my day just by popping up in my notifications, Y/N.

As I try to open my door, I hear Alex locking it.

‘’ Let me out! ‘’ I look at Alex as I try to unlock the door, but unable because he keeps his hand infront of the lock.

‘’ You haven’t answered my question yet. ‘’ Alex smirks at me, but I do not find it funny at all.

‘’ Please, let me out and I’ll show you what I would do if she were to stand in front of me ‘’

And with, I heard the door unlock. I jumped out of the car and ran as fast as I could to the person who I longed for the most.

Click here for part two;

[kotonoba]

ISYT (Jushiro/Fem!Reader) Ch. 30

I'm so sorry, I caught a case of COVID towards the beginning of my summer vacation, the moment it was gone, my classes resumed (: I'm so tired from school work guys.

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Everything happened too fast for comprehension. You two were planning to head to the material world because Jushiro insisted on getting you a matching wedding band from the material world since you were once a human and whatnot. But the morning came, and you could feel his temperature spike, the onset of fever. Before he could complain about still going to the material world with you, you had to forcefully push him back against his bed, “no, you’re sick, Jushiro, not only that, it’s a fever, you’re staying in bed–” he cut you off, grabbing hold of your wrist as you were ready to get up and ask for water and something to soothe his rising temperature.

“But I want to go to the world of the living with you, y/n, so please–”

“No, your health comes first; we can go on another date.”

“But, I wanted to get you a–” 

“Later,” your brows knitted together. You were not a fan of the material world from your adventures there to earn more knowledge. Seeing how determined you were about not going to the material world, Jushiro could only sight and nod, agreeing with your decision, “stay here. I’m going to go get something real quick,” you may have said that, but you didn’t wait for a response from your lover before you hurried off and out of his room. 

You were looking for a makeshift ice pack; in the end, you settled for putting some ice in a plastic bag and grabbing a towel to return to your rising fever of a boyfriend’s side. He seemed apologetic to make you do something like this; your brows knitted again when he struggled a little to get up, “no, no, I can do this. I’m in the fourth division for a reason–”

“I still want you to join my division instead,” although you knew that was his intention the whole time because he wanted to keep you close and protect you better, you still shook your head at his desire.

“The best way to grow is to do it alone for a bit–”

“Yeah, I know, but isn’t it long enough? You were in the human world for quite some time; isn’t it time to come to my division? It would be easier to go to the human world if you were in my division,” you listened to him ramble, pushing him back to lay back down before resting the towel on his forehead and gently placing the ice pack on his forehead but not the total weight. You left your hand on the bag to ensure it wasn’t extra weight on the growing pressure in his head, “are you listening to me?” 

“Yeah, I was. But if I were in your division, you’d monitor where I would go everywhere–”

“Yes, and, if you were in danger, I can rush to your side and protect you–”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t grow as a fighter–”

“But, you’re not a fighter. You’re a healer!” you can tell he wants it to go his way; honestly, you’ve never seen him so worked up about this.

“I still need to know how to fight and defend myself, don’t I? As you’ve said, I’m a healer. Therefore, I’m suited for the fourth division,” you smiled a little, watching him make sense of what you were saying before he closed his eyes, maybe out of anger.

“Fine.” you laughed a little at his behavior; he glanced upwards at you a bit, “it’s nice to see that you’re in such a great mood, y/n.” 

“Hm? Is it? I’m always in a great mood around you, ‘Shiro,” you laughed a little, urging him to rest. He does oblige, though; he made it tough for you to get him to sleep. And when he did, you spent time reading through books while keeping your grip on the ice pack. 

A few hours pass when he awakens, and you’re still reading into the book you picked up that you could find closest to you. He glances at the book you read. He wrote a children’s book for the Seireitei newspaper that gained popularity whenever he wrote, “how do you like it?” 

You glanced at him and smiled, “it’s written very well. I enjoyed it every time I read it,” you placed the book down to remove the now melted ice pack off to the side before helping him up and grabbing a glass of water for him to drink, “how do you feel?” 

“Better,” he smiled, thanking you for the water; seeing him less worked up about you were joining was quite a sight. Honestly, you probably never thought he would be the type to throw a tantrum with you until just a few hours ago. “How many times did you read it?” 

“While you rested?”

“Mhm.” 

“Five to six times, it’s very wholesome,” you smiled a little, about to detail every bit you liked about the adventure story he wrote before looking at the confused look on his face, “I’m a fast reader.” 

“That explains,” he glanced at the book, “help me proofread it next time, okay?” You nodded a little, moving to feel his forehead after the ice pack cools off a little, “also,” you moved back a little from touching his forehead. 

“Yes?” you smiled a little at his also, worried he’d try to pick a fight with you about joining his division, but it went the opposite way you thought he would try to pull.

“I gave it some thought about what we argued before I slept; you know I love you a lot, right, y/n?” you nodded at his question, 

“I–”

He cut you off, placing his finger to your lips, shaking his head a little, “I’m not done talking yet.” you nodded again, giving him your full undivided attention, “I treasure you a lot, and it would be my honor to ask you to marry me, I know I don’t have a ring for you yet, but–”

Before he finished his sentence, you’ve already started crying, which alarmed him, but you pounced forward and embraced him tightly, nodding eagerly, “yes, yes, it would be an honor to be married to you!” 

“Even if I were so sick?” his voice grew quiet.

“Even so, I don’t mind if you’re sick,” you pulled back a little to meet his chocolate brown eyes, “all I know is that I love you, and I would love to spend an eternity and more with you.”

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I've also been very under the weather lately.

Cloudy's AO3

[blacklight-ghoulette]

I want to thank everyone who comments on my fics; I know I'm terrible at responding to them but please know I see and read every one and I can't begin to express how much it makes my day to see how much you guys enjoy my writing 💙💙💙💙

I'm still sick with covid and wish I could write or do something since I'm not able to be at work, but I'm so tired and it's hard to just get out of bed to get something to eat. It was a feat in and of itself that I somehow made spaghetti last night lol

[moononastring]

Hi there gigi I absolutely love your fanfic's especially your Eris x Iris fic, I'm currently at home sick with covid-19 and not feeling my best so I was wondering if you could maybe do some headcanons or a quick fic of Eris taking care of a sick Iris or vice-versa please and thank you😁 . Ps I hope you are having a great day/week 😊

Aw hun! I'm so sorry you're not feeling well. Sending you my thoughts and well wishes to get better soon! <3

~

Let's go with some Eris x Iris headcanons!

These two are really two sides of the same coin, even when sick. Eris hates admitting he's sick because what is sickness but a weakness he needs to overcome while Iris hates getting sick because she doesn't like inconveniencing anyone with her problems.

Eris sick is a nightmare. He will stand there refusing to even sniffle because he does not have a cold. He most certainly doesn't have a fever.

"I have fire in my blood." He'll mumble as Iris shoves him into their bed.

"Yeah, well your forehead is also on fire so I need you to lay down and shut the hell up."

She's been practicing her healing skills and will use them to the best of her ability but mostly, Iris really enjoys taking care of him for a change as he's always taking care of her. She frets over him and Eris is kinda confused but very pleased with her fussing over him so he milks it so she can keep touching/hugging him a little longer. He likes it best when she sits with him in bed and is just running her fingers through his hair and down his back. Once she's finally convinced him that he is indeed sick, Eris really gives in and spends his time sick resting his head on her stomach or her lap, just snoozing.

When Iris is sick, she tries to handle it herself, healing as much as she can as whatever illness makes its way out of her body naturally. She'll be mindful not to seem too tired or unwell in front of Eris but of course, he senses it almost immediately and nearly flings her into the bed. No one is allowed in to see her and he does every single thing himself. He'll bring her food, he'll help her change clothes, and help her shower to feel better. Eris lets her sleep off the sickness but he's watching her like a hawk the whole time until she very quietly asks for snuggles and he is more than happy to oblige.

They're both thorny and annoying trying to deal with being sick around each other, but man, do they love "secretly" being babied by the other. They're really snuggly but it takes getting sick for it to come out in full force hehe.

~

Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my babies! I hope this made you feel a little better <3

[godmother-encanto-au]

Godmother Chapter Four-Movement

In which a skilled kidnapper feels guilty for once, prophecies make no sense, a rescue attempt is started and the many ways of magic is discussed in a prison cell.

Godmother

Chapter Four

Notes: Self-isolating thanks to possible Covid exposure (double jabbed, masked everywhere and disinfected to hell and back so how I don't know) , so updates to this fic may either happen fairly fast or will stop altogether, it's anyone's guess. Please light a candle for me or something if you're enjoying what you've read so far.

…..

Vargas had kidnapped people for Los Brutales before. In fact, he was Los Brutales' main go-to for a kidnapping job. He just had a knack for it.

This one was different, though.

True, most of the people he'd kidnapped before had been objectively bad people; they owed El Verraco money or drugs and skipped town rather than paid up, or they were rival criminals to be held for ransom, or they were snitches. The Madrigal girl was the first person he kidnapped who genuinely didn't do anything wrong.

Maybe that's why he felt such a strong tug on his conscience. He was trying to drown it out with strong alcohol but it was barely working. Every time he went to her cell and saw her curled up under her quilt he felt a stab of guilt. Every time he had to escort her to El Verraco's quarters for 'inspection' he felt sick. He tempered it with the knowledge that he couldn't feel more pity for her than he did for himself if the old man thought Vargas would turn on him. He'd be skinned alive faster than it would take to finish betraying him.

At least he could assure the girl that she had better living quarters at the new base, and the cell in the cave was only ever meant to be temporary. She had to be bound and gagged and stuffed into a barrel to make the journey though, since the convoy was disguised as a corn shipment. The new base was part of an abandoned plantation, with most of the nice furniture still intact. There were even better clothes to give to the hostage, courtesy of the previous plantation owner having young daughters.

Still, once the crew was settled and he unlocked her new room to bring her food, he saw her aiming a bleak stare at the double bed that occupied most of the room. The ring that her shackle coupled to was fixed to the floor just under the bed. It wasn't hard to tell what she was thinking.

“You actually have a window here, that's nice. Better than where I'm sleeping,” he laughed.

She didn't respond. The window had iron bars running across it.

“Anyway, I brought you some empanadas,” he told her, putting the tray down on a little table that looked like it used to be child's furniture. “There's even some obleas for dessert, and hot coffee...kitchen is much better here, and Jorge's a decent cook when he can...”

“I'm not hungry,” she interrupted quietly.

He suppressed a frustrated groan. She wasn't eating much, and El Verraco had noticed. Hence the 'inspections.'

“I'm not about to force-feed you, but if you don't eat something El Verraco will force-feed my guts to the pigs...” he cajoled. “How about you eat half and I eat the other half?”

“Fine,” she sighed, and took the very small seat beside the very small table.

He sat across from her, so low down at his height that his knees were around his ears. It would have been a laughable sight if anyone had felt like laughing. Gingerly, she took an empanada and nibbled on the end of it as if she thought it was poisoned. He wolfed down two with a shot of guaro.

“So,” Gilberto began, emboldened by the alcohol. “You had a boyfriend before all this, right? Boyfriends?”

“No,” she answered, between tiny bites.

“I find that hard to believe,” he chuckled. “Cute girl like you? Did your Daddy scare them all away with a shotgun?”

“You've seen my sisters. And my cousin,” she replied. “Do you really think anyone looked past them to get to me?”

He clammed up, not knowing what to say. He was hoping she would tell him she'd rolled in the hay with at least one boy before. It was too horrible to think that her first experience with a man would be with....

That hideous gargoyle.

El Verraco was worse than just an ugly man. Rumors were that he had been handsome in his youth but always chose the most violent way to get what he wanted and destroyed his face in the process. His first wife walked with a permanent limp after being married to him for just a year, the second plucked out every hair on her head and trembled at the slightest noise. They were adult women who willingly married him, knowing what he was.

“I'll be sixteen in two weeks,” the Madrigal girl said. “But you knew that.”

“Yes, I did,” he sighed.

“And you told him.”

“Soon as I brought you in, yes.”

“Could you ask him something for me?”

Gilberto blinked.

“Depends what it is...” he said with hesitation.

“Since I'm going to be married, I should have a wedding dress, right?”

“I suppose so...”

“I'd like to make a wedding dress for myself,” she said.

“Hey, El Verraco has money, he would probably buy you a very nice...”

“I want to make it myself. I always thought that my mother would make my wedding dress, and...” she broke off for a moment, swallowing, before continuing, “since she or the rest of my family can't be there, I'd like to make my own dress that has a little of them in the stitches. Please.”

Such an innocent request, it reminded him yet again that she was a child. He swallowed, and nodded.

El Verraco laughed when he brought the request in, and he gave Gilberto a hefty allowance to buy fabric and sewing supplies.

“Nothing cheap,” he instructed. “Get her the good stuff.”

If there was any compassion left in El Verraco's husk of a heart, the Madrigal girl had managed to find it.

…..

“Sneaking around the kitchen at night, Brunito?” Alma sighed. “I thought we were past that...”

Bruno's rats scurried away to hide in the dark corners of the kitchen, but Bruno himself sighed and put his plate down on the table.

“Old habits die hard, Mama,” he said. “And someone has to eat all this food Julieta keeps making.”

Bruno, at least, was making a dent in the food stores. Having lived so long scraping whatever leftovers he could get out of the kitchen when everyone else was in bed, these days he ate until he felt sick, and stashed food in his pockets just in case. Not to mention he was using up a lot of energy, casting prophecy after prophecy all day to see if one would be different.

“You could use a break,” Alma told him, putting the kettle on for coffee. “I don't suppose there's anything new in your visions anyway...”

“Nothing, Mama. It's the same every time,” he said. “I would have expected something to change by now but...”

“We will have to accept that she is gone,” Alma sighed, sinking into her chair. “I don't think Julieta ever will, though...”

“That's just it, Mama, I don't think Mirabel is gone! Every vision shows her walking away, not being taken away! Nothing holding onto her, nobody else in sight, just her walking away. By choice.”

“That makes no sense, Brunito. That would mean she will come back, only to go again of her own free will?”

“Well, you remember what happened back when she...”

“Don't!”

Alma was on her feet, staring him down with anger (fear?) glimmering in her eyes.

“We don't talk about that, Bruno,” she warned him.

“Maybe we should,” he glared back. “Something is interfering with my vision. I should be able to see more than I'm seeing, but I'm not.”

“Stop! No more of this! We promised Julieta...”

“Julieta got what she wanted! She got her back! If the magic of the Encanto is useless to help Mirabel now, then whatever it was that brought her back before...”

“Enough, please!” Alma begged, dissolving into tears.

Bruno stopped. He had never seen his mother cry before. Even during the hardest of times, she had held herself together.

“I am not strong enough to do this again, Bruno,” she sobbed. “It nearly broke us all.”

“We are doing it again, Mama,” he told her quietly. “What else can we do?”

…..

On the night that Mirabel received the fabric for her wedding dress, Mariano finally returned to the Encanto with news.

He had found a rival gang, Los Calaveras, that were willing to launch an attack on Los Brutales in exchange for a hefty sum of money (already paid by Mariano himself) and a promise of Julieta's magical food shipped to them for at least a year to heal them after turf wars. Los Calaveras were made up of men who had disbanded from Los Brutales, as well as a number of ex-military who had personal grudges against El Verraco. They were severely outgunned, but the magical healing food would help to even the odds, so they claimed.

The family were never introduced to this gang, Mariano let the men believe that the girl they were holding was a niece of his that his own family wanted back. Once it was all done, he wanted to cut all ties with any criminals he knew for good. He felt dirty even resorting to paying a mob for their help.

What Mariano didn't know (and should probably have guessed) is that Dolores heard every word exchanged between him and the gang's leader on the outskirts of the Encanto, and she, along with her brother and cousins, trailed after them. They kept a mile's worth of distance between themselves and the gang, with Dolores listening in to every word to keep track of where they were going. Isabela and Luisa disguised themselves as men; three women travelling such a distance together would be suspicious.

They tested their powers every day and night for weaknesses. None of them had ever been so far from the Encanto before.

…..

Mirabel was given a magnifying glass along with her sewing supplies so that she could embroider properly, and she was busy adding a vivid red soundwave to the hem of the wedding skirt when the witch unlocked the door and walked in. Mirabel could see her through the glass, just about. A long, jagged cut ran across her forehead and down her nose. She was carrying a cup of something.

“He wants you to drink this,” she said, holding out the cup.

“What is it?” Mirabel asked, cautiously.

“It's my own concoction. For fertility.”

Even the thought of swallowing it made Mirabel feel sick.

“I suppose if I tell you the sooner he gets you pregnant the sooner he leaves you alone won't make you drink it any faster?”

Mirabel shook her head.

“I don't have to tell you I don't approve of what he's doing,” the bruja continued. “But there is nothing you or I can do to stop it.”

“You don't approve because of the magic,” Mirabel said. “You really found magic in me?”

“I did.”

“What kind of magic?”

“I don't know.”

“How is that possible?”

The bruja sighed, and sat beside her on the bed.

“I will tell you what I do know if you drink the potion. And any other potion I bring you. Agreed?”

Wincing, Mirabel took the cup and tossed it back as fast as she could. It tasted like oddly spicy dirt mixed with sour milk. She gagged a little, but kept it down.

“There are many kinds of magic on this earth,” the bruja began. She took a small notebook out of her robes and flipped the pages. “This continent has many different kinds, because it has been home to many different kinds of people, and they have all brought their own gods with them. Magic, you see, clings to people, whether they can use it or not.”

“Why?”

“Magic cannot reproduce,” the bruja continued. “It can change shape, it can grow and shrink, it can carve itself into pieces, it can die. But it cannot make more of itself, it always remains itself. That is why it is drawn to humans, humans can make more of themselves and so they are an endless source of energy. Energy is what keeps magic alive.”

The pages of the notebook were full of scribbled writing, little diagrams, runes and scripture. The witch settled on a page with a candle very similar to the one in pride of place at Casíta, but instead of a flame it radiated elaborate swirls and circles.

“This is what we call Magia Blanca. It was brought to this continent, it is transformative and is usually brought into the world through a sacrifice. The transference of a human soul.”

Abuelo Pedro.

The witch flipped through the pages, listing off other kinds of magic and their rituals.

Vudou.

Scapulamancy.

Divination.

Magia Negra.

Enchantment.

On the last filled-in page of the notebook, there was a drawing of the golden circle that had injured the witch, both as a circle and as the defensive spikes it had turned into. There were some notes, but very few.

“And then we come to what I pulled out of you,” the witch sighed. “I can only guess at what it is, I'm not learned enough to know for certain.”

“What's your guess, then?”

“I do know it's very old magic,” she continued. “I could feel that when it attacked me. It's very hostile to humans. It was probably walking the earth before humans existed.”

“Then...how did I get it? Is that why I never got a gift?”

“Possibly,” the witch shrugged. “Some forms of magic don't play nice with others. It may have overpowered the magic in your Encanto, at least when it came to you...as to how you got it, I have no idea. It seems like it's a part of you, it hasn't just latched onto you...I just don't know.”

It was staggering to think about. All this time thinking there was something wrong with her, that she had done something to anger the Miracle...and it might have been because she was possessed by a different kind of magic? She felt dizzy.

“This is your wedding dress, yes? It's coming along nicely,” the witch said, swiftly taking the empty cup and making her exit.

Mirabel put her fabric and embroidery hoop away and flopped across the bed, her mind spinning in circles.

If it is a different kind of magic...why have I never seen it before? And why couldn't it protect me?

At the window, a handful of small white moths gathered, flitting around the iron bars. The fluttering of their papery wings sounded like tiny whispers.