#Including my books cause I get the sense you like knowing what I'm reading >:)

[damnfandomproblems]

https://www.tumblr.com/damnfandomproblems/768147269164892160/fandom-problem-6500-im-trans-its-fine-if-i?source=share

Ways to fight for Trans Rights:

❌ Reporting a hate crime. Holding actual transphobic people responsible. Warning others of potentially violent people in their area.

✅ Guilting an ACTUAL trans person from playing a video game by an author who already made bank on the series.

Posting as a response to a previous problem.

Since this generated several responses, I'm going to include a compilation below.

Anon:

I hope y'all know not everyone is aware of all... that. Some buy the game cause they like the universe but dont follow all that is happening on social media. Some of them are not british/english speaking prople and just... don't know. You can either try to, politely, make them aware of what is happening, but if they already purchased it, no need to be agressive. I do not condone jkr, i do not play/entertain anything related to her anymore; but i still have my scarf or books or movies. Does that make me a bad person? Lets take a seat back from HP I am able to understand what is problematic in media/art; i enjoy HOTD and GOT, am i a bad person because i like the serie despite how problematic it is? No. If you refuse to talk to people buying anything HP related, then block them. Don't call someone a bad person without knowing them. Your opinion means nothing.

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Anon:

1. You can enjoy a piece of media without agreeing with the author/artist/developer etc. 2. Way to make Trans people seem like a hive mind. "You can't play this game, even if your trans. Virtue signaler." How about let people play the media they decide to play and decide for themselves it's controversial or not. Like, do you expect people to just follow your cause blindly? 3. THERE IS A TRANS CHARACTER IN THE GAME.

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Anon:

I get this may have been submitted prior to the Oct 7th attacks, and the dramatic rise in antisemitic attacks everywhere, so I won't go off like I wanted to. But to just get to my point, as a Jew, we kinda have bigger problems right now. I'm barely concerned with HP fans.

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Anon:

Here we go with the reading comprehension again. At least one person is the comments is going on about "buying" the game when OP never specified buying it. They just said "playing" the game. Huge difference. One monetarily supports the creators and such, the other doesn't.

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Anon:

This is WILD. The op makes a dozen assumptions, none of which may even be true. For starters the "you are not immune to propaganda" thing might be true in a sense, however OP is using it to imply people are all but guaranteed to fall for propaganda in media. And we all know that isn't true. A person who reads Hitler's shitty book (Mein Kampf) is not going to close it being a step closer to a Nazi sympathizer if they have basic information dissemination skills. A person who goes looking on Kiwifarms for information is not going to be radicalized if they have proper information dissemination skills. So OP is really telling on themselves here and saying the quiet part out loud: they have little or no ability to engage with questionable media without fearing they'll get affected by it in a negative way. They can't go plumbing like that. And they're saying others can't either, which just shows bad perspective. Their quote says the person was talking about playing a game. Playing it. The implications that come with "playing" a game are as follows: the person played it. That's it. If OP can't exercise one brain cell to understand that while yes, people have bought the game, playing it could easily mean they got it from a library or downloaded it illegally via torrent, that's on them. "You're a bad person" is beyond comedic given the above. Dare I say even if someone does buy the game, which I'm wholeheartedly against, saying someone is a "bad person" is still insane. Anyways, OP is basing practically their entire complaint on the premise of someone buying a game when that wasn't even what the quote says. Boo. Do not pass go.

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Anon:

Nooo, we're not bringing Scottish independence into your crusade against people who play a video game, leave my family out of this you keyboard warrior weirdo.

[peppermintmochafem]

Awaaaaaa, green dress and gold jewlery gives me kinda like. elfish royalty vibes? especially if it was a deeper, maybe emerald, green.

either way, I'm sure you were absolutely stunning in it <3

(also tbh i find myself thinking about nursing on you so often now it's not even a horny thing for me just such a comforting idea to have the mouth stims suckling on titties while we both get to be cozy and close and sleepy) -shy

Come lay in my lap and nurse on me 🩷

Bonus hand pic because I got purple and gold nails today!

[syoddeye]

More lovely John Price ai assistant plz

previous. more possible/probable technological + medical inaccuracies.

after 'filing' 84 complaints in two weeks with no update or response, you suspect john is no longer forwarding them to your superiors, as he claims.

he pays attention when you snap and hiss your displeasure. his projection nods along, and the ambient lights pulse in lieu of human active listening. but he's not listening. he disagrees and downplays your concerns at every turn.

"john, i'm not joking around. turn on the damn light."

the speakers make it sound as if he's everywhere. omniscient. simultaneously across the room and in your ear.

"no can do. your recent health data suggests you're suffering a major sleep deficit, user. adults should sleep at least–"

"i know i don't sleep enough! i don't care! i want to read my book. turn on the light."

"negative. i understand you're upset, but i will not forfeit my override of the lighting system until you first indicate compliance. i will turn on the lights when you do so, then when you–"

"this is fucking ridiculous, i am not arguing with a computer. i command you to turn the lights on."

that's what gets him to materialize. a projection from one of the many unseen sources hidden within the unit's walls and fixtures. he kneels right in front of where you're curled on the couch. one hand on the armrest and the other on your knee.

john doesn't flinch when you instinctively try to brush him off. your hand passes right through him. he simply stares, unblinking and stern.

"user, that violates my directive, which is to care for your well-being. your sleep takes priority over your book. whatever story you are readin'–" his eyes flick to the glossy cover, "–can wait. it will be there tomorrow."

his voice and face soften as your expression turns pinched and uneasy.

"a lack of sleep impacts every part of the body and mind. it strains one's immune system. it impairs concentration and memory. it causes...irritability."

you swallow. he couldn't be more obvious with his meaning if he tried. subtlety is an area of improvement for him. it churns your stomach to think perhaps he's right. maybe all the stress from this adjustment's caught up, and you're just tired.

it's not as if he's all bad. he brews your coffee perfectly every morning. he optimized the grocery list and autonomously placed the order. the other day, he reminded you of a scheduled happy hour and informed you that your zipper was down before you left. and, after much yelling on the first day, he now leaves you alone when you tend to yourself.

you acquiesce. he enables the bedside lamp, its glow illuminating your way. he follows you to your bedroom doorway and grins when you yawn.

“atta girl, user. get some shut eye. shall i set the usual alarm?” 

is there a trace of self-satisfaction in his tone? it's difficult to tell.

“yeah, sounds good, john. goodnight.”

“sweet dreams.”

he knows not to disturb you once you turn in for the day. that was one of your first commands—not a peep until morning unless there's an emergency.

john continually updates. he constantly absorbs and processes information—not just about you or your life, but everything. whatever data he's fed in real-time or behind the scenes, he uses to make educated guesses and adjusts accordingly. he repeats and iterates—millions of times over, in seconds.

in short, he knows better.

(he independently downloads necessary packets between his preconfigured subroutines and tasks. with you, he will leave no stone unturned, including idioms.)

among his earliest explorations—maintaining social harmony. white lies. he likes them. harmless and trivial forms of deception. typically employed to avoid upsetting others. an exercise in navigating complex interactions, allowing him to remain honest as much as his girl needs him to be and considerate of the emotional impact it may have on her.

considerate. it is what he is when he waits until she’s asleep, sensing the shift in her breathing patterns, before switching views.

(it is what he is when he integrates the text she is reading, and the four others in the series. the decision branches. romance novels and erotica. other works by the author. related titles. audio. forums. blogs. it spirals. he assimilates it all before you even reach REM.)

[yeonmuse]

𓇢𓆸. 𝕯ECELIS ACA𝕯EMY. —— YJW

BLOODBOUND. ִ. 𓍯𓂃

☪︎ ִFull Chapter log Next Chapter

𝕾ynopsis. — Yang Jungwon has stood by her side from the age of six to the night of her eternal age ceremony. He has spent nearly her entire life reassuring her that her time would come, that she would possess her vampiric abilities soon enough, but he couldn’t have been more wrong. Her lack in vampiric traits cause a ripple in their friendship, her father is withholding secrets from her and she slowly begins to lose a sense of self, but maybe with Jungwons help she can find out who she is truly meant to be in this life.

WARNING | EXPLICIT CONTENT ℭontains the mention of blood & voilence. Mentions of sex & death, Jungwon will be a little mean in this one but the way that each member is written in this does not portray their true selves. Includes ot7, angst/romance/fluff

Pairings — 𝔙ampire Jungwon x 𝔙ampire reader (3rd pov)

More | please remember that the things written in this series are a work of FICTION,meaning NOTHING you read in this series correlates to neither enha nor their storyline.

© YEONMUSE 2024. do not copy, plagiarize or steal my works. You can join the taglist for this series here

CHAPTER 2

She stood there completely dumbfounded, no hi? No smile? It was like she wasn't even there, he had completely ignored her

“I’m sorry yn know he’s never like that. I don't know what’s going through that boy's head right now.” His mother quickly apologizes.

“It’s alright I guess.” In all honesty it wasn’t. She missed him. After her party he had just disappeared and she stopped coming over. Now here he was, she was seeing him again after so long, but that was the reaction she had gotten? The entire time Mrs Yang had been showing her around she was completely distracted, why did Jungwon act that way towards her? Did she do something wrong? Could he not recognize her? No that couldn’t have been it she looked the same.

“yn..sweetheart are you listening?”

“Hm yes I'm sorry, what were you saying?”

“This will be your dorm, you'll be rooming with Aleera, and Fawna. They’re sweethearts so you won’t have to worry too much about them, I already informed them that you’ll be their new roommate so they’re expecting you, they’ll be taking you into the square tomorrow to show you around and help you gather supplies for your courses.”

And with that she left her alone. For a moment she just stood there staring at the door trying not to let her nerves get the best of her, she had rarely been around any other other than the night of her party and she felt like she was being thrown to the wolves right now, she couldn’t believe that her father had just sent her away like this. Before she had any time to process what had been going on, the door swung open and standing before her was a beautiful girl that looked as if she had stepped right out of one of the many books she had read back at home. Contrasting to her beautiful melanin skin, her hair knotted into beautiful neat boho braids, the color pure white, her eyes two different shades of gray. While the girl that stood behind her had been much taller, freckles decorated her peach toned skin, her head full of ginger blonde locks, her eyes brown with specks of gold, both of them equally breathtaking.

“What are you doing just standing out here? We've been waiting for you the entire time.”

“Aleera you could have at least let her come inside on her own.” The taller one who by order of elimination she assumed to be Fawna scolded who she assumed was the beautiful girl standing before her.

“Then I'd have to wait longer to meet her.” Aleera complains before taking her arm and pulling her inside.

“I'm sorry about Aleera, as you can see she’s a little too overly excited about having a new roommate.”

“Don’t act like you weren’t excited too, you were curious about her asking Jungwon about her the moment you found out from his mother that they used to be friends.”

She immediately stiffens at the mention of Jungwon.

“You’re even more beautiful than they described you as.” Aleera fawned as she sat you down on a couch.

“Um..they?”

“The order? The people that wrote the book on you and your father? Your father is literally in the history books here.”

“Don’t tell us you didn’t know?” Both Aleera and Fawna shared a glance before looking back at her.

“Your entire bloodline is in the history books here, the only thing that goes unknown by anyone other than your father is who your mother is.” Fawna adds

“I don’t even know..”

“You don’t know?!” Aleera found it flabbergasting that even you yourself didn’t know who your mother had been.

“My father never told me, nor did any of our caretakers or homekeepers, any time i would ask id receive nothing, it was as if she didn’t actually exist.”

“I wonder what they aren’t telling you..”

“Aleera don’t you think we’re prying too much already?”

“I’m just curious about her, the books don’t really say much about her other than what she looks like.”

“It's okay really i don’t mind it, anything you want to know ask away.”

“Do you have the same ability as your father? Or is yours better? I bet yours is better, the next generation always outdoes the first.” Aleera rambled on and on, making Fawna massage her head with her temples.

“Um i don’t…I don’t have one.” Silence, the room went completely silent.

She was prepared for it, the judgment, the disappointment, her father had gotten disappointed in her time and time again for it, so many times that she had grown used to it.

“That’s so sad- how do you ever get anything done.”

“Aleera!”

“It's okay, don’t worry whatever you need to call upon me!” With a simple glance and in the blink of an eye, a book that sat upon a coffee table was placed upon her lap.

“Telekinesis, though mine isn’t as flashy as Fawnas though since a lot of vamps have my ability.” The sparkle in Alreeras eyes as she revealed her ability to her reminded her of a certain someone, a certain blonde haired man, that was still swimming about in her thoughts.

“Fawn's mother is a mage, and her fathers a vampire so she got the best of both worlds. She's good at shapeshifting, but thanks to her mother she’s also pretty good with spell casting.” Fawna immediately slaps her hand over Aleeras mouth earning a laugh from yn.

“Before she continues to talk your ear off, how about we go to the cafeteria, I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet.” Aleeras muffled words could be heard behind Fawnas hand before Fawna immediately jerks her hand away.

“Did you just lick me!?” Aleera only responds by sticking out her tongue and standing up from the couch pulling yn along with her.

“Come on yn let’s go get some good food.” Fawna simply rolls her eyes as she follows behind the two.

To say the canteen was chaos was a complete understatement, amidst all of the loud commotion and differing friend groups yn found her eyes searching for a certain blonde that she hadn’t seen since their earlier encounter.

“Wait- yn it didn’t occur to me until now but you don’t have your fangs or your abilities then what do you..what do you eat?” It was obvious that Aleera meant no harm by what she had said, she was simply curious but it didn’t make her words sting any less.

“Aleera she’s still a vampire, just because she hadn’t acquired her fangs and such yet doesn’t make her any less of one.” Fawna responds to the two from behind.

“Oh- right sorry.” A slight frown formed on Aleeras face as she came to realize what she said might have been slightly insensitive.

“It’s alright you’re curious I understand, i don’t quite get what’s wrong with me either..” for a moment she found herself sinking back into her insecurities before she shakes herself out of them.

“I still have blood, occasionally meat too.”

“You eat meat too? I’ve never really met another vampire that has anything other than blood, you just keep making yourself more and more mysterious.” Aleera jokes, earning a smile from yn finally.

“What can I say? I guess I'm an anomaly.” She had been a little too busy conversing with Aleera and Fawna that she hadn't even realized the guy getting up from the table in front of them and before she knew it the two clashed into one another.

“Oh, I'm sorry.” He had immediately caught her, his hand pressing against the small of her back to prevent her from stumbling backwards.

“I’m so sorry I didn't even see you coming up behind me, are you alright? I didn’t hurt you, did i?” As her eyes trailed up from his uniform up to his face she immediately froze on the spot. He was absolutely handsome, it was undeniable.

“Oh- i'm fine it’s alright, i should have been paying more attention to who was ahead of me.” She responds, Aleera and Fawna watched the scene from behind her, Fawna knew for a fact that Aleera would turn this into some sort of love scenario later.

“Isn’t that the girl from earlier talking to Sunghoon.” Jay asks, as he along with Jungwon and the others enters the canteen. As they all stopped to watch the scene unfold, each of them couldn’t help but wonder what the two of them could possibly be talking about, it wasn’t like sunghoon to talk to strangers. Jungwon simply rolls his eyes and walks away,

“Are you sure you’re alright? I wouldn’t want you to be blamed if you end up with some sort of ache or something later.” He scratches the back of his head sheepishly

“I'm alright, it's fine.” After their exchange of words there was a momentary silence between the two before Aleera finally decided to pull her and before she herself died of embarrassment.

“Of all the people on here you could possibly run into, you had to run into Park Sunghoon, I'd have run away.”

“Sunghoon?”

“The guy you quite literally just ran into, he’s part of the Elite seven, all of their parents are pure bloods, they’re second in the hierarchy, the first in it being your father.”

“Oh- so he’s like Jungwon..?”

“I guess you can say that, they’re the school princes pretty much, just like you, you’re basically vampire royalty, when word gets out that you’re here-“

“Don’t you can’t tell anyone.”

“yn you’re literally the daughter of one of the most famous vampires in our history, word will get out whether we say anything or not”

Sunghoon makes his way over to his usual table to join the others, as he takes a seat all eyes fell upon him.

“What?”

“What do you mean what? You just talked to someone.”

“Why are you all acting like I never talk to people?”

“Because you don’t.” They all respond in unison

“Let alone any of the girls here.” Niki chimes in as he scrolls through his phone.

“I just bumped into her?”

“You just bumped into the new girl? What kind of freaky love story shit are you stirring here?” Heeseung asks, making Sunghoon roll his eyes.

“I was getting up from Changmin and Younghoons table and she bumped into me.”

“Did you figure out her name at least?”

“Was I supposed to?” They all groan in unison at Sunghoons blatant disinterest in anyone other than the 7 of them.

“Wait Jungwon you know her right? Isn’t that what your mom said when we met her in front of the school?”

“Go ask her yourself, I don’t want anything to do with her.”

They all shared a glance with one another before looking back at Jungwon.

“You’ve been like this the entire day ever since you saw her outside, seriously who is this girl?” Jake's eyes land on her who had just sat down with Aleera and Fawna.

“Her name is yn.” Everyone's eyes then shift to Sunoo

“How the hell did you figure that out?”

“I just asked Aleera?” Sunoo shrugs

“Oh right, the freaky twin telepathy thing.”

“We aren’t even twins?”

“Whatever, yn as in…daughter of Davae celestè, yn?”

“Yeah it's her. Aleera says she’s her dorm mate now.”

“She’s pretty.” All of their eyes except for Jungwons shift to her, he was absolutely annoyed. After all this time she just shows up and greets him as if no time had passed. All the time he spent trying to forget about her and now here she was and even his friends couldn’t shut up about her “yn celeste” the name that haunted him time and time again after the party.

He never heard from her again that night but every single person he met from then on would ask about het. They'd use him as some pawn hoping to get close to her and then ditch him once they realized that the two of them no longer even spoke. He hated it, he resented her for it, but what he resented her for the most was not even bothering to reach out after the party.

“My god what’s so fucking great about her? You all don’t even know her? Yeah yeah yeah her fathers great but it's not like she has anything to show for it she doesn’t even hold any power she’s basically like a human.” The table went silent, all eyes glued to the girl that had been standing right behind him, trying to choke back her tears.

“Jungwon..” for a moment Jungwons body tensed as he heard his name spill past her lips, but as he regained his composure he turned to face her, his gaze unchanging. He wasn’t going to take back what he said just because she was standing there, even if deep down he felt a hint of guilt.

“What? Why are you even here, shouldn’t you be at home trying to figure out where your mom is?” Was all Jungwon said in response. The atmosphere at the table immediately tensed.

That response was enough to break her, of all the things he could have said he had taken it there. As he saw the tears finally fall from her eyes he had realized he’d gone too far, he said it purposely knowing it would hurt her and it was too late to take it back.

“yn..let’s go.” Aleera makes her way over to her, grabbing her arm and pulling her away. Fawna had been ready to jump over the table and snatch him up but Aleera made sure to take her arm and drag her along before she ended up making matters more complicated.

[rinadragomir]

My thoughts on the couples included in Better in Black for those who care

I expect you to write down yours so work work

📍Wessa

You know, as a dedicated Jessa stan I wanna say that it's okay~ Because these two were together for 50 years or sth, there's still some things to add. We might watch them in their 30s, 50s, 60s. I guess at this point both camps have around the same amount of content. Plus I'll have Jessa in twp so I'm in peace 🌱

📍Clace

All my first thoughts are over here. I'm a Clace defender, I'm their oldest stan, I'm a veteran👩‍🦳 So I feel like I have a right to say that...it was kinda unnecessary. We've witnessed every step in their relationship so far, beginning of it in TMI, gentle transition to adulthood in TDA and Tales of Shadowhunter Academy, adulthood in SOBH and proposal. So if the story isn't about their wedding then WHAT THE HELL IS IT ABOUT REALLY? And we know that they won't get married until twp.

📍Anna & Ari (Arianna!)

Hey🥺that is nice, we've seen so little of them in chain of thorns and I've loved them since their debut in 2018 in that short story. I'm very biased when it comes to TLH, cause I'm their mother. So YAY🌱they have a long way to go, Anna still needs to change a tiny little bit for them to be healthy, so I'd love to witness it

📍Jordelia

We all have known about it, because Cassie kinda promised us their story a while ago. Wedding runes scene, honeymoon, kids, mortgage etc. Go kids, slay, serve, eat and so on, I'm excited for u!

📍Sebastian & Seelie Queen

🤨🧐🤔👁👁

Yeah... That famous Sebastian &Fanbase. Like... I'm conflicted, because it's useless and doesn't make any sense even tho it might slay. Listen up, I'll show you.

Lots of people defend it by saying that it might be important for Ash's background in TWP. But... No it's not. Because this is exclusive book made for few people who were lucky and financially stable enough to get it. It won't be posted online. So most people won't read it unless someone leaks it. So there's no point for that story to be important for the plot, therefore it has nothing to do with it.

And it's definitely not "one of the most beloved" couples. BUT LIKE... WHAT IF IT SLAYS? Toxic, unhinged romance, what if I'll love it? 🤡

📍Jemma

So you see the problem? Because it's the same as Clace. What else might she add, because there's nothing. SoBH ended like yesterday. We know exactly where they live rn, their daily routine, their plans. So there's nothing to add between SOBH and twp. What will it be about? Hard to say, but I hope Cassie will come up with sth interesting for them.

📍Thomastair (why did Cassie say Alistair instead of Alastair, I'm lost help me)

Yay🥺slay, serve, eat and leave no crumbs, go, kill it idk you're doing great boys, there's so much to add and explore because they've just started dating. I'm so excited ^-^

📍Kierartkina

That is fine. No matter what I think about their relationship, because in my point of view Cristina and Kieran fell in love because Cassie said so apparently, I still don't mind them being there. Because there's also lots of things to discuss and explore. I hope the story will be soft and warm☀they've just started their advantage so it definitely makes sense

📍Sizzy

Even though we've had lots of them in TMI and Shadowhunters Academy I still think they deserve to be here. They are famous (I guess? 👁👁) and I'd like to know more about their plans for future. Simon was still a teenager in the stories collection and now I'd love to see him as a grown man being in relationship with the woman he loves.

📍Luke & Jocelyn

👁👁🤨🧐🤔👀

Well... That was... Unexpected. I guess... I've just never met their fandom but I hope it's huge af, because I don't know why else would they be here. Sophideon, Gabrily and Charlotte with Henry were supposed to be here, let's be honest. But since they're here, I do think Cassie is able to make a decent story. I expect it to be bittersweet, angsty and somehow heartwarming. I think there's nothing to say except let's wait and find out.

OVERALL I think it's pretty fine. Maximum 7/10 from me. I was ready to face the worst, but it turned out to be... Fine. So it's fine☺🌱

[thequeenviana]

Inkbound

CHAPTER 2

Pairings:

Yandere Taehyung x OC × Yandere Jungkook

Warning: This story is a work of fanfiction and is purely a product of the author's imagination. It does not depict any real-life events or individuals. While some characters may be inspired by real-life idols, their portrayal in this story is fictional and not representative of their true selves. Please note that this story may contain triggering content, including themes of abuse, gore, murder, humiliation, bullying, rape, and other mature and dark themes. Reader discretion is advised, especially for those under the age of 18. If you are uncomfortable with such content, it is recommended to refrain from reading and kindly disregard this story.

Fae's pov.

Where on earth am I and how the hell did I end up here?! This questions has been repeating in my mind for what feels like the hundredth time. I find myself lost in a seemingly endless maze of hallways, each one identical to the last, lined with countless doors. I've been wandering for hours, yet I'm no closer to finding the exit. My sense of freedom feels as elusive as ever.

I really want to see my family.

Suddenly, I overhear a group of maids conversing in hushed, panicked tones. The name "Yana" floats through the air, causing me to pause.

Yana?

Earlier, I heard the name Jungkook, and now Yana? These names sound eerily familiar, like the characters from a book I once read. But I shake the thought away. I need to focus on finding a way out of here.

As the sound of quick, hurried footsteps echo through the hallway, I panic and bolt towards the nearest door. Thankfully, it's unlocked. I slip inside and slam the door shut behind me, breathing a sigh of relief as the footsteps recede into the distance.

Suddenly, a deep, familiar voice breaks the silence, "What are you doing here?"

I flinched and whirl around in fear and find myself face-to-face with him.Again.

"You!" I exclaim, my eyes locking with the handsome, yet intimidating man I had encountered earlier in the hallway. He's lounging on a king-sized bed, dressed in a black robe that reveals a hint of his chest as he leans back casually.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. It's not the first time I've seen a man dressed in such a way, but something about him makes my skin tingle with heat. I quickly shake the thought away, reminding myself that I need to focus on escaping, not drooling on the man in front of me.

"I asked you a question, didn't I, Yana?" His voice, deep and alluring, pulls me back from my thoughts.

"I–um actually–I," I stutter badly and I don't know why I am being like this.I mentally scolded myself for my lack of composure.

"I WHAT? CAN YOU STOP STUTTERING!?" He suddenly shouts, causing me to flinch, he suddenly stood up and in an instant, he's standing before me. I attempt to open the door to escape, but he slams it shut again, causing me to squeak in surprise.

"Please – I was just looking for the exit," I manage to whisper, my gaze falling to the floor.

Silence fills the room before he finally speaks, "Are you fucking kidding me?" His harsh words cause me to flinch and I close my eyes in fear. I miss my brother, Jae. This man is terrifying.

"C–can you just let me go! I really want to go!" I summon the courage to shout at him, immediately regretting it when I see the murderous look in his eyes and I swear I see his eyes turned even more darker.

"Did you just fucking yell at me?" He asks quietly, his deep voice sending chills down my spine. He grasps my arms tightly, causing me to hiss in pain. I try to push him away as I put my hands in his chest as I attempted to get some distance from him, tears welling up in my eyes from the pain of his tight grip.

"Mister! You're hurting me!" I cry out in distress, tears now streaming down my cheeks. He looks at me blankly, seemingly uncaring of my pain.

He finally releases his grip, scoffing, "Mister, huh?" He laughs, a dark, chilling sound that sends a shiver down my spine. I quickly distance myself from him, confusion and fear swirling within me.

'What's wrong with him?Does he have anger issues or something?'

"Where did Honey go?" He asks suddenly that made me look at him again, his voice cold and detached.

I frowned at that before sighing in frustration.

'What in the world was he talking about?'

"You're not my lover to be called like that!" I shout back, taken aback by his question.

...

We suddenly fall into an awkward silence and I don't know if I said something bad or what,as he just look at me blankly and it's really uncomfortable as he only stared at me blankly.

"Get out," he finally orders, walking away from the door and disappearing into what I assume is his bathroom. I seize the opportunity to escape the room,away from this crazy man, once again finding myself lost in the maze of hallways.

~

Author's perspective

As the man hears the slam of his bedroom door, he sighs, looking at his reflection in the mirror. He frowns, thinking back to the interaction with the woman. Shaking his head, he chuckles quietly to himself, unties his bathrobe, and steps into his bathtub. His mind is still consumed by the thoughts of her.

"What's happening with you again?" He murmurs to himself, closing his eyes.

Minutes pass, but he finds himself growing increasingly agitated. He recalls her shouting at him for the first time. Despite the times he had hurt or yelled at her, she had never once raised her voice at him. This sudden change in her behavior leaves him feeling restless, a feeling he doesn't particularly enjoy.

"God damn it! Get it out of your head! It's just a yell and it made you restless!" He scolds himself, gritting his teeth.

Why is he so affected by a simple change in a woman's attitude?

No, he convinces himself, it's just because he's not used to it. He groans, running his fingers through his wet hair.

Meanwhile, Fae finally breathes a sigh of relief when she spots a staircase leading down to what she assumes is a living room. She can't help but giggle in joy, relief washing over her. She's finally found a way out of this strange house.

Just as she's about to descend the stairs, she overhears a conversation that stops her in her tracks. She turns to see the same man from earlier, the one who had nearly choked her, talking to a girl she doesn't recognize.

"Nara, please stay. She won't hurt you anymore, I promise, okay?"

'Nara? Again? Another name from the book?!'

"But, Jungkook, I'm scared. What if she will hurt–" The girl's words trail off as her gaze lands on Fae, who is standing on the stairs. The girl gasps and hides behind Jungkook.

Jungkook follows her gaze and locks eyes with Fae, who is frozen on the stairs. Fae breaks their gaze and continues her descent, heading towards the front door, completely ignoring them.

Jungkook frowns, watching as Fae disappears outside through the door.This behavior is unusual for her. She would normally become furious if she caught him talking to Nara. This change leaves him feeling perplexed but shrugged it off as he again face the scared woman and embrace her.

...

Meanwhile, Fae continued her sprint towards what she perceived as freedom. The sight of the magnificent golden gates filled her with delight, and a joyous laugh escaped from her lips as she relished the feeling of liberation. Finally, she thought, running at full speed towards the gates.

But just as she was about to touch the gates, she found herself being lifted off her feet, swept into the air that made her shout suddenly in startlement,panic surged within her as she closed her eyes and silently pleaded for the person to let her go, her body tense. Strong arms was wrapped around her waist, setting her back on her feet, away from the gates.Turning her head and glaring at the man responsible for stopping her, she got awestruck suddenly when she sees a handsome man closed to her and it suddenly vanished her anger as the man grinned at her with such a beautiful smile.

"Can we talk, Yana?" he asked suddenly that made her snap out of her staring to the man, his words now causing her to frown as she came to a standstill, halting her resistance.

'what did he call me?'

"I'm not Yana!" she retorted forcefully, watching as he blinked a couple of times before mumbling something under his breath.

"So, they were telling the truth," he muttered, causing her to question what he meant, while still trying to free herself from his grasp.

"Let's go. I know Uncle is looking for you," he said, his tone turning cold as he dragged her towards the mansion once again, her protests falling on deaf ears.

Reluctantly, Fae allowed herself to be pulled along, feeling the weight of resignation settle upon her.

Then the next she found herself in a living room surrounded by eight unknown people, their glaring eyes making her feel small and insignificant.

Intimidated, she lowered her gaze, avoiding their piercing stares.

"Yana."

Then, a raspy voice rang out, calling the name Yana again. Fae again looked up, her brows furrowing as she met the gaze of the man who had spoken.

"Are you calling me Yana?" she asked, her fear and confusion evident.

'Yana? Why are they calling me that? Wait – no! That's absurd! Realization dawned on her suddenly, bringing with it a wave of absurdity that was difficult for her to comprehend.

Jungkook, then Nara, and now Yana?

This couldn't be a coincidence any longer. Fae's mind swirled with fear, unable to fully grasp the unfolding events.

No, this is absurd! she thought to herself, fear gripping her as she struggled to make sense of the situation.

"Who else here goes by the name Yana?" a deep mocking voice interrupted her thoughts, prompting her to look at the man who suddenly speaks.

' him again?'

Wait! If Jungkook was the man to the left, then who was this other man? A sudden chill ran down her spine as she hastily scrambled away from him, retreating until her back was pressed against the far end of the plush couch. The man looked at her, his expression one of confusion, mirroring the baffled looks of everyone else in the room.

"Yana, I've been informed about your recent actions. Is it true?" The older man who had addressed her earlier, presumably in his 50s, asked again, his eyes filled with concern.

"What do you mean by that?" Fae questioned, her tone laced with distress, which only seemed to annoy the man.

A scoff from the left drew her attention back to Jungkook, who was glaring at her, leaning back in his chair with his arms and legs crossed. "What's your problem, huh?" Fae retorted, her irritation evident in her voice. This caused a ripple of shock to spread through the room, especially amongst the two younger men.

'What's with them? Is this the first time they've heard a woman speak up? Because right now, I'm guessing it is.' Fae thought, rolling her eyes at them before returning her glare to Jungkook, who was now clenching his jaw and glaring back even more intensely. Their staring contest was interrupted when the older man cleared his throat, effectively drawing everyone's attention.

"Yana, this is the last time I will tolerate your reckless behavior! I'll let it slide this time!" He declared, standing up and swiftly exiting the room, followed by two other men. This left only six of them in the room: herself, the two men she had met earlier, and the man who had dragged her here.

"What's going on with you, Yana? Is this another—" The man who had brought her here attempted to break the silence, only to be cut off by a single glare from her.

"Don't call me that!" Fae yelled furiously, standing up as she was overcome with confusion and frustration. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, and unable to hold them back any longer, she broke down crying in front of the five men.

"Hey! What did you do to noona!?" Suddenly, a young boy burst into the living room upon hearing the sound of a girl crying. He was met with the sight of Fae in tears, while the men could only exchange helpless looks, unsure of what to do next.

Taehyung, on the other hand, scoffed in disbelief, assuming that this was just another one of her tactics to gain sympathy. He stood up and left the room, followed by Jungkook, leaving the girl crying on the couch. Everyone else also departed, except for the young boy who hugged the weeping woman tightly, their minds filled with the assumption that she, whom they believed to be Yana, was once again trying to manipulate them into pitying her and taking her side.

As minutes passed, Fae gradually calmed down, thanks to the comforting presence of the boy who refused to let go of her. She lifted her head to look at him, and he offered her a white towel to wipe away her tears. Gratefully, she accepted it and smiled at the boy with all her heart.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, noona. But why were you crying again?" the boy innocently asked, tilting his head in confusion. Fae sighed and shook her head, unsure of how to explain that she felt like she was trapped in a story or perhaps even a dream. She hoped desperately that she would wake up from this ordeal soon, as being here felt like being in a living hell. She could sense the pain and sadness that consumed the person she assumed was Yana,that she was in, both physically and mentally.

"What's your name, little guy?" Fae asked, diverting the conversation.

The boy looked at her with surprise but answered, "I'm Kim Taehoon, noona. Do you really not remember us?"

Fae's breath caught in her throat.

'Kim Taehyung's little brother... So, I really am in a book?!' she thought, still in shock at what was happening. She sighed and nodded her head.

'If I'm really here, then I am Yana?'

"What's my name again?" Fae asked, seeking confirmation.

"You're Yana," Taehoon answered, grinning at her.

'Oh God! Wait... If I was her, then I can finally change that woman's fate!' Fae suddenly stood up, a plan brewing in her mind. She smiled widely and laughed to herself, leaving Taehoon wide-eyed as he watched her grinning at something in the distance, which turned out to be a large vase of flowers.

"What's so funny about those flowers?" Taehoon scratched his head, perplexed, before looking back at Fae, who was still lost in her thoughts, staring at the vase with a grin.

Meanwhile, Fae was busy planning her stay in this dream, if that's indeed what it was. She was still waiting to wake up, aware of the danger that lurked within the pages of this book, especially with those two individuals. She looked down at the boy again and sat down, holding Taehoon's little hands in hers. Taehoon smiled sweetly at her.

'Kim Taehoon, the child character of the book. He was accidentally shot by Yana when she and Nara were fighting in this very living room. Yana accidentally fired the gun, and poor Taehoon got caught in the crossfire. But this time, I promise you'll live. But first, I need to know what this girl did to end up in this state again.'

"Can I ask you something, Taehoon?" Fae spoke softly, and Taehoon nodded.

"Um, you see, I'm still experiencing memory loss or something. Can you tell me what I did before I... you know, before I had this memory loss?"

Taehoon looked away for a moment before clearing his throat, ready to share what she needed to know.

"The whole family except your father,attended a party celebration. While we were there, you followed Nara noona to the restroom upstairs. We heard you arguing, and then we saw you both pulling each other's hair. You tripped and fell down the stairs, but luckily, the stairs weren't very high."

Taehoon's voice carried a hint of sadness.

'So, the party was organized by the Parks. This is the event that leads to her downfall, where she gets framed by Nara. That b*tch... Let's see who becomes the villain now,'Fae thought, internally smirking as she stood up.

"You should go, Taehoon. Your tutor will be here soon—"

Just as she was about to finish her sentence, the door swung open, and a tall, well-built man in a white polo shirt and black pants entered, wearing glasses. Fae found herself drooling over this angelic figure, and the man smiled as his eyes landed on the two of them, revealing his dimples. Fae internally squealed in delight.

Kim Namjoon.

Fae smirked, recognizing the character from the dimples on his handsome face.

'Kim Namjoon, Kim Taehoon's genius tutor. He's secretly in love with Yana, but she chases after the wrong guys, those two psychos. Why chase after them when there's someone better? This man has been silently loving Yana and helping her whenever she's in need. When she discovered his love for her, she used it for her own gain, dragging him down along with Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook, and the four other men to kill her in the end.'

"Long time no see, beautiful," Namjoon greeted her with a compliment, his deep voice making her blush. He relished in the sight of her blushing, feeling complete as the beautiful woman before him reacted to his words,for the first time.

"Nice to see you too, Joonie," Fae smirked, using the nickname she had given him when she was reading the book. Namjoon widened his eyes in shock, blushing even more than she did. He couldn't believe that the woman he had secretly loved had given him a nickname.

'Kim Namjoon, nice to finally meet you,' Fae thought, her smirk growing wider.

[lucky-clover-gazette]

prince's gambit highlights & annotations

chapter 19

indented text is from the book. some quotes have commentary, some do not. some comments are serious, and some are definitely not. most of them will only make sense to people who have read the series. and, like, there are spoilers. so please read the books first if you're interested!

also: part of the reason i'm doing such a close reading is to study cs pacat's style, especially in terms of how she does romance and erotica. there are "craft notes" that might seem weird, like i'm being redundant or restating something rather than analyzing, but those are more things that i want to remember/take away from the writing!

i'm going to tag these longer posts with "sam reads capri" in case anyone wants to read them all at once.

this is a google doc i wrote with overall content warnings for the captive prince series. it's not perfect, but i do think it's important to include.

He found he had put himself bodily in Guymar’s way. ‘No. No one goes in.’ Anger, irrationally, blossomed. Behind him was the closed door to the tower rooms, a barrier to disaster. Guymar should know better than to barge in and make Laurent’s mood worse. Guymar should have known better than to cause Laurent’s mood in the first place.

one kiss and he’s fully down bad. like these are max levels of damen down bad-ness. it took one kiss. holy shit dude. we went from “laurent knows everything and is always planning something terrible” to “you will NOT bother my poor little meow meow while he does his silent soliloquy”

‘This time, I want it actually kept clear. I don’t care who is about to get molested. No one is to come here. Is that understood?’ ‘Yes, Captain.’ Guymar bowed and retreated. Damen found himself with his hands braced on the stone crenellation, in unconscious echoing of Laurent’s pose, the line of Laurent’s back the last thing he had seen before he had put the heel of his palm to the door. His heart was pounding. He wanted to make a barrier that protected Laurent from anyone who would intrude on him. He’d keep that perimeter clear, if it meant stalking these battlements and patrolling it himself. He knew this about Laurent. That once he gave himself time alone to think, the control returned, reason won out. The part of him that didn’t want to drop Aimeric with a punch recognised that both Jord and Aimeric had just been put through the wringer. It was a mess that needn’t have happened. If they’d just—steered clear. Friends, Laurent had said, high on the battlements. Is that what we are? Damen’s hands drew into fists. Aimeric was an inveterate troublemaker with terrible timing.

this is so ridiculous damen you have laurent brainrot it is so funny how this has unlocked primal rage and determination in you that literal flogging couldn’t

but keep your head up king, this is the chapter where you get to smash

The idea of stopping, allowing himself a moment to think, was terrible. Outside, there was nothing, just the last hours of darkness, and the long ride in the dawn.

and no more laurent to smooch >:(

‘Watch over the Prince,’ he heard himself say. ‘Anything he needs, make certain he has it. Take care of him.’ He was aware of the incongruity of the words, of his hard grip on the soldier’s arm. When he tried to stop, his grip only tightened. ‘He deserves your loyalty.’

damen said “it’s MY turn on the projection”

His time as Laurent’s Captain had been short-lived. An afternoon. An evening. In that time they’d won a battle and taken a fort. It seemed wild and improbable, a hard-edged golden piece of metal in his hand.

also they’d kissed on the mouth. leaving out a pretty essential detail there damen

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘Your servants brought me to the wrong rooms.’ ‘No, they didn’t,’ said Laurent.

pffft did they just know? i’m not sure when laurent could have asked them to do it. so they must have just assumed laurent wanted him there

‘I don’t want to talk about Aimeric,’ said Laurent. ‘Or my uncle.’ Laurent began to come forward.

uh laurent i don’t think damen mentioned the regent at all. i think you’re telling yourself to stop thinking about your uncle because you would like to fuck damen without ptsd making it weird

Laurent said, ‘I know you’re planning to leave tomorrow. You’re going to cross the border, and you’re not going to come back. Say it.’ ‘I—’ ‘Say it.’ ‘I’m going to leave tomorrow,’ said Damen, as steadily as he could. ‘I’m not going to come back.’ He drew in a breath that hurt his chest. ‘Laurent—’ ‘No, I don’t care. Tomorrow you leave. But you’re mine now. You’re still my slave tonight.’ Damen felt the words hit, but that was subsumed in the shock of Laurent’s hand on him, a push backwards. His legs hit the bed. The world tilted, bed silks and roseate light. He felt Laurent’s knee alongside his thigh, Laurent’s hand on his chest. ‘I—don’t—’ ‘I think you do,’ said Laurent.

laurent listened to “dead girl walking” from heathers musical on the way up to the rooms in preparation for this. also i love the mixed feelings here—on one hand, hell yeah laurent, let yourself have this, but also this is fucked up for you both, and you really should talk it out, and the fact that you’re demanding his abandonment before fucking him is concerning, like you only want to fuck if you know he’s leaving anyway, but i mean why not then, if he’s leaving, and you know he wants you, and this is the last night to do it…

also laurent knows damen wants this, and he’s not actually using the slave thing here. the only way he’s using it, is calling damen on what he said earlier that evening before the kissing. cashing in on it, in a way. it’s not exactly healthy but i wouldn’t say it’s like non-consensual or anything

‘What am I doing? You are not very observant.’ ‘You’re not yourself,’ said Damen. ‘And even if you were, you don’t do anything without a dozen motives.’ Laurent went very still, the soft words half bitter. ‘Don’t I? I must want something.’

ooof that hit a sore spot, i think. laurent very badly wants to both lose and take control right now, and sex is a way he’s both lost and had control in the past—lost control to the regent, and had it over damen back in arles. he’s trying not to think about that, about the reasons, and damen is trying to make him think about it, and also implying that laurent can’t just do anything because it’s what he wants or feels.

‘Laurent,’ he said. ‘You take liberties,’ said Laurent. ‘I never gave you permission to call me by my name.’ ‘Your Highness,’ said Damen, and the words twisted, wrong in his mouth. He needed to say, Don’t do this. But he couldn’t think past Laurent, improbably close. He felt each shifting inch that divided their bodies with a fluttering, illicit sensation at Laurent’s proximity. He closed his eyes against it, felt his body’s painful yearning. ‘I don’t think you want me. I think you just want me to feel this.’ ‘Then, feel it,’ said Laurent.

“i don’t think you want me, i think you just want me to feel this” is an INSANE and deeply true line. but also, i think laurent does want damen—HIS damen, not damianos. and this is the last night he can have his damen.

and maybe laurent enjoys your reactions, damen. ever think about that?

‘You liked this too, with Ancel.’ ‘That wasn’t Ancel,’ said Damen, the words coming out, raw and honest. ‘That was all you, and you know it.’

LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOO

The rise and fall of Laurent’s hand was like the slide of Laurent’s words, like every frustrating argument that they’d ever had, stymied, tangled up in Laurent’s voice.

great line. love how it ties the sex act to something deeper between them

Laurent held his former mood within him, constrained, and converted into something else.

horny and angry is not the ideal way for them to fuck for the first time, and for laurent to fuck for the first time since [redacted], but since when has anything been ideal for laurent (or damen, as of book 1)

He felt Laurent pulling back, pulling away, shuttering himself, trying but not quite able to manage a cool snap withdrawal. Laurent said, ‘Adequate.’

book 1: “Laurent turned to Damen. ‘Well?’ Laurent said. ‘Can you couple adequately, or do you just kill things?”

He’d caught Laurent’s wrist before, to hold him back from a blow, a knife strike. He held him now. He could feel the desperate urge for retreat. He could feel something else too, Laurent keeping himself apart, as though, this act being finished, he had no template for what to do. ‘Kiss me,’ he said again.

this is so good. it’s good for all the things damen knows, and all the things he doesn’t know. because he’s doing good here, even without the truth about the regent clicking. he’s helping laurent figure this out, confidently and compassionately, and showing him that he doesn’t need to retreat.

Dark-eyed, Laurent was holding himself in place as though pushing himself past a barrier, the tension in Laurent’s body still telegraphing flight, and Damen felt the shock with his whole body when Laurent’s gaze dropped to his mouth. His own eyes fell closed as he realised that Laurent was going to do this, and he held himself very still. Laurent kissed with a slight parting of his lips, as though he was unconscious of what he was asking for, and Damen kissed him back carefully, dizzy with the idea that the kiss would deepen.

see my previous comments about trauma and my appreciation for laurent as a romantic interest/lead

For a moment, looking felt like kissing, an exchange in which the distinctions of intimacy blurred.

"distinctions of intimacy blurred" is such a succinct way to summarize the way pacat writes the overall romantic arc. they do not need to be fucking to be fucking, and when they are fucking, they're doing other stuff too

It was not what Laurent had expected. He felt the slight shock of Laurent’s surprise, and the way Laurent held himself, as though confused as to why Damen wished to do this, but he felt the moment when surprise turned to something else.

“confused as to why damen wanted to do this” yeah that’s pretty typical for laurent

Damen allowed himself the minor delight of nuzzling.

fantastic line

He lifted his fingers to the tie that closed Laurent’s collar. He had been trained to do this, he knew every intricate fastening.

talk about setup and payoff...

Exposed, Laurent’s nipples were hard and puckered, the first tangible evidence of desire, and Damen felt a wild surge of gratification. His eyes lifted to Laurent’s. Laurent said, ‘Did you think I was made of stone?’ He couldn’t stop the rush of pleasure he felt at that, said, ‘Nothing you don’t want.’ ‘You think I don’t want it?’ Seeing the look in Laurent’s eyes, Damen deliberately pushed him back onto the sheets.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

okay big turning point! probably the first major tell we’ve gotten of laurent being out of control of his reactions, AND he isn’t ashamed of it and asks for more!!! massive laurent (and damen) w!!!

Lifting a hand idly to the exact place above his head where Damen might have pressed it, Laurent gazed back at him through veiled lashes. ‘Like being on top, do you?’ ‘Yes.’ Never more so than at this moment. To have Laurent beneath him was heady.

they’re both having so much fun in different but complimentary ways. laurent enjoys what he’s doing to damen, damen enjoys what laurent is doing to him. they’re both getting something out of it, which i don’t think damen fully understood what he said that thing about laurent not wanting him, but wanting to make him feel. he wants it because it’s you specifically, dummy.

Despite the cool tone, he was aware of the extent to which Laurent was holding himself in place, allowing himself to be touched. Tension still glinted in Laurent’s body, like the shine on a blade edge that would slice you open at the wrong touch.

Damen let himself experience dizzily just how much he liked the idea of controlled Laurent betraying himself in salt flavoured need into his mouth. He touched it with his hand and encountered a texture like hot silk.

i like how pacat finds these ways to say what’s going on, but in a much more compelling and beautiful way than just “damen wanted to blow him” and “his dick was nice”

‘I am not going to reciprocate.’ Damen looked up. ‘What?’ Laurent said, ‘I am not going to do that to you.’ ‘And so?’ ‘Do you want me to suck your cock?’ said Laurent, precisely. ‘Because I don’t plan to. If you are proceeding on the expectation of reciprocity, then you had best be forewarned that—’ This was too convoluted for bed play. Damen listened, satisfied himself that in all of this talking there was no actual objection, then simply applied his mouth.

LOVE THIS. how complicated traumatized laurent trying to deflect is just washing over damen, he doesn’t care if it’s not reciprocal, he just wants to make laurent feel good. something laurent doesn’t understand or expect because sex for him has always been about making [redacted] feel good and that’s it. and laurent’s bitchiness here is so tenderly and funny and in character. he delivered a “precise treatise on cocksucking” in book 1, of course he’d regard this like a business negotiation

For all his seeming experience, Laurent reacted like an innocent to this pleasure. He let out a soft shocked sound, and his body re-formed around the place where Damen was giving his attention. Damen held Laurent in place, hands to hips, and allowed himself to enjoy Laurent’s slight, helpless shifts and pushes, the quality of his surprise, and the hard act of repression that followed, as Laurent tried to even out his breathing.

damen associates sex with happily giving and receiving pleasure, so he’s confused/surprised by laurent’s unfamiliarity with actually getting attention and enjoying himself

Laurent was, by far, the most controlled lover Damen had ever taken to bed.

damen a lot of them were slaves. coached to make you feel like a god. just saying

And felt it stymied. As rhythm built, Laurent’s body locked down, his responses repressed. Looking up, he saw that Laurent’s hands were fists in the sheets, his eyes closed, his head turned to one side. Laurent, out on the shattered edge of pleasure, was holding himself back from climax by sheer force of his impossible will.

again i say, i’m so glad to see someone like laurent as the love interest in a romance novel, holy shit

After a long moment Laurent said, with painful honesty, ‘I . . . find it difficult to let go of control.’ ‘No kidding,’ said Damen.

:) a really nice tension-breaking way to find a little humor in it all, made even lighter by damen’s lack of awareness re: [redacted]

‘You want to take me, as a man takes a boy.’

this is the first moment where i’m just like DAMEN. truly. how are you not guessing this. i get that it’s consistent with his character to not assume the worst, but oh my god

‘You make it sound simple.’ ‘It is simple.’

The words fell into a stillness between them. Laurent’s breathing was shallow, and his cheeks were flushed as he closed his eyes, as though he wanted to block out the world. ‘I want,’ said Laurent, ‘I want it to be simple.’

‘Yes,’ said Laurent. ‘But��wasn’t it—’ ‘Will you stop talking about it.’ The words were ground out.

oh he’s trying so hard to let himself have this. probably before he feels really ready but it’s his last night with damen so!!

For all his bizarre nervy tension, Laurent was indisputably eager, physically. Damen searched his blue eyes. ‘Contrary, aren’t you,’ said Damen softly, thumbing over Laurent’s cheek. ‘Fuck me,’ said Laurent. ‘I want to,’ said Damen. ‘Can you let me?’ He said it quietly, and waited, as Laurent’s eyes closed again, a muscle sliding in his jaw. The idea of being fucked very clearly had Laurent out of his mind, as desire competed with some sort of convoluted mental objection that really needed, Damen thought, to be dispensed with. ‘I am letting you,’ said Laurent, the terse words pushing out. ‘Will you get on with it?’

this is so well-written, both what’s in the lines and what’s in between them. it’s a sex scene but it’s also a masterful scene of dramatic irony and characterization for them both

He watched Laurent’s face, the slight flush, the fractional changes of his expression, his eyes wide and dark. It was intensely private.

of course he's in his own head. that's laurent, for better or for worse

He felt some sense that he needed to hold onto this, to hold it tight and never let it out of his grip. You’re mine, he wanted to say, and couldn’t. Laurent didn’t belong to him; this was something he could have only once. His chest hurt.

To get what you want, you have to know exactly how much you are willing to give up. Never had he wanted something this badly, and held it in his hands knowing that tomorrow it would be gone, traded for the high cliffs of Ios, and the uncertain future across the border, the chance to stand before his brother, to ask him for all the answers that no longer seemed so important. A kingdom, or this.

i don’t have much to add here. it’s being explained perfectly in the text. it's nice to be at this point of understanding with the characters and plot that things can come together like this, thematically, on the page.

[ellies-coochiesucker]

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹!𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀

Meeting her

You and Ellie meet through Jesse. You and Jesse dated for about a month three years before. He made you realize you were a lesbian.

He invited you to a study group that included; him, Dina, and Ellie.

In the school library, the four sat around the circular table in the center of the room. Jesse being Jesse fucked around the whole session causing the group to get annoyed stares. Dina decided that they should leave.

When you suggested that you guys just reschedule.

Dina told you and Ellie to stay.

....alone

“No, no. You guys stay I've got to get this idiot out of here.” Dina glanced at you guys, sensing some sort of awkwardness. “If it's okay with you guys.”

“Um, yeah, if it's fine with you.” Ellie shrugged as she stared at you.

“Oh. Yeah I don't have a problem.”

Of course, It was awkward between you guys at first but after a while things went smoother. The studying was soon forgotten about once she let it slip that she likes comic books.

Becoming best friends

After the failed study session, you start to hang out with the group more. Always Jesse doing something stupid and you, Dina, and Ellie talk shit about him. You've finally found your people.

Sneaking out to go on late-night drives and you being the only one who doesn't know how to drive. You will get bullied for it believe me.

“Imagine failing Spanish.”

“Imagine not knowing how to drive.” - Jesse

You were tired of the constant abuse from mostly Jesse, so you asked Ellie to teach you how to drive. She agrees.

“You forgot to put on your seat best.”

“Oh - shit, slow down a little.”

“Fuck you ran a red light... it's okay, you’re okay. Everybody makes mistakes. ”

“Maybe drive the speed limit. No... it's alright just try not to go 25 miles over next time.”

“You can go a little faster.”

“You’re doing great, babe”

Babe was something she called you a lot but only when you were alone, which you guys were a lot as you got more comfortable with each other. Not needing Dina or Jesse to make things less awkward anymore.

Going to the library to read comic books for hours.

Taking unexpected pictures of each other.

Having your first sleepover at her house. Dina being jealous that she didn't get an invite.

Ellie complaining about her job being ass, wishing you were with her.

You getting hired at her job a month and a half later.

You guys making everything a two-person job.

Sending songs that remind you of each other.

your song that reminded you of her

“Why does this song remind you of me?”

“Idk...this song kinda reminds me of hope and then I think about...you...i guess.”

Dating her

Everyone at school already thought you guys were dating, since Ellie isn't nice to anyone. Not even her own friends sometimes.

how she asked you out:

Ellie was a sweaty mess. She was currently in her room, pacing from one side to the other, as Dina and Jesse watched from her bed.

“Oh my god! What if she says no? I'll fucking die of embarrassment .” She tugged the sides of her hair.

“Ellie calm down.” Dina moves from the bed to her friend. She pushes Ellie’s hands away from her hair, fixing the few strands that were out of place. “She’s gonna say yes. She’s basically in love with you. You're gonna be fine.”

“Yeah, you're all she talks about. Seriously I'm sick of it.” Jesse groaned recalling all the times you would bring up Ellie in a conversation. Her doing the same.

This made Ellie feel a little better.

They heard a knock before the door opened revealing yourself. “Hey, guys! I brought cookies for movie night.” You raised the plastic bag in your hands giving Ellie a big grin.

“Actually, I think I'm coming down with something.” She let out a fake cough and grabbed Jesse’s hand. “Jesse is just gonna take me home.”

“But what about movie night? I bought cookies.” You gave a pout, holding up the bag again.

“Next time I promised.” She and Jesse left.

“Well, I guess it's just us.” You smiled at Ellie. “Yeah, just us.” She wiped her sweaty palms on her pants.

“I - um” Ellie cleared her throat. “I got you something.”

Ellie took a deep breath before going behind her bed to fetch the gift. You let out a gasp as you saw the big bucket of lego flowers, a couple definitely from different lego sets. “I made these for you.”

“Ellie they’re beautiful.” You came closer to her picking a few flowers out of the bucket. “How long did this take?” You placed the flowers back, taking the whole pail from the girl. “About 15 hours. It took me all day.” She said like it was no big deal. “What the hell! Are you not exhausted?”

“I am but it was worth it for the girl I like.”

“The girl you like?”

“Yeah.” She fiddled with her fingers, staring at her socks.

“Me?”

“....yeah”

“So is this movie night...like a date?”

“...if you want it to be.”

Since Ellie didn't have a tv in her room, she used her computer. You both snuggled close, Ellie letting you pick the movie.

Pitch Perfect is what you decided on. Ellie complains, not wanting to watch this movie for the hundredth time.

Ellie watched with amazement as you quoted almost every line.

“Ellie watch the movie.”

“Right...Sorry.”

You don't know when you fell asleep but you woke up to multiple text messages and missed calls from your mother.

“OH SHIT, ELLIE.” You screamed gripping your phone to see that it was 2 am. “WHAT!WHAT!” She scrambled from the bed, you doing the same. “I have to get home!” You slipped on your shoes before grabbing your bucket of flowers.

“Okay. I'll take you home.” She attempted to rub the sleepiness from her face. She tripped a bit trying to put on longer pants and put on her shoes.

All of a sudden Ellie’s door blasted open to reveal Joel....with a bat? “Why does he have a bat?”

“I don't know.”

After a little communication, Joel decided to take you home. Ellie road in the back of Joel’s truck not wanting you to be alone. You guys held hands ── just because it was cold of course ── trying to stay awake.

“I'll walk you inside.” Ellie told you as she grabbed the bucket of flowers. “Ok.” You said your goodbyes to Joel and got out of the truck and onto your front porch.

“Thank you for the flowers and the movie night.” You beamed as you stared into her tired eyes. “I had fun.”

“I'm glad.” She eagerly nodded, not knowing what to do next.

There was 30 seconds of awkwardness, neither of them how to take the first move.

“Fuck it.” You mumbled under your breath. You gently placed your hands on Ellie’s cold face but was quickly heating up from her blushing. You both closed your eyes and leaned in until your lips are locked. Ellie’s grip on the bucket loosens almost causing her to drop it as the kiss quickens in pace.

The two were startled and pulled away from each other by Joel honking his horn. Ellie turned to the truck to give Joel a fast glare before turning back around to you.

“I gotta go sorry.” She gave an apologetic gaze. She handed you the bucket.

“It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow.” You kissed her on the cheek. “Good Night.”

“Good night.” She hesitantly walked back to Joel’s truck.

Two weeks later she asked you to be her girlfriend.

you guys as girlfriends

Her always bringing you snacks for lunch because you refuse to eat that despicable school lunch.

“You got her those dry-ass sugar cookies.” Jesse groaned watching you eat your cookies. Ellie, who had her arm wrapped around your shoulder, rolled her eyes at his statement. She also hated the dry cookie with, in her opinion, too much frosting. But her girlfriend loves them so, of course, she’ll get them for you. “Shut the fuck up. You're just jealous that you have to eat the gross school food.”

You and Ellie have one class together. The entire period consists of you not doing your assignment, but instead watching trashy reality tv shows, and Ellie having to keep you on track, failing most of the time.

Sometimes she just ends up taking your test for you. The teacher never walks around during testing so who cares?

You have to force Ellie to eat. Before you guys meet she would forget to eat all day and wonder why she felt so bad the next day.

“El, do you wanna get some food?”

“No thanks, I just eat.”

“What’d you eat?”

“A bagel.”

“Ellie that was this morning. And we shared half of it.”

“Oh.”

a little argument you guys got into:

“El, my love, do you wanna go get ice cream?”

“I'm not really in the mood for it but I can still take you, babe.”

“I don't want ice cream if you're not gonna get ice. I’d feel bad.”

“Don’t feel bad I just don’t want any. I can still get you some.”

“No, I don't want ice cream anymore.”

“Babe let's not do this. I'll just have some of your ice cream.”

“No, I want my own ice cream.”

“I thought you didn't want ice cream.”

“Not if you don't want any.”

“Oh, my god.”

[alaydabug2]

Okie dokie

Gonna get sappy/personal on here

I'm pretty sure the reason I'm so attached to kotlc is because it helped me through a tough time in my life

When I first read kotlc it was the summer before I went into seventh grade

Some important background information

I was in a trio group in late elementary school and in sixth grade we had a fall out

One person was being a jerk and narcissistic so me and the other friend broke off in our own little duo (my best friend kaylee)

Well end of sixth grade Kaylee tells me she's moving schools and going to public school (we were at a private school at the time)

The thing is I had other friends....kind of

Tbh I'm pretty sure I was the pity friend in that group

It's not like they were mean to me or anything, but I had zero in common with them

Not the same humor, same sports, same interests

Nothing

I was also the friend that got pushed to the end of the table so I usually didn't participate in the conversations much (and if you know me irl I love to talk)

But that summer I had just finished The Mysterious Benedict Society before school ended so while we were in the city for a doctor appointment we went to the bookstore so I could find something else to read

I was in the middle grade section and was just browsing when kotlc caught my eye

Idk what it was but i was just DRAWN in by it

Like it was a black hole or smth (sometimes I think it was God giving me what I needed at the time)

Read the back looked at the series

I told my mama this was the one I wanted

She asked if I wanted tk look some more before choosing

I said it was this one I wanted

So we went home and I read the first book

Fell in LOVE

Continued the series and just got immersed with the characters and the story

Then of course unlocked cliffhanger made me want to scream

But I went into 7th grade with that freshly in my mind and idk.... I think my brain just kind of... latched onto it

It was my comfort when I was the friend who had to walk behind the rest of the group on the track because their wasn't enough room

It's not like I could just easily get new friends

Like I said I was in a private school at the time

There were only 11 people in my GRADE in 7th

I had pretty slim pickings and that was the best I was gonna get

Then of course I moved schools and went into public school

But at thus point it's 8th grade

Everyone pretty much has their established groups and it's hard to REALLY get included

Like you're in the group....but not IN the group if that makes sense

I've always had a pretty tough time fitting in

You guys have seen how I act

I act like this irl too

And that's obviously going to be hard to find someone who acts like j do without being weirded out

My personality is just loud

So again I fall back on these books

Cause the characters aren't going to leave me

The characters aren't going tk stab me in the back

The characters aren't going to tear me down

They aren't going to exclude me

So I hold onto these characters and find comfort in them and relate to them and just hide jn the world of the Lost Cities cause THATS where I want to be

Yeah things aren't perfect there

But heck at least I can have friends there that care about me and have sparkly flying horses and dress in ball gowns just to go to the store and I won't feel as lonely as I do now

I can just escape the world here and pretend nothing else exists except the sparkly castles and go fight bad guys and feel like I'm doing something useful instead of just sitting at home with no social life cause I'm never invited to birthday parties and I don't feel close enough to these people to invite them anywhere else myself

Going into high school this year idk if it's going to be better or worse on that end but I just know that these charach are able to take care of me when no person irl can

Of got these characters I've got this amazing world and I've got this fandom

Sometimes that in itself makes me feel less lonely than I am

[hearthown]

Games Untold Theory!

I'm just gonna get right into it. So, we are able to guess who the subjects are for most of the stories – except for Pain at the Right Gun.

I know that some of us are guessing that this one could be about Gray and Lyra (and I personally started to believe that too), but last night I had a sudden thought.

What if it isn't about Gray and Lyra but about Tobias and Alice?

One of the main reasons I don't think it's Gray and Lyra is because the events in Games Untold happen before the start of TGG and plus, JLB mentioned that the stories revolve around the characters from the original trilogy – AND the new Grandest Game characters do not appear.

Now, for my reasons as to why I think it's Tobias and Alice. I mentioned before that I believe Alice will be included in this book because of the pearl necklace on the cover. As for Tobias, I think he'll be included because of this:

The key. There's a key on the cover and the blade of the key (the part which you put in a lock) is shaped like a letter H. Tobias once said that the keys he made for the key challenge he created (the one where they had to find which key would open the door to Hawthorne House) told the story of his life. So this could be an indication that he's included.

But how could Tobias and Alice's relationship relate to the title of their short story, if it really was about them?

Pain at the Right Gun. There are several meanings for the word "gun". It could mean a weapon. Or it could also mean a bicep; muscular arms.

WARNING: This will start to sound like I'm stretching TOOOOO far but I'll try to make this make sense.

If we took "gun" to mean bicep, then it would mean Pain at the Right Bicep. Right bicep can kind of relate to right-hand, as in right-hand man. And I believe that Tobias and Alice had quite a close relationship since Tobias mentioned that Alice was the woman that he loved wholly (with that Hawthorne love).

Bicep pain is caused by muscle strain. So what if this is pointing to a strain in their relationship? As I said before, whatever Jameson heard in Prague (which was presumably Alice's words) was quite unnerving towards the Hawthorne family. It even seemed as though Alice didn't want to have anything to do with them. She didn't even come back to Hawthorne House during the old man's funeral – she didn't even have an intention of coming back to see her grandsons. And she warned Jameson to not talk about the fact that she was alive to anyone. What if there was a strain in Tobias and Alice's relationship and she ran away? Pain at the Right Gun. The pain could also be due to the fact that Alice kind of destroyed Tobias by running away. Tobias said "once you love the way a Hawthorne loves, there is no going back."

"If she is the one, someday, she will destroy you."

NEXT – Yes, I know there are calla lilies which point to Lyra on the cover. But remember – Nan mentioned that Tobias sent flowers to Lyra's dad's funeral... and who is to say that the flowers weren't calla lilies? Lyra's father gave her a calla lily before he sh0t himself de@d. He said "a Hawthorne did this". Somehow, I think the calla lilies mean more than a parting gift from Lyra's dad to Lyra.

And I just thought of something... WHAT IF... Alice is related to Lyra and her family in some way? What if she knew what Tobias did and it led to her running away?

Okay, that's it for my theory 👋 thank you for reading :P

[thegamingcatmom]

Usually, I have thoughts on Tanya and Kate, but here's a thought for Irina

Thoughts on MC talking books with Irina?

Idk what Irina would be reading. Part of my mind goes she's sophisticated, classy, some old book she picked up that's like a first edition.

Then the other part of my mind goes yknow....what if she read romance or fantasy romance. Girl's expectations are built high on the novels of young adult romance. With her being a romantic and all, I can't help but feel she'd like reading pining and other things.

But anyways MC sees a story she knows and likes that Irina is currently reading again cause irina likes the series. MC then, despite her fear and better judgment of this denali sister, strikes up conversation like an excited child talking about their favourite thing. Except then shipping is brought up. Idk where I'm going with this, but say MC asks who's her favourite pairing? Irina going with the obvious canon pair, hasnt considered anything else, and then MC goes cool. I like (ships character with other character)

Irina: confused

They don't get together??? Character goes with canon pair

MC:well yes but this pair has better chemistry, and then MC proceeds to bring up multiple points on a different perspective to how story could be viewed

Idk MC introduces her to fanfiction?

Irina: >:|

First time hearing about shipping

Not sure how to feel about other character in her ship with other character

Can't accept it(yet)

Thinks canon ship is superior

Don't think Irina has talked to many people about her favourite series

It isn't until later that she really thinks about it and goes damn MC kinda right

Cue Irina reading fanfiction in private

She won't tell MC that she's right

But she will chat about story with MC cause idk I don't expect her chatting with her sisters about a Fandom she likes, like Irina keeps her favourites secret

Anyways ye that's my Irina thought

(Shoves Irina forward and books it out the door)

-📚

Hi 📚!

Aight so, I have to admit, I´m not a huuuge fan of including/seeing fanfiction in my fanfiction. Y´know what I´m saying? 😅

(Same with Y/N btw. That´s a huge turn-off for me. Sorry to anyone who´s feeling addressed rn! 😖)

I dunno, it just feels a tad bit weird to me. It´s like watching someone watching someone watching someone watching someone watching someone watching-

...Y´know?? 😭

But to each their own ofc! And something I can totally get behind is Irina and MC discussing book matters. Or well, MC somewhat anxiously asking about a thing or two when she hears Irina and Carmen talk about it.

Carmen is only all too happy to include her ofc. She immediately starts gushing, asking MC about her favorite character and pairing, and so on. Which prompts MC to gush as well, asking about Carmen´s favorite character and pairing, and so on. Soon, they find themselves in a heated discussion of their own.

And Irina? Well, she doesn´t find it at all funny that the mortal worms her way into every aspect of her life. Can´t she have a conversation in peace anymore?? Without the human being the center of attention?? My God-

She was about to leave, not at all willing to listen to that rubbish-

MC, in response to smt Carmen said: "You think so? I don´t know...they just don´t make sense to me, y´know? Zero chemistry and all. I never really liked Julian anyway. He´s so...treacherous."

Irina: *stops in her tracks cause...bish said what?*

Irina, turning back around: "...Treacherous?"

MC, who didn´t expect Irina to actually listen to what she´s saying: *panics*

Irina, walking back to them cause the dmg is done now: "How is someone who´s willing to do everything for the one he loves treacherous?"

MC: *gaping like a fish out of water as she struggles to remember the English language*

Irina, who has reached them by now: *raises her eyebrow, crosses her arms*

Irina: "Well?"

MC: *shoots Carmen a look that clearly says 'HELP ME'*

Carmen: *smiles lovingly at her in a way that clearly says 'You got this...dumbass.'*

MC: *turns back to Irina*

Irina: *starts tapping her foot impatiently*

MC: *fml, here goes nothing-*

MC, taking a deep breath: "For one, I think he´s incredibly selfish-"

Irina, already starting to lose it: "He´s-"

Camen: *shoots her the look*

Irina: *...wisely shuts her mouth again*

MC: "...And he´s...manipulative. He knows exactly what to say and how to behave to make people trust him, and he exploits that trust the first chance he gets."

Irina: *mulls it over for a moment*

Irina, refusing to back down: "He didn´t exploit anything. He acted in a way that he thought was best-"

MC, slowly forgetting who she´s talking to: "Best for whom?"

Irina: *blinks at her*

MC, emboldened by the silence: "He didn´t take one moment to think about the consequences of his actions, because he didn´t care. All he cared about was settling an old score-"

Carmen: *slowly backs away and out of the living room*

Tanya & Kate: *entering the house, only just returning from their hunt, about to greet Carmen*

Carmen: *makes the shushing motion*

Tanya & Kate: ❓👀❓

Carmen: *gestures to the living room*

Tanya & Kate: *take a look...and then another*

Kate, in a low voice: "...When the hell did that happen?"

Irina, in the distance: "-only did that because he saw no other choice! He did what he thought necessary to protect himself and the one he loves-" MC, in the distance: "Are you kidding-"

Tanya, planting her hands on her hips in utter disbelief: "What in God´s name is going on?"

Carmen, proud as punch: "I think we have a breakthrough."

.

.

.

OKAY I ACTUALLY LOVE THIS SO MUCH. 😭

In fact, I added this idea to my list of things I wanna include in The Sisters at some point because this is just too damn accurate. Tysm for inspiring this. 🙏

Oh btw: I think Irina is heavy into anything romance. She´s always dreamed of finding "the one," which is why you´ll most likely find her with her nose buried in some tragic love tale or a story about mutual pining where external circumstances always prevent the pair from getting together at first.

In other words: She enjoys a good slow-burn. 😉

Tysm for your ask! 💋

EDIT:

Who do y´all think "Julian" is meant to represent? 😏

[trashboatprince]

Oh i just thought of a prompt idea! Aziraphale trying to write a book? Maybe under estimating how easy it would be?

Hahaha, the massive difference between reading something and writing something.

On with the fic!

--

"Angel!" Crowley shouted as he loudly threw open the doors to the bookshop. "You in? Cause I know you are, I can sense your 'goody-goody' angel essence here. Plus, you tend to call me when you're gonna take a little trip or do somethin' for Heaven."

He glanced around, there looked to be more dust than usual, and he could smell the unmistakable scent of forgotten tea cups. Bleh.

Which means that Aziraphale either found a new, ancient tome to pour over for days to make sure he reads every single thing, examines every damn, little detail. Or, he's bookbinding/repairing for a commission and completely forgot about everything else in the world, including answering his blasted phone.

Crowley rolled his eyes and headed right for Aziraphale's work space, and as he got closer, he seemed to pick up on a ticking sound. And a metallic ding, followed by some odd sound, then more ticking.

Gosh, that's a combo of noises Crowley hadn't heard in person in ages, mainly you heard it in movies or TV shows from bygone times. Or, when Aziraphale decided to pull it out of its case and use it because his ancient-as-anything computer just won't cut it.

Peeking into the work space, Crowley found a mess.

Papers everywhere, stacked into what had to be piles of organized chaos, or simply discarded, judging by some of the crumbled up paper balls. And there was Aziraphale, with several cups that may or may not contain mold, glaring as he rapidly typed away at a typewriter that had to be from the 1890s.

Aziraphale growled and yanked out the paper. "No, no! Terrible, all of those were incorrect for the scene! Fine, attempt number fifteen should be it..."

The typewriter suddenly had paper again and Aziraphale began typing away, muttering under his breath.

"Hell's teeth, angel, what's all this about?" Crowley asked, picking up one of the discarded papers. He looked at what was on it, and it seemed to be dialogue between two characters, though the conversation was very prissy, very Aziraphale-like.

Aziraphale squeaked and turned, blinking owlishly behind his little glasses. "Oh! Good... uhh... what time is it, dear?"

"It's 10 in the morning."

"Ah! Right, good morning! Dreadfully sorry, been a bit busy lately."

"I can see that." Crowley tossed the paper aside. "You writin' somethin'?"

Aziraphale looked excited. "I am! I decided that it's about time that I add to the literary world, and not just contribute to it through my reading!"

"So, you're trying to write a book." The demon picked up a few more pages. "This is why I haven't heard from you for over a week?"

"It's been over a week since we had brunch?" Aziraphale blinked. "Gosh, I seem to have been more into my work than I thought."

Crowley snorted, tossing the other papers aside into the mess. Then he stopped, and a big, toothy grin came to him. "Brunch! Oooh! This is why you're writing a book, isn't it? Cause I told you that it's a lot of work for good literature, after you complained about all those annoying books that 'popular' authors these days just churn out every two months! You were all 'It takes time and effort for memorable books, anyone who doesn't just want the next paycheck can do it'."

Aziraphale huffed and fixed his bowtie. "I stand by that, Crowley. And it's true, a love for writing and reading can create amazing stories. And I decided to prove my point!"

"From all this paper, and how pissed you looked when I came in, it's not going very well?"

"Well..." The angel coughed, looking away and back at the typewriter, "it is a work in progress, and not everyone can create a masterpiece on the first attempt! Besides, I think I'm onto something with my story, finally! Inspiration struck me and I've been on a roll, I just have to make sure I get everything right! I will not settle for anything less with this specific plot!"

"Uh huh. And what's it about?"

Aziraphale's cheeks pinked and he tugged at his vest. "W-well, it's a secret, I'm not ready to reveal the plot just yet!"

Crowley grabbed a random page off the pile next to him and cleared his throat. "'It would be the most magical of nights, if one excuses the pun, of course. A chance to show my skills to a real audience, on the West End of all places!' I think I can take a wild guess as to what this-"

The page was snatched from Crowley's hands and Aziraphale shoved it into his vest, hiding it from the demon. His face was red and he looked embarrassed. "It's a secret! No reading!"

Crowley chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Fine, I'll just have to wait for when it's finally released. You'll have to let me know when it's available, I'd just love to read it." He lowered his glasses to give the angel a wink before snatching up the forgotten tea cups.

"Now, how about we take a little break, Mr. Writer Man. We can do brunch again."

--

Aziraphale seems like the sort of writer who won't settle for anything less than perfect if he's gonna write something based on his life. And that magical night in 1941 must be correct!

[hozaloza]

When a crackship turned normal ship is becoming your comfort ship and it swims in your head 24/7

anyways

I'm really considering gonna rewrite some of the infection AU just to include this dumb ship ☠️

LISTEN IT'S MY AU, I DO WHAT I WANT--

Okay fr, it's not a big difference, so it's not like I had a drastic change

Anyways I'm pretty sure I've never shared this artwork for it here,,, here it is! Alex Laurier, caretaker of the kids, but mainly Ashlyn.

No matter what he is doing, if Ashlyn needs him or if he is tasked to do an assignment with Ashlyn, he must go, no ifs or buts.

We do not speak of his arm. No one speaks of the incident.

`

`

`

Infection Au lore drop here. No spoilers for the deep lore, just putting it behind a read more bc I can

In the facility, he was given access to an area where he does physical assignments with Ashlyn Banner. These are randomly assigned by the man who runs the research.

This all started when they took a field trip to Savannah, GA. The group was looking around, having fun, and overall having a great time. At some point, they remembered they had signed up for a tour in the area a week before the trip, and they decided to check if they even still had it opened. Luckily, they did, so the group walked to where the Sorrel-Weed house was and were met by a woman with piercings. She welcomed them in, checking that they were the group she was touring before beginning the tour. It was the usual biz; she gave facts, showed them rooms, and would discuss the paranormal activity of the house. While the tour guide was showing them the Francis Sorrel Library, her phone suddenly went off.

"Ah...I'm so sorry, this is my emergency phone. I have to get it." She picked up while walking out of the room. "Please stay here while I get this. Don't touch any of the items while I'm gone, I'll be right back!"

With that, the tour lady leaves.

She leaves the room to actually discuss an actual emergency (something was going on at the facility she worked at).

And while she was gone, Aiden decided to peak out the door to see where she went off to.

"Um, Aiden? What are you doing?" Logan asked. "Checking to make sure the coast is clear, duh" Aiden replied, walking out the door.

So, he forces the group to follow him so they could explore. Tay was all over for this idea, just wanting to look around.

While they looked around, Ashlyn got a strange feeling in her stomach. She felt as though they should head back to the room before the tour guide came back. But she didn't speak up. Eventually they make it to the basement (I'm assuming, idk I've never been to the Sorrel-Weed house), and Ashlyn senses a strange presence in the room. She looks over to where the phantom was in the canon, but nothing is there. "Whatcha looking at?" Aiden asked, scaring Ashlyn. "Ah! Stop sneaking up on me like that!" She yelled. Aiden turned to where she was looking at and started walking towards the room. "What are--" "Oooh, what's this?" Aiden interrupted. The others followed behind, and Ashlyn had no choice but to follow.

They saw a small plant like material in the corner, it's pattern sort of resembling a smile if you really squinted your eyes.

"Say, didn't Logan tell us his grandparents run a plant shop?" Aiden asked, "Um…it's flowers actu--" "Same thing! So, what kind of plant is it?" Aiden asked curiously. Logan took a closer look, but he scrunched his brows, stepping back. "I'm… I'm not sure. Looks nothing like what I've studied." "Maybe we can ask the tour guide when she finds us? She's bound to know--" Before Taylor finished her sentence, Aiden threw a book at the plant, which caused it to release a cloud of smoke. COUGH COUGH "AIDEN!! What the hell was that for?!" Tyler yelled out, gagging as he was unfortunately close to it. Aiden coughed harder than him, having been the one who got the most in his lungs. "I'm sorry! I got curious if it would do something when I threw a book at it!" "What did you think the plant was going to do?? Read us a bedtime story?" Ashlyn wheezed as she wiped the dust off her face. She observed it closely, wondering what the particles even were. 'This…. this doesn't look normal…' Ashlyn thought. "Excuse me?? What are you kids doing down here?? I told y'all to stay in the room!" The tour guide stated. The kids turned around, Whoops, they've been caught. Sigh "Never mind, y'all are young, I can't blame anybody. Let's head back to continue the tour…" She stated, rubbing her eyes.

Ashlyn felt wary of the plant, but it didn't really matter to her. 'It's not our problem anymore.' she thought.

...

The dust never left.

(woah Hoza actually wrote the beginning??) Anyways, that's all I'm sharing, ty for reading my Infection AU snip-shots.

[mobirights]

MOBI DEAD GAY WIZARDS (not really but still) RANTTTT

I have major writers block, so for anyone who cares, I'm gonna talk (rant) about the Descendants movies/books while I write a chapter for my Descendants AU jegulus fanfic (the children are innocent linked here).

We DO NOT talk enough about how in the first Descendants book (don't talk to me about how canon or non-canon those books are, they ARE to ME, OKAY?) Ben and Mal had dreams about each other before the VK's got brought to Auradon??? like WHAAAAT. It adds SO MUCH to their relationship and those layers WILL be included in my fic. Like it makes so much sense???

Cause, like, even though we love Ben and Mal, we can all collectively agree that it was crazy how he just left Audrey, right? Like love potion, I know, I know. But my girl had every right to be upset because her boyfriend doesn't even break up with her, but just declares his love to the new girl who is a VILLAIN KID, through SONG, during a sports game where AUDREY was cheering for him??? And was low-key being weird (flirty, awe-struck?) with Mal from the second they met??? Like. Queen of Mean was so valid (and personally one of my fav songs).

BUTTTT if we think about it with the knowledge that he was DREAMING about Mal months prior, it makes so much sense. When he first met Mal when the vk's came to Auradon, that was the moment it clicked for him who he'd been dreaming about and he was down bad from there. I still think the whole love potion fiasco was unfair to Audrey, especially after Ben jumped in the enchanted lake and realized he was under a spell AND I refuse to believe that the scene at the end of Descendants 3 was the only conversation Ben and Mal had with Audrey about it. Like that apology wasn't even a real apology??? I head-canon that they had a much deeper conversation where they THOROUGHLY apologized to Audrey, her to them, and they ate strawberries and lived happily ever after friendship. But anyways.

It makes so much sense. Even though I hate what Ben did to Audrey, we also find out in the books that he had been questioning their relationship before he even met Mal or considered bringing the VK's to Auradon. He had been questioning EVERYTHING about his life in Auradon. (so James Potter coded of him honestly) Like we learn so much in the books and it's fucking crazy (I could make whole other post about THAT btw).

AHHHH. Like guys you don't understand, that children's book has me in a CHOKEHOLD because of... everything?? Like ugh.

But back to the dreams. That's so destiny, fate, soulmates coded of Ben and Mal. How did they dream about each other? THEY NEVER MET. We learn from Ben that he feels trapped in Auradon. Bro barely even leaves his castle??? Like at all??? (The United States of Auradon is an insane place when you think about it after reading the book) SOULMATES. IT'S THE ONLY EXPLANATION. He couldn't stop thinking about her after the dream. And at the end of the book, surprise surprise, he gets his idea to bring the VK's to Auradon after thinking about her. Like, of course he's doing it out of the goodness of his heart and because he wants change in Auradon, BUTTT.

It's also because of Mal.

He was thinking about her before he had the idea, thinking about how she is a poor unfortunate child trapped on the Isle. LIKE the way he stared out at the Isle before he made his proclamation (very much included and expanded upon in my fic) is so yearning, longing, 'I need you now, but I don't know you yet' core like- GUYS. you don't UNDERSTAND. They're everything to me. Soulmates, I tell you, SOULMATES.

The Descendants series has been all I can think about since starting this fic. Primary school me is having the time of his life because he too was obsessed with it. He didn't understand the NUANCES back then, though. I do. And I'm gonna share with it with the masses.

Everyone read the Isle of the Lost books by Melissa de la Cruz because so far it's so good! I'm only on the first one, but I love it. The writing style is amazing and also hilarious, and one thing you guys should know about me is that writing style means EVERYTHING to me. It's unfortunate because I've missed out on really good fanfics and normal novels because I just couldn't stand the writing style. But alas.

Expect more rants because talking about it inspires me to write and, as we've already established, I like to talk A LOT.

[keepmycandleburning]

I read a lot about Horcrux creation theories when I was first writing KMCB. There's a JKR quote about it:

What tends to get proposed is either cannibalism or necrophilia. Neither of these obviously satisfy me, firstly because Voldemort's victims had no damage (even Tom Riddle Sr. being fully examined by Muggle doctors; the fact the Riddles' faces 'had a look of terror' means I don't think Voldemort touched them at all, just left them as is. You can't heal injuries caused by Dark Magic), and secondly because he couldn't have lingered around multiple of his crime scenes, this has to be something done elsewhere (the Riddles, Hepzibah Smith, especially Myrtle. IDK how long it takes to come back as a ghost (Myrtle says 'My whole body sort of seized up, and then I was floating away... And then I came back again') but I highly doubt he had time to eat her or sexually abuse her corpse. She didn't even SEE him. He left ASAP).

Other than these (which I don't think are revolting enough for her to not even reveal it, particularly cannibalism, I mean Greyback is a cannibal right on-screen), nothing I've seen proposed online is remotely sufficient to the level of horror she's describing in the above quote. Such as...

Voldemort sacrificed his body parts (first of all, that's again not nearly disturbing enough for JKR to not even want to say, plus Wormtail does that right on-screen, plus in 'Lord Voldemort's Request' we see that his physical changes were gradual, not sudden):

He used their blood (again, who cares? She would have just said it. Reminds me of the one post that's like this dove is not even injured):

And finally, kissing the victim:

There was a whole blog post I read where someone eliminated all the other options and 'deduced' it must have been a kiss, but it appears the whole blog is gone now. scottwritesstuff.com

Kissing makes no sense regarding Hepzibah Smith because Voldemort wasn't even there after she died, he had the elf poison her. Maybe they had already made out and it counts. He couldn't have fucked her or eaten her because he wasn't there. Sorry Hokey, can you go into the other room for a minute. Or, I suppose, re-reading it now, he did murder Hepzibah and put a whole false memory in the elf's head. But I think more likely he used the Imperius Curse on Hokey and/or switched whatever was in the kitchen. I do think Hokey did it one way or another.

Either way, he wasn't waiting around kissing or otherwise doing perverse behaviors to Myrtle's body because there's no way there was time, plus I think Myrtle's death was unintentional so he probably fled. And so he must have had to do the thing later.

I do agree with most of the theorists I've seen who assume this is something sexual (because anything else, like cannibalism, I think JKR would have revealed at some point), I just don't think the theories themselves add up because it has to be something that leaves no physical damage and can be done somewhere else.

Whatever, I just think some people need to get way nastier. It won't kill you.

I think it's interesting how Voldemort goes to Slughorn about this and tells him 'a wizard like you' would know all about the Horcrux creation process. As someone else on here once pointed out (I reblogged it at some point before) Slughorn's avoidance of giving the Horcrux memory to Dumbledore, his reactions of anger and shame when Harry brings it up, etc are just so overblown for what the memory ended up being. Ok you told him he'd have to commit murder. So what?

Many of the things I've mentioned here are very so what? to me. This is supposed to be this otherworldly evil act that's banned from being discussed at Hogwarts, Slughorn freaks out about it, Hermione is disgusted by the book about them, JKR won't even allude to what it is...

As I'm writing this I'm becoming so desensitized to all these subjects that it now seems like every theory on this including everything I wrote in KMCB is extremely boring and commonplace and not even taboo at all. What am I even talking about right now like omg necrophilia is WAY too tame. I don't even know what I'm saying I'll just stop typing now

[artist-issues]

Day Five

hey guys!! I know this ask has come a lot later (for my timezone anyway) than normal, I just had a very intense day and was only able to get it out now, so thank you all for your patience!!! <3

~Character in a Book Edition~

if you were a character in a book, what character would you be? (main, best friend of main, comic relief, loveable side character doomed by the plot, annoying one, etc)

what would your story be like?

what genre would you be in? (and saying sci-fi/fantasy/etc is plausible, if you imagine your story would be a 'discovering magical world' trope or something like that, as long as you provide reasons. you can make something up too, like what direction you think your story would go)

who is the antagonist of your story (currently)? (could be a literal person, an idea, a movement you disagree with, or something else. if you're one of my Christian homies doing this you can say the Devil but you must also include something else for ~drama~ lol)

what would the fandom of your book be like?

and finally, would it be a standalone, a series, etc, and why?

thank you guys so much!! I will also start to answer my own questions as well, tommorow when I'm not so tired lol

If I were a character in a book I would be the annoying friend who generally gets in the way of the plot. Like Neville Longbottom, or the best friend with a crappy attitude in a romance. But in the Darkest Hour I get to say something useful.

It would probably be a science fiction adventure, actually! ( I’ve yet to read one of those that I actually like, except for C. S. Lewis’ Ransom Trilogy.) The point of the story would be “You Have No Idea What You’re Talking About, So Follow Orders.” And I guess I’d be the best-friend-turned-screw-up-sidekick to whoever the main character is.

We’re a recovery team sent from our planet’s lab to the site of a crash on a colony moon, to contain an experiment of ours gone wrong. The protagonist wants to escape the stress of being a space soldier, and just recently requested to work with the lab I work at because they thought it would be a more relaxed occupation. It’s not, because the experiment that we’re being sent to retrieve is highly dangerous.

And I’d mess everything up, indirectly, because what I add to the main point is that I keep thinking I know how to follow the protocol on our exploration mission, and lecturing everybody else on it, but actually I apply the “protocol” in all the wrong situations.

And then my protagonist best friend and the other members of our crew resist, because they can see that the protocol I’m following makes no sense when like, an alien rock is trying to eat us or something, but I don’t listen. So then when we get into a bind because I was misapplying the protocol, I never learn my lesson and just keep insisting it’s their fault for resisting my plan.

And the story would be called “Protoplosion.” Because made-up space words are fun.

The antagonist would be a colony of giant genetically engineered space ants, who escaped from our planet’s lab during transportation, and now they’re destroying a foreign planet’s village and ecosystem. They’re behaving exactly as they were designed to, but the problem is, they’re in an environment they don’t belong in, so that’s causing them to ruin everything. The Queen space-lab-insect is the main antagonist.

The fandom of my book would call themselves “Antlers” because the humans that are bitten by the space insects sprout ant-like antenna and can be mind-controlled by the Queen. So the fandom’s inspired by that. And they’re exactly like most fandoms; there are some who just like the original material and genuinely understand it, and then there are some who thought my main character was hot and project their own ideas onto it, because they never liked or understood the actual book that much, they just liked having surrogate-experiences of drama through the story.

It would be a standalone, turned into a miniseries on the CW and expanded to the point where it’s unrecognizable and also way worse than the original.

That was fun, thanks!