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welllpthisishappening · 4 years ago

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Welllp These Are Books: the February 2021 Edition

Most of my last month was spent on deadline and waiting for people to respond to my emails, which meant I did not have the time (or energy) to write much of anything, but had plenty of time to read, quite frankly, an absurd number of books. Some of which were very good, some of which were very cheesy, and some of which I have now told multiple people was quite possibly the worst book I have ever read. As always, though, what are my opinions if I am not sharing them with the internet? Ridiculous headlines, links, and those aforementioned opinions under the cut. As always, part two, feel free to send me any and all recommendations. It cannot possibly be worse than this one book. Seriously, you’ll understand in a second.

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Quite Possibly the First Book I’ve Gone Out of My Way to Buy On Release Day Since Breaking Dawn, Which Says a lot About Me. As a Person.

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

I’m not kidding when I tell you that I was counting the days until this came out. I was kind of indifferent to Nesta after the original ACOTAR books, but intrigued enough that I was like, I need to read this, and then I did read this and now I care quite a lot about Nesta. And how in love with Cassian she is. And vice versa. Because, let’s be honest, dude is in l o v e. There were some parts of the story I was not super into — namely, Ferye having to die in childbirth. Like, you’re telling me Cassian could have his guts hanging out at one point and we don’t know how to do a c-section? Nah, that ain’t it. Also, pregnancy as a storyline is not always my favorite thing, but more on that in a second. Also, also, here’s a bunch more words about ACOSF.

A “Huh, So That Happened” Sort of Ending. Which Was Disappointing.

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone--even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom. Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series.

I loved the first book in this series. Absolutely adored it. So much so that I pretty quickly got the second one and read it. Enjoyed that on its own, but like I said in that one ask, I’m fairly certain A Curse So Dark and Lonely could have very easily been a standalone story. Should have been a standalone story? There was just SO MUCH going on here, and not nearly enough of it was resolved. Plot points just hung by the end of the trilogy, I was not ever entirely convinced Rhen and Harper were actually in love, let alone liked each other, and I thought Rhen got the very short end of an exceptionally cracked stick by the time the whole story wrapped up. Really, I think this tried to do too much in not enough time and there should probably be another book. Also Lia Mara getting pregnant was dumb. There I said it.

Free Books On Amazon Unlimited That Were Better Than Expected, But Also Read Like Fic

The Bargainer Series by Laura Thalassa

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

No one is going to be able to convince me this wasn’t ACOTAR fan fic. I don’t care about timing or dates, or whatever. The similarities just...did not stop. In all three books, even. There were three books in this series, by the way. Most of which I really enjoyed. I read them all in like four days of email waiting, so they must have been doing something right. Des was a good love interest and I really liked the flashbacks in the first book. Also Callie didn’t super annoy me. That being said, whoever edited this book. Oof. Some of the prose was so goddamn cringe, I literally lol’ed. Right out loud. Every now and then it was like we had to be reminded that Des was a BAD GUY ™ but it felt very Edward “I’m a killer, Bella” Cullen, and Callie’s internal monologue was occasionally hysterical. Not in a good way. Also Temper was the worst. She was so annoying. Every time she talked, I was like, oh, her again. The first book was the best one.

HITTING ALL MY ROM COM BOXES! BASEBALL! ROMANCE! PINING! ONLY VAGUELY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN THEY HAD SEX IN THE PORT JEFF DUGOUT BECAUSE I’VE BEEN IN THE PORT JEFF DUGOUT.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite.

Legit, I saw the description for this and I was like—did I write this? Kind of. (Shameless plug to read my own rom com, it also has baseball and pining) It didn’t matter, I loved it. Seriously, it hit all my rom com boxes: childhood friends, best friend’s sister, coming back home under duress, FAKE DATING and, let’s be honest, I am not immune to the use of “baby girl” as an endearment. Every time Travis called Georgie “baby girl” I was like, oh, ok, this is cool. It was cool! I only have two quips. One, that the fake dating didn’t last a little longer. The pacing of the story felt very quick, but that’s also this genre’s style. So I kind of get it. And two, that it happened in Port Jefferson, which is a town in Suffolk County that I have not only been to, but have spent significant time in. Meaning I could picture every single thing, knew exactly where they were and have used the exit on the Northern State Parkway that the final moments of the book took place at. The Port Jeff girls basketball team won a Long Island championship last weekend. In real life, not the book.

In Which Spinoffs Continue to be my Kryptonite. Especially Well-Written Ones

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can't stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana's determined to prove that she belongs...even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town's hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really...how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it's not getting any easier now that his dream girl's back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it's clear she needs help, fast...and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It's an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong...together.

I mentioned The Tourist Attraction in my January list, and this is the second in the Moose Springs trio. And it’s so good! I wish people were all as nice to Lana as Rick was. It’s what she deserved! More small-town antics, more kissing, another moose. This one was just as cute as the original book, especially because it brought back original characters and Zoey and Graham were so goddamn adorable as a committed couple I genuinely feared for the state of my teeth.

Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

Former Hollywood darling River Lane's acting career is tanking fast. Determined to start fresh behind the camera, she agrees to film a documentary about the picturesque small town of Moose Springs, Alaska. The assignment should have been easy, but the quirky locals want nothing to do with River. Well, too bad: River's going to make this film and prove herself, no matter what it takes.

Or what (literal) mountain she has to climb.

Easton Lockett may be a gentle giant, but he knows a thing or two about survival. If he can keep everyone in line, he should be able to get River and her crew up and down Mount Veil in one piece. Turns out that's a big if. The wildlife's wilder than usual, the camera crew's determined to wander off a cliff, and the gorgeous actress is fearless. Falling for River only makes Easton's job tougher, but there's only so long he can hold out against her brilliant smile. When bad weather strikes, putting everyone at risk, it'll take all of Easton's skill to get them back home safely...and convince River she should stay in his arms for good.

Wrapping up the Moose Springs trio, this one might have been my least favorite, but that’s not really saying much. Since I loved them all pretty equally. River and Easton’s banter was grade-A, top-notch, which is a one-way ticket to my reading-heart. Maybe part of the problem (I say problem like there really was one) was that most of the story took place on a mountain. I kind of wanted more small-town shenanigans, and updates on the condos and the state of the town and Graham being mayor. Still, this was very cute. I swooned multiple times. I’ll probably read anything Sarah Morgenthaler writes from here on out.

Seriously, What Is YA? Does Anyone Know?

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain.

When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien's own lair--the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks--Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose--one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.

Like I said last month, I put a hold on pretty much everything Renee Ahdieh had written in my library. And this was just as good as the last series I read. Her world building is just—chef’s kiss, gorgeous. I dream of writing this airy, magical way, that makes you feel like you’re in New Orleans. That being said, I do not know what kid is reading this because apparently this is YA and I had to read every single word to figure out what was going on. Now, I know there are two more books in the series, but this one felt like a lot of set up and I spent most of it being like...will this make sense eventually? It did, but only during a very rushed climax of final few chapters. The sequel isn’t available on Kindle at the library, and I haven’t bought it yet. So, that’s probably kind of telling.

In Which You Cannot Always Depend On Old Favorites

No Judgments by Meg Cabot

When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island—as well as its connection to the mainland—twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried . . . at first. She’s already escaped one storm—her emotionally abusive ex—so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake.

But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she’s going to need help—help she has no choice but to accept from her boss’s sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid Café’s most notorious heartbreaker.

But when Bree starts falling for Drew, just as Little Bridge’s power is restored and her penitent ex shows up, she has to ask herself if her island fling was only a result of the stormy weather, or if it could last during clear skies too.

I love Meg Cabot. That should be stated upfront and at the very beginning because for a very long time I have claimed that being Meg Cabot was my dream job. I’ve read pretty much every book Meg Cabot has ever written and was fairly certain I’d be into these once I did read them. Only I was...not. Not really. Everything in this book happened so quickly, I felt like I was the one in the hurricane. People were kissing and then they were having sex and there was a storm and pets and then—it was over? The pacing was all over the place, I had no idea why Drew and Bree liked each other, some guy kicked a dog at one point?? It was weird. Which leads us to—

No Offense by Meg Cabot

A broken engagement only gave Molly Montgomery additional incentive to follow her dream job from the Colorado Rockies to the Florida Keys. Now, as Little Bridge Island Public Library’s head of children’s services, Molly hopes the messiest thing in her life will be her sticky-note covered desk. But fate—in the form of a newborn left in the restroom—has other ideas. So does the sheriff who comes to investigate the “abandonment”. When John Hartwell folds all six-feet-three of himself into a tiny chair and insists that whoever left the baby is a criminal, Molly begs to differ and asks what he’s doing about the Island’s real crime wave (if thefts of items from homes that have been left unlocked could be called that). Not the best of starts, but the man’s arrogance is almost as distracting as his blue eyes. Almost…

John would be pretty irritated if one of his deputies had a desk as disorderly as Molly’s. Good thing she doesn’t work for him, considering how attracted he is to her. Molly’s lilting librarian voice makes even the saltiest remarks go down sweeter, which is bad as long as she’s a witness but might be good once the case is solved—provided he hasn’t gotten on her last nerve by then. Recently divorced, John has been having trouble adjusting to single life as well as single parenthood. But something in Molly’s beautiful smile gives John hope that his old life on Little Bridge might suddenly hold new promise—if only they can get over their differences.

This isn’t a sequel SEQUEL, but another one of those “exists in the same universe,” or same town, as it were, and it was better than No Judgments. Molly and John actually had a few legitimate conversations before they started kissing. The conflict was still weird and sort of forced, this was not Meg’s usual banter (I fell like I can call her Meg at this point, y’know?) and, again, the ending just felt like it...happened. I don’t know guys, maybe I should just reread The Boy Is Back. Or that quasi Persephone-Hades series. It’s been awhile. On that one, at least. I read The Boy Is Back like six months ago.

ABSOLUTELY INFURIATING ROM COM THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE I FINISHED, SOMEONE GIVE ME A PRIZE FOR FINISHING THIS

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn't hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava's ever had. And that's all it was--until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb's orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he's stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart's in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she's made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn't quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her...

When I tell you guys that this was the worst book I have read in recent memory, I am not kidding. Might actually be the worst book I have ever read. Bar none. And that’s saying something because one time I had to read Ender’s Game in college and that, like, physically pained me. This was awful. Awful people. Awful plot. Awful resolution. AWFUL. Where to start? Well, I’m not going to apologize for spoilers, because God help us all, do not read this book. Ava has been through so many horrible things in her life it was like someone was trying to set a record. Bad parents, cheating ex-boyfriend, dead former best friend who was former because of the cheating ex-boyfriend. Naturally, this made her a control freak because—of course, or something. And Caleb! Oh my God, fucking Caleb Scott. The dickwad. I’ve never rooted for anyone to not get the girl more. When Ava “broke up” with him (they were never really together) I might have cheered. Shitty things does not give you an excuse to be a dick, and Caleb was a dick. Seriously, he started crying about how his ex-fiance KILLED THEIR BABY and I was like—this cannot possibly be a real book. It was! With lots of abortion opinions out of FUCKING nowhere, and weird possessive behavior from, like, every dude in it. Both Ava AND her best friend (not the dead one, a different one) got assaulted at one point. I kept reading solely because I was desperate to see how they rationalized Ava and Caleb getting back together at the end and they didn’t. He showed up on her flight when her boss came up with a fake work trip so he could sit next to her on the plane. What? WHAT?? It was so dumb. So bad. I can’t believe I read it.

#book recs #fiction rec #rom com recs #fantasy recs #laura reads books #i swear i do other things besides read #really #welllp these are books

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katsukikitten · 5 years ago

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So the anniversary of my dad’s death is coming up and I’m in desperate need of a comfort fic or headcanon (idc) where Bakugo finds out s/o’s parent died when they were a kid and they have really bad depression because of it. sry if it’s really specific

Anon I'm sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I'm not sure of your faith and I'm sure you hear this all the time but I believe your dad is looking down on you wanting nothing but the best for you. The dead are always with us, whether it be their souls silently guiding us or in our hearts with their memories. Here is something that will hopefully ease a bit of your pain dear. My dms are always open okay?

Anniversary.

Something was wrong.

Really wrong as your demonor increasingly worsened around the same time of the year.

For the third year in a row.

The ash blonde leans a muscular shoulder in the jam of the door, watching your form curled in on itself beneath the blankets. Stunning eyes staring at your phone as you idly scroll.

Bakugou would say more like staring through your phone as your eyes seem to focus on nothing really at all. The sparkle of joy that sat there was dulled, diminished almost and always around this time of the year.

He just couldn't wrap his head around it despite knowing you so intimately. He was sure he knew everything there was to know about you, from the way your lips curled upward when he said your name in soft tones or when you saw cute baby animals to the way heartfelt family movies had tears running down your cheeks faster than he could react.

Because you surely knew everything about him.

He wasn't sure how to approach this delicate situation.

His heart pounds as he thinks of all the ways his gruff attitude was sure to fuck it all up. Grinding his teeth he leans away from the door shutting it softly as he thinks of the only thing to do.

His thumb hovers over a certain contact in his phone, thinking to call your mother.

But what if...what if that makes the situation even worse? Wouldn't that just make his in law worry?

And worry more that he was a bad husband? Sure the two of you had been dating only a year and a half before he popped the question.

But the moment you soothed the ever hot rage beneath his veins into a small murmur was the moment he knew you were the one.

The other half that he so desperately needed, wanted.

And he wanted to be that for you. To soothe the best he could, to help crush that little demon that sat on your shoulder.

He changes his mind last minute calling an old friend of both his and yours.

"Katsuki! You never call."

"Oi Eiji. I need to ask you something..." His voice comes out harsher than normal still it does not phase the ruby haired man. Long since used to the thorny exterior. He waits patiently for the question to come and when it doesn't Kirishima gives the call his full attention.

"Something's.....wrong?" His gentle giant friend prompts carefully, practically seeing the heated flush creeping up his cheeks and the tips of his ears.

"Yes, with Y/N." He finally sighs out, silently admitting he cannot help you. That he doesn't fucking know HOW to help you. Adding already to the pain of seeing you so....hollow.

"Ah, are they feeling down? It would make sense considering the date." Kirishima says softly, eyes going to the calendar to confirm his theory. Bakugou goes rigid, silently counting to five to ease the malice in his voice.

To no avail.

"What do you mean considering the date?" Kirishima fight back a flinch even over the phone and it dawns on him that maybe you haven't told Bakugou what happened.

"Ah, well..." The red head briefly wages an internal war, was it manly to tell *your* story for you?

Was it right?

Clearly at this point Kiri figured it was probably too hard for you to do so and if the show were on the other foot. If his partner was calling you for better insight to help he'd hope beyond hope you'd tell them for him.

Because he would want nothing more than the comfort from someone he loved the most.

And he figured the same for you.

"Their father passed around this time..." If Kirishima says anything more Bakugou cannot hear it over the blood rushing in his ears. Madder than hell that he did not know.

And not because you didn't tell him, oh no.

Its because he was too stupid to figure it out. To fucking put two and two together.

Finally a word catches Bakugou's attention again before he says a brief thanks hanging up well before the good byes.

It does not take him long to find what he is looking for.

He takes heated steps to your shared bedroom, waltzing through the door with a hammering heart.

"Get up." He bites, pulling the shell of your cocoon away. You whine in protest wanting nothing more than to melt into the mattress until you've become nothing more than stuffing and springs.

But the hot head will not allow it as he bites out another warning. Lying out a quick outfit for you to change into.

Slowly you gather the strength to slip on pants and a shirt over you head. Hair going in every which direction but you do not care.

Or even notice as the weight of the world presses into your shoulders causing them to slump, your chest tight as something gnaws at your slowly dying heart.

Your eyes water as you stare at the back of the man who you so deeply adore.

One day he will be met the same fate, everyone will and the thought of it alone has your knees weak.

Wobbling once more from the weight before you fall to sit on the bed.

Scarlet embers pierce your skin from over his shoulder as he finally finds your brush. Crawling on the bed behind you to tame your unkempt hair. After a few moments he is satisfied with his work of your gorgeous locks finally in the order you like them to be in.

The texture bringing about a bitter sweet feeling on his tongue. You make him so happy and he cannot fathom why you would have kept something so big from him.

But he couldn't fault you for it either. He eases off the bed, hinting for you to follow and when you dont he grabs onto your wrist a yanking you to your feet.

Moving you through the house as you watch him gather odd items. Long spicy sticks and flowers before he slides on his steel toes boots. Glaring at your shoes. You follow easily, slipping them on your feet at the two of you walk what feels like aimlessly for an hour or so.

That is until he makes the last turn making sense of those odd items. Of the incense, of the lillies. You stop dead in your tracks but Bakugou rounds back. Slipping his strong arm around your waist. Pulling you to him as he gently guides you forward.

You cling to him desperately, unsure of how he knows where to go.

Of what row he's in.

But somehow he does. Somehow he figured out the one thing you could never really speak about.

He eyes you to gauge your stability before he rolls up his sleeves, dipping the ladle into a small bucket of water dumping it on the dusty grave.

Shock settles in your bones as you watch taunt muscles scrub away accidental neglect with understanding eyes. Sure to make sure every character was untarnished, the stone polished so nicely you could see the reflection of his burning red eyes.

Of the two suns that always rise even on your darkest days.

A small pop comes from his finger tips before smoke trundles into the air in gray waves and with it the smell of spice and sandalwood. He sets the lillies down for his offering, unsure of what else this great man liked.

Having this been the first time he met him.

You watch as a prideful man places his hands together, bowing his head before his velvety rough voice breaks the silence.

"Thank you."

The building tears burst, spilling over your flushed cheeks like a child. He notices, pulling you to him as he supports you. Nodding towards the grave so you can pay your respects.

And you do, as you cling so desperately to his black shirt. Heart bursting and breaking all at once over this normally rough man.

Doing his best to comfort you during a time so dark you could barely find the will to breath.

But somehow standing here, looking over your father's now shining grave brought a little comfort to you. Pressing your fingers agaisnt the cool stone you almost think you feel his gaze at your back. Hairs sticking up on the base of your neck.

The two of you stand there until the heavily scented stuck burns out, Bakugou silently offers you another. You nod as popping fingers ignite before carefully passing it along to you.

You set it in the burner, stepping back as he wraps his large arms around you. Head resting atop of yours as the sun slowly begins to dip beneath the horizon.

Painting everything in stunning pinks, oranges, and reds.

His lips press to your ear in a kiss softly before he speaks.

"We can leave when you're ready and we can come back whenever you'd like."

Nails bite into strong forearms, somehow things will eventually be okay.

They will eventually be better and in your hearts of hearts you know his soul is resting easy.

Smiling down at you with pride wanting nothing more than for you to live life to the fullest.

And to live on for him.

#bnha comfort #bakugo comfort #bakugo x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #katuski bakugou #bakugou #bnha asks #bnha ask prompt #bnha ask #bnha x reader

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paramounticebound · 4 years ago

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𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 . ( a series of kiss prompts . ) || @youmaythinkyouknowme || ❛ 17 . a kiss last thing at night .

When he was a child, his mother allowed him to collect moths.

He found them far more fascinating than butterflies, far more difficult to find in a world of sand and an inclination for war strategies. The poets he pored over told him that moths would do anything out of love for a flame. One evening, his mother had gifted him an Emperor moth. He recalled watching it for hours, and lit a candle for the sake of it. Free from a prison of glass or flesh, he’d watched as the moth took off once again. It circled the room and circled him and he’d stepped back to watch; it lost rudder control, smacking into the wall on each round. It circled lower and lower, spinning around the candle in tighter revolutions, water down an open drain. A few times it seemed to touch the flame, and danced away unhurt.

Then it ignited like a ball of hair, curling into an oily puff of fumes with a hiss. The candle flame flickered for a moment, dimmed; then burned as bright as it had before.

A beetle will chase after an opening of light, while a cockroach will scatter at a crack of it. How are the two of them different from insects? The moths that explore the day and butterflies that play at night. Polarity was an integral part of nature– human or not human. Khan recalled Lilly's facade of docility in her glass prison. She had proven him wrong in the grandest of ways. From a guilded bird to a maelstrom of chaos and to a girl who just wanted a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. He wondered if he should be afraid even now, if she could turn on him like a cornered animal; to sew his moth-wings onto the flesh of his back and push him toward the fire.

Would he burn out? Or would he flit away?

For the moment, the two of them clung together, one particle to another. The darkness before them, beyond the hull of the ship, expanded exponentially with a sparse scattering of light. No flame to be found outside, when it was burning away between them. Khan wondered if he should have left her on a forgotten planet or forgotten her all together, for either’s sake, and the ruin left in the wake of them. He wondered if letting the emptiness of space swallow him whole might have been better; a moth with frozen wings.

The dawning of night was just as much of a lie as anything he could spin. They'd been following the cycle of the last planet they'd docked at, finding that sufficient though neither required much of a routine. In space, no one can hear you scream, and no one can hear you laugh, or cry, or find something else in the shadows of a person-shaped amalgamation of emotional baggage. (But which of them is that? How do you know? How do you measure it?)

He hadn't meant for this. It was something like grasping at whisper-thin wings and expecting to fly-- delusional, entirely selfish. It might've been the fascination; Khan knew better. It wasn't the darkness inside of her or the way she could tear apart the universe with a flick of the wrist: it was everything in between, the gears and cogs that made Lilly.

So he was pathetic when he kissed her there, at the edge of night where night was eternal, bared for the stars to judge through the viewport of the ship. Or perhaps he was brave, fingers grasping gently at her face, keeping her near. Burning in the flames-- they were cold and his wings fluttered before turning to ash. Pathetic or brave, or falling inescapably, dangerously in love with her.

#youmaythinkyouknowme #i don't know why i'm like this sDFLKSDFLK #verse: just weathering a rough patch; another villain with an itch to scratch (star trek ii.)

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chikabiddy · 7 years ago

Text

Chapter 2

A/N: Here is part 2! I forgot to mention before, I have no beta, so all mistakes are mine and mine alone! I hope you enjoy. :)

Veronica lifted her heavy eyelids. Something sharp dug into her face and arms, but she couldn’t think. Her mind was sluggish, foggy. What… what’s happening? She moved her arms to push to a sitting position, but the movement brought on a piercing headache. She closed her eyes against the nausea that tore through her. But the pain in her head was brought with it her memories.

She picked up the mark for a new case her dad got that morning as he was leaving his office. Then she drove to the Camelot to do some beginning surveillance. It was easy, a routine case. After 2 hours the mark, was the only one in or out of the hotel room, left. She followed him to his house, watched him go inside, and waited until all the lights were off. Was his trip to the motel unusual? Sure. Proof of infidelity? Not even close. Perfect, I’ve got some time to look into that case for Weevil.

Veronica made her way quickly to her usual surveillance stop nearby the biker bar downtown. Weeks of surveillance and poking into this case were paying off: two of the marks Weevil had her trailing were in what appeared to be an argument with third man. One of the marks was gesturing wildly then pointed at the third man, and the man’s face lined with panic. She retrieved her camera from the passenger seat and began snapping pictures, her stomach tightening into knots as the scene progressed.

The third man took a couple steps back from the marks, raising his hands, palms out, as he moved. The aggressive mark stepped towards the third man, jamming his finger towards the man’s face. The other mark stood back, arms crossed, and then glanced in Veronica’s direction. Veronica slid farther down in her seat, hoping her car looked like any other abandoned car on the street. After a moment she peaked up. The aggressive mark had a hand around the third man’s upper arm, but he was looking in her direction. The other mark was walking towards her with narrowed eyes. Shit, shit, shit.

Veronica’s hands went clammy, she fumbled dropping her camera in her lap and reaching for her keys. Glancing up, all her muscles froze. The mark picked up his pace and was speed walking towards her. The keys slipped from her fingers. Amateur move, Mars. She scrambled to find the keys and start her car and jammed the key in the ignition as the the mark reached her car. She turned the key, but her engine didn’t turn over.

Not good, not good, not good. She mentally tallied her options. Stay in the car and call the police hoping they get here before he gets in, not likely; incapacitate this guy and escape before back up comes, definitely my best shot. She fumbled in her bag for her taser and gripped it tightly. At the sound of her door handle forcefully pulled she turned back to the window as the mark gave up on the handle and raised his elbow. Veronica ducked her face into her elbow and readied the taser. She felt shards of glass cut into her as the window shattered open and immediately jammed the taser towards the broken window. A muffled grunt accompanied the feel of the taser connecting with a body.

She held the taser to the mark until she was sure he would drop. Then she grabbed her camera and phone and scrambled across the passenger seat, out the far door. She hoped the extra distance would give her long enough to get away, but she didn’t dare look back to see. While listening for following footsteps she sprinted down the nearest alley. She heard men yelling and knew at least one person was chasing her. Running wouldn’t work; they were bigger, most likely faster, and she would be easier to spot on the move. Casing her surroundings, she spied a dark nook. That’s going to be my best bet. She slid into the small nook and crouched as low as she could, waiting.

That’s right, I was working. Weevil’s case. Veronica’s forced her eyes open as she remembered they had found her. She struggled to push herself up, biting back the rising bile. Looking around she realized, for whatever reason, the marks left her be. A piercing throbbing in her temple caused her to lift a hand to her head. She pulled it back, sticky. So, bruised on one side, broken on the other. I’ll have to get up, find help. Veronica felt drained, but knew she had to move soon. The blood from her head was fresh and still oozing. She looked around again, trying to clear the fog from her brain. Next to her she spotted her phone, shattered and useless. Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she fought to her feet as black spots danced at the edge of her vision, threatening to overtake her. She used to alley all to support herself and closed her eyes until the dizziness passed. One foot in front of the other, come on Mars.

“Veronica?” a familiar voice called out to her, and she almost collapsed in relief. She turned her head slowly toward the sound of the voice.

“Dad?” He father reached her just as her knees gave out. His arms wrapped around her, catching her and pulling her close. “Dad.”

*********

Logan paced his room, unable to keep himself still while he waited to hear from the Sheriff. He alternated between walking circles around his room, pulling at his hair and sleeves, and sitting uncomfortably at the edge of his bed bouncing his feet off the floor. Evening turned to night, and night turned to dawn. He’d finally passed out as the first hint of sunrise touched the sky. Nightmares plagued the little sleep he did get. Images of Lilly, bloody and motionless played on repeat until Lilly was replaced by Veronica and he woke in a cold sweat. Checking his phone again, in case he had just missed the call, Logan realized he would have to get ready for school. He couldn’t stay home today, not with his dad around. He double checked the volume on his phone: max volume. Giving a sigh, he moved to his bathroom and had a quick shower. Maybe I can stop by her apartment before school. The thought took the edge off the knot which had been sitting on his stomach since he took Veronica’s call.

Quick shower taken, random clothes on, and with his school bag over his shoulder he headed off to Veronica’s apartment. He’d avoided a morning run in with his father, daddy dearest was probably sleeping off a hangover. Logan resisted driving the same speed he had the day before, sure he couldn’t get away with it again. The last thing he needed was to explain a speeding ticket to his dad. Stuffing down his anxiety over seeing Veronica, especially given their recent history, Logan got out of his car and headed to Veronica’s apartment. Tentatively, he knocked on the door, took a step back, and waited.

Logan wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed when Sheriff Mars opened the door. He didn’t look surprised. “Logan, I’m glad you stopped by. I wanted to call you last night, but unfortunately didn’t have your number. I could’ve gotten your home number, but it was late and I didn’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Uh,” Logan wasn’t sure how to respond. All he really wanted was to ask about Veronica.

“Ah, sorry. I’m sure you just want to know how Veronica is.”

“Yeah, uhm,” Logan began.

“I have to thank you, Logan. Veronica, she’s fine. But if you hadn’t come to find me, well I don’t know. So, thank you.”

“Can I see her?”

“She’s resting right now. We just got back from the hospital a little while ago. It was… a difficult night.”

“Ah… I see. Well thank you, I’m glad she is okay.” Logan moved to go, then paused. “Do you think…do you think I could come after school? I’d… I know she’s fine. But, but if I could see her, I’d just feel better.”

Logan held his breath, it felt like an eternity before the Sheriff opened his mouth: “I… think that would be fine. After school. I’ll let her know you are coming.”

********

The smell of coffee and bacon roused Veronica. The last 24 hours flashed through her mind and she let out a groan. Maybe if I stay in bed long enough Dad will forget… ha. She briefly considered rolling back over and seriously attempting to fall back asleep, but she had no idea how much of the day she had already slept away. This conversation with Dad has got to happen sometime. God, I’m going to be grounded until I die. With a last longing sigh, Veronica rolled out of bed, tossing the comforter aside as she swung her legs to the ground. The throbbing in her temple hadn’t improved from the previous night, but a quick scan of her room revealed a bottle of Aspirin and a glass of water sitting on her desk. She took a couple, ran her fingers through her hair, and decided it was time for her to face her father.

As expected, her father was standing at the stove frying bacon. “Ah, bacon. The world’s best medicine,” Veronica quipped. She fidgeted with her hands, playing with the edge of the island counter and keeping her eyes down. Meeting her father’s eyes at that moment was not possible, she didn’t want to see disappointment reflected there. Of course he is disappointed, not a single part about last night was in line with what he taught her about PI work. Or what I agreed to when he finally relented let me work with him. When no response came, she chanced a look in his direction. His piercing eyes bore into her as their eyes met and she felt heat rising to color her cheeks.

After a moment his eyes softened, “a cure all,” he said. “Doctor prescribed. See? I’ve got the note right here.” He turned back to the stove, flipping

Returned banter was a good sign and the knot in Veronica’s stomach loosened a touch. She released the breath she was holding. “So, I know we need to talk about la…” her father held up a hand.

“Veronica, there isn’t anything to talk about. I should never have let you work with me in the first place. It was incredibly irresponsible of me,” her father turned from the stove to face her, his face almost imploring. Veronica opened her mouth to respond, protest. Remind him it was her choice, but he cut her off. “No Veronica, listen to me. I always tried to make sure you only worked on the simple cases, the safe ones. But I was lying to myself.” He crossed his arms, almost defensively. “Any case has the potential to be dangerous, to go nasty. Just look at what happened here,” He turn back to the stove and picked up the pan, angling it so the bacon slid from the pan to a plate sitting on the counter. As he did so he continued: “I’ve no idea how the case got where it did, or who did this to you, but the fact remains if you weren’t working cases for me you never would have been there. This never would have happened.” He set the pan back on the stove and faced her again. “I’m so sorry Veronica. I’m sorry I was selfish, I’m sorry I blinded myself. I’m sorry I put all this on you.” Veronica froze, processing what his words meant, not totally comprehending what he was saying. She couldn’t figure out what to say and her father continued: “So, that’s it. I can’t have you working for me anymore, and there really isn’t anything more to say about it.” He moved the plate of bacon to the island as he spoke. “Let’s enjoy our breakfast… lunch I guess, and then we can work on getting you healed up.”

Veronica slumped into one of the island chairs, still processing everything her father had said. He thinks it was his case. He thinks this is his fault. Her nausea returned. I can’t believe I did this to him. I can’t believe he has been blaming himself this whole time…

“Oh, Logan stopped by while you were resting.”

“Logan? Why?” Veronica felt the familiar stab of regret and betrayal which plagued her every time she thought of Logan Echolls.

“Ah, I guess between finding you in an alley and getting home from the hospital I forgot to mention, Logan is the only reason I knew to come looking.”

Stunned, Veronica’s head shot up and she met her father’s eyes. “What?”

“I guess you called him by accident, so he heard some of what was happening and came to find me. I’m just glad I was able to find you.”

“Wait, he… I… what?”

“He just wants to check that you are actually okay. So, when he gets here be nice. Maybe you could even bring yourself to gratitude?” Veronica stared at her father, mouth gaping. “Look, Veronica. I’m a PI. I know things between you and Logan have been… rocky, to say the least. And I know he hasn’t exactly been making your life easy the past year. But, without him… just, keep that in mind.”

They continued their brunch in silence, Veronica mulling over all her dad had said.

#Veronica Mars #vm fic #vmars #vm fanfic

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