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corrodedcoffinfest · 5 months ago

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Week Four: Masterlist

Week Four is over! We're almost finished now. I appreciate your participation so much! This week, we covered 7 prompts and there were 60 total entries: 56 Fics Written, 2 Pieces of Art & 2 Other Works submitted.

Don't forget there is also an AO3 Collection if you'd like to use it!

Color-Coded Ratings Key: General, Teen, Mature, Explicit.

Day Twenty-One: Hate This Town

Fic Submissions:

JULY 21: hate this town by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: M | WC: 982 | CW: Angst, situationship between Eddie and unnamed fem!character, Gareth’s attempt at dad jokes | Tags: Eddie, Jeff, and Gareth

stuck for a while by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: T | WC: 521 | CW: angst with an ambiguous ending | Tags: band breakup, good uncle wayne munson, eddie pov

Back home by @medusapelagia | Rating: T | WC: 1000 | CW: f word, homophobia | Pairing: Eddie & Gareth, Eddie & Wayne, mention of Steve/Eddie

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 21 - Hate This Town by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 999 | CW: Angst, Friendship, Homesickness, Reconciliation, Open-Ended | Tags: The one where Corroded Coffin learns that life sucks no matter where you live

Day 21: Hate This Town by @munson-blurbs | Rating: G | WC: 638 | CW: allusion to poverty, school anxiety, 10-year-old Eddie Munson (Bug's writing about Eddie and Wayne? Shocking) | Tags: Eddie Munson, Wayne Munson, music, guitar

We're Stuck Here by @corroded-hellfire | Rating: T | WC: 998 | CW: Language, allusions to death | Pairing: Allusions to previous Eddie x *surprise character*

Day Twenty-Two: AU Fic Submissions

pop goes metal by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: T | WC: 964 | CW: language | Tags: famous corroded coffin, pop star steve harrington, flirting, getting together

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 22 - Alternate Universe by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 993 | CW: DnD References, DnD AU, Fantasy/Adventure AU, Origin Story | Tags: It's a dark and stormy night, and a certain musician is looking to get out of the rain.

We're a Metal Band by @rip-quizilla | Rating: T | WC: 996 | Tags: Bartender!Eddie Munson, Dustin, Will, Lucas and Mike are all in a band together, Eddie has a soft spot for these kids in every AU

JULY 22: alternate universe by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: T | WC: 1000 | CW: Strong language, snarky Dustin Henderson, but what else is new | Tags: Bartender!Eddie Munson, Dustin, Will, Lucas and Mike are all in a band together, Eddie has a soft spot for these kids in every AU

Day 22: Alternate Universe by @munson-blurbs | Rating: M | WC: 754| CW: Misery AU, stalker!Reader, mention of S4 events, allusion to violence | Tags: Eddie Munson, stalker!Reader, Misery

Settle For This by @thisapplepielife | Rating: E | WC: 1000 | CW: Sex Acts, One F-Slur, Abuse of Power (Eddie's Not Mad At It), Brief Reference to Recreational Drug Use (Weed) | POV: Eddie | Pairing: Eddie x Gator, Minor Steddie Mention | Tags: Modern AU, Fuck The Police, Literally, Blowjob, Semi-Public Sex, But No Speeding Tickets Here

Day Twenty-Three: Up and Coming Fic Submissions

like i'm fuckin' in an elevator by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: E | WC: 993 | CW: public sex | Tags: established steddie, dirty talk, blowjob, gareth is sick of their shit

Room 1013 - Goodie by @thisapplepielife | Rating: E | WC: 1000 | CW: Sex, Under-Negotiated Kink (Including Unexpectedly Being Called Daddy), Mentions of Weight (Not Derogatory, Just Not Ignored) | POV: Goodie | Pairing: Goodie/OC (Female) | Tags: Famous Corroded Coffin, Winding Down After The Gig, One Night Stand, Mr. Goodie's Wild Ride

Herding Cats by @thisapplepielife | Rating: M | WC: 1000 | CW: Talk of Previous Sex, Brief Teasing about Daddy Kink, Minor Appearance by Billy | POV: Steve | Pairing: Steddie, Platonic Stobin, Minor Others | Tags: Road Manager Steve Harrington, Having to Herd These Assholes, Like Cats, Famous Corroded Coffin, The Morning After a Show

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 23 - Up and Coming by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 752 | CW: Angst? But then happiness? Eddie Munson sad-sackery turned into perseverance and joy | Tags: Eddie wasn't used to success.

Day 23: Up and Coming by @munson-blurbs | Rating: E | WC: 472 | Pairing: Eddie Munson x Female!Reader | CW: smut (18+ only, minors DNI), oral (m! receiving), praise, semi-public sexual activities, sorry I was feral | Tags: Eddie Munson, reader-insert, smut, rockstar

Make Some Noise by @corroded-hellfire | Rating: M | WC: 999 | CW: smut, p in v, unprotected (wrap it up), oral, f receiving | Pairing: Eddie x Reader

JULY 23: up and coming by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: M | WC: 997 | CW: Suggestive content, especially near the end | Tags: Corroded Coffin, Eddie x Fem!Reader

Day Twenty-Four: Behind the Scenes Fic Submissions

just make the tik tok by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: T | WC: 880 | CW: none | Tags: famous corroded coffin, modern au, frankie is anti-tik tok

JULY 24: behind the scenes by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: E | WC: 999 | CW: Explicit sexual content, p in v sex, dirty talk | Tags: Gareth x afab!reader

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 24 - Behind the Scenes by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 983 | CW: Older!Corroded Coffin, Set sometime in the 2000s, 1st Person POV, News Article, Reference to Day 23 Up and Coming, friendship

fun to be famous by @runninriot | Rating: M | WC: 1000 | cw: language | tags: famous Corroded Coffin, musicians Jeff, Gareth and Frank, frontman Eddie Munson, model Steve Harrington, the 'struggles' and perks of being famous

Day 24: Behind the Scenes by @munson-blurbs | Rating: T | WC: 701 | Pairing: Eddie Munson x Reader | CW: Eddie's got a crush, theatre girl!Reader, reader wears a dress, one dirty joke thanks to Gareth | Tags: Eddie Munson, Gareth, Grant, Jeff, theatre girl!Reader, Principal Higgins

Corroded Chaos @corroded-hellfire | Rating: G | WC: 997 | CW: None | Pairing: None (this is pre-Reader x Eddie)

Day Twenty-Five: Gareth Fic Submissions

a lot alike by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: T | WC: 997 | CW: mention of shitty parenting | Tags: side steddie, gareth and eddie are best friends, post vecna

JULY 25: gareth by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: M | WC: 769 | CW: Dirty, slightly pervy!Gareth, or maybe just super-forward!Gareth, the consequence of being Rockstar!Gareth? Anyway. He fantasizes things. Nothing too explicit, though. Mentions of alcohol and sports (I can’t help it) | Tags: Gareth x Mom!Reader (heh)

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 25 - Gareth by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 996 | CW: Origins, Teen angst, Growing Up, FOI references (Ronnie) but also some non-compliance to FOI (just...gonna skip the painful bits)

Twisted Sister @corroded-hellfire | Rating: T | WC: 995 | CW: None | Pairing: Slight Gareth x OC

Art Submissions

Kiss Post-Concert by @alicetallula | GreatWise - Kiss Post-Concert

Day 25: “Gareth” by @luciferssworld | Day 25: “Gareth”

Other Submissions:

Gareth Emerson: Fluff Alphabet @hawkinsmafia | Other Type: Character Alphabet | Rating: G | CW: mention of Gareth and reader having sex (not described), allusion to Gareth giving oral (not described), brief mention of the existence of violent homophobia (not described) | Pairing: Gareth Emerson x reader (no assumed gender)

Day Twenty-Six: Tour Date Fic Submissions

wrong date by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: T | WC: 890 | CW: mild language | Tags: famous corroded coffin, jeff's dad finally accepts he has a rockstar son

JULY 26: tour date by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: E | WC: 1000 | CW: Sexual content - briefly mentioned oral (m receiving) and sexual intercourse, vomit, pre-show anxiety, Gareth Emerson's temper | Tags: Corroded Coffin and two gn!groupies

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 26 - Tour Date by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 998 | CW: Silliness and Shenanigans, Boys Will Be Boys Nonsense

Day 26: Tour Date by @munson-blurbs | Rating: T | WC: 724 | Pairing: Rockstar!Eddie x Mom!Reader | CW: angst, hurt/no comfort, Eddie and Reader are married with a daughter, he ran away this time | Tags: Eddie Munson, Mom!Reader, Disney World, angst, hurt/no comfort

Nothin' But a Good Time @corroded-hellfire | Rating: T | WC: 998 | CW: None | Pairing: Eddie x Reader

Other Submissions:

Funko Corroded Coffin by @thisapplepielife | A diorama of a tour date for the Funko Pop versions of Corroded Coffin.

Day Twenty-Seven: You'll Be in My Heart Fic Submissions

you'll be in my heart always by @steddieas-shegoes | Rating: G | WC: 777 | CW: none | Tags: modern au, famous corroded coffin, married steddie, steddie dads

JULY 27: you'll be in my heart by @the-unforgivenn | Rating: T | WC: 1000 | CW: Loss of a pet, grief, strong language | Tags: Corroded Coffin

Corroded Coffin Fest - Day 27 - You'll Be in My Heart by @jo-harrington | Rating: T | WC: 964 | Pairing: Eddie Munson x Store Manager!Reader | CW: Friendship, fluff, allusion to sex, discussion of marriage

I'm Not Crying, You're Crying (Eddie Cries While Watching Tarzan) by @rip-quizilla | Rating: T | WC: 653 | Tags: College!Corroded Coffin, crying, Eddie thinking about motherhood and the role it's played in his life, surprise at the end. It's an AU... but not the way you might think.

#corrodedcoffinfest #masterlist #mod post #week 4 #days 21 thru 27 #ccf

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disneytva · 9 months ago

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Disney Networks April 2024 Programming Highlights

Friday, April 5

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior Pupstruction “Pup Princess/Trash Truck Pups” (1-21) (10:00-10:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:00-9:30 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Pup Princess” – The Pups are worried the castle they built isn’t fit for a princess until they realize this princess actually loves to play.

“Trash Truck Pups” – The Pupstruction crew becomes trash collectors for the day. TV-Y

Original Series – Season Two Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior SuperKitties “Jumbo Rat/New Friend Fiasco” (2-01) (2:00-2:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:30-10:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Jumbo Rat” – Bitsy’s small size saves the day when a giant Lab Rat steals all the jelly in the city.

“New Friend Fiasco” – Cat Burglar devises a plan to take every sparkly collar in Kittydale. TV-Y

Original Series – Season Two Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “A Monstrous Homecoming” (2-01) (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT) It’s homecoming weekend at Monsters University, and Tylor Tuskmon is being celebrated as a former Scream King. TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “The C.R.E.E.P. Show” (2-02) (8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT) The MIFTers join Mike and Sulley in representing Monsters, Inc., at the C.R.E.E.P. Show, an energy convection where they hope to promote laugh power to industry professionals. TV-G

Saturday, April 6 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Big City Greens “Internetted/Guiding Gregly” (4-06) (8:00-8:30 a.m. EDT) “Internetted” – Tilly goes down an internet rabbit hole to figure out what happened to her favorite ice cream treat.

“Guiding Gregly” – Cricket tries to teach Gregly how to make friends. TV-Y7

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Hailey’s On It! “The Saw-shank Redemption/No More Mr. Rice Guy” (1-24) (11:00-11:30 a.m. EDT) “The Saw-shank Redemption” – Hailey and Scott get thrown into detention.

“No More Mr. Rice Guy” – After Hailey accidentally inspires her dad to go on strike, she struggles to make his famous fried rice for a school event. TV-Y7

Friday, April 12 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse “Saving Major Green!/Minnie Safari” (3-09) (10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:55-10:25 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Saving Major Green!” – The gang helps save Funhouse Forest’s oldest tree on Arbor Day.

“Minnie Safari” – Minnie becomes frustrated when she can’t find the elusive Cat-O-Spots on a safari. TV-Y

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends “Picture Perfect Pandemonium/Catch That Panther Pod” (3-11) (1:30-2:00 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel/12:30-1:00 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Picture Perfect Pandemonium” – Team Spidey must save the art show when Zola steals artwork from the museum.

“Catch That Panther Pod” – Spidey and Black Panther must catch runaway new tech lost in the city before Doc Ock finds it. TV-Y

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior SuperKitties “Dancing Piggy/Super Helpers” (2-02) (2:00-2:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:30-9:55 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Dancing Piggy” – The SuperKitties must rescue Wiggles, their new dancing robo-piggy, from Zsa-Zsa before the Kittydale dance party.

“Super Helpers” – Bitsy cheers on Pickles as he learns something new. TV-Y

Saturday, April 13 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Big City Greens “Family Tree/Unguarded” (4-07) (8:00-8:30 a.m. EDT) “Family Tree” – Bill just wants Tilly to come down from a tree.

“Unguarded” – When Remy tells Vasquez he no longer needs his protection, Vasquez speaks with a therapist. TV-Y7

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “Setting the Table” (2-03) (10:00-10:30 a.m. EDT) Tylor is invited to a fancy dinner with Johnny Worthington, but it’s on the same night — and at the same restaurant — as a party for Fritz! TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “Opening Doors” (2-04) (10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT) Johnny takes Tylor on a tour of FearCo. When Tylor is late returning from his visit, Val must cover for him. TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Hailey’s On It! “When Squeeples Attack/Cool Intentions” (1-25) (11:00-11:30 a.m. EDT) “When Squeeples Attack” – Hailey causes an infestation of a wild, futuristic critter.

“Cool Intentions” – Hailey and Scott work at A.C.’s family shop while A.C. shoots a commercial. TV-Y7

Friday, April 19 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior SuperKitties “Museum Mayhem/Big Dig” (2-03) (2:00-2:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:30-9:55 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Museum Mayhem” – Lab Rat and Ginny learn what makes their art special.

“Big Dig” – Sparks learns to share his upset feelings. TV-Y

Saturday, April 20 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Big City Greens “Concrete Jungle/Starter Pack” (4-08) (8:00-8:30 a.m. EDT) “Concrete Jungle” – A nature documentary portrays Big City as a wild ecosystem.

“Starter Pack” – Avid collector Remy struggles to cope after Cricket finds the rarest of all trading cards. TV-Y7

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “It’s Coming From Inside the House” (2-05) (10:00-10:30 a.m. EDT) The Tuskmon family is having a stoop sale, but Tylor struggles to part with his childhood scaring memorabilia. TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “Field of Screams” (2-06) (10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT) At the annual Monsters, Inc., vs. FearCo softball game, Val tries to tell Tylor about a job offer from Mike and Sulley. TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Hailey’s On It! “Out of Body Experience/Get Wale Soon” (1-26) (11:00-11:30 a.m. EDT) “When Squeeples Attack” – A hypnotized Scott inadvertently provokes Rowdy Ronnie, who forces Scott to wrestle him.

“Cool Intentions” – Hailey’s attempts to save a whale are interrupted by her talkative next-door neighbors. TV-Y7

Friday, April 26 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse “Fun-A-Palooza!/Missing Buttons and Bows!” (3-07) (10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:55-10:25 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Fun-A-Palooza!” – Minnie is worried her xylophone skills aren’t good enough to play at the Fun-A-Palooza concert.

“Missing Buttons and Bows!” – When Minnie’s items go missing, she thinks her friends are taking them. TV-Y

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends “Iron Zola/Aunt May’s Birthday Blowout” (3-12) (1:30-2:00 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel/12:30-1:00 p.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Iron Zola” – Team Spidey helps the city when Zola becomes a superhero like Iron Man.

“Aunt May’s Birthday Blowout” – Aunt May’s birthday balloon ride strands her, Spidey and Gobby on an island. TV-Y

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney Junior SuperKitties “Copy Hats/Telescope Trouble” (2-04) (2:00-2:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel/9:30-9:55 a.m. EDT on Disney Junior) “Copy Hats” – The SuperKitties stop Cat Burglar from stealing the trendy new hats in Kittydale.

“Telescope Trouble” – Buddy doesn’t give up on learning how to use a telescope. TV-Y

Saturday, April 27 Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Big City Greens “Dollar Sense/True Cawing” (4-09) (8:00-8:30 a.m. EDT) “Dollar Sense” – To prove to his parents that he is money-wise, Remy starts his own business.

“True Cawing” – Feeling neglected by his family, Bill befriends a murder of crows. TV-Y7

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “Monsters in the Dark” (2-07) (10:00-10:30 a.m. EDT) Mike and Sulley lead a morale-boosting company retreat in the spooky sub-basement of Monsters, Inc. TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Monsters at Work “Lights! Camera! Chaos!” (2-08) (10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT) When news anchors Jack and Jill visit Monsters, Inc., for an interview, Mike and Sulley hope to show off laugh power to all of Monstropolis. TV-G

Original Series – Episode Premiere on Disney Channel and Disney XD Hailey’s On It! “How Kristine Goat Her Groove Back/Oceanside’s 11” (1-27) (11:00-11:30 a.m. EDT) “How Kristine Goat Her Groove Back” – Kristine and Hailey go to a local spa where Kristine has a goat-induced revelation.

“Oceanside’s 11” – Hailey hides proof of her crush on Scott in a book that the school gossip manages to find. TV-Y7

#Big City Greens #BCG #Monsters at Work #Monsters Inc #Monsters Inc The Series #Hailey's On It!#Hailey's On It #Haileys On It #Haileys On It!#Spidey And His Amazing Friends #Spiderman #Mickey Mouse Funhouse #SuperKitties #Pupstruction #Disney Channel #Disney Junior #Disney Jr

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hyperfocusedcloneshipper · 7 months ago

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What's your top three favorite chapters? What about other fics?

Oh jeez. This is going to be difficult. Let me start with some of my favorite fics by other fic writers and then I can try to get to my top three favorite chapters

I have to start with this heart of mine and i am missing you because they really are the two fics that sort made me fall in love with w.bg fanfic. heart of mine was especially a source of inspiration for me. I basically read that and immediately wanted more. I don't know if I would've ended up writing fanfic if not for ace from the @solipsistful collective.

After that... god this feels impossible. But let's give this a shot.

I feel like everyone should read Doubled, it's a work of art and I am positively rabid for it. If you are a fan of MW it's such a great take on the character. ace is also responsible for Tether and Honeymoon

probablynotsafeforwork has been publishing some truly delightful and charming fics of the smutty variety. I highly recommend Playin' Pretend and Playing Favorites to get a start with especially if you enjoy Mike/Michael fics

A Lover is Someone To Be Silly With by @ty-bayonet-betteridge is so sweet and captures the voice of MDawg and MW so well. I revisit that fic often because it just such a gorgeous snapshot of what those two could be. A Very WOE.BEGONE New Year's is a wonderful fic that captures so many of the woe.begone characters and gives them all of them a happy new year. Also I adore their series Two Liars Lying To Eachother.

It's difficult for me to pick a fave from @felixcosm but I'm going to go with a normalcy i'm begging you to know and it’s like you wanna get caught. a normalcy i'm begging you to know captures really early Mike/Michael so well, balancing that tenderness and frustration that they have for one another. it’s like you wanna get caught is just so very hot and funny. I love the way OverMike and Mikey are written in that one and captures their voices so well.

@muppet-chaos manages to convince me of ships I never thought I would and one of the best examples of this is Employee Benefits which centers around Topher Evans (CANNONBALL). They also wrote one of the most heart breaking Mike/Michael fics with The Best You've Ever Had (Is Just A Memory). I come back to that one again and again for how well it captures Mike's sense of loss. In that same vein Was I Delicate Enough? is a poignant and tragic snapshot from MW's perspective that I reflect on often when I write my own MW centric chapters. Also @muppet-chaos is the genius that brought up Mike4Mike Month! We should be singing their praises!

@orchidbreezefc wrote Reflecting and it's one of those fics that had me holding my breath the entire time I was reading it because I was so caught up. The writing is gorgeous and lush. I am almost loathe to recommend Nostalgia because it absolutely gutted me, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't reread it dozens of times. It's a heart breaker be warned but it's a beautiful one and somehow takes the end of episode 107 and makes it hurt even more.

I never thought I would buy into a Mike/Mikey ship but almost like you never left by @falloutcoys made me a believer. It is sweet and hot and I won't even try to pretend I haven't reread it several times over. Also this house will never forget your name is a gorgeous fic that takes place while Mikey is staying with Matt and my heart just aches every time I read it. Please go give it a read, it's utter perfection.

I also highly highly highly recommend Teacher's Pet. Some really good fucked up shit in there and really captures Michael's desperation to be a sheepdog for the Mikes. It's also hot even as it's disturbing.

Okay. I've put off choosing my favorite chapters of Love in the Time of Iterations and Retrocausal Pockets as long as I could 😅. I will not be able to limit it to three, I am so sorry. This series is my baby and I really do put SO MUCH thought into it so I hope it's okay if I go a little overboard here.

I'll go in chronological order:

Chapter 8: Distractions

I love this chapter because its encapsulates the ways in which Mike and Michael try to protect one another and how they make sure that the other knows they are worthy of protection and love.

Chapter 13: Sheepdogging

I felt like I really nailed the argument between Mike and Michael towards the end of this chapter. Michael is furious with Mike but is able to be mature enough to recognize that now if not going to be a time when they can have a productive discussion about the shit Mike tried to pull.

Chapter 14: (Pair Bonding) Studies

This list would be incomplete without this chapter. I went into this chapter knowing it would have a lasting impact on the series going forward but it wasn't until I did my final edit of the chapter that I realized that it would forever change things for Mike and Walt (and as a result, Edgar and Michael as well)

Chapter 20: I thought that I could trust you

This chapter hurt me to write. I had planned out the MW arc and I remember feeling absolute dread the closer I got to writing this chapter. As soon as I hit publish on this one I wanted to write Mike and Michael back together. I'm glad I stuck to my original plan but it was extremely difficult. I ended up writing chapters 21, 22, and 23 all at the same time.

Chapter 25: Unwell

This chapter signals a real shift between Michael and Walt. I think it might be the first time that Walt is really truly vulnerable with Michael. It's a fairly quiet chapter compared to the others I chose but it is an important one for Michael and Walt's relationship.

Chapter 34: Bound: Part 3

I picked Part 3 because it's kind of the culmination of the entire Bound arc but those three chapters were originally one chapter. The Bound mini arc was important in that it solidifies the relationship between Michael, Mike, Walt, and Edgar. They spend all of Wedding Week essentially figuring out how they work together and for all intents and purposes make their quad official.

Chapter 37: Alive & Free

This Chapter was such an undertaking. I had to go back and revisit everything from Chapter 13 onward to remind myself what would have been going on in the background of this chapter. I had this chapter planned for a couple months and was very excited to write it because I knew if I didn't write this chapter, the OvEdgar Council would just come across as one dimensional villains and I really didn't want that. What I didn't expect was just how much I would adore these characters.

Chapter 46: The To Do List

This is not the first Edgar-centric chapter but it is one I am especially proud of. I adore Edgar so much and I loved having the opportunity to explore what it looks like when he is pushed to his emotional limits. And I loved being able to explore the ways in which he used his competency to avoid dealing with his grief.

I think I'll leave it there because the more I look at my AO3 page for IRP the more I want to add other chapters to the list and it's already so so long.

Thanks so much for the ask, this was a lot of fun and I ended up rereading a lot of my favorite fics from other fic writers to put this post together 💕

#woe.begone #woe begone #wbg #w.bg #wbg spoilers #woe.begone spoilers #latvia mike #mike walters #michael walters #edgar woe.begone #do not propagate

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neptunianrefrain · 3 months ago

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my real actual life got in the way, so it's time to play catch up! this post will be a compilation of all days missed.

OC-tober day 4 - underappreciated OC -skipped

sorry for skipping a mandatory day, but literally none of my ocs specifically come to mind. because like all of them are because i forget they exist, there's no one guy that specifically gets that title. and i'm not drawing all of them there's TOO MANY

OC-tober day 5 - redesigned OC - skipped

no specific redesign i want to talk about :P

OC-tober day 6 - past

not many of my ocs get backstories, since i don't often have them for long enough to care about those sorts of things... but all of the ocs i've spoken about so far do have at least something within their past! so let's talk about them!

gio was born in the philippines, to a family who didn't really want him. his original birth name was marikit. through some kind of program he was adopted out to a family in canada. this family adopted 3 other children due to fertility issues, though they did manage to have one biological child. they let him change his name to georgia. his life was pretty normal. in his teens, he started to figure out he was trans. by the time it started to click, his mom died. so that kind of got in the way of things. there's also an abusive ex somewhere in there but i haven't figured that bit out. anyways now he's an adult and looking into transitioning. now his name is giovanni. he really likes g names. he fully transitions over the course of several years. during this time, somewhere towards the end of his transition hes like late 20s or something, he meets and soon falls in love with a guy named michael (who belongs to my moirail @dialtone-town,) starting a long and loving relationship. eventually mike's sibling dies and mike fucks off to new jersey. this fucks gio up for a while! and eventually he has to go to new jersey for work shit. and he meets mike again. and theyre friends now yaaay

starlight has a vague backstory involving his development, as he was a custom order. there were several prototypes made of him, that still exist somewhere probably. they're more so an oc that exists to exist instead of an oc that exists for a story.

victor is still very new, but i did come up with the idea that her coding - that is to say the very makeup of her being - was intentionally messed with by another gem to create a reliable hitman, though they fucked up and victor immediately killed them, now continuing to kill as she lacks purpose beyond this.

chartreuse probably served the gempire at some point. eventually rebelled and had a bit of a turbulent life, had a best friend for a while but he fucked off and became a massive bitch. now she's part of a major rebel group, serving as the lead engineer.

OC-tober day 7 - likes

most of my ocs like similar things to me, or things that fit their sort of vibe. it's kind of hard for me to come up with likes and dislikes sometimes... but i try my best!

gio loves all kinds of video games, particularly liking ones with interesting stories or game mechanics. he also tends to enjoy science fiction, liking both sleek and elegant futuristic tech, and rough and war torn machinery. he watched some anime as a teen, and still finds new animanga to enjoy to this day.

starlight enjoys futuristic themes and styles, such as cyberpunk, and cassette futurism. he also enjoys fashion, especially alternative styles. and by god does he love playing weird indie video games. sometimes he does play more normal video games. sometimes. loves music, genre and language mattering not. he WOULD pass those "do you really listen to anything" tests. he also loves creation, making art and music and writing. he loves creating as much as he loves looking into what others have made.

uhh victor. victor likes killing people. chartreuse uhh. she likes something probably.

i have other ocs i cld maybe put here but i don't want to introduce them now. blehh

#bweirdoctober #bweirdoctober2024 #neptune's creations #no drawings because im working on something else at the moment

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lboogie1906 · 4 months ago

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Pastor Kel Johari Rice Mitchell (August 25, 1978) is an actor, stand-up comedian, and Pastor. He is known for his work as a regular cast member of the series All That, as the Invisible Boy in the film Mystery Men, his portrayal of Kel Kimble on Kenan & Kel, his role as Ed in the film and All That sketch Good Burger, as the voice of Dutch in Motorcity, and as Ray in Like Mike, Like Mike 2: Streetball. He starred as Double G on Game Shakers. He was on Dancing with the Stars and placed 2nd.

He was born in Chicago and is from the South Side. He attended Chicago Vocational High School and took drama classes at the ETA Creative Arts Foundation. He has two sisters, Kenyatta and Kyra.

He started his acting career alongside Kenan Thompson at the age of 15, in All That. They worked on the series Kenan & Kel. They starred in Good Burger. They appeared together on Sister, Sister, The Steve Harvey Show, and Cousin Skeeter. They were featured on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

He provided the voice of a mild-mannered and playful dog named T-Bone in Clifford the Big Red Dog. He made an appearance in the video “All Falls Down” as a valet. He co-hosted Dance 360 with Fredro Starr. He portrayed Manny Sellers in One on One and Take the Cake. Some of his other credits include Honeydripper and Mystery Men.

He was married to Tyisha Hampton, and they have two children together, a son and a daughter. He married rapper Asia Lee, and has two children together, a daughter and a son.

He and Lee received an award from the Carson Black Chamber in 2016 for their show The Back House Party. He is the spokesperson for the Black College Expo.

He became a Youth Pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center in Los Angeles.

He hosted the Tails of Valor, he competed as a celebrity contestant on the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars. He would be one of the panelists for Deliciousness. He released a book entitled, Blessed Mode: 90 Days to Level Up Your Faith, available physically, digitally, and as an audiobook. A song titled, “Blessed Mode”, was released to streaming services. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

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duskier · 5 months ago

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I was tagged by @pricegouge to do these book questions!! (Thank you for the tag ml it made my brain light up like a Christmas tree!!)

1) last book I read -

The Urge by Carl Erik Fischer. Absolutely fantastic read on the history of addiction (mainly western focused)

2) a book I recommend -

THE THREE BODY PROBLEM BY LIU CIXIN OH MY G-D SOMEONE COME NERD OUT ABOUT THIS BOOK WITH ME IT IS SO GOOD UGHHHHHH

3) a book I couldn't put down -

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. I devoured that book in a single day. (Read trigger warnings for this one if you seek it out!!)

4) a book Ive read twice or more -

Eragon!!! I used to love love love reading this book over and over. I got really into reading it while listening to the audiobook to the point where when I read it now without the audiobook. I can still hear the voice actor. (Controversial take to anyone who has listened to the audiobook: I LIKE the way Gerard Doyle voiced Saphira. YEAH I SAID IT!!)

5) a book on my tbr -

Blitzed by Norman Ohler, going over drugs used by N/zis during the Third Reich. It came highly recommended to me recently and a friend bought me my own copy :)

6) a book I've put down -

In Sunlight and In Shadow by Mark Helprin. I haven't touched it in years but I have no intention of getting rid of it now. I made it barely a chapter in before giving up.

7) a favorite book from childhood -

Absolutely has to be The Secret Garden. I used to have really vibrant dreams about this book. All the time.

8) a book I would give to a friend -

Absolutely would give someone my copy of Le Portrait De Petite Cossette (Someone please. It is a two volume manga that's a gory gothic romance about nihilism and has beautiful art READ IT SO I CAN TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT IT)

9) a fiction book I own -

Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney. Anything I think I know about American public school comes from 1. my siblings and 2. this book. Kid pretends to be a vampire to get girls. I read this at a very formative age, changed me entirely. Fun YA read.

10) a non fiction book I own -

Hero of Two Worlds by Mike Duncan. Goes over Lafayette's life in both France and America. It is funny that America counts him as a founding father but in life he was kind of a loser in France. I listened to Mike Duncan's Revolutions podcast to get through some tough times, he does some really interesting work!!

11) what I am currently reading -

Dune. I wish I was joking. I watched the two movies, couldn't get it out of my head, my dad has an old copy and let me borrow it. I am very slowly working through it.

12) what I am planning on reading next -

From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty. I watch that lady on youtube a ton and I have been excited to read her writing, especially since it is so suddenly relevant to my life.

13) my shelfie -

My bookshelf is currently still disassembled and half of my books are across the world at my mom's house still (I don't have the heart to put it up right now soooooo)

I tag: @391780 @auspicioustidings @glossysoap aaaand anyone else who wants to do these questions !!

#noel.txt #ignore me if i double tagged anyone dkdnana

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antisociallilbrat · 2 years ago

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The Williams Part One

Part Two

Read on Ao3

Ships: Will Byer/Bill Denbrough and background Richie Tozier/Mike Wheeler and Eleven Hopper/Stanley Uris

Rating: This first part is rated G- other two parts are rated M

Summary: The story where Will and Bill pine over each other helplessly in a coffee shop and Mike and Richie are meddling little shits.

Now that they've met they've gotten past the awkward stage...right?

There’s a coffee loft in downtown New York that has been humbly dubbed “The Bean'' by its loyal customers. The real name of the shop is printed on the window front, but the font is so faded that it’s hard to tell what it originally said. The name “The Bean” came about because, unlike the painted name of the loft, a big faded cartoon coffee bean is still visible on the window pane.

No one knows why the paint of the Bean has withstood through the years and not the paint of the name. At this point, it doesn’t matter. The Bean is cracked and dirty with age and it just fits .

The Bean is just out of the way enough to be an inconvenience to tourists but for locals, it’s a hot spot. It has a comforting atmosphere with its mismatch couches and corner tables. The furniture is a mixed drab of whatever the Owner was able to find at the thrift store. They have the same two baristas who never mess up an order and the place plays smooth jazz softly over the speakers.

This place is perfect for an artist like Will Byers.

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon he heads there after his morning class, his satchel full of sketchbooks and pens. He is a very patient man but his roommate has a way of working his nerves so it’s easier to work somewhere else. It’s like the guy has never heard of headphones- and he's always playing some garage band music.

The barista, a sweet girl named Addy, rings up his usual as he walks in the door, the ‘ding!’ of the bell behind him. The smell of cinnamon warms his nose and he already starts to relax. It’s reminiscent of home.

He pays for his hot chai tea; two dollars and fifty cents, with a small “, thank you” to Addy as he heads to his little corner. Mike may give him shit for hating the taste of coffee and still hanging out at the coffee loft, but Mike has never tried The Bean’s chai tea.

There’s a corner of the loft that has this old loveseat couch and a coffee table in front of it. When Will first started coming here he would sit on the floor with his back against the couch and do his work on the table. When the Owner saw this, Mr. Brandis, he insisted on getting Will an easel for him to work on instead.

Will tried to tell the older man that it was too much but Mr. Brandis had money to blow so he bought Will one anyways. Mr. Brandis hasn’t been in the shop much anymore and Addy tells him it’s because his arthritis is getting worse in his old age. A shame, Will genuinely enjoyed Mr. Brandis’s presence.

The easel is already set up for him and he pulls his biggest sketchbook out and sets it on it. With the easel, he does get to sit on the couch now which is nice. With his drink warming his hands, he scrutinizes his work. It’s his art midterm, the first one of his freshman year, and he’s a little nervous.

Going to school for art is such a cliche. The eye rolls and the ‘oh that’s…nice’ he’s had to hear from high school teachers and other grown-ups. He knows. It’s just that he couldn’t bring himself to go to school for something he didn’t care about. That said, he’d rather not fall into the “starving artist stereotype”. If he can create a good-, no; a great piece for his midterm, it feels like this could be worth it.

A silly notion, he knows.

Right now he’s just in the sketching phases. The prompt for the midterm is “Character of light.” He doesn’t have a clue how his project is going to come out. Character of light?- Maybe he should paint his mom.

There’s a "ding!" of the door and Will looks up, is it really that time already?

There’s another reason Will frequents The Bean. A guy that looks around his age, who shows up every day at noon, orders a different drink every time and sits in the same spot across the shop. Will studies him as he chats with Addy, who laughs at something he said. He’s getting some iced drink despite the dropping temperature outside.

When he turns away from the counter with his drink their eyes lock. The guy gives him a polite smile and Will smiles back; before going to his booth. The same routine every Tuesday and Thursday.

Will has affectionately dubbed this stranger “the Writer”. At his booth, he pulls out his laptop and will type away at something. Will has wondered many times what exactly he’s writing. It’s a fiction story, he thinks, because the Writer always has notebooks on the table too. Like he’s keeping track of details in a story. On second thought that could work for writing non-fiction as well but this guy doesn’t look like a boring non-fiction writer. He can’t explain it, he just knows.

Dressed in flannel (always flannel) with his ripped jeans and his auburn hair tucked up underneath a beanie, the occasional strands escaping. He looks so mundane but to the careful eye, you can tell he looks like someone who has something to say. Will hopes he says it. Hopes he gets to hear it.

That would mean talking to him and that’s not something he’ll do. Will Byers doesn’t talk to strangers. People he doesn’t even know the name of. No no no, he’s perfectly content secretly pining over the Writer from his little corner.

Will sighs and gets to work on his midterm as the Writer boots up his laptop. Once the screen is on and he’s clacking away, the Writer won’t look up for anything. Zeroed in on his work, like Will needs to be. He can’t help it! He’s an artist, he likes pretty things! And the Writer is very pretty.

For the next two hours Will sketches and erases portraits of his mom. Would it be too cheesy to choose his mom for this prompt? He could do his sister El, but that may be just as cheesy. At the end of it, all he’s accomplished is to make himself frustrated. It’s time to go home. He glances at the Writer one last time as he always leaves before him.

He picks up his things and politely says goodbye to Addy as he throws his drink away. Maybe he’ll get lucky and his roommate will have gone out for the night.

The New York air is cold on the tip of his nose. Mid-October was bringing in that cold air with a vengence.

“Hey! Wait up!”

Thinking of October he has no idea who he’s going for Halloween. Does the Party want to do a group costume or have they outgrown that? He doesn’t think- A hand grabs his shoulder and Will jerks back. Is this his first mugging?

No, it’s not a mugging because when he turns around it’s the Writer standing there. His cheeks are red and he’s panting and he’s holding Will’s dorm pass.

“You dropped this back there, I figured you weren’t getting home without it.” The man explains.

“I- thank you.” After months they’ve never said a word to each other, just shared little smiles as the writer got his coffee.

“Just being a good citizen,” he laughs. There’s something to his voice. It’s slow and he can’t tell if it’s just because this guy has an accent or what. Before handing the pass back to Will he looks at it, nodding appreciatively, “NYU, that’s a good school.”

He hands the pass back to him, their fingertips just briefly brush, “It is, thanks," he dismisses.

The Writer smiles at him, “Well ss-see you Thursday!” and heads back the way he came, back towards The Bean.

Will stands there for a minute with a blush on his cheeks and stunned at his own stupidity. “It is”? He couldn’t have thought to ask the guy if he went to school there too? Start a conversation? He now knows the guy knows his schedule too but that could mean anything. God, he feels like an idiot.

Bill Denbrough is an idiot.

He sits there, staring at his laptop screen and chewing at his fingernails. Why did he grab Art guy? Cute Art guy to be exact. He looked like he scared the guy half to death.

After months of his romantic pinning, he couldn’t stop himself from taking the chance. When he saw Art guy’s dorm pass fall out of his back pocket as he was leaving it was like fate. The universe was saying, “Now’s your chance Denbrough,” and he fucking blew it! Very Bill of him as Richie would say.

And why did he come off as a stalker?! “NYU, that’s a nice school”?! He dropped out of that school! That’s not even the worst part, the pass was in his hand and he didn’t check the name. Now the guy is stuck being dubbed ‘Art guy’. Dammit, Denbrough! The guy probably thinks he’s a creep.

Groaning, he slams his laptop shut. The words aren’t coming to him as steadily as they usually are. Maybe he calls it an early night and sees if Richie is down to grab a drink. A real drink, not whatever surgery crap Addy concocted today. Plus Richie is always down to drink, even on weekdays. Perks of being the two college dropouts of the Losers club.

“Bye Addy!” he yells over her shoulder. The poor girl is sweeping, getting an early start on closing since she has to do it all alone. The other barista (Diana? He thinks that’s her name.) hides in the back, playing on her phone. They really should hire someone else.

Thursday rolls around and Will is a bundle of nerves. He keeps going back and forth on whether or not he should go. But it would be weird to break his routine suddenly. Oh but his nerves! He knows he came off so cold the Writer! Should he apologize or would that be weird?

He’s still deciding when Mike texts him that he’s joining Will at The Bean. A blessing and a curse. If he chooses not to go now he’d have to explain why to Mike and he would just ask too many questions. His friends are aware of his routines, and Mike and El have joined him at the coffee loft a couple of times. El when she really needs to focus on her school work and Mike when he just needs to relax for a little.

Mike is already sitting in his spot when he arrives. Chai tea on the table alongside Mike’s usual order of americano and a blueberry muffin. Will takes his seat next to Mike. He doesn’t feel like drawing today, his legs are too jumpy.

Mike being Mike immediately notices, “What’s got you in a bunch?”

“Nothing.”

In lew of arguing Mike hands him his chai tea. He regrets it, the cup shakes in his hand. Mike looks at him with a, “You gonna tell me now?” expression.

Will sips his tea in spite, “Seriously, I’m fine.”

Mike starts in on him, “And I’m straight. Was it class? Was professor Harlen a dick to you again? Or was it your roommate? I swear if he-”

“I’m fine!” he lowers his voice as he gets a grumpy look from an old lady in an armchair, “I’m sorry Miss Baker,” he whispers to her. She glares at him for a moment longer before returning to her Cosmo magazine. Mike looks at him expectantly. He sighs, “It’s this guy.”

“It’s this guy?” Mike repeats back to him, “What guy? Did he do something to you or something?”

For someone so smart, Mike can be a bit dense at times. “No he didn’t do anything to me!” he hurriedly whispers, “I just- I just happen to think he’s cute.”

This piques Mike’s interest. For a reason too. Will doesn’t often get ‘crushes’. He feels like such a schoolgirl. “And what happened with this cute guy?” Mike asks.

So, against his better judgment he tells Mike about the incident on Tuesday…and about how he’s been harboring a crush on this guy for months. He can’t look at Mike’s smug face.

“Sooo that’s why you love this place,” the bastard teases.

“I love this place because Addy makes a good chai tea,” he says, getting defensive. There’s a telltale feeling of a stupid blush warming his cheeks.

Mike hums, “So when does Lover boy get here? You said he’s a regular here as you?”

Looking at his booth he realizes what time it is, “He’s um, he’s actually supposed to be here right now.”

He must sense the apprehension in Will’s voice, “I’m sure he’s just running late, that’s all,” Mike tries to reassure.

But Will isn’t listening, he’s thinking about how he came off cold to the guy and now he’s ruined everything. The Writer is probably never going to come here again and that means he’s never going to get to see him again and he never even got to learn his name. God, he’s so stu- Oh wait.

As Will’s eyes were scanning the room they landed on the outside window where the Writer is standing outside next to someone. He has his bag with him so it appears he’s coming in, just chatting to someone right now.

The tension leaves his shoulders and he nods his head towards the window, “Nevermind he’s outside talking to that guy. He’s the one in the gray flannel.”

“The one he’s smoking a cigarette with?” Mike asks, wrinkling his nose.

“Mmm yeah I guess.” Honestly, he’s only ever seen the Writer smoke a couple of times before and it’s always with this same guy before he comes inside sometimes. At first, he feared the other guy was the Writer's boyfriend but the pair have only ever playfully shoved each other when one of them had, apparently, said something stupid. They remind him of Lucas and Dustin.

And there’s the fact that few and far in between, a couple of the Writer's friends have joined him in The Bean. None of them acts less platonic than the other.

The Writer finishes his cigarette before snubbing it out and tossing it. The other guy, his friend, ruffles the Writer’s hair before walking down the street.

Will finds himself holding his breath as he pulls the door open.

“At least he’s the cute one, would have seriously judged you if it was the other guy. The one with the curls looks like he needs a bath,” Mike says with a grimace, unaware of Will’s state.

He agrees noncommittally, trying not to stare but also can’t look away as the Writer places his order. The Writer got something hot today and when he turns around, as always, he makes eye contact with Will.

Instead of rolling his eyes or scowling, or any of Will’s worst fears, the writer smiles and waves. Somehow Will manages to give a small wave back. The Writer, seeming pleased, grins one last time before heading to his booth.

Well…that was new.

“Oh ho ho,” Mike chuckles, “Looks like you didn’t come off too cold to him.”

“Shut up,” he scolds but he’s smiling.

Mike taps his finger to his chin, “I think that you should go talk to him.”

It’s almost comical how quickly Will snaps his head towards Mike, stuttering, “Wh-what? It was just a wave, not an invitation to go bother him!” he whispers yells. He is not risking the Writer overhearing him.

“But it could be an invitation to go bother him, you don’t know,” Will glowers at him and Mike holds his hands up in defense, “I’m just saying! If you want to sit over here and continue to pine for even more months like a sad Disney Channel movie heroine, that’s your deal. You could at least ask his name,” Mike smiles mischievously, “Or I could go ask for his name.”

Will stands up, “Okay we’re leaving.”

“What why?”

“Because I don’t trust you. Come on, get up.”

Hopefully, it wasn’t as embarrassing as it was in his head, leading out Mike who was fighting a fit of giggles. Good to know his love life is funny.

“You know you’re overthinking this right?”

Bill resists rolling his eyes at Stan, yes he knows this. He’s Bill, he overthinks everything, it’s a part of his personality at this point. “Doesn’t matter,” he disregards, “I’ve been s-smiled zoned.”

Stan does roll his eyes at him, “That’s not a thing, stop being overdramatic."

He huffs at his friend. Stan uses a coffee stirrer to push back his cuticles as he sits across from Bill at his booth. He doesn’t often accompany Bill to The Bean but today is a special occasion. Richie got a job here and today was his first day.

A few weeks ago Mr. Brandis finally fired that lazy barista. Addy basically runs the shop anyway so it didn’t affect her but Mr. Brandis still insisted on filling the position.

So Bill got Richie the job. He’s always complaining about having no money, free open mics don’t exactly pay, so now he has a day job. Bill’s happy for him but it is oh so infuriating. His friends are the worst. That’s it.

Richie has been working all day so he was there when Addy took Art guy’s order, he knows his name and he won’t tell Bill. He texted Richie as he was walking here with Stan and Richie just sent him the middle finger again emoji. Then he asked again when he placed his order and the jerk just smiled smugly, miming zipping his lips.

But he still smiled at Art guy when he turned around- and waved. Waving is part of their new routine now. He was so scared he fucked it up when he chased him down the street to return his pass that he decided to take a chance the next time he saw him. If Art guy waved back then hope wasn’t lost. Bill considers himself lucky that he did.

Now a whole month later, they have come to an impasse. The only new development was the wave. He still sits at his booth and pines over Art guy, stealing glances at him when he’s not looking. At his point, he knows he’s getting on his friend’s nerves, particularly Stan and Richie’s.

“I don’t even know if he’s gay Stan,” he almost whines.

Stan takes a glance towards Art guy and looks at Bill with a raised eyebrow, “Are you serious right now?”

“What? S-serious about what?”

“Bill Denbrough you’re a dumbass,” he sighs, “That guy couldn’t scream more gay if he had a shirt on saying it.”

He scrunches his nose, “I don’t understand, how can you tell?”

“Oh I don’t know, maybe because he dresses way too nice for a straight guy,” Stan states matter of factly.

“Ben is st-straight and he dresses nicely.”

Stan looks almost pained, “Ben isn’t straight Bill.”

“Wh-what?! Since when?!”

He rolls his eyes again and is chastising him for his lack of gaydar when the door chimes and stops mid-rant. Stan never stops mid-rant so he’s immediately turning around to see who came in.

Oh, it’s just her. The girl with curly brown hair who’s always slightly smiling is one of Art guy’s friends.

But she’s not just a girl to Stan apparently. Bill watches his eyes as his eyes watch her, following her from where she goes to place her order and then to sit next to Art guy. Stan’s mouth is still hanging open from where he was speaking mid-sentence.

He doesn’t bother to hide his snigger when Stan’s attention finally returns to him. Stan glares at him but asks anyways, “Does she often come here with him?”

Bill finds a sudden interest in his nails, feeling completely smug about the whole thing. Stan and Richie have been giving him shit about not talking to Art guy and here Stan is gaping at one of his friends. “Hmmm, I don’t know, why? You feeling smuh-smitten suddenly?” He’s not looking up from his nails as he says it, going for the full effect of bastard.

Stan throws his coffee stirrer at him, “I’m definitely not telling you Art guy's name now!” he hisses.

Bill squawks, “How do you know his name?!”

“Because Richie texted me it on the way here!”

“I have the worst friends,” he pouts, sliding down into the booth.

Mike is surprised and annoyed to see Will’s Lover boy’s friend behind the counter the next time he visits The Bean. Will is still on his way and Mike tends to get here before him anyways when he joins him.

Before he approaches the counter he knows this guy is going to get on his nerves. He just looks dirty! His curls need a brush and his black fingernail polish is chipped to hell. To make it worse he can see the horrendous orange shirt behind his black apron. Who let him go out like this?! Why is it weirdly attractive?!

The guy- ‘Richie’ as it says in a messy scribble on his name tag greets him with an all too big smile, “Hey good lookin' what can I get brewin' for ya?” He sings songs.

He resists glaring; just barely, and orders, “I’ll have an americano and a blueberry muffin. Oh and a hot chai tea.”

“Two drinks?” Richie asks as he rings him up, “What? You got a date coming? And your total is eight dollars and ninety five cents.”

“I’m just ordering for my friend that’s joining me- not that it’s any of your business.” He tosses a ten-dollar bill towards the barista who annoyingly catches it.

He hums, “No date, is it bold of me to assume you’re single then?”

“Just get me my coffee,” he bites out a “please,” so that he doesn’t come off as too rude.

Richie chuckles and grabs two cups and a pen, “Before I do that I need to get your name pretty boy.”

He positively does not blush at that, “It’s Mike.”

“And the other name?” he asks him, scribbling Mike’s name on the cup and picking up the other one, “The name of your supposed friend?”

“It’s Will.”

That makes Richie stop mid-writing and look up at him with an eyebrow raised, “Will? As the one who comes in every Tuesday and Thursday?”

“Yeah that’s him, he has a weird obsession with this place,” Mike tells him, confusion lacing his tone.

“Does his obsession with this place have anything to do with the hopeless writer that sits right at the booth over there?”

The pieces are starting to fall into place as he catches on, “I do believe it does,” a smirk is tugging at his lips.

Richie leans over the counter, matching him with his own Cheshire grin, “Tell me, Micheal, are you also sick of them and their dramatic pining?”

“You have no idea.” He loves Will, really, but ever since Will told him about his crush it’s all he wants to talk about. Mike can recall the different colors of plaid the Writer has worn the last two Tuesdays and Thursdays because Will has insisted on telling him.

“Well well I think it’s time I execute my plan 'The Williams’,” he sees Mike looking at him questioningly and clarifies, “Oh my friend’s name is Bill, they’re both named William so I guess it’s good they go by different nicknames because otherwise, that shit would be confusing.”

“Hmph look at that,” he muses.

Richie challenges him, “So you ready to hear my plan?”

He thinks about it for a minute. Will hates it when his friends get involved in his love life so does he really want to deal with the inevitable grouchy Will over this? On the other hand, can he stand to hear about how the sun filtered in on The Writ- Bill’s hair one more time? With that in mind, he nods.

Richie shoots him a wink, “Great, knew you wouldn’t let me down,” he calls over his shoulder to the other barista who was stocking syrups, “Hey Addy would you mind coming over here for a sec? I got something to ask.”

Will doesn’t notice anything off when he enters The Bean. Mike is sitting over on his loveseat couch, their drinks sitting on the table and his muffin half eaten on the plate.

He also doesn’t notice Mike’s lack of overflowing conversation as he watches for the Writer, no interest in working on his project for the new term. He got an A on his midterm so that’s subsided his worries about his career choice for a while. He painted his mom, Hop, Jonathan, and El. His family- his characters of light. His work was so good that his professor didn’t care that he chose multiple subjects.

Between watching the clock and humming an agreeing noise whenever it sounds like Mike has asked him a question, time moves quickly.

The Writer comes in right on time and heads to the counter. His friend, the one he occasionally shares a cigarette with, has started working here so it’s been fun to watch their interactions. His friend’s name is Richie. Will likes him, he’s only been here for about a week but he’s always super nice to him. Sometimes Will wishes he had the courage to ask him about the Writer but that would be too obvious.

Will watches as the Writer and Richie exchange words, the Writer flips him off and Richie makes kissy faces at him. He wonders what on Earth they’re talking about. The Writer gets his drink, a warm one today, and on cue turns around to smile and wave at him. As always Will waves back.

Something Will does notice is Mike’s lack of snark over it. He eyes his friend, “What? No teasing today?”

Mike gives him an unimpressed look, “I don’t know what to tell you, William, the world doesn’t revolve around you.”

Will rolls his eyes, “Whatever- and don’t call me William. It’s weird.”

They make ideal chit-chat, Mike finishing off his muffin and Will drinking his chai. Lucas’s birthday is coming up so they discuss what to get him. The man who notoriously just goes out and buys the things he wants himself. Meanwhile the Writer is pretty invested in the story he’s writing so Will risks a couple more glances than usual.

The sound of Addy's voice interrupts his and Mike's conversation. “Special order for William from Mr. Brandis!” she calls out, putting two drinks on the counter.

He just stares up at the counter, confused. Mike nudges him, “I think she’s talking to you.”

Since when does Addy call him William and why even would Mr. Brandis order him a drink? He’s not even in today! ….He thinks.

Hesitantly he stands and walks towards the counter. Addy is taking an order for another customer and Richie has magically disappeared. She gives him a quick smile as he approaches.

The two paper cups are empty when he picks them up; there are no drinks. What is going on here? One of the cups says ‘Will’ and the other is labeled ‘Bill’.

“What the fuck R-Rich,” Comes from behind him, making him jump.

It’s the Writer and he turns around and sees that he looks annoyed. He’s still confused as to what is going on and is starting to worry that he somehow did something wrong.

The Writer quickly drops his look of annoyance though, trying to smile instead but it’s tense, “I’m ss-sorry. I think my friend is playing a prank.”

Will looks down at the cup named ‘Bill’ and holds it out to him, “Is this you?”

He takes it and observes it, “Yeah I’m Bill- sadly,” he looks at the other cup in his hands, “What does yours s-say?”

Will tries not to snicker but it’s kinda funny, the guy he’s been pining over has his name, “It says Will, short for William.”

It seems like it finally dawns on Bill, “Oh shit we have the same name!” he says, a little too excited. It makes Will squirm, and his cheeks hurt from trying not to smile too big but he's just as nervous. Scared he’ll say the wrong thing and lose this chance.

Bill steps closer to him and he can smell his woodsy cologne and the lingering smell of cigarette smoke. For some reason he completely expected the Writer, Bill, to smell like this. He talks again in that slow voice of his, “Do you want to come sit down with me? Can’t let a special order from Mr. Brandis go to waste.” His words are smooth but his smile is boyish and cheeky and it is utterly charming.

But then Will remembers Mike and in a panic looks over towards him...only to see that Mike is no longer there. He’s standing outside The Bean, looking in through the window and giving him a thumbs up before proceeding to fake gag. Very Mike of him.

So Will turns to Bill and nods, “I’ll sit with you only if you tell me about that story of yours I’ve seen you writing.”

Bill’s eyes light up, “Deal but only if you let me ss-see some of your artwork,” he goads.

That sounds more than fair to him.

A/N: AAAAAA I know it seems like it ends abruptly but that's what chapter two is for ;)

Thank you for reading! Please comment if you enjoyed!

#i finished this look at me #willbill #elstan #wheelzier #bill denbrough #will byers #mike wheeler #richie tozier #eleven hopper #stanley uris #it 2017 #it 2019 #stanger things #stranger things 4

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eataku · 2 years ago

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When we first moved to NYC in ‘90s, we lived on the Upper West Side for fourteen years, where I had three local watering holes... P&G Cafe (RIP), The Dead Poet and Dublin House. Visiting the area earlier this week, we dropped into the Dublin House for a drink before dinner and to see if Mike, the establishment’s long time bartender, was still there. (Turns out he is, only working afternoons now though.) But on the way in, I was surprised to find what appears to be an authentic Banksy painting on the wall next to the bar! I’m going to research this a bit more, but it was a thrill for me to see my food & drink and art lives crossover again, right next door to a place that hold so many memories.

#new york city #manhattan #upper west side #nyc #bar #dublin house #banksy #beer

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late-to-the-magnus-archives · 1 year ago

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This Dark Thing That Sleeps In Me - a Magnus Archives AU, Chapter Seven

This is a DARK AU; it is not a kid-fic, though Jon is young. Bittersweet ending ahead.

Spoilers for the whole show, though this is very much an alternate universe.

“Have you been to Oliver’s mountain?”

“No. Hey, Marto, how come the Eye didn’t choose this guy?”

“Wish I knew.”

It didn’t feel particularly good to hear that. Jon was beginning to dislike being a mystery.

AO3

Art by @iiiumihottie

Nobody answered Tim.

“So,” Mike said into the silence. “Is it always this exciting in the grand ol’ tower?”

“No, it is not,” said Sasha. “Is everyone all right?”

Some murmurs of assent.

Not from Jon. He knew what he’d been promised. Felt it deep inside, maybe in his soul. Answers. To everything. He kept swallowing, producing saliva as though hungry.

“Jon, are you all right?” said Sasha.

“Is he all right?” huffed Tim. "What about the rest of us?"

“I’m fine,” said Jon, who was still visibly shaking. “Can we go see everything? He said I could see everything.”

“First, let’s… okay. Martin, can you grab him some clothes, since Tim didn’t get the chance? I’ll get him fed and washed.”

“Thanks, Sash,” Martin said, and left.

Mike stayed. No one had expected Mike to stay.

“Hellooooo?” said Tim, as though Mike had forgotten.

“So what’s the deal with you three?" said Mike. "Is it open, or closed?"

“Not the time, Skyboy,” said Tim.

“Here,” said Sasha, and handed Jon a plate.

Food. Chicken? Some meat chopped up small and a bunch of vegetables he didn’t recognize and—

He groaned, mouth stuffed. He’d never had anything so good at Amherst’s place.

“Slow down,” said Tim, slowly. “Geez.”

“Who was taking care of you?” says Sasha.

“No one,” Jon says around another mouthful. “I took care of myself.”

“So you were… what, eating garbage?” said Tim.

“No,” huffed Jon, and scraped his plate clean. “I was trading.”

“Trading what?” said Tim.

Jon shrugged. “Needful things. I’d wash dirty dishes, or organize shelves.”

Tim started laughing. “Are you serious? They’d come downstairs in the morning, be… what, out some bread, or something, and find their kitchen redone?”

Jon slowly went red. “I’m not a thief. I traded. Without… telling anybody. It still counted!”

“Oh, my gods,” said Tim. “I love you. I want one. Hey! Martin! Dibs when you’re done!”

Martin stepped back in. “We are not doing dibs.” He’d changed. Impossibly fast, it seemed, but he was clean, his hair wet and slicked back, and his clothing swapped out for dry things. Gone were the velvety blacks; he’d gone into greens now, with an elaborately embroidered vest and a bright red cravat. “Here.”

Jon took the bundle of clothes.

“Shower,” Sasha pointed.

Jon obediently went to the corner shower to clean up.

He could hear them while he did. The conversation was odd, but… intimate.

“You are so pale,” said Sasha. “Drink.”

“No, I’ve taken too much from you lately already,” Martin said.

“Well, I’m not pale and bloodless yet,” said Tim.

“Guys,” Martin said. “I can’t. I’ve been greedy, and now I’m paying for it.”

There was a pause. Jon had no clue what they were doing over there.

“Nice,” said Martin, breathless after a moment, “but still no.”

“I’m here,” said Mike.

Silence.

“What? My blood works.”

“It does,” said Martin. “Well?”

“It’s up to you,” said Tim. “I mean. Your mouth going on him.”

“I’d return the favor,” said Mike.

"Wow," said Martin. "Right in front of everybody."

"If that's your thing," said Mike.

Martin laughed. "You're hopeless."

“Let me at least test him. Make sure he’s clean,” said Sasha.

“Do whatever,” said Mike. “So you gonna take the kid and gonna explore? I’m staying here.”

“Why?” said Martin. “My friends are… we…”

“I want to get to know them,” said Mike.

“You really know what you’re offering, don't you?” said Martin softly.

“Yeah. I do. I know it’s intimate. I know it’s permanent—we’d be tied. I know what I’m offering.”

“Damn,” said Tim as if impressed, and their voices lowered.

Jon missed the rest. The sensation of hot water was so glorious that nothing else mattered, anyway.

Martin was safe. Martin was… fed. So Jon could do whatever he had to do. Whatever that meant.

Stay focused.

“Sure, past self,” he muttered to the Answers, and hurried.

“Hey, Jon, you cleaned up all right.”

Jon smoothed down his weird new clothes. He’d never worn anything like it—blue velvet, a vest, a tie. He needed help with the tie. He did not like the tie. “Thank you. I’ll pay for this, somehow.”

“You don’t have to. Jonah sort of said you had to stay? That means he has to provide for your needs.”

You do not know this man.

He’d rather not think about Jonah. “I want to see everything.”

Martin sighed. “Everything?”

“Everything. He said I could.”

They all looked at each other.

“Please?” Jon added.

“Sure,” said Martin. “Might as well do it right. We’ll start at the bottom of the place and work our way up.”

“Geez, look at that expression,” said Mike. “Hungry as fuck. How are you not Eye?”

Sasha peered at Jon through the lens of her goggles. “He’s Uncertain, as far as I can tell.”

“Wild,” said Mike, clearly not invested. “So what else are you working on? I want to watch.”

“Do you,” said Sasha.

“I want to watch, too,” whined Tim.

“No, you’re coming with me, I decided,” said Martin. “You know everybody, and that’ll make this easier.”

“Aww,” Tim somehow whined harder. "Fine.

“How are you at taking instruction?” Sasha said to Mike.

Mike’s smile was slow. “Why don’t you find out?”

Martin looked like he’d much rather stay and watch what happened, but that wasn’t on the table. “Come on, Jon,” he sighed. “We might as well get this over with. Follow me.”

Jon did.

“Is this anything like what usually happens when the Fingers come for people who weren’t chosen?” said Jon as they headed for yet another set of stairs, then he tripped again. These shoes were strange, heavy; the toes kept catching on things.

Martin caught him by the arm.

“Sorry,” mumbled Jon.

“Never wore boots like this, hm?”

“Not since I was little,” said Jon.

“Little. Wow,” Tim deadpanned. “Really long time, then, yeah?”

“It was,” said Jon with full sincerity. “And I don’t think the toes were this pointy.”

“No, they wouldn’t be. That style swung in about a year ago, and has yet to make its graceful exit,” said Martin, and led the way down.

The whole building, Jon decided, was designed to absorb light. He couldn’t think of another reason for it to be made of black or dark brown stone, with sconces spaced far apart, and nearly all windows just too high to be of use. He hadn’t gotten an answer for his first question. “So is this normal?”

“Not even close,” said Tim behind him.

“What is normal?”

Martin sighs. “They’re taken to Oliver’s mountain. Don’t know what happens after that. They don’t come back.”

“You don’t know?” said Jon. “I mean, they say they’re sacrificed, so I assume they die, but—”

“You don’t have to sound so disappointed,” said Tim, amused.

“I... I’m sorry.”

Martin glanced at him. “You also don’t have to keep apologizing.”

Jon frowned. “I don’t?”

“Definitely not. We’ll let you know if you do something that requires it.”

“Oh.” And Jon blurted it: “I don’t understand the rules here.”

“Nobody does,” said Tim. “And by the time we learn them, it’s time to die, and then we get to be reborn and have to learn them all over again.”

“You don’t remember them?” said Jon, amazed.

“No.” Martin glanced at him. “Jon, nobody remembers.”

Jon started to say, I do.

His past self said, don’t say it.

Jon closed his mouth.

“What?” said Martin.

“The… the walls are really brown.”

“Dibs," said Tim.

“Quit it,” said Martin.

“Why is it so dark?” said Jon.

“Because the Heart feels contemplation of death is best done without distractions. Thus, outside of Jonah’s area, there is no art, there are no carpets, and there’s no real color except for in people’s personal rooms.”

“But his area’s fancy as anything,” Tim muttered.

“Whose else lives here?” Jon tripped again.

Martin exhaled. “There are representatives of all the Other powers here,” he said. “And most of them are new, but there’s… there’s a core of repeats.”

“A core?”

“Some of us, reborn, are always going to end up here,” said Tim. “Me, Sasha—Martin, until he took this out and just doesn’t die anymore, the jerk.”

“Anyway,” said Martin, stopping at an enormous door at the bottom of the stairs. He took out an enormous ring of keys. “It’s the core group, and then the people the Heart picks.”

“Picks?”

“He’s Aligned dually, himself,” said Tim. “He was Eye first, then End. So anyone who’s Aligned dually like he was, he keeps.”

“Is that good?” said Jon.

“Depends,” said Martin. “Sometimes, sure. He gave me eternal life. He helped Tim. He gave Sasha a real purpose.”

“That’s all good, isn’t it?”

“I’m grateful,” said Martin in a tone Jon could not interpret, and unlocked the door.

A weird smell wafted out—a smell Jon knew. “That’s rot.”

“It is. You ready? You wanted to see everything.”

“I do want to see everything,” Jon confirmed, and walked right in.

Jon was very surprised to find Jane Prentiss in the basement. He was even more surprised to find her in chains.

She was even more surprised to see him. “Well, fancy meeting you here,” she said.

Jon stared. “Why are you locked up?”

She sighed. “Lost a duel. Did you get our present?”

“I did! Why did you send it?”

“Little spider told us to.” Jane grinned. She didn’t seem particularly bothered by her chains or being stretched prone on the floor. “Wait. Aren’t you past ten?”

Jon flushed. “Nobody wanted me.”

“Huh.” She stared. “What's very weird. Well, we would have taken you.”

“Well. You didn’t.”

“We still could.”

“No?” he said, and stepped back. “I think I’ve had enough Corruption for the rest of my life, thank you.”

“Fair enough.” Jane looked at Tim. “Would you tell Jonah we have learned our lesson?”

“I can’t tell anyone anything, Jane,” said Tim, somehow making it smooth and gracious in spite of the worms squirming all around their feet. “I’m afraid you’ll just have to pay your penalty.”

“We would have won if not for interference.”

“Maybe so,” said Tim, and it’s almost gentle. “But the Heart never cared about cheating, you know? He just cares who wins.”

“Next time,” said Jane. “Next time, we will overwhelm her, and she will smother and writhe as we eat her eyes.”

“Good luck with that!” said Tim, the soul of cheer, and stepped over her legs and moved further in.

Martin moved past quickly, but she spotted him, and she spat. “Filth!”

Jon gawked at her.

“Come on, Jon,” Martin said, hand on his back. “Keep going.”

“Wretch! Pirate! Foul creature not of the grave!”

Jon followed, eyes wide. “What was that about?”

“Oh, she hates Martin,” said Tim with great pleasure. “The Corruption can’t touch him, you see. Not even after he dies.”

“You won’t rot?” said Jon.

“No. Whatever the Heart did to create me means I will, uh. Collapse into dust, apparently?”

“Wow.” Jon was awed. “How does that work?”

“I don’t know?”

Jon’s eyes grew wider. “And you… you’re all right not knowing?”

“I don’t even know who I’d ask,” said Martin. “Though Sasha is busy trying to figure me out.”

“She’ll figure you out, too, kid,” said Tim, opening another door.

There were more prisoners in here. Some were chained high on the wall, dangling from fetters. Some were, like Jane, on the floor, stretched out as if meant to be stepped on. Two—just two—were in complicated torture devices, one of which stretched its victim into moaning misery, the other piercing its prey with a thousand metal barbs so they could never stop bleeding.

It was… horrible?

And Jon felt like he should feel more bad for them than he did, but he was so damn curious. “Why are they here?”

“Displeased Jonah,” said Martin. “Bad idea to do that.”

Jon could see why. “But what did they do, specifically?”

“You really do want to see everything, don’t you?” said Tim.

“I do. What did that one do?”

“That guy tried to murder someone. Pretty dumb move, if you ask me.”

“What about that one?”

“Attempted to escape. Thought by just traveling far away, they could leave the End’s power, or something. I’m not really clear on it? Something about a flat Earth.”

Jon scoffs. “The Earth isn’t flat. Eratosthenes proved that centuries ago.”

“I’ll take your word on it, little buddy,” said Tim, then looked over his shoulder at Martin and mouthed, “Dibs.”

Martin rolled his eyes.

“What about that one?” Jon pointed.

“Attempted suicide. Belonged to the Dark, so they didn’t appreciate it.”

“Huh. That one?”

“Tried to swap their twin for collection to the Fingers. Didn’t work, of course.”

“So the Fingers do bring people here,” said Jon.

“Nope. They go to the Will. Like I said, nobody ever comes back from that.”

“Where is Oliver’s mountain?”

“Somewhere over the sea.”

“Over the sea? So the Vast is working with the Will.”

“Yep. It’s why Mike’s sort of not in our crew, if you’ll pardon the pun. He always goes to Oliver whenever he’s reborn," said Tim.

“Have you been to Oliver’s mountain?”

“No. Hey, Marto, how come the Eye didn’t choose this guy?”

“Wish I knew.”

It didn’t feel particularly good to hear that. Jon was beginning to dislike being a mystery.

The dungeon didn’t last much longer. Martin led them out and up stairs. Everything smelled so much better, and now, they were in the guts of the place.

Machinery churned; rumbling and mysterious, it chugged, pistoned, steamed, sparked; Jon wanted to know what everything did, but neither Martin nor Tim really knew.

“Hot water?” said Tim.

“Lights,” said Martin.

“But how?” said Jon, and they could not answer him. “There have to be books or something explaining it all!”

“Ask Jonah over dinner,” said Martin.

“Dinner?”

“He wants you attached to my hip,” said Martin. “Well, we have this huge dinner every night. Awkward as fuck, but at least everyone here will know not to eat you.”

“Eat me?”

“You’re wandering around here, affiliated with nothing and no one. You’re not safe, kid,” said Martin.

“Fuck,” said Jon.

For no reason Jon understood, that cracked Tim up.

The next several floors belonged to people of the Flesh. The Flesh’s floors had a lot of large people walking around, bulging with muscles, challenging tailors with strange bodies and too many limbs. They smelled kind of bloody, but were nowhere near as gross as where Jon grew up, so he was unfazed.

Tim flirted with everyone they met. That was utterly bizarre, but it was satisfying to watch. Everyone seemed to like him. They cheered up when they saw him—or if they didn’t at first, they did after a moment of talking to him. Jon had seen and heard some wild sexual behavior in his time, hiding in attics and on the street, but this seemed above and beyond. It was friendly, somehow; cheerful. It didn’t seem to mean anything, or require anything in response.

It was just… pleasant. It left people smiling when they walked away (if they had mouths to smile, which they didn’t always, but somehow gave that impression, anyway).

By contrast, very few knew what to do with Martin. He got a lot of nervous looks; not even the really big guys had any interest in challenging him, though his presence made them nervous. Being chosen specially by Jonah seemed to be either a blessing or a curse. Jon wasn’t really sure which.

The wild thing was, unless Tim or Martin pointed Jon out, no one noticed him at all. He wasn’t sure why he’d expected that to change. It still felt bad, but it wasn’t new.

They climbed more stairs.

The next section belonged to the Hunt, and these floors were a maze, set up so people could chase each other and get caught and bump against dead ends and do it all over again. Jon hated the layout. The people there didn’t see him, either, but they really liked Tim. Jon could see they wanted to chase him. From comments, maybe some of them already had. Tim laughed a lot with the people on that floor. And these people, unlike the Flesh, thought Martin was the bee’s knees. They flirted with him.

In response, Tim got louder and more amusing. In response, Martin got flushed and stammery.

This was becoming genuinely funny to watch.

The Dark’s floors were impossible to see in. Tim talked to somebody; Martin laughed and joked with somebody; Jon stared into the gloom, frustrated beyond belief that he didn’t know what was there. He wanted to go in, to explore.

“Wait until dinner,” said Martin. “Wait until everyone knows Jonah’s got his eye on you, and then you can explore without an issue, okay?”

“Fine,” Jon, whined, aware he was being bratty, and followed Martin away from it and up the stairs.

That one is dangerous to you , came sort of an answer, though Jon hadn’t asked. Be cautious.

Huh. Well. Maybe. All right. But he wanted to know what was in there. Jon had never not listened to his past self. It seemed unwise to start now.

Each area in this tower was unique; they smelled different, and sounded different. The people there all had complicated relationships with Martin, but everyone liked Tim. Martin was right: It had been a good idea to bring Tim along.

“So,” said Tim, as they reached yet another floor. “Weird question: you weren’t… uh. Drawn to anything we saw, were you?”

“Drawn?”

“We both know the Eye’s gonna mark him as soon as they see him, right?” said Tim.

“We’ll see,” said Martin, and opened a door.

This floor was different, too—ceilings high and rooms wide, all the walls were lined with books, and Jon was heading for them before he could even think to ask.

“So this conundrum is about to be solved,” said Tim.

Martin shook his head. “Doubt it.”

“Look at all these books!” said Jon, reaching, then stopped. “Can I?”

“May,” said Martin. “Jonah’s a stickler for that shit.”

“May I?”

“Ask her.”

Jon looked to find a young woman staring at him. “May I read your books?” he said.

“What the hell is this?” she said, and looked at Martin. “Why can’t I see him clearly?”

“She can see him! What the hell!” said Tim, throwing his hands in the air.

“He’s… Uncertain?” said Martin.

“He’s too old,” said the woman.

“Well, he still is. Um. Do you want him?”

“I’m not done seeing everything,” Jon said, frowning at Martin. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

Martin looked aghast. “No, Jon! I’m not trying to get rid of you. I’m trying to protect you.”

The woman stared. Jon shuddered. Her eyes reminded him of Jonah’s, though not with the same weight. “This is very strange,” she said.

“Right?” said Tim.

“I can’t see him clearly,” said the woman again with dire suspicion.

Jon twisted a little. “Nobody can. May I read some books?”

“Martin,” said the woman evenly. “Explain now, or I will react with prejudice.”

“Geez, drink some camomile,” said Tim. “Gertrude, this is Jon—Jonah’s guest. Jon, Gertrude.”

Gertrude stared. She looked like a knife, Jon thought—sharp, polished, dangerous. “Sure. Read whatever you want.”

Whew. Happy to step away from her, Jon grabbed the first book he didn't know.

“What do you see when you look at him?” said Martin.

“It’s like an illusion,” she said, which made little sense. “What is he?”

“Don’t know.”

“I don’t like it. The Eye can’t see him, Martin. He’s invisible to the Eye.”

Martin stared. “Invisible to the Eye? Invisible? ”

“Invisible.”

“But that can’t—he’s clearly been accessing it! I don’t…”

“He’s accessing something, but the Eye can’t see him. Get this thing out of my space.”

Back to them, Jon hunched. “I’m not hurting anything,” he muttered.

“I don’t want him here. I don’t understand him.”

“Oh, come on, now, Gertie,” soothed Tim. “He’s not doing any harm.”

“Out.”

“What if I distracted you for a bit? Took you dancing. Listened to you ramble on about orbital patterns, or whatever.”

“Tim,” said Gertrude evenly. “I will not warn you again.”

“Shit,” Martin muttered. “Sorry, Jon. We have to go.”

“But…” Jon stared around himself at all the books. “Jonah said I could!”

“He hasn’t said it to me,” Gertrude snapped.

Jon felt like he was going to cry. New books! So many! Right here!

“He will at dinner,” said Martin. “I promise you’ll be able to come back.”

“If he does, then I will have to let you in,” said Gertrude. “Until then, leave.”

“Sorry,” Jon whispered, and held out the book.

Gertrude scowled. “You can keep it.”

“Really?” said Jon, eyes enormous.

Martin took his shoulder and directed him back to the stairs. “Come on. She wants to be a cranky old woman, she can be a cranky old woman.”

“Offer’s still on for dancing and orbital patterns!” Tim called over his shoulder.

“I think I got so used to people not seeing me that I forgot they don’t like me,” Jon said.

They walked for a moment. “I like you,” said Martin.

“Maybe you do,” said Jon.

“I do,” said Martin. “And the people who don’t are assholes.”

“Assholes,” Tim agreed.

Jon wanted to believe them. He couldn’t, quite. There were too many of them.

“One more area of Others, then we’ll get to the utility areas—kitchen, weapons training, all that," said Tim.

“Weapons training?”

“Jonah likes duels,” said Martin with a shrug.

“The Heart of the End likes a lot of things that aren’t the End,” Jon said.

"Dibs," said Tim.

“Shhh,” said Martin.

Tim leaned in. “You are right,” he said. “The running joke is he serves the End so faithfully so he can avoid it himself and keep indulging, but don’t say that. You’ll piss him off.”

“I swear, that woman,” said Martin, changing the subject back.

“Well, she’s got months left,” said Tim. “I don’t blame her.”

“She’s twenty-nine?” said Jon.

“Yep. The End comes for us all—except this dapper gent, of course.” He elbowed Martin.

“You’re close to thirty?” said Jon.

“Got a year and a half left,” said Tim. “So far, the only one whose life has been extended is Marto over here.”

“Oh.” Jon swallowed. “You don’t seem… unhappy about it?”

“Why would I be unhappy about it?” said Tim.

“I mean… so many others seem to be upset.”

Tim shrugged. “My future’s set, you know? I’ll be reborn somewhere, Jonah will find me, and bring me here. That’s what happens.”

For reasons he didn’t know, Jon glanced at Martin.

That was grief. On Martin’s face was grief.

Jon couldn’t engage with it. “How does he find you?”

“He can see all of us. Any of us,” said Tim.

“Except me,” Jon pointed out.

“That’s… well, he can see you face-to-face, so you’re not a ghost,” said Martin.

“Wh… did you think I was a ghost?” Jon blurted, feeling for no reason he knew like his past self was laughing at him.

“I considered it?” said Martin, and opened a door.

The final Other floor opened to a room of white webbing.

Martin sighed. “Annabelle, for the love of fuck.”

Tim gawked. Then he laughed. “What the hell? This isn’t the augury. What’s all this?”

“I have no idea. She’s filled the regular living quarters now, for some reason,” said Martin.

“Come in, children,” came a voice from who knew where.

“Annabelle,” moaned Martin.

“Yeah,” said Tim. “Um. You need help with this one?”

“No, it’s fine, you can wait outside. I swear, she’s worse with the drama than Jonah,” said Martin, and headed right inside.

Jon saw no reason not to follow.

The door slammed shut behind them, and Jon jumped. “Tim’s really not coming?”

“He can’t flirt with her,” says Martin, “and she unnerves him, so he’ll stay outside.”

“Oh.”

“It’s all right. She won’t hurt you.”

“You have to allow me a little pageantry,” said a woman’s voice, and its owner stepped out of the web as if materializing.

Jon stared. He shook his head and stared again.

She was a spider, but she wasn’t. She was a woman, but she wasn’t.

She smiled.

Martin looked back and forth. “You okay, kid? You’re pale.”

“Yes,” said Jon.

“Thank you for bringing him to me,” said Annabelle. “Now, we can begin.”

“Begin?” said Martin. “What do you—”

And without warning, webbing moved all by itself, wrapping around Martin’s wrists and arms and waist, and lifting him off the ground.

Jon gasped.

“Pageantry,” said the woman again. “Hello, Jon. My name is Annabelle. We need to talk.”

chapter eight

#rusty quill big bang #rusty quill big bang 2023 #rqbb2023 #tma #tma fic #the magnus archives #magpod #magnuspod #tma au #the magnus archives au #tma spoilers #jonathan sims #martin blackwood #sasha james #jonah magnus #annabelle cane #tim stoker #this dark thing that sleeps in me

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xihe1874 · 2 years ago

Text

The first chapter of my IceMav "You've Got Mail" AU promised to you!

Tell me what you think! Like it? No? I want to hear everything!

Since I will be back to work tomorrow, I expect my updates to slow down a bit. But I will post as soon as I can.

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Pairing: Iceman/Maverick, Carole/Goose

Rating: T

Word Count: 1680

Completed: No

Additional Tags: Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, Enemies to Lovers, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Competition, Texting, Falling In Love, Getting Together, Love Confessions, Mutual Pining, Alternate Universe - You've Got Mail Fusion, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Interior Designer Maverick, Interior Designer Iceman, Chatting & Messaging, Anonymity, Idiots in Love

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“Wallpaper?”

“Ready, Mav. Exactly the kind of pinkish blue-green you asked for, though I believe Ellen from the purchasing department is going to kill us.”

“She won’t, we are her bosses. Curtains?”

Pete Mitchell, endearingly called by his close friends (or friend, honestly, who is walking beside him right now) as “Maverick”, takes the cup of iced black coffee from Nick Bradshow, or “Goose”, co-founder of M+G Design Ltd.

“Done. But do you really think brocade will go with the style? Most people will choose linen if you ask me.”

Pete walks into the elevator and holds the door for Nick. “Well, what can I say?” He pulls down the aviator and winks at the moustached blonde, who rolls his eyes. “I am not most people. Most people can't start the number one interior design company in the state from scratch, either.”

“I admire your confidence, Mav, I always do, but…” The lift dings, and they strides towards their office, greeting employees on the way. “But someone may have something to say about the number one thing. Some Kazansky guy, to be specific.”

Pete dumps the tons of folders he is holding on his desk, randomly opens one and takes some glances, before drops it on top of the pile to his left. “I don’t know how many times I have told you, Goose, but trust me, that pompous dumbass can’t even hold a candle to us.”

“I don’t know, Mav…” Nick sits down and strokes his chin. His serious and deep-in-thought face triggers a string of uncontrollable giggles from Mav, and the brunette receives a smack with a scroll on the head. “That guy is good. Perfect grades, top-notch university, turned down several excellent PhD offers, ace at the Minimalist and Scandinavian… and so many famous projects. Remember the Jester’s house? Yeah, yeah,” Nick waves at Pete, “I know you can do that too.”

“All right, I admit he is not bad, OK? He knows his stuff, unlike all the others. BUT.” Pete slaps the table to emphasise the word. “He lacks creativity. It’s 2022 now, who still needs a one hundred percent by-the-book boring dork to design their homes?”

“Hmm, Beau Simpson? You know, that famous movie star who speaks of Kazansky like he has a huge crush on his interior designer.” Nick glances at his phone and puts it away. “We have a meeting at ten with the suppliers. ”

“Meeting with the suppliers.” Pete repeats. “Always the worst. And, Simpson probably does. That guy is not horrible to look at. What?” He flips Nick off at his suggestive smirk. “Just being objective. Relax, Goose, Kazansky Concept is no match for our ‘innovative boldness and pioneering unorthodoxy’, as I quote Penny from Design Review.”

“Annnd we both know why she said that.” Goose shrugs. “Mav, I just… The Viper project is no joke, OK? He is the most respected art critic in this country, and getting this assignment is gonna mean a hell lot for our company. For us. I just don't want to let Carole and Bradley down.”

Pete softens. He rises and goes to his best friend, offering him a half-hug. “We won't. I promise.”

They have been working almost two months on the proposal for Mike Metcalf's new villa, or as they refer to it, the Viper project. That old man is notorious for being extremely picky at the layout of his houses, and, unfortunately, he has profound influence in the industry. So all staff at M+G have been keeping their noses to the grindstone as the deadline of submitting the final pitch approaches.

Rumors have that Kazansky Concept also eyes the project hungrily. Tom Kazansky, founder and CEO of that company, recently expressed his absolute self-assurance about getting the contract. “We have every confidence that Mr. Metcalf will choose Kazansky Concept for our scrupulous attention to detail and cautious professionalism.” The blonde flashed his perfect teeth at the camera (Did he bleach and spike his hair? Looks ridiculous.) “We are not some amateurs who casually and carelessly experiment with clients’ precious properties.”

Pete snorts at that smug face in the Youtube video, titled “Interior Designer WAR? Kazansky implicitly called Mitchell ‘an amateur’! ”.

—-You know what’s worse than meetings with suppliers? This Kazansky idiot.

Another day busy as a bee, and when they walk out of the building, night has drawn in.

Pete waves goodbye to Nick who lives with his wife and child, and walks home by himself. He lives in a luxury flat two blocks away from the company, alone. Now, being single is not uncommon at the age of 32, plus he is happily married to the job. He has flings, sure, but he never finds someone who is worth settling down for. Maybe he just has to keep looking.

When he is about to turn the corner, Pete catches a glimpse of some posters on the wall. In the dim light, he can barely make out the words on it.

“Anonymous chat… safe and private… find your soulmate… make relationships pure and simple again… one heart to another…”

Pete blinks and shakes his head dismissively.

He takes two steps, and then stops.

—-----------

Twenty minutes later, Pete is back at his dining room, eating Chinese takeaway. He takes out his phone and stares at the snap. Driven by some unknown forces, he inputs the website in the browser and hits enter.

A mail emoji appears on the screen, followed by a short list of log-in questions.

“The website can use some designing…” Pete murmurs and looks at the quiz. “Choose your call sign? What is it, secret pilot program?” He hesitates for one second, before entering “Maverick”. There is no chance that Goose, a contentedly married man, will use this website, so he is safe.

He answers the remaining questions (“Gender… Male… Aged over 18? Of course…”) then sees a progress bar. When that ends, a message pops up reading “Congrats! You have found your soulmate!”

Pete rolls his eyes.

He is matched by the website with some anonym called… Iceman?

Pete tentatively types.

[Maverick: Hello?]

The response comes immediately.

[Iceman: Hi.]

[Maverick: I thought it would take longer for a… thing named Iceman to reply.]

[Iceman: A thing?]

[Maverick: I am still not sure whether or not you are a robot.]

[Iceman: I am the same species as you.]

[Maverick: What if I am a robot?]

The response slows down a bit. Pete can’t tell if the thing is amused or worried.

[Iceman: Sounds suitable for a thing named Maverick.]

Pete smiles.

[Maverick: Why are you calling yourself Iceman? You like being cold?]

[Iceman: I actually hate coldness. But that’s what my friends call me.]

[Maverick: You must be very calm then.]

[Iceman: You can say that.]

[Maverick: Calm people are the worst.]

[Iceman: Why?]

A certain blonde comes to Pete’s mind. He throws away the empty beer can and types.

[Maverick: They are often fakers. Upright on the surface but full of evil shit on the inside.

I bet you are one of those people.]

[Iceman: Such a charmer.]

Pete huffs a laugh. Is this Iceman thing flirting with him?

[Maverick: I am competing with one of such bastards irl rn.

It's the worst situation, if you believe me.]

[Iceman: Actually, I do, although mine is exactly the opposite as I am fighting the most reckless and impulsive dummy on this planet.

Blowing their own trumpet all the time.]

[Maverick: Is that why you are using this website? To let the stream out a bit?]

[Iceman: Yeah. That guy is brainless, but they are good at their job, if I am being completely honest.

I have to work extremely hard.]

[Maverick: What a coincidence, huh? We are both stuck with some idiots.]

Pete washes and dries his face, casting sidelong glances at his phone the whole time. When no reply is coming, he grabs the device.

[Maverick: I am so fucking tired because of the current task.]

[Iceman: Me too. Everyone has such high expectations, so I have to put in extra effort and pretend to be relaxed.

Sometimes being too outstanding is hard.]

Pete sinks himself into the king-size bed.

[Maverick: I am stunned by your humbleness.]

[Iceman: I only speak the truth.]

[Maverick: So, tell me, Iceman, what do you do irl?]

[Iceman: I create dreams.]

[Maverick: Now we are entering mythology. Should you change your call sign to Jesus?]

[Iceman: What about you? Your job?]

[Maverick: I create better dreams.]

There is no response for a long time. Pete turns and tosses and decides he is not going to fall asleep in a while.

[Maverick: Where are you?]

[Iceman: Missing me already, Maverick?]

Pete doesn’t want to acknowledge the funny somersaults his heart is doing. Really, this is so stupid, he is not feeling things just because some anonymous person he just met online is teasing him. He is not a teenager, come on.

[Maverick: In the dreams you create, maybe, Iceman.]

[Iceman: I was just getting ready for bed.]

Huh. So they seem to be in similar time zones.

[Maverick: Is it OK if I ask where you come from?

Doesn’t matter, I ask that already.]

[Iceman: My origins are kinda complicated, But now I work in California.]

[Maverick: OMG. ME TOO.]

[Iceman: What a coincidence.]

[Maverick: Do you think we will ever meet irl?]

Long silence.

[Iceman: I hope not.]

[Maverick: ... Why?]

[Iceman: My elegance will take your breath away.]

Pete giggles.

[Maverick: Should I learn to get used to your humbleness?]

[Iceman: You probably should.

Good night, Maverick. Good luck fighting your calm fool.]

[Maverick: And good luck defeating your careless idiot, Iceman.]

Pete bites his lower lip and sends the last message.

[Maverick: Will I see you again?

I mean online, of course.]

[Iceman: You can count on it. Night.]

Before he puts the phone away on the bedside table, he receives an email from Mike's secretary, inviting him to a party for shortlisted designers. Pete scrolls down and groans when he sees the guest list.

Kazansky is invited too.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

#icemav #tom iceman kazansky #pete maverick mitchell #top gun #top gun 1986 #icemav fanfiction #top gun fanfiction #nick goose bradshaw #then I open my eyes and see you

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