#Rachel Writes things

[rlbbackup]

A year in review - 2024 (SxF)

So, after reading the lovely @unhappy-sometimes's 2024 retrospective (which I highly recommend you read!), I thought I'd do something similar!

This will be pretty long and have lots of links and tags but I hope you enjoy this little romp I took down memory lane about all the fics I wrote this past year!

All for Naught

This was a fic that was inspired by a conversation with @glacialdawn and I wrote it up completely in 12 hours. I’m not exaggerating! We were just goofing off in dms and we got on the topic of Yuri’s decision to become an SSS officer and how it relates to Yor’s raising him…and it evolved from there. 

All in all, I’m VERY proud of how this fic turned out. Having it be solely from Yor’s POV and forcing her to deal with an abrupt change in how she views her brother was a lot of fun. Of all the reveals that may or may not happen in SxF, I personally feel that the Briar Siblings reveal will be the most critical. Yeah there’s betrayal involved in the TwiYor one and Anya’s reveal will likely end in bloodshed, but Yor has hid what she needed to do to raise Yuri for over a decade and a half at least. And while she admits that her brother is intense, seeing him in his work environment would probably shatter something within her. The work of the SSS isn’t glorious. Neither is that of an assassin. 

All this to say that with this as the start of my fics in 2024, I’m not surprised how later fics turned out XD

Hypothetically…

While my Post-reveal, Pre-relationship series has been written almost entirely out of order, I really enjoyed the inspiration that led me to writing this one. When I saw this post by @itsmechini, the words almost poured out of me. Twilight and Yor have had a lot of things taken from them in life, things that ultimately made them who they are but they didn’t have a choice or say in the matter. Having the choice to reveal who they truly are to each other and accepting the other for who they are feels like a healing of that particular wound and I couldn’t help but put pen to paper. 

I was also inspired by the writing style of the lovely Puolain while writing this, leading me to use different scene change styles and I think it flows better because of it! 

I will also admit that I cried several times while writing this, especially at Yor’s answer to a hypothetical question asked. Beyond that, this was a really cathartic fic to write and I’m glad I got to share it with you guys!

Side by Side and Locked in Tight

THIS FIC.

It’s been bouncing around in my head for a long time now, since I love the song that inspired this (Cop Car by Sam Hunt - there is also a version by Keith Urban, but the Sam Hunt version feels softer so I’m going with that one XD). I had an early draft of this fic existing in my Google docs since… 2021 I think? Right after I fell down the Ken/Anya shipping cavern and haven’t wanted to climb back out.

But actually writing this fic was a STRUGGLE until talking prompts out with the people in the SxF Rare Pair server. While it was a NSFW prompt, handcuffs just broke through the fog I’d had regarding this plot idea and BOOM I was finally able to post it. 

While Ken has some of the shortest character involvement in SxF, I love this kid. I get he’s practically an OC at this point, but I’m okay with that and I love playing around with how he’d interact with the Cecil Hall Gang. I want them all to be friends. Anya should have more friends!

Anyway! I go back and read this fic from time to time and I’m still happy with it. Especially the twist at the end XD

Don’t forget to lock the door

Another fic created with the help of the Rare Pair Server! (love you guys!)

One thing that makes me laugh constantly in SxF is the fact that the Forger’s apartment has a deadbolt but it looks like the Forgers never use it XD. Imagine all those times people barged into the apartment stopped by a simple use of a sliding lock 🤣So, why not make it a plot point of a fic!

I blame @creativwit for this ultimately. Though it was a pleasure to write Twilight and Franky needling each other and Yor soothing both of them. On a second/third/however many times I’ve read this thing, I still love how they are soft with each other in their own ways.

Little Black Number

A fic inspired by my own art!

Sometime in 2023, I was talking to some friends on discord when I was reminded of Princess Diana’s “Revenge Dress” that she wore after then Prince Charles’ “Tell All” interview where he sort of hinted at being unfaithful to her during their marriage. This spiraled into “I’m pretty sure Yor would look fantastic in the Revenge dress” and going from there.

Now, based on anecdotal evidence, it’s believed by myself and others that SxF takes place mostly in an alternate version of the 1960s. Endo-Sensei does mix things about the world regarding technology in his story, but the fashion is straight out of 1960s fashion magazines. So, the revenge dress is way out of the possibilities. Still. I think the dress would look good on Yor and drew it!

The dress I describe in the story is notably different (namely that the skirt is ankle/floor length versus the above knee design of the inspiration). 

To the story itself, I really want Yor to have friends and while I’m still wary of Melinda I think the two of them could be close! So I wrote about them having girl time together, bonding even when they are in two different social groups and where they can compromise on things. It was a quick and fun write! I really loved this one!

A moment of weakness

This fic was inspired by @/usleepover's art on Twitter!

Like most of the other fics mentioned here, this was inspired by chats on Discord. I have USleepover and @astersugar for this. Long before ch. 109, we were wondering what would lead these two to interact, and guessed that it would probably involve Dr. Forger’s office. Now…that conversation spiraled into something wildly different from what I did in this fic, but it did inspire me.

As a little more background, I have had a fic in the background for a year and a half now where Yor experiences a medical emergency and how the Forgers’ lives change as a result. I have no idea when or if I will ever post that fic since it’s…heavy. Emotionally and mentally heavy. But I was able to write this in relation to it. While I’m not specific in what ails Yor, I did leave enough for one to guess. Like it’s larger, heavier sister, this fic took an emotional toll on me. Having someone you love in the hospital and not being able to do a damn thing to help them is…difficult. I can’t put into words exactly how difficult that is. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, that’s how bad it is. So writing Loid and Melinda come to terms that they are out of their depths and still want to do something for Yor was cathartic in a way. I’m really happy with how this one came out and still reread it on occasion.

Rendezvous

I half blame @sister-cna-reader for this 🤣Her Hidden Under Roses’ Au with McMahon and Sylvia has me in a CHOKE HOLD and I was sunk for this ship from the start. So I decided to write about it. The other person I “blame” for this is @/Ari_Gateau on AO3 for encouraging me and ultimately giving me the prompt idea in the first place! You both are wonderful and I love you dearly!

I went back and forth on where in any timeline to put this, but ultimately decided that my PRPR verse was the best place. With Twilight and Thorn Princess revealed to each other, I could see their handlers also involved in that. Handler and Director aren’t exactly friends, but they are allies enough to watch each other’s backs if they find themselves on an assignment where they have aligned goals. 

Leaving this fic with the ending I did was a choice I also debated internally but I like it! And I guess that’s what matters 🤣

Pink Sakura

OH BOY THIS FIC.

The inspiration for this hit me upside the head very suddenly on Kiss Day (May 23) and I decided to choose violence. Like with Side by Side and Locked in Tight, I pulled my “canon but mostly an OC” buddy Ken back for some hanahaki “fun” 🤣This one is in the same universe as Flowers and Thorns, but this is clearly the angster younger sister. And once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. I wrote for almost three days straight before I was ready to post this. But it was worth it.

Adding Anya’s chapter wasn’t something I had originally planned (not that there was much planning involved in this fic 🤣) but once I finished Ken’s chapter, I realized there were some pretty glaring plot holes. So I used Anya to fill them and I think that worked out really well! I know hanahaki isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy it and I’m glad I wrote this one!

New Moon Blues

I return to my Myth Au! 👏 I’ve mentioned this in my author notes, but this whole au was developed by several people (@httplovecraft1890 , @gonnahypatia, @whatroguewrites, @awphooey2u, @juuyeah and @connoisseursdecomfort) and started by @foxtamer113. I couldn’t have made this without everyone’s inputs!

This one was a plot we had discussed ages ago. I think once we nailed Loid and Yor’s roles down, we almost immediately started brainstorming how Anya fit into their lives. We pretty much made her their biological child from the start (if my memory serves me), which I genuinely love in Aus. We did debate over HOW she was born, even though we agreed that she would be a baby goddess. One of the ideas mentioned was something about mingling blood and tears but we decided that the "Athena" route was much more fun to play with. In the end, I altered it just a bit mostly because of inspiration from a comment on the story before this one (Soothing Rays). (thank you to that commentor! I can’t find it right now, but you are amazing!)

Floodgates / Throwing Away Fate (just to keep you safe)

These fics are a RIDE my guys. 

First off, Floodgates was originally a gift from the lovely @creativwit and I hijacked it because of conversations about this au on discord 🤣(like several others on this list amirite??) The idea of Kasper came from those conversations and we’ve grown insanely attached to him. Originally, he was going to be the contact that Garden silenced in ch 43, but we loved him too much to do that.

Since then, we had this idea of what would happen if Franky really did end up in Garden’s crosshairs, and Wit wrote the first chapter of Floodgates as a start. I’m pretty invested in Yor as a fault, so I kept thinking about how she would handle this situation and ended up writing the “interludes” for this fic. I’ve since renamed those chapters to the lyrics of Loyal, Brave, True by Christina Aguilera since that’s the song I primarily write these chapters to. 

Throwing Away Fate is a prequel (hence why i’m mentioning it here) and was pulled from those same conversations. I love the idea of Kasper already been head over heels for Franky before the real action gets going in Floodgates, so I wanted to explore how he found Franky and went on this adventure running from Garden. Originally, I had wanted to write more (up until they are found in Floodgates ch. 1) but I was running out of steam and didn’t want to force myself any farther. Maybe one day I’ll (or wit, or both of us together) write the scene where Shopkeeper finds Kas. That might be fun 😈

Crosslegged in the Dim Light

Unlike the song this title is drawn from, it’s pure fluff! I saw this art by EvuriKigen and immediately started writing. There wasn’t much thought put into the development of this fic since I just started writing. The only thing I did think was that I wanted this to be in my Post Reveal/Pre relationship series, where even though Twilight and Yor have all their cards on the table, sometimes they don’t need to talk about the specifics of their jobs. They know and trust their partner, and that’s really the point of this story. 🥰

Inferno

Shifting gears pretty abruptly, we once again dive into my chats over discord 🤣While I will grumble about how Yuri’s superior doesn’t have a name 😒, I love the dynamic Endo-Sensei set up for the First Lieutenant (I know in the English version he’s called “Captain” but the Japanese says “First Lieutenant” so that’s what I’m going with!), Yuri and Chloe. So I wanted to expand on that outside of their tracking down WISE agents. 

And while I know there is no evidence of any of them being closer than colleagues, my shipping brain just loves the idea of Chloe at least admiring her superior. Hence This fic. 

Like Crosslegged in the Dim Light, I wrote this one very quickly and with little thought about plot. I’m pretty happy with this one!

7 Minutes in Heaven

This one was a beautiful joint venture with @cambot77, @sister-cna-reader, @strangeduckpaper and @creativwit! As with several of the last fics, this one started it’s life on discord. It was our original hope to have this done by Kiss Day (May 23) but that changed as we all kept writing. It was a blast!

Writing out a list of all the pairs to start off was a treat because I kept randomly forgetting some of them XD. But we got them all and planned out a vague idea of what could happen in each chapter. Then I used an online spinner to divide up the ships that hadn’t been previously claimed. After confirming that everyone was happy with what they had, we made the order. 

Ao3’s Collections and Co-author features really helped us here and reading everyone’s chapters brought me genuine joy. It’s so wonderful watching how all of our different writing styles and takes on the characters fit together as a whole. I honestly cannot pick a favorite chapter since I love them all. Thank you all again, my dears. This project was so much fun!

Complicity

The fact that it took me 9 months to finish this one is still astounding to me 🤣I had planned for All For Naught to be a stand alone, but then I saw a prompt on the @dailytwiyorprompts tumblr and that quickly flew out the window!

Seeing everything from Twilight’s perspective and going through his mental gymnastics was honestly a blast. Not sure if there will be a follow up to this duology or not, but anything’s possible.

Psyche

The last fic I started in 2024. This is a gift for the lovely @cantareincminor and was something she requested specifically. Her prompt was: “Mole hunt arc with a twist: Garden sends Thorn Princess to Shellbury to assassinate Wheeler. Instead of Nightfall, Thorn Princess is the one to stumble upon Wheeler and Twilight. She absolutely mops the floor with Wheeler and saves Twilight. Up to you whether his mask is off or on—could be awesome either way if she believes her husband or her brother is in danger.”

No going to lie, I was completely surprised when this developed into a 10k first chapter. The second chapter is still in the works and looks like it may also end up about that length and there’s no clue about the 3rd. But I want to talk about the inspirations behind this fic beyond the prompt. 

The title for this fic changed multiple times as I was writing it and probably spent more time as “untitled” than anything else. But within the day I posted it, I was struck by Orpheus by Cantare herself! I honestly love mythology (as my Myth series shows I hope 😅) and considered the wider plot of where this story would go. Without giving away too much, the story of Eros and Psyche just fits. Yor is the wife that doesn’t truly know her husband and through some twist of fate ends up finding out. While this story won’t be a one-to-one retelling of the myth, there may be echoes found within it until the end. And I’m really excited to share that with you all!

Honorable Mention: Sleeping with the Telephone

While I started this fic back in Nov 2023, a lot of it has been written in 2024. This fic has been an honest to goodness rollercoaster to write…and it’s not done yet. 

In my author’s note, I mention that I originally wrote part of the first chapter as a one shot on my RP blog, but it has developed moreso than I could have anticipated. There are a lot of themes in this, from draftees suddenly leaving their children and spouses behind, to family dynamics and the struggles therein, how war impacts relationships as a whole, and the like. Of course most, if not all, of these are addressed in Spy x Family, but bringing the war back to Ostania and having them fight another country entirely was interesting. 

Unlike the phenomenal @niregonnagiveyouup’s Not a Vein of Stars (which i HIGHLY recommend), I wanted to base this story around some of the hot conflicts during the Cold War. The US and USSR were infamous for recruiting other countries to help fight “their own” wars (like the Philippines sending troops to South Korea and The Warsaw pact sending troops to fight with the USSR in Albania). This still happens in the present day (such as the UK sending troops to Afghanistan and Belarus to Ukraine), even if it’s not to the same insanity that WW2 was. I don’t like it. I never have liked war, and writing this story from the perspective of a family being caught in the proverbial crossfire helped me hate it all the more.

But this story is a passion project of mine. I’m at the home stretch and re-reading this story to center myself for that happy ending I’ve promised myself really helps me love it all the more. Someday soon that fic will have a complete next to it’s name and I can’t wait. 

I know this was long as heck, but thanks for sticking with me! I didn’t realize I had written so much this past year since I took a break for a good chunk of it. But in hindsight, I’m really proud of how all of these works turned out and want to thank everyone who read, left kudos and/or comments. You all are wonderful!

Happy 2025 everyone! Here’s to more stories! 🍾

[chlorine-tangerine]

Coriolanus Snow and Toxic Masculinity

I haven't seen many posts about this, but something about Coriolanus' progression and how he sees masculinity really stood out to me. (spoilers for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)

In the last chapter after his fall out with Lucy Gray, Coryo returns to the base and starts packing to leave for D2. He brought some of his personal items along with him into the woods and we see what's left of it after the rain:

The lake water had reduced his mother’s rose-scented powder to a nasty paste, and he threw the whole thing in the trash. The photos stuck together and shredded when he tried to separate them, so they went the way of the powder. Only the compass had survived the outing.

Three items are mentioned: his mother's powder, his photos, and his father's compass. The circle of powder is a symbol for comfort and unconditional love (something I don't think he's capable of but that's not the topic at hand), and while there is a picture of his dad among those photos, most of them were of his mother, Grandma'am, and Tigris. It's interesting to note that he was essentially raised by women after the war. I see the powder and the photos as symbols of femininity, humanity, and something along those lines. However, he threw those things away, as if giving up his ability to love and feel emotions.

The only item he kept was the compass from his dad whom he never knew very well and didn't like very much, but otherwise respected. The compass points him to a new direction of life, where he can be "iron-fisted and cruel" (epilogue). He chose to embrace a symbol for a type of masculinity that is cold, heartless, but powerful, which would be his ultimate goal.

What do you think? Is it a stretch? Let me know, I'm starved for discussions over this book.

[buckupbuckley]

I wrote a Supernatural daycare fic over ten years ago and, now having several years of experience in a couple different daycare, I’m tempted to go back and rework it but I don’t wanna read it lol. The embarrassment that’s liable since I wrote it in high school 🤦🏼‍♀️

[lilislegacy]

*percy seen from a far, wearing a suit*

piper: do my eyes deceive me or is percy jackson wearing formal clothes? since when does he have the ability to look like a domesticated human being?

frank: how come HE, percy of all people, king of untidiness, can wear a cream linen suit and look like a celebrity, but when i tried one on i looked like a man-child going to a high school dance?

hazel: sweetie it’s just because it’s such a casual suit, and you’re much more elegant than percy is!

annabeth, turning to them: um okay, hi percy’s best friends? can you guys compliment him without insulting him?

leo: his ass looks incredible.

grover: has he been working out?

annabeth, side eyeing them:

annabeth: okay, you have all now either insulted him or hit on him. how about from now on, you do neither?

rachel: how about we do both? because i’ve actually just perfected doing them at the same time

[sunriserose1023]

Time’s running out! I cannot wait to see what you all have picked. I didn’t vote myself, so the results will be a surprise to me. 🤗

Alright, kiddos. I know I haven’t posted in a while and I’m sorry, but that’s about to change. I have 2 ideas floating around in my head and I need your help to decide which to post.

Option 1:

(Based on my favorite book and the recently released Beautiful Disaster.)

You moved across the country, leaving your past in the rearview, ready to start fresh. You and your best friend are starting college together, living on campus, and you are ready to be normal, for once in your life. You’re focused on your studies, and nothing is going to break that focus.

No matter how charming and irritating Bucky Barnes is. And no, you will not be another notch in his bedpost. Absolutely. Not.

This will be like my normal posts. A series told in chronological order, with recognizable scenes from the book and/or movie.

Option 2:

(Because who doesn’t love a mafia AU? Heads up: this will be a fandom-palooza, incorporating characters that I love from all my hyperfixations. You’re welcome.)

The seedy underbelly of the United States is run by a group of five families. Your father has held control of the South since before you were born, and he’s ready to retire. Your older brother does not want to be in charge, and your father is too old-fashioned to give the reins to you. Instead, he arranges for you to marry Ari Levinson, putting him in charge instead.

This one will be drabble-focused. Everything will be revealed, but most likely out of order. Expect time jumps, flashbacks, and so many characters. So. Many.

So … hopefully one of these sparks enough joy for me to get it going, but it’s up to you guys. Which one will it be?

[rainbow-fandoms]

why did joey tribbiani have chemistry with everyone

[ang-li]

does anyone ever think about how rachels post gm lifestyle is basically as taylor described to her when they met up in new delhi and taylor never got to fulfill her side of it.. but a part of her will always be in rachels life because it was taylors care and companionship that helped rachel forge this life for herself and build a community that supports her.....

[lunarw0rks]

sitting on price’s lap and feeling him get hard <3

[nancys-braids]

some number of sentences sunday

thanks for the tags - @heartstringsduet @emsprovisions @everlastingday @nisbanisba

Marjan sat, legs crossed, wincing in pain, as Nancy replaced the bandages on her hands. “I’m so stupid.” Marjan sulked. 

“Normally, I would disagree with you, as you’re one of the most intelligent people I know, but in this instance, this was very stupid of you.” Nancy looked up at her, from sitting on the floor, not with disdain or disappointment, but true sadness and empathy, feeling for the pain Marjan was suffering through right now. 

Marjan  felt tears filling in her eyes, “I … I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking of myself. I was thinking of everyone else.”

no pressure tagging - @captain-gillian @pelorsdyke @reyesstrand @carlossreaders @pimento-playing-hopscotch @sugdenlovesdingle @bonheur-cafe @your-catfish-friend @paperstorm @herefortarlos @literateowl @welcometololaland @laelipoo

plus open tag for anyone who wants to share! 💕

[rlbbackup]

Rachel's SxF Ao3 Masterlist

Just to keep things kinda organized. Honestly, the easiest place to find all of this is on My Ao3 in the first place, but I'll link it here for convenience! ❤️

If you are curious as to how I feel about certain things pertaining to my work, please see THIS post! My inbox is also open for any questions (and you can do so Anonymously if you wish!)

One-Shots

The Art of Lipstick Complete (TwiYor)

Amnesia Full Fic In Progress (Forger Family)

Ledgers and Reports Complete (Sylvia Sherwood & Forger Family)

White Roses Complete (Matthew McMahon & Yor Forger)

Strawberry Ice Cream Complete (Franky Franklin & Anya Forger)

What D'You Say We Make It True Complete (Anya Forger/Ken)

In The Downpour Complete (Twilight/Thorn Princess)

Oblivious Complete (Twilight & Yor Forger)

Coming Home Complete (TwiYor)

Deer in the Headlights Complete (TwiYor)

Fading Ink Complete (Loid & Yor Forger)

Glad You're Here Complete (Damian Desmond & Anya Forger)

Just This Once... Complete (Twilight & Yor Forger)

Heroes Always Get Married in the COOLEST Ways! Complete (Loidman/Yorticia, Anya & Becky)

Just a Kiss Complete (TwiYor)

The Way to a Man's Heart (Not through his ribs) Complete (TwiYor)

All For Naught Complete (Yor Forger & Yuri Briar companion to Complicity)

Complicity Complete (TwiYor companion to All for Naught)

Side by Side and Locked in Tight Complete (Anya Forger/Ken)

Don't Forget to Lock the Door Complete (Loid/Yor/Franky)

Little Black Number Complete (Yor Forger & Melinda Desmond)

Inferno Complete (Chloe & SSS First Lieutenant & Yuri Briar)

Throwing Away Fate (Just to Keep You Safe) Complete (Franky Franklin/Original Male Character)

Freestanding Multichaps

In the Rain Complete (Forger Family)

A Moment of Weakness Complete (Loid Forger & Melinda Desmond)

Floodgates In Progress with the lovely @creativwit CW: Graphic Violence (Franky/OC, TwiYor)

Hanahaki Series CW: vomiting

7 Minutes in Heaven Complete (Cecil Hall Gang + Bill + Ken) written with @sister-cna-reader @cambot77 @strangeduckpaper and @creativwit

Psyche in progress (TwiYor) CW: assassination, SSS brutality

Flowers and Thorns Complete (TwiYor)

Pink Sakura Complete (Anya/Ken)

Bruises Series

Yor's Bruise Complete (Yor Focus)

Loid's Bruise Complete (Twilight Focus)

Dreams of Staying Series (Reveal)

Out of Routine Complete (TwiYor + Forger Family)

His Cuts, Her Cuts Complete (TwiYor)

Get My Heart Soft Into Sinking Complete (Yor Forger & Matthew McMahon)

Fighting the Heart Series

Snake with Blue Eyes Complete (TwiYor)

We Never Knew Complete (Anya & Yor + TwiYor)

Sleeping With The Telephone In Progress! (Forger Family + TwiYor)

Love Found, Love Lost Series

Just Another Day (in Learning How to Love You) Complete (Twilight & Yor Forger)

Oh Your Smile (Brightens My Life) Complete TW: Contains Major Character Death (Anya Forger & Ken)

Gone Rogue Complete (Sylvia Sherwood & Fiona Frost)

Briar Rose On Hiatus (Thorn Princess & Twilight, Yor Forger & Matthew McMahon)

Weapons Series (Reveal/Post Reveal-Pre Relationship)

Hypothetically... Complete (TwiYor)

Calibration and Titration Complete (TwiYor)

Weapons (On You, On Me) Complete (TwiYor)

Your Spare Blade Complete (TwiYor)

Rendezvous Complete (Sylvia Sherwood & Matthew McMahon)

Crosslegged in the Dim Light Complete (TwiYor)

Starlight Sky Series (Myth Au)

The Soldier and His Sun Complete TW: Contains Major Character Death (Roland & Loid Forger)

Beyond Sun and Moon Complete (Misc friendships + TwiYor)

Doubt Creeps In Complete (TwiYor)

Soothing Rays Complete (TwiYor)

New Moon Blues Complete (TwiYor + Anya)

[chlorine-tangerine]

Why Lucy Gray's Snake was no Coincidence

(Spoilers for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)

Hello, I'm back with another tBOSAS meta post since my last one did so well (thanks again!). I've seen the finale chapter discussed a lot, and Lucy Gray's scarf and snake was a particularly big topic on both Tumblr and Reddit. It was pretty clear for me, and so I shall offer up my rationale for it.

I first have to address the elephant in the room: the book is written in Coryo's perspective, and since he's the most paranoid bitch ever, he always assumes the worst about people, including his beloved Lucy Gray. Coryo definitely thinks the scarf was a trap. But we wouldn't know what really went through Lucy Gray's mind unless we had a reliable third person narrator.

However, we can use clues to infer what happened. so below is my interpretation. We know that Lucy Gray is smart; she was a victor, and Coryo reminds himself of this: "No, Lucy Gray was no lamb. She was not made of sugar. She was a victor." She was capable of poisoning puddles of water subtly enough in the arena, she knows where the snakes are, so this is a sign that Lucy Gray may have placed that trap on purpose.

Next, we have the scarf Coryo gave to Lucy Gray. As a Covey who travelled between districts and knows her way in the forests, we can be certain that Lucy Gray wore the scarf on purpose and not just on a whim. Her reasoning was that she didn't want Coryo to lose her, but I'm choosing to believe that's just a passing comment she made. The scarf was not only laid across briars, it was also in a "small clearing canopied by trees". This seems like Lucy Gray was setting the scene up with the clearing, the strategically placed scarf, and the snake.

The snake. Coryo was so on edge and frightened by the snake bite that he immediately came to the conclusion that Lucy Gray had a murderous intent. We as readers had no idea if the bite was venomous either, only to find out that it wasn't harmful at all after Coryo returned to the camp.

From these three clues it's obvious to me that Lucy Gray found out about Sejanus and knew she had to flee. She knew how smart Coryo is and that he's armed with a gun, so she had to buy herself some time and got to trap setting. She definitely didn't have the intent to kill, since she could've found a venomous snake, but assuming she still had affection for Coryo, she just wanted to get as far away as possible from him and not deal him too much harm.

To assume that the snake and scarf were placed there conveniently, that Coryo opened fire based on nothing, is to undermine Lucy Gray's intelligence a little bit. I've seen people criticize Lucy Gray's character and call her bland or a Mary Sue, but it's her last defiance against Coryo that made me really love her character.

As always, discussions welcome!

[chloelovesu]

[fragilecapric0rnn]

[series now cross-posted to ao3! stay tuned for more! ] Have been watching a lot FRIENDS lately bc its one of my and my gf's comfort shows and, of course, i cannot stop thinking about Stranger Things-ifying the hell out of it. the vision came to me SO CLEARLY [PART 2]

Sitting around the coffee shop that is basically a second home to the gang.

Nancy sits on the chair across from Argyle, one leg tucked under her, legal pad balancing on the arm, a pen being held between her pointer and middle finger, tapping incessantly on the pad. The other hand tucked into a fist and holding up her chin.

Argyle sits with his legs draped over the arm of the oversized chair, flipping through the latest Steven King book, one arm perched behind his head.

Jonathan has the NYT crossword in his lap, Robin peering over his shoulder, making him nervous.

A normal Saturday afternoon routine for the group of twentysomethings. The rain from outside softly hits the windows nearby, complimenting the soft chatter and gentle clanking of dishes.

But Robin can only seem to focus on Nancy's damn tapping.

"Nance?"

"Hm?"

"I'm gonna need you to stop tapping. I'm trying to beat Jonathan's puzzle."

"Just take it," he hands the paper over to her, annoyed.

"No! It's more fun when it feels like I'm beating you."

Jonathan looks over at Nancy, who is staring blankly at the wooden support beam a few feet away.

"What's going on Nance?"

"Nothing." Her pitch high, grabbing the rest of the groups attention, so much so that they all inch closer to her chair.

"Sounds like a whole lotta nothing," Argyle pulls a nearby chair up next to hers flipping it around and resting his forearms on the back of it.

Robin sits on the ground next to her and Jonathan takes a seat on the coffee table right in front of her.

"Fine!" She takes a look over her shoulder, toward the front door. "I have a date."

"Why are we whispering?" Argyle asks, also whispering.

"Because you know who could walk in any second."

"Why are we whispering and speaking in codes?" Jonathan asks, still whispering.

And as an act of divine timing, the front door to the coffee shop opens, and they all turn their heads to see a slightly damp Eddie shake his hair out and shed his leather jacket in one fell swoop. His face fixed in the same frown that's plagued his face for the last two weeks.

"Hey," the group says in unison, not moving a muscle from where they're still crowded around Nancy.

"What did I say about that tone," Eddie whines, flopping himself down on the couch that previously held Jon and Robin.

"How're you doing?" Robin asks, shifting her body, still sitting on the floor, toward him.

"All of her stuff is gone which means that all of my stuff is gone."

No one says a thing. Not even when the sound of a ceramic coffee cup shatters somewhere in the distance.

"Eddie?"

"What?"

"I don't mean to sound insensitive dude, but shouldn't you be a little less depressed considering... " Argyle trails off.

"Considering what?"

"Considering you're the one that left her?" Robin finishes the thought that everyone is having.

"I didn't leave her." He scoffs.

"No, but when you tell your long-term girlfriend about recently discovering that you're gay, one might see that as you being the one to end that relationship."

"We've been over this." He balls up his jacket and shoves his face into the wet leather. The group share a look, Nancy gesturing to Eddie's state as if to say this is why I'm not talking about the date.

He chucks the balled up jacket at Jonathan, who kicks his feet out in surprise as he catches it with his chest. Eddie's hands are now on either side of his face.

"The love was there! I could've loved her if..."

"If she was someone else?"

He deflates, lets his arms slump down and his shoulders do the same.

"Eddie, my friend, my pal, listen up." Argyle moves seats for the third time, now squeezing himself into the space between Eddie and the arm rest on the couch, draping his arm over his shoulders.

"You have just entered a whole new world, my man. So, you're gay? We're in New York City, so is everyone! Welcome home! All that love you were ready to give to Michelle? You get to hold onto that and give it to someone else. Someone who makes your heart sing."

"But I knew her just as long as I knew you guys." He whines, again, gesturing to Robin, Nancy and Jonathan. "It was easy. It was safe. How am I ever gonna find romance with someone? Where we have an established - I don't know - thing! A connection! A history! How?"

Eddie stares at them like he expects them to answer, forcing the rest of the group to share glances, let the air settle with Eddie's words.

The front door flies open just as a roaring thunder booms overhead, making for a dramatic entrance.

Robin's the first one to swivel her head toward the ruckus, the only one who has a perfect view of the person who burst into the shop.

A man dressed in a tux, drenched, like, just hopped out of a swimming pool drenched. Fighting with his bow tie with one hand and running his other hand through the unforgettable head of hair that sends Robin right back to Hawkins, Indiana. Back to the summer before her senior year.

Huh?

Unable to move a muscle in her body, she watches him clumsily go up to the counter and ask for her and Nancy, by name. The sound of her name sends her up to her feet and pushes her toward the man. An air of chaos surrounds him, drawing an offense amount of curiosity out of Robin as she finds her words.

"Steve Harrington?"

He turns around, his face lights up, and he does the weirdest thing.

He hugs her.

She remains stiff as he pulls back from the hug, hands still on either side of her arms.

They were buddies that summer scooping ice cream at the mall. Nothing crazy, or maybe even that memorable, but they started the summer as acquaintances at best and left as friends.

But then he left for college and she stayed and they never spoke again. A few run-ins here and there. But nothing substantial.

"I knew I'd find you here, I remembered that the last time I was in the city I ran into you guys and you're here!" He sounds drunk, but also like he drank a vat of espresso.

Clearly, it was substantial enough for him to come looking for her. Dressed in a tux soaking wet?

"And you're here, overdressed." She says, taking him in, unable to unscrew the confused look from her face.

Is that a boutonnières?

Oh no. Oh fuck.

"Steve?" Jonathan and Nancy say in unison as Robin brings him over to the couch.

Robin thinks Eddie might have summoned the ghost of hopeless high school crushes past, the way Eddie looks like he's just seen a ghost.

[rachelspoetrycorner]

The Patience of Ordinary Things (2005) by Pat Schneider

In Episode 293, Rachel shares a patient and spectacularly ordinary poem!

Rachel: [...] And I think she really became aware of the challenges of... What she called “traditionally silenced populations.” So she founded Amhurst Artists and Writers, which was a non-profit that focused on low-income women and children. Sponsoring writers workshops and retreats. Because I think, and I read an interview with her where she talked about the fact that just even putting content on a page is a barrier in itself.

Rachel mentions that this poem reminds her of a previous rec she'd brought to the Corner, and that is Naomi Shihab Nye's Famous. Both the similarities and the differences between them are fascinating; this idea of an assigned purpose that objects/things are destined to follow, and they do (they commit to the bit)!

If you’d like to hear more, you can do so here: Towels Drink the Wet from the Skin of the Back, from 3:30 - 11:48

[rachelsquill]

His Gay Ass is NOT Stargazing!!!

Quackity and Wilbur stood atop the Las Nevadas Needle. Quackity was gazing at the beautiful night sky above them, but Wilbur’s gaze wandered elsewhere.

He found himself observing the man beside him.

How long had it been since they put aside their petty squabbles and were at peace with one another? And what’s more is that for Wilbur that peace had developed into a sort of fondness, maybe even more than a fondness.

Wilbur’s heart tugged as he stared at the man next to him. His beanie that he never seemed to leave home without was crooked on his head. His long hair was darker than the night sky. His golden wings shone brighter than all the stars in the sky. The more he observed the man before him the more his heart ached. He sucked up his pride and rested his hand upon the shorter man’s hand, an invitation for more. 

“Wilbur, have you ever danced with someone?” He asked, still gazing at the sky.

Memories flashed across Wilbur’s vision. He recalled dancing in L’manberg beside the fire with Niki, Tommy, and Fundy while Tubbo and Jack sang a song of freedom. He remembered a spark of joy amidst the sadness in Pogtopia when he and Tommy dragged Techno from his potato farm and danced to their heart's content. He thought in fondness about dancing on the beach in Logsteadshire with Tommy. He realized that dancing had always been a time when he felt alive. 

“Wil?”

Wilbur snapped from his pleasant thoughts and looked at Quackity, who was gazing at him expectantly.

“Why? Are you offering me a dance?” He asked with a grin.

“Maybe I am…” He extended a hand out to Wilbur. “Only if you’ll have me.”

Wilbur takes the hand offered to him.

The dance is slow and sweet. Wilbur rests his head on Quackity’s shoulder letting him lead the dance. 

Wilbur feels alive.

[caelusproject]

Whoosh, lazy Semper Fi edit upon ye!