#Ten Week Eclipse AU

[astrofhobia]

@eddwardharrison

@nosleepygay

Q guapos los ahí presentes

How tall are your eclipses...¿

[eddwardharrison]

If Eclipse doesn’t do anything about it, we’re writing ourselves into canon.

A while ago @nosleepygay made a small animation about how Solar barged into ECLIPSE’S DIMENSION and started SCREWING EVERYTHING UP because he SUCKS!! And Eclipse was just TOSSED TO THE SIDE LIKE GARBAGE!! …a week later, I decided to make this in a sudden burst of motivation.

NOT HATE!! I LOVE TSAMS WITH ALL MY HEART AND THIS IS NOT TO SPREAD HATE ABOUT THE SHOW. I’M SIMPLY /MAJORLY/ INVESTED IN THE SHOW AND WRITING, AND I WILL DEFEND ECLIPSE WITH MY LIFE.

bc we both kin eclipse i evilly drew both our aus mwahahahahha

[aethon-recs]

This Week (x2) in Tomarrymort (11 – 24 October 2024)

Bundling 2 weeks’ worth of updates together, sorry for missing last week! In terms of ship happenings, @exquisite-tomarrymort-telephone has been posting a series of fics loosely interconnected by prompts, which started this week and will wrap up next week. 

As before, please feel free to add some extra context to your fic update in the reblog, ie, a little bit about the chapter(s) updated, and I’ll throw it in the update for next week. See below for a recap of the author notes from last week:

friend of the devil (a friend of mine) by @shyinsunlight (E, 17k, WIP) “Red flags are good party decorations, and love can be blind if you keep your eyes shut tight enough. Rodolphus discovers team spirit, and Abraxas finds that his home is no longer his castle.” a pound of flesh by @ictyn (M, 21k, WIP) “Harry, trapped and undying in his own mutilated corpse, must turn inward to find his salvation. Inside his very soul is the key to annoying his nemesis into returning for him. In the end, he'd much rather lose his mind to torture than to eternal boredom.” the precarity of virgin souls by @izharmilgram (M, 4k, complete)  “The second part to on line sex & rabbit stew. It includes dueling, cooking (the rabbit stew!), a first kiss, manipulation, and a horcrux reveal.” the alchemy by @cindle-writes (E, 2k, WIP) “A college AU rom-com wherein Harry is the star of the college baseball team, and tries to convince Tom to go on one, just one, date with him.” Anytime, Anywhere, Always by @moontearpensfic (E, 18k, WIP) “In this last update of AAA, Tom explores how he feels about his attachment to Harry. Very fluffy chapter!” Infinite by @moontearpensfic (E, 4k, WIP) “Infinite is a prequel fic to Love, Murder, Horcrux. In chapter one, the boys start their first year of Hogwarts together, and Harry is Sorted Slytherin. I love playing with the dynamics of Harry in Slytherin House in the 90s! We usually see it in time travel fics, but it's great to explore it here.”

I’ll also highlight newly completed multi-chaptered fics, as it’s a wonderful thing to celebrate with the authors as their work comes to an end! 🎉

Part One - The Solitude of Suffering by @iseliljathedreamer (M, 187k, complete) Many things are different and many are the same as Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts. Here, living with Dursleys that aren't just neglectful but outright abusive made Harry unable to withstand more than a few weeks of Trelawney's "predictions" back in his third year. Instead, he took Ancient Runes, and uncovered that he had a prodigious knack for runic magic, which opened the door to the darkest of rituals and the magic of mind and soul. A year later, Harry uncovered something horrible within himself - a parasite. So, when Voldemort sends him dreams of corridors and doors, Harry sends him pieces of hell in return.

*

Tomarrymort One Shots and Completed Fic

Chapters 38 and 39 (Completed) of Part One - The Solitude of Suffering by @iseliljathedreamer

One Shot | To be Guarded by @cyandenial

One Shot | nineteen (ten years apart) by @midsummersins

One Shot | compromising positions by @virgil-anon 

One Shot | time and a rabbit foot for luck by @izharmilgram 

One Shot | Aliquot by @crowcrowcrowthing @cindle-writes

One Shot | Pink Shorts by @crowcrowcrowthing

One Shot | Premium Pussy by @hopeforthewitch

One Shot | as sweet as blood red jam by @cindle-writes

One Shot | Locked in Focus by @v33r00

*

Tomarrymort Ongoing Fics

Chapter 22 of What In Me Is Dark, Illumine by @telelli-writes

Chapter 16 of Sits the wind in that quarter by @mosiva

Chapter 10 of Ills of Murder by @shadow-of-the-eclipse

Chapter 37 of With a resolute heart by Act_Naturally

Chapter 5 of some like it hot by @duplicitywrites

Chapter 2 of Touch of Death by @moontearpensfic

Chapters 128 through 130 of Liquida Tenebris (Remastered) by @dymis

Chapters 18 and 19 of Outrunning the Villain in You by @zenyteehee

Chapter 17 of with eyes like these (who sees anybody else) by @cealesti

Chapter 1 of every step I choose to take begins to set the world aflame by @boyneptunee

Chapters 8 through 10 of Hole in the Wall by tomrddle

Parts 1 through 13 of Broken Tomarrymort Telephone by @exquisite-tomarrymort-telephone

Chapter 1 of throne sex by @xxx-codtyl-xxx

Chapter 113 of In Willing Sacrifice by @hikarimeroperiddle

Chapter 6 of i am anonymous, you are a concrete wall by Pensievable

Chapter 6 of Syzygy by TimaeusKosmou

Chapter 5 of Memories of a Killer by @chemfreak89

Chapter 4 of doublethink by confunded

Chapter 4 of i might be the writer but you'll always be the words by @wixen-writes-tomarry

Chapter 1 of If I were you by @onehitpleb

Chapter 5 of Dreams Beyond Blood by @hikarimeroperiddle

Chapters 3 and 4 of What quickens me is the violence in thee by @i-dream-of-libraries

Chapters 19 and 20 of Learning to love by @l-archiduchesse

Chapters 3 through 5 of Venom or Valor by @lightningant

Chapter 7 of Like we were before by tzutzutrain

Chapter 20 of Date Ideas for the Linguistically Inclined by Antique_Mango

Chapters 1 and 2 of Solitude by TimaeusKosmou

Chapter 23 of Time Stumbler by @wintumnly

Chapters 13 and 14 of Saint Harry by @alenablack @chaos-bear

Chapter 6 of Fetters of the Damned by @sc0rpiflow3r

Chapter 2 of A Murder by Crows by @iseliljathedreamer

Chapter 8 of God is a Wizard by @onehitpleb

Chapter 2 of Auror Potter by @albondiguilla

Chapter 15 of A Dead God's Faith by @selfishrot

Chapter 8 of Actus Reus by TimaeusKosmou

Chapter 8 of These Fragments We've Shored by @rowena-rain

Chapter 5 of Dream a little dream (of me) by @cenedrariva

*

[the-24-7-lawlu-library]

Poll Vote March Mutual Pining Slowburn

Hi readers! I hope your weekend is going well <3

Blinded by Sakuya_Serenity_Kira (E)

Strawhats and Heart Pirates are traveling together after the events on DressRosa, Zou and maybe even Wano. Kizaru pays them a visit and as a result Luffy is blinded.  Now he is not allowed in the sun for days. And where would be safer for the freedom-loving captain than in the cabin of a grim, silent surgeon...?

Storge by Sketched_Ink (M)

“Ok!” Luffy grinned brightly, “You help protect Ace, and I beat up a flamingo? Easy” “Not a flamingo, Donquixote Doflamingo, my adoptive father”, Law tried to stop the venom seeping into his voice. Luffy nodded solemnly, “Ok, I beat up your father, the flamingo, and you protect Ace?”. Law supposed this was the closest he was going to get to total understanding. “Yes”, he ground out.   Or, the self-indulgent Bridgerton-style AU nobody asked for.

The Greatest Adventure by Kaatosade (E) [incomplete]

It was even more absurd to hear Luffy talking about marriage.

I was a God once! by KhepiAri (M)

I was a god once; no one believes it when I tell them now. I had tall shrines, devout followers and piles of offerings. My first shrine was made in the hollow of a tree. It was a little boy who had built it; he had killed a wild boar with a stone, that blood covered stone was my first form. He, along with his mates, he concluded the stone was a miracle. A notorious boar had rampaged around his village for months, destroying their crops and killing three elderly. The boy at the stupid age of 12 had taken matters in his own hand and ventured into the forest after his brothers and grandfather had returned injured. He had no skills and zero sense of self-preservation. With bow and arrows slung on his back, two long knives tied on thin his waist and a spear in his hand; he marched out of home at break of dawn. While his mother and father were busy nursing the injured and grandmother brewed the medicinal soup, he sneaked out. A pining god recites how he fell in love with a mortal. From bickering god and a devotee they become friends, but can god and human be together? Law is a young god and Luffy his devotee. SWITCH COUPLE: LawLu/LuLaw Lawlu Week 2022 day-6

And Like This, We Eclipse the Universe by riverofnara (G)

He knows his name. He knows the lullaby of the ocean and the press of warm sand against his toes. He knows the straw hat on his head is sacred, a treasure of unspeakable value. And he knows that he’s missed Law, a cavernous ache in his chest that would normally swallow one whole, but not here because Law’s presence alone is enough, a gentle balm to dull the pain in increments. - The universe grants two hearts longing for the other a chance to reunite. And even when they don't recognize each other, they don't let the moment go to waste.

Mon Trésor by bimarian (G)

Luffy wonders if Law will get mad once he finally admits it; will Law walk away from him once he lets all these wishes and prayers out in the open? Maybe. And that’s one doubt too many. Ten things that he wants to confess to his ally now that he is already the Pirate King.

Lost and Found by too_addicted_to_fiction (E)

“I’m not here to play hide-and-seek with you, Mugiwara,” Law spat out, hot and tired and annoyed. “I’m here to take you back. I promised your friends." In which Luffy runs away, and Law is sent after him.

When You Hug Me It Feels Like Home. by KhepiAri (G)

Unlike how his family had feared that Luffy would go wild at the first taste of freedom, Luffy was drowned in the first taste of college existential crisis, being good at something practically didn’t mean he was good at in theory. The first three weeks of Luffy’s freedom were spent studying things he had no understanding of. When assignments came another week later, the young student couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed and began crying in the middle of the library. Fellow students didn’t make things awkward for him by staring; it was common to find crying first years at every nook and corner of the university. It was entirely different from high school, if you fell no one was going to pick you up, you had to pick yourself up, clean your wounds and keep walking. “Are you okay?” A firm hand gently tapped a wallowing Luffy’s shoulder. “No…” Luffy tried to control his sobs. College AU. Fresher Luffy/PhD student Law. No Smut. One kiss. Law finds Luffy crying in the library, so he offers to buy Luffy a drink and help him out for a while, but he soon finds himself flirting with Luffy, who is a bit slow when it comes to matter of hearts. LawluWeek 2022 Day-8

Why won't you kiss me already? by Katia_Anyway (M)

Luffy is in love with Torao. And he knows Torao loves him back. So why won't Torao kiss him already!?

If You Need Me, I will by BasicallyACat (G)

Luffy can't find the words to describe all the things he feels, couldn't say them even if he found them. He knows people don't understand him usually and doesn't really mind. His nakama understand and that is all that matters. When he meets Law, suddenly there are far too many things to say even when he can't and Luffy prays Law can understand anyways.

The Curious Case of Monkey D. Luffy by lampalot7 (T)

Monkey D. Luffy was cute. This much was known—this was an undeniable, immutable fact. It was also largely suspected to be a ruse of some sort. The squishy-cheeked, beaming face on the wanted posters was largely considered by the more discerning members of Law’s profession to be incapable of the infamous, impossible deeds that Straw Hat Luffy has committed. Or: Luffy is cute, Law has incorrect assumptions, and then a crisis.

If you think we missed a work that you think deserves to be added, don't hesitate to reply with the link or send a message <3

-Mod Raiya

[piedpiperslists]

Jungkook One Shots (LXIV)

* s - contains smut

Craving by @midnightagust s wc~3k / established relationship Summary: You decide to test Jungkook's limits during a night out and end up paying for it in bed.

Touchin' by @whatifyoulivelikethat s wc~2.6k / FWB Summary: Jeon Jungkook has got ten minutes and a hard dick. So he says. You learn you can't trust everything he says though.

Irresistible by @whatifyoulivelikethat s wc~8.3k / strangers to lovers Summary: Jeon Jungkook provokes you into fucking him. Just not before you finger-fuck his mouth in the middle of a kitchen that belongs to neither of you as a summer party rages outside.

(Seven) Days a Week by @whatifyoulivelikethat s wc~12.2k / strangers to lovers Summary: It only takes seven days (a week) for Jeon Jungkook to get you in his bed to fuck you right. And showing up in weird places. And kissing in the rain. He's crazy. Okay, it's kinda complicated.

Legend by @hamsterclaw s wc~10.6k / selkie!Jungkook, strangers to lovers Summary: The man you help one day insists that he owes you everything.

Something Borrowed by @alphabetboyluvr s wc~2.8k / angst, forbidden love, infidelity, mafia au

Dance With the Devil by @alphabetboyluvr s wc~2.5k / childhood friends au, royalty au

Once the Thrill Expires by @alphabetboyluvr s wc~5.8k / angst, FWB, college au, housemates au Summary: Your housemate turned FWB takes another girl home after a night out.

This Isn’t Love, Darling by @junqkook s wc~5.3k / angst, escort au, mafia au Summary: He tasted of an empty night and an eclipsing moon, with blood on his hands and fire in his eyes when he put his mouth on yours.

Learning Curve by @jeonwinks s wc~8.4k / established relationship, PWP Summary: Jungkook is due for a reminder of who is in charge; as are you.

[starheirxero]

Hi! How tall is TWE!Eclipse? Asking for totally no reasons at all :3

HELLO ANON I am pretty sure you have sent this to the wrong individual since I have no Eclipses from a "TWE" au! However, eddwardharrison has the Ten Week Eclipse AU that I think you're looking for!!! So go forth, anon, get the height info o7

[pandorafallz]

Watcher AU | The Chocolate Incident

Blink Lily Leese eyed the large cargo box with a slight frown before she checked over the inventory manifold from the checklist to the box with some doubt. Blink was still getting used to this whole new system. Ten years, she spent helping with new avatars; both human and Na’vi variants but a quarantine of the labs forced her away, at least in her avatar while her human body was quarantined.

So she was temporarily reassigned to inventory management until the Watchers could get through to sweeping the labs and the affected habitats before they could end the containment.

This box was not on the list for the Nai’vi food supplies from either of their food chain districts or from more local sources. Clearly a mix up, she’d need to locate its proper designation….

“Blink, what’s this?” A voice bellow her echoed.

Blink looked down from her data pad to see Eclipse Eytukan eyeing the box with some curiosity. Two weeks into his human Avatar, the Na’vi had his struggles understanding what came with a male human body but he was no longer clinging to edges of furniture anymore. Humans adjusted far easily; it was known it’d take the Na’vi a month to get to terms with the new body and lack of their more prominent features.

“A supply box of chocolate,” Blink answered, “Not for our section, I think it was supposed to go to the Worldtree’s underground than this section.”

“Cho…collate?” Eclipse echoed, “What is that?”

“It’s...a sweet human food, made from the coca bean that’s roasted, ground and mixed with other ingredients to create a bite-soft bar.” She described airily. “There are many…different forms of chocolate but this stuff looks to be... milk chocolate, white chocolate and ruby chocolate bars.” No dark chocolate, Blink noted but maybe that was where it was supposed to be with another order. This looked very… put-tether like it was part of rush order.

Eclipse leant forwards, sniffing around it, “It does smell sweet.”

“It’s mostly got sugar in, humans tend to favour with sugar foods so I’m not surprised you’re greatly more appealed to it.” her avatar could pick up the same, delicious smells but… she had work to do.

“Ooh, chocolate!”

“Oh dear…” Blink groaned softly as Flit Nash McCosker scurried over with a happy look over his moustached face.

“Does my nose device me? Is this true!” Flit looked ever so hopeful.

“This isn’t ours,” Blink groaned, but Flit was already opening it.

“It is now. If they wanted this, then they should have checked the barcode before dropping it off. It’s here now. It’s been years since I’ve tasted chocolate!”

“There’s a chocolate supply in the Human sector on the 67ths floor, 17ths and in all the underground habitats.”

Flit paused, “Where?!” He looked positively offended. “I’ve been here 6 months and no one thought to tell me!”

“Well, I do not know human food that well so we cannot know what you want or like, Flit,” Eclipse spoke. “I am unfamiliar with chocolate.”

“God, no wonder you’re so bitter.” Flit shook his head though tossed the lid off the top, “I think it’s time for a proper introduction of this wonderful human delight.”

“Flit…” Blink warned, “I’m not getting into trouble for this.”

“Yes, yes,” Flit waved her off. “So what if one crate got mixed up. I think it’s time we properly have some fun around here.” He pulled out one of the smaller boxed, flipping it open and pulled out the 200g bar of milk chocolate then held it out to Eclipse. “For you.”

Eclipse look a little baffled, “All of it?” but pure curiosity got the better of the former Olo'eyktan as he took it.

“Why not? There’s plenty to go around.”

Other people, not just the humans but some Na’vi avatars perked up when they noticed and hurried to collect. A few Na’vi themselves did approach but Blink decided to leave as the packets opened; she had work to do than baby sit this disregard of supply regulation.

-

Blink sighed with relief as she saw Watcher Grace in her Na’vi form finally make her appearance, rising to her feet immediately to greet her.

“Watcher, please tell me something good? Is the quarantine over?” She felt like begging for it but the tense look in her desaturated blue face said no comfort.

“What the fuck happened to keeping supplies in the right place and reporting a misplaced one, Blink?” Watcher Grace spoke tensely, her tail curling with discontent.

Blink’s ears flattered back in surprise. “I was going to, Flit McCosker got involved. He has a higher clearance level than me so he opened it up and shared it out. I wasn’t in a position to stop him so I left him to it to finish up my reports.” She almost blindly reached for her tablet, holding it out to the displeased Watcher who took it.

Blink wasn’t stupid with her paper work, and she had already sent off the report of the misplaced box, serial code and had traced where it was supposed to end up. This was all done, neatly packed and otherwise sent an hour ago.

“This report if the only thing standing in the way of a disciplinary for you, Blink.”

Blink’s eyes widened in alarm. “What? Why? Did something happen?”

“You didn’t hear?”

“I—No. I’ve been here for the last hour.” Blink could feel the rise of panic in her gut. “Oh, god, Chocolate’s not poisonous to Na’vi biology, is it?” it was the only thing she could think of that would cause a reaction this big to upset the Watchers…

“No exactly.” Water Grace pondered for a moment then nodded towards the door, “Let’s go down to the Na’vi habitats upstairs.”

 -

Walking up the steps, the metal stairs transitioning to root-steps as they breached the Na’vi and avatar sector and that’s where blink stared to see some of the mess.

A few Na’vi lay about, some sitting in makeshift hammocks, giddy with a bucket close by with a healer or a doctor close by. A child was barely walking a straight line, a concerned father tugging a clearly intoxicated mother with him as he tried to keep his child in line with him.

Onwards and upwards, a mixed canteen of human and Na’vi alike was…a total mess. Chocolate and puddles of chocolate were about as well.

“What happened?” Blink asked quietly, her tail wrapping around her own leg with concern at such a dramatic vibe this space had. More to the fact she could see a Grace variant, Overseer if she wasn’t mistaken, passed out and hugging a portable human coffee machine to her chest despite the fact it was far too small for her blue arms and snoring into the counter side.

“Chocolate is not…poisonous but rather it has another effect of Na’vi…and avatar brains.” Watcher Grace spoke, coming to check on Oversee with a prod from her foot. “Turns out, Cocoa is not broken down properly in the Na’vi gut when consumed and the chemical composition changes in response to their stomach acid as a result so to compensate to break it down. Side effect is….it starts to reproduce the effects of alcohol in the system despite not carrying alcohol itself. We’re…still investigating it now but the effects seemed to show Na’vi becoming drunk.”

Blink’s eye followed the little family as they were sat down by a healer though the girl was giggly.

“Drunk? They’re all freaking drunk off Chocolate?!” Blink wanted to laugh at such a ridiculous event, but she knew it was far too serious for at at this time.

“Indeed. If it had been simply contained to the simple supply door then we’d be having a veru different situation.” Watcher Grace ran her hand through her dark locks. “Turns out…chocolate can travel very fast.”

Blink winced but she could see why… chocolate bars were small in Na’vi hands, passed along, split and shared… “How far…”

“Well… from the supply decks, it reached through the civilian habitats of human, Na’vi and Avatars, mostly. A few scouts working in the vehicle hangers down below and a few Ikran riders. A few took a few joy rides in road and flight vehicles, and three fights took place where some people suffered a broken nose and bruises. A fire broke out as well because an unattended child found a flint and steel on a passed out Avatar of Jake and thought it was a sparky toy. He’s fine, but that’s just been put out and now…we have soo….fucking much to clean up. From expelled mess from both ends, spilt box contents and a mess of future, people and vehicles…”

Blink winced with full out sympathy for… well everything. “It took…an hour for all that shit to go down?”

Watcher Grace sucked her teeth for a moment, rubbing her eyes deeply then nodded. “Yep. Suffice to say… we’re not handing chocolate to Na’vi like this again. Despite the mess; they loved it. We’ve got a lot to work and to revise parameters of chocolate possession in the habitats and what’s acceptable for them to consume before it’s a danger. I want you to help me run that test with the Na’vi avatars in the next few days once this mess is cleaned up.”

Blink nodded, “Yes, ma’am” 

“Do not make that mistake again, Blink. That box of chocolate was fucking huge. All of it was gone by the time we found it!” the seething side of Watcher resurfaced but Blink knew it was deserved.

“Of course.” Blink looked down, “I’ll see to it”

“Good, now, which Flit McCosker handed it out?”

“Nash.”

Watcher Grace nodded firmly. “Thank you. Now, go help clean up while I hunt down this asshole for a lecture…and a discipline.”

hehe bc someone wanted to know more about the chocolate incident XD here you are :)

[haleweek]

Hale Appreciation Week is TEN DAYS away!

Join us for a week of celebrating our favorite born werewolves, the Hale Family! June 21-27, 2021.

Confused about the themes? Maybe need a little inspiration? You can read more about the prompts for Hale Week below. If you still have any questions, feel free to drop us a message. Our ask box is always open. You can also join our Discord server to talk about the Hales any time.

Please visit our pinned post for more information about participating in this event.

The themes for the week are the following:

DAY ONE June 21: Werewolf Traditions

We hear a lot about werewolves on Teen Wolf, but very little about pack life or Hale family history. For this prompt, we want you to change that. Are there family traditions in the Hale pack when a member comes of age? Is this a Wolves are Known AU where wolves have traditions separate from humans? Do they celebrate holidays like Yule or Beltane? Ever want to write a Lupercalia fic? Or maybe a Mating Run? Go forth and write. Think outside the box. DAY TWO June 22: Family, Found Family, and Brotps

For this day, we want you to focus on non-romantic relationships on Teen Wolf. Derek bonding more with his betas, the dynamics between Laura and her siblings, Cora and Boyd being besties, Derek finding family again after the fire. The options are limitless. Queerplatonic relationships are also acceptable for this prompt! DAY THREE June 23: Rarepairs and Poly Ships

“Rarepairs” in this instance are any ships outside of Sterek and Steter. We want to give the other pairings their due. Feel free to pick a threesome or moresome. Write that Poly Pack fic you wish to see in the world. Go nuts (or don’t, who are we to tell you how to write?) Please remember to properly tag all kinks, warnings, and/or possible triggers. DAY FOUR June 24: Full Moon

This can be anything from specific pack traditions done every full moon, a ritual performed by all werewolves everywhere, or one single full moon where something momentous happens. Maybe its Peter’s POV the night of the lunar eclipse. Maybe the remaining Hales are simply basking in the feeling of having a pack again. Whatever you choose, the only requirement is that the full moon, somehow, be involved. DAY FIVE June 25: Hale Headcanons

We all have headcanons when it comes to our favorite characters. Whether that idea is backed up by canon or just something that popped into your head while reading fanfiction, today is the day to share those headcanons with the fandom. What happened to Malia the whole time she was a coyote? What’s so special about the Camaro?  This can be one specific headcanon, or a fanwork surrounding several. DAY SIX June 26: “I’ve waited three years, I could wait another hour.”

This prompt is a little different. We wanted a prompt outside of the norm, to see what people come up with. Maybe Laura is a ghost who was finally able to contact Derek three years after her death. Maybe it’s the story of how soulmates Talia and Papa Hale, who met once but didn’t see each other again for three years. Maybe Peter finally found that gourmet burger place he’s spent three years dreaming about, but it doesn’t open for another hour. Be as serious or as silly as you want. DAY SEVEN June 27: Free Day - Dealer’s Choice

What it says on the tin. Make any fanwork you want. As long as it features the Hale family, go forth and create.

[thenaivestatice]

@asoryuu-week I'm sorry, and I know I'm late, but I wanted to wait for the Tumblr log off to be done, and I was extremely busy with uni, but here's my entry for asoryuu week, Day 1: Pining/Reunion! It's an AU I've been working on, Asoryuu Tanatabata/Sun and Moon deity AU!

Basically, it's Asoryuu as the Tanabata legend, (aka the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi) with the difference being that, instead of being the stars Vega and Altair, Ryuunosuke is some sort of god if the Sun, and Kazuma one of the Moon, and instead of only seeing each other once a year for an entire day, it's while there are eclipses, in other words, twice a year, but ONLY for ten minutes each time. Tanabata, but even angstier, in other words.

I decided in using the "Reunion" prompt. Here's them in a Eclipse, about to HUG tf out og each other. Also, I'm deeply, truly sorry if it's kind of cringe, I made it using traditional art, aaaand my phone camera sucks balls. Next year, I hope I can make better contributions to the week, instead of my angsty chibis...

Oh, and here's the original, if any of you are curious:

Haha, you are asking me why did I use like, 3 colors for this? Psshh, it's totally an stylistic choice, and definitely not because I made them in the middle of work and uni with the stuff i had at hand, nope, no sir, it was totally on purpose–

Mistakes. They have been made.

[afoolforatook]

Farley's Fair Game Week 2021 Masterpost

Day 1 - Moon/Sun - Eclipse, Chapter 1 - Solar Softness 2.7k words

Rated - T

Tags: Vague mentions of sexual content, intimacy blocks

Clover's love is solar, fierce and unafraid and raw.

Qrow's love is lunar, soft and powerful and remarkable in its fullness.

But their light bends towards each other, until they are not on opposite horizons, but meet in between, both a part of the other.

Day 2 - Modern/Supernatural - The Old Kingdom (Abhorsen) Au (art)

Clover, a member of the Royal Guard, was sealed within the figurehead of a ship while facing the Necromancer, Kerrigor, for two hundred years, until Qrow, the newly appointed Abhorsen, freed him.

Day 3 - Charms/Dreams - Our Relative Colors, Chapter 5 - Red 3.6k words (12.2k total)

Soulmates Au, FGW2020

Rated - T

Please read full tags and chapter notes.

Tags: Alcoholism/withdrawal, blood, death mention (Summer), sensory overload.

Fic Summary

Looking your soulmate in the eye is the first time you see color.

Qrow found the key to his Sight when he was young. And then lost her. He never imagined he'd find it again.

But those teal eyes were the first thing to cut through his world of grey in so long. And while he knew that color, it was different than the teal Summer had given him. Who knew relative color applied to soulmates?

No Grimm could ever be as dangerous as that overwhelming color.

Chapter Summary

The lack of sleep; the physical and emotional stress leftover from stealing an Atlas airship and all that that entailed; the simple fact that he was roughly twice the age of (almost) everyone else involved in said heist, and felt it; and the pounding headache, twisting stomach, and unsteady hands —that were all the lovely effects of being one day into what was sure to be a hellish withdrawal— were enough to leave him with barely the energy to stand.

And then the universe had decided to drop him —literally— at the feet of his soulmate, and drown him in color, and all the mess of loss and love and anger and fear that Sight was connected to for him.

It was all about ten steps beyond too much, and all he wanted now was to close his eyes and have just a few hours of quiet darkness in his mind when he didn’t have to feel so much.

Day 4 - Reunion/Separation - Pushing Daisies Au (art)

Qrow has a secret. With one touch he can bring the dead back to life.

But there’s a catch. First touch; life. Second touch; dead again, forever.

Oh, and there’s another catch, actually; the dead can only come back for a minute, one second longer and someone else must take their place. A life for a life.

It’s for both of these reasons that Qrow rarely uses his gift.

And then, there’s Clover.

Day 5 - Hands/Breaking Rules - In His Touch 1.4k words

Rated - T

Tags: Vague mentions of sexual content

Qrow’s touch was swift and sporadic but never cold; his grip practiced and balanced; his fingers deft and strong and intuitive.

Clover’s touch was steady and focused, while never losing a sense of wonder; his hold was careful but unwavering; his fingers moved methodically and with caring intent.

They were built from different lives, marred with separate wounds, worn down by parallel doubts.

But they fit together as if formed with the same purpose; pulses pressed against each other keeping pace as if fed by the same heart.

Day 6 - Cold/Recovery* - Score - 2:1, Branwen 4.8k words

Hockey Au

Rated - T

Tags: Sports injury, blood, (feared) eye trauma

Clover's got the old gash through his eyebrow.

Qrow's got the line hooking over his jaw.

They're even when it comes to facial scars.

Or, they were.

*So far, more 'Cold' than 'Recovery', but more recovery likely coming soon.

Day 7 - Sky/Sea/Free - Eclipse, Chapter 2 - Letting the Clover Grow 2.7k words

Rated - T

Tags: Vague mentions of sexual content

Qrow stopped, glaring as he caught the amused grin Clover was barely even trying to hide. “Damn it, Ebi! Just come sleep in your own fucking bed, it’s fine!”

Teal beamed up at him, glasses slipping lower on his nose in what Qrow wasn’t sure was Clover’s luck at being able to continuously throw him for a loop, or his own for not being able to ignore it.

He huffed and rolled his eyes, turning away quickly, a hand raised dismissively, though he knew the gesture fell flat.

“Or don’t, I don’t care! Knowing you, you could sleep on a rock for weeks without your back getting sore.”

[wildshadowtamer]

inspired by @aboutiroh, @azu1as and a few other tumblr blogs’ thread about Child!Zuko being Firelord at 7 years old.

In this AU, everything’s set 8 years in the past and the comet arrives early.

Feel free to ask questions about this in reblogs/asks.

More in-depth explanation below. (warning: long)

It starts with Sokka, who has stolen a kayak and gone fishing with his sister. Sokka is 7 while Katara is 6, meaning their father hasn't left yet and their mother is still alive. Katara tries to practice her water-bending while Sokka hunts with his spear, things go almost-canon until Katara canonly yells at Sokka, instead she gets scared and loses control of her bending, resulting in the iceberg breaking

Once they find Aang, a still twelve-year-old boy, they bring him home along with Appa and explains what happened to their parents. Kya is worried and Hakoda gives them a talking to due to the kayak-stealing.

Zuko, having already gotten his scar at 8 years old bc Ozai's just Like That, has been banished along with Ursa and Azula, who is not old enough to hate her brother yet, so she tried to stand up to Ozai and got banished as well Of course, Iroh and Lu Ten are there, however the burning of Iroh's 8 year old nephew's face made both of them realize jut how cruel and coldhearted the Firelord is and just how messed up the fire nation in general is.

So, their on a boat. Lu Ten, Iroh, Ursa, Zuko and Azula. A big family of banished 'traitors' They get down to the south pole so Iroh can study water-bending and thus create the lightning redirection technique. However, Zuko and Azula find Aang, Sokka and Katara, hear about their quest to the northern water tribe, and decides to join. The adults on-board decide to let them, as Iroh has already figured out Zuko's destiny to help stop the war, no matter what age. Ursa stays with Kya and the water tribe while Iroh and Lu Ten head to Ba Sing Se.

General Zhao is the one hunting for the avatar, and since he's Like That, he doesn't care if the Avatar and his friends are literally 4-12 years old.

They get captured by Kyoshi Warriors, but their like 7 year olds, and since Sokka hasn't quite gotten the sexism in his head yet, he doesn't get mad about *girls* beating him up, he's just mad he got ambushed so easily. He gets a childhood crush on the 7-year-old Suki, but is bad at the whole 'socializing' thing so he tries to bully her and gets his butt royally whooped.

At some point along the way, the Gaang picks up Toph, a 4 year old girl who was playing with badger-moles and *still* more badass then all of them combined.

Azula and Zuko get Sibling Bonding after seeing how Sokka and Katara bond, and actually become really good friends.

Eventually, they get to Ba Sing Se and settle down for a few weeks, planning their next moves and all, until they realize the Dai Li are up to something. Soon, Zuko and Katara get captured, Iroh hears of it and comes to the Gaang for help w(ith Lu Ten, of course) Zuko explains to Katara how he got the scar, burned after speaking up to his father after Ozai threatened a servant, and the two bond over their loving mothers and siblings.

However, instead of Azula chasing them down, it's Mai and Ty Lee, angry about being abandoned by Azula when she got banished. (Mai is 7, Ty Lee is 6) Zuko refuses to betray his friends and family, and neither does Azula. However, when their having the big fight in the crystal caves, a lightning bolt reflects off a crystal and hits Avatar State Aang in the back, killing him.

Iroh, after seeing how dangerous it is for Zuko and the Gaang, decides to go back to the Fire Nation with Mai and Ty Lee, leaving Lu Ten to look after this gaggle of toddlers.

After a week or so, Aang wakes up on a fire navy ship, with the Gaang and parents on-board. The crew is: Zuko, Azula, Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Suki, Hakoda, Bato, Kyo, Lu Ten and Ursa. However, Aang runs off into the storm and canon generally goes on from there.

The Fire Family becomes a thing, Sokka somehow convinces the principle he is in fact an adult and definitely not himself and Zuko in adults clothing. (Sapphire Fire is Katara and Suki in a dress) However, things go wrong at the Eclipse and the adults get captured, Ursa, Zuko and Azula get to speak their mind to Ozai as Iroh and Lu Ten forces him to stay against the wall. The Gaang, along with young Teo, The Duke and Haru, travel to the Western Air Temple. Mai and Ty Lee, after having a very stern talking to by Iroh, ask to join the Gaang, to which they accept after an apology from both of them to Azula, Aang and Zuko specifically.

From there, Aang mostly masters all four elements, they go watch that god awful Boy In The Iceberg show, Aang talks to his past lives and Ozai eventually gets defeated by a bunch of children and toddlers.

Who does Zuko and Azula fight at the end, you may ask? Zhao. Everyone was so busy worrying about the comet and Ozai, nobody had even realized Zhao didn't die at the NWT, simply thrown into the ocean and got rescued by a ship. And, turns out, learnt to generate and shoot lightning somewhere along the way. and everyone knows Zhao isn't above harming a bunch of children.

in the end, Zuko ends up jumping in the way of the lightning bolt, but survives and Zhao gets thrown in jail to rot some more.

And yes, Zuko does become Firelord. in fact, Lu Ten becomes his advisor while the Kyoshi Warriors are his personal guards. Iroh doesn't take the throne, but becomes the most popular tea shop in the Fire Nation after making the Jasmine Dragon a multi-nation Tea Shop chain. (Some trusted Earth Kingdom friends of Iroh and Lu Ten become the managers of the original Jasmine Dragon shop)

[eddwardharrison]

Thunder Bringer - Ten Week Eclipse, a TSAMS AU

[SLOW/GENTLE FLASH???]

FW????

This is MONTHS old but I never put it all together so…please ignore the jumpscares at the end 😋🥰

Eclipse is met with a risky compromise with Killcode, whether he should agree to the compromise or not is the roughest part. If he agrees to return to Killcode after his repetitive neglect towards Eclipse, he proves Moon right— that he’s unfixable, heartless, and made of nothing but hate. If he rejects this one opportunity…he’s a dead man, along with the celestial family. Normally, he may not have cared about this. But now, it’s unclear what Eclipse wants anymore.

…he took the deal, guys. :(

[foreverthesickestkidz]

i’ll put a summary here at some point but yeah it’s a serial killer!mark tuan au okay

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten

warnings: cursing, mentions toxic relationship, i think that’s it but this is a serial killer au so read w caution anyway

authors note: this is a short & shitty chapter but it gets better i swear lol

masterlist | guidelines | lullaby m.list

Jaebum’s office at the Eclipse Police Station was pretty clean. The sort of clean that those who just walk in and look around some don’t pick up on the reality that almost everything in it was covered in a thin layer of dust, the small carpet in the middle of the tiled floor was pulling apart at the seams, and the clock on the wall was twenty-two minutes fast. But, Jinyoung grew to pinpoint every miniscule detail of the Police Chief’s office while he sat there for hours at a time. Jinyoung’s back honestly started to hurt around the end of the first hour, and his patience with the Chief was little to none when they started this meeting, and by the end he knew he’d be ready to pounce.

“Detective, I hope you’re paying attention. There was another death last night,” Jinyoung snapped his attention away from the fraying rug and back to Jaebum.

“Yes sir, but with all due respect, sir,” Jinyoung pushed himself up in the chair, “I already know what you’re going to tell me.”

Jaebum raised an eyebrow, “And what could that be?”

“That it doesn’t show a link to any of the murders, and if I go ask the coroner what the autopsy results were, he’ll say the victim died from the fire,” Jinyoung was growing more frustrated by the second. “Which is absolute bullshit, I saw the body! It had major injuries that a damn house fire couldn’t have caused!”

Jaebum’s jaw clenched, “You have no idea what you saw, Detective. That body was burnt to hell, nobody could tell anything. We still don’t even know who he is!”

Jinyoung shook his head and stood, “Alright, sir. It was the house fire. Have a blessed night.” He knew arguing was no use, he’d seen four other cases mirroring this one. All cases tended to wear on Jinyoung’s heart, but these past four were worse. The first time he noticed the body’s clear fatal wounds didn’t align with the Chief and the Coroner’s story, he figured Jaebum was right, he really was just seeing things. The next two times he opted to keep his mouth shut about it, figuring if he was the only one seeing anything wrong than maybe there wasn’t anything wrong. But, this last case pushed him to the limit.

Jinyoung drove home in silence. His head filled with millions of thoughts at once, as he watched the road ahead of him.

Something isn’t right

What do I do?

Who could I go to?

Would anyone believe me?

Why are they doing this?

Unanswered questions ate away at the young detective’s mind and morals. Once home, Jinyoung decided he needed a drink, and popped the cap off the last bottle of Soju in his refrigerator

****

Professor Lee opened the door to his office, politely greeting you and allowing you to enter.

“Y/n! Hello! It’s good to meet you.” Professor and attorney Lee’s smile was present, but ever distant.

You smiled and greeted him as you took your seat at the table. There were several other men present and you gave a small nod to them each.

Professor Lee sat at the head of the table, laced fingers placed on the dark wood ahead of him.

“We will begin our meeting with with some introductions, and what your jobs will be as interns,”

After the meeting finally ended, you sat in your car for a moment checking your messages.

Double B:

-hey lets chill later i miss u

Jackson Wang:

-we need to talk

-meet me somewhere soon

(123)456-7890

-Hey y/n it’s Mark

The last message you read made you smile. You decided to just call Mark while you drive home since you were excited to talk, but didn’t want to text and drive.

He surprisingly picked up after two rings.

“Y/n? Hey, what’s up?”

Your grin widened at the sound of his voice.

“Hey, I just got done with my internship. I thought I’d call while I drive home.” You shifted the car into reverse and pulled out of the parking lot. “Why were you there, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Without missing a beat, Mark answered.

“I went to see a friend of mine that works there, actually.”

“Oh okay. I met a few people during my meeting, maybe I know your friend!”

“Ah, so that’s what you were doing there. I take it you’re a law student?” Mark twirled his pen through his fingers as he spoke, a nervous habit he picked up from Jaebum.

“Yeah! I’m almost done, though. It’s my last year,”

Mark caught himself smiling at your excitement. He’d never found joy in anyone else’s happiness before that very moment.

“So you’re just the whole package then, huh?” You could hear his grin.

Giggling, you questioned him. “What do you mean?”

Mark’s heart bloomed at the sound of your giggle, and he found himself wanting to hear it again and again.

“I mean you’re intelligent, that’s a given,” he chuckled, “but also, your beauty is astonishing. You’re magnificent.”

You turned the corner, nearing your apartment complex.

“...really? You really think that?” You were sure your face was neon red.

“Of course, babydoll. I would never lie to someone so innocent.”

His voice sent a shiver down your spine.

“How come you think I’m innocent?” You giggled again.

Mark smirked and took his bottom lip between his teeth. He deeply wished you were there with him at that moment.

“I can always tell who’s innocent and who’s guilty,”

****

Jackson’s Corvette sat glittering in the moonlight in front of your apartment. He pulled the key out as he exited the luxurious car.

Night had fallen upon the shoulders of Eclipse once again, and with it came the horrors of murder.

Weeks had passed since you moved back into town, and August heat had turned into September’s red leaves. The murders continued on, and with Bambam’s absence until November, he made you swear you’d let either Jackson or Yugyeom stay with you at night.

They traded off shifts every other day, and honestly you were relieved it was Jackson’s turn.

You were slightly startled by the sound of the turning lock, but quickly calmed at the sight of Jackson Wang in all his glory.

“You scared me half to death, Jackson. I told you to knock first!” You rolled your eyes and looked back down at the textbook in your lap. You’d been on the couch for hours studying the same few chapters.

“Sorry, princess. I always forget.” He winked at you as he dropped his keys into the small glass bowl by the door. The irony set in when you remembered that Yugyeom got it for you.

You huffed and roughly rubbed your eyes.

“This is ridiculous. I don’t need a babysitter,” Jackson sat down next to you, and you turned and sat criss cross facing him, “and stop calling me that. We’re not friends anymore, Jackson.”

He studied your eyes for a moment before speaking.

“I’m not babysitting you, I’m upholding my word. I told Bambam I’d do this so here I am,” he ran a hand through his hair, “and I know you hate me for how I handled everything between you and Yugyeom, but I didn’t know what else to do. He’s my best friend, y/n.” Jackson turned to look at the wall, lost in thought.

“I don’t like this, y/n. I wish everything could go back to how it was a year ago.”

You furrowed your eyebrows and shook your head in disbelief.

“You wish what?! Jackson, how could you say that? A year ago everything may have been perfect for you, but I was miserable.” You closed your textbook and walked out onto the balcony. The sea of lights illuminated your frustrated facial expression.

Jackson followed quickly behind, leaning against the railing beside you.

“You seemed happier then,” he almost whispered. “I noticed it, though. I noticed the change. When I first met you, you were unstoppable. You held the world at your fingertips, eyes wide and sparkling at every new adventure.” He paused and shook his head lightly. “Yugyeom was an asshole. You made him feel things he’d never known, but he didn’t know how to handle it. So, naturally he revered back to what he knew, to what he saw his parents do.”

You felt a tear threaten to fall.

“The most important thing right now to me, is that you come back to being yourself. If that takes hating me and Yugyeom, fine. But if your new boyfriend takes any progress away from you healing, I swear to God, y/n. I will end his shit. I made a mistake in defending Yugyeom, and I won’t make it again.”

***

Mark noticed the Corvette the moment he pulled his Hummer into the parking lot. After being together for weeks now, he learned of Bambam’s rule. He wasn’t happy with it, but he tried to understand from his perspective anyway. Jackson being in your apartment was annoying, but he was just an inconvenience at most. Yugyeom on the other hand, caused Mark’s temper to reach concerning levels. He was relieved it was just Jackson there today.

He knocked on your door before sliding the key into the lock. You decided giving him a key couldn’t be any worse than Yugyeom and Jackson having one, and Mark was your boyfriend now after all.

He found you on the balcony alone, sitting in the ground peering through the bars at the silent town.

“Y/n, I know it’s kinda late for dinner, but I brought you something to eat.”

You turned around and Mark’s heart ached at the sight of tears staining your cheeks.

He kneeled down, silver chains smacking together from the sudden movement. He placed his calloused hands on your cheeks, thumbing away the tears.

“Babydoll, what happened?” His voice was so gentle it shocked even him. He never knew he was capable of being so soft until you walked into his life. “Where’s Jackson?”

You sniffled and smiled softly to your boyfriend. “I think he went to sleep already… nothing really happened, I just, I just,” your lip started trembling again and Mark sat down with his back against the bars, pulling you into his arms.

“Shhh, it’s okay babydoll. I got you, nothing gonna hurt you,” he whispered into your hair.

You took a deep breath and relaxed into his arms.

“I’m scared, Mark. So many people are dying. What if I’m next?”

The comment made Mark cuddle you tighter.

“Nobody’s going to hurt you, let’s go eat and watch Disney movies, okay?” His smile made you feel better, and you found yourself grinning back at him.

“You know me so well already,” you giggled as he picked you up and brought you inside.

[septiembrre]

RULES: list five television shows that always make you feel better, then tag ten other blogs to do the same.

Tagged by @pynkhues​ <3 

1. Schitt’s Creek

This show makes me cackle AND makes me cry. I love Alexis and David so much. I love the representation of loving partnerships and personal/character growth. Wonderful. 

2. On My Block

OMB is heartbreaking in a lot of ways. The show talks about the heavy issues/trauma of what it’s like to come of age in a working-class Black/Latinx/mixed-race community. But, even though parts of the narrative are heavy -- it’s the most accurate representation of my childhood on screen and it makes my heart so happy. Also, the ensemble cast humor and stand out characters -- Jasmine, Ruby, Jamal, Oscar -- bring me back to it. 

3. Brooklyn 99

I’m embarrassed to like a cop show so much -- especially a cop show with Andy Samberg. My inner late 2000′s self cringed for so long at the premise of watching this so it took me a long time to actually start. But, this show is ensemble cast perfection. 

4. Glow

More ensemble cast perfection that sets my heart alight~ I just watched this in August, but I immediately rewatched it. I’m obsessed! It makes my heart so full. 

I resisted Glow for a long time (years) as a reaction to knowing I was supposed to like it~ as it was definitely marketed as a show for feminists. Sometimes I get this vibe like media that prioritizes women’s narratives is released and the world is like HERE! This is what you asked for -- women speaking to each other! You better enjoy it. 

But, I resisted because:

1. Wrestling (I have so many unfortunate memories of being held captive on the living room couch for “father, daughter bonding time” as my father watched what felt like endless WWE. This has given me an everlasting love for the Dwayne Johnson, but a lasting distaste for wrestling) 

2. The leads are white women. Y’all, I’m so tired of this schtick of WOC getting sidelining roles, but I’m supposed to be happy because the white women leads are ~compelling, nuanced, brilliant! 

I ended up watching it because my partner edited an interview between the writers of the show, who were pretty rad, and was thus inspired. She kept suggesting we watch it after work and I resisted on the daily for a solid week. But, then we watched it. Anyways, the relationship between the leads IS magnificent, having 10+ women on screen IS phenomenal, and the wrestling IS bad ass. 11 out of 10!

5. Jane the Virgin

*sigh* I almost didn’t include this because Gina is so annoying -- it has started to eclipse the fact that I LOVE JANE TV!! Oh my god -- bi-icon PETRA?? ROGELIO DE LA VEGA?? XIO?? My gorgeous himbo, RAFAEL???   

I love them so much. I day dream about the Jane universe constantly, both the actual show and in an AU sense (haha, Good Girls basically is a soap, but I would love to adopt it more fully to embrace telenovela drama -- haha, with Rio as the protagonist?? I also have lots of fun picturing a Miami Beth hahaha). 

Seeing so many Latinos represented on screen, in the format of a telenovela, ending in a loving and supportive place, makes me cry and heals my heart. 

Tagging @deceptivenewt​

[himbowelsh]

Thank you for answering my earlier questions! I know you've written for Grant and Talbert before (I cannot remember their ship name for the life of me) would you be willing to write any modern head cannons for them? Or any general relationship head cannons for them? Those two don't get enough love together! 🙂

gralbert.  talbant.  grantbert?  tabant?  fluck?   there are no good options here.

Modern Headcanons (this turned into a coffeeshop au i’m sorry):

Grant’s really just vibing through life, to be honest. Out of all his friends, he’s the one who’s got his shit most together, and that’s something to be proud of. So what if he’s still not sure exactly where he wants to be in ten years, or how he’s going to get there? It’s enough to just...  exist in the moment.

That moment, currently, puts him in charge of managing a small coffee shop which has become the social hub for his entire social circle. Not only is he making great cash, he gets to stay connected with old friends and meet new people every day. Plus...  he’s never short on coffee? Literally nothing to complain about.

It’s not that he doesn’t feel...  well, connected is the wrong word, because he definitely is. There are just times when he feels...  lonely. Chuck’s got a lot of friends, but he’s also the sort of guy who could stand in the middle of a crowded room and suddenly feel like he’s the only one there  ---  like no one’s really looking at him at all.

He craves attention, affection, warmth.

That’s when Dog Boy happens.

In Chuck’s defense, Dog Boy is a complete accident. The coffee shop is just supposed to be a canine free zone...  so he’s completely baffled to see a guy walk in with at least five dogs, all on leashes, and order an iced coffee to go.

The guy definitely seems like he’s in a hurry  ---  like he really, really needs a coffee  ---  but Chuck can only stare.  “Are those all supposed to be service dogs?” he asks.

“Um,” Dog Boy says.

Chuck points to the sign on the wall, which very clearly reads the coffee shop’s animal policy. Dog Boy lets out a weird noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “Okay, I’m sorry, I know, but can I please please just get an iced coffee?”

It looks like he has his hands full. More than full. This coffee is going to end up spattered on a sidewalk somewhere, and Dog Boy will probably cry. He looks like he might cry right now, just for the hell of it.

Chuck gets him an iced coffee.

That should be the end of it, but a few days later, Dog Boy comes back. He doesn’t have any dogs in tow this go ‘round, but looks five times as relaxed  ---  which is really, really a good look on him  ---  and promptly deposits a twenty dollar bill in Chuck’s tip jar.   “For you,”  he declares, and winks.

Chuck just stares at him.  “We, uhh  ---  we have to split the tips between everyone on shift, and there are, like, four other people here...”

“Christ,” says Dog Boy, and plucks the bill out of the tip jar  ---  can he do that?  is that allowed? ---   and tucks it in the pocket of Chuck’s apron.     “For you. You saved my life the other day, with the coffee. Can’t tell you what sort of day I was having, but...”

He smiles, and it’s the ridiculous sort of smile that shouldn’t be allowed to exist on anyone who’s not in Hollywood   ---   casually blinding, bright enough to leave Chuck feeling warm all over.

If he had to pick the moment he knew he was in trouble...  right there. There is it.

Floyd Talbert becomes a regular in the coffee shop after that. Turns out, he knows a startling amount of Chuck’s friends.  It’s not long before Tab’s popping in nearly every day to joke around with Bill and Babe, cause trouble with Liebgott, or even confer quietly with Mr. Winters in the corner. Seeing Tab becomes one of the highlights of Chuck’s day; they never really talk, but he’s got his coffee order memorized, and everytime that bold smile flashes his way, he feels a little dizzy.

Is this...  what it’s like to have a crush?  Strange.  Unnerving.  Chuck hasn’t had a crush since middle school.   Why now...  and why, of people, on Talbert?

One look at him and that becomes a stupid question. Who wouldn’t have a crush on Talbert?

Chuck comforts himself with that knowledge   ----   no doubt, Tab’s got girls lining up around the block. What interest would he have in a barista who always adds a little extra sugar to his coffee, just because that’s how he likes it?

Tab is the sort of guy who draws people to him like moths to a porch light; he’s dynamic and popular wherever he goes. Chuck has a tight group of friends who he sticks to like glue, and would do anything for; he’s always been more content to wait in the background, observing and working silently. He doesn’t enjoy the limelight. Tab attracts it.

There’s no way they’d work together, because Tab would never notice him.

Until the day Smokey Gordon comes up to the counter with a big grin on his face, and drops something in the tip jar.  “Just for you,”  he declares, and winks.

It’s a folded up piece of paper...  and there’s a phone number written on it. Chuck blinks for a moment, confused, before putting two and two together. Smokey gave him the number as soon as Tab left the shop.

He texts it that night.   “smokey gave me this number...  this is chuck, the barista from the coffee shop”   Waiting restlessly on his balcony with a cigarette in hand, bouncing his leg like it’s running a marathon...  Chuck has nothing to do but hold his breath.

Suddenly, the phone buzzes. It startles his cat into falling off the table. Chuck nearly jumps out of his skin.

“why am i not surprised?  typical smokey”    comes the response, followed by a startlingly accurate bitmoji.   (He uses those instead of emojis?  That’s kinda narcissistic but also really cute?)

After a moment of Chuck holding his breath, searching for how to reply  (he’s a very slow texter, and it drives his friends insane)  another message comes through from Tab.

“good thing he did tho, because i’d have spent a few more weeks working up the courage”

Chuck has a heart attack on the spot.

“honestly,”   he replies,   “i’d have skipped the number and gone straight to asking you to dinner”

“wow, a gentleman!!!”      His enthusiasm is adorable.       “sounds great to me.   are you free friday?   i know a great place for burgers”

It’s across the street from a 24-hour vet clinic.

That’s why Tab wanted to go there.

They make it through half an hour of the date with Tab obviously getting restless, and Chuck is terrified he’s boring him...  until Tab abruptly sets his glass down on the counter and turns to Chuck, fresh brightness in his eyes. “Can we actually go somewhere else? I’ve got some friends you might like to meet.”

Tab works at the local vet clinic, and he’s the one tasked with walking all the dogs each afternoon. Usually they go in shifts, but on that particular day, Tab was in a rush and decided to take them all at once.

“They ran me all over town,” he declares, a funny note of pride in his voice. “I was that close to passing out...  but then I saw the shop, and I saw you, and...”

He trails off, gnawing at his lower lip  ---   his hands are occupied roughhousing with a golden retriever, while a persistent beagle noses at his elbow. Chuck blinks at Tab over the head of an enthusiastic Yorkie, and feels something warm bloom in his chest.

“Next time, I decide the date location,” he declares. Tab grins, bright and blinding as a solar eclipse. To his own amazement, Chuck feels like he’s come home.

General Relationship Headcanons:

Chuck’s mellower than Floyd in a lot of ways. He’s less emotional, better at thinking things through; when their friends are causing havoc, Tab will eagerly be swept along in the chaos, while Chuck will follow to make sure no one causes too much trouble. They both know how to have fun, though, and have equally adventurous streaks that match well together. Hiking, rock climbing, bike riding...  these are all dates they’d enjoy.

Floyd appreciates Chuck’s honesty. Sometimes he can be too blunt (”What do you think of these jeans?” “Eh, you’ve worn better.”), but he never beats around the bush, and there’s never any question whether Floyd can trust his judgement. Chuck says what he thinks, and means what he says.

Floyd is gentler in a lot of ways, and this is something Chuck isn’t used to. He’s never...  been taken care of before. He’s never been doted on. Floyd loves doting on him, and this takes a lot of getting used to.

Chuck is the first one to say “I love you”, and it shocks them both. Sure, they’d been thinking it for a while, but...  Chuck never thought he’d find the courage to voice it, but it slips out almost unconsciously. Floyd pauses in the middle of making dinner...  then chuckles softly, almost to himself, and glances back over his shoulder.  “Love you too,”  he replies, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.  To both their surprises...  it is.

Floyd’s morals run deep, and he’s got a sensitive side that’s easily stoked. Tug on his heartstrings, and he’s open to anything...  which scares Chuck, who doesn’t trust as easily. Floyd’s more than capable of taking care of himself, but a part of Chuck feels like he needs to protect him from getting hurt. That’s impossible. The first time something hits Floyd hard, and he’s left pacing into the early hours of the morning, chewing his lip raw and agonizing over what he could have done differently, Chuck stays up with him. He doesn’t try to stop him, doesn’t try to calm him down...  but when Tab finally collapses in a chair, exhausted, Chuck’s the one who coaxes him up and to bed.

After that, it’s his turn to take care of Floyd.  This is a role he falls into with much more ease...  and Floyd, as it turns out, enjoys being pampered as much as he does giving the love.

[echo-bleu]

Lay Your Throne

Malex Musketeers AU. I’m reposting this little series here (from AO3) ahead of the @alterarnm fic I’m hoping to finish by Thursday (but I probably won’t). This was originally written for the Whumptober prompt “Secret Injury”. Part 1.

“You fought well, Captain,” the King says to a kneeling Alex. “But my son is an excellent swordsman, and you are obviously injured. Do you accept your defeat?”

“I do,” Alex says, raising his head. He's still reeling from the blow Michael dealt to his head, which knocked him out long enough for the rules of dueling to be satisfied, and Michael didn't try to start the duel again, instead looking at him on the floor with something akin to concern on his face. Alex doesn't know what to do with that.

“Very well. Then I declare Michael, count of Dimaras, the winner of this duel. Michael, will that satisfy your call for justice?”

“It will for now, my King,” Michael says, kneeling beside Alex. “The rest of my claims will be settled another day.”

“Well fought, my son,” the King says, rising to put a hand on Michael's shoulder. In that moment, Alex's defeat is well worth the look of pride on Michael's face. Until Alex meets his father's eyes, and notices his smirk. He is basking in Alex's humiliation. Alex grits his teeth.

“Captain, will you be able to return to your duties?” the King asks.

Liz takes a step forward at that, opening her mouth, but Alex waves her back. “I will, sire. I'm fine.”

He bows again and gets back to his feet, taking care not to show any weakness. He almost fails when the world turns on its head as soon as he's upright, but he blinks the dizziness away and reforms rank with his Musketeers. Liz and Maria immediately come to flank him.

“Alex! The King would have given you leave to go if you'd ask!” Liz exclaims. “You're in no shape to stand guard.”

“I can't,” Alex says. He lets Maria set his arm back into the sling, though, and a sigh of relief escapes him when it eases some of the pain away.

“But why?” Liz asks.

Alex doesn't dare look back to where his father is still sitting, but Maria nods toward him discreetly. “Because of him?” she asks.

Alex doesn't answer, too busy trying to swallow back the nausea.

“You don't have anything to prove to him, Alex,” Liz murmurs.

“I know,” Alex whispers back.

He does know. He's more respected and loved than his father by the whole kingdom, royal family included, even though Jesse Manes still outranks him. He has the King's ear, but everyone's confidence in the Prime Minister is waning, after years of unnecessary wars that ruined half the kingdom. And yet, it's not enough for Alex.

Is it for Michael? Alex searches for him in the crowd. He's standing by the Princess now, across the dais from Jesse Manes, their similar red uniforms standing out amid the Royals' greens. What is his endgame? Why did he challenge Alex today?

If he's still the man Alex remembers, a duel without bloodshed would never satisfy his wish for revenge. Michael has never believed in the justice of the law, or in the gentlemen's codes of honor. So either he's not out for revenge against Alex, or he has a larger plan.

Being close to him again today, touching him, was incredible and terrifying. Alex still can't believe Michael is really alive. It's been ten years since he watched him hang. It shouldn't be possible.

And yet here he is. It's his hand that stabbed Alex a week ago, his elbow that got him in the head today. His eyes on him, right now. Alex meets them, and the surge of emotions makes him stumble−unless that's the dizziness again.

Michael nods at him, the ghost of a smile on his lips, and Alex wants to cry.

Alex doesn't know how he manages to fight the mounting nausea for another two hours, as the Royal Family amuses themselves in the gardens. He's sure it must show on his face, because the King dismisses him the moment they're back inside the palace, and asks Liz and Maria to escort the Prince and Princess instead.

He finds himself, without really knowing how, leaning against a wall in a random corridor in the east wing, struggling against dizziness. He must have a concussion. He looks up as someone approaches, trying to stand up straighter.

“Hey,” Michael says, striding down the corridor in his red leathers. Alex would be dreaming about this, if he wasn't five second away from throwing up.

Michael is all swagger and smirk until he takes a closer look at Alex. “You alright?”

Alex opens his mouth to say he's fine, but what was bound to happen happens, and he retches instead, unable to stop himself. He barely misses Michael's boots.

“Alex!”

“'s nothing,” Alex mutters, but he can't hold himself up. The world is turning around him, and he falls to his knees. Michael catches him and gently lowers him to the floor. “Concussion.”

“Why did you hide it? You stood there for hours!”

“'m fine.”

“Clearly,” Michael rolls his eyes. “Don't move.”

Alex nearly moans as Michael's hands leave him, suddenly feeling cold. But Michael comes back instants later with two male servants.

“Take him to my chambers,” he orders. “Be gentle.”

His strength gone, Alex can only let the two men carry him through the empty corridors. He wonders what Michael's intentions are. Does he want to kill him, get his revenge fully? No, he had plenty of chances to kill him already. But then what? And why is he being so nice?

The servants put him down on a large bed, in a richly decorated room. Alex squirms, fully aware of how filthy he is after he met the dirt floor of the dueling ground more than once, but Michael doesn't let him stand up.

“Stay here,” he murmurs, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Don't worry about the sheets, they can be washed.”

Why is he so gentle? Alex wants to scream. He doesn't deserve this. Is Michael doing this so that his revenge will be even more cruel? Is he trying to lead Alex on into some twisted head game?

Michael brings a goblet of water to his lips. “Drink. You'll feel better.”

Alex obeys, for lack of a better idea. He's spent. He almost wants to give in, let Michael care for him, even if it makes what will inevitably come harder.

“Why are you doing this?” he asks.

“Because you're hurt,” Michael says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

“Let me go back to the garrison. I'll be fine.”

“You're in no shape to ride, Alex.”

Alex tastes the sound of his name on Michael's lips again, for the first time in ten years, and it's as bitter as it is sweet. The last time he heard it before today, Michael had a rope around his neck.

Michael brushes a strand of hair away from Alex's face, far too intimately, and Alex catches his hand. It's his left, the one he kept behind his back during the time of the duel, as per fencing tradition.

It's mangled. Half of it is covered in scars and the fingers have bends in places they shouldn't.

Alex closes his eyes and shudders. The moment his father hit Michael with a hammer, after catching them in the gardener's shed and seeing the brand on Michael's shoulder, has long been eclipsed by the memory of the noose around Michael's neck, but it's still there.

“Alex,” Michael calls.

“Are you trying to punish me?” Alex asks, meeting his eyes again. He doesn't melt into the golden brow irises this time, too shaken by the memories.

“What? No!”

“Then−

“I was angry at you for the longest time, Alex,” Michael sighs. “I resented you for not doing more to protect me, for not finding a way to free me. I'm still angry, sometimes. But I understand now, the hold he has on everything. If you had helped me, you would have condemned yourself.”

“I would have done it for you without a thought,” Alex says. “But he knew. He took away any leverage I could have used. I tried, I pleaded with him, with my brothers, I even tried to bribe the hangman, but he found out. I wasn't strong enough.”

Michael's eyes widen. “But you were, Alex. I always wondered, who it was that helped me escape. You saved me.”

“What?” Alex asks, confused.

“You rode away.”

“I couldn't watch. I just...I thought I owed you that, but I couldn't.”

“It's a good thing,” Michael says. “Alex, the hangman you bribed, he saved me. He pulled me down before I could choke and helped me escape.”

Alex chokes on his breath and bites on his finger, hard. He wants to weep, to curse, to scream, but he doesn't.

“You saved me, Alex. I didn't know. I thought you'd abandoned me.”

Michael pulls him into a hug then, careful of his injuries. Alex buries his face in Michael's shoulder and gives him to the tears.

“Ten years,” he sniffles after a while. “I could never forgive myself.” He traces the scar around Michael's neck, just barely visible above his high collar.

“You enrolled,” Michael states.

“Yeah. After you...after I thought you died, I had no reason left to fight my father's wishes. I started in the Army, and made my way to the Musketeers.”

“Did you choose them just to spite your father?”

Alex laughs between his tears. “A bit. I couldn't let him win everything.”

“What happened to you, Alex?” Michael asks, growing serious again.

“Um?”

“Your leg.”

“Ah, you noticed that,” Alex sighs. He knows his gait remains irregular, even with a wooden leg from the best crafter in the kingdom. It shows even more during a fight, where he has to compensate for his lack of mobility. But still, he wishes Michael could have been spared from seeing it, at least for a little longer.

He pushes Michael away enough to pull up his pant leg. Michael's breath hitches.

“Fuck, Alex. I didn't−”

“I'm okay,” Alex says. “It was rough for a while, but I'm okay now.”

Michael nods slowly, only half-believing him.

“Where were you?” Alex asks. “For all these years?”

“I traveled a lot,” Michael says, which Alex knows is code for 'I didn't dare stay in the same place for two night in a row in case I got caught.' “Other cities, other countries. I went looking for where I come from, and it led me back here.”

“So you're the King's son, huh?” Alex asks.

“Apparently,” Michael shrugs. “My mom was a woman of the court, but she died in childbirth, so I was given away. But there are records. They weren't easy to find.”

“At least now my father can't touch you. And you have a title and lands, I'm guessing. You won't be poor ever again.”

Michael talked to Alex only once, about growing up in an orphanage, starving and without shoes. That's what led him to stealing food, to being convicted and branded.

That's the excuse his father used to call off the wedding and have Michael hanged, when he found out. He had full powers, on his own lands, to call for an execution. Here in the city, he doesn't anymore.

“It doesn't erase what happened,” Michael says darkly.

Alex hangs his head. “Of course. I'm sorry.”

“No, I didn't mean it like that,” Michael reassures him immediately. “Alex, look at me.”

“I'm−”

“Alex!” Alex looks up. “I don't blame you, not anymore. He did all this. And he's going to pay for it.”

“He's untouchable,” Alex says.

“No he's not,” Michael shakes his head, but he doesn't elaborate. “I'm sorry I stabbed you the other day,” he says instead.

“I probably deserved it,” Alex shrugs with his good shoulder.

“No, never. But I needed to establish myself with the Red Guards, and also to make sure that you would lose today.”

“I'm flattered that you think I need to be injured for you to beat me, but why did you need me to lose? Why challenge me at all?”

“Because I have a plan,” Michael says, giving himself a mysterious air.

“A plan to what?” Alex raises his eyebrows. “Overthrow the King?”

Michael smiles. “No. A plan to bring your father down, once and for all. I needed you to lose against me today so you can win against him, when the time comes.”