#Who is Aldrich Kemp?

[sexiestpodcastcharacter]

Sexiest Podcast Character — Scripted Bracket — Round 1

Propaganda

Renée Minkowski (Wolf 359):

killed a man with a harpoon while bleeding from a gut shot. you can't argue with that kind of sex appeal

There is a scene where the main character Doug Eiffel expresses his surprise at the fact that Minkowski, his commanding officer, has a husband. It's probably intended to be read as "Oh wow, she's such an uptight and boring stickler for rules, how could she have found someone to marry", but in my heart it is because she's so butch that Eiffel's brain is short-circuiting trying to figure out how it's not a wife back home. That is sexy!

Clara Page (Who is Aldrich Kemp?):

Cringe fail spy girl just trying to keep her dignity intact. Gets her ass kicked by a housekeeper on a regular basis. She’s funny though

[mallory-x]

*CRASHES IN* HELLOOOO! ALDRICH/SEBASTIAN PLS?? 🥹

I knew you’d ask for Aldrich/Sebastian as soon as you saw my post and I love you for it! For those who haven’t had the pleasure yet - Who is Aldrich Kemp? is a BBC podcast series about an elusive criminal mastermind played by the wonderful Ferdinand Kingsley (Hob Gadling in the Sandman, if you’ve been living under a rock /s). Aldrich is a charming narcissist and Sebastian is one of his team, the Themis Group.

This fic is my take on Sebastian’s backstory and how he ended up with Aldrich in his (headcanoned) role of ‘kept boy’.

Sorry Jani, I haven’t written the smut yet! But have a snippet of the team discovering that Aldrich has brought Sebastian back to Themis House for the first time.

CW age difference I guess? (Sebastian is early 20s, Aldrich mid 30s in this bit)

“So you’re collecting waifs and strays now, Aldrich?” Nakesha didn’t look impressed, hands planted on her hips and one brow raised in an incredulous manner.

“Nakesha,” said Aldrich, drawing out her name placatingly. “One boy hardly makes a collection.”

“Don’t be facetious, Aldrich.” Aunt Lily’s clipped tone spoke of her clear disapproval. “Are you going soft? I thought I could hand over the Themis Group knowing it would be in safe hands, but if this is what it’s going to become I wonder if I should change my mind before it’s too late.”

“Aunt Lily… Nakesha. Do you have so little faith in my judgement?”

“What judgement? You’ve brought some little finance kid into this house, and for what? Because he’s got pretty curls?” Nakesha stood over Aldrich, genuine anger in her eyes. “You can’t just act on impulse any more, Aldrich, you have to think of the rest of us and what it’s risking to bring an outsider here.”

“Nakesha is right, Aldrich.” Aunt Lily was calmer, but just as resolute. “You just killed this boy’s father. Destroyed his livelihood. Stripped his assets. What makes you think he won’t turn on you the minute he gets a chance?”

“I know you have your doubts, but there’s just… something about him. Not just his curls, thank you, Nakesha.” Aldrich gave a sarcastic little nod in her direction. “He has dreams. Ambitions. I can see so much potential in him.”

“Oh, I’m sure you can. But is it potential to be something useful to the Themis Group, or potential to be useful to you?”

“Nakesha. I won’t deny I think he’s attractive, I do have eyes, you know. But he’s also intelligent, hard working, and brave enough to stand up to two armed strangers who’d just killed his father. Did you know he went to Oxford? Not as good as Cambridge, obviously, but I think it was his father’s influence that pushed him to study there. Given the chance to start again, study something he’s actually interested in… I think we can mould him into someone who could be a real asset for Themis. Far beyond anything he would have had the chance to do if he’d stayed working for his father.”

“Really, Aldrich? It all sounds a bit far-fetched. Life isn’t a fairy story, you know,” said Aunt Lily.

“It might not be. But our parents believed in charity. They believed that we could help people. So let me help this one? My money, my responsibility?”

“You want him to be your pet project?” Nakesha smirked at him, in the way only siblings can.

“I don’t appreciate your tone, Nakesha,” said Aldrich, smirking back at her. “But yes, if you like. Sebastian can be my pet project, and if it doesn’t work out–”

“Then Mrs Boone can put a bullet in his head,” said Aunt Lily, decisively. “Well, that’s settled then. Now, I think it’s time for a spot of tea, don’t you?”

[teejaystumbles]

"You shouldn't have come alone." "Who says I'm alone?"

a commission of Aldrich Kemp for @polerikapolerika that I was very happy to make! If you haven't yet, listen to it, it's fun! Ferdie is so amazing in it! (and everyone else too) <3

[amadgirlintheuniverse]

Clara: have you all gone mad?! You want to get inside Mrs. Boone’s head?!

Aldrich: Her mind, actually.

Dr. Hazlitt: it’s perfectly safe

Aldrich: C’mon Clara, it’s a matter of urgency, we have to save the world!!!! It’s gonna be fun

Clara: I hate you

*30 seconds later in Mrs. Boone’s mind*

Clara: This is amazing. Now, let’s find that mem——

Aldrich: Do you think there’s something to eat here? :D

[silvandar]

Attempting to create some kind of chronological release playlisting for the Pleasant Green Universe. Using the release chronology from Wikipedia.

Starting from the beginning, episodes are now mainly available on soundcloud.

Then we move to The Lovecraft Investigations on spotify (also still available on other players if preferred).

Then the two Aldritch Kemp series. Again I'm using Spotify and made my own playlist, but this is still on BBC Sounds etc.

That's it so far! Will add any new series that come out :)

[habibistamps]

Misc Fandom stamps! You can use these anywhere on tumblr or elsewhere, but please credit me or my website wherever you post them!

[lenreli]

Who Is Aldrich Kemp? Chapter Five: Kohlat Syakhl

Aldrich Kemp with a gun.

[pers-books]

It’s HHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEERRRREEEEEEEEEEE!

Who Killed Aldrich Kemp? is up on BBC Sounds (free to listen worldwide!) 

There was some consternation this morning as ep 2 hadn’t loaded and Julian Simpson was in a bit of despair over on the Bird app about it, but it’s up now!

Cast: Clara Page - Phoebe Fox Aldrich Kemp – Ferdinand Kingsley Mrs Boone – Nicola Walker Sebastian Harcourt – Kyle Soller Nakesha Kemp – Karla Crome Aunt Lily – Susan Jameson The Underwood Sisters – Jana Carpenter. Sabine Seah – Rebecca Boey Mrs Bartholomew – Kate Isitt Blue 2/Novak - Ben Crowe Winslow/Blue 1 - James Joyce.

[polerikapolerika]

Of Love, Doom and Scones

So... I don't know how that happened, but I've accidentaly written an Aldrich Kemp fanfic. The first one out there. (At least I didn't find any others.) Well. Here it is. (And if you didn't listen to Aldrich Kemp podcasts, please do! They are wonderful!)

G, Gen, 1.4k words

"What's happening to Aldrich?" Sebastian hisses to Nakesha across the tea table, loud enough to startle everyone except, well, Aldrich, who just sighs wistfully and looks as if he's miles away.

"Can't you guess?" Nakesha inquires calmly. "Mrs. Boone, would you be a dear and bring another pot of tea?"

"Certainly, miss."

Of course, Sebastian could guess. Frankly, it is quite obvious: the old chap literally has heart-shaped eyes and smiles ridiculously at a distance, like the worst romantic cliche of the most sickening lovey-dovey movie on Earth.

But firstly, Sebastian has never seen him like that, not even that time in Tanzania, about three years ago, with a young Miss What-Was-Her-Name, who somehow managed to keep Aldrich's attention to herself for the whole two evenings. (And nights, unfortunately. Sebastian's bed was just a wall away, and they were abominably loud and enthusiastic. He feared that the ceiling might collapse on top of him at any moment, and it was impossible to fall asleep. He was forced to contemplate sleeping on a couch in the other room of his suite! Luckily for him, on the third night, she was gone and never mentioned again. Needless to say, from that time on, whenever they traveled together, he booked himself a room across the hallway from Aldrich's—just in case.)

Secondly, and most worryingly, it screams trouble more than anything Aldrich has managed to drag them into before, and that is an accomplishment in itself. It's a wonder that Nakesha doesn’t seem troubled at all. Certainly, if it comes to the worst, they can always plan an untimely demise for the poor girl. It's a shame, though. For all Sebastian knows, she’s an innocent bystander just like any of them, who had the misfortune to be caught in the way of a catastrophic force that is Aldrich. But then, maybe she'll listen to reason and run as far away as possible. Nah. It won't make a difference since it seems that Aldrich has firmly made up his mind. Death it is, then. She'll thank them later.

Or maybe…

"Wait, it's not Clara, is it?"

Clara, who is sitting right next to him, chokes on a scone.

"More tea, miss?" Mrs Boone tops her cup from a fresh pot without batting an eye.

"No! Er- Yes, thank you, Mrs Boone. No, Sebastian! It's not me! Gosh, I hope not… Aldrich?!"

"Calm down, Clara!" Aldrich laughs, finally deciding to grace them with the gift of his company, "of course it's not you. Although I do find you fascinating in your own way and love you almost like a sister—” Nakesha throws a napkin at him, but he simply shakes it off, “Oh, Nakesha, don’t be like that! But no, that woman, she's… " He sighs again, and Sebastian feels dread twirling in his stomach.

"Oh no," he groans, "this time we're all going to die, aren't we?"

Nakesha exchanges pointed looks with Aunt Lily. Yes, fine, he is being overdramatic, perhaps. But Aldrich is dangerously reckless at his best, and now, when he's suddenly head over heels for some mysterious woman…

"Aldrich, my dear, you are pulling Sebastian’s strings mercilessly." Aunt Lily puts her cup on a saucer with a meaningful clank. "And while I agree that most times it is quite entertaining, right now we have all had enough suspense. Who is that woman you are mooning over like a fool?"

"I have no idea!" Aldrich exclaims with manic glee as if it is the most exciting thing in the world. Oh God. It's worse than Sebastian could imagine. They are doomed.

“Well, we are waiting!” Aunt Lily raises her voice a bit and Sebastian notices that nobody drinks their tea anymore. Even Mrs Boone’s unobtrusive presence seems somehow more focused than before. That’s good. At least now they are taking this seriously.

Aldrich laughs again, a bit bashfully, and puts hands in the air in mocking surrender. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you everything.”

Wait, is he blushing? Sebastian isn’t sure he believes his eyes.

“So, do you remember how last week I failed to obtain the emerald bracelet that was brought from Munich to the National Gallery for a special exhibition?”

At that Clara makes an undignified squeak. No doubt, she has something to say about the attempted theft of a priceless jewelry piece, but that is not the point at the moment. They weren’t even the ones who’ve stolen it, though not for the lack of trying! So, Sebastian is very grateful to Nakesha for a hearty elbow jab that prevented an untimely interruption.

Undisturbed, Aldrich continues: “As you know, my plan was flawless. Everything was going smoothly as a buttered biscuit. The guards were adequately subdued, the alarm system was off, Nakesha was waiting outside in a getaway Porsche. All that remained was to remove the glass and take the bracelet. And that’s exactly what she did! I saw her from the entrance of the hall, but it was already late to intercept. She made a run for it in the opposite direction. Naturally, I ran after her, although it would be easier to shoot her, I suppose. Still, I couldn't risk firing a gun at the museum. I’m not an animal.”

Clara snorts. Aldrich looks offended for a moment, but then sighs in defeat. “Well, long story short, when I got to the next hall, she was already gone. I’ve checked all obvious escape routes, but found nothing. Not a trace. All the CCTV cameras nearby were on a recorded loop thanks to us. And that’s the end of it. I was outplayed.”

He smiles, elated, as if Christmas came early. Sebastian groans internally.

“Well, then,” Aunt Lily says. “Surely you must have found out who this woman is? It’s been a week, as you said. No one can be that good—that we don’t know of.”

“Oh, Aunt Lily, believe me, I tried,” Aldrich chuckles dryly. “I’ve exhausted all the possible means aside from asking any of you for help. Sorry about that, by the way, but as you can see this is a personal matter. I’m sure you understand.”

There’s that ghastly awestruck expression on his face again.

“I’ve only caught a glimpse of her in the twilight. A brief memory. Oh, what a grace. What a beautiful laughter, like a chime in the wind. It’s like she was a ghost. Or some magical creature. I could almost come to think that I imagined her, but the lack of the bracelet in my possession seems to suggest otherwise.”

“So…” Nakesha drawls plaintively, “this girl has laughed at you and you’re not mad at her? You know what, Sebastian, this time you might be right. I believe we should find her, and fast. At the very least she has my birthday present.”

To Clara’s credit, she only rolls her eyes at that. Aldrich beams.

“As a matter of fact, you don’t need to worry about that. I have a plan!”

Aunt Lily sighs theatrically and asks for more tea and scones. Mrs Boone leaves for the kitchen. Clara shifts at her seat uneasily. Nakesha scoffs. Sebastian doesn’t bother with a reaction. It’s Aldrich, after all, of course he has a plan. What’s new? Good thing is he is forced to share it, so they have at least a chance to prevent the most devastating consequences.

Aldrich doesn’t pay them any mind, as usual.

“It’s quite simple, actually, as most good things are. As you might know, the Grand Duchess of Oldenburg is going to attend the Coronation and—” he points up a finger, “wear the twin bracelet to the one we haven’t managed to obtain. Obviously, I was planning to relieve the Grand Duchess of it anyway. They do look much better in a pair. So, all we have to do is wait for my lovely vis-a-vis from last week to reappear and this time be faster than her. Easy as rain.”

“Oh, and to think I was going to skip the Coronation this time,” Aunt Lily says scornfully, “but needs must. Nakesha, darling, could you ring the Palace and tell them we will need the booth they arranged for us after all?”

“Of course, Aunt Lily, right after we finish our tea.”

As if on cue, Mrs Boone appears with a steaming pot and freshly baked scones. Sebastian snatches one from the pile. It smells heavenly. Well then, no point to dwell on it for now.

“Clara,” he asks, “can you pass me the jam, please?”

[butternuggets-blog]

"You flatter me"

[farminglesbian]

so, who killed aldrich kemp

***spoilers for episode 5***

oh my, the clara and aldrich and mrs boone wandering about in mrs boone's literal mind shenanigans are the closest we're going to get to another mary and parker adventure huh ;-;

was pretty good fun tbh! phoebe fox is grande, nicola walker's having a blast as unhinged murderous foul-mouthed housekeeper <3

ngl i'm also all like I'VE CONNECTED THE DOTS, it's all the same universe, what if [redacted] 👀, gdi julian simpson, etc etc

.....now somebody tell me if mary lairre was afraid of rats because i can't remember but IF SO....

[merinsedai]

Thank you, @ficreadingchallenge for this fun little bingo challenge this summer! Some of these, I could have filled multiple times and some I had to have a search for, but all part of the fun!

1. Under the influence: Spoils of War by @seiya-starsniper [E] Aphrodisiacs! Starting strongly with the smut. Kinda feral for this piece, multiple rereads. Hob is not a good man but he is good in bed. Dream has not spoken since he arrived. How long ago that was I don't know, but I'm in awe of the pettiness. Excellent, love it. Very much E (and probably not the only one on this list...)

2. Newest fic in the tag of your choice: listen, I'm very one-track minded. Dreamling has basically been the only tag of my choice for the past two years. So, the newest fic when I decided to do this square was: Dream Ship by @often-adamanta [E] A spicy little tale set on a space ship which Dream controls and Hob's his muscle. They're a new partnership and Dream's not happy about it so he's giving Hob the silent treatment. Queue Hob taking some alone time, Dream accidentally interrupting and Hob having no privacy issues at all. The start of something beautiful, no doubt.

3. Inspired by another fanwork: I'll Go To Sleep and Dream Again by @chaosheadspace [E] which is inspired by Shelter by softestpunk. An accidentally human Dream has need of the help of Hob Gadling to help him navigate life as a human (eg facial hair, food, and morning wood), regain his Endlessness and recover his tools. Whilst falling in love and having some hot sex ofc. Also, a lot of lovely petnames.

4. Mistaken Identity: As a Stranger I Know Myself by @phinofthestorm and @sleepsonfutons [E] Could be no other choice for this square. Gripping drama, mysteries, feeeeelings, smut (obvs), plentiful existential angst, and shit goin' down. Featuring Jessamy the raven knocking her head against the wall; Burgess's cane; name repetitions; everyone having A Time of it; side characters Shipping Them Too; oh, and a main character you don't expect to like as much as you do...

5.Slow Burn: What Dreams May Come, When Living is at an End by Sebena [T] This fandom is slow burn central, but this is the fic I'm currently in the middle of, and I'm quite enamoured with the relationship between Knight Hob and Morpheus, and it's beautifully descriptive. Plus some lovely pieces of art by @teejaystumbles A real treat.

6. Dressing Up: Make it Count by @arialerendeair [E] Dream gets to dress Hob up very nicely for posh dinners aboard the world's most famous ocean liner in this wonderful Titanic AU. Dream gets to dress down, too! A longer fic but absolutely gripping! Could also use Aria and Konstadt's Colour Forecasting [E] for this square. There's lots of fancy tailoring and clothing choices going on here. And lots of smut, relationship navigation and lots and lots of kissing.

7.Author's oldest fic: Metamorphosis by @windsweptinred [M] Delightful fic about-yes- the metamorphosis of Dream and Hob into Something Else. Starts with high drama as Dream is about to take Death's hand as the Kindly Ones are ravaging the Dreaming and takes things in a very different direction. There's stunning artwork on each chapter that really adds to the reading experience!

8. Small Fandom (<1000 fics): In Which Cat/Cow Is Not A Yoga Pose by @temve [E] ok, technically a crossover with The Sandman (although for pure Aldrich Kemp there's A Fishbowl, a Forklift, and a Friend: or, Who Hired Aldrich Kemp? which I read back in April, so doesn't count for the summer challenge) Temve has Aldrich's voice down to a T and her humour is so on point. I laughed out loud many times in both these fics.

9. Gift Giving: For Your Affection by @cuubism [T] short and sweet little fic by cuubism dealing with high larceny as a love language. cuubism's writing is so joyful, the playfulness she often gives to her Dream brings me great happiness and there's no exception here.

10.Enemies to friends/lovers: Tower and Rose by @moorishflower [E] Beauty and the Beast style 'au' with a magic tower, a mysterious lord, a plucky peasant Hob, an 'imprisonment', a terror stalking the grounds and many, many questions. Why are all the servants ravens? Twists and turns a plenty, and some fun eldritch sex sprinkled in.

11.Lyric Title-listen to the song, too!: please wake me/for my love lies patiently by @beatnikfreakiswriting [E] sequel to the also-having-a-song-lyric title, would you let me know...? aka fics that live rent-free in my head after having rewired my brain. Featuring the most relatable Hob ever, copious interesting facts in the author's notes, and a Dream who would have scared the shit out of me if he'd been my lecturer but is hot af and needs lots of love really. Lots of scorching smut too. Is this a theme? Obviously. Bonus that each chapter, and the series title, have song lyric titles too.

12.de-aging/kidfic England and Nowhere (Never and Always) by @dsudis [M] The last fill on my card, and one I had to search for. And I'm glad I did. I'm about 1/2 way through so don't know the resolution but a lot of it is very soft, especially Dream's relationship with the changeling toddler, Finn. Finn feels very much like a real little boy in his actions and his dialogue. I'm very much enjoying this fic.

FREE SPACE: literally anything by @tj-dragonblade fluff and smut and pure delight.

13.character study: Unsent Letters, Nameless Stranger by @rainbowvamp [M] letters from Hob to Dream throughout the centuries detailing the evolution in Hob's thoughts, attitudes and feelings towards his life, his history and mostly, his feelings for Dream (aka a lot of pining). I'm about halfway through the letters so far and am looking forward to getting back to them.

14.happy ending: My Fair Gadling by @zigzag-wanderer [E] a work in progress, so we haven't reached the happy ending yet, but I have faith in the author and this absolutely wonderful fic. Hob has such a strong narrative voice, he is a delight to read and so, so funny. I laugh out loud constantly in all of ziggy's fics, whether that's the dialogue or the hilarious analogies and metaphors. Professor Morpheus is a study in buttoned up sadness to begin with, but just wait until he's unleashed. He's unbearably sexy when he rolls his sleeves up and fixes car engines at the side of the road, and endearingly earnest in bed. I eagerly await every chapter (especially to find out what outfit Hob has shimmied into that day).

15.Secret Relationship: Risk and Reward by @signiorbenedickofpadua [E] absolutely cracking Regency au. Lord Morpheus spends a lot of time early on feeling mildly fevered. It's probably nothing to do with his new house guest, Mr Robert Gadling, right? These guys slowly, so slowly move towards Something Special. There is the ultimate thrill of finger brushing; the admiration of shapely legs and the highly charged Shakespeare reading. Also balls, duels, painting, stargazing, horse riding and misuse of biblical quotes. And I'm only half way through! The relationship is of necessity given the time period, secret. At the point I'm at, it's finally begun in earnest and I'm excited to see where the plot takes them next!

16. Angst: Exit Wounds by @valeriianz [T] There are many angst-ridden fics in this fandom, and I am a sucker for angst. I love it and seek it out. This fic by sanyumi tore my heart out, stomped all over it and then threw it in the river for good measure. Sometimes you just need to feel destroyed and this delivers.

17. Omegaverse AU So Tell Me Where To Put My Love by @seiya-starsniper [E] Another of my favourite au topics! This starts out with an unhappily arranged marriage, secrets and angst and lots of miscommunication and then explores the developing relationship between Hob and Dream; Dream getting to feel empowered; more miscommunication; knitting; Hob getting to be incredibly rude to Dream's mother, and a very happy ending. Could have tagged loads in this square. Special mentions to i have no fear of time / for who knows how my love grows? by @gabessquishytum [E] for pure horny good times most centuries; and also the incomparable Lover, Be Good to Me by @omgcinnamoncakes which I haven't actually read this summer but which hasn't left my brain. The ultimate omegaverse slowburn and healing fic. Wonderful.

18. High School/College au: Dr Hardass and Professor Sweetheart by crimandclove [G] an outsider pov look at Hob and Dream, who are both professors at the same university (and also married, of course, though the protagonist doesn't know it). And by the same author: Coincidence, [T] which is the story of how Dream and Hob met and became friends in high school. Pure nostalgia for me and Hob is such a delightful pov character to follow. Unfinished but with a full synopsis of how the story would have gone.

19. Road Trip: The Blood of Bucephalus by @llflorence [E] no actual roads, but these guys sure go on a journey. Set in ancient times, with shades of Alexander the Great. Except it's king Morpheus and his loyal soldier (and lover) Hob. Featuring Hob being mostly bewildered about what's going on and Morpheus being the most tight lipped monarch in existence. Also featuring a love for horses and Morpheus's unquenchable desire to travel incognito. Written with the same tenderness, intensity and mystery that is Lis's hallmark.

20. New author (<1 year) Coma Dreams by TheTroubleWithTribbles [M] a fic I had to actively search for but very much enjoyed reading. Some domesticity, Dream being caring, Matthew being traumatised, and Hob enjoying an extended trip to the Dreaming. Featuring some laugh out loud moments, Dream with broccoli patterned oven gloves and Hob being free with terms of endearment.

21. Crossover or fusion fic: Half Asleep, Half Waking by @softest-punk [G] again, I could have chosen fics by softestpunk to fill most of the spaces on this grid! Isn't their writing delightful? Such warmth and such range. Something for whatever you're in the mood for. Am in awe. Anyway, this is a crossover between The Sandman and Rivers of London. I didn't know the RoL books, but after reading this I listened to them on audible and came back to the fic. Very enjoyable- thanks, Cecil! Nightingale is my favourite character from RoL and I loved his relationship with Hob. And Hob gently chiding Molly and Nightingale to get their acts together, ha!

22. Superpowers/no powers Au: Here in the Darkness by @cuubism [M] Since we've got one 'super' character, and one 'normal' character in Dreamling, I chose cuubism's reverseverse fic where they've switched around. Good grief, it was good. Hope is a ray of sunshine, eh? He's just going around being lovely and offering hope, and being kind to Morpheus. And then gets captured and treated horrifically for a century. There's plenty of angst, Morpheus being snitty, then depressed, then a vengeful angel and then they get some softness. It's pure cuubism magic: it's fucking brilliant.

23. Only One Bed: The Chase by @imnotcrying-ipromise [M] I followed along with this story as it was being published early last year, and it was a wild ride of emotions and cliffhangers! Not only is there only one bed, there is a hunt across the country, a wonderful yet dangerous connection, and of course, some falling in love. It's such a fun and thrilling tale: a unique concept with a menacing villain. The sense of peril is real: for our canon characters and some lovely ocs we meet, too. And in the quieter moments there is a lot of sweetness and care between Dream and Hob. An excellent re-read this summer.

24: Soulmates: Destined by @arialerendeair [M] I love a good soulmate au, and this is a cracker by Aria. Featuring not one, but two rescues, a number of villains getting their just desserts, and visits to a Greek temple. Hob is, by turns, a bamf and a gentle, considerate man. He's spent 600 years trying to figure out what the letters of his soul mark mean, and when he does... Dream has spent countless years not even knowing he has a soul mark/mate; it takes a severance from the Dreaming to reveal it, and when he finds out...

[mallory-x]

Heads up, Seven up

Rules: post the last seven lines you wrote! Then tag others!

Thanks for the tag, @tryan-a-bex!

Although I'm supposed to be working on Dreamling right now, Aldrich Kemp has decided otherwise. So have a snippet of some Aldrich Kemp/Sebastian Harcourt - which was supposed to be pure smut but now has a plot and cameos from at least one Sandman character.

“Your whole life, you’ve never been free to be who you truly are. I’m not blind Sebastian, I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I’m not looking. And it has to be said, you’re a very attractive man yourself.” Aldrich slid his thumb across Sebastian’s lower lip, pressing down until he opened his mouth obediently. “I think you’d enjoy living here, with me, and all the benefits that brings. And since I’m a generous man…” Aldrich pressed his thumb down harder, pushing forward and sliding his thumb deeper into Sebastian’s mouth, where he couldn’t help but suckle needily as Aldrich continued. “I’ll let you show me just how grateful you are.”

Tagging @temve, @zigzag-wanderer, @bazzybelle if you have something you'd like to share!

[teejaystumbles]

Is there a way to beg BBC Radio 4 for more of Aldrich Kemp please? Favorite silly narcissist

[amadgirlintheuniverse]

Kinda disappointed that there’s no content of “Who is Aldrich Kemp?” & “Who killed Aldrich Kemp?” Knowing Ferdinand Kingsley is one of the protagonists and his character is funny, charming and a little psychopath and yet

And his family? The Themis? Ah! Just amazing, lots of funny and charming criminals

[silvandar]

Me discovering Hob Gadling is Aldritch Kemp: ohhhhhhh. Yeah, that explains a lot.