#Zelo Angst

[mewnia]

Did a Tales of Symphonia secret Santa this year!! This is for @laziloo, and they wanted something with Zelos, snow, and angst — so I delivered just that!

I love concepts of characters staring down at their younger selves…

[likes-words-and-shrimp]

Chapters: 7/7 Fandom: Tales of Symphonia Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Colette Brunel/Lloyd Irving Characters: Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, Genis Sage, Raine Sage, Zelos Wilder, Sheena Fujibayashi, Regal Bryant, Presea Combatir, Kratos Aurion, Yuan Ka-Fai, Dirk (Tales of Symphonia), Frank Brunel Additional Tags: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Injury Recovery, Post-Canon, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Wingfic, Eventual Romance, Mutual Pining, Self-Acceptance, Happy Ending, POV Multiple, Body Horror, Transformation Words: 36,180 Summary:

Lloyd had never been too fond of his wings. But they were still useful, and convenient when they needed to be. It only made sense to use what he had. Until his wings changed one night, and became permanent, with real feathers attached to bone. And they were heavy.

Looking back on 2023, I think one fic I'm really proud of writing is this one, a multichapter Symphonia fic I was able to complete, with a focus on Lloyd and his wings taking on a different transformation. It's seven chapters of Lloyd and Colette dealing with the painful and difficult changes, but also the rest of the party helping them on this new shift in their journey. If you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy!

Just have some more additional thoughts for this fic under the cut:

Since this year for Colloyd Week was going to be its 5th year running, and it was also Symphonia's 20th anniversary, me and @frayed-symphony wanted to do something a bit more special with the prompts this time. We decided to bring back some prompts from previous weeks while still using a new quote day and the usual free day. (Here's the prompt list with her art which everyone should see) With that in mind, I also wanted to do something a bit different for myself writing-wise, and tell a story over the course of each of the prompts!

The tidbit about mana wings eventually becoming more feathered versions is actually a bit of lore taken from the Kratos novel. Essentially, if an angel uses it for too long, the wings will become a permanent part of the body, the mana solidifying into feathers. That's why we see a lot of angels in Welgaia floating about with feathered wings, and explains why Kratos, Yuan and Mithos don't keep theirs out consistently. And the reason for the title, it's from the Lloyd's Thoughts on Angels skit because I thought it would be fun to make all those angelic issues relevant for this fic.

I really wanted to use this bit of canon lore for Lloyd, and whether it's an effect of his unique Exsphere, or anything else, his wings succumb to the same transformation. But, well, it's more than just the wings changing here.

I also wanted to play more with Lloyd's self-consciousness here and the guilt he probably still carries with him when he failed to notice Colette suffering in time. Lloyd is also the unifying force for the party where he helps inspire and lift them up from each member's own troubles, but I also wanted to see this reversed while Lloyd is going through his own baggage and past traumas. It was also more interesting to write about Lloyd going through physical changes the way Colette did in the game and have that comfort role-reversed.

A lot of this fic was a learning process! The wings in Symphonia are just a favorite aesthetic for me, and learning about how they can change was really intriguing, so much of this fic centered around the Wings prompt. I was also planning on having everyone play a part with the Soulmates prompt, which I felt was fitting for Symphonia's anniversary year. Much of the later half of the story came as it went, like with the focus on Dirk, and the very last chapter that's a few years in the future, where Lloyd has a better handle on who he is now.

Change itself is also something I just wanted to focus on overall; how we change as people, or how our loved ones change over time. And sometimes change is frightening, but it can also be exciting and learning to accept and welcome it can also feel rewarding in the end. I think I wanted to show that in this fic, though how well I succeeded kinda depends on the reading, and maybe I was heavy-handed with the wings metaphor haha.

But also, I just wanted to write a longer cute ship fic of my OTP. That's another reason. :D

Compared to most chaptered fics, this isn't very long, but I like that it's contained enough at just over 36k. I still have other Symphonia WIPs I want to finish, but I'm really proud of completing this one, and a big thank you to those who've read and commented on this fic! Symphonia has always been special to me and I'm glad I could celebrate both the game and my favorite ship this way.

Around the new year, I'll probably make a Symphonic fic recs list for stories I've read this year. If you read this far, hope you'll look forward to it!

[crush3dmary]

20 questions writer meme

I stole this. Feel free to steal it too if you want.

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

37

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

364,141

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Yugioh DM and Tales of! Mostly Symphonia and formerly Crestoria (rip).

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Darling Lagomorph (crestoria) at 155 Weltschmerz (symphonia) at 133 Philosophy of a Knife (ygodm) at 94 Fear's Ascent (crestoria) at 83 Have You Seen Me? (crestoria) at 78

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I really struggle with this to be honest, if I get a really long comment or someone saying the fic was really impactful I try to respond but honestly I usually just leave it and reply elsewhere if I know the author unless someone is actually asking something/wants more info about something. This is basically just because I'm busy but also in part due to my old dA fame (bleh) getting me in the bad habit of never replying to anything.

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably In the arms of the heretic (ygodm) that fic really means a lot to me though and I think because of the premise it worked.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I'd have to say Absurdities and Echoes (symphonia) poor Zelos deserves it after everything else I put him through in that series. Sorry about your ring finger.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I've gotten a couple rude comments but it's basically been curbed ever since I turned off guest comments on my works. You can say it with accountability or not at all. Most recently I got a moralizing comment from someone about Ryou being 16 in Philosophy because of the smut that kind of had implications I didn't like but that's about it.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I used to write a lot of crestoria smut on my alt account (IYKYK) but I will sometimes include it as a framing device to develop character relationships. There's quite a bit of smut in Philosophy for example because loneliness and isolation are such big themes for Ryou and Bakura, but generally if I post something with smut to my main account it's because it's relevant to the story or develops the character relationships.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I have a proper Symphonia/Crestoria crossover in the works that's a continuation of TOC game canon, but I've been at a standstill with my Tales works lately so it's pretty far off from being posted unfortunately. But I hope you guys give a chance once it's up, because the lore is SUPER cool.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

A certain someone who knows who they are has either plagiarized or bastardized lines from some of my popular crestoria works but other than that no.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not yet but it would be cool!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes! Charles and I did a collab PITY // PIETY earlier this year and it absolutely slaps! Luisa and I are also working on an art/fic collab right now that I hoe to have posted by the end of the year but we'll see... sometimes life has other plans.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Zelloyd's gotta take the cake for this one sorry fam. When it's been your otp for 15 years nothing can ever top it. But for yugioh it's a tie between thief/tender/angst I like any combo of those three.

15. What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I try to finish everything I start, but I've got a couple Tales WIPs that I'm having trouble finding the spark for. It's not that I don't think they'll ever be finished, but it might be a while until they see the light of day.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I really succeed when it comes to imagery and descriptive prose, plus getting inside characters' heads. I want to make people feel things with my work. I think the reason Philosophy and Darling Lagomorph are some of my best and most popular is because they're an opportunity for me to show off those strengths where I excel most.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

World building. I hate doing infodumps but I really struggle to include lore in ways that don't come off that way. This is a big reason I've never made the dive into original fiction (for now, I'm in the planning stages for my first novel. Stay tuned.)

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

The only time I've ever done it is when writing Yuna from Crestoria because she includes random french in canon too. I also did a french title for the latest chapter of Philosophy which was kind of fun. I think it's something you can swing if you're prepared to do your research but if not, avoid avoid avoid.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Tales of Symphonia. The things I put Zelos through, man. If you think I'm bad now you should have seen me at 14.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

If I had to choose just one probably Philosophy of a Knife, because like I said earlier, I get to combine all of my strengths into something I feel really proud of. I think I picked the perfect time in my "writing career", so to speak, to work on it because I feel like the writing style is very cohesive and it seems to have resonated with a lot of people so far, which makes me very happy. I hope you guys continue to enjoy my work going forward!

[flamingwell]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers (except me because obvs I have done it). Spread the self-love ❤

Oooooooh thanks for the ask! Well I'm primarily a podficcer and not a fic author, so I'll answer with podfics. This was absurdly difficult to narrow down (since when did I end up with 80 works on AO3??), but here's what I landed on, in reverse chronological order:

the strange idea of continuous living by umadoshi @ysabet (Guardian, Weilan, 49 mins). I posted this shortly before 520 exchange dropped that year, so some of my Guardian fam may have missed it. This is one of my favorite Guardian stories and I had a lot of fun podficcing it, and really had fun with the music and sound effects.

build me no shrines by occultings (MDZS/Untamed, Wangxian, 8 hrs 51 mins) This is my longest podfic ever and I'm super proud of it!! Case fic with Wangxian and the Juniors going to investigate strange happenings at the Burial Mounds, plenty of angst and hurt/comfort and figuring out their relationship. This was a labor of love and I had a ton of fun voicing it and figuring out all the music and sound effects and stuff I wanted to play with for it.

Drowning in the Sun by Zelos @overzelos who for some reason I'm unable to tag here (MZDS/Untamed, Yunmeng Bros, 1 hr 22 mins) a delightfully angsty story about what would have happened if Jiang Cheng was aware but paralyzed during the Golden Core surgery. I worked insanely hard on the music for this one, even though it (hopefully) doesn't show in the final product, because I *really* wanted a version of Jiang Cheng's theme song played on dizi to match the theme of the story and there weren't any options that sounded exactly right, so I had to do a lot of futzing in editing. I'm so proud of the result.

in your skin by darkredloveknot (MDZS/Untamed, Wangxian, 1 hr 30 min) this is a delightfully creepy story that I read and couldn't get the imagery out of my head for months, so naturally I had to podfic it. The summary is "A ghost takes root in Wei Wuxian's body" and I won't spoil any more than that. I wanted a truly eerie effect for the ghost's voice and came up with a multilayer audio process with like 8 different steps to use for this that I've since used in multiple other podfics. Let's just say I don't recommend listening right before bedtime.

Gentle Exile by rynleaf (Untamed, Lan Xichen/Song Lan, 1 hr 38 mins) this was the story that got me into the LanLan ship. The story is so good and so...poetic almost, that it was a real challenge to figure out how to translate it into audio. This was my first time doing a multi-voice (Song Lan was voiced by the wonderful @semperfiona and now it's hard to think of him with any other voice), and editing a multi-voice is a LOT harder than I realized. It was also my first time really doing music or sound effects and I really jumped into the deep end for this one. I actually added a whole second chapter for a "making of" interview because I went for it to a truly absurd degree.

[mannatea]

The World Could Be Beautiful, a Tales of Symphonia ‘fic (Chapter 18/18)

Word Count: 105,698 Summary: After a chance encounter in Izoold, Raine and Regal both get a lot more than they bargained for. (A one-night stand 'fic with consequences.) Chapter Summary: Final chapter. Pairing/Characters: Regal/Raine, Genis, George, Lloyd, Colette, Zelos, and assorted OCs as the story requires. Warnings: Blanket warnings for the entire fic: pregnancy (and all that comes with it), discussion/mention of abortion, power imbalance, fantasy racism. Rating: Explicit. (This chapter contains sex.) Genre: Romance/angst/friendship vibes.

The title is the link to Ao3 for the final chapter!

I wanted to explore a lot toward the end of this story, especially the impact pregnancy often has on self-esteem and self-image, but by the time I got to this point, I felt like the story itself had overstayed its welcome and was growing boring to read. To this end, I avoided lingering on minor plots like the vote, and especially on scenes like the storm that hit Altamira, just to give that specific topic a little more room to breathe.

Thanks so much for reading.

[ciryze]

Oblivion - We are all Monsters here

Rating: Mature

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M ; M/M

Fandom: Tales of Symphonia

Relationships: Raine Sage/Zelos Wilder, Forcystus/Magnius

Characters: Raine Sage, Zelos Wilder, Mithos Yggdrasill, Forcystus (Tales of Symphonia), Magnius (Tales of Symphonia), Kratos Aurion, Remiel (Tales of Symphonia)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Emotional Manipulation, Hurt/Comfort, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Fluff and Angst, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Declining Tethe'alla, sorta - Freeform, AU where Kratos had Lloyd during the ancient war

Language: English Series: ← Previous Work Part 3 of Call of the Betrayed

START HERE: AO3

Prologue:

Once upon a time, there existed a giant tree that was the source of mana. A war, however, caused this tree to wither away, and a hero’s life was sacrificed in order to take its place.

Grieving over the loss of the hero, the eternal emperor took the remains of fertile earth from the very roots of the withered tree and formed the Chosen One, giving this edict: “You shall fill the land with life instead and rule in my absence. Send your sons to find me and let them become the hero, or this land shall face its eternal end.”

The Chosen One, princess of the hearts of mankind, sent her beloved children towards the tower that reached up unto the heavens. And that marked the beginning of the regeneration of the world.

Illustrations Chapter 1:

The world Map (Tethe'alla):

[idlebeks]

A Jumble of MDZS Fic Recs

I am on vacation, and I am so very bored. Relaxing is hard. So, have an incomplete list of my favorite MDZS fics from my AO3 bookmarks. These are almost entirely Wangxian, but there are a few other pairings and gen fics scattered in. I have made no effort to organize by theme or pairing, or anything else, so this runs the gamut from angst to crack. Check the tags for your own mental health. I may or may not do lists from other fandoms. I have five whole days of vacation left to burn after all.

murky waters by newamsterdam

Convinced Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian will never reconcile of their own accord, Jin Ling takes matters into his own hands by trapping both of his uncles alone, together, without their cultivation.

please don't let me be misunderstood by sysrae

Lan Wangji has known Wei Ying for a fortnight, the first time he sees him get hit by a car.

I Started From the Bottom/And Now I’m Rich by x_los

Wen Qing traps Wei Wuxian in the Demon Slaughtering Cave, but Wei Wuxian isn’t interested in being the beneficiary of the Wen Remnants’ noble sacrifice. His efforts to free himself accidentally send him back to the beginning of the Sunshot Campaign. Coreless but armed with demonic cultivation, knowledge of the future and his wits, Wei Wuxian takes advantage of this opportunity to come out on top of both the war and its aftermath—before either has a chance to happen—by marrying and swiftly burying the cultivation world’s worst men.

the field meets the wood by astronicht

Wei Wuxian is a dark shadow in the barley. Wei Wuxian is sorry for the kind of compassion that he is about to hand out.

Drowning in the Sun by Zelos

He was vengeance, he was hatred. He was the last sons of Lotus Pier, combined.

A fill for a kinkmeme prompt: Golden Core transfer, but Jiang Cheng's aware.

Three kinds by apathyinreverie

“Let’s see them choke on their own demands of ‘respecting clan secrets’ for once,” Jiang Cheng grumbles darkly to himself.

Across from him, features still gaunt and hollow-eyed from three months of who-the-hell-knows-what, Wei Wuxian huffs a softly amused laugh.

A Long Road by Vathara

The diplomatic mission went fine, until the white horse yao kidnapped the necromancer's boyfriend.

(The Companion would like to object to yao.

(Lan Wangji objects to boyfriend.

(Wei Wuxian objects to... Fine, whatever. The locals have a word for the ghost path? Roll with it!

(Queen Selenay would just like to know when the gods will stop dumping legends on her doorstep.)

in the arms of the angel by ScarlettStorm

So there was this jar, and it had so much peanut butter still in it, and when his fox nose scented it and didn’t catch any poison or spoilage, what was he supposed to do? Not avail himself of this gift? No. He shoved his delicate little snout right in there and got to licking, but, you know… Elegantly. Definitely not snarfing and making horrible little fox sounds and rolling around on the ground while he went ham on the jar. Sure, he had to work a little bit to get at the last of it, but anything good is worth working for, right? So finally, triumphant, no longer starving, and maybe a little thirsty now from eating half a cup of peanut butter in about two minutes, he’d tried to remove his head from the jar.

Operative word tried.

Or: Wei Ying gets stuck. Lan Zhan helps.

refrain; a musical phrase repeating in a song or instrumental piece by Cerusee, Mikkeneko

Wei Wuxian attempts to Set Right What Once Went Wrong by sending his consciousness back in time; in true Wei Wuxian fashion his inventions work, but with some very unintended consequences.

By Any Other Name by ShanaStoryteller

Wei Wuxian wakes up in Mo Xuanyu's body and heads straight for Lotus Pier. Wu Yingtai is the newest member of the Jiang Clan and rumored to be the future wife of Jiang Wanyin.

Lan Wangji is not in love with her.

In Memoriam by NevillesGran

A young man walked out of the Burial Mounds. He seemed to be alone, but of course he wasn’t: the dead accompanied him. The dead always accompanied him.

(In which the spirits of the Burial Mounds demanded a higher price for their aid.)

Wei Wuxian's Second Best Lay by LemonCakeDesign

Wei Wuxian really has the worst luck.

In The Dark Right Now by phnelt

What used to be a wide open cave mouth, propped up with stalactites and mites, has collapsed, leaving a wall of uneven rock. Caving is always a danger, but they’d thought this cave was pretty safe for their study of bat behaviours. The colony living in it is stable, had been here for at least fifty years, and of course the cave has been here for millennia. Nothing going wrong for so long and then a bunch of rocks falling? It’s just his luck, really.

the stone-filled sea by yukla

He forgets how quickly Wei-qianbei changes faces, sometimes. Like pulling a theater mask over a bruise—color over color, a diversion with the swipe of his hand.

Lan Sizhui navigates a world that hates his father, one endless wave at a time.

10 RMB lucky chickens by Raitelzen

This was a love story between a pair of right cocks.

Not on Jiang Cheng's watch.

(The one where Jiang Cheng's a PhD chlamydia researcher; Lan Xichen's the NEET social recluse who moves in next door; and they come together because Jiang Cheng's pet chicken Wei Cluckxian won't stay out of Lan Xichen's chicken Wingji's coop).

Calling Heaven by mondengel 

Lan Wangji had not wanted to come at all.

Wireless by mondengel 

The Jiang Sect was famous for it's marvelous creations. Lan Wangji is just as enthralled as everyone else until he gets a closer look.

among the stars by plonk

Twelve takes on Wangxian in Firefly-flavored space western settings, plus one in our world.

Featuring: psychics, outlaws, Companions, two kidnappings, both of which end surprisingly well, a hot butch mechanic, a new god and his chief disciple, a couple of cowboys out on the range, and some present-day comic con dads.

The Long Way Home by tangelotime

For the longest time, anger was the strength Jiang Cheng used to stand up straight and face the world. He was sect leader. He had expectations to meet and obligations to fulfill. But when his grip on his anger begins to slip, he needs to find what else can hold him up.

The Piper of Yiling by theLoyalRoyalGuard

Thirteen years after the death of Yiling Laozu, a ghostly flute plays in the hills above Lanling, and those who are outside to hear it are never seen again.

Then the brightest disciples of the sects begin to disappear, and the whispers begin.

You took my son. Now I take yours...

Old Foreshadows by protos_metazu_ison

With the threat of the Wen sect looming, the other major sects decide to summon the aid of a man they’d killed centuries ago: the Yiling Patriarch, Wei Wuxian.

Start a Riot by ohwhatevrewhatevr

“They killed A-Die and A-Niang,” Jiang Cheng says, his sharp, defined muscular frame curling in. He's all lean, purposeful muscle, nude and bruised. 

“Wei Wuxian -” Jiang Cheng grits out in a dangerous, furious rasp - there’s a slight tremor to it still. He still isn’t looking at Wei Ying, just lying there limp, his face to his side, showing his profile and those sharp cheekbones. “Where the hell did you go? Where did you go that was worth leaving me behind ?”

“I-”

“And why won’t you tell me? Why won’t you-”

TL;DR Jiang Cheng goes into heat, they fuck, and hormones make them spill some of the beans before they go spill some Wen blood. (no romance happens :/, just sex)

Not Yet (There As Needed) by sunrise_and_death

As always, he arrives with no forewarning. One second, Lan Sizhui and the others are struggling against the hordes of resentful spirits created by some villagers’ accidental disruption of an ancient burial ground—far more spirits than had been initially reported, far more than they had been prepared for—and the next, he’s there, striding fearlessly into the mix, the sound of Chenqing piercing the air.

Or: A meditation on family and the merits of communication, courtesy of Lan Sizhui.

of the things unsaid by Seeliteer

Then Wei Wuxian emerges from the Supervisory Office shrouded in resentment, daemon settled as a pitch black crow by his side.

He emerges, and he breaks Xichen’s brother’s heart.

Daemon au through the eyes of Lan Xichen

The Uncle Trap by ladyshadowdrake

Post-cannon, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng forced to cooperate to rescue their disaster!nephew, with guest appearances from Lan Wangji, Sizhui, and a very startled troll.

Helping Yourself by nirejseki

Wei Wuxian leaves the Burial Mounds with a brand new power, but the resentful energies have so corroded his mind that he's forgotten - many things. The name of the cultivator in purple, for example. The reason they hate their enemies so much. All he knows is how he feels about them.

And there's this one cultivator in white that makes him feel - something else. Wei Wuxian is pretty sure he knows what that something is.

the dead horse by curiositykilled

Dying hurts. She’s grown up with stories, of course, legends and histories alike about the glorious deaths of heroes. They’re often on battlefields like this, but no one mentions the chaos or the pain.

Lying in the ashes of clan members and unquiet spirits alike, Yanli thinks that was a pretty big oversight.

Her back burns with red-hot agony, and her chest is a cavity of pain so deep it’s almost numb. Already, the screams are blurring, smudging like smoke, like the black ribbons coiling off and around her little brother. Her eyes slip shut and the black swallows her.

anyway, here's wuji by kakikaeru

The melody gets a little clearer when he breaks out of the trees, and Jingyi changes course with certainty, barreling down the back hill and through the Cloud Recesses, dodging scandalized disciples left and right. He throws open the doors to the Receiving Hall without announcement and bows nearly double, eyes on the floor instead of on the shocked faces of the Mei delegation and the impenetrable gaze of the Chief Cultivator.

"Forgive this disciple," Jingyi shouts, because he's going to get punished for rule breaking regardless. "From the back hill, Hanguang-jun, there is a song in the wind!"

Pigtail Pulling by protos_metazu_ison

“Tell me I’m beautiful, Lan er-gege!”

“You are well aware you are beautiful,” Lan Wangji says.

Wei Wuxian trips over Jiang Wanyin and sends both of them to the ground in a tangle of limbs and bruises.

three days gone by occultings (microcomets)

“I’ve been mooning over Lan Zhan since far before I even realized I was mooning — since before you were even born.” Wei Wuxian grins slyly at Jin Ling. “Where do you think you got your courtesy name from, little nephew?”

Jin Ling’s face goes slack with shock and horror in equal measure. “No. No. Absolutely not.

Or: While missing Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian hazes his nephew. And maybe helps him beat up a guy.

save a sword, ride a socialist by sysrae

In which Lan Qiren and Jin Guangshan are conspicuously terrible, Lan Wangji decides to fake-date Wei Wuxian about it, and literally no braincells are consulted.

A Spark in Dry Brush by mondengel 

Blood dripped to the earth with a wet patter, dirt ground beneath a boot as loud as fireworks in a staggered step backward, and then Lan Wangji fell.

The Good That Won't Come Out by raisedbyhyenas

“I mean, yes, an entire family disappearing and vanishing cultivators aren’t ideal,” Wei Wuxian says, waving his hand. “But being out here! Investigating a mystery! Mortal peril, even! I mean, Lan Zhan, imagine — it’s been months since someone last tried to kill me — ”

Lan Wangji flinches. 

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji investigate a disappearance.

Neatly Arranged by thunderwear

Betrothed.

 

Lan Wangji was six the first time he heard that word. He wasn’t quite sure what it meant, but his mother didn’t seem to like it, so he decided that he didn’t like it either.

coming of age, coming alive by narie

"That Mo Xuanyu," Jingyi grumbled, "I don't like him. He has the thickest face. And he's dishonest, too - he's no more of a lunatic than I am. So why does he keep pretending anyhow?"

Sizhui hummed his acknowledgement. The way their new guest's moods could shift from shrillness to stunned stillness seemed something other than lunacy to him too. "Hanguang-jun trusts him," he said, when the silence between them made it clear Jingyi desired more conversation.

"I know." It was, apparently, a source of deep frustration for him. "I just can't understand why."

Out of the Bin and Into Your Heart by Alaceron

"Lan Zhan!” Wuxian exclaims as soon as the door to Lan Wangji's apartment opens. “Fake-date me!”

The door slams shut in his face.

i don't love you (but i always will) by sixstepsaway

They’re not soulmates.

Lan Wangji’s soulmate is a soft-spoken, even-tempered son of Jin Guangshan, and Wei Wuxian’s soulmate is the strong-willed and loyal Wen Qing.

They’re perfect matches, just like fate would decree, and Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian?

They're not soulmates and they never will be.

the shadow of a name in skin by iliacquer

Wei Wuxian doesn’t let the Wen Remnants hand themselves over after Jin Zixuan’s death. Instead he makes one last sacrifice to ensure they survive. Months later, a Lan cultivator kneels at the edge of the Burial Mounds, ready to offer himself to the feared Yiling Patriarch.

Or: Sacrifice is an old magic, but love is even older.

the necromancer's fairytale by iliacquer

The Prince of Gusu is kidnapped for ransom. He’s saved by a nightmare made flesh.

Or: A necromancer, his palace of bones, his long-lost husband, and the rise of their dark kingdom.

if you can't beat them, recruit them by moeblobmegane 

Rather than mourning a future that had not happened yet, he would rather work with all his might to prevent it from happening. [...] His aim was to fortify his home and his family so that they would never again be left vulnerable to greedy cultivators aiming for his genius. For that, he needed help.

He may be a genius, but he was not the cunning manipulative man they thought him to be.

No, that was not him.

He knew who was, though.

(Or: Wei Wuxian uses a powerful array to go back in time and builds a secret squad to prevent the misfortunes of the future.)

Cotton Wool by incendir

4 times someone protected the yiling patriarch's virtue, and 1 time he did it himself.

his heart an open wound by TheDameJudiWench

It's Sizhui who brings it to Lan Wangji's attention, his words so careful and apologetic that at first, Lan Wangji wonders what his son could possibly have done to be so apprehensive.

And Time Is But a Paper Moon by sami

"Zewu-Jun. You once told me about a house surrounded by gentians, where you visited once a month, and how Lan Zhan still waited there, even when the door no longer opened."

Xichen feels light-headed. He feels shocked, and angry. He has never told anyone such a thing, but Lan Zhan is giving Xichen a look of utter betrayal.

"You told him?" Lan Zhan whispers. "When?"

Wei Wuxian takes Lan Zhan's hand. "About twenty years from now."

[type1diabetesinfandom]

2?

Fandom end of year asks:

2: favourite fic of the year 

Ok so you're getting a list because I can't pick just one, and I love reccing fics! I should do it more.

Favorite Podfic: @prettybirdy979 's None So Blind read by @read-by-badfinch . This one is easier to pick because I listened to only a few podfics, but I absolutely love this fic and the reading was so good!

Fandom: Daredevil and the Avengers

Warnings: none

Rating: Teen

Relationships: Gen

Tags: Ableist Language, Ableism, Secret Identity, Identity Issues, Canon Disabled Character, Blind Character, Disability, Learning Disabilities, Crossover, Identity Reveal, Deaf Clint Barton, Matt Murdock Needs a Hug, Hurt Matt Murdock, Angst, Hurt/ComfortPodfic, Podfic Length: 3-3.5 Hours, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: M4B

Summary:

They say when you assume you make an ass of you and me.

Matt wishes that the Avenger's assumptions about his seeming inability to read the written word did something as benign as making an ass of him and them. Being called illiterate shouldn't hurt, not when he knows he's not, and it's not like he can tell them the truth.

Not that the truth would make much difference. He's just going to have to grin and bear it.

If he can.

First off, it's got great characterization and hurt/comfort, but it goes above and beyond discussing assumptions, judgements, and ableism and it's SO good.

Fics

@rageprufrock 's Hindsight is a delicious all roads lead to canon au.

John Sheppard has t1D, doesn't join the air force, DOES join the fbi, and meets Dr. Rodney McKay when someone puts a bomb in the man's car. 23k

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis

Warnings: none chosen

Rating: explicit

Relationships: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay

Summary:

Hindsight is, at best, only 20/20.

The Sonder series by Zelos is a delightful look at the mess Peter's knowing teachers help him clean up post Homecoming. His principal is very very tired of dumb teenage superheroes, especially when they see his insulin and accuse him of doing drugs. 31k

Fandom: Spiderman Tom Holland movies

Warnings: none

Rating: Teen

Relationships: Gen

Summary:

sonder n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk. —The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

A series about the aftermath of Homecoming, what it means to support a hero, and the prices you pay for doing just that. Spoilers for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Not Far From Home compliant.

Asking Questions by anonymous is short but packs such a punch. What would life be like if you could shapeshift into the form of your greatest potential, a form that would allow you to escape your physical pain/disabilities, and be unable to live the entirety of your life like that?

Fandom: Shazam movie

Warnings: none

Rating: Teen

Relationships: Gen

Tags: Friendship, Bonding, Superpowers, Chronic Pain, Disability, Canon Disabled Character, Backstory, Past Drug Addiction, Fluff and Angst, freddy has to deal with chronic pain, billy just wants to be a good best friend

Summary:

“God,” Freddy said, hopping from foot to foot a couple times before leaping a few feet into the air. “You know you’re fucked up when not being in pain is your favourite superpower.”

There's so many great fics I read this year, but I'll stick with these for my favorites because otherwise it's going to devolve into a plethora of PJO angst and there's a good probability I'll just make a separate list for that fandom on my main 🙈

Thank you for asking!

[graysongraysoff]

seabriar, paper, thornbark!

witch hat atelier oc ask meme

paper: brief introduction! name, age, gender, inspiration, etc.

my wha oc’s name is ZELOS, a name which i stole from tales of symphonia, a game i have never played but one of my best friends loves it lol. his pronouns are he/him and he is somewhere in his late 20s/early 30s. he was actually inspired by one of @antique-romantic’s wha ocs, bc they seduced me with the possibility of Sibling Angst, so zelos is actually jill’s oc soren’s twin!

seabriar: how did they perform in the tests?

he honestly might not have passed if not for his brother. for one thing he’s definitely the less imaginative of the two of them. he’s good at asking the right questions to jog other people’s creative processes, which is the main way he and soren operate as a team and which is what makes him a good teacher as an adult, but he’s much more of a follower than a leader, and on his own his ideas come together very slowly and even a bit clumsily.

and ALSO during the second trial zelos’s myrphon got injured, and soren used forbidden magic to heal it so he could pass the test. foreshadowing of Conflicts to come!!!!

thornbark: what are the practical aspects of their atelier? are there any accessibility features, sleeping arrangements, specialized tools?

this is a great question and one i haven’t really thought about yet! zel’s main focus is weather magic and his watchful eye does a lot of stuff with darkness/night, so they definitely have an observatory. he also has a lot of funky little contraptions for predicting and responding to the weather, like magical spins on like weather vanes and thermometers and stuff like that. his specialty for weather is rooted in a fear of storms, similar to qifrey with water, so he’s dreamt up a lot of ways to keep tabs on it.

[escape-from-arcadia]

Happy New Year! Welcome back to your favorite constantly murdered and resurrected sideblog stuck-in-arcadia! I'm your beloathed host, [REDACTED]! Today, we're going to take a peek in my artistic process which is super heckin' wack, haha!

One of my resolutions is to start doing more drawings of my TOA OCs. You probably don't know my OCs since I've kept them in a deep dark cave and rarely ever talk about them, only letting them out for the occasional bit of sunlight and angst. As a reminder, my OCs are:

Cayden Tran (they/them): A totally normal human with horrible luck and a love of all things supernatural!

Alaraizrilados or Raizri (she/her): A totally normal troll who loves plants and healing!

Selene Acies (she/they): A totally normal witch who specializes in astrology and divination! Her girlfriend is Raizri!

Zelos or Zachary Blank (he/it): A totally normal Blank-bot who was supposed to kill the Tarrons, but had a little oopsy-daisy and is now living with them! *Not pictured.

and the newbie to the ring:

Arevolan or Élise d'Aureville (she/her): A totally normal changeling who was supposed to have died in a fire a century ago! (and Selene is her ex? Oooo-)

Wow! Aren't they interesting? Let's take a look at what they're up to now, and take a peek into how jumbled my process is:

Wow! Look at those four different stages of my drawing! Why is the background finished already? Oh well!

Looks like Cayden and Selene are having fun! I don't think Raizri has seen a camera before though...and she's probably not a fan of those bright lights! Come on, Cayden. Learn to use flash properly! Haha, it even looks like Élise is ready to commit some crimes! Classic Éli.

Welp, that's all from me folks! Happy new year, and I'll see you all around for more random posts in the future. Bye, bye!

[dunkelheitundlicht]

Die Reinheit und Sanftmut, die die Prinzessin ausstrahlte, war schon fast zu viel für Rune. Es war, als blendete ihr bloßes Antlitz seinen Blick. Als ihr Blick den seinen streifte, hielt er ihn fest. Rune würde nicht wegschauen, ganz gleich, was die Etikette von ihm verlangte. Dafür waren die zweifarbigen Augen zu faszinierend. Auch seinen Brüdern schien es ähnlich zu gehen. Am Nachthof wurde zwar schon seit Wochen gemunkelt, dass die Prinzessin eine wahre Schönheit war, doch Rune interessierte sich nicht für Gerede hinter vorgehaltener Hand, auch wenn er jedes noch so leise geflüstertes Wort trotz allem vernahm.

Rune schickte den Wind zu Zelos, der ihn einen Schritt nach vorne stolpern ließ. Eine stumme Aufforderung der Prinzessin seinen Arm anzubieten, wie es sich gehörte. Ryker musste ein Lachen unterdrücken, als er sah, wie Zelos für einen Moment die Gesichtszüge entglitten, bevor er sich wieder fing und einen weiteren Schritt auf Sahéra zuschritt. Bereitwillig hakte sie sich bei ihm unter. Ryker schloss sich der kleinen Gruppe an, doch Rune rührte sich nicht von der Stelle. Seine Aufgabe lag darin für die Sicherheit der weiblichen Damen seines Hofes zu garantieren. „Rune, möchtest du sie nicht begleiten?“ eine Aufforderung. Noch bevor er verneinen konnte, traf ihn der Blick seiner Mutter. Tadelnd, beinahe schon enttäuscht.

Also schloss auch er sich seinen Brüdern und Sahéra an, die schon durch die riesigen Holztüren des Saals geschritten waren. Missmutig zog er die Stirn in Falten. Doch vielleicht konnte er diesen Spaziergang auch zu seinen Gunsten nutzen und die schwachbewachten Ecken des Hofes ausfindig machen, falls eine schnelle Flucht von Nöten sein würde. Während Zelos von Sahéra geführt wurde, schloss Ryker zu den beiden auf und bot der Prinzessin ebenfalls seinen Arm an. Es war ein amüsantes, wenn auch ungewohntes Bild, das sich vor ihm auftat: eine strahlende Prinzessin in ihrem goldgelben Kleid zwischen zwei dunkel gekleideten Nachtelfen. Ryker passte vermutlich durch sein braunes Haar und der sonnengeküssten Haut noch am ehesten an den Hof der Sonne. Zelos und er fielen auf, als wären sie geradewegs einem Bilderbuch entsprungen. Einem Bilderbuch der Elfen auf der anderen Seite der Gebirgskette. Einem Bilderbuch über den Schrecken, den ihre Vorfahren über dieses Land gebracht hatten. Dass die Prinzessin so unberührt zwischen ihnen lief und trotz allem das Strahlen und ihr Licht nicht innehielt, beeindruckte ihn insgeheim. Doch wenn sie nicht aufpasste, würden Zelos Schatten ihr Licht bald für sich einnehmen.

Rune folgte dem Gespräch der Drei vor ihm nur mit halbem Ohr, während er sich umsah. „Achtet nicht auf Rune. Er hat Angst vor Fremden“ stichelte Ryker, der einen spitzbübischen Blick über seine Schulter warf und Rune ein Zwinkern schenkte. Rune lediglich drückte den Rücken durch und betrachtete ihn mit kalter, ausdrucksloser Miene, als auch die Prinzessin ihm einen Blick über die Schulter zuwarf. Er würde sich von seinem Bruder nicht aus der Reserve locken lassen. Nicht, wenn Schaulustige ihren Weg kreuzten. Alle Elfen machten einen großen Bogen um sie. Und die, die es doch wagten auf sie zuzukommen knicksten und verbeugten sich vor der Prinzessin, die alles mit einem hoheitsvollen Ausdruck auf ihrem Gesicht über sich ergehen ließ.

Der Nachtprinz fragte sich, wie die Prinzessin es wohl schaffte ungesehen hier rauszukommen. Weit und breit konnte er keine weiteren Tiere erspähen, weswegen er vermutete, dass ein schneeweißer Fuchs hier ebenso sehr auffallen würde, wie er mit seinen nachtschwarzen Haaren. Alle Elfen, die er erblickte, hatten sonnengeküsstes Haar und helle Augen. Sommersprossig, rotwangig und fröhlich. Nicht, dass sein Zuhause ein Ort der Trostlosigkeit war, aber so viel Freude offen zur Schau zu stellen, hinterließ einen bitteren Beigeschmack auf seiner Zunge.

Am liebsten würde er kehrt machen und seine Gemächer aufsuchen, die man ihm großzügigerweise zur Verfügung gestellt hatte. Doch das würde nicht nur gegen die Etikette, sondern auch gegen die Bitte der Sonnenkönigin verstoßen, die sie an ihre Tochter gerichtet hatte. Rune brach und missachtete die Regeln normalerweise, wie es ihm beliebte, doch es galt den Anschein zu wahren. Schließlich erhoffte sich sein Vater eine Allianz mit dem Sonnenreich und nur ein falsches Wort von ihm oder einem seiner Brüder könnte dazu führen, dass man sie hochkant herausschmiss. Zumal man überall im Lande gehört hatte, dass die Prinzessin jedweden Kandidaten bisher ausgeschlagen und in die Wüste geschickt hatte. Lag es daran, dass ihr keiner gut genug war? Nicht reich genug, nicht schön genug? Oder bevorzugte sie sogar das weibliche Geschlecht und war nicht willens diese Neigung offen auszuleben?

Beinahe wäre Rune mit dem Rücken der Prinzessin kollidiert, die abrupt Halt machte und auf den Rosengarten zeigte, der sich vor ihnen auftürmte. Rune gewann wieder Abstand, in dem er einen Schritt nach hinten machte. „Euer Reich ist wunderschön, Prinzessin“ ließ Zelos vernehmen, was Rune lediglich mit einem Augenrollen quittierte. Normalerweise machte sein jüngster Bruder sich nichts daraus Komplimente zu machen, aber auch er wusste wohl, was auf dem Spiel stand.

Die Sonne brannte unaufhörlich auf sie nieder. Und auch wenn es erst Frühling war, so drohte Rune zu ersticken. Am liebsten hätte er die Flügel ausgebreitet und verschwunden. In die Weiten des Himmels, zwischen die Wolken. Doch stattdessen verschränkte er die Arme vor der Brust und ließ seinen Blick schweifen, bis dieser an einer Hecke hängenblieb. Am liebsten hätte er nachgefragt, was sich hinter eben jener Hecke versteckte, doch er zügelte seine Neugierde und beschloss am frühen Abend noch einmal wieder hierher zukehren, um die Gegend auszukundschaften unter dem Vorwand den Garten noch einmal in Ruhe aufzusuchen.

Während sich seine Brüder und die Prinzessin auf einer steinernen Bank niederließen, entschloss sich Rune dazu sich den Garten anzuschauen. „Lasst Euch von mir nicht stören. Ich schaue mich etwas um, wenn es Euch recht ist, Prinzessin?“ wendete er das erste Mal seine Worte an die Prinzessin, die nun aus ihren verschiedenfarbigen Augen zu ihm aufblickte.

[wangxianficfinder]

Golden Core Reveal / Golden Core Fix-It

~*~

brave enough to breathe by Sour_Idealist (M, 10k, JC & WWX, Canon Divergence, Golden Core Fix-It, Golden Core Transfer, canon-typical family dysfunction, Torture, secondary character death, Canonical Character Death)

The Grand Master of Daemonic Cultivation by FayJay (G, 3k, WangXian, daemon au)

a bow for the bad decisions by curiositykilled (T, 154k, Yunmeng Siblings, WangXian, ChengQing, Angst with a Happy Ending, eventually, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Except WWX, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Canon Divergence, POV WWX, POV JC, Golden Core Reveal, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Canon Temporary Character Death, Heavy Angst, Eventual Happy Ending, Body Horror, nmj still dies (sorry))

we're starting at the end by Miss_Enthusiasimal (M, 92k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Time Travel, Canon Divergence, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Golden Core Reveal, Burial Mounds, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Starvation, emaciation, Cannibalism, Self-Harm, Amputation, Suicidal Thoughts, Sunshot Campaign)

Red Flower With One Hundred Petals; Smoke Carried on the Blue Dusk Air by carolyncaves (T, 32k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Mental Health Issues, Angst, Golden Core Reveal, Hurt/Comfort, thoughts of death/dying, Caretaking, Marriage Proposal, Wedding Fluff, Family Feels, Literal Sleeping Together, Shotgun Wedding, angry wedding planner JC, Yunmeng sibling drama and fluff, physical affection, Terrible Parties, Happy Ending)

Drowning in the Sun by Zelos (T, 8k, JC & WWX, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Golden Core Transfer, Brotherly Love, Sunshot Campaign, Family Dynamics, Grief/Mourning, Angst, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Feels, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Dynamics, [Podfic] Drowning in the Sun by flamingwell)

they who refuse to be blessed by sysrae (E, 7k, WangXian, JC & WWX, Canon Divergence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Whump, Golden Core Reveal, Developing Relationship, Bathing/Washing, Confessions, Sharing a Bed)

Talking is Better than Silence by KuroiWrites (blackcatkuroi) (T, 202k, WIP, WangXian, Fluff and Angst, Maybe a bit much of both but who cares, What-If, Canon Divergence, Resentful Energy is a Thing, Musical Cultivation gets Center Stage, Soulmates, Cultivation Healing is Expanded, lore Lore Creation, Any Rated E for Extra Sexy scenes posted as separate CODA chapters) Technically a fix it since they meld and share a core

these colours fade for you only by doodlebutt (T, 36k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Fix-It, Fluff and Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Everybody Lives, Golden Core Transfer Fix-It, ...eventually, Hurt/Comfort, Nightmares, bed sharing, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Sunshot Campaign)

my life's journey is far from over by thelastdboy (E, 148k, WangXian, Modern AU, Canon Divergence, Madam Lán Lives, JYL Lives, WQ Lives, Post-Sunshot Campaign, POV WWX, Slow Burn, YLLZ WWX, Recovery, Hurt/Comfort, Kink Negotiation, Kink Exploration, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, WWX Lives, Mental Health Issues, References to Depression, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Burial Mounds Ensemble as Family, Single Parent WWX, Selectively Mute LWJ, Eventual Smut, Light Dom/sub)

🧡 but his smile never dimmed by Stratisphyre (G, 9k, LQR & WWX, Modern AU, Modern with Magic, College/University, WWX's canonical self-worth issues, Reasonable Authority Figure LQR, depiction of panic attacks, no plot only feelings, Parenthood, JFM's A+ parenting)

nothing gold can stay by rikke (M, 10k, WangXian)

🧡 a stone to break your soul, a song to save it by rikke (M, 179k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Arranged Marriage)

decay by antebunny (G, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Misunderstandings, Miscommunication, Fix-It, Angst with a Happy Ending, the fluffiest ending, Hurt/Comfort)

Caught Between Sun and Shadows by Alliandra (E, 71k, wangxian, LXC & LWJ, grapshic depictions of violence, sunshot campaign, arranged marriage, YLLZ WWX, pining, battle husbands, versatile wangxian, falling in love, resentacles, sex pollen, fuck or die, golden core reveal, politics, hurt/comfort)

The blame game by apathyinreverie (T, 13k, wangxian, time travel fix-it, possessive LWJ, oblivious WWX, fluff, romance, golden core reveal, golden core fix-it)

Yiling Patriarch's Guide on How Not to Communicate With Your Loved Ones by b00mgh (Not rated, 4k, wangxian, JC & WWX, golden core reveal, hurt/comfort, hurt WWX, Done (tm) WQ)

the soft animal of your body by sysrae (T, 15k, WangXian, modern cultivation, Golden Core Reveal, Hurt/Comfort, Whump, Animal Transformation, Shapeshifting, Sort Of, Getting Together, Confessions)

If I don’t make it back from where I’ve gone just know— by curiositea (T, 6k, WangXian, WWX & WQ, Canon Divergence, Multiple Pov, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Mutual Pining, YL WWX, yllz!wwx-typical horror imagery, LSZ Best Boy, Major Injury,   Medical Procedure, implied golden core reveal)

the world passes by but for me there is only you by beeswaxing (E, 82k, wangxian, canon divergence, Fix-it of sorts, accidental marriage, love confessions, first times, smut, everyone lives au, golden core reveal)

in defense of lightning  by fruitys (E, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Golden Core Reveal, Getting Together, First Time, Dual Cultivation)

Of Curses and Cottontails by Alliandra (T, 15k, wangxian, canon divergence, burial mounds settlement days, curses, animal transformation, rabbit LWJ, angry bunji, fluff & humor, fix-it, golden core reveal)

Lan Wangji's Prank by shiroakuma (E, 23k, wangxian, time travel fix-it, everyone lives au, pining, golden core reveal, YLLZ WWX, first kiss, first time, love confessions, wangxian get happy ending)

Truths Laid Bare For All by Preludian_Staves (T, 38k, wangxian, arranged marriage, not Jiang friendly, truth serum, love confessions, golden core reveal, implied referenced abuse, getting to know each other, genius WWX, falling in love, courting, WIP)

💖 Gently Haunted by LusBeatha (T, 19k, wangxian, LWJ & LXC, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, major character death, sentient burial mounds, autistic LWJ, shutdowns, ghost wangxian, getting together, ghost marriage, grief/mourning, golden core reveal, happy ending)

❤️ start getting real by azurewaxwing (T, 21k, wangxian, Modern with Magic, Reality TV, POV Outsider, Golden Core Reveal, (sort of), Appropriate Use of Gūsū Lán Silencing Spell, Getting Together)

my hand in yours by andreanna (E, 15k, wangxian, canon divergence, golden core reveal, canon-typical violence, wound healing, hurt/comfort, panic attacks, bottom LWJ, healing sex, illustrated, angst w/ happy ending)

The Next Right Thing by Terri Botta (Isilwath) (G, 15k, wangxian, post-sunshot, angst w/ happy ending, YLLZ WWX, golden core reveal, hurt/comfort, supportive LXC, angsry JC, protective LXC, protective LWJ, LXC pov, everyone lives au, fix-it)

Claiming Life from Death by MarbleGlove (E, 24k, wangxian, canon divergence, burial mounds settlement survives, pining WWX, rumors, past rape/non-con, light bondage, YLLZ WWX, golden core reveal)

nothing you confess by PorcupineGirl (T, 31k, wangxian, soulmates au, soulmate-identifying marks, golden core reveal, depressed WWX, WWX has PTSD, LWJ & JC in friendly terms, hurt/comfort, recovery)

💖 The Path by Seastar98 (Not rated, 279k, wangxian, JC/WQ, JYL/JZX, fix-it of sorts, CQL verse, golden core reveal, angst w/ happy ending, BAMF NHS)

No Strings Attached by stiltonbasket (G, 3k, wangxian, LXC & LQR & LWJ, LXC/NMJ, fix-it, good uncle LQR, politics, genius WWX, smitten LWJ, golden core reveal)

could you find a way to let me down slowly, if you’re leaving baby let me down slowly by ravenditefairylights (M, 36k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Golden Core Reveal, Implied/Referenced Sex, Miscommunication, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Dynamics, Hurt WWX, Mutual Pining, Unreliable Narrator, Self-Esteem Issues, Twin Prides of Yúnmèng Feels, Protective Siblings, Trauma, Slightly dubious consent, courtesy of drunk sex, Inventor WWX, Genius WWX, Phoenix Mountain, Chronic Pain, Getting Together, Fix-It of Sorts, One Braincell Trio, PTSD)

every breath that comes before by tardigradeschool (T, 10k, WangXian, Hurt/Comfort, Poison, Golden Core Reveal, Sharing a Bed, Hair Brushing, very very background 3zun, Angst with a Happy Ending, PTSD, WWX’s terrible self-esteem)

💖 Minding series by WithBroomBefore (G, 85k, wangxian, canon divergence, what if WWX got therapy and recovery post-sunshot, trans LWJ, fix-it, golden core reveal, angst w/ happy ending, misgendering, family)

the breaking of your soul (upon my lips) by sunsandships (M, 41k, wangxian, canon divergence, fix-it, mutual pining, happy ending, golden core reveal, Mojo’s post)

Sick Bed Reserved In Gusu Lan by scifigeek14 (T, 14k, wangxian, canon divergence, sick fic, hurt/comfort, healing, illnesses, fever, fix-it, golden core reveal, happy ending)

Diverge by WithBroomBefore (T, 13k, wangxian, canon divergence, fix-it of sorts, angst w/ happy ending, first kiss, golden core reveal, LWJ pov, established relationship, sick fic, LWJ stays at burial mounds, everyone lives au)

Standing Engagement by x_los (M, 18k, wangxian, canon divergence, misunderstandings, accidental engagement, sunshot campaign, golden core reveal, accidental relationship, everyone lives au)

Righteous at a Cost by thunderwear (G, 21k, wangxian, LQR & WWX, canon divergence, fix-it, golden core reveal, everyone lives au, WWX goes to Gusu, pining)

Life by scifigeek14 (T, 66k, wangxian, shotgun wedding, canon divergence, not everyone dies au, angst w/ happy ending, devotion, feelings realization, family feels, politics, golden core reveal, grief/mourning, established relationship)

💖 so full of love i could barely eat by cicer (E, 40k, wangxian, ABO, canon divergence, breastfeeding, lactation kink, golden core reveal, fix-it, bottom LWJ)

The most dangerous thing is to love by KatAnni (E, 113k, wangxian, JYL & WWX & JC, WWX & WQ, JYL/JZX, JC/WQ, golden core reveal, fix it, everyone lives au, angst w/ happy ending, hurt WWX, found family, implied/referenced torture, implied/referenced cannibalism, PTSD, golden core transfer Fix-It, major character injury, WWX has a new golden core, asexual JC, whump, marriage proposal, wedding night)

the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break by RoseThorne (E, 82k, WIP, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Soulmates, Self-Esteem Issues, Fix-It, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Nightmares, PTSD, Handfasting, Panic Attacks, Getting Together, First Time, Aftercare, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Implied/Referenced Torture, Scars, Chronic Pain, Golden Core Reveal, First Time, Switching, sex-related injury, LWJ Stays at the Burial Mounds, LSZ is a Wèi, Good Sibling JC, Dissociation, Burial Mounds Settlement Days)

🧡 The Teapot Plot by ToxicAngel13 (M, 51k, WangXian, NieLan, Misunderstandings, Plots, protective Jiang siblings, Golden Core Reveal, Golden Core Transfer Fix-It, Idiots in Love, Damn Jins, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Pre-Burial Mounds, Potential for M-Preg, Fix-It, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Idiots Everywhere, LWJ's Biting Kink, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Protective LWJ, Protective WQ, Protective JYL)

🧡 Discarded by teawater (E, 115k, WIP, WangXian, Lots of Angst, Hurt/Comfort, YLLZ WWX, Golden Core Reveal, Case Fic, Depression, Family Issues, Self-Esteem Issues, Self Confidence Issues, Self-Worth Issues, Angst with a Happy Ending, POV Multiple, BAMF WWX, dubious morals in the Lan sect, Feels, Pining, Grief, Fix-It, BAMF LWJ)

~*~

[apcomplexhq]

✦ Nome do personagem: Oh Won-Tae ✦ Faceclaim e função: V (BTS) ✦ Data de nascimento: 01/07/1996 ✦ Idade: 26 anos ✦ Gênero e pronomes: Masculino - ele/dele ✦ Nacionalidade e etnia: Coreia do Sul, coreano ✦ Qualidades: Perspicaz, gentil, honesto ✦ Defeitos: Crítico, austero, exigente. ✦ Moradia: Asphodel Meadows ✦ Ocupação: Chef Confeiteiro no Sugary Nymph ✦ Twitter: @OH96AM ✦ Preferência de plot: ANGST, CRACK, FLUFFY, HOSTILITY. ✦ Char como condômino: Wontae tem um coração enorme, embora às vezes pareça um pouco acanhado na hora de se oferecer para ajudar. Seus olhos transbordam simpatia e suas atitudes de honestidade. Por vezes, costuma ser mais na dele, em um canto confortável e principalmente nos bancos ao ar livre com um livro para ler por horas. Outrora conversando com uma vizinha ao lado e lhe dando dicas na cozinha. Já outros momentos, gosta de se divertir em festas combinadas com entre os vizinhos, barulhento com seu cachorrinho de manhã cedo ou falando pelos cotovelos sobre o barulho no andar de cima. É um garoto simples pela sua realidade e uma graça para as senhorinhas do prédio.

Biografia:

As pequenas orbes encaravam o misto daquele tempo sombrio. Era época do inverno e não podia mais vislumbrar e agraciar a natureza tão bela como era na primavera, ou o tempo colorido no outono, mesmo que isso não fizesse sentido. Wontae gostava de colocar significado em tudo que lia, tocava, admirava. Em seus primeiros anos de vida sequer havia trocado uma palavra, até o mínimo som que seja. Cresceu diferente dos outros de sua idade, embora a criação da família perfeita e tradicional fosse como todas as outras. Sua mãe choramingava dizendo que tudo era culpa de seu pai por lhe deixar brava na gestação, o que causava mais confusão na mente de Oh. Anos passaram e a apatia virou um turbilhão de sentimentos gigantescos quando recebeu a notícia que mudaria a vida dos Oh: uma segunda criança estaria à caminho. Não soube quando, nem como, mas Wontae finalmente teve algum sonoro em sua voz, lhe trazendo vida ao mundo real: teria um irmão para jogar videogame, um amigo fiel para jogar bola e um melhor amigo para causar travessuras em sua festa favorita de halloween. No entanto, Won não sabia que o futuro lhe reservava, nascendo depois de 10 meses, a sua irmã caçula.

Não foi uma surpresa tão agradável para o coreano. Aquele êxtase virou um completo vazio, embora aquele fruto do amor de seus pais fosse uma bênção para a vida de Oh, ingênuo, sem saber do futuro. Não discordaria que negou sua irmã nos primeiros meses, após tentativas incansáveis de seus pais para aproximá-los. Não era nada mais do um ciúmes egoísta, lhe deixando distraído do que realmente importava; ele tinha alguém que o entendia. Os esforços da irmã, ingênua como uma rosa, não foram em vão quando o coreano resolveu aceitar que podia compartilhar de sua vida ao lado dela, e assim o fizeram. Os sonhos toscos se tornaram um mundo mágico de guloseimas, bolos, macarrão e chocolate quente - era a bebida favorita do rapaz. A paixão pela culinária veio de sua irmã — embora o dom quem herdou foi o mais velho, e obteve uma cobaia excelente para suas receitas de bolo durante anos, afinal, não seria nada sem ela.

Porventura, o sentimento de algo lhe faltando ou aquele misto estranho era inconsolável. Mergulhava em sentimentos profundos e melancólicos, a fim de distorcer a realidade. E apenas uma pessoa lhe arrancava daquele lugar. A mão quente e calorosa invadiam a pele sensível do garotinho de madeixas escuras, lhe arrancando um sorriso ao visualizar a imagem de sua irmã lhe chamando para partilhar uma xícara de chocolate quente juntos. Consigo, trouxera sentimentos de afago, esquecendo-se do sentimento pesado que o pequeno sentia à minutos atrás.

Há várias formas de amar alguém, e o amor de Wontae para com a sua irmã era o mais bonito, singelo e genuíno que há. Tinha consigo o instinto de proteção e zelo para deixá-la longe do que a faria mal, cuidara tão bem como se fostes tua própria pele, teu próprio coração e não duvidará que partilhava do mesmo âmago. Contava-lhe desde pequeninos sobre as estrelas e o quanto elas são importantes em nossa vida. Wontae proferia com brilho nos olhos sobre as histórias que cada estrela contava ao céu. Nos momentos mais difíceis e dolorosos, o pequeno sentava no gramado junto de sua irmã para imaginar mais um conto que os pontos brilhantes lhe sussurravam; era o momento de paz que tinha durante o dia.

No início, foi difícil para seus pais e principalmente para sua mãe lidar com a sua possível falta de diálogo antes do garoto começar a responder suas perguntas. Sua mãe já havia se convencido com o diagnóstico do pediatra que o mesmo seria mudo, em seus cinco anos na terra, Wontae não havia dito uma palavra sequer, sempre ocupado em seus brinquedos, de modo a brincar sozinho ou com sua irmã. Já a mais nova batia o pé para dizer que o garoto falava, que ele somente era tímido na frente das pessoas e que sua opinião era tão importante quanto a da própria menina, defendendo os direitos do irmão mesmo que em silêncio quando era repreendido; sua irmã sempre foi tão boa nas palavras desde nova. Ambos cresceram juntos, com a mesma educação, mas a mentalidade e personalidade parecia distintas um do outro. Enquanto o garoto preferia brincar sozinho, escutar inúmeras vezes as histórias que a mãe lhe contava na hora da soneca e beber chocolate quente; a irmã, de fisionomia igualada, preferia correr pelo gramado de casa e brincar com todos ao redor, sempre com um arranhão nos joelhos, com os lábios arroxeados de suco de uva ou com o nariz vermelho dos resfriados que pegava ao pular eletricamente na chuva; embora às vezes acompanhasse seu irmão no chocolate quente, serena.

Após longos meses em países diferentes junto de sua família, a maioridade, junto de sua independência, veio com uma adolescência com hormônios à flor da pele. Wontae queria estudar culinária, conhecer a França e se aproximar da cultura de seus avós. Já a irmã optou por outro caminho, separando-os momentaneamente em uma parte da vida. Por anos a irmã ficou sem notícias do mais velho, justamente pensando que o mesmo havia seguido em busca dos seus sonhos - o que não fora mentira - no entanto, ele escondia os reais problemas dentro da família para que sua irmã não precisasse sofrer tanto, lhe protegendo de algo que nem ela sabia.

O coreano correu para o abraço da liberdade, passou meses estudando na França, conheceu novas pessoas que lhe trouxeram ensinamentos e, principalmente, sentimentos. Libertadores e sutis ao mesmo tempo. Aprendeu e apaixonou-se fervorosamente pela culinária, esta que não o deixava em completa solidão, sempre em lembranças de quando bagunçava a cozinha da mãe para preparar o almoço junto com a mulher, com a ajuda de sua irmã que cuidava atentamente para que Wontae não acabasse se machucando. Lembranças. O peito enchia de amor ao mesmo tempo que o sufocava com a falta da família. Mesmo doendo, Won sabia que voltar seria perder a sua maior conquista: a independência.

Assim que terminou a faculdade, o rapaz viajou por países vizinhos, em busca de histórias e aprendizado no ramo. Por sua sorte, tinha seu amuleto da sorte consigo; seu melhor amigo. Recordava-se quando visitou Bangkok com a sua família e se apaixonou pela culinária, voltando para obter dos ensinamentos dos mestres na gastronomia tailandesa. Passou seis meses naquele país caloroso, quando decidiu viajar para o sul da Coreia, voltando à sua raiz após a última viagem, em Milão. Gangnam era o seu lar, o seu coração. Não podia ir buscar conhecimento sem trazer para o centro da sua vida. Naquele futuro incerto, sabia que seu destino estava ali, e sua antiga residência parecia estar lhe esperando em um abraço caloroso de casa, novamente. Acrópolis reserva seu futuro.

[crush3dmary]

Okay I gotta ask. Tales of Symphonia for the fandom one.

(claps hands together) LET'S FUCKING GO

send me a fandom and i’ll tell you…

the first character i ever fell in love with:

Genis!! I actually fell in love with him before Zelos because when I played the first time it was with a group of friends and I played Genis so I already had a bias, lol.

a character that i used to love/like, but now do not:

Not really anyone. I don't think my character opinions have changed a whole bunch in the last 15 years, though I definitely have more of an appreciation for Colette now than I did when I was 14.

a ship that i used to love/like, but now do not:

Ehh... again, not really any of them? I've been pretty firm in my otps and notps, but I used to be "meh" about c*lloyd and now I fucking despise it because of the fans, so. Lol.

my ultimate favorite character™:

Zelos Wilder (derogatory) I love to put him in Situations

prettiest character:

Pronyma. I enjoy her.

my most hated character:

Not hate by any means but I'm very meh about Kratos. I can see why people would love him but he just doesn't hit it for me.

my OTP:

Zelloyd by a long shot. 15 years going strong! Still writing em!

my NOTP:

C*LLOYD AND SH*ELOS I HATE THEM SO MUCH I could probably write an essay on how much and why I hate them but I won't I'll just make content I like instead!

favorite episode:

I'll do favourite scene here. Tower of Salvation reveal with Remiel. That part of the game just fucking hits.

saddest death:

Corrine :'((((( especially in the anime!

favorite season:

Favourite stretch of the game is dad reveal onwards. The last like 10 hours of the game are just fucking stellar.

least favorite season:

Sylvarant arc is kind of a slog to be honest. It's cool going and back and replaying and seeing all the foreshadowing but it wasn't until you start to find out about Tethe'alla and whatnot that the game really started to hook me.

character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but i hate:

Lmaoooooooo Kratos again sorry. Again, I see where the love comes from! Just not my fav.

my ‘you’re piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave:

Zelos. I can't even defend all his actions and sometimes he just straight up sucks. But the man unfortunately has owned my ass since 2008, so. There's no getting out now.

my ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave:

Pronyma deserved better. They could have done sooooooo much with her and they didn't. But that's okay, I can open up google docs and pretend.

my ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship:

Idk I don't really ship anything super problematic to be honest, unless you count zelloyd because of the (whispers) age gap... proceeds to rinse my mouth out with soap and recite prayers so Martel doesn't smite me for shipping something with two characters who look the same and have the same maturity level

my ‘they’re kind of cute, and i lowkey ship them, but i’m not too invested’ ship:

Genis/Mithos. Not OTP level but I do love them. Lots of potential for angst there, and I've even written some myself.

[yurissweettooth]

Hello!

For the artist asks: 8, 13, 16, 18, and 23.

Hello! Thank you for the ask! :D 8.) What do you like most about your own work: Appearance-wise, I like the colors the best. Bright, rainbow-y colors make me very happy, even in angst pieces. Subject matter wise, I just love drawing all of my silly little guys and showing my love and appreciation for them. 13.) Show your favorite drawing from last year: Oh boy, my art has gone through some MAJOR changes since last year. Maybe this one of Zelos (Tales fo Symphonia) and his little sister? 😅 Very different art style, but I still like the concept

16.) What is the most daunting part of the process: The actual drawing part. Anatomy and proportions and different angles are still so tough for me. Once I get to the coloring portion it's usually smooth sailing though! 18.) Any larger projects you'd like to pursue (I answered this on another ask but I'll copy and paste!): I would like to someday make much longer, more detailed animatics. One that show more movement and action, as opposed to just a single still image panning and zooming over a static background for each scene. I would also like to make animations someday. Nothing professional, just for fun! :)

23.) Do you listen to music or watch shows while you work (I'll copy and paste this one too!): Yes! I like all genres of music, but I really like 90s/00s pop, dance, and R&B so I listen to a lot of that. I also like 00s emo and midwest emo revival so lots of that too! I actually don't tend to like watching TV, but sometimes I listen to podcasts like VeryReallyGood or Sad Boyz in the background or deepdive type videos on youtube.

[mannatea]

The World Could Be Beautiful, a Tales of Symphonia ‘fic (Chapter 14)

Word Count: 78,782 Summary: After a chance encounter in Izoold, Raine and Regal both get a lot more than they bargained for. (A one-night stand 'fic with consequences.) Chapter Summary: Genis and Raine have a couple of heart-to-hearts. Pairing/Characters: Regal/Raine, Genis, George, Lloyd, Colette and assorted OCs as the story requires. Zelos shows up later. Warnings: Blanket warnings for the entire fic: pregnancy (and all that comes with it), discussion/mention of abortion, power imbalance, fantasy racism. Rating: Explicit. (No sex in this chapter, but there's a mention.) Genre: Romance/angst/friendship vibes.

The title is the link to Ao3 for Chapter 14!

Notes (to be read after the chapter) under a cut:

We find out why Genis quit school (racism, basically). I really, and I mean really, loathe the idea that "half-elves are all intellectual by nature." It's just so gross to me, it reads like racist rhetoric (just in fantasy form).

I know we get quite a few "intellectual half-elf" characters, but that doesn't mean they are all that way.

Raine's z-skit where she thinks about how being a half-elf gives her the lifespan to indulge her curiosity and interest in learning is PEAK GREATNESS. I like the idea of leaning into her just being a curious person who likes to learn (regardless of her race, but this gives her a benefit to learning, that it can go on and on). That said, I do definitely think that if she'd had a more "normal" upbringing, she might not be quite so laser-focused on learning and on knowledge.

Something something, The Count of Monte Cristo strikes back with "freedom can be taken away (but knowledge cannot)." I think Genis likes to learn too, and I'm truly obsessed with the idea that he and Raine are intelligent in different ways...and that their passions in learning are found down different paths—him leaning toward math and science, and her toward the arts.

That said, I think Raine is the kind of person to sort of...accidentally project onto Genis her own wants. It's not that I believe she might live vicariously through Genis, necessarily, but that she'd struggle a bit with the idea that what she wishes she'd had for herself isn't necessarily what Genis wants for his own life.

I do feel very very certain that, in Raine's pursuit of knowledge and of schooling, she would have tolerated racist behavior against her, but she is not the kind of person who wants to make waves or stir (let alone feel) hatred. Genis is a different person and he's like fuck this shit I'm out.

--

FINALLY, Genis gets to hear Raine's side of what happened and why. You know he's been waiting ages.

I didn't get a lot of opportunity to really explore Genis in this story because I never dipped into his perspective, but you know he's been very worried all these months. Surely she wouldn't have married a man for the sake of pure convenience?

He just wants his sister (and mom, tbh) to be happy. The idea that maybe she gave up and just settled for the sake of the baby or for financial security has undoubtedly had him a bit extra worried; what if he showed up to town and she was miserable? Or just...not happy in general, even if she was okay?

Personally, I think Raine would be all right in a marriage of convenience so long as it was to a good friend who didn't push her into anything she didn't want to do, but Genis would always think she deserved better than that.

I think, too, growing up with her never having had a chance to do anything for herself...always putting her all into raising him and going without for his sake... That she is content in this marriage, that it really is love, that she's...happy? He couldn't have asked for more.

--

Cramping after orgasm is pretty normal whether you're pregnant or not (and is not necessarily indicative of any sort of specific problem). However, Regal and Raine probably wouldn't know that (and they're not really having sex that often to begin with), so having this happen when she's eight months in is kind of terrifying.

Especially with the lie they've told everyone, it would be super obvious they were lying if she went into labor a whole month early LOL. They want to get as close to the actual due date as possible.

--

I feel like Raine just. Would definitely have some experience in midwifery. Something about being a healer.

Also, the old-fashioned (but still quite prevalent) idea that men shouldn't see a baby coming out of their wife's vagina is because there's just this whole fucking subset of men who, once they actually see this happen, are magically unattracted to their wives. They are gross and deserve to be bullied.

Also, four-year-old Genis casually observing a birth is just fully based on someone I used to be relatively close to (whose very young daughter was present for the birth of her second baby). Yeah a little kid would think the sudden appearance of the head was kind of fucking funny.

That said, of course Genis would not find this very funny now. Birth shifts from being really cool and fascinating to being scary quickly when it's someone you love having to do it.

--

Lastly, Genis seeing his sister as a "domestic housewife" is something I wanted to look at more closely from the beginning, but I think Raine sort of fell into it a bit easier (taking one step at a time) so it's not the kind of thing she's thinking too deeply about. There's a lot of relief to be had in having money, having a place to live, having the things she needs, and in having help with the baby.

From Genis's perspective though, it just sorta looks like she's being turned into a housewife. Which is weird, because she never really...gives off vibes that she'd be happy doing that.

I personally think Raine needs to hit a middle ground with a family. If, indeed, she ends up with children, she strikes me as the type of person who wants to be very involved, and would prefer to stay home, but not to the degree of losing herself and making her entire identity mother/wife/caretaker.

With Regal she gets to strike a balance between raising a child and being a wife and having a career, because she does need these identities outside of her husband and outside of her child.

--

Also, wouldn't Raine's little history for kids books be cute? I think she should do it, even if Genis disagrees. 🤣