#after all these years i still feel honored every time she chooses to come up onto my bed to spend time with me

[creaturebehavior]

using her back paw as a pillow in that first picture. she was literally so cozy today.

[ruiniel]

What You Choose

Fandom: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Pairing: Rengoku Kyojuro x f!reader

Count: 2K

Rating: T (M later)

Part I

Summary: Rengoku survives the fight with Akaza, but some battles are not so straightforward.

Tags & Warnings: Rengoku lives AU, blood, injury, death, pining, angst, second person POV, demon slayer!reader, tsuguko!reader, Rengoku POV, eventual smut

Author Note: I am not OK and will never be OK about *waves hands* all that, so this is now a multichapter story.

II.

“Once again, you’re a guest in my healing ward.”

Kocho Shinobu speaks softly, as is her manner. She's seated by his bed with the afternoon sun shining gently on her features, highlighting the amethyst in her hair and eyes.

“I seem to be the only one,” Rengoku replies, looking at the empty infirmary. He’s still bedbound and can barely move his limbs. It hurts to breathe more often than not, and there’s a dull ache where his left eye used to be.

Her kind smile never falters as Kocho looks at the liquid in the syringe she’s preparing. Rengoku always admired her decision to honor her late sister this way, by holding on to that smile Kanae loved so much. After all, everyone has a keepsake of their loved ones in their heart, driving them forward. Memories, moments, words that hone one’s spirit and meld with determination, acting as a guiding light in the darkest places. He knows this all too well. 

“At least you won’t be lonely during your convalescence, those three have been coming here every day, even before you’d awoken.” She giggles, seeking a vein in his arm. 

Oh, of course… young Kamado… the boar lad, the yellow-haired boy. All of them gifted, resilient, and unwavering. He’d promised to train them, but…

That was… before. 

Another image appears before his mind’s eye, drenched in fog—you, running towards him. He, ordering you not to interfere. “Kocho. Tell me, please. How long before I can leave this bed? What is lost, what can I regain?” 

She sets the used syringe aside on a tray, then places her hands on her knees. “My, my, impatient already?” 

Rengoku tries a smile of his own, though it hurts the muscles in his face. If not for the strong sedatives and painkillers administered to him since he regained consciousness, he imagines he’d be squirming in pain. “I want to self-assess myself. Besides…I have promises to keep.” 

She understands. He knows she does. The Insect Hashira gazes out the window, and a small sigh leaves her chest. “Your fatal injuries have been healed by the peculiar blood demon art of young Kamado’s sister.”

He nods. Remarkable. He thought that would be his last battle, and he’d have passed without regret into the land of Yomi. Nevertheless, his gratitude is boundless.

“... your muscle and organ tissue has regenerated and there was no internal bleeding. However, there is still some damage to several vertebrae in your spine, severe trauma to your head I’ve not fully assessed yet, and you have eight fractured ribs.”

“Hah, I can feel them, too! I miscalculated by one, I thought there were seven.”

She looks his way, with that odd expression people sometimes have when he sounds unreasonably high-spirited. He supposes not everyone shares the same outlook, and that’s all well. But what use is there to bow down in dismay and accept the worst life throws my way? 

“Your left eye was smashed, and irrecoverable,” Kocho goes on. “We removed it with surgery and placed an implant inside to fill the empty eye socket. The recovery period in these cases is typically a year, as now you must adapt to your monocular status. But this also depends on the individual, and… this might mean alterations to your fighting style, of course.” She rises and picks up the tray. “I’m convinced that with time, you can return to a state allowing you to perform your duties. For now, please rest, that is a foremost priority.”

My friend, you know all too well that time is never on a demon slayer’s side. “Thank you, Kocho.”  She is right, though: he does feel exhausted, as though he’d climbed a mountain without rest or ever reaching the summit. Expected, though bothersome.

“We’ll do our best to help your recovery. Aoi will return later to change your bandages,” Kocho adds.

Rengoku turns his head as Kocho greets someone on her way out, and sees you, standing in the doorway. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

“You heard?”

You nod, nearing the bed. “Ms. Kocho told me of it all while you were asleep.”

“I’m sorry.”

You tilt your head in bemusement. “What ever for?”

“Because, I won’t be able to help with your training for a while.”

You’ve been at his side often. While in a coma, even if he couldn’t react, even if his body wouldn’t listen, he knew you were there. The thought is a warm one, a foreign sensation: different from the heat bursting in his body during a fight. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t look forward to your visits even now, to see how you’re faring, to hear the latest news on the Corps.

“No,” your voice brings him out of his thoughts, “but that does mean I can help you. When you’re ready, that is,” you add quickly. “With rehabilitation training.” 

“Of course!” The fatigue in his body is stubborn, clinging to him like heavy wet wool. “And… I don’t believe I’ve told you this yet: I’m happy you returned safely.”

You look away, appearing utterly miserable. It confuses him. Rengoku’s seen that shadow in his father’s eyes countless times, so often he can’t stand it: self-loathing.

“Forgive me, Master. I should have been able to do more, after all you strived to teach me. I… I could barely be of any use.”

But you were there, you helped protect all those people. You did your part. “You were unflinching, fast, and aided those who needed it precisely like I taught you. You are rank Kinoe, and what's your demon kill count?”

“Thirty-two.”

“There… now that I think about it, even without further guidance from me or anyone else, you’ll make Hashira soon! Our numbers are dwindling while demon activity increases. You’ve seen it. This is a struggle that needs all of us.” Rengoku pauses. The word ‘need’ felt odd coming from his mouth. But the statement is true. Why does it feel incomplete when he says it to your face?

You look down at your hands. “How can you do it?”

He blinks, frowning. “Do what?”

“Be so supportive and encouraging even when you’re lying broken in an infirmary bed. Sometimes… sometimes you are so very strange, Master.”

You do say that to him often, though less so than before. A smile trembles on your lips—it took you a long time to smile again, he recalls. 

“I merely speak the truth…” He can barely stay awake. The slow drip of liquid in the IV infusion is magnified, drowning out all other sounds, and your face becomes hazy as he drifts away.

Three years prior

The path of blood leads straight into the farmhouse, looking as though someone had been dragged inside by force.

His eyes narrow, and he centers his breaths as he walks forward with his blade drawn. The silence of the glade is eerie, the reek of decay nauseating in the heat of this humid summer.

Soon, he stands on the threshold. Two, there might be two of them. Near the farmhouse is a toolshed, he’ll look there next. Rengoku covers his mouth with his sleeve, eyes closing in pain.

The bodies lie there, some with scattered limbs. This was a family, no doubt about it. The brutality of the mutilation makes his stomach turn, but Rengoku steels his resolve, extending his senses for any hint of the entity’s presence: there is none. He sheathes his katana and enters the space proper. Three hours until dawn.

He descends to one knee, finding the fireplace in the middle is out, but the ashes are still warm. The tatami mats are sticky and stained dark. This all transpired recently. He reaches out a hand, touches an inert arm: not yet cold. Too late, I am too late. But I’ll find you, wherever you are, you damn beasts. 

It’s only due to his reflexes, honed with endless hours of training, that he turns around fast enough, leaping backward before the descending attack.

At first, he thinks it’s the demon, his katana at the ready.

“Don’t you dare touch them!” 

He pauses, nearly too late in avoiding the second strike. A girl’s voice, a human’s heartbeat. His arm shoots out, catching the wooden staff in a strong grip. 

You’re panting, eyes wild and glimmering in the moonlit night. “Let—go!”

“Wait, I’m not an enemy!” he says, taking a better look at you, still holding your makeshift weapon even as you try to wrest it from his hand. 

“How do I know that! Demon!” Your voice is hoarse. Half your face is caked in drying blood, and there must be multiple injuries on your body judging by the torn clothing and the widening dark stains. 

“I’m not a demon,” he speaks calmly but urgently. “I hunt them. Please, they may still be close.”

You jerk your chin towards a corner of the room. “I had him… I don’t need you. Get out of my home!” you yell, more desperate with each word. “Get out, get out, get out!”

Another body lies there in the dark, slitted pupils dark against its milky eyes. The head had been nearly completely crushed. Rengoku freezes in disbelief. You did this? Alone? “Wait, you don’t understand, there’s another—”

A loud crash severs his words as the ceiling collapses, and he barely has time to leap forward, catch you in his arms, and throw himself outside. He rolls onto the ground, pain erupting in his left shoulder with the impact. When he opens his eyes you’re there, safely held against him, face tearstained and body rigid with shock.

But there’s no time to explain further—he feels it. The gurgle of inhuman hunger as a figure emerges from the wreckage of the farmhouse, eyes fixed on them. It does not speak, but growls in hunger; it must be of the feral kind, no reasoning left as the transformation rotted its memories. 

Rengoku rises, changing his stance. “Stand back,” he urges, looking over his shoulder at you as you struggle with your own body. He looks back ahead, grinds his teeth, his breathing attuned to his thought. 

First Form: Unknowing Fire.

It doesn’t last long. He’s been running from mission to mission, dispensing with different kinds of fiends, and this was yet another run in a long chain that will only end with his own life. 

Once the head is removed, the battle is over. Sometimes there is someone left to check on after the fact; often, there isn’t. But now, Rengoku hurries towards you, descending and slipping a hand under your back, aiding you to sit. “Where are you hurt?”

“Thank you,” you say instead, eyes glazing over. He hopes the Kakushi will get here soon. You point towards your ruined home. “Set it ablaze… please.” 

“Hey, hey, stay awake!” Rengoku urges even as your body turns heavier and your eyes roll back. 

He expected this to come. Kneeling and with his forehead pressed to the ground he sits still, prostrated before the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. 

A voice like the lull of spring reaches him, setting his worries aside. In his heart, he thinks he’s done what is right.

“Rank Kinoe Rengoku Kyojuro, you are summoned to explain why you have brought a non-combatant to headquarters, instead of having the Kakushi transport them to a civilian hospital.”

“Master, the girl shows extraordinary potential. Her family has been murdered by demons, and yet she managed to fell one before I arrived, alone, despite grievous wounds and bloodloss. Forgive me if I overstepped, but I believe…” 

“Go on.”

“I believe once her body heals and her focus returns, she will join the fight. I believe she will want to. If I'm wrong, I accept all consequences.”

“You sound fairly convinced of this, young Rengoku,” says Ubuyashiki Kagaya. “Though there is no reason to know for certain one way or the other.”

He stays quiet, his heart raging in his chest. It will all depend on you, of course. You may want to have nothing to do with this. 

“But… you’ve not failed us thus far. I will allow it.”

“Gratitude, Master.” And then, almost in the same breath, “If she chooses this, I will guide her myself.”

TBC

[poorlydrawnwarriors2]

The Blueflower AU

The Blueflower AU is an AU I came up with about a year ago! In this universe, Bluestar is actually a medicine cat named Blueflower!

It all starts after Moonflower’s death. Bluepaw begins to neglect her training as a warrior apprentice, and after struggling with Sunfall for a few moons, she tells him that she wants to train as a medicine cat instead. She announces it publicly to the clan at the same time Pinestar decides to leave to become a kittypet. Her choice is not well-received, but both Featherwhisker and Sunfall (soon-to-be Sunstar), stand by her and allow her to begin her training. Snowpaw and Goosefeather in particular are especially unhappy about all of this.

Snowpaw, feeling abandoned and confused, grows closer to Thistlepaw. This of course only puts more of a strain on she and Bluepaw’s relationship. Meanwhile, Bluepaw is also trying not to be bothered by Goosefeather’s ranting. He comes to her multiple times, insisting that she’s denying her true destiny and disobeying Starclan. She ignores him, and starts to resent him.

Bluepaw, now struggling to be close with any of her kin in Thunderclan, begins to form relationships outside of her clan. Namely with Yellowfang and Oakpaw, who, in this AU, is also a medicine cat. She and Yellowfang quickly bonded over the fact that they previously trained as warriors, and Oakpaw gives her the opportunity to let go of all her stress and expectations.

Finally, Bluepaw earns her medicine cat name. Featherwhisker chooses Blueflower, in honor of her mother. Despite her clan’s initial reservations, she’s become a trusted medicine cat. Both Stormtail and Snowfur are disappointed, but Snowfur tries to be supportive. Blueflower is elated that her sister seems to want to rekindle their strained relationship… Until she learns that Snowfur is expecting Thistleclaw’s kits. She can’t help but feel a bit betrayed that Thistleclaw, who’s terrorized her for moons, is the cat that Snowfur chooses as her mate. Still, she tries to remain close with Snowfur, not wanting to lose her again after moons of hardly speaking. Besides, she can always vent her frustrations to Oakheart.

Snowfur’s kits arrive, and Blueflower adores Whitekit. Thistleclaw isn’t fond of Blueflower’s presence, and fears she’ll make him “soft” or encourage him to become a medicine cat. But, in this AU, Snowfur lives, and he knows he can’t exactly threaten Blueflower with her around.

Oakheart and Blueflower start to spend even more time together, and Blueflower is surprised when she starts to develop feelings for him. She tries to suppress them, but fails. Besides, it’s so easy to hide it all behind “medicine cat duties”. They meet once every full moon anyway, if not more. Maybe they could hide it, maybe no one will find out.

Of course, Yellowfang isn’t that naive. She tries to warn Blueflower, but knows she won’t listen. She’s the first one Blueflower confides in when she learns that she’s expecting kits, and wishes she could do something to help, but ultimately there’s nothing she can do. Blueflower confides in Snowfur about her kits, and they pull a Leafpool and Squirrelflight.

Thistleclaw, who has recently been appointed as the Thunderclan deputy, is thrilled to have three more kits, but he is not happy about how much time Blueflower is spending with them - even more so than with Whitekit.

I’ll add more to the story later, but for now, that’s all!

[jacaeryslover]

RAISED BY WOLVES: a jon snow fanfic.

you were raised as one of the starks, but the blood of the dragon can't be tamed. and a certain bastard knows that very well.

before you read: i wrote this from memory, so maybe the timeline is a little messed up, i will rewatch the first season soon.

a big city... you imagined your home looking through the big old window, snow slowly finding its place on top of the floor and the big old trees surrounding the castle, "winter is coming" lord eddard stark often said, and as time passed, it became true. winter is already here.

a targaryen alone in the world is a horrible thing, and you were alone, miles away from your home, and miles away from your siblings, if they were still alive.

at winterfell you and jon snow were always together, and it was no surprise to the northeners, you were both outsiders. he was a bastard and you were a dragon, you had no place there. and with time, you and jon bonded over that, being together, it felt like you two weren't alone in this world after all.

the north often pitied the lady targaryen, before a princess of the realm, you had everything, you used to be the embodiment of what every little girl dreamed of. and now you had nothing to lay dead on, nothing but your empty and useless title.

growing up, you were raised as one of the starks. the guardian of the north made a promise to king robert, instead of killing the child he would raise her as one of them, hoping that she would bend the knee later on.

"your grace, it's just a babe" eddard remarked, his honor tempting his duty.

"a targaryen babe, eddard. she will be a threat. every targaryen is." the now king demanded.

"let me take her to the north, your grace. i will raise her and take her as one of the starks, winterfell will be her home. and in the future, she will show loyalty."

after hearing his friends words, the king finally accepted, giving a last warning to his dearest friend, the only one he cared for.

"alright ned, for our friendship. but i'll tell you friend, that everything that girl does becomes your responsability. and if some day she rebels, you will be a traitor to the realm too. and i will take your head for it."

—

ned kept his promise, and as the years passed, you grew as a northener and a stark. the long silver hair you beared adorned your shoulders, shoulders that were soon covered in a fur cloth, and made space for your falling and well-kept braid. your eyes a beautiful lilac, one unfamiliar to the northeners gaze, and the cause of the many looks of suspicion that made you feel uneasy or bad about yourself, like you didn't belong there.

every single one them looked at you that way, everyone except him, except them.

if you had a choice, you would choose them. you would choose to stay like this forever, the sound of the snow below your feet, the youngest of the starks running and playing, the loving stares of the lord and lady of winterfell, and the shared stares of one particular boy. you would choose this life over again, but to your despair, everything good has to end.

01.

the arrival of the royal family threw everyone off guard, the entire stark family gathered at the entrace to welcome the king and queen of the seven kingdoms. of course, jon snow wasn't there, and you weren't either. the lady of winterfell and wife of lord eddard, catelyn stark, thought that a bastard and a targaryen were not what the king wished to see upon his arrival at the north, and she was probably right.

the two outsiders were together while watching the stark family throw a feast to the king and queen. queen cersei was beautiful, you thought. though her childrens resemblance to her were there, you thought that the kings genes were falling behind, as their children beared beautiful blonde hair, and shared most of their features with their mother.

"do you think he still hates you and your family?" jon asked, eyes set on the king eating his food. just as he finishes his question, he turns to look at you.

"maybe, probably... i don't know" you answered him, noticing how his eyes reflected his hurting, you knew how lady stark treated jon, she made sure he knew he will never be one of the starks, no matter how much blood he shared with her trueborn children, catelyn hated him. and this type of acts, like not allowing him to share the stark table at the feast, were the ones that hurted him the most, always reminding him that he was a snow, before a stark.

"y'know, if we were there, we couldn't eat as much as we are right now. at least me" you said, hoping to get a smile from him, making him smile was now your favorite hobby, and your full time job. "they would say it's not much lady-like of me".

he offered you his most sincere smile, and just like that, with that simple comment, you had made his night more bearable, you made him forget the hurting that causes being born a bastard. and he thought to himself, that he was grateful for having you in his life.

"well, lady-like or not, i'm grateful for having you as my friend, princess" he said with a sly smile, his eyes shining brighter every second he spends looking at your lilac ones.

"i told you before, i'm not a princess jon, not anymore." him teasing you with your old title was not uncommon, you told him to drop it, but apparently he didn't like to listen to you.

after finishing your food, you decided to go to your chambers, leaving jon with his uncle benjen. you changed your dress for your nightgown, and decided to end the day there, closing your eyes, to begin a new day tomorrow.

the sun took his place early in the morning, and after some minutes you decided it was time to begin your day. after changing your clothes and walking towards the halls, you heard lady sansa and lady arya talking with their father. you couldn't hear much, but you heard enough, they were talking about travelling to king's landing. your old home. your familys home.

and of course, you would ask to join.

02.

[calliesmemes]

BRIDGERTON SEASON ONE (EPISODES 5-8)

DIALOGUE SENTENCE STARTERS PULLED FROM SEASON ONE OF NETFLIX’S SERIES BRIDGERTON, ADAPTED FROM NOVELS BY JULIA QUINN.

CHANGE gendered words and in-universe phrases as needed.

SPECIFY muse for multimuses.

“   Are you feeling better, dearest? ”

“   You do not seem pleased. Whatever is wrong? ”

“   I knew there was something between you! ”

“   Well, tell me. Tell me everything! ”

“   You do not need to tell me anything. ”

“   You are getting what you always wanted. ”

“   It will be the grandest wedding of the year. ”

“   Has something happened? ”

“   I believe you will know what love feels like soon enough. ”

“   You think I am to follow in your footsteps? ”

“   Can there be a more dreadful fate? ”

“   The only thing I am grateful for is that I am not you, nor will I ever be. ”

“   I thought we shared an understanding with our discussions of the future. ”

“   My goodness! If anything, I am the one forcing him. ”

“   Love is surely the greatest force of all. ”

“   Nothing can stand between us. ”

“   It was a pleasure to know you. ”

“   I look forward to counting you as part of our family. ”

“   She does not owe me anything. ”

“   Have you not done enough? ”

“   I applaud you. I bring you flowers on each of my visits, and yet you still react with admirable surprise every time. ”

“   I shall need to bring you something unexpected. ”

“   Her happiness is your greatest concern. ”

“   I promise you will not be disappointed. ”

“   Oh, I do hope your wedding dress will be ready in time. ”

“   While you may be content to accept defeat, it is certainly not how I approach things. ”

“   I take that duty with the utmost seriousness. ”

“   You have always been a terrible shit. ”

“   Surely we must be able to do something? ”

“   Now, where is the dinner I was promised? ”

“   Please, come in. Make yourself at home. ”

“   Apologies. Have we met? ”

“   I see my reputation precedes me. ”

“   Feelings are irrelevant. Indeed, they're responsible for this mess. ”

“   You will seduce him? ”

“   He is not so little anymore. ”

“   After your meal, perhaps we could take a walk, like we used to do. ”

“   It is quite late for you to be up, too, is it not? ”

“   If you're nervous about the wedding, you need not worry. ”

“   I am not quite sure what you believe I am to do about it. ”

“   It was not love at first sight for either of us. ”

“   We found something far greater. We found friendship. ”

“   Her laughter brings me joy. ”

“   To meet a beautiful woman is one thing, but to meet your best friend in the most beautiful of women is something entirely apart. ”

“   I want her to be my wife. ”

“   Do you wish to marry this man? ”

“   I suppose congratulations are in order ”

“   I do hope you will remember my kindness in keeping secrets and repay me someday. ”

“   You can choose anyone but him. ”

“   Perhaps you would find it acceptable for me to live my life with a man who treats me like a mere beast? ”

“   I am beginning to feel a bit faint. ”

“   We should not be alone in here. ”

“   I know we have only known each other a short while, but… well, would you want to marry me? ”

“   You deserve a grand wedding. ”

“   I must say, I am honored and most grateful for your presence. ”

“   I hope you made the right choice. ”

“   You certainly enjoy spreading secrets, do you not? ”

“   Dear child, have you lost your wits? ”

“   I am flattered by your accusation, but it is simply not true. ”

“   What evidence have you gathered? ”

“   Tell me what you know. ”

“   What happened the other night? ”

“   I suppose I have put this conversation off for as long as I can. ”

“   Well, what do you recommend? ”

“   I'm sure you'll enjoy the peace and quiet. ”

“   I am going to miss all of you terribly. ”

“   I have a present for you. ”

“   I know we could not be any more different, but there is one thing we do share. ”

“   We need to rest before continuing on in the morning. ”

“   We should go down to dinner. ”

“   You have avoided my presence. ”

“   You have said all but a few words to me. ”

“   I could not bear witness to the misery I have caused you. ”

“   I cannot stop thinking of you. ”

“   From the mornings you ease, to the evenings you quiet, to the dreams you inhabit… my thoughts of you never end. ”

“   I am yours. I have always been yours. ”

“   You look angry and bothered. ”

“   It is you I cannot sacrifice. ”

“   I burn for you. ”

“   It has been so long since we have been blessed with your presence. ”

“   I am looking forward to making your acquaintance. ”

“   I'm no good at those things. I'll only make a fool of myself. ”

“   May I have everyone's attention? ”

“   Do you think this is a joke? ”

“   You are an ass. Do you know that? ”

“   I must make a good impression. ”

“   I am certain there is much left to see. ”

“   I found myself in continual awe of their beauty. ”

“   I knew you were flirting with her, but you flirt with plenty of young ladies. ”

“   I am not sure I have ever seen you so solemn and serious. ”

“   I was not prepared to let another of you fly the nest so soon. ”

“   It pains me you should think every compliment a mockery. ”

“   You think so little of me, I cannot bear it. ”

“   Please do not tell me you regret it. ”

“   I cannot condone your actions. ”

“   I am afraid that is not possible. ”

“   You have such a unique accent, and yet I have never asked where you're from. ”

“   I am not fooled by your little act. ”

“   I am sure we can find a solution to these difficulties, and I thank you for bringing them to our attention. ”

“   Oh, there, there, there, child. No need to cry. ”

“   I did not realize my absence would be felt this way. ”

“   You know, oddly enough, when I am actually in the presence of children, I forget all about my own concerns. They are the easiest company in the world. ”

“   I have all that I want just here. ”

“   I am very sorry. But this plan of yours, I find it wanting. ”

“   What were your favorite pastimes in the country? ”

“   Oh dear, what can the matter be? ”

“   You really are very good. You know that? ”

“   My own father does not want me. ”

“   Fool that I am, I truly thought that with your family, I might finally find acceptance. ”

“   We shall make our own family, you and me. ”

“   It is all I want. It is all I want in the world. ”

“   I wish we could be married this very minute. ”

“   We just have to make it to the border. ”

“   Are you missing home? ”

“   I will ensure everything is in order. I will ensure everything is done properly. ”

“   Should I have worn a different dress? ”

“   Perhaps I might ask your opinion on something? ”

“   I know I am new to the role, but I cannot imagine what I have done wrong so soon. ”

“   I will correct my mistake at once. I…I had no idea. ”

“   I am so very grateful for your guidance. ”

“   His childhood was not always easy. ”

“   Everyone talked as though it was her fault. ”

“   I thought you loved him. ”

“   Your love is an unrequited fantasy. ”

“   I should not have stayed away so long. ”

“   I'm at the end of the world with you ”

“   I trusted you more than anyone in this world, and you took advantage. ”

“   "Cannot" and "will not" are two entirely different things. ”

“   You chose this for yourself. ”

“   I thought you were prepared. ”

“   You took my future from me, the one thing I wanted more than anything. ”

“   I would have died for you! ”

“   Do you know — I even felt pity for you? ”

“   The ones we love have the power to inflict the greatest scars. ”

“   What thing is more fragile than the human heart? ”

“   I have learned that a grave fraud is afoot. ”

“   Should I really deliver the message? ”

“   You cannot believe I shall welcome you back into my bed after your lies and deception? ”

“   I would never dream of concealing the truth of such important matters. ”

“   I must return to my family immediately. ”

“   I will not let you out of my sight. ”

“   Hush, child, all will be well. ”

“   We are in just as perilous a position. ”

“   Perhaps if she can destroy a reputation… she can restore one too. ”

“   This is an emergency. ”

“   We do not require your assistance. ”

“   This may be the answer to all of our problems. ”

“   Pretending that nothing is amiss is the perfect way to lure the ignorant into submission. ”

“   I know you must think me a fool, but my heart pays no heed to mere logic. ”

“   When I think of her, I only want to be near her, to be with her… despite all reason otherwise. ”

“   Perhaps I can arrange a rendezvous. ”

“   It follows no reason or sense, does it? ”

“   Where have you been all night? ”

“   Do you understand me? That we no longer trust each other? ”

“   Thank you for joining us. ”

“   I did not come here to be shamed by you, nor anyone else. ”

“   You may think me a villain, but I did what I thought I must. ”

“   No one ever truly helped me, or guided me in a different direction. ”

“   You wish to know the cruelest part of your deception? ”

“   I see now that was all a lie. ”

“   We should tempt scandal more often. ”

“   Your duplicity comes so naturally. ”

“   Improvement is all a matter of practice. ”

“   How are you faring? ”

“   You have not heard what people have been saying. ”

“   All will be well again, I promise you. ”

“   I am sure you wish to avoid any further unpleasantness. ”

“   Judge not, lest we too be judged. ”

“   Something troubles you. ”

“   I know you are a grown woman now, but I am still your mother, and you can come to me when you need advice. ”

“   Well, then, share your thoughts. ”

“   I am merely trying to be of help. ”

“   For what it is worth, I am sorry. ”

“   I came here to apologize to you. ”

“   I wish it had not happened this way. ”

“   Why should he be the one to choose your future? ”

“   Do you really want to be alone? ”

“   I am quite capable of doing more than you think. ”

“   I have defeated the best, and I'm confident I shall continue to do so. ”

“   I think you would be wise to leave. ”

“   We shall teach you the rules. ”

“   Seems I have been blessed with some beginner's luck. ”

“   Would you just get to the point? ”

“   Do you not ever get tired of pretending to be so perfect? ”

“   We may not be perfect, but at least we keep our promises. ”

“   I'm trying to be a man of my word. ”

“   Well, you certainly make it look difficult. ”

“   Tell me why you are so adamant. ”

“   Your help is greatly appreciated, but there is nothing more you can do. ”

“   I’m not exactly in the mood for music and finery this evening. ”

“   I may have been a trifle harsh with you. And I'm sorry. ”

“   So you admit it now? You were acting a fool? ”

“   You may hurt now, but the pain will pass. ”

“   We live under constant threat of danger. ”

“   I risk my life every day for love. ”

“   It takes courage to live outside the traditional expectations of society. ”

“   I'm not bound by the rules of society. ”

“   You know not the future that awaits. ”

“   Don't you touch me. Stay away! Just leave me alone! ”

“   This time next week, our ruse will be well and truly over. ”

“   I shall begin practicing straightaway! ”

“   I would have expected this from anyone but you. ”

“   I am sorry for everything I have done and said. ”

“   I know I do not always say the right things, and then the things I do say, well… They are not always what you wish to hear. ”

“   However difficult forgiving someone may be, it is necessary to move forward. ”

“   However are we supposed to move forward from there? ”

“   I have come bearing grim news today. ”

“   I thought him a villain, but he was not. ”

“   We do not need to have this conversation. ”

“   You may not understand this now, but I am doing this for your own good. ”

“   You will be better off without me. ”

“   I cannot fight forever. ”

“   I merely showed him what he was capable of all along. ”

“   You still managed to put on quite a performance. “

“   What ever could be more honorable besides taking care of one's family? ”

“   You’re angry, but not with me. ”

“   What is this? And more importantly, how did you get it? ”

“   I believe I need a doctor. ”

“   This is preposterous and fantastical. ”

“   I want you there by my side. ”

“   For someone who hates ballgowns… you look exquisite in one. ”

“   I am merely glad you came. ”

“   I suppose I should thank you. ”

“   We did not expect to see you here. ”

“   Are you enjoying your evening? ”

“   I did not see it at first, but I know you were only trying to prevent me from heartache. ”

“   I wish to tell you something. ”

“   It was actually you who inspired me. ”

“   Oh, um… What was it you wished to say? ”

“   I need you to take me somewhere. ”

“   My imagination was the furthest I could allow myself to go. ”

“   I am looking out for myself. ”

“   What I know is that you are lost, and I cannot allow you to set me adrift as well. ”

“   It is a choice, dearest, one that is never too late to make. ”

“   I cannot tell you how much peace and comfort that brings to me. ”

“   There is nothing you cannot do. ”

“   I know that this is not what you had envisioned for the evening. ”

“   Just because something is not perfect does not make it any less worthy of love. ”

“   He made you believe that you needed to be without fault in order to be loved, but he was wrong. ”

“   I am tired of pretending. ”

“   I cannot continue acting as if I… as if I do not love you. ”

“   I love all of you, even the parts that you believe are too dark and too shameful. ”

“   You may think you are too damaged and too broken to ever allow yourself to be happy, but you can choose differently. You can choose to love me as much as I love you. ”

“   I do not want to be alone. ”

[theladyragnell]

oh my gosh as soon as I hit send I immediately thought of another tantalizing possibility if your spoons so permit - Z, for either Kel/Neal/Yuki or Kel/Neal? Any verse!

(This ended up being an alternate POV of a bit of playing out a lot of hypotheticals towards the end, so if you haven't read that one, this probably won't make much sense!)

The day before her Ordeal, Kel wrote a poem, and felt silly the whole time, her face flame-hot with a blush.

She didn’t think of herself as particularly brave. It was too much of a word for ballads and legends, when “stubborn” would do just as well. Still, sitting with scraps of paper half-covered in sums and half-covered in bad translations of bad Yamani, her heart pounded more than it ever had when she was getting ready to charge down a tilting lane. Neal would think it was funny and fitting that for her, poetry took more bravery than galloping full speed towards someone hoping to spear her with a large stick, but that thought didn’t help like it usually would. Neal was the reason it was hard.

It had been a jolt, late that summer, after everything, to receive a poem without a careful authorial attribution and, quite often, biographical information, something Neal had started providing when he’d realized she liked to know. He’d grown so good at finding poems that fit the two of them perfectly that it was the lack of attribution that had made her realize what it was, the gift he’d given her. She’d read the lines over and over again until she memorized them by accident, something she’d only realized when she woke in the morning thinking and more, until the paper covers my desk like snow.

She’d known, then. She’d thought maybe it was true before, but she knew then that Neal loved her, and that she loved him too. The way Dom talked, it sounded like Neal was a flirt, like he’d write poetry for anyone, like he’d been in love with every woman in the palace, and Kel had let herself believe it, but it wasn’t true. Whatever he wrote to those ladies, it wasn’t six lines that were a bit of an insult to the Yamani form they aped. It wasn’t an observation that spoke to years of friendship and care and the shaky excitement of something else added on.

So Kel was staring down her possible death, if the Chamber of the Ordeal took a dislike to her after all the years she’d spent daring it to do its worst, and the last thing she had to do was write a poem, and she couldn’t blame Neal for his poem being a bad version of the Yamani form because hers was going to be so much worse. She didn’t even have the excuse of not knowing Yamani.

One thing Neal had done right was to focus on one small image, her letters laid out on his desk, with a fresh one delivered to fill another gap. If the whole of a feeling was too much to express, sometimes a single image would do. Kel, who’d never been good at expressing her emotions, certainly couldn’t encompass everything she felt about Neal in six lines.

There were too many moments to choose between. Neal in the infirmary on the progress, arch and on the edge of flirting. Neal in a hallway in Persopolis, recommending her a poem in honest sympathy for a loss even her friends didn’t understand. A beach at Queenscove and a kiss she couldn’t in honor give him.

In the end, though, it came back to letters. To the way Neal listened to what she liked and sent better poems, and the way he gave her moments of lightness while she was with the Own, and the way he teased and teased but always seemed to know when to take her seriously. To the smiles Lord Raoul and Sir Graeme and Dom gave her in the days after a new letter arrived, and the way Lerant rolled his eyes when she smiled reflexively when he approached with a stack of papers, because the rustle sometimes meant a new letter was coming.

The last image was the one that caught her. She thought Yuki and Shinko would approve of the specificity of it, the way she noticed papers rustling behind her and didn’t care if they were letters or expense reports, because even the thought they might be letters was still a good one. They might also tease her a little for being prosaic even in poetry, but she didn’t mind that, especially since if she was lucky they would never know, and their opinions would remain theoretical.

Kel had hoped to spend her last day as a squire out in the forest with Peachblossom and Jump and the sparrows, to gain some solitude, but she ended up spending most of it at her desk, writing and rewriting the same six lines until they were good enough to go in the book beside Neal’s own poem, a response and a hope.

By spring, she would be back on the Scanran border. Horribly, Neal would likely be there too, if farther from the action. Whenever she thought of it, she had to avoid thinking about the last time she’d touched the Chamber door, before Third Company had gone north in the spring, about finding a field hospital sacked and raided, finding Neal speared through with no clever words left in him, just a mute appeal for help she couldn’t give him.

There was a winter first, though. Time enough to work through what they could be to each other, what promises they could make without courting heartbreak. Staring at the poems next to each other, his elegant handwriting next to her utilitarian script, the words different but the subjects the same, she couldn’t worry too much about the heartbreak. Everything else, maybe, but not that.

When the ink was dry, Kel gently shut the book where Neal had carefully written out all the poems she liked best, where there was still more room for another year of poems, but not much more than a year. They’d need a second volume, someday.

“Going out so close to time, Kel?” Raoul asked when he caught her in the corridor, book tucked under her arm.

Kel badly wanted to squirm. He’d been through the Ordeal once, though, and he’d seen her the morning of Joren’s. He had to know she would want to be prepared. “I know it’s last-minute. I just need to—leave this. With someone.”

His mouth quirked. He’d spotted the book, clearly, and it seemed like every member of Third Company had teased her about her ever-present poetry book in camp. She stored Neal’s letters between the pages, and had had to remove them so she didn’t give too much away. “With someone, of course,” he said. “Well, don’t let someone distract you for too long.”

Her face had to be flaming. She ducked her head. “I won’t, my lord. It’s just for safekeeping, that’s all.”

Raoul’s expression softened from teasing into concern. “You’ll get it back,” he said, more of a promise than he ought to be making.

“I just have to make sure he has it tonight,” said Kel, and went off down the hallway to be as brave as she possibly could.

[creative-heart]

I'd like to request something cute 😘

I'm extremely insecure (that's why I request anonymously 🫥), especially when it comes to deserving to be loved and my body 🙄 and I'd love to read something that kinda "fits my personality".

Two ideas, love to read both but feel free to choose one.

Happy ending desperately needed! ���😍

1. She's just a normal girl and loves Enzo (maybe they're friends or neighbors or whatever you'd like) but is afraid to tell him because she's too insecure, self doubting, overthinking, thinks she'll never be "good enough" for him because she's not like the perfect model he may be following in Instagram or the beautiful actress he was filming with... rest is up to you.

2. They're together and she believes Enzo deserves someone better... more beautiful, smarter, thinner, someone who's perfect like he is. And he reassures her that she IS perfect for him.

❤️

Awe my sweet sweet Nonnie! I feel honored that you've sent these requests my way, I'm happy to write both!

First of, I'm sorry to read you feel this way, we're all deserving of love! and I know and hope that you'll find the love you deserve soon enough! 😘😘🥰🥰

Here's the first prompt! I really hope I've made it justice and that you enjoy reading it! keep your eyes peeled for the second one! will be posted right after this one 💞💞

Drabble for prompt 2 Here

"Hot summer days"| Enzo Vogrincic

T.W: Just a whole lot of fluff with a tiny reference to something shmexy.

Word Count: 581

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y/N and Enzo have been neighbors their whole lives, and with your moms being close friends, you’ve grown up together, spending almost every single waking moment together, practically the same time you’ve been in love with him. Specially on summers like now, when the families usually go on a beach trip together. Even with him being all famous and well known now, he always takes the time to come on these fun times.

As you sit on one of the lounge chairs by the pool reading your current romance novel, third one on this trip alone, swim cover still on -you’ve always felt insecure about your body being slightly curvier than the magazine covers say it’s on trend, not like you’re not absolutely gorgeous inside and out, your curves are all placed on the perfect places, making your body breathtaking, you’ve never believed your mom and Enzo’s when they said so-, you take your eyes off the book for a brief moment seeing the tall dark handsome man, climbing out of the pool and you can swear he’s moving in slow motion like on those perfume ads. He shakes his hair trying to get the excess water off it and makes his way over to you “Hey chiquita, you’re not gonna get in the pool? it’s so hot today” The older one says as he’s a few years older than you.

You look back up at him as you had gone back to pretending you were reading just before he looked at you “I don’t think so En, I’m good here, reading my book in the shade” you smile softly a light blush covering your cheeks, really not feeling comfortable with being in your swimsuit around him, believing he’d just laugh at you as you’re nothing like those gorgeous, tall thin models he’s been surrounded by as of late. As you’re about to go back to your book you see the cheeky devilish grin plastering across his face, same one he had when he was a boy coming up with his next mischief. 

“None of that bullshit” he puts your book down and picks you up in his arms with extreme ease walking to the pool.

“No! put me down Enzo, please!” you plead kicking your legs and taking a go at his back as you shriek being over his shoulder, holding your breath just as he jumps into the deep end of the pool. He gently puts you down from where you rest, still holding you close to his body as you can’t reach the bottom on this end of the water. Your eyes find his deep chocolate eyes and you smile softly saying quietly “You’re mean Vogrincic, you know that?” the blush a deep read staining your cheeks.

He looks down at you smiling a smile you had never seen on him before, as he leans down to join his lips to yours in a soft, long awaited kiss. You can tell by the way his lips feel on yours there’s been anticipation and longing for this moment, as he pulls you even closer to his body if that’s humanly possible, your hands wrapping around his neck. When your lungs burn for a new breath you pull away just enough as he rests his forehead against yours whispering “you look real nice all wet chiqui”, the once playful smirk much darker and promising. And then you understand, sometimes, you need to let your guard down in order to be seen.

[deanwinchesterswitch]

July 2023 Fic Rec List

Another month of fabulous reads!

Enjoy!

Many of these blogs and fics are NSFW-18+. Please honor any requests from a blog regarding no minors. I am not responsible for the content you choose to consume; heed the warnings for each fic.

~MCU~

I Never Told You ~ @justagirlinafandomworld. Author's Summary: None (Drabble; Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Rock Around My Christmas Tree ~ @justagirlinafandomworld. Author's Summary: None (Stripper!Bucky x Reader)

Sunglasses and Orange Peels ~ @justagirlinafandomworld. Author's Summary: None (Ficlet; Bucky Barnes x Reader)

~RPF~

Grandpa Ackles ~ @whatareyousearchingfordean. Author's Summary: Y/n was enjoying her husband’s new style post Supernatural, that is until a certain pair of glasses come onto the scene. How will Jensen feel about her teasing?

Imagine Accidentally Texting The Wrong Number ~ @sincerelysaraahh. (This one came to me via @kickingitwithkirk. However, it was written by sincerelysaraahh, but the original link is broken and I couldn’t find another one. I did discover that there are 3 more parts to this fic.) {Jensen Ackles x Reader}

~Supernatural~

Afraid to Love ~ @sofreddie. Author's Summary: Afraid of love, afraid of the Mark, afraid of the consequences of their night together, she ran. When Dean shows up in her life again, she has to decide whether to accept the second chance she’s been presented with or give in to her instinct to run.

Caveat Emptor ~ @thoughtslikeaminefield. Author's Summary: Gabriela Cruz invests in a Victorian mansion in the middle of America where the rule of Buyer Beware is absolute. When her twin sister goes missing, a couple of federal agents show up. Lucky for Gabi, Dean and Sam Winchester are on the case.

If You Want It To Be-Series Masterlist ~ @zepskies. Author's Summary: When your car breaks down after a hunt, Sam and Dean tow you back to the bunker for Christmas. This time of year gives you and Dean a little courage to be honest about what you both want. And what you want, is for him to see you. (18+)

Imagine Dean getting all flustered every time he comes in to your coffee shop... @supernaturalfreewill. Author's Summary: None (Drabble)

Make it Better ~ @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior. Author's Summary: Y/N is at the end of her rope. Can Dean help her hold on?

Me, Myself and Why ~ @wi-deangirl77. Author's Summary: So I was listening to this song on repeat and couldn’t help but think of good ‘ol Dean Winchester and how he never could get that apple pie kind of life. But I think that he had some special ladies he visited more than once, but told them not to fall in love with him. And this is about one of those ladies.

No Title ~ @supernaturalfreewill. Author's Summary: None (Drabble; Dean Winchester)

No Title ~ @supernaturalfreewill. Author's Summary: None (Drabble; Benny Lafitte)

Promise Me ~ @justagirlinafandomworld. Author's Summary: No one is guaranteed a long life. Least of all hunters. Dean knows this and so do you. Still, you pull promises from each other to protect the sliver of happiness found together.

Slow Fire Burn ~ @justagirlinafandomworld. Author's Summary: None (Drabble; Dean Winchester x Reader)

~The Boys~

No Title ~ @zepskies. Author's Summary: None (Imagine; Soldier Boy/Ben x Reader)

Love Actually ~ @zepskies. Author's Summary: Ben gets in late on Christmas Eve with a Grinch-like attitude, but you’re determined to force some holiday cheer into his system.  

On AO3

Independence Dean ~ Author's Summary: Summer is in full pandemic swing and our heroes are going to celebrate the holiday.  Eventually. (Dean x Reader)

On Patreon

Rebekah Jordan (Impala-Dreamer)

Go On And Beg ~ Author’s Summary: Dean Winchester has got quite a mouth on him, and he knows just what do to drive you insane...

It Works If You Believe ~ Author’s Summary: Dean treats Y/N to a piece of vintage jewelry that may turn out to be more than it seems...

Take A Break ~ Author’s Summary: Laundry can be annoying and overwhelming, so it's important to take breaks now and then...

thinkinghardhardlythinking

Someone To Watch Over Me-Parts 21 & 22 ~ Author’s Summary: (AU) Y/N is married to a very rich, decidedly unscrupulous and powerful man.  A man whose inability to trust means he hires someone to watch over his wife while he isn’t around. He hires Dean Winchester, a handsome stranger to Y/N, who is soon to become a very big part of her life.

From the Christmas in July Event

Home For Christmas ~ @fangirlingfromdownunder. Author's Summary: None (Jensen Ackles x Reader)

The Christmas Con ~ @whispersandwhiskerburn. Author's Summary: None (Dean Winchester x Reader)

The Gift Box ~ @whispersandwhiskerburn. Author's Summary: None (Dean Winchester x Reader)

[kingcunny]

EIHF again <3. I'm so excited to see your fic. You have no idea!!!!

1) I'm firmly convinced Rhaenyra left for Dragonstone without telling her father purely to punish him for EVERYTHING. And, damn girl, it worked. Had that man WEEPING. It's the first time she's ever moved to reject him. I think her message was, in part, "If you hadn't chosen Alicent--if you didn't keep choosing Alicent-- I would still be here." (Personally, I think she should've threatened to off herself a couple of times in those early years. She could have had him shaking in his boots, and it might have been fun for her.) I think he heard her message loud and clear, given the scene with Aemma's ring. You chose the wrong girl, dummy!

2) Otto's return sealed Laenor's fate. Marrying Laenor and firing Otto were two parts of the same deal to Rhaenyra. Viserys didn't uphold his part of the bargain, so she's released from her part. Daemon being there is some additional incentive, but I feel she's was already packing Laenor's bags anyway.

3) To me, every part of Viserys' actions at Driftmark are to get his brother and daughter back. He makes an overt offer to his brother and is rejected. I feel his siding with Rhaenyra after the fight/Aemond's injury is his plea for her to come back. (Also, he is just not very attached to that boy.)

Viserys is screaming. "I CHOOSE YOU." And it fails--on both fronts. Rhaenyra and Daemon are just exhausted. They choose each other, without him. And I really feel like that's why he went home, laid down, and never got up again. He checked out of life. Laid in that bed for six years, alone and defeated.

oooh these are really good points. i really like rhaenyra leaving for dragonstone as her finally rejecting viserys, punishing him for not doing More to defend her against his wife. after all shes done to try and be the good daughter for him. (and i agree!! it wouldve been fun if when rhaenyra made him fire otto she realized she maybe had a bit more power over viserys than she thought. and then used that to try and manipulate him more…) then viserys, in typical man fashion, doesnt realize what he has until its gone. doesnt realize how badly he fucked things up until its too late, and now his worst fears are realized and hes lost rhaenyra.

i had been looking at ottos return as viserys being like ‘well rhaenyra left me so i might as well take my ex back :/‘+both her and daemon being gone means theres no one back in kings landing for otto to be butting heads with. but thats a VERY good point that from rhaenyras pov otto and laenor were part of the same deal. so when she saw that he was back… if viserys isnt going to honor their deal why should she? daemon makes it easier, but rhaenyra is the one that had seemingly already planned how to get rid of laenor.

viserys at driftmark is the equivalent of him holding up a boombox on their front lawn at 3 am. its too little too late. both daemon and rhaenyra are tired of his constant push and pull, tired of trying to please him. why should they have to fight for his affection when its so much easier to find affection and love in each other? theyve finally snapped the leash hes had on both of them, why would they want to go back. so they leave him, alone. and viserys has now truly lost the only two people who really mattered to him. so he gives up. life doesnt matter to him without them. so he just lies down and waits for it to end. only realizing too late that by trying to hold onto them so tightly he was actually driving them away.

[envys-stories]

Today I made chocolate fudge for the first time. I texted my best friend live updates and he responded to every single one with over-the-top enthusiasm. The fudge turned out gorgeously and I cannot wait to taste the decadent fruits of my labor. Riding the high from making fudge, I tried in all my hubris to make hummus. It was watery and disgusting and I poured it all down the sink because I couldn't make myself eat it and I didn't have anything that could fix it without ruining the flavor. I guess you can't win them all.

Today I cried by myself in my bedroom because my dad asked me to watch a religious devotional with him, and in my foolishness I thought I had worked through enough of my trauma to be polite and humor his request. Instead I felt my anxiety slowly grow for 30 minutes as I slowly realized that there was no way for me to back out without looking like an absolute dick so I sat and stared and tried not to listen until finally it was over and I excused myself to hide. Even though I have only been to church with my family a handful of times when I am home for holidays this year, and I go to therapy every week for my trauma, it still only took one 30 minute video to make me come undone.

Today I saw one of two friends I still talk to from high school, I brought her a stuffed animal I crocheted for her and she loved it and was honored I thought of her enough to make something for her. I could never forget her, after the kindness she showed me and the open-hearted acceptance that she gives me unconditionally. She knows what it is to lose your faith, I only wish I had her composure.

Today I played minecraft with my other best friend, she just returned from a study abroad that took her to Cambodia and Greece and Tanzania and Rome and Germany and a half dozen other places. It was the first time since August I had heard her voice, and the first time we hadn't been texting back and forth across time zones and an ocean. She told me all the wonderful things, and she reminded me I can always depend on her. Talking to her reminds me of my worth, and gives me hope that I will continue to find people that see the best in me the way that she always, unfailingly does. I have never known a person who can so gently tell you when you've fucked up but still remind you that a mistake does not define you, and you can always fix things tomorrow.

Today I had a good day. Every day I choose to be stronger than the pain that the day may hold and while I would never be so foolish as to try to erase the pains and heartaches of a day, I can choose to remember a day for what made me feel happy and loved, rather than the moments where I felt isolated, trapped, and scared.

[neonshrike]

⭐️ for some directors commentary on a section of your choosing from Soundbite?

So sorry this is late, but I wanted to do another round of this! I'm going to go with Hope's speech in the epilogue, because it's one of my favorite scenes and I think it just adds so much payoff to our main five.

“First of all, I would like to thank my mother, Janet van Dyne, without the knowledge they passed onto me, I would not be here today. To my father, Dr. Hank Pym, who truly started this company and whose research changed the world.” Hank and Janet stood up together as the audience applauded them. He smiled a little, knowing that his work and his legacy were in good hands. Janet looked at Hope with as much pride as possible, her daughter grew up to be a strong, intelligent, and selfless woman. 

After all of the years apart with Janet away, the Blip, and having to face losing everything because of Daniel, they finally get to be a family again and Hope gets to live her dream of carrying on their work. It's a pretty sweet moment for all of them, and kind of ties into what she's up to in Quantumania since I wanted to be (mostly) canon-compliant at the time of writing.

“And to my partner, Scott Lang, who inspires me every day to dream for a brighter future and to remember what is worth fighting for.” The applause grew as Scott stood up and waved, with many people in the audience knowing him better for his heroics and the part he played in the Blip. Hope took a small moment of silence, then looked back up into the audience.

One of my favorite couples in the MCU, they're just so supportive of each other and the whole relationship is just full of love and trust. Scott kind of enjoys a little time in the spotlight now that he's a full-blown Avenger, so he waves to the crowd. But of course, he still knows it's Hope's night.

“I would also like to mention that on this day, one year ago, the world was brought back to life thanks to the Avengers and the sacrifices of Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff, so tonight we honor them. Without them, none of this would be possible.” Lucille looked over at Bruce who kept his attention on Hope as he attempted to hide his injured arm and ignore the hundreds of stares he was receiving.  His eyes met hers for a moment, and she gave him a comforting smile, knowing that he was also the one to thank. Bruce looked back at her and smiled back. 

According to the timeline, Bruce is on his island helping Jen on October 17, but I wanted this moment to happen. If the films aren't going to acknowledge Natasha's sacrifice, then I will.

I made the (maybe canon?) decision for no one to know Bruce was the one to bring everyone back, it felt like it would be something he would do, stay away from the attention and give it to the friends he lost. He wouldn't like the status of being half the universe's resurrector.

Lucille is apart from him for her own reasons, but they're still close friends and she wants to look out for him. There's just a silent moment of knowing and comfort between them.

A moment of silence was given, and Hope continued on. Lucille could feel what was coming, and Kurt held her hand.  “There is a history to this space, and a lesson in the choices we can make with our strengths. Daniel Bergman built this foundation, LINK, as a means to seize power and use scientific innovation to hurt and control people. But there was someone brave enough to speak out against it.”

Kurt being there for her with that hand hold, a subtle way of telling her he's there to support her through this. They know each other so well. 🥺

There will be no requiem for Daniel Bergman, and his legacy is just all of the horrible things he did and the people he hurt. I thought it would be poetic to have LINK be rebuilt into the Pym van Dyne Foundation, and goes with Lucille when it comes to something bad being repurposed into good.

It became public knowledge soon after Daniel’s death that a former employee of LINK exposed his crimes, but there were no specifics and it eventually faded into mystery.  As hard as they tried, they couldn’t completely hide the truth, but it was enough to protect Lucille and give her the normal life she deserved after her ordeal. Or at least, something close to normal.

I struggled with the decision to keep Lucille's identity a secret or not, there were a lot of upsides and downsides. Ultimately, I decided to keep what she did hidden from the public for now, she's been through enough. It's a bit of a balance between her being able to forget and her life being changed forever.

[ela-nao-me-ama]

Dance with me - Kyalin

We were all sitting at the dinner table on the Air Temple Island celebrating Katara's birthday. The other airbenders had gone on missions around the world in order to give some space for the family to celebrate. Tenzin and Pema made sure to decorate the entire temple in honor of the matriarch, making sure to gather the whole family. The children didn't stop for a second, running around. Bumi had arrived a few days ago and was his usual playful self. Kya had appeared the night before from some lost place in the Earth Kingdom.

Tenzin had shown up at the station early in the morning and dragged me to the temple to help with the decorations and for dinner. When I tried to sneak out towards the end of the afternoon, Katara herself intercepted me and dragged me back inside. After hours of preparation and the beginning of dinner, Pema finally served dessert and I saw the opportunity to escape and finally breathe fresh air when Korra dropped the bomb on the table.

"Why didn't your girlfriend come, Kya?" she asked while serving herself sweet breads.

Kya choked on the tea she was drinking and the table fell into silence. The younger ones looked at the older ones, not understanding. I was about to get up from the table when I met Kya's eyes, which diverted to the tea in her hands, I could feel Katara, Zuko, and Izumi's eyes on me while Tenzin and Bumi looked at their sister. Kya didn't lift her eyes from the cup in her hands when she answered.

"We broke up a while ago," she said and suddenly the table came back to life when Bolin, oblivious to the conversation, made a joke and the others followed excitedly.

"Lin?" I heard Zuko's voice next to me when I stood up.

"Just air, uncle," I said quietly, putting my hand on his shoulder.

I needed to get out of that room, needed to breathe without feeling the smell of incense and fresh tea. Passing through the door, I noticed a package next to my work bag, I crouched down to see what it was and ended up smiling when I pulled out a bottle of Fire Nation whiskey, Zuko's favorite. I reached for the bar cart that Bumi insisted on putting in the room and grabbed a glass, walking out the door.

The night was cool, which made me thankful for choosing a button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves for the night. I walked towards the gazebo to the east of the island, with the best view of the place. From the gazebo, it was possible to see the moon rising and Republic City completely illuminated. I leaned on the railing and poured myself a shot of whiskey.

I knew it was a terrible idea, that whole night. I shouldn't have let myself be dragged by Tenzin and his idea of a family gathering, I knew it would reopen old wounds and I was too old for that. Korra and her friends thought my problem with Tenzin had been because of Pema, which was funny because it was so wrong. My problem with Tenzin had been for covering up his sister. For letting her leave without telling me a word, for letting my marriage be thrown away like an useless piece of clothing, and he liked to say he was my best friend.

I sighed, staring at the magnificent full moon rising on the horizon. It made me think of all the times I had been in that same gazebo, watching the moon rise with a beautiful woman by my side. Many times sitting on the railing with Kya comfortably between my legs and talking about future plans. At that time, I could never have imagined everything that would happen.

"Are you going to say something or just stand there?" I asked, still staring at the rising moon.

"Did you sense me coming?" I heard the voice coming from the entrance of the gazebo.

"Your heartbeat gave you away," I said taking a sip of whiskey.

"Do you still recognize them?" Surprise was evident in her tone of voice. I let out a frustrated puff, of course I remembered. You don't spend years with someone, sharing life without memorizing every detail.

"It's not something you forget, Kya," I said without looking away. I was tired, tired of avoiding the woman next to me in recent years, tired of pretending to hate her, even when every cell in my body still loved her, tired of blaming myself for letting our marriage crumble. "What are you doing here, Kya?"

"You left without saying anything," Kya commented as she approached slowly.

"I don't need to stay to hear about your new partners," my response came out a bit harsher than I intended.

"Lin..." Kya began at the same time I murmured an apology.

We fell into a heavy silence as Kya leaned against my side and stared at the moon.

"How did we get to this?" Kya asked.

"Seriously?" I asked, letting out a laugh.

"Oh, no." Kya shook her head. "I know why, I'm wondering about everything after. I left, but we never spoke again."

"I've been avoiding you," I said.

"I know," she said with a small smile on her face. "I shouldn't have gone."

"No." I spoke up abruptly. "Let's not do this, Ky."

"Ky?" I realized what I said when she looked at me with her eyes shining. I cursed myself, remembering all the times I had called her that, softly and affectionately. I avoided her eyes as I stepped away from the railing.

"I forgave you, Kya," I said, one hand pushing a strand of hair from her face. "But I'm not going to pretend it's okay to be here and listen to your adventures around the world with other people. I can't pretend it doesn't hurt." I let go of her grip and took two steps away.

"Dance with me," I heard Kya say.

"What?" I asked turning around.

"Dance with me, Chief," she repeated, extending her hand. I met her eyes, those same eyes that changed like the sea, crystal clear and clean on calm days, dark and angry like stormy nights. And I was someone who had seen both sides.

I stared at her hand extended towards me, everything in her posture challenged me to accept her invitation. A convinced smile on her face, as if saying she could have the world at her feet, but her racing heart betrayed how nervous she was. I took a step forward, reaching for her hand and pulling her into my arms.

"Do you still remember?" I asked softly as I placed one hand on her waist and lifted the other.

"How could I forget?" Kya retorted, her eyes shining. I took a step back, bringing Kya with me as I started a song we had danced so many times before. We fell into an old and familiar rhythm, we had danced that song countless times, enough to know the steps without even listening.

That was the first song we danced together, in the comfort of a small apartment downtown. After a long day of patrol, all I wanted was to come home, take a shower, and put my feet up. All those plans disappeared when I opened the door to the house and saw Kya dancing alone in the living room. She pulled me into her arms and made me lead a waltz throughout the apartment.

At the end of that song, Kya looked into my eyes with so much love and asked if we could dance like that at our wedding. It was the first time either of us had touched on the subject. I just smiled and pulled her into another song. That had been almost thirty years ago.

I guided Kya through the gazebo as if we were in a full moon night in the temple hall. As if this moment was part of that night so many years ago, where Kya took my breath away when she entered the island temple wearing a beautiful wedding dress, with the moonlight and some points of light illuminating the place, she had never looked so beautiful. I spun the woman in my arms as if she were still mine, as if the last fifteen years hadn't happened. Fifteen years without the woman of my life by my side, fifteen years without feeling her skin or the smell that emanated from her hair.

During the last spin, I could see that I wasn't the only one remembering, Kya's facial expression said a lot, longing, regret, fear, all mixed in a soft and sad smile. I pulled her back, her head resting on my shoulder as she settled in. I felt tears wetting my shirt when she let go of my hand and wrapped both arms around my back.

"Are you still my woman, Kya?" I asked with a thin voice, my hands resting on her back. I felt Kya tighten my shirt as a tremor passed through her body.

"I never stopped being, love," she said softly as her eyes met mine.

[fractiflos]

To celebrate finishing Moondrop, it is now time for me to talk about other AUs that I hope to eventually get to. I've got too many other things right now. Well, I'll just be talking about the ones I haven't talked about here. But a quick honorable mention to the Frankenstein and Ice King AUs.

Anyway...

Jane Eyre AU - In which Inko is Jane, AFO is Mr. Rochester, and Garaki is Bertha. (Jane Eyre is my favorite 1800s novel)

Actually, this one isn't serious, just a joke for the Ides of March that I forgot to put on here, but AU where the vestiges are senators and AFO is a dictator. Then they all team up to stab him to death, including Yoichi. AFOs last words are "Et tu, Yoichi?"

AU where All Might could see the vestiges. But they're getting sick of him not taking care of himself (though he is a bit better about it due to being able to speak to Nana) and try to think of a way to help him somehow (especially Yoichi and Nana because they feel the guiltiest about what happened). So, when a chance to help him get a date comes up, you bet they take it. Sadly, much like in Ghastly Advice their dating advice is terrible and shenanigans ensue.

Pokémon AU - I stayed up all night trying to world build and I still haven't gotten all their teams yet, but here's what I do have.

Yoichi manages to catch an Eevee that just couldn't seem to evolve while AFO got (I haven't thought of a Pokémon for him yet) and both Yoichi and his eevee got vaulted. Then sometime after being rescued it evolves into a Sylveon. But after he dies, it mysteriously goes back to being an Eevee. Second takes care of it, and it somehow evolves into a Flareon without the use of a fire stone. He and Third run some tests and (I haven't figured out why the Eevee is so weird yet. Or a name for it. Maybe One For All?). Anyway, the eevee is passed down and evolves into a differently every time then goes back to being and eevee. Third gets a Vapereon, Hikage a Leafeon, Banjo a Jolteon, En an Umbreon, Nana a Glaceon, and Toshinori an Espeon.

Anyway, there aren't quirks, it's just a universe with Pokémon. All Might's Espeon has gone mysteriously missing after a fight with AFO. At the same time, 9-year-old Deku would find an Eevee that just couldn't seem to evolve (which what sets off the bullying in this AU). He meets All Might (who is the Pokémon champion in Japan) and they train for 10 months so he can get into UA. In this AU, you have to go to a Pokémon school if you want a Pokémon-specific job. Izuku and Katsuki both want to be the next champion, but not everyone at UA does. For instance, Ochako wants a Pokémon license so she can get a team of Pokémon to help her parents construction company.

You can only have 3 Pokémon max. Your own starter and one from each parent. Any more require a Pokémon license or you have to go through a long government process to explain why you should have the Pokémon. If you don’t have a license, you may not use them for commercial purposes (so like, helping you at your job, or non-paid battling). Basically, they're kind of like pets that can help you with unpaid labor. Pokémon trainer is a profession where you get paid for battling, by having to give money to the winner. So, poor people rarely choose this job.

[ravel-ing]

top 10 tv shows i’ve seen this year:

(in no particular order) 

Andor. I was expecting nothing from it, but this is the best thing that ever came out of Star Wars to the point it excedes its confines. Andor is a slow burn that has you stuck to your seat before you know it, it has the most beautiful dialogues and every characters are so compelling.

Abbott Elementary. I’m late to the party but that sitcom left me happy, and light, and cares so much about its characters, and is so positive despite talking about an elementary school that basically is abandoned by the US education system.

Staged. A weird british show that is more brillant that you’de expect. Got into it for David Tennant and Michael Sheen’s banter, stayed for the hilarious use of the fourth wall, especially in the last season. 

The Bear. The Bear is about a chef that drops everything to go take care of his brother’s restaurant because he just died and left it to him, and it is raw, and it feels so real that you forget you are watching a tv show, and the performance are incredible, and i just loved it???

Single Drunk Female. It’s a silly show that deals with alcoholism without triavilizing it or dramatizing it, and it’s funny as hell, and Sofia Black-D'Elia kills it and I hope she gets the recognition she deserves.

Severance. Go watch it. Right now. Severance is a show that is just starting to get popular but MY GOD is it good. Severance is about a world where you can choose to forget about your time at work, therefore creating a ‘you’ outside work and a ‘you’ inside work that remembers nothing but work. It is not a huis-clos but it feels like one, there are very few characters but all the actors are killing it, and the plot twist had me screaming at my screen at 2am. I never wanted to watch a season 2 this badly before.

Our Flag Means Death. The love story is everything, the humour really kicks in for me, it did took me one or two episodes to truly being seduced but oh boi did it succeed. Gay pirates stuck in a satire that make me cry? it’s everything i like in a comedy.

Doom Patrol. I started watching Doom Patrol again after having forgotten its existence for a year, and damn did i binge everything i missed! And the last season, that is still ongoing, is ever better than the last. Doom Patrol is the best thing that came out of DC comics. You gotta love the absurd, but if you do, you’re gonna love everything about it. Doom Patrol has a lot to say, and it says it well, if you can go appreciate the butt jokes in-between.

Interview With The Vampire. That is no surprise to anyone that follows me. I was never a fan of the books, and yet the show pulled a perfect adaptation in that, for me (don’t come @ me) it made the story good where i didn’t think the book was. It is about the most toxic relationship ever though, so beware.

Star Trek: Lower Decks. Star Trek comes out with very solid anime lately (unlike their tv shows.......) but lower decks is still the funniest, most aware of itself, and connected to its roots ever. The four main character are just so loveable, no matter how much they mess up, i love them, and i love that the show just keeps getting better.

Honorable mentions: Reborn Rich, SAS Rogue Heroes, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Sandman, The Resort.

Shows that haven’t made the cut because I haven’t seen them yet: The White Lotus, House of Dragons, 1899, Cyberpunk: edgerunners, The Midnight Club, Pachinko

[kainekron]

so every time I reread the stormlight archive I keep running the same scenario "how can we keep the story mostly the same but Tien is alive" so here's what I've come up with

How is he alive: well you have to keep all of Kal's angst about falling it's very important so... we can have it be that the squad Tien joined gained some level of distinction on the field enough to be sent to the Shattered plains and one of the kids says they couldn't have done it without Tien and that gets him sent out if you want Kal's whole "I was angry at Ammaram for not keeping his promise" you still have that and a bit of the angst over failing if not as much as the regular timeline. it also adds motivation for Kal trying to go to the shattered plains.

what's he like: he's not a ray of sunshine anymore he's not an asshole or a nihilistic shit head but he's not the little baby boy he has lived in the Sadeas war camp for like 6-7 years our boy has grown up, maybe he has a carpentry job lined up in the market maybe he saved up money to go back to hearthstone I change it almost every time I think about this. he probably has some grasp over his powers and probably has a deep shame over how different he is from what his family both expects and wants out of him.

Some moments I think about with him involved:

I like to think he's reintroduction is him becoming the second bridge Sargent after Gaz deserts he introduces himself and says something that is said in the flashbacks to sort of subtly tell Kaladin it's him but Kal misses it, Tien doesn't notice he tries to act bright and optimistic around Kal to you keep up to expectations but Kaladin and bridge 4 just think he's the most condescending Slimy bastard to ever live

the moment they realize the miss communication is when bridge 4 stays on the plateau next to the tower after Sadeas' betrayal when Tien stays with the "resting" bridge 4.

and bridge 4 are all obviously thinking "is this guy daft well just kill him and take the uniform" and Tien is like "this is great ya I lose things but Kal gets to run away" so they all wait till the arm is out of sight and Tien goes "great we can leave now right Kal" and then idk Moash tries to stab him till the reveal is made and confirmed and people from this Au's world throw out the book because that's super contrived

he probably asks for dalinar to make sure he survives and Dalinar is like "of course, you were the only soldier there with honor^tm" (and they either sneak him out or get him court marshaled or something.

he chooses to stay but doesn't join as a soldier he either works as a carpenter or tries to go back home, in words he probably shows up a few times to hang out with Kal and maybe has a run-in with Vale, if he leaves he could get killed by Skybreakers

Syl even post reveal doesn't like him because he has a cryptic around and she's racist bridge 4 might not like him much Renarin relates to him the few times they talk

when they get to Urithiru he reveals himself as a radiant probably dramatically to get Kaladin to take him with him to Hearthstone.

you can already see how the opening to Ob plays out with him there

and idk he's like Renarin he has some screen time but not much you know

relationship with Kaladin: he really wants Kal to like him and for Kal, be happy he maybe tries to get Kal out of the military but it fails.

Kaladin doesn't like that Tien is an adult now and acts like one and even just Tien not being an ultra-innocent sunshine boy is hard for Kal to accept mostly because I feel Kal put the kid up on a pedestal in his head like a damsel in distress. sorry to end with Kal's not the best older brother but this is my hot take/headcannon

[lady-wren-of-tella]

SNIPPET (enjoy the niclover fluff)

---

Nico hasn’t managed to find Clover – let alone “fix” her – when it’s time for dinner. Choosing, somewhat pettily, he’ll admit, to honor Amia’s wishes, he doesn’t bother visiting the dining hall at all.

At first, he feels guilty about staying in his room. 

Two days ago, when he had to babysit some of the kids living at the estate, they’d been overjoyed to regale him with details about the dinner they were going to make. The cooks of the estate – Rebels who lived on the grounds and volunteered their culinary skills to help out – had apparently allowed the children to help cook a meal. Nico guessed it was an attempt at enriching the half-shabby education the kids were getting.

He felt bad about not being able to enjoy their hard work, but he also really didn’t like the idea of facing Khal and Amia without having yet talked to Clover.

You just hate seeing her empty spot at the table, his traitorous thoughts laughed.

Nico ignored that thought, hating the way it made him blush.

Eventually, the guilt gave way to hunger. Missing dinner wasn’t something he was used to, unlike an unfortunate number of the other Rebels.

His parents had stable jobs and steady incomes when he grew up. Their coastal town in South Imani was comfortable and kind to them. Eventually, he had moved north in search of something exciting.

He’d made friends and learned that not everyone had as peaceful a childhood as he did. A few of the friends he made joined the army and fought in the war because it meant their families would receive money every month, even if they died.

Many unfortunate injustices later, he’d joined the Blood Rebels and finally found home.

He still visited his parents every year, but it felt nice to have a home of his own.

Three hours after dinner was over, Nico was really starting to regret his decision. He was just about to drag himself away from the desk in his room and walk down to the kitchens when someone knocked quietly on his bedroom door.

He fell out of his chair in surprise, the sound having startled him.

The knock pattern was unfamiliar– one knock followed by three short raps in quick succession. 

Nico picked himself up from the floor, crossed the room, and opened the door tentatively.

He nearly shouted in surprise at the sight of Clover standing outside his room holding a plate of food. Even weirder, she looked positively shy, eyes so downcast he couldn’t actually see her face at all. 

Shyness was never something he’d ever associated with her.

“I–” Nico couldn’t even form proper words, too caught off-guard. “What–”

Clover huffed and looked up, and finally, Nico could see her face. She was bright red, which made his heart skip a beat.

“For Gods’ sake, Nico,” she mumbled, “move over so I can come in.”

He smiled wide, grinning even bigger still when Clover rolled her eyes.

“What?” she demanded, obviously annoyed, but still biting back some sort of smile. And the stubborn flush on her olive skin. “Spit it out already, idiot.”

“You called me Nico,” he answered, sounding maybe a little too happy about that fact. “You’re not mad at me anymore.”