#and all the fix-it fics i'll reread after

[isca-rambles]

6x05 aka me screaming into the void as I press play aka you know it's such a shame that season 6 only had 4 episodes but yep I don't see any more episodes here oh well... aka let's get this over with Lucy you liar, gift giving is absolutely his love language. I mean so is terse nods. The man just uses all the languages and then some. God they're so sweet and in love. The looks they have for each other. The smiles. Oh god their last kiss got interrupted. TIM COMMUNICATE. PLEASE. TIM. USE YOUR WORDS. NO DON'T. TIIIIM. It begins. Aaron no, don't. Aaron back away. I'm just going to yell at the screen this entire episode. Tim you pick up the phone right now and call your wife she is worried sick. Tim talk to someone please. Excuse me while I reach into the past and shake some sense into this fictional man and the people who wrote him this way. Is the LAFD the only ambulance service in this show? I'm trying to remember the last time an actual ambulance servic showed up to a scene. But maybe that's actually pretty common. I know they do have FD paramedics and they probably end up at a lot of scenes in a large area. Oh god she's wearing his shirt. TIMOTHY YOU CALL YOUR WIFE I SWEAR TO GOD. She's trying so much to give him space. To let him come to her. To be supportive. God this is going to hurt to watch again and in episode format. Tim please just change the show in this instance and call her back. Please. Go home. Go to your wife and rally your family to help you. Greer don't do this to him. Don't drag him back down. Let him live his new life. You have a family too. Don't do this. Ray really is psychotic. Who cuts a sandwich in half like that? You cut it in triangles. Sandwiches taste better in triangles. Also use a cutting board or a plate. I mean can't they just report that he's alive? Say 'hey, we thought this guy was dead but turns out he's alive, weird' and just not get justice for the rest of it? He'd still get punished for going MIA and faking his own death. They might not be able to get him on the stuff they lied about in the report, but they could still get him put away for a bit? Agggh I want to shake this entire show into a different reality. Wesley, he tries so hard. Wrangling a bunch of toddlers with guns at this point. Lucy and Aaron friendship. My heart. Stop taking these things away from Lucy please for the love of god. Greer, fuck off. Tim's moral compass, my heart. But also fuck you, Greer. You started all this and then you bailed and left Tim to pick up the pieces. You know he wouldn't be able to just leave it. Ugh, Monica. I do not have the energy for you right now. Lucy. TIM PLEASE TELL HER. But honestly yes, I completely 100% stand by Lucy in this response. I know we all wanted her to push him to tell her, to draw him into a hug and cuddle him and tell him it's okay, but what he's doing is not okay. He can't ghost her and lie to her and then come back and expect to curl up on the sofa. Anything less than that would be a discredit to her and insulting to her. He is the one who should be telling Lucy what's going on. Nolan, come on. We all know you're not there if she needs you. I do feel for Bailey so much right now. I know she agreed to it but honestly, yes. I work with kids, I look after kids professionally, I love my nieces but I am petrified of losing a child or being solely responsible for them. Which, given my job at the moment isn't the best but yeah. Luna, ultimate station mum/grandma. Please work your magic on Lucy. She needs a good mother figure. Oh Lucy. Part of me wants her to go searching. To try calling. To find him and push him into telling her. But it's not fair to her to have to do that. Tim please just call her. Please go home to your wife and daughter. Sidenote, Tamara and Lucy are just the cutest. Why would you also take that away from Lucy? Can you not let this woman have anything, show?! I do feel bad for Nolan and Bailey, but they were getting waaay to ahead of themselves with this.

[regulusrules]

Fics that you should read before Arthur comes back: clown edition

Now I know we might all be clowns, and that they're probably playing with us as usual, but honest to God I don't care. I am going to get my hopes up because I have been doing exactly that for the past lord knows how long. So better stay consistent, ok? Better remain true to the cause.

Now here are some post-canon fics that the writers should put into consideration if they know what's good for them.

1. These Ghosts Might Be Mine by @peaceheather. 68K, G.

The only thing I wrote in my bookmarks over this was that it's "the ending we deserved". Pretty sure that sums up exactly what I want to say. It's not just your ordinary time travel fix-it fic, but one that is done with such brilliance that it leaves you marvelling in awe at times. You must do yourself a favour and read for this author if you actually want to get a good understanding of the characters past canon.

2. Seo Gaestlufe/The Soul's Love series by flowerofnettles. 180K, T/E.

I know how hesitant some are when it comes to series, but listen. This one is simply not long enough from how GOOD it is! I rarely read wip fics, (it's now complete) but I genuinely loved living a journey with the author while it was being written, and I felt the amount of love and passion the author spent on it. What a creation, honestly. It's one of the very best out there.

3. I will turn your fear into a handful of dust by @regulusrules. 1K, G.

I am biased, ok? I want my own happy ending for them. I want to see them grow old and weary together. I want them alive. And if what it takes is a 1k drabble of them lying together by the sea, then I'll take it. I'll take it every single time you guys.

4. Albion's last bulwark by Saturne. 92K, E.

You know when there's a halo around a fic that you intensely remember a scene from but never the whole? And the scene alone is more than enough to remind you how good of a fic it is? Yeah. Yeah it's definitely the case here. I vividly feel its effect still. Absolutely planning on rereading soon because of how brilliant it was.

5. And like the cycle of the year, we begin again by @katherynefromphilly. 207K, M.

And lastly, the fandom requirement. The one that we will throw fists for if we don't see a scene or two from. As much as I am always more into canon deviations than accepting the idea of immortality and Arthur rising after millennia, this fic was definitely a pro in trying to make me less in denial. It certainly set the expectations high for any adaptation they might make now, and for good reason.

ARTHUR WILL RISE AGAIN.

[stars-for-circe]

Circe's Most Frequented 🤍🤍🤍

My favourite authors over many different fandoms, for your indulgence.

@astralnymphh - TLOU, sapphic, shakespeare reborn

𖣂 There is no one else who could begin this list except for you tbh. One of the first authors I ever followed on this app and your work has never failed to blow me away; from your beautifully paced works that never run out of new prompts and tropes that you always nail, to your crazy big words you scavenged from wordhippo and managed to intergrate perfectly into your fics. To the Ellie Williams enthusiasts, give her fics a read and I promise it will change the trajectory of your lives forever. And don't be afraid to send her an ask, because she will quite literally craft a masterpiece.

𖣂 My recommendation: 'The Salvo Project'

@vifilms - TLOU, sapphic, she makes tumblr formatting her bitch

𖣂 At first it was your witty drabbles, then you graduated to 10k fics that take everyone's breath away. The way you can turn a single tiny idea into such a detailed work while also integrating the essence of each character you write into every single paragraph never fails to amaze me every time you appear on my feed. With your constantly changing layouts, and your beautifully crafted fic headers that show just how much of your heart goes into everything you put onto this app, you keep raising the bar again and again.

𖣂 My recommendation: 'Long Night, Long Ride'

@sweetercalypso - TLOU, multi

𖣂 Also one of my first follows, I remember quite clearly scrolling through the Abby Anderson tag on ao3 and being so blown away that I basically did a cartwheel when I saw you on tumblr. Your fics are the perfect late-night fix that are to-the-point, and your drabbles are filled with every trope anyone could even think up. And I'll shamelessly admit that reading your fics definitely moved Joel up quite a few slots in who I liked most within tlou.

𖣂 My recommendations: 'Texas Hold 'Em' + 'Uncharted Territory'

@the-kr8tor - Spiderverse, f/m, sfw

𖣂 I gotta say, this third movie needs to speed up so more people can come here and see how well you write for the spiderverse. Finding you in the tags was like a breath of fresh air, and your series works have kept me up at night on more than one occasion because of their binge-worthy goodness! From the adorable drabbles of Billie and Ramona, to the ups and downs that come with being a pirate, your works keep me invested even in the first, second....twenty-something times I've reread them.

𖣂 My recommendation: 'Our Place In The Middle Of Nowhere'

@s-4pphics - TLOU, Arcane, sapphic

𖣂 I hope you know that when you released 'The Call', it kept me up at night. Seriously, you're a genius. Maybe this style has been written before but it's the first time I've seen it. And amidst all the Sevika and Vi works that were being pumped out after the release of season 2, that fucking gem was put on my feed and it genuinely blew my mind. It was the perfect combination of crack-style fic and dark humour, coming together to make this smutty, hilarious, jaw dropping fic that had me pacing around my room a couple times - one of my favourites of all time.

𖣂 My recommendation, obviously: 'The Call'

@taintandviolent - Ahs, f/m, multi-fandom extraordinaire

𖣂 First of all, your username is fucking genius. Like actually, it had me saying it out loud and having such an OHHH moment and now I can't stop thinking about how cool it is. Secondly, if anyone has a taste for dark, gritty, horror infused tropes, or loves anything Evan Peters just like I do, her blog is the way to go. Her page is unapologetically for the monster-loving girlies who 'can fix him', and there's a little bit in there for every fandom that finds her. You're one of my favourite authors to send requests to, and you have definitely made me see Bill Skarsgard in a different light as of recent. 𖣂 My recommendation: 'Ouija Board’

[kmomof4]

12 (Actually 13) Days of Captain Swan Fic Recs!!!

So a week or two ago, @hollyethecurious floated this idea about the 12 Recs of Christmas in order to rec your very favorite fics that new shipmates may have missed and to show authors holiday love. Of course, I literally cannot rec only twelve fics, so I've played with the rules a bit in order to rec favorite authors and fics. Sorry, not sorry, Hollye...

Now, the problem with 12 days is... it's only 12 days. So I had to severely limit myself... And, yeah, you might have guessed, I couldn't limit myself to twelve either. So you'll be getting 13 days. Sorry, not sorry, again...

All that said, the authors and fics I'll be reccing over the next twelve thirteen days are my comfort fics that live rent free in my head and that I go back and reread over and over and over and over again. The ones I couldn't live without if I were stranded on a desert island and could never read a new CS fic ever again. So I hope you enjoy this kinda drawn out fic rec list.

Since it was her idea, Hollye is the first author that I'll rec!! Several of her fics are on that desert island reading list and if you haven't read them, you should!!!

First and foremost is probably my very favorite fic of all time...

Dark Hook Comes to Storybrooke - Co-written with @winterbaby89 for my bday in '17, the premise is that Killian succeeded in getting his revenge on the crocodile moments before Regina's curse swept over the Enchanted Forest.

The Legend of Captain Killian Jones - Rated M -

CS Modern AU / CS Halloweek - Myths, Legends, and Fairytales: 

Cursed three hundred years ago to take on ghost form and haunt his family estate, Killian Jones receives a reprieve once every hundred years to take on corporeal form in order to try and break his curse.

A renowned restorationist, Emma Swan takes on the project of bringing the three hundred year old Jones Manor back to its former glory. A manor that is reportedly haunted by the notorious Captain Killian Jones. Good thing Emma doesn’t believe in ghosts.

Varcolac - Rated M - Written for the very first CSSNS back in '18. While heading home to prepare for the coming evening, Killian Jones happens upon a woman broken down on the side of the road. A woman who shifts the entire foundations of his being with just her scent. Killian Jones is a werewolf you see, and the unsuspecting lass has landed herself deep in werewolf country on the cusp of the first night of the full moon. Knowing he must get her on her way for her own safety, Killian offers to fix her vehicle, but things go awry in town when another wolf attempts to stake a claim on the stunning stranger. Now Killian must do all he can to protect the woman, Emma Swan, from a vengeful pack, all while keeping his true nature a secret from her. Turns out, Killian Jones is no ordinary werewolf.

In the Company of Demons - Rated E - After being in the wrong place at the wrong time, bounty hunter Emma Swan finds herself conscripted into working for one of Storybrooke’s most notorious crime families. Tasked with finding a rat that has infiltrated the Jones family enterprise, Emma tries to keep things just business between herself and the all-too-tempting Killian Jones. If she can unmask the rodent, she’ll receive not just a reprieve from the family, but her freedom and a hundred grand to start a new life. But what kind of life? One that exists in black and white, where there is a right way to do things and one must overcome their demons? Or the kind Killian can offer her, where one can revel in the grey areas while enjoying the company of demons?

A Harem of One Series - Rated M - Killian Jones, younger son of Prominent Turkish Businessman, Brennan Jones, meets Lady Emma during the height of the London season just a few weeks before he must head back to Constantinople to take over the family shipping business. Despondent over the fact that he had to leave the woman he loves behind, things get interesting when Brennan tries to give Killian a welcome home gift.

A Mutual Craving - Rated E - The Underworld was one of the seedier, less reputable establishments, even by black market standards. Every facet of the criminal element could be found here on any given night, engaging in all kinds of illicit activities. From the more mundane transactions, like drugs and conventional weapons, to the really shady and oftentimes dangerous dealing of occult, mystic, and poached items of a supernatural nature. Emma Swan was here for an altogether different reasons, however. She was casing the joint. Too bad all her research and intel had failed to prepare for an unusual security measure she had not planned for. One with pale skin, sharp fangs, and a thirst for blood. Her blood... and her body as well.

All of Hollye's fics are fantastic, but these are the ones that I couldn't live without and like I said, live rent free in my head 24/7. I hope you enjoy all these as much as I have!! See you tomorrow!

[kairiscorner]

HEARME OUT 🌼

ive been seeing fics about bad boy x good girl

and i've been seeing novels about hockey players x nerd

YOU ALREADY KNOW WHO I HAVE IN MIND HAHAH ♪(´ε｀*)

he has shitty grades despite being an athletic star so reader tutors him

ITS REALLY SPECIFIC BUT OH YM GO smth abt the bad boy x good girl dynamic does SOMETHING to me ( ≧ᗜ≦)

oH MY GOD ,,, YES PLEASE. LOWKEY WANNA MAKE THIS A SERIES LIKE THE COLLEGE MIGGY ONE HEHEHHEHEHEHEHHE

soccer captain!bad boy!miguel o'hara x nerdy!fem!reader (part 1...?)

the clock mounted on the library wall behind you endlessly ticked all monotonously and rhythmically, ticking you off even more as you tapped your foot against the floorboards impatiently. you knew he was going to have practice after school for an hour and a half, his coach confirmed it with you when you asked–but where the hell was he? you sighed as you shut the book whose contents you were studying closed and began to fix your things and leave–that was, until a loud slam was heard from across the library, which the librarian gave a disgruntled 'shush' for, and the boy of the hour (and the past few) was finally here.

he was all sweaty, his dark, curly locks sweeping over his forehead as he walked over to you and pulled a chair up; slumping into it with a thump, angering the library's patrons and the librarian themselves. you frowned and crinkled your eyebrows at the lack of manners this boy had, and his lack of tact for you taking precious hours out of your day was annoying you beyond belief. "you're late." you reminded him as you folded your arms over your chest. miguel merely chuckled and sat back in his chair. "so what? i'm here now, aren't i?" you grumbled at his cocky response and shook your head gently.

you opened up the book you were reviewing earlier, and before you could even begin to speak, the minute you looked over at miguel, he was napping. with a huff and a look of frustration, you shut the book closed again and leaned over across the table—smacking the top of his head with the book. he mumbled in pain and furrowed his eyebrows at you, looking pissed. "what was that for?" he asked you in a grumble. you opened the book again and reread a few passages. "to wake your lazy ass up." you answered nonchalantly, without even looking up at him. miguel folded his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at you. "just so you know, i'm carrying the whole school's soccer team by myself—i'm far from lazy." "in soccer, you might not be, but in terms of... academics..." you trailed off, purposefully making miguel knit his eyebrows together again and making him grumble and lean back into his chair. "just don't act like you're any better than me, which you aren't, dork." he mumbled to you as you took a pen and began writing down some notes. "i'm doing no such thing, you himbo of a jock." you replied to him with a little quip.

though as you were writing, miguel's bigger hand wrapped itself around your wrist, prompting you to look up from the book and papers you were holding and up at his hazel brown eyes. they looked soft, maybe a little... bright, even? wait, why were you even noticing these things, you hardly ever spoke to him—the main reason you were even in the same space as this usually loud, crass, crude jock was because he was in a rough position with his grades. his coach suggested you tutor him after school to keep his act together, or else he'd be off the team entirely; what you weren't expecting was him touching you randomly, this wasn't in the agreement. "what?" "thanks... for doing this for me." he muttered to you, looking into your eyes all sweetly; but you weren't falling for it, you knew he had a reputation for making other people swoon for him effortlessly with his words, if he wanted something else from you, he should just say it directly now. "it's not for you, it's extra credit, which i'll be needing eventually." you correct him as you pull away. miguel chuckled at your response. "extra credit? you already tire the teachers too much with all your babbling in class and being bossy in group projects." "success doesn't come easily, o'hara." "oh, trust me... i know." he said with a light smirk as he stared up at you as he propped his chin up on his folded arms on the table.

you whacked his head with the papers this time, and he grumbled again in frustration at how unfunny this whole shtick was becoming to him. the librarian shushed you two as a second warning, and you leaned in close to him to teach him the lessons he missed wasn't listening to because he was busy napping in class in a hushed voice; though you worried he was focusing on... other things while you were teaching him. what kinds of things? oh, you'll see for yourself eventually.

tags !! @miguelswifey04 @hearts4gabri @hisachuu @wreakingmarveloushavok @fictarian @yuridopted0 @simsrandomstuff @luvstarrstruck @popeheywardssecretgf @meeom @arachnoia @melovetitties @fable-library @ophanimgold @smokeywhalee @capnshtfce

[magpiefngrl]

hey! curious new writer here. which fix of yours were the easiest to write and which were the hardest? in what way?

Hello anon! Thanks for an interesting ask.

OK I'll start with the disclaimer that every fic has its difficulties as well as moments when it flows, but there have definitely been some that poured out of me with great ease than others which were a constant struggle.

The Miseducation of Draco Malfoy, my first drarry, was written at the height of my obsession and it poured out of me. I wrote like a fiend all day and would go to bed at night and reread what I wrote. I breathed that fic day and night for the weeks it took me to write it. It was also the most fun I had writing, prob because I was a complete unknown and there were zero expectations from me. Similarly, The Full Monty, written just after TMODM, was an easy fic to write. I remember I read the prompt and was immediately assaulted by images and started laughing on my own and was like, OK I need to claim this, the fic is writing itself.

Similarly but in a more tortuous way, dirtynumbangelboy poured out of me too. More tortuous because it took me ages to find the right beginning, and by then I was behind with my deadlines and got stressed. Also, I wrote it in a sort of dread of the Erised fest, because it had some amazing writers that year and I was intimidated. I remember my goal was to "at least not embarrass myself" .

But, aside from the doubts and stress, dnab itself flowed like nothing else. There are passages that I really love, even now years later, and they are exactly as they came out the first time. I did very little editing (compared to other works).

With The Boy Who Died I made a fun post on tumblr about a mdzs AU of drarry and then the idea wouldn't let me go so I had to sit and write it. Luckily it was summer and I didn't work and I could spend my days writing it. There were moments I got stumped but it mostly came out easily.

Finally, a lot of my short fics poured out of me in one go and came out almost perfectly formed. The Dare, A Perfectly Normal Reaction, and my MCD The Death You Carry are good examples.

Fics that took ages at first:

so my thing is that I have to find the right opening to begin the story, otherwise I can't proceed. I don't plan; the first scene/chapter is my plan. And sometimes I get stuck for yonks. With The Unquiet Grave I began with a Draco POV, him being a politician and Harry his bodyguard, had an interesting first scene and then---nothing. It's like I hit a wall. Zero words come. When I have this feeling, I know I need to go back and revise. Long story short, it was when I changed the POV to Harry that somehow the whole gothic mood came about and I felt the auspicious click: I got it. That's what the story is. A gothic romance. After that, it was easier.

The same thing happened with Hush, darling. I rewrote a first scene fruitlessly several times until a random bit of inspiration fell into my hands: the visual of a card game. I began with it and I let it guide me and the whole plot/stakes/cast fell into place.

Fics that needed a LOT of work and had to be dragged into existence:

The Gift is the first that comes to mind. First couple of chapters were pretty easy and then I was stumped. Writing it felt like dragging myself up a slope, step by step and also not being happy with anything, so that was fun. :/

The other is 9 ½ Days, which took actual years to finish. In that case the middle part was the hard one. I wrote the beginning fairly easily and the last chapters, the plotty ones, also flowed. But the middle. Zeus almighty. It took me years and I thought and thought and thought about it a lot. Finishing this fic was an immense relief but also a source of pride, especially because I really liked the result, and judging by the comments I get, people seem to love it too.

Thanks for an unusual ask! It was good to ponder about my fics and my writing process. The same issues seem to crop up with my original works too, and it's helpful to remind myself that I got over those issues before and I can get over them again.

[aerequets]

I really liked the scene you drew for the fanfic Once more with feeling. Do you have other fanfics recommandations? PS. I love your art :3

thank you! :D and yes of course i do 😎 i have this list (twiyor) from a while ago but i have amassed more than enough new faves to make a new one!

i will try to get a mix of fics w/ different vibes, and different lengths, as well as those that you may not have heard of before. most if not all of them will be twiyor tho, bc that's what i read most.

i'll put them under the cut!

FUN FACT i spent like 45 mins writing a list and SOMEHOW DELETED IT ALL. so this is take 2 😭😭😭😭 ANYWAYS

The Woman in Red by @nightofnyx8

rated M, 7/7 chaps, 47.9k words

this fic feels like a book to me if i was already invested in the characters. it revolves around yor, who gets an assignment to find out where a bunch of trafficked girls are being kept by the asshole of the millenium, vito cohen. it is also post reveal, post relationship twiyor. this fic has dark moments just by virtue of the subject matter, but none of it feels gratuitous if that makes sense? like every bit of violence lends to the whole picture. there are also some Steamy ™ twiyor moments, which are easily skippable if that's not your thing, but their whole relationship here is just written so well. the trust is there and the protective loid vibes are 👌 i m m a c u l a t e

Smoldering by @julphines

rated G, 1/1 chaps, 2.1k words

i freaking love the look into post reveal, pre relationship twiyor we get here. it's not overtly romantic but instead them getting to know each other. i especially love the details of them having to make themselves be vulnerable in some ways because they just aren't used to it. a really nice, in-between sort of fic :)

In Love With the Distance by Newt on ao3

rated T, 37/37 chaps, 21.5k words

this one is formatted as a collection of letters and i am OBSESSED. i think the author does a very good job getting the character voices down, and the fact that the progression in their relationship is clear despite being in this letter format will never cease to amaze me. it's also incredibly consistent and has cute 'ciphers' at the top that are used to disguise the letters. this one is also post reveal, and kinda follows what happens immediately after. some bits are outside the letter format, but for the most part, it's loid and yor writing to each other. love

La Vie En Rose by @jubileen

rated T, 1/1 chaps, 3.7k words

i love me a good ol 5+1 fic, and this one did not disappoint 😌 i especially liked how the thing that is being counted here (you know, the "five times x and one time x") is not explicitly stated each time. it's something that is as slowly revealed to the reader as it is to the characters, which is a nice touch. and there are more things you catch after a reread, which i am also a great fan of!

An Ever Fixed Mark by Spiraling (Stormwind13) on ao3

rated T, 3/3 chaps, 3.8k words

soulmates that share wounds!!!!!! need i say more?? ALSO, there's some GORJUS artwork in this fic! actually, the first "chapter" is just the cover page, and then in the third chapter is another illustration which is so well done! so that's a plus :) this fic has the nice ol heartwrenching mix of backstory and present for the characters, another plus!

this fic is restricted tho, so u gotta be logged into ao3 to read it 🙏

Love, He was Certain by toteally on ao3

rated M, 1/1 chaps, 3.2k words

this one is so funny and good to me bc loid goes head empty seeing fruit juice dribble down yor's chin KJFDHSJ i love when overthinking characters suddenly can't form a thought at the most mundane of happenings. ALSO the thing fics/books do when the title comes up and you're like OHHHH THERE IT IS!!! yeah that as well

Macabre Theme and Variations by @piracytheorist

rated T, 15/15 chaps, 66.6k words (lol)

WOOOO TIME LOOP FIC! yet another thing that i am a fan of :DD although HEED THE WARNING because there IS violence but there is also a happy ending. this fic follows twilight as he goes through the same day over and over again and tries not to die a horrific death forever. mans gets more trauma, BUT he also gets character progression and a happy ending so fair trade off right 🤔 (yes. the answer is yes)

anyways, this list is hardly even the tip of the iceberg. there's also my bookmarks which, at the time of writing this post, are at 354... most of which are sxf/twiyor.... so yeah LMAO obviously i couldnt put all of them into this post but definitely check those out. i've also got my own works if you're interested but hopefully this list contains fics you have not yet read, and that you will like 🙏🙏

(if your fic is on this list and you haven't been tagged + would like to be, pls let me know!)

[hereghostslive]

comfort fan fic recs

tagged by @liminalmemories21

prompt: - what are your old school comfort fics? The ones from fandoms that haven't been active in yeeeaaars, but you've read so many times you can practically quote them.

very excited for this tag so i can gush about my favorite fics. some of these fandoms are definitely still active but i personally don't read them as much anymore.

Pointing at the moon series by shoulderbone (lavenderforluck) (Skam - post series - (Even/Isak)

Three stories detailing how Isak and Even come back together after a break-up. Like to think of them as long meditations on grief, reconciliation, and second chances. Isak and Even are written so well they feel like a perfect version of canon, just a few years in the future.

Graduate Vulcan for Fun and Profit by @lazulisong (Star Trek AOS - Gen)

Summary:

It really does take a village to raise a Jim.

The members of the Kelvin's crew watch over Jim as much as he lets them.

One of the most memorable fics I've ever read. I think about the funeral scene all the time. Jim's realization of what Sakel did is so satisfying. Plus, secret genius Jim and Tarsus IV are my kryptonite when it comes to Star Trek fic.

Retrograde by Pinkninja (The Old Guard - Joe/Nicky - Time Traveler's Wife AU)

Summary: Nicky's lives and deaths are different. He is unstuck from time - at every death he revives into a different point in his life. Each time he is struck down he wonders, will he awaken to deserts and swords? Will it be gunshots in cities? Joe and Nicky build a fractured life together, falling in love across two different sets of centuries, then patiently waiting for the other to fall in love too. He meets the rest of their little family out of order, but they still build a family around Nicky's involuntary time-traveling.

The amount of times I've read this is kinda wild. I don't even like The Time Traveler's Wife, but the concept works so well for immortal beings.

Men for all Seasons by new_kate (Merlin - Merlin/Arthur)

Summary: Reincarnation story set in 1940. In Albion's hour of need Arthur is brought back from his rest in Avalon. He learns that the world is at war, and that the enemies have dark magic at their disposal. With the help of the mysterious Vril society the invaders are about to gain air superiority and become unstoppable. Only Merlin could fight the new magical threat, but Merlin has been missing for a long time.

Cool take on the King that was Promised mythology, and immortal Merlin.

None the Wiser by @loftec (Shameless - Gallavich)

Summary: AU. Slow burn. The real time accounts of Ian visiting Mickey's dingy diner and slowly becoming his friend. Day 152 (167)

Talk about fics always on my mind. This is a WIP but there's so much of it there that it is possible to live in the world of Mickey's dingy diner and settle in for all the times Ian drops by and scoots his way into Mickey's life.

Your Name for a Capital by @the-prophet-lemonade (Shadowhunters - Alec/Magnus)

Summary: Magnus Bane meets a man from his future, interwoven throughout moments in his past.

More time travel angst! this one made me cry, even though, like, obviously they end up together. but Magnus's loneliness is so palpable here.

Malasadas for the Healing Soul by thoughtreflex (Hawaii Five-O - Gen)

Summary: The one where Danny has a secret, people discover this secret, Steve gets hurt, Danny gets hurt, Steve goes all ninja-possessive-SEAL, and Chin and Kono have to break out the BAMF routine to try and fix things. Not a typical Five-O month at all.

Actually just did a reread of this one. It's so good. The buildup of Danny's secret is one of my favorite parts of this story.

We Are Young (I'll Carry You Home Tonight) by @femmequixotic (Harry Potter - Harry/Draco - Political AU)

Summary: Harry and Draco have been falling into bed on and off again since the last election five years ago, much to the amusement--and financial gain--of their circle of friends. But when Harry agrees to work with Draco to put Kingsley Shacklebolt into the Minister's office, they can't work side-by-side again every day and sleep together; that would be courting disaster. Wouldn't it?

The dynamic between Draco and Harry in this one is so sharp. But what I like most about it how good of friends they actually are.

The Interaction series by ConstantCommentTea

Series Summary: Angel had thought that he'd done the Detached Misanthropic Vampire thing pretty well. He lived alone, his only "friends" were other vampires and demons, and his only enemy was Human Attachment. He saved if it was convenient for his conscience, and he went back to drinking human blood. His scowl was perfect.

After 200 years, he'd practically succeeded in fading away from humanity.

Practically.

This literally does not get enough love. A fully realized series that takes place 200 years in the future, full of OCs, but it's still Angel being the lone wolf who's heart slowly melts into caring about other people. and it's great. Bonus: The same author co-authors another series called Blood and Time, which is a Doctor Who/Angel crossover, that ALSO crosses over with their Interaction series ocassionally.

--

Those are all the major ones, I think. I do want to do a special shoutout to some series that no longer exist on ao3 or ff.net:

The Genesis-verse by beamirang - Star Trek AOS. i loved that series so much and am always thinking about it.

Methuselah's Children by wind-ryder (The Old Guard). also another one i read a lot.

--

Open tag for anyone that want's to play!

[camryn-haitani]

boo hoo, what are you gonna do about it?

JJK men x GN reader

PT 1

jjk men who are into humiliation/bullying

COLLEGE AU

kento nanami, gojo satoru x reader (separate)

TW: SMUT, bullying/humiliation, cursing, masturbating, cyber bulling (nanami's), ooc (I apologize if they are), ma'am calling, stepping on his erection (nanami's), recording

I apologize if these are really long

lowercase is intentional

I wanna see how this one does and if it does good, I'll do a pt2<3

ɢᴏᴊᴏ sᴀᴛᴏʀᴜ

Gojo Satoru who would desperately wait for you to get to class just for you to whisper those disgusting insults in his ear. cold shudders run down his back as your breath tickles his ear.

Gojo Satoru who would immediately start pumping his aching cock as soon as he gets home from class, remembering the insults you whispered in his ear

"oh my... god." you said. you grip his chin as he sits on the floor. you bend down to his height, "you're nothing and will always be nothing to me." you let go of his chin but you immediately slap his cheek. Satoru groans in pain but can't help the blood rushing to his erection.

you laugh at his reaction, "holy shit! you're actually getting hard from this?!" you burst out laughing which only makes him harder. Satoru stutters to finds his words. "aww poor baby, I think I'm just gonna leave you here." you fake pout.

"actually," you turn around, "I wanna make a deal." Satoru nods vigorously. "if you do all of my homework, projects, and give me the test answers for the rest of the semester, I'll fix that problem of yours," you point down to his erection, "and we can fuck whenever I feel like it or whenever you have a 'problem'," you air quote. "what do you say, Satoru?"

"yes! please, I need it. I'll do anything!" he grips onto your thighs, pleading. "then it's a deal." you put your hand out for him to shake. Satoru gladly puts out his and y'all shake on it, locking in y'all's deal.

(lemme know if y'all want an actual fic of this scenario)

ᴋᴇɴᴛᴏ ɴᴀɴᴀᴍɪ

Kento Nanami who puts on a mask so he won't let other people know that it's affecting him but on the inside, he's enjoying it so much. on the outside he's cool, calm, and collected. but in the inside, he's burning with lust and anticipation

Kento Nanami who doesn't know how you got his phone number but doesn't care when you started sending him horrible things about himself. you being oblivious that he knows it's you so you continue to send him those texts

Nanami sits on his bed reading your texts as they roll one by one. he rereads the names you call him as he palms himself through his jeans. "fuck-" the moan escapes before he can even think about it.

the scenario he's replaying in his head is when you and your little group surrounded him behind a building no one goes by anymore. insult after degrading words flow out of you and your groups mouths to Nanami like it was second nature to y'all.

the rapid knocks in his door snap him out of his daydream as he ties a hoodie around his waist to hide his erection and gets up to open the door.

"fuckin finally, goddamn." you walk in his room. "uhm can I help you?" he asks. "don't get that attitude with me, I can ruin your whole life within seconds." you point your finger at him. you sit on his bed as he walks over to you.

"so what can I do for you?" he asks, trying not to sound rude. "it's ma'am from now on, even in public." you get up and stand in front of him. you untie the hoodie from his waist and grab his signature tie and make him kneel down in front of you. you sit back down on his bed and step on his aching cock. "I knew it," you laugh, "I knew you get off to me bullying you!." you pull out your phone and start to record the sight below you. "as matter of fact, I haven't had a good fuck in a hot minute. so what'dya say Nanami? how about a little agreement? if you submit to me anytime and anywhere when I feel like it, I'll fuck you. and if this gets out to anyone, you're life will be over."

"yes ma'am, anything for you."

[kandisheek]

FIC REC WEEK 23 – POST-CA:CW

Over Sea, Under Stars by vorkosigan

Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: T Words: 36,651 Tags: Depression, Fix-It, Texting

Summary: Tony gets the phone, but he never uses it and he never intends to. Or, he doesn’t until Steve starts texting him, asking strange questions about medication and mental health, which is when Tony gets worried. (A texting fix-it that grew beyond all proportion. Deals with depression and anxiety quite a lot. There is even some plot in there somewhere.)

Reasons why I love it: This fic makes me so goddamn emotional. They hurt each other so much, and the guilt floating around is so thick it feels like it's choking me. But when things get better, it's so rewarding and satisfying, it almost makes me cry. Also, if you read this, pay attention to all the time-stamp descriptions, because they're hilarious. This fic is wonderful and a brilliant fix-it to the whole mess that is Civil War, so if you haven't read it yet, I hope you give it a whirl.

Forms of Love by bear_bell

Pairing: Bucky/Tony Rating: E Words: 33,596 Tags: Civil War Team Ironman, Separate Personalities (Winter & Bucky), PTSD

Summary: Months after the Avengers' dispute in Germany, the team returns to the US and moves back into the tower. As always, everyone pretends that nothing happened. Tony is just fine with this. He's used to pretending, and he'll be damned if he lets any of them see him flinch. Tony's the bad guy, after all. He's used to it. He's fine with it. He's good at it. Only now, there's something far worse loitering around the tower - The Winter Soldier. No one notices the guy at first, but when they do, Tony figures that he should have the soldier's back. Birds of a feather should flock together, and the bad guys should start a book club.

Reasons why I love it: I gotta be honest, I'm not a big fan of CW discourse when a specific side is taken. So it says a lot that I enjoyed this fic regardless. Even though it clearly leans towards one side of the argument, it's handled in a way that feels respectful and understandable. The writing is amazing, and I ADORE the relationship that Tony has with both Winter and Bucky. Plus, the way Bucky slowly learns to stop fighting Winter and starts getting along with him instead is really beautiful. This fic is wonderful, and I highly encourage you to read it!

The Crying Game by fohatic

Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: E Words: 36,416 Tags: Angry Sex, Dubious Consent, Power Play

Summary: Steve Rogers stared at the dimly glowing digital screen of the little burner phone, rereading the text message as if it might somehow give away something he missed the first dozen times he scrutinized it. His frown only deepened, though, brows drawing together with consternation as the 88 characters only left him with an even more ponderous sense of uncertainty. If you meant what you wrote, I'll be at the Swissotel Sarajevo, 4/18. Presidential Suite. 9pm. Come alone. Nearly a year after Steve and Tony's fallout—and only weeks after hearing press rumors that Tony and Pepper's engagement was inexplicably called off—Steve gets a message on the dedicated burner phone. Despite his instinctive reservations, he's compelled to answer the mysterious call.

Reasons why I love it: Oh, this one hurts SO GOOD!! I just want to take them both and shake them, god, the emotional conflict is so raw and awful, and I LOVE it! It's like that feeling of wanting to peel off a scab, and then you do it and it hurts, but the itching goes away so it's worth it. If that makes any sense at all. Point is, I love this fic to bits, and you should give it a read (if you can stomach some unpleasant emotions, that is).

[beanarie]

For the ao3 wrapped ask game: 3, 19, and 28!

in the interest of not spamming folks, i'm also including questions requested by anon 1, anon 2, @typicalopposite , @sanguinarysanguinity , and @capitalnineteen

thank you all for letting me yap about what a blast i've been having these past few months.

3- What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)?

i'll say opioids and antiemetics (where tommy and buck fall through a collapsing floor together). it was my first bucktommy fic and my first fic that wasn't a snippet in over a year. dry spells like that make me feel like i forgot how words work, but it flowed well, i got some of the characters' voices down, and that helped build my confidence again.

5- What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

oh, got my head checked by a jumbo jet (fix-it where buck gets amnesia), holy shit. people have been leaving the loveliest comments. it's been really rewarding because it was a gift for a friend and she liked it a lot. also the angst side of the story stems from some personal stuff as a healthcare-adjacent worker. losing someone you feel partly responsible for is gutting and it fucking sucks every time.

19- What’s one pairing you want to explore next year?

i'm extremely ship monogamous and i never know what's gonna trigger my fic-writing lizard brain, so honestly i just wanna keep going with bucktommy. it would be great if fandom could maintain this energy after the hiatus. i haven't been in such a supportive and inspiring environment for a while.

20- Which work of yours have you reread the most?

i reread them all a lot, especially after they get really positive feedback because then it's like "oh hey. that part right there *was* pretty cool".

27- What do you listen to while writing?

just my internal monologue babey. music is too much of a distraction unless i'm at the stage where it's 95% done and all i need is to stitch the holes together

28- Favorite work you wrote this year?

of course (fix-it where they're both in the helicopter when it crashes) is the one i am most likely to have bookmarked if it had been written by someone else. i feel like i executed the near death scene effectively and i managed to touch on tommy's issues while threading in hope that he and buck could get past them together.

29- Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

Evan lays his free hand lightly, ever so lightly, over Tommy's battered heart before leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together. "I'm so proud of you," he whispers. "I asked you not to run, and you stayed."

(when i tell you this PAINS me bc i didn't figure it out fully until after i posted the last bit on here. so there are people who not only read the ending that's slightly worse than this but reblogged it. the subpar version still exists out there. i'm never letting myself post a proper fic on tumblr in its entirety again 😩)

[chromotps]

Hello! Been in the OP fandom for more than a decade (i miss the days where ace/luffy were a normal ship) and finding fics have been difficult.

Do you have any luffy/ace fic recommendations? Wishing you a good night!

hello! I wish I had been around for early acelu days... I was reading OP fic back then, but it was mostly zo/san 😅. I get what you mean, it's tough to find stuff for them these days that's not just luffy-harem stuff (which is fine! just not what I'm looking for) or ooc

I prefer fics that are mostly sweet and not too angsty, so my list won't include some of the ones that are really bittersweet/dark/endgame-tragic, even though they're beautifully written. I'm sure if you ask another acelu fan, you'd get a completely different list... I'm just a big weenie! 😭😂

I'm also really disorganized, so I'm probably forgetting a bunch!!! I need to keep better bookmarks omg

SFW Fics:

spinning on that dizzy edge by to-a-merrier-world (wayward_wolves) fav fav fav (helps that this was sort of a gift? based on some art I drew;;? hhh i love it so much) A sweet!!! and playful, relaxed scene between Luffy and Ace—who's joined the Stawhats!

this short fic by 002yb a really lovely, atmospheric piece of writing about the boys just being cute and speaking through touch

forget me not by 002yb a touch more bittersweet, but I loved how insightful this little look at Ace's last night with Luffy in Goa was

to be deserving by 002yb (after acelu week I need to have a separate section for 002yb!! tbh consider this a blanket rec for all their fics) adorable!! very nuanced, quick look at some courtship (or lack thereof) (but hope for some in the future?) between ace and luffy in an omegaverse AU

Bridesmaid Blues by Anonymous so much fun!! a rom-com style take on Luffy and Ace eloping in canon. Hilarious, and just makes me adore all the characters even more

In Your Heart Shall Burn by kayura_sanada oh my god. so it's a fix-it fic that involves a mysterious mirror and wishes. the tone feels just like canon with maybe a hint more bittersweet hopefulness, and the heartfelt moments between ace and luffy in this MELTED ME INTO PIECES. this will be one of my forever favorites.

oxytocin by ruche Gen fic but the author has other great shippy acelu work; this one is, post-marineford-ace-lives scene with Ace being worried and grateful for Luffy... the characterization is amazing

Near Death Experiences by monch_monch (WIP) This is a reincarnation AU, and it's got one of my absolute favorite acelu scenes in one of its flashbacks... I love everything about this fic—the way the other characters are brought in, and how cute and heartfelt Ace and Luffy are... I can't compliment it enough

The Same As You by PeachyStud (WIP) (jksgfhd oops i put this is sfw when the latest chapters have some messing around in it, but... i'll just leave it here) This one's a very sweet and fun modern AU—I reread it when I just need some feel good acelu fluff.

Next Stop, Everywhere by NewWonder This fic is the 2nd part of an "Ace lives and sails with Luffy" series, but it's my favorite of the 3 parts because it focuses a lot on Ace getting to work through his heartache 😭

Together Again by Swinky Swanks (SpobSpucci) A sweet, short piece about when Ace visits Luffy in canon

I'll Always Want You by PeachyStud This is part 1 of another "Ace lives in canon" series—this fic focuses on Luffy asking Ace to join his crew during their 2 years training and is SO cute and lovely. Part 2 is also a treat (and rated M 👀)

Arrangements by Sully-van I feel a little crazy for including an FF.net story on here, but this little royalty/arranged marriage AU just made me smile.

Find the Hat by authenticaussie  funny, slightly bittersweet AU where luffy's a ghost in ace's university library. i know, unusual concept, but a quick, fun read

(Ir)Responsible by oumriel (WIP!!!!! probably permanently from the looks of things) okay I have to recommend this one—it's a modern AU with drama/slow burn, and some incredibly heart-warming moments and really interesting characterizations. it does end on a heart-breaking cliffhanger, but... acelu seems to be a little bit cursed with WIPs, in the end, haha

Sleeping Habits by RainyCatharsis surprisingly fluffy soulmate AU where a soulmate who's died stays in their partner's dreams until they're both ready to move on. short and sweet!

on brotherhood by LadyCrimsonAndBlack another gen fic; age-swap! older Luffy runs into Whitebeard and makes sure Ace is happy on his crew

Lock; Key by Anonymous (SFW.... for now. since there's only 1 chapter up) very interesting modern, omegaverse AU with cool worldbuilding

NSFW Fics:

Hatchling by Anonymous good old-fashioned "not too loud or dad will hear us" modern AU incest. haha. really, this one is a nice mix of cute and dirtyhot, with a looooot of teasing smug ace

and what do they say about dreams by ruche uhh. a smut fic that... focuses on Ace's narcolepsy? it's surprisingly cute and funny—mind the tags, but I really enjoyed it!

Tearjerker by necroesthe OKAY so I love a lot of Necro's acelu fics... They do tend to skew darker, so that's a good thing to remember if you go browsing. This fic, though, is an adorable and fun and hot modern AU, with Ace thinking Luffy looks cute when he cries.

for the asking by irrelevant  another modern AU, I love the relaxed dialogue and vibe of this one. There's something about Ace and Luffy acting like dumb brothers while also being devoted to each other that gets me every time.

You're Built from Motorcycle Exhaust, Cigarette Smoke, and Starlight by Novicecomics Modern AU, really atmospheric story about biker!Ace and Luffy going on a little adventure and being in love

born hungry by ruche hard to summarize... i guess, modern AU, drunk/troubled ace has surprisingly sweet sex with luffy. this author always captures such a like, darkly funny, wry attitude with ace, and their luffy is a treat. still good to check the tags!

the blood of my brother by fizzyren another maybe odd one. uh. short summary is, acelu period sex with trans luffy. i'm not usually into those kinds of fics but this one got me down, what can i say

Lake Pontchartrain by necroesthe definitely read the tags for some of these dead dove recs i'm sneaking in here. anyway uh. the first chapter in this is, modern au, preteen luffy catches ace watching porn aaaaand then there's fallout

Virtue by necroesthe ditto above w the tags. um. 15yo luffy wants to ride ace. i'll add, necro's darker fics are more psychological-hot to me than like, silly-yummy-smut hot? if that makes any sense haha

I'd also like to recommend my own Once Piece fics... I think they're all pretty sweet, and not too bad if I do say so myself. :3c

Anyway!! Hope this helps! And pls feel free to tell me your thoughts on any of em............. 👀

[reallylilyreally]

For the Send me a fic of mine and I'll answer...

"moving backwards (just to move forwards)

AND if I get a second pick 😊

"the long road trip home"

YOU CAN PICK AS MANY AS YOU LIKE, I LOVE YOU

Moving backwards (just to move forwards)

My favorite scene

Gotta be Pat Christenson asking if Tab's OK via flashlight morse code. To me, this perfectly embodies everything about Easy, the way that they care, and are so careful with the caring, that from the outside it just looks a bit blase and batshit.

Also the fact that Nix is impressed that Pat bothered with a flashlight because Harry would have just opened the window and yelled. Made me giggle as I wrote it.

Special mentions also to the HORROR that is Tab sobbing in Dick's arms and telling him that he loves him after Grant was shot.

My favorite chapter (if it's a multichapter)

ch11 - Eagles Nest fucking, FO SHO, and Tab kissing Nix like a wife on the balcony the next morning and joking about banging Speirs.

Hardest scene to write

Ooooh. Not sure, it's been a while now! I struggled a little with the scene between Dick and Tab in Hagenau, when Tab goes to fix the Nix problem.

And I cried so hard I couldn't see when I wrote Tab telling Dick he loves him after Grant got shot.

Favorite character to write in the fic

Always Bunny, always. He's my best girl and I make no bones of it.

Favorite dynamic to write in the fic

Tab/Pat/Chuck. Platonic OT3 forever. They are just so... I don't even know how to say it. The way that they love and support and judge each other, the way that Pat and Chuck are so staunchly defensive and protective of their lovesick idiot, I just am never getting over it.

Why I chose that title

It's a line from a Josie Dunn song, Patterns, that I was (and am) OBSESSED with.

A fun fact about the fic

I had NO IDEA whether it was gonna be OT3 endgame or not until the last three chapters! Looking back at these asks, it feels a bit like a theme...

The Long Roadtrip Home

I had to skim-reread this so i could answer, and that was a fucking JOY so thanks.

My favorite scene

Every time Jay De L'Eau is mentioned doing something stupid.

This bit:

“OK Bill,” he says, “Go.”

Bill takes a big mouthful of coffee, which must burn, but he doesn’t let it show. He swallows, puts his mug down, and enunciates his words very, very carefully. “Hillbilly, Skipper, respectfully, what the fuck.”

Andy resists the urge to look at Eddie, who raises one very expressive eyebrow and gives Bill his best drawl. “Gonna need to ask you to be a bit more specific there, Private.”

Leyden makes a deeply indelicate noise in the back of his throat, and waves his arms around the room. “This,” he says, indicating the kitchen with a broad sweep of one hand, “That,” he flings an arm towards the doorway and the stairs. “Snafu, the fucking psycho place we just stormed, Gunny… Do you know that man has a whole-ass house, with several bedrooms, and he sleeps outside?”

“He doesn’t like sleeping under a roof,” says Eddie very calmly, as if this is a very normal thing that doesn’t indicate any other issues possibly related to decades spent in combat.

Bill makes another noise, this one higher up, indicating a level of hysteria that Andy feels very familiar with. Eddie continues to watch them in a dramatically neutral manner that he knows from experience is both infuriating and deeply unsettling.

“Ok, fuck Gunny then, let’s all just leave that to one side, man doesn’t like roofs, whatever. Are we going to pretend that all the rest of it is normal?” He waves wildly around the kitchen again, as if to indicate the extreme abnormality of their living situation.

“Feels very normal to me,” says Eddie, still perfectly calm.

“Me too,” says Andy, “Nothing strange about it.”

Bill throws his head back to the ceiling with an expression that looks like it would probably be a howl if he wasn’t conscious of a hopefully-sleeping Marine upstairs. Andy isn’t quite sure why Eddie is needling Leyden like this, but feels confident that there’s some design to it, something in this that his Lieutenant thinks the Private needs, because Eddie isn’t usually irritating on purpose. Or by accident. Or at all. So he lets it go on for a few more minutes, Bill incoherent with frustration and Eddie an implacable lake of calm, because he’s sure it serves a purpose and he’s finding it disproportionately entertaining. And then he takes pity on Bill.

“Right,” he says, and watches both of them snap to him. No one actually salutes, but it looks like a close call. Bill’s hand actually twitches. “The this stuff,” he continues, waving a hand around his kitchen a la Leyden, “Will have to wait til Snafu and Burgie get here, because we owe you an explanation, but I think for the sake of my sanity I’m going to have to insist we give it to all of you at once.”

“We don’t owe them shit,” says Eddie, and there’s a bite to it that comes out of nowhere.

“Yeah, no, Skip,” Leyden all of a sudden is contrite, “Absolutely fuckin not, obviously! Just… This is fucking big, right? And you’ve told us, now, but barely. Speaking for myself, and Jay who is obviously the nosiest motherfucker on the planet, but this is like, your epic love story, right? So, sharing. That’s the appropriate thing to do with your epic love story and your Marines.”

It’s a bizarrely sweet thing to say, Andy hides the smile creeping up on him with a sip of his coffee. Eddie mirrors him, and it’s a little love letter all by itself.

“OK,” Eddie says, after he’s finished. “That’s Gunny covered, and our epic love story. What’s next, Bill?”

Leyden looks at him, really truly looks at him, and Andy for a moment feels a surge of the protective instinct that he had to keep a handle on in the desert – Bill is looking at Eddie and seeing the whole of him, which has not ever been a thing that could be OK before.

“The place we just took Sledge from,” says Bill, and he’s lost all of his bravado and swagger, he sounds wary in a way that is unfamiliar. “Was it what I think it was?”

Eddie stays quiet for a moment, and then he puts his hands down on the table, examining his fingers, before looking back up at them. “I don’t know, for sure. But Shelton sure as shit thought it was. He was fucking terrified.”

Bill nods sharply. Andy looks at Eddie, a brief, unspoken question.

He speaks again, “Did it look like it?”

“Shit Hillbilly, I’m from New York, I have no idea what shit like that looks like. Made me feel fuckin cold though, and not just the aircon, they were all bland smiling fuckin flat-affect motherfuckers talking like robots, all slick and helpful and shit. Felt fuckin sinister. Took me two minutes listening to Gunny talk to the broad at the front desk to know I was gonna burn the fuckin place down to get Sledge out of there.”

Andy sees it on him, too, the way that the place shook him up, in a way that rolling through artie in an open-top Jeep never did. Eddie hums, a little soothing sympathy.

“Was it hard to get them to turn him over?” Eddie asks.

"Didn’t get to hit anyone,” Bill says, and there’s regret in his voice that is tinged with fury. “But Gunny definitely implied that I would. They claimed he was there voluntarily an that he could leave whenever he wanted. So Gunny insisted on seeing him, so we could ask him ourselves. They threatened to call the cops on us at that point, but Gunny was all in favour of that, so they backed down on it pretty quickly. They pushed back pretty hard for a bunch of fuckin robots, but Gunny wore them down. An when they let him see us, Gunny asked if he wanted to leave, an he said yes, sir.”

The look on Bill’s face when he says that last sentence is actually physically painful to see.

“Tried to get him to fill out a bunch of paperwork in a private room,” Bill continues, “But I told them very clearly where to shove it, and we got Oscar Mike as fast as we fuckin could.”

I love the way that Bill is trying very hard to be a tough motherfucker about this, but at the same time he's massively out of his depth and overwhelmed and doesn't wanna get anything wrong, and he's been Shit Scared this whole time. Poor man.

My favorite chapter (if it's a multichapter)

ch5! We've got Burgie, we've got trauma, we've got gay marines cuddling and Bill Leyden's head exploding.

Hardest scene to write

Honestly? This one kinda just flew out of me, I wrote it like a fuckin fever dream in about three weeks and I didn't read a single word back until it was published. Just vomited it onto the screen and hurled it into the ether.

Favorite character to write in the fic

Bill Leyden. Didn't see him coming, but i fucking LOVED him once he got there. What a man.

Favorite dynamic to write in the fic

Andy/Eddie, obviously, because they are so soft and careful and deliberate with each other, and they are so in love.

I cried typing those words, I think I need another coffee.

Overall though, the main joy of this fic was writing the ensemble scenes. I make no bones about it, i'm in HBOWar for The Squad. The way these groups of men love each other and the very un-lovely ways they show it. It's my jam. I'm a woman who spends a lot of time in large groups of men in very masculine contexts, and the group dynamics of boys will never cease to delight me. You're all so dumb.

Why I chose that title

Jesus, I can't remember.

A fun fact about the fic

This was the first fic I'd written in 15 years, and the first one I ever finished, or published. It remains one of the pieces of writing I am most proud of, and the experience of writing it was utterly transformative. This fic changed my life.

What a weird thing to say.

[a-fandom-reimagined]

EVERYTHING. | RHYSAND X SIBLING!READER | TAMLIN X READER

♡ summary: rhysand struggles to come to terms with his younger sister and only living blood relative being mated to the man whose destroyed his family. ♡ type: angst | no trigger warnings! | word count: 1361 ♡ author's note: um...i don't remember a ton about these books. i've only read the first two and i'm overdue for a reread. plus, i have no idea what i was doing with the latter half of this fic. i just didn't know how to end it so when i reread the books i'll probably come back and re-write this. so sorry if you don't like it. i hope you enjoy though.

"I won't have it. This must be some mistake…a joke of some kind. Some sort of foul--"

"You'll wear a hole into the rug brother, please--"

"I. Will. Not. Have. It," he hissed.

His face was just inches from your own. His glare alone might have sent anyone else scurrying from the room like vermin, but you were not anyone else. And there was little he could do to scare you now.

"What will you do then? Wage war on the Spring Court? Lock me up? You basically already have! And let me tell you something, brother, your reasoning is no better than his was when he did it to Feyre."

Rhys backed away from you, his eyes--your mother's eyes--far away and distant at the suggestion. You could practically see the gears in his mind turning.

You ground your teeth together so hard they whined. He wasn't even listening to you anymore. But you wouldn't be silent. You'd been silent for months now and it's brought you nothing but anguish. You launched yourself in front of him, halting his damned pacing. "You've been saying this for a month. Pacing and plotting and planning for a month to no avail. There's nothing you can do."

"Like hell there isn't!"

"If there were you would have figured it out by now. He is mine and I am his. And there is nothing you can do about it so stop your pacing and in peace let me go to him--"

Rhys' eyes widened. His face a mask of fury, hurt, and betrayal. And it was all your fault… "Go to him? Y/N, you should be standing with me trying to find a way to fix this! Have you forgotten what he did to our mother? To our sister? What he would have done to you that night had he been given the chance?!"

You flinched so hard he may as well have struck you. Tears filled your eyes and your own dark power chased the light from your brother's study. "Oh please! As if I could have forgotten! As if I wouldn't have chosen any other man if given the choice--

"So--

Your brother's face smooths and after a month he is finally himself again. "I… Y/N we do not--"

"--and I was not given a choice, Rhys. Have you ever stopped to think about what this has done to me? About how humiliating this has been for me? My heart yearns for a man who has my mother, father, and sister's blood on his hands. A man who I even now cannot imagine myself trusting. I do not even know him and every minute of every hour of every day my very blood calls to be reunited with him and I hate it! My friends, my court, my High Lord, and Lady look upon me with disgust. And I do not blame them."

"Spare me," you tell him with a tight, sad smile. "And let me go to him. With your blessing."

"I don't know how. You are all I have left and he's taking you from me. He's taking my family from me. Again."

"He's not taking anyone. Not this time."

Silence filled the room. And in your mind it would either crush you both or he'd send you back to your room forcing you to take Feyre and Mor up on their offer to spring you. They didn't like Tamlin and mate or no mate, bond or no bond they didn't understand what you were feeling. Not for him. But they were willing to help anyway.

"I'm sending you with guards. And if he doesn't like it…"

It took you a moment to realize what he was saying. Your hands shook and your heart lifted. "I will speak to him." Confusion flickered across your brother's face. You couldn't blame him. It was strange for you too. You'd only seen Tamlin twice in your life and nothing you've ever heard about him has been positive. And the only conversations you've had were the ones through the bond that only served as further proof of what you were to each other. And yet the sway you already held over him was substantial to say the least. Already he'd vowed to try and make peace--if such a thing could ever be had--with your family. He'd apologize to Rhys and Feyre if it meant you'd come home to him.

Home.

For as long as you'd been alive home had always been here in Velaris. Before Tamlin the thought of leaving had never even crossed your mind. This was home. It always had been. Now it never would be again.

"Fine," Rhys said through gritted teeth. "Six months."

"What?"

"I give you six months with him and then you're coming home. That should be more than enough time to get this…whatever it is out of your system."

Down the bond Tamlin still raged and you comforted him as best you could.

Through the bond your mate's patience snapped almost audibly so. Up the bond he roared and raged at your brother. Slipping in and out of his animal form as he paced the halls of the lovely manor you'd only heard about in your High Lady's stories of her time with the High Lord of the Spring.

Six months.

It wasn't enough.

No amount of time would ever be enough. But it was a start.

Rhys was trying and in all honesty he didn't have to.

But he was.

For you.

You wouldn't be needing your High Lady's intervention after all…

You wrapped arms around his neck and wept into his night black and gold threaded tunic. "I'm sorry."

He held you tight, squeezing you as if for the very last time. "Don't be. I love you, Y/N."

Guards.

Rhysand said he would send you to the Spring Court with guards. Instead your brother had gathered a small arm. Cassian's very best. It was embarrassing. Humiliating. You were no less powerful than your older brother. You could level these lands and shatter the fragile minds of everyone in them if you needed to. But still you did not complain.

You were going to see Tamlin today. For the first time in a month, you'd be able to touch him, breathe him in, see him up close. Hear his voice in your ears instead of your mind. It was a good day.

You surveyed the grounds of Tamlin's manor with great interest. It so different...compared to the night court. Your palm sweated in your brother's hand. The temperature was balmy and cool, the air sweet on your tongue. You'd never seen grass so lush nor skies so blue. It would be easy to call this place home, you'd decided. If only for six months.

You danced from foot to foot unable to keep still. You fidgeted with the beaded waistline of your gown. Rhys squeezed your hand and Feyre took hold of your free one. Her grip was warm and steadying but nothing could put you at ease now.

You met her gaze, "Breathe," she told you.

You nodded but breath did not come easy to you. You felt as if there were a boulder sitting on your chest.

And then you saw him.

He was beautiful.

You'd expected guards. According to rumor Tamlin's warband was nothing to scoff at but he came alone in a loose white shirt, black trousers and riding boots. The baldric strapped to his chest free of weapons.

Rhys wasn't the only one trying it would seem.

A breeze sweept his long blond hair from one shoulder to the other and he seemed to bathe in the golden noonday sunshine as he approached.

Stunning.

You hadn't really gotten a good look at him before. But now.

Your stomach tightened and you locked your knees, planting your feet firmly into the earth to keep from launching yourself at him.

Rhys didn't say anything as he led you forth, forcing Feyre to release your hand.

Tamlin stopped a good distance a way. Hands locked behind his back. "Rhys. Feyre," he said by way of greeting. But he didn't look at them. Tamlin only had eyes for you and you for him. "Y/N."

Inches separated of space separated you. It was the closest you'd ever been to one another. You'd never noticed the flecks of gold in his emerald green eyes…

"She's all I have left, Tamlin." Rhys gritted out. "And it doesn't please me to do so but I am entrusting her safety to you."

"Me and the small platoon you've sent with her," he quipped.

"Can you blame me?"

Tamlin's eyes finally left yours and met your brother's. "No."

"If she comes back with so much as sun burn I will grind you and everyone you’ve ever met to do dust.”

“You don’t have to—“

She’s everything to me, Tamlin. Everything.”

REQUESTED! | REQUESTS: ALWAYS OPEN | REBLOG DON’T REPOST | GIF | MASTERLIST

[wolfstarshipping]

I’m in a reading slump, do you have any good fics that you can recommend me?

Hi, thanks for asking lovely anon! I've thought about this and I have several different approaches on how to answer your ask, so this'll be a longer list, I hope you find something you like!

First category: Texting Fics!

I love text fics because they're usually very fast-paced and easy to read, so I think they might be a good way to combat a reading slump!

You could either go with the iconic Text Talk by merlywhirls (141.250 words), a boarding school AU with a home-schooled, chronically ill Remus, a true classic and the fic that started the whole wolfstar texting fic trend back in the day!

Or, one of my personal favorites from the same era for purely nostalgic reasons, aesthetic: trash boys by Emaly/merlywhirls (89.473 words, everyone is super queer, strong chosen family vibes, with an HIV positive Remus and genderqueer Sirius).

Or if you want a modern text fic classic, there's always Staying Strangers by 3amAndCounting (319.368 words, university AU, this is one of those fics I've reread a couple of times already, just because I love it so much, especially the texting in the beginning).

Snow In June by BrigidFaye (25.561 words) is a magical AU set in the US that also has some texting elements, even though it's not as text-heavy as the fics mentioned above, but the worldbuilding and the setting is wonderful, and lumberjack Remus is everything I ever needed in my life!

Dear Your Holiness by @mollymarymarie (142.264 words) is a priest AU and band AU, with a bit of texting, though this one is also already kind of moving into the next category of fics mentioned below. Obviously the whole catholic priest theme is not going to be for everybody, but if you think you might enjoy that, I highly recommend it, it's so, so good! And if you don't think you'll enjoy the themes of this fic, check out literally any other fic by mollymarymarie, I think at this point I've read almost all of them and enjoyed every single one I read immensely!!

Alright, so now the next category is fics with plots that will get you out of any reading slump:

I've recently become obsessed with @lynxindisguise's fics, so I'd also recommend checking out all of them, but since I've mostly recommended longer fics on this list so far, I'll go with a shorter one: in the dark, there is discovery (11.796 words) is a wonderful pirate AU that you can easily read in one evening, and it has beautiful world building, Remus Lupin as a seamonster and my new favorite trope - there was only one hammock.

Let Me Get What I Want (This Time) by Sierra_Sitruc (69.878 words) is a plot-driven and amazing fix-it-fic, that I keep thinking about even months after I've read it, and that had me stay awake at ungodly hours just because I couldn't put it down and wanted to know how it ended!

The Bent by @ebp-brain (40.257 words) is an incredible fic about queer lives, politics and art, oppression and resistance, so if any of those things sound like something you'd enjoy I highly recommend reading it, I always love earlybloomingparentheses' writing, it's so, so beautiful and powerful!

take me as i am (48.494 words) has one of the most unique settings I've ever read - it features Sirius as an (adorable) sleep demon, who is supposed to give Remus nightmares, and I also love the way this fic depicts various mental illnesses.

In saccharine by moonymoment (26.447 words) Sirius is a ghost haunting Remus's apartment, and this is another one of those fics I keep thinking about because it was just so so good.

full moon twofold by renaissance (12,031 words) is a Gothic-romance style AU and an incredible take on the question "what if Remus never went to Hogwarts?".

And now maybe a few shorter fics:

The first rec in this category is not even a specific fic but just a tumblr account: @wolfstarmicrofic, if you scroll through their blog you'll find lots and lots of really short fics which might just be what you need to get back into reading!

In You, I Count Stars by @wolfpants (1.540 words) is a wonderful hogwarts-era oneshot set in the Astronomy Tower with a pining Sirius.

It's Cold Outside by Remustrash (1.788 words) is a very fluffy and cosy there-was-only-one-bed fic, featuring the most oblivious of all oblivious puppies!

June, and Other Natural Disasters by montparnasse (5.524 words) is a beautifully written fic that made me feel all the feels and has great summer vibes!

Okay and the last category is fics with A+ vibes that'll make you forget all about your reading slump:

The Long Way Home by @hollyivydruzy (177.337 words) is a university AU and the kind of fic I didn't want to ever end, because the characters felt so incredibly real, and it's so easy to get completely immersed and lost in their wonderful, chaotic world and follow along on all their university adventures.

this desperate in love by drowsyanddazed (20.776 words) is a very cute high school AU, and reading it felt like watching a coming of age / teen movie in the best kind of way!

wading in waist-high water by @colgatebluemintygel (82.060 words) is a Great British Bake-Off AU that features Remus as a contestant and and Sirius as a host who's thirsting after Remus, and I just love the whole setting and atmosphere of the fic, as well as the writing! And this fic's Arthur Weasley needs to be protected at all costs, I love him a lot!

A Brief History of Dragons by @eyra (23.488 words) is an incredibly cosy and wonderful modern AU set in Cornwall, I absolutely ADORE Remus in this fic and love the way his and Sirius's relationship slowly develops, this fic has such a special place in my heart.

Alright I think I could keep going and add to this list forever but I'll stop now, let me know if you read any of these, and I hope they'll end your reading slump! x

[awritingcaitlin]

2024 Wrap Up

It's still before New Years where I'm at! So let's slide this in!!

Some stats! Words Written: 283031 (give or take) WIPs Worked on: 10 Books read: 3 Beta reads: 10

WIPs Drafting Stage: 8 WIPs Revision Stage: 3

I'm gonna post some snippets from the year under the cut!

January - Finished editing Draft 15 of TBW, and workshopped it with my critique group. In January in specific, it was mostly writing the last chapter. Here's some content from then: Nathaniel and Riela in the hospital after all the shit went down.

For those of you who are newer, TBW is something I've been working on for ages with my co-writer. (If the number of drafts isn't any clue.) But we're 10+ years now. Anticipate seeing more of it as we're probably going to try to do revisions again this coming year.

February - Did some revisions on Heist. Honestly, it was nothing major because I spent that month packing (for a move that never ended up happening -_-) Here's a conversation I was tweaking at the time, having already rewritten the first few chapters of Heist in 2023. (Also this says Draft 3, but it was really more like Draft 2.5. This content is now in Chapter 5.)

Heist is a staple you've all seen me talk about I'm sure! It's set in the same universe as TBW, but with different MCs. I started it in 2022, started Draft 3 in late 2023, and as you'll see, started Draft 4 in late 2024. Still, I'm loving how it's all coming together!

March - Revising stuff in the first 5 chapters of Heist Draft 3. Some content from that time for you: Lelia and Ronan talking!

April - I'd made it through 15 Chapters of Heist Draft 3. However, midway through the month, I had some Life Happen, and stepped away from Heist for Reasons. I'll share some snippets from those works too. Here's a new Em and Vinny conversation that I wrote during that time.

April Part 2 - Due to Grief reasons, I ended up rereading most of CTQ, which is my GriefWIP™, and expanded on one of the scenes for a flashfic contest at that time, now in second person!

April Part 3 - I also ended up working on Aftermath, another Grief WIP. Which did not actually start as a WIP about grief... but I suppose when the premise is surviving after overthrowing an evil dictator, I can see how it went that way.

May - I started working more on Heist again, and got through 22 whole chapters! Some content for the time: the Jam Session!

June - I got Heist up to 34 chapters! Have some theology! It was very hard to find a snippet that was new content compared to the previous draft but also was not a blatant spoiler.

July - I got Heist up to 35 chapters, but then got stuck. Yes, this snippet says it's from Chapter 36 and that's because later I went back and added a chapter (and also had to restructure this whole area of the WIP.) New content: Lelia and Marcella conversation!

July Part 2 - I started working on my Dragon Age fanfic. The premise being that all the origin characters survive and join the party (though not as Grey Wardens.)

August - Heist revisions looked a lot like I didn't know how to number chapters at the time. Chapter 34, Chapter 35, Chapter 36, Chapter 35, Chapter 35, Chapter 36, Chapter 37..... Anyway, this is when I went back and added a chapter that fixed the problem I'd been having. So here, have Lelia and Ronan talking!

August Part 2 - While all that was going on, I also put another 10k into my WardenWIP.

August Part 3 - I also wrote a crossover fic with @rarmaster. This was an "ending" of sorts for two characters from our respective Kingdom Hearts fanfics.

Premise: The Riku Replica survived Chain of Memories by going to another universe. Years later, he and Namine talk about how they made it.

August Part 4 - Lastly, I wrote a thinly veiled Dragon Age fanfic, modeled after the Urn of Sacred Ashes trailer.

September - I got Heist up to 44 chapters and wrote one of my favorite sequences ever!

September Part 2 - I also wrote another 20k of WardenWIP.

October - Finished Draft 3 of Heist! Then I kind of just rested. (As was my right.)

November - I worked on worldbuilding documents, both my encyclopedia and my history doc.

Working on the Magic Encyclopedia was something that's a long-time coming. There's a very in-depth magic system for the world of Tyrysius, and half of drafting up an encyclopedia for how magic works is so that way we can minimize contradictions! I expect to go back to it in 2025 and continue fleshing it out.

November Part 2 - Working on the History document was good for nailing down what has transpired since the cataclysm 1200 years ago, what nations have risen and fallen, what technology has done, and plenty else. I anticipate working on this more in 2025 as well.

November Part 3 - I also spent a lot of time working how Draft 4 of Heist was going to come together because I already had ideas for revisions and the motivation to do them.

No fancy snippet but:

“Shierdi has rejected my last offer for it. So you’re going to steal it. Shierdi isn’t looking for you because you haven’t done anything for me.” “Yeah but you’ve been trying to get my attention for a year.” “She doesn’t know that. She works through mortal staff a lot and has been wrapping me up in red tape. But, one of the benefits of being known as the drunken god is that none of the other gods think you can make up a plan.” “Yeah but there are other gods of alcohol.” “Everyone knows Adelus can’t plan! Even still, Shierdi thinks I’m more of a drunk than he is.”

December - Dove into Heist Draft 4! Have a snippet of a new conversation between Vinny and Em, that recycles dialogue from a scene with Lelia and Em that got cut.

December Part 2 - Also I started writing another crossover scene. The premise of this one is that Xion decides the Riku Replica is her little brother. It was rar's idea.

“Sister?”  She giggled. “Yeah.”  He blinked and mouthed the word again, as if tasting it on his tongue. His eyes lit up and he smiled. “Sure,” he laughed. “Why not? Why can’t my family get ridiculously bigger?” “That’s the spirit!” she said. “Want to go get ice cream?”  

That has not really gone anywhere yet, but I needed to get the initial dialogue out of my head.

Anyway, yeah, that was 2024 was a lot of writing. Here's to a good 2025!