#and indeed THEY ARE SEAGULLS

[akai-anna]

please, tell me i'm not the only one who is obsessed over kaito chilling there and making friends with seagulls

[toongoonharmony]

the learning curve is steep when all you know is roll

[magistralucis]

@absolut--kurant!

[cbarc]

take me back to climbing inside mash tuns coffee jar whiskey and petting distillery dogs

[magistralucis]

@absolut--kurant!

Jamie Wyeth (American b.1946), Gulls and Pumpkins #3, 1992, Mixed media on paper

[jpnriikicore]

── tan lines and light eyes

paring paul aron x fem!reader, word count 467, genre fluff, ( masterlist )

he leaned against the doorway of the balcony gazing at the spectacular view with the orange in the sunrise standing in only his boxers with his blond hair disheveled. ocean crashing against the shoreline. seagulls flying in the morning sky.

clothes lying on the floor from the bed to the front door. your faded rogue lipstick on the collar of his white button-up shirt that was discarded on the hardwood floor he wore last night. a diamond ring hidden in a small velvet box in his pant pocket that he wore last night and that he’s carried around since their fifth date waiting for the right moment.

you snap a photograph of him in that moment with an old fuji camera you brought along with you. you bend your knee upwards and lean your head forward to rest your chin against your knee as you admire the view of him in front of you. finally, at the realization that you indeed awake from your deep slumber. he didn’t want to wake you earlier this morning with how cute and peaceful you looked with your cheek squished up against the pillowcase and hair sprawled out. he walks over towards you tilting your head up to press a chaste kiss on your lips. he’s head dips down to press gentle kisses on the side of your neck. love marks already scattered across your neck that are going to be almost impossible to cover up. a freshly done tattoo of his number '17' on your shoulder blade.

your arm extended out for a piece of bacon on the food tray that was sent up earlier this morning. his hand follows your arm as he clasps your forearm and presses a gentle kiss on your wrist. he eyes flickering up to gaze at you as you feel him smile against your skin.

“morning, kallis." ( dear )

his accent was sleepy and thicker, as it always was in the morning, his watercolor eyes looked down at you as he lowered himself down onto the edge of the bed settling himself next to you.

“morning.”

you’re both still young and full of ambition to get to your dream. you’ve worked too damn hard to give it up now. a future red bull and mercedes driver. a secret little rendezvous that is hidden in the shadows. nobody else knows about your relationship besides your teammates.

after, finishing your piece of bacon. a giggle escaped from you as he pulled you down on top of him laying on the plush mattress. your cuddled up by his side sharing a chaste kiss. his dominant hand gently grazing her spine underneath one of his shirts. his nondominant hand tangled in your unruly hair. your head resting on his chest intently focusing on the patter of his heartbeat.

© JPNRIIKICORE, 2024

[thecouchsofa]

You might be thinking, Tee, in your 2023 AO3 wrap up post, you said you wrote a ridiculous amount of HP fic this year - but what about reading? Well, thanks for asking, imaginary audience – as a matter of fact, I did indeed read a lot of Drarry fics this year. A fucking horrendous number of Drarry fics, in fact.

Below the cut are some of my favourites that were published in 2023, arranged by word count.

But first, a note: there is truly an overwhelming amount of talent in this fandom and this list only scratches the surface. These fics all gave me something that I was looking for and were my favourites for a number of different reasons. I hope you can find something new to love here (or reconnect with an old favourite), and that you enjoy these stories as much as I did!

If there’s a fic from 2023 that isn’t here but you really enjoyed, chuck it in the replies section so we can all see it!

🌸 AITA for being "obsessed" with my childhood nemesis? – @rainstormradish (4k, M) 🌸

Alrakis I [24M] attended a small boarding school in the UK. There was a boy in my year, a couple of months younger than me, and he became my nemesis after we developed an intense rivalry. My friend [25F] told me recently that our dynamic was "weird back then" and that "it’s even weirder" that I still think about him today. She argued that I talk about him all the time, but I believe the amount I talk about him is reasonable. AITA?

prongymcprongface i completely get what you mean. i had a nemesis (like a school one, separate to my other nemesis) and we had a dynamic super similar to what you are describing. having a nemesis is a very cool and normal thing dw about it. NTA

In which Draco asks the internet if he's being reasonable. Only one commenter is sympathetic. They start talking.

Read for: unique fic idea with a cool layout, humour, boys being idiots

🌻 Snug – @moonflower-rose (6k, E) 🌻

Potter can't keep his hands off himself. Draco can't look away.

Read for: Draco being Obsessed with Harry(‘s cock), Humorous Writing Style

🪻 Birds Behaving Badly – @peachpety (10k, E) 🪻

For eight years, Draco has been content living a quiet life of anonymity in Brighton, dodging pesky seagulls and enjoying the ephemeral boys of summer. And if these summer blokes just happen to resemble Harry Potter, it’s a mere coincidence—despite what his friends say.

But when a repeat one-night stand challenges him to face his desires, Draco thinks he’s finally over his years-long crush.

A seagull named Kevin thinks otherwise.

For: Unleashed!Fest 2023

Read for: hidden/mistaken identity, summer vibes, Kevin the seagull

🌸 Under the Confetti Mist – @azalealarae (12k, E) 🌸

Harry and Draco stay up late working on a Potions assignment in the poorly ventilated eighth-year common room, unaware that disinhibition is a side effect of the elixir’s vapor.

Read for: Sex Pollen, Drarry as Potions partners

🌻 Hellos, goodbyes, a thousand midnights – newskyillusion (13k, M) 🌻

The world, as Harry knew it, has ended.

At least he has a garden.

OR

Harry and Draco live through the apocalypse

For: Drarry Let’s Play Fest 2023

Read for: body horror, cosy vibes (just trust me, lol), Harry gardening, Powerful Harry, Harry and Draco relying on each other.

🪻 Amorous As This Lovely Green – @annanother-thing (14k, E) 🪻

Harry hates being a celebrity. Draco cannot find a single model that fits his vision for his latest line. They both make the debatable choice of trusting one PA extraordinaire/best friend, Pansy Parkinson.

For: Harry/Draco Career Fair 2023

Read for: Harry modelling lingerie, Hot Harry

🌸 Help! I'm a Hopeless Romantic! – @peachydreamxx (14k, M) 🌸

Draco turns from the bar, eyes latching onto Harry. He surveys him, one brow lifting, and Harry, like a deer in headlights, throws his hand up with the world’s most awkward wave. Draco just weaves out of sight, and Harry’s face burns as Ron pats him on the shoulder, then steals a chip. “He gave you a look, didn’t he?”

~ how to get over your crush

~ places that sell cake after 11pm near me

~ how to tell if someone is playing hard to get

A year in the life of Harry's shared moments, and private thoughts

For: Wheel of Drarry Mini-Exchange Secret Santa 2023

Read for: Harry’s Google Searches, Humour

🌻 Cool About It – @oflights (M, 16k) 🌻

Harry is so excited for his first date with Draco. But what follows isn't so much a date as it is an all-night odyssey including a malevolent lift, a Gringotts heist, a Sleeping Curse, a trip to the kebab shop, a lack of dancing, a Muggle drug, a rooftop pool party, a black eye and, eventually, a sunrise over a Quidditch stadium.

Read for: Humour, idiots in love, first dates

🪻 The Eighth Sin – @thehoneybeet (16k, E) 🪻

When Draco is sentenced to five years of house arrest, without magic, alone, the only person to visit him is Potter. But Draco’s beginning to doubt whether Potter is really there at all.

For: HD Wireless 2023

Read for: dreamy/sad vibes, caring Harry, a beautiful exploration of a relationship

🌸 What’s Mine is Yours – @fluxweeed (17k, E) 🌸

Harry loses something important. Malfoy helps him get it back.

Read for: smut so hot it’ll light you on fire

🌻 O Come, All Ye Faithful – toomuchplor (19k, E) 🌻

Aunt Petunia died, that was what began everything.

Or rather, Aunt Petunia was dying. In the act of dying.

In which Draco finds faith in the church, and Harry finds faith in Draco.

Read for: Vicar Draco, Harry’s Vicar Kink, Beautiful Writing, Draco’s Hard Sanctified Cock

🪻 The Boys of Summer – @saxamophone (19k, E) 🪻

It's summer, and they're spending it at a lake, far away from everything. There’s swimming and a floating dock, cracked and warm in the sun. Fizzy drinks and fireflies. Sticky strawberry ice lollies and beach towels tangled under them.

Harry’s golden skin and love for The Grateful Dead and Fleetwood Mac.

Draco Malfoy is doomed, but what else is new?

For: HD Wireless 2023

Read for: delicious pining, summer vibes, beautiful romance, nostalgic vibes

🌸 Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage – @goblinmatriarch (E, 21k) 🌸

Lord Draco Malfoy may be a young man spending time in Dumbledore’s summer court, but that does not mean he needs to succumb to its licentious frivolity. He carries the burden of his lineage, the shadow of rumours, and the dignity of his betrothal to a good match. He is certainly not fool enough to be distracted by the dark curls and ready grin of the court’s stableboy, who seems to have taken up with every courtier who looks his way.

For: HP Bodice Ripper Fest 2023

Read for: Historical AU done right, Draco in a codpiece, more riding euphemisms than you can count

🌻 True Love Gave To Me – @epitomereally (23k, E) 🌻

It’s the first of December, and all Draco wants to do is make Christmas lovely for Scorpius. But then Harry Potter shows up, asking him to save the world, and it turns out they’ve almost saved the world a couple of times before. One-hundred and forty-four times, to be exact.

Or: what happens after the time loop?

For: H/D Erised 2023

Read for: time loop shenanigans, cosy vibes, adorable Scorpius (and his geese)

🪻 Nothing But You On My Mind – @moonflower-rose (29k, M) 🪻

Potter has been in Australia on an internship for almost a year, and Draco cannot wait for him to get back home. They'll finally have a chance to talk about their feelings for each other. What could possibly go wrong?

Loads, as it turns out.

For: HD Wireless 2023

Read for: Angst, Draco/Ron/Hermione Friendship, idiots in love

🌸 who will receive you in love's offices – @jtimu (30k, E) 🌸

A year in the life of Draco Malfoy, increasingly derailed by Harry Potter.

In the aftermath of it all, Draco opened an antiques shop. Sort of. Mostly, though, what he did was repair work. People brought him their grandparents’ charmed silverware or a pocketwatch which was meant to show the stars at your birth but now only held the time, and he would fix them. It was quiet work, a little lonely, but for the repeated intrusions of one Harry J Potter.

Read for: brilliant deep dive into magical theory, smarty pants Draco, enemies to friends to lovers (emphasis on the middle step), poetry references by the bucketful, a version of Draco that lives rent free in my mind

🌻 Half Sick of Shadows – @starquestingfordrarry (39k, E) 🌻

Harry and Draco have been sleeping together for months, and it's fine. It's enough for Harry.

But when things finally start to feel like the more Harry's been hoping for, a strange tapestry project has him worrying he won't ever get the chance.

Or: the one with sheep, dragons, and a whole lot of weaving metaphors.

For: H/D Career Fair 2023

Read for: Alvin the ram, Harry carving wooden dildos, magical tapestries, atmospheric vibes, an artfully created world

🪻 Now I Know In Part – @dodgerkedavra (39k, E) 🪻

Harry Potter is the savior of the Wizarding World. Draco Malfoy is a reformed Death Eater turned Ministry Curse-Breaker. Five years after the War, they're brought together by another mysterious curse.

Only this time, Harry's the one who needs saving.

More specifically, he needs Draco.

They have one month to break the curse, and the clock is ticking.

Read for: Draco taking care of Harry, Cottagecore vibes, bucketfuls of sweetness, great smut

🌸 Nothing Gold Can Stay – @moonflower-rose (40k, E) 🌸

One summer evening, Harry Potter vanished in the middle of dinner with his friends. Four days later he came back. Sort of.

Draco Malfoy is on the case.

For: H/D Erised 2023

Read for: Alternate Universes, Married Draco/Harry, Non-Painful Angst

🌻Sharper than a Sea Serpent's Tooth – @goblinmatriarch (40k, T)

Draco expects his research trip to Crete to focus on the ecology of ward design, with perhaps some cheeky visits to the elusive sea serpents and the odd sleepy beach day. Instead, he encounters a Past he's spent over a decade trying to outrun, and a familiar scowl under glasses and a scar. Featuring just so much imagining being on a hot, sunny beach for your winter pleasure.

For: H/D Erised 2023

Read for: Magical Creatures, Greek Mythology, International Location (Crete), Atmospheric Writing

🪻 LA, Who Am I To Love You? – @epitomereally (42k, E) 🪻

Harry’s summer in LA is not going as expected. Pansy Parkinson keeps inviting him to parties in the Hollywood Hills and harassing him to finally go to the physical therapist, Blaise Zabini keeps slipping new strains of his company’s magical weed into Harry’s pockets in hopes of an endorsement, and Draco Malfoy keeps having sex with everyone but Harry.

For: HD Wireless 2023

Read for: Werewolf Harry, Incubus Draco, Acquaintances to Friends to Lovers, Interesting Location (LA)

🌸 A Pulled Down Shade – fast_brother (43k, M) 🌸

Harry does not like Draco Malfoy, not even one bit. Never did and never will. That is, until he finds himself married to him.

For: HP Soulmates Fest 2023

Read for: HUGE Grounds for Divorce vibes! Angst, Harry working through trauma, Harry fighting for Draco

🌻 The Waiting – @oknowkiss (43k, E) 🌻

It’s been almost ten years since Draco Malfoy disappeared during a routine Curse Breaker training exercise. Harry, his partner in more ways than one, is determined to figure out why. As the past resurfaces and the present fades into confusion, Harry discovers the only thing more unreliable than memory is love.

For: HD Wireless 2023

Read for: Curse Breaker Partners, Angst, Secret Relationship

🪻 The Unplottable Time Conundrum – @writcraft (45k, E) 🪻

When the past starts bleeding into the present at Grimmauld Place, an old academic article pulls Draco Malfoy out of his life of luxury. Haunted by the memory of a fleeting post-war kiss and thrust into the ghostly spaces inhabited by Unspeakable Harry Potter, Draco’s easy life is about to get a whole lot more complicated.

For: H/D Erised 2023

Read for: House Magic, The Order of the Pheonix, Haunted House vibes, Drarry in their 30s

🌸 Our Objective Remains Unchanged – @citrusses (46k, E) 🌸

Harry Potter, returning member of the Oxford University Boat Club, has two goals for the spring of 2005: beat Cambridge, and beat Draco Malfoy. Perhaps not in that order.

Read for: Muggle AU, Sports AU, Competitiveness, Damn good writing

🌻 Everybody Hates a Tourist – @wolfpants (51k, E) 🌻

On a stag do in sunny Brighton with the Gryffindor lads, the last person Harry expects to run into is Draco Malfoy. After a glimpse of Malfoy’s Muggle life in Britain’s gay capital, Harry’s curiosity gets the better of him and he finds himself returning to the seaside again and again, drawn to the city, drawn to this new version of Malfoy that Harry barely recognises from school.

Meanwhile, Draco’s just trying to live his big and best queer life: working for the weekend, chasing hot men, getting lost in Brighton's nightlife, and making friends with the neighbourhood cats. Why does his former school rival and crush have to show up and spoil everything?

For: HD Wireless 2023

Read for: beautiful relationship building, Harry finding himself, Draco living his best life. I won’t lie, I’d read the back of a cereal box if wolfpants wrote it – do yourself a favour if you haven’t already

🪻 from love, obviously – bizarrestars (52k, M) 🪻

"I just mean, doing the right thing because it's right is better than doing it because…"

"What?" Draco challenges, amused. "Better to do it because it's right as opposed to doing it because it's not wrong? Please enlighten me on what the difference is."

"You're the difference," is Harry's answer.

(Or: Draco Malfoy comes up with a plan, drinks a lot of tea, and fails to fix a clock. Somewhere along the way, Harry Potter falls in love with him, which wasn't a part of the plan at all.)

Read for: Unhinged Draco, Harry being resigned to Draco’s antics, Weasley family feels, fast pacing

🌸 Terrible People – @getawayfox and @wolfpants (52k, E) 🌸

What happens when Harry and Draco end up on the same Muggle gay cruise? They certainly didn't plan for it to happen (but their friends might have). They're stuck with each other for a week, they might as well make the most of it, right?

Featuring a holiday-long game of Truth or Dare, a very ill-judged FWB proposition, decades-long pining, lots of gin, and a small pair of green swimming trunks.

Read for: Gorgeous Art , RomCom vibes, Gay Cruise, Friends with Benefits to Lovers

🌻 Nights With You – @the-sinking-ship (58k, E) 🌻

Draco is mortified when moments prior to departing for the most anticipated destination wedding of the year, he is cruelly dumped. But when he learns that Harry Potter has, at long last, split with his horrible boyfriend, Draco is certain his luck has changed. Never a man to squander an opportunity for revenge (and what would probably be a spectacular shag), Draco vows to make Potter his for the weekend.

Now all Draco has to do is convince him.

Read for: Fake dating, mild size kink, international location (Italy), mildly unhinged Draco, hot Harry

Note: This is the fic that made me set up a Doc for everything I’d read to make sure I wouldn’t lose it to the wide realm of the internet.

🪻 Rookie Moves – peu_a_peu (75k, E) 🪻

Aurors Potter and Malfoy crack the case.

Read for: Humour, Enemies to Coworkers to Lovers, Unhinged Draco

🌸 How To Train Your Malfoy – @fencer-x (93k E) 🌸

Good manners dictate that, when one’s best friend Apparates onto one’s doorstep holding the unconscious, haggard body of the schoolyard bully and begging for sanctuary, one ought to invite the two of them in for a cup of tea. Harry Potter sometimes wishes he weren’t so polite.

For: H/D Erised 2023

Read for: Dragon Animagus Draco, Harry taking care of Draco, brilliant writing, a funny as fuck premise – I wanted Draco to stay in his unhinged dragon form forever

🌻 Symptom of Your Touch – NoxNoir (115k, E) 🌻

St. Mungo's Healer Draco Malfoy is used to being pushed to his limits when providing aide to the ailing, but when an unexpected encounter with an out of character Harry Potter throws his life out of balance one night, he is forced to ask himself how far he's willing to push his own levels of discomfort to be of aid to a man in need of help that only he can provide.

Read for: Draco taking care of Harry, Pining, Unrequited love, buckets of sexual tension

🪻 Recursion – Tessa Crowley (132k, E) 🪻

A process is recursive when it defines or contains itself; e.g., the Fibonacci sequence, which determines the next number as the sum of the previous two.

But not all recursive processes are mathematical. Recursion can happen in a temporal context when, for instance, the powerful magical force that is true love drags you back in time so it can create itself, endangering the fate of the Wizarding World—not to mention the very fabric of space and time—along the way.

Read for: Canon Retelling/Divergence, time travel, Slytherin Harry, a truly insane amount of physics/magical theory/intelligence. This fic was too smart for me in the best way. If you liked Chaos Theory read this – it’s even better!

🌸 Cut From the Sky – @mallstars (150k, E) 🌸

"I'm stuck in a time loop, reliving November 2nd. This is the 111th time I've lived through today."

Draco stilled. His moody eyes, the tension in his hands where he gripped onto his umbrella, the careful mask of blankness flickering over his face — everything about him was so difficult and so very dear to Harry.

"Ah," said Draco, "and?"

Note: no rec list for this year could be considered complete without including this one.

Read for: Harry at his most loveable, a relationship story told a hundred different ways, atmospheric worldbuilding, Trans representation.

🌻 In the Blood – BiscuitBrunch (225k, E) 🌻

Harry Potter thinks Draco Malfoy is a slimy git of a defense lawyer, who couldn't care less about doing the right thing.

Draco Malfoy thinks Harry Potter is a filthy pig of an Auror, who couldn't care less about doing the right thing.

They fight, fuck, fall in love, and fight some more.

When they're on the brink of getting their shit together and starting a family, a blood curse surfaces that threatens the lives of Draco and their unborn child.

Read for: badass lawyer Draco, deep exploration of a relationship, working through trauma, slice of life, mpreg

[themousefromfantasyland]

Why are people not talking about this:

In the Little Mermaid 2023 remake, they changed the setting of the story.

Despite what many believe, the original 1989 animated movie wasn't set in Denmark. Judging by the architecture of Prince Eric's castle, the animals present during Kiss the Girl, and the landscape of the land itself, the movie is set in the European Mediterranean. Disney all but confirmed this in latter years. There were actual theories about Eric's kingdom being in Italy.

In the remake, Eric's kingdom is an island heavily implied to be on the Caribbean sea.

Eric is adopted and his mother, the Queen is super alive in this, and she is black. Grimsby here is portrayed by a Pakistani-British actor, making him ambiguously brown. Carlotta was replaced by a character named Lashana, and she is portrayed by a Trinidadian actress.

The island population is super diverse, with black and brown people everywhere.

They have a tropical climate and the only trees seen are palm trees.

Instead of waltzing when they visit the kingdom, Ariel and Eric dance Caribbean music.

When Eric shows several maps to Ariel, he suspiciously cites the names of a lot of South America countries, like Venezuela and Colombia, implying that the kingdom is closer to these countries than it is to Europe. He even cites my country, Brazil, referred as the Brazilian Empire, which dates the movie from anywhere between 1822 and 1889, when Brazil was indeed an Empire.

@ariel-seagull-wings @princesssarisa @angelixgutz @amalthea9 @thelittlehansy

[magistralucis]

@absolut--kurant!

[lenle-g]

Inspired by this WIP by @melmac78:

John was near the stern, looking out to sea. He had enjoyed looking at all the planes on board as well as the ships sailing by - business and pleasure, but this too was a sight to see. Especially as he had grown just a smidge annoyed of hearing Scott talk about the T-34 Mentor to the Scouts, so he had a bit of peace to enjoy it. John was amazed at how the light and clear blue sky would reflect off the Gulf of Mexico, turning the normally brownish waters the same beautiful color. Out in the distance, some offshore oil rigs still dotted the distance. While biofuels and renewable sources were finally being produced with an even lower waste footprint, there still was the need for some oil products. He was feeling a bit tired and warm from the sun as he leaned over the side to look at what appeared to be a pod of dolphins swimming by... or were they those blue men-of-war that Gordon said don't touch? There were others sounds, but they seemed distant and blurred. John watched the pod seem to double and triple in size, confusing him. Then his head started feeling light. "Oh no." He thought vaguely, as a few moments later as he hit the rail at his waist. The pilot gave a faint yelp as he tilted over, the vertigo getting worse as he saw thick netting and a more angry water churning by the hull. His vision started to swim as he kept moving forward. He tried to grab the rail, but caught air instead... A pair of rough hands grab his baldric and pulled back. John stumbled from the course correction and fell back, still feeling as though the world was going down a drain... The same hands cradled him under the arms now as he was then set on the ground. The person was propping him up against their legs and chest. There were running sounds on the deck toward them, but they sounded about the same as the waves - ocean or his ears John wasn’t sure. The person holding him had a hand on his jaw, trying to get him to look at them. He could see someone, even though the image was slightly blurry as grey edges flickered in his blind spots. John just couldn't speak. There were more muddled sounds nearby, vocalizing a sound similar to a distant flock of seagulls. That was until louder bass timber - a voice John reminded himself - shooed them away. The same voice then tried again to get John to speak. He tried this time, but all that came out was a soft moan. John then felt the other person's hand run through his hair, who also assured him he was all right. Between the hand and then a light kiss on the top of his head, John realized he was indeed conscious and being held by a brother. Otherwise, he'd be stretched out on the deck - and admittedly the kiss would be a little odd. Then the same gentle hand was at his throat, checking his pulse. "John - can you hear me now?" said Virgil as he leaned into John's view, gently lifting his chin again to check the redhead's eye reaction.

[astral-aromance]

Grandchildren

Imagine being Nerdanel, sure that your family is lost to you forever. You're completely alone. Even after over 6000 years, your bed still feels empty without your husband there. There's no noise in the kitchen where the brothers are fighting over the last apple, despite all of them knowing there's a whole apple tree right outside the window. No smoke coming from the smithy, no papers with blue prints and miracles scattered around. No dog hair clogging up the drain. No music at 3 am. Nothing.

But then, one day, this Elf shows up at your door. He's shorter than usual, and he looks older than you have ever seen an elf look. He says, "I'm your grandson," and suddenly, you are not completely alone anymore. Elrond is nice, you like him. The music room gets used again, even if only a little. It brings you joy.

A few decades go by, and a Raven brings you a summon from Mandos. You except Tyelpë is finally coming home to you, but instead, it's an elf you have NEVER met before. Tall, stoic, and dark-haired, Nolofinwëan in all ways, but his eyes are unmistakably those of your husband. Those of your eldest son. He is just as surprised to see you there, as is Anairë, but you work it out. Turns out Ereinion and Elrond always thought of one another as brothers, now they actually are. One morning, you go downstairs for tea, and you hear the King yell at the Lord about stealing his strawberries off his plate.

Elrond goes to the havens to meet his sons. Surprisingly, the Seagull carried a summon for you as well. Two identical faces greet you, and your heart stings with old grief. You turn to leave, but spot something unusual. Another Peredhil, shy and distancing himself from the others. He looks like Elrond in hair and build, but... Elrond didn't have any other children, did he? One of the twins tugs on his arm and tries to pull him into the crowd, and the newcomer scowls at him. His face turns bright red. Soon after, you find detailed descriptions of Finarfin's failure as a king when it comes to finances on your coffee table.

Tyelpë returns too, turns out he knew all of them, and they get along great. Maybe a little too well, because they start shutting you out. They stop talking when you walk into the room. They hastily hide documents beneath their robes when you pass them. You don't know what they're up to, but at least your house isn't silent anymore, and the forge burns again.

You realise that they are indeed of your house when it comes to stubborn determination when on a quiet Tuesday afternoon 8 Ravens show up to your house with summons, and none of the grandchildren seem surprised.

You are happy as you step out the front door toward Mandos, carrying a basket with 8 sets of robes, a blanket, cups, some bread, some cheese, and a very strong bottle of wine.

[justpoliteconversations]

Fool's Bet [Hyrule + Reader]

You made a bet you shouldn't have. And almost lost.

Just something to share while my brain fizzes for while on the rediscovered trash heap. This is pretty rough, but I'll take some time later to edit it.

Masterlist

TW: Choosing not to disclose. Read at your own discretion.

Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.

---

It was those eyes. That damned honey sweet gaze shimmering under thick, dark lashes and lighting up the delicate constellation of freckles dusting tanned cheeks beneath. It was the glossy tears (fat and shiny and fake as hell, but so damned pretty against the wide round of his dark eyes) rimming those lashes like a string of pearls.

It was the way earthy brown rings melted into golden specks of starlight peeking through the warm swirl of honey and chocolate. How light and shadows intermixed and brought forth an innocent (deceitful) glimmer of pleading. Like fairy chimes in the night. Soft as a whisper, sweet as peach flesh.

Dangerous. Tempting. (Chime.)

Trusted.

"Please." Hyrule pleaded (whispered? chimed?), those bewitching (enchanting) eyes locked on yours. Brows softened and pulled just so into an expression so beguiling, so ingenuous, it pulled a sweat to your own (manipulative, pointy-eared little bastard. damn fairy-borne liar and trickster). "I made it for you!" (Chime.)

You hesitated (a mistake. a death sentence).

Behind you War's quiet curse felt like tiny fairies' feet dancing upon your grave. Sky's mumbled prayer the solemn temple bell tolling over the final, sacred grounds at dusk.

Time gazed upon you with pity. And glee. The light of mischief shining in his hooded eye like moonlight on still water.

(Fairy boy, indeed. May cuccos sully your boots next you rest, farmer boy.)

Hyrule smiled softly then. Lower lip wobbling, the tip of his nose and curved sharp of his cheekbones flushed pink. Ears pinned tight against his thick, dark curls. Beautiful little waves that fluttered in the wind and curled softly against his face and delicate neck.

(The very picture of harmless vulnerability.)

(The perfect little mask. Hiding a gleeful little smile caged around a fae giggle.)

(Chime.)

Your heart thundered at the sight of it, and you swallowed thickly around the knot pulsing in the tender flesh of your throat. Your wide, searching eyes scanning, pleading, begging.

Eyes glanced away from yours in shame (Twilight having to step away entirely, lest he be drawn into a battle he has no chance of escaping unscaved. so moved to compassion as he is by your plight). Though some meet yours with amusement (may your pantless legs be besieged by ticks, bunny boy. And your beloved winds blow seagull shit into your hair, sailor).

(Chime.)

Warm (uncomfortably so. like sitting too close to an open flame), callous-roughened fingers touch the sensitive skin on the back of your hand, drawing you out of your internal cursing (and panic). And from one breath to the next, your lock eyes with the man (fae-borne. liar. trickster. trusted. enchanting) once more and your fall back down into the depths of an emotional whirlwind.

The gleam of honey and gold and enchanting (bewitching) (chime) light swirl in the melting warmth of brown. Dazzling and beloved.

Something is put in your hands. Warm (too warm) fingers wrap around yours.

(What is that?) (Chime.)

"It's good." Hyrule says (whispers? echoes? chimes?) reassuringly, brows still so pleading and eyes so sad. So sad. So sad.

White, straight bones caged by slips of pink, curled flesh. Gold and honey and-

Your hands are moving. Your eyes have not (cannot) break away.

"You can do it." Hyrule encourages (whispers? echoes? chimes?), his hands on yours. Moving. Guiding. (Chiming. Chiming. Commanding.)

A gasp. Someone has to support Sky as he goes feint. Legend's eyes are wide and intently focused. Bright, bright blue and fixated on the atrocity (and curiosity) being committed in front of him.

It's lost to you.

Your mouth opens. The gold is so strong now. Stronger than the honey. The brown. The light.

Stronger than you.

(You're salivating like a dog.)

"What in the Goddess' name are you doing?" Four was suddenly there (where did he come from?), his hand snatching your closed(?) fist away from your face (when had it gotten there?). His expression twisted in some unreadable combination of amusement and frustration. "Hylia give me the strength to deal with these fools."

The gold vanished. Hyrule's eyes dimmed to dark, honey brown. Expression relaxing into a small, embarrassed and natural grin (bright and warm as sunshine. nothing like the intoxicating honey sweet of before). "Don't be mad, Four! They bet me 50 rupees I couldn't charm them into eating my rations!" Four made a face that clearly expressed how much he didn't approve of such an idiotic wager.

None of that mattered to you though. Because you were free once more. Of body and of mind.

And you were holding to most putrid slab of meat you (and probably any of the chain besides Hyrule) had ever come across. The congealed grease of the half dried meat ribbons oozing between your fingers and weaving cold, shinning paths of pinkish-orange gelatin down your wrists and one unfortunate elbow.

On your bottom lip. Something cool dripped down your chin. Down your neck. Pooled at you collarbones.

Twilight, keeping his distance (from the horrendous stretch more than anything) but with eyes full of concern, cast you a pitying glance. "You okay there?"

Eight pairs of eyes found you. Just in time to watch you empty your stomach contents all over your grease streaked hands and boots.

Unsurprisingly, Hyrule was the only one who was surprised by this sudden turn of events. "The Meat!"

And somewhere in the forest, leaning over a freshly hunted buck, Wild's hand twitched with the unexplainable impulse to pinch Hyrule right on the ear. Hard.

---

Time to rest now.

[empty-vessel-of-a-person]

Review Time: Goodcat Code

Note: This is my personal take to Sylus' most recent memory. Nothing has been confirmed by Infold, so this is just full delulu mode as I dive in to Goodcat Code. Spoiler Alert for those who hasn't seen the memory yet.

I actually don't know how to fully describe MC and Sylus dynamics on this memory. While the plot of the memory is solid at it's best, their relationship here is really kinda shaky specially on MC's part. So I will have the review in 2 parts. "The Good Part" and "The Bad Part".

The Good Part

As mentioned, the plot of this memory is solid and the twist at the end is surprising but expected because it's Sylus.

The attention to details and the research on different kinds of teas are amazing. The whole memory exude luxury and wealth. It really screams Sylus.

Probably the best part (for me) of this memory is when Sylus almost never fight his cat urges. I really enjoy that part with the Seagull and Parrot. He really does manhandles them and it its hilarious. Can you imagine having to fight of a 6'2 fully grown man to free the birds? (I'm 5'2 by the way. I really can't Imagine having to wrestle Sylus to save the birds. He can easily knock me out)

And the cherry on top of this memory is how Sylus is shown to be a pure gentleman. We can definitely say that MC can be the death of him. (He will actually let her even help her kill him. He did it once already) He can never deny her. He's really down bad even showing (again) the soft side of him.

And how can we forget the kindled part? This is the first time that he really does touch MC. But I must stress on this. He is never pervy or inappropriate with her and that little circling motion he does with his hand on her back is just perfection. He is indeed touching her but it is soft, sexy, and very intimate. I applaud MC for not being swayed. I will totally break with that touch and have goosebumps everywhere.

I mentioned this as well on my previous entry, Sylus is a very old school type of guy and that little moment he have with MC on the speedboat screams Gentleman and Old Money. he can really make the most of any given situation and turns it to something romantic.

The Bad Part

I hate the way infold portray MC in this memory. He never ask Sylus opinion before creating a plot for her mission. It's like she knows that Sylus will do everything for her and his opinion doesn't matter.

If I count it correctly, Sylus mentioned being sold to other women 6 times making it obvious that he is not comfortable with the idea of being with other woman and being emotionally betrayed that MC can easily plot that without hesitation. It's actually twisted! I actually felt bad for Sylus.

MC flicking his forehead and called him Opportunist! Again why?! MC rented him off the cat café like he's an object, asking him to find Snowy Owl, make him act like her butler, and order him to woo another women. MC make him do it all without asking his take on all of this. He even mention "I never agree on any of this". So who is the opportunist one? Really?! REALLY?! It is totally a mood killer. I don't know how they phrase it on other language but this scene totally ticked me off. It's Like MC suddenly becomes one of those who mischaracterize him. I just simply dislike it. I just hope they phrase it better or left it out altogether. It's very unnecessary.

And that collar, though MC is taking claim on Sylus, its just part of her plot. I don't know but Sylus's laugh after MC brings out the collar sounds so disappointed.

The Conclusion

I feel like the love between Sylus and MC are still one-sided (at least in this memory) The lack of communication and asking permission (on MC's part) makes it looks like she is taking advantage of Sylus' feelings for her.

I am deeply moved on how slow burn their story is showing how patient and gentlemanly Sylus. When the preview was revealed, I honestly thought they are making progress as he was now touching MC only for my delulu to be shattered by MC's words and action. Not once she acknowledge Sylus saying he was being sold to other woman.

While I do love the kindled part of this memory, this is certainly one of my least favorite. Radiant Brilliance is easily better because they are mutually pinning for each other.

[hazymoonlinh]

6/Atticus

+ To even capture his heart, you really are something.

+ Plus if you are an outsider too, automatically have the respect of everyone on the island

+ He wouldn’t mind a talkative person, as long as you respect his boundaries.

+ This man might not into PDA, sadly, because he have a face to save

+ He would steal some glances at you when you’re working or too occupied with something so you won’t notice. He’s awkward but try his best to understand this new feeling.

+ Very busy but he will try his best to save time for you

+ If loving Getian is a slow burn, you need PATIENCE when loving this man.

+ Best you could get is hand holding in public

+ Everything intimate is in private.

+ Also need you to make the first move.

+ Doesn’t mean you can’t tease him tho.

+ Trace the uncovered area on his chest, he would be flustered.

+ Unexpected kiss will caught him off guard. He might not look like it but he enjoys them.

+ Tho I said respect boundaries but you are the only one that can get away with interrupting his “power saving mode”

+ Let him use your lap as a pillow, massaging his head and comb his hair with your fingers after a long day. A peaceful picture indeed.

+ He’s inexperienced. 22 and no bches( I mean I’m 20 and the same so who am I to judge 😔)

+ His love language is act of service. Gift giving, being a gentleman, taking care of you in every way, worry about your safety.

+ Straight forward but doesn’t mean he’s not romantic. Legit will say “You’re beautiful” to you every day with a straight face 🥹

+ Imagine getting lost in his ocean eyes. Oh to be love by someone so ethereal like him, to able to see your reflection in his eyes, to be able to stare as long as you want to.

+ He would have slender and veiny hands. Now imagine he tracing circle on your hand while you talk about your day to him.

+ Long walk on the shore with comfortable silent.

+ Loving him is like listening to a Lana Del Rey song, it’s like walking on clouds.

+ Rarely kiss but when he does he would have long, passionate kisses. He would gently lift your chin while kissing.

+ He would be the wife in the relationship if I can woo him =)))

+ It’s funny how his crown being snatched by the seagulls every day so both of you would have to find it in those nest every day lmao (it’s canon)

Bonus:

+ After the “storm”, if both of you stay in Vertin suitcase he would have more time for you.

+ He would no longer be 6, but rather your Atticus.

+ I think he would have nightmares of what happened even if he tried to show that he looks unaffected so please comfort him, this poor guy.

+ Would be the one who sleep after you when both of you share a bed. He would give you forehead kisses and a “I love you” whisper

+ He would melt if you call him by his real name rather than the title “6”

+ He’s so pure and innocent like his look I legit cannot think of anything dirty at all 🙉

(Bluepoch please give me 6 and Getian, I need them so badddddd)

I suggest read this while listening to Salvatore

[douwatahima]

thinking about episode one of our flag means death ending with "high on a rocky ledge"; a song about taking a leap of faith, dying and being reborn, in order to make a new life with the person you love

thinking about ed, crying in a blanket fort, clinging to a life that's been ripped away from him, thinking he'll die if he doesn't, being asked by a friend, "what if it's not a death? what if life just begins again?"

thinking about stede, spending all of season one stuck between the life society told him he should want and the new life he's created for himself, devising a plan to kill his old self completely so he can go find the man he now knows that he loves

thinking about ed drowning in the gravy basket, fighting against the rock he himself tied around his own waist, getting saved by the sound of stede's voice and the vision of stede that comes to meet him where he is, that stays with him until he's ready to open his eyes

thinking about anne and mary, stuck in a cycle of sadistic games, not communicating how they really feel, finally showing real love to each other when anne burns down the life that's suffocating them and sets them free

thinking about buttons, telling ed "to love the sea as she should be loved requires change", performing seemingly impossible acts of magic to achieve his goal and turning into a seagull before flying off towards the sea

thinking about lucius, stuck in a cycle of reliving his suffering, being told he never talks about how he lived, being told "not moving on is worse", choosing to change and marking that change by asking pete to spend the rest of his life with him

thinking about ed trying to constantly reject parts of himself, to cut out the pieces that keep him up at night, hearing the echoes of stede's screams in his own mind and choosing to embrace his darkness for love this time, rising from the depths of the sea (edward teach reborn on a beach) and immediately coming across a letter from stede echoing back that he is loved he is loved he is loved

thinking about ed and stede waving goodbye to a ship as it sails away and choosing again to change, to try for a life of their own making but this time together as one, starting from the bottom, unsure where to begin, but smiling anyway; "it's got good bones"

thinking about that constant cycle (death and rebirth, death and rebirth), about how it's never too late to become who you are, about how change can seem scary, near impossible at times, but knowing on the other side there is the potential for freedom, for happiness, for love

"dying to be with her wasn't any sacrifice" indeed

[any59]

listen within thirty seconds of the train leaving the station, we derailed it and then continued to drive it down the side of a ravine and into a ditch while you tried to throw buckets of water into the coal engine to put out the fire and at the very least slow the train down. You can be mad. We were genuinely so unproductive

Today's Cthulhu Awakens session:

Everyone needs a vacation.

They are heading to Georgia (the US state). It is peach season.

They check in at a hotel. Some time passes, and they meet Alice, who works for a family that lives on nearby Cumberland Island.

The estate is called Dungeness. I can't decide how to say it and end up saying it like "Dungeon-ess"

They hop on a ferry and are introduced to Patch, who makes small talk, telling them that the fishing used to be great but has declined in recent years.

They head through marshland and fog and dock at the estate. It is an old house but has clearly been maintained.

They meet Margaret Gasper, their hostess, and the staff at the manor: Michael, Alice, and Edmund.

They head inside, they look at a picture of Margaret's great x 4 grandfather, who fought for the Union (they gather this is kind of a "fuck you" to certain folks around here) and are offered refreshments. Mairéad has multiple drinks and fails her constitution roll. She is now fatigued (penalty to all checks). The book specifies a consequence that I don't like, so instead I rule that she suffers a -2 penalty.

I give Mairéad a choice 1) explore with the others and make a check every two hours to reduce her condition or 2) sleep it off for four hours (note: it is 10:30 AM, dinner is at 6:30)

She chooses to sleep (for the moment)

Dahlia explores the kitchen. She successfully intimidates one of the cooks there to let her snoop.

Sarah decides to explore the library.

Correction: Sarah decides to have sex with her wife in the library.

I get so annoyed my players worry that I am actually mad at them. I am not. I am disappointed.

I tell Sarah's player she may not have any chicken tendies or choccy milk and that she is a bad girl. Kinksters know this is the worst thing I could have possibly said. Disclaimer: I am not serious. Once again, I was not mad, just, shenanigans.

Sarah decides to do some actual research and rolls badly.

I consult secret DM things and Sarah notices Margaret in the library. Margaret leaves and Sarah notices a hidden nook. There are books on a theory that many humans today are descended from "monsters", she makes an alienation test and passes.

They encounter Winston the Maine Coon. He is a white cat. They pet him. "You pet the kitty--not like that." They also find a strange bust ("not like that").

She heads back out into the library proper and I allow for another perception test. She finds handwritten books about a certain Marsh family and determines that whoever wrote these is related to them. There is enough evidence here to get the FBI involved in an investigation of Dungeness.

(Side note: previously I remarked that Margaret has a Boston accent)

Someone's coming! Sarah is unsuccessful at concealing the books. Brooke (her wife) carefully ushers her out of the room. The staff member watches her the whole time.

Meanwhile, Mairéad investigates the trophy room. There is a gun cabinet.

Mairéad wants a gun.

She decides to throw something at the gun and picks up a (fake) skull. Failure. The skull bounces off the glass.

One of the staff rushes in and demands to know what's going on. Sarah runs in. Mairéad's player (unsure if serious) debates using a grenade to solve this problem. Sarah is attempting to diffuse the situation and usher Mairéad out (persuasion check: fail, opposed strength check: Sarah wins)

They are both kicked out of the house. Mairéad tries to go back inside through a window and is immediately caught again. Sarah waits for Brooke. Brooke does not appear.

Meanwhile, Dahlia decides to head upstairs. I inform her player that this will involve a challenge test (a series of checks with consequences for failure).

We call it for the night. I need to consult the book anyways as I can't remember doing a challenge test with this system.

Once again, I must stress that I was not mad at my players, just a little frustrated with their shenanigans. It's okay, they're on vacation.