#and man does this author like one worded fic titles with the letter R looked through so many I began to forget the order of the alphabet an

[trekkie-lkm-archive]

Info: Does anyone else see the gorgeous possibilities for Pike/McCoy?? Some reprimanding, perhaps, based on the fact that Bones totally is Jim's little bitch, sneaking him on board right under Pike's nose like that. Guh, I am tingly just thinking about it. (thread)

Fill: 1/1 + Journal + AO3

Author: severinne

Archive Link + Journal + AO3

[jinsai-ish]

All right, all right, fic storage will move to Archive of Our Own.

But in the meantime, have this:

Title: Ballad on the Streets of Vienna

Author: Ish

Characters/Pairings: Austria/Hungary

Ratings: R

Warnings: A wee bit of smut?

Summary: Request was for a fill inspired by poetry that wasn`t by Shakespeare. Poem used was Ballad on the Streets of Buenos Aires by Yehuda Amichai. I can no longer read that poem without thinking of Hungary. (Poem attached at end.)

Ballad on the Streets of Vienna

He waits for her on the corner, despite the warning sirens blaring over the loudspeakers. The sound hurts his ears and his eyes keep flickering up to the skies anxiously, but he searches the crowd of people streaming towards the bomb shelters far more anxiously.

He’d offered to go out after the bread, but she had insisted. Her warrior’s spirit didn’t sit well with being cooped up, she’d argued. They might have been driven into a retreat, but that didn’t mean she was going to hide in her hole like a mouse so afraid of the cat that it starved to death.

He spies her at last, her hair tossed about by the wind. Her hat must have blown off, because she’s clutching it in her hand, along with a loaf of bread. He grabs her free hand when she reaches him, and together they run for the shelter.

Later, when they are safe (or as safe as they’re going to get with bombs falling outside), she lets him kiss her. She doesn’t let him undress her completely though. The shelter is small and cramped, and they might have to leave it at a moment’s notice. But she lets him remove her trousers, and he does so as respectfully as if they were the full skirts she’d worn once, made of satin and lace instead of rough wool. He thinks of the metronome on his piano as she clings to him, biting his shoulder to keep quiet. One-two-one-two-one-two, keeping perfect time amid the chaos.

Her teeth are holding tight to his shoulder, so he kisses her where he can – the top of her head, her tousled curls, her ear, her cheekbone, her eyelid. And if there is moisture on his lips when they left from the last, well, he knows not to speak of it.

After the war, he hears the rumors before the treaty is finalized, and he rushes to Berlin to be there before the ink dries. They are dividing up Germany, he has heard, dividing up the world between an East drowning in red and a West marching to the beat conducted by the stars and stripes of America. An iron curtain falling down across Europe…

He stops Prussia for a moment, just before Russia leads him away.

“You deserve this,” Austria hisses at him, anger an emotion that leaves him less vulnerable than any of the others tangled up in his chest. He won’t allow himself to feel sorry for Prussia. What sort of idiot sacrifices himself for another nation this way, even for a brother? “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you at all.”

Prussia snorts, seeming no more concerned than he ever did. But his eyes glitter hard and red, like rubies soaked in blood as they meet Austria’s. “Sure I do,” he agrees, taking a step back. His lips turn down, that gaze narrowing. “But you – you never deserved��her.”

Austria wheels back from the venom in his voice. Like the bite of a cobra, it is so sudden and swift that he doesn’t understand the meaning of it right away. It is only when Hungary emerges, eyes uncharacteristically downcast that the full import of Prussia’s retort sinks in. She follows after the newly christened East Germany, after Russia, and only then does he begin to understand.

He wants to call out, to shout at her. To grab her arm and yank her back to him. But his voice dries up in his throat and all he can do is stare.

As if she can hear even his silent cries, she raises her eyes at last and looks over at him. It is a long look, and he feels himself swallowed by it, but she does not speak and she does not cry, and all too soon she turns and he has lost her.

That night, in his empty house, he sweeps the metronome off the piano in a hollow rage. It bounces on the floor and he hears it tick away – one-two-one-two-one-two. He sits on the bench and pounds away at the keys, desperate to drown out that even beat. Note after furious note spills into the air in a torrent of sound.

He plays until he is exhausted that night, and the next, and the next. He plays until his ears are deaf to the sound, and so he doesn’t hear the door open behind him.

Austria finds it in him to accept the help forced upon him as gracefully as he can. America brings food and supplies, and Germany is a source of silent companionship while Italy tries to dust the house. He thanks them, and thinks of Hungary, wondering if someone is bandaging her wounds, if her house is warm and her cupboard full. He listens for what little news leaks through the Curtain. She is too far away to hear his song, so he writes it down for her, ruining countless sheets of paper with ink in an attempt to capture his feelings in lines and bars.

He clutches these papers close when he sleeps, and he waits.

Ballad on the Streets of Buenos Aires

And a man waits in the street and meets a woman

precise and beautiful as the clock on the wall of her room

and sad and white as the wall that holds it

And she doesn't show him her teeth

And she doesn't show him her belly

but she shows him her time, precise and beautiful

And she lives on the ground floor next to the pipes

and the water that rises begins there in her wall

and he has decided on tenderness

And she knows the reasons for weeping

and she knows the reasons for holding back

and he begins to be like her, like her

And his hair will grow long and soft, like her hair

and the hard words of his language dissolve in her mouth

and his eyes will be filled with tears, like her eyes

And the traffic lights are reflected in her face

and she stands there amid the permitted and the forbidden

and he has decided on tenderness

And they walk in the streets that will soon appear in his dreams

and the rain weeps into them silently, as into a pillow,

and impatient time has made them both into prophets

And he will lose her at the red light

and he will lose her at the green and the yellow

and the light is always there to serve every loss

And he won't be there when soap and lotion run out

and he won't be there when the clock is set again

and he won't be there when her dress unravels to threads in the wind

And she will lock his wild letters away in a quiet drawer

and lie down to sleep beside the water in the wall

and she will know the reasons for weeping and for holding back

and he has decided on tenderness

[iamnathannah]

Longing with a Cherry Tomato on Top | Chapter Twenty-Eight| Part One | Innocent & Unknowing

Title: Longing with a Cherry Tomato on Top | Chapter Twenty-Eight, Part One | Innocent & Unknowing Author: Nate Pairing: Paris/Rory, varying POVs Spoilers: Nothing to be spoiled show-wise, as we're well into my alternate universe here. Rating: R (sexual situations, allusions and recalls about past mental and physical abuse of a minor) Disclaimer: Despite all of us wishing she didn't at this point, Amy Sherman-Palladino still owns the Gilmore Girls, along with Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, Hofflund-Polone, and whatever entity in the AT&T Deathstar now owns Warner Bros. Television (currently WarnerMedia). All other products mentioned within are the property and trademarks of their respective owners, and no disrespect is meant or implied. And yes, the mention of the setting in the end of this part was exhaustively researched and is completely true to where it is in Hartford. Archiving: AO3, RalSt, FF.net and aff.net. Since I have had so many issues with other sites shutting down after posting my work, from now on you must explicitly contact me to archive this story and promise to maintain your posting venue for more than a year. If you intend me to help start a Prory/Gellmore site, you need to commit to it for the sake of our fandom. Summary: It's the first Christmas Day for Paris and Rory together, and the Gilmore girl begins to understand why December 25th has never been easy for her upper-class girlfriend beyond not observing it due to her religion. Author's Notes: I'm posting this 2½ years after I promised a new chapter, and I do apologize for that, whole-heartedly. But I don't think any of us expected that 2020 would be spent since March inside most of the time, wearing a mask outside in public (including going to college), and that we wouldn't have struggles with unemployment and trying to find things to do. I hate to admit...my muse died for this story for about a year because I didn't feel well mentally. Coronavirus (and everything going on with it politically and our 'president') has not helped either. I'm getting help so hopefully in the future I can focus on this story (along with improving my life overall in general) and get it out to you faster. But as it is...I'm just one person, and I hope you do understand what goes into the process of writing it. During this time I also got a new MacBook Pro...so I'm learning how to work with MacOS. As someone who has been all-Windows since 3.11, this is a change I'm getting used to for sure (but it's so much easier to work with text!).

Also...the reviews of certain people who think I am a 'man-hater' (LOL!) also got me down and made me feel maybe I was too hard on Dean in the last chapter. But being in my friend circle, I think I got him right, and I reject those types of reviews out of hand in the future. You are reading a fic about Paris and Rory as a couple. Do you really think I'm going to be neutral on how awful and possessive Dean was? I've warned you multiple times before where I'm coming from. I'm going to say this now; if you're a fan of Dean or Christopher, please don't bother me any further. I'm not going to change my views that they're horrid men, and I won't waver on that going forward. Thus, I take back my early statement in a past AM that 'I mean no harm to Dean'...a statement I made in the mid-2000s before I wised up and found my current friend circle. And I stand 100% behind how he was in the last chapter.

And as for chapters...going by my word count, we're going to end up with this 'chapter' being around 130,000 (!) words, so I've decided over the next month, up to Thanksgiving, I'll be releasing it over about four-six parts rather than in one chunk, so you can pace yourself. That way...you have something to look forward to, and I can hopefully look forward to your feedback and criticism, which I will take, in any form.

For this chapter, I'd like to thank everyone who has stuck by me for the decade and a half plus reading this story loyally, and even those who are still discovering the show just now and have only strengthened the flame for Gellmore. One of them is anxiouspunk on AO3 (or on Tumblr, @paris-geller-was-straightwashed), who has posted a lot of amazing fic with our favorite duo in all the eras of the show (outside S6/7), including with their children. They are an amazing writer, and I'm glad to know them. Through our shared fandom, I've also gotten to know Lena (@lanafannabanana on Tumblr) over the last couple years, and I would recommend their Good Girls stories and if you just love obsessing over Rachel Weisz and Christina Hendricks. As always, Danielle and Taylor are always my rock, and I thank them for being here for me as all this has gone on. Also @dollsome-does-tumblr on Tumblr for being the one cranking out so many Gellmore gifsets (and some great fic herself)...thank you for your service!

The biggest reason I agonize over this chapter...is it establishes my overall headcanon for Paris and her most special of days, along with more of her family background beyond ASP's 'she has a mean mom'. I read too many stories where Mitchum is Worst Father Ever to Logan, and Paris always spoke with love about her dad (despite the S6 tax mess which just felt like ASP wanting to write another character and dragging Liza with her). Over the last two decades, this is how I imagine how she came into the world, and how despite it all, she does have a support system with her family. I wanted to post something for not only the 20th anniversary of Gilmore Girls, such a special show to be, but for the day Liza Weil first came onto our screens as Paris Gellar. Though I did not actually watch on October 12, 2000 (my first episode was Rory's Dance two months later, thus I had to back-track and be thankful the WB aired reruns...in January...on VHS...remember those?! Video on demand and stacking rights are a lifesaver!), I still hold Paris close to my heart, and telling this story as a love letter to her character and what might have been with Rory is what I hope to leave behind in this world proudly one day.

To end this novel of an author's note (last paragraph, I promise!), yes, I'm going to please say vote safely and carefully on November 3 if you're in the United States, or before then if you can. Mail your vote (or put it in a government-endorsed safe dropbox), and please don't waste it on a rapper or former pageant owner who is disrespectful to those sacrificing their lives to keep everyone safe, despite his own suffering he learned nothing from. I (and everyone I know) would like to wake up looking forward to January 20 at noon, knowing our country's future is bright, rather than four more years of...this. And so much bigotry. I usually tease about this...but if you're a bigot, please click out of this story and move on to anything else. You are not welcome here.

That said, on with the story. Title inspiration from "Fear" by Sarah McLachlan.

AO3 | FF.net

[blightarts]

Blades of Order & Chaos

Chapter Title: 7 - Lion VS Bear

Previous Chapter: Fated Encounter

Word Count: 5239

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Pixelberry. This is my version for the upcoming sequel of Blades of Light & Shadow. I am not claiming this to be the canon story of the book. This is only written to increase the hype for the actual sequel.

MC/Pairing: Kite (Blue Elf Male MC) / Kite x Nia

Taglist: @princessstellaris​ @mechaspirit​ @brightningstar​ @cal-north​ @lxdy-starfury​ @tyrils-star​ @imturaxamara​ @kelseaaa​

In the empty alleyways of the Vishanti Kingdom, the party follows Bella closer to the castle, with Kade and Threep still staring at her in awe. The self-proclaimed goddess turns to them and rolls her eyes.

Bella: Oh, will you stop starin’ at me like that? It’s creepy.

Kite lightly chuckles while his brother and Threep shake their heads to compose themselves.

Kade: Sorry, it’s just…

Threep: It was difficult for us to comprehend that you are one of the New Gods and you are aiding us in our journey.

Bella: I ain’t aidin’ nobody. I’m just doin’ what I’m paid to do. After I get me sack o’ coins, I’ll be out of yer hair.

Kade grins excitedly.

Kade: I have some questions, though.

Bella rolls her eyes.

Bella: Okay, here we go.

Kade: Did you actually fought with the other New Gods? Did you get to meet them? What is Xaius, the God of Victory like? Or Ellara, the Goddess of Aegis? Or Ittar and Bakshi, the Gods of Love?

Bella stops on her tracks, prompting the party to stop too. She then quickly turns to Kade with a hilarious-looking annoyed face.

Bella: Listen here, kid. This ain’t no twenty questions game. I’m one of the New Gods, that’s it. That’s all you need to know.

Nervously sweating, the bard just nods repeatedly while responding in a stuttering tone.

Kade: R-R-Right… S-S-Sorry…

Bella: Good.

The mercenary turns back and walks ahead while the party follows suit. Kite pats his brother’s head to help him feel better, prompting the latter to smile.

Kade: Thanks.

Kite: You gotta stay calm, Kade. We’re in the presence of a Goddess, after all.

Kade grins and nods before taking a deep breath to compose himself.

Kade: I’m good.

Kite smiles while Threep looks up at the Vishanti Castle.

Threep: We’re close.

Bella suddenly takes a detour, confusing everyone.

Bella: Over here.

Kade: Wait, I thought we’re going to the castle.

Bella: Yer still wanted ‘round town, right? This path will lead you inside the castle without getting’ any attention.

Bella rushes inside a hidden entrance to an underground tunnel. The party members look at each other before reluctantly following the goddess. After a few minutes of trekking in the tunnels, the party eventually reach a large door, guarded by two armored wooly-men.

(Author’s Note: For this fic, average Wooly-Men height is around 8.5 feet and they have bulky builds like orcs.)

Wooly-Man 1: Halt! Who goes there?

Bella: Come on, Erik. It’s me! Yer best pal, Bella!

The guard huffs.

Erik: You still owe me some coin, Bella. No matter how much King Njal pays you, I’ll be taking them all.

Bella grins and gently punches Erik’s arm.

Bella: Nice to see ya too!

Erik notices the party behind the mercenary.

Erik: Are these the wanted criminals that the King specifically wanted you to fetch?

Bella: Yeah, they are.

Kade gulps nervously.

Kade: A-A-Are you gonna execute us?

Threep trembles.

Threep: Can I at least get one delicious feast as my last meal before I get beheaded?

Kite remains unfazed and just asks his question in a calm manner.

Kite: We’re not in trouble, are we?

Erik just opens the door.

Erik: You best ask the King himself.

Bella enters the castle’s crypt as Kite follows suit, holding Kade’s arm to help him calm down. After a few minutes of trekking through the maze-like structure of the Vishanti crypts, they arrive at the throne room, where the largest of all the wooly-men, about nine feet tall, sits upon a gigantic throne.

Bella: Alright, Njal, here are those criminals ya wanted. Now, pay up.

King Njal, the leader of the wooly-men and the king of the mountain, stands from his throne, towering over everyone in the room and immediately intimidating both Kade and Threep, before approaching the party. He then lightly chops Bella’s head with his hand.

Bella: Hey! What gives?!

Njal chuckles.

King Njal: It’s still surprising to me how you, a goddess, stoop so low that you have to perform tasks given by us, the common people, just to sustain your needs.

Annoyed, Bella easily slaps away the King’s hand with her outstanding strength.

Bella: I do what I like. Just give me payment. Besides, you’ve never won a single test of strength against this lowly goddess.

Njal grins.

King Njal: That is true, but you will get your payment later. I shall speak to our guests first.

Bella: I hate you.

Bella puffs her cheeks and steps aside. Njal then turns to the party. Kade and Threep immediately hide behind Kite, who bows before the King.

King Njal: I see that after your memory loss, you still retain your courtesy, Young Nightbloom.

Kade peeks from behind Kite.

Kade: Y-You have heard of us, your Majesty?

King Njal: Yes, I have received letters from the Dunbar tribesmen and the Zaradun dwarves, informing of your arrival.

Kade steps up, beside Kite, while Threep climbs on the elf’s shoulder.

Threep: Then you must know why we are here, your Majesty.

King Njal: Indeed. You are here for the weapon we have kept deep within our mountains that King Brynjar has told you a year ago.

King Njal turns and points to a claymore floating above his throne. The claymore’s blade is completely made of a special crystal, glimmering from the cerulean light emitted by the torches inside the throne room.

Kade: It looks so… elegant, like a rainbow.

Kite: What is it called?

King Njal: The Mirror Claymore, a weapon made of Vishanti’s rarest ore, Prismium. It is capable of deflecting or absorbing almost any type of magic, protecting its wielder while unleashing a counterattack filled with magical energy at their opponent.

Kade: “Any type of magic”? Does that mean…?

King Njal turns to the party with a nod.

King Njal: Yes. It is even capable of countering Sir Laundsellyn’s Relinquish spell.

Kade grins and turns to Kite with an ecstatic expression.

Kade: This is amazing, Kite! We finally have something to match against the Empire.

Threep: It is quite a magnificent weapon to behold. I can now see why King Brynjar wanted us to search for it.

King Njal reaches out his hand as the Mirror Claymore hovers towards it. As the Mountain King grasps the weapon, Kite approaches him. However, two guards get between him and King Njal.

Threep: How dare you?!

Kade: What gives?!

Kite soon realizes the situation as he prepares to draw the Bow of Gal’dariel.

Kite: I don’t suppose you’d want us to just claim that without a fight, huh, your Majesty?

Bella raises her eyebrow, slowly becoming interested with the situation, as King Njal laughs and turns towards Kite.

King Njal: Right, you are, Young Nightbloom. If you want to claim it, you have to earn it through a test of strength.

Kite: Alright, you asked for it. Here I go!

Kite suddenly leaps high, above the two guards, while casting a ball of Cleansing Fire. Caught off-guard, everyone looks upon the elf.

King Njal: Wait! I do not mean now!

But King Njal was too late on informing Kite as the latter quickly hurls a fireball at the former. King Njal immediately swings the Mirror Claymore at the fireball, like playing baseball, launching it towards Kite, who uses the Shield of Castiel to block the counterattack, before landing on his feet. The guards immediately point their spears towards the elf, who laughs like a child.

Kite: Sorry about that. I just wanted to test out the Claymore. I do accept your challenge though. Hehe.

Threep: What do you mean by “Hehe”?!

Kade lightly chops Kite’s head.

Kade: Not funny.

Bella begins to chuckle, surprising everyone. She approaches Kite with a grin.

Bella: Yer an interesting fella, Kite Nightbloom.

She then puts her arm around him, like he’s been her best friend for a long time, and turns to King Njal.

Bella: Let’s make this challenge interesting, Njal. Why not duke it out in a wrestling match? Best three outta five.

King Njal raises an eyebrow.

King Njal: Ooh, that does sound interesting, Bella.

Kite: …EHH?! Wrestling a wooly-man?!

Kade: Are you crazy?!

Threep: His Majesty would flatten Kite!

Bella laughs as she pats Kite’s back.

Bella: You’ll be fine! I’ll be trainin’ ya! I mean you are looking at the only one who can beat Njal in a wrestling match.

Kite looks at his friends, who are paranoid, then to Bella, with her friendly, yet creepy smile, then to King Njal with a smile that hides a sinister wrestling monster within, before sighing.

Kite: Alright, fine. I accept the wrestling match.

King Njal: Then it is settled.

King Njal returns the Mirror Claymore above the throne before sitting.

King Njal: In three days, we shall meet again for the match.

Kade: Three days?!

Threep: Is that even enough for a training?

Bella: Totally!

Kite sighs in defeat.

Kite: Those three days better be worth it.

Bella: Cross me heart!

King Njal dismisses the party and Bella, and have the guards escort them to their rooms.

The next day, the party and Bella meet up at the castle’s barracks, where one of the rooms has a circular wrestling ring at the center.

Bella: Here we are. We’ll practice Vishanti Wrestling here.

Kade: What is Vishanti Wrestling, exactly?

Bella: Oh, it’s just pushin’ yer opponent outta the ring.

(Author’s Note: Vishanti Wrestling is basically sumo wrestling, but it is done with the bulky body structure.)

Threep: …And you suppose Kite would be able to push King Njal, the largest of all the wooly-men, out of the ring?

Bella: Not with that attitude, ya furball.

Threep: How dare you call me a furball?!

Bella shrugs and gets on the ring.

Bella: Besides, I’m not askin’ Kite to push Njal out. The elf’s tinier than him so you gotta use yer agility to outmaneuver the bastard. If he’s chargin’ at ya, get around his ass and use his momentum to push ‘im outta the ring.

Kite: That’s easier said than done.

Bella: Well, not unless you know Kaytar, the martial arts known by the orcs.

Threep: Of course! Imtura did teach Kite how to use it.

Bella: Well, that saves us plenty of time to train.

Bella cracks her knuckles and asks Kite to come into the ring.

Bella: Alright, Kite, show me what ya got!

Two minutes later…

Kite: AACK!!

Kite is suddenly knocked out of a circular wrestling ring by Bella. She crosses her arms and looks at the elf with disappointment.

Bella: Yer kiddin’ me, right? Ya call that Kaytar?

Kite gets up while rubbing his belly from pain.

Kite: Well…

He turns to Kade and Threep, who are worried about him.

Kade: Even if Kite learned how to do Kaytar, his memory loss made him forget about his training with Imtura.

Bella rolls her eyes.

Bella: Yeah, right. Combat isn’t about memory. It’s about instincts. Even if yer mind doesn’t remember, yer body sure as hell does.

She claps her hands, demanding for Kite come back to the ring.

Bella: Come on, let’s keep goin’. I’mma beat the shit outta you till yer body remembers how to Kaytar. Make yer friend proud!

Kite puts on a determined expression and gently smacks his hands against his cheeks before going back in the ring.

Kite: Let’s do this.

As minutes pass, while Kite continues to get kicked out of the ring, the losses become less and less likely to happen as his body begins to instinctively remember how to use the martial arts taught to him by Imtura. Bella smiles proudly at his progress.

Bella: That’s it! Yer getting’ there.

On the last round, Bella charges at Kite and thrusts her palm forward, in an attempt to push him out with her immense strength. However, after polishing his skills, Kite quickly ducks and rushes forward, right below the goddess.

Kite: Missed!

Bella: Don’t get too cocky now.

Bella grins as she goes in for a counterattack, but as soon as she looks down to where Kite supposed to be, her eyes widen, noticing that he just disappeared into thin air. She quickly turns around to see him already behind her.

Kite: Gotcha!

Before Bella could react, Kite tucks his head and braces his arms against his front before launching himself towards the goddess. His shoulder then bashes Bella on her backside, knocking her out of the ring, as she lands on her feet gracefully, finally earning Kite a victory. Kade and Threep celebrate.

Kade: That was awesome!

Threep: Magnificent performance!

Bella: Not bad, Kite. Now, that’s what I call Kaytar.

Kite grins proudly but…

Bella: Still not enough to beat Njal though.

Kade and Threep celebration ends abruptly as Kite huffs and puffs.

Kite: Hey! Don’t lift me up just to shoot me down like that so suddenly!

Bella: Ey, just telling the truth. Ya really don’t stand a chance against him, let alone ANY wooly-men ‘round these parts.

Kite: Harsh.

Bella gets back up on the ring and does some stretches.

Bella: Luckily for you, I’mma bout to teach you a skill that I have developed.

Kite raises an eyebrow, curious.

Kite: Oh yeah?

Bella grins before taking a deep breath. Soon after, she lets out a powerful yell, causing a burst of magical energy around her body. Her muscles begin to swell slightly as Kite and Threep sense an immense growth in her brute strength.

Threep: Amazing! Her physical prowess managed to triple!

Kade: As if her current strength isn’t scary enough!

Kite: So, that’s what the skill can do? Raise one’s physical stats and limitations?

Bella: Exactly! I dubbed it “Lion’s Pride”.

Bella then performs a gentle exhale, maintaining the skill at a balanced state so that it doesn’t let out too much magical energy.

Bella: It lasts about ten minutes and you can only use it once every 24 hours. Goin’ past ten minutes or usin’ it more than once and yer body will slowly tear apart.

Kite: I see.

Bella claps her hands and gets into a squatting stance.

Bella: Alright, now let’s see you try.

Kite follows the same stance before Bella could tell him the instructions.

Bella: First, you gotta take a deep breath. Focus all yer magical energy on yer heart and lungs.

Bella closes her eyes and breathes deeply, followed by Kite.

Bella: Then once ya feel immense magical power buildin’ up inside ya, let it all out like how yer heart pumps out blood all across yer body. Don’t forget to scream.

Kite continues to build up his magical energy until he snaps his eyes open and…

Kite: RAAAAAAAA!!!

Kite unleashes his magical power and spreads it across his entire body, raising his physical stats and limitations, however, because of his gift in magic, his improvements are better than Bella’s.

Threep: Unbelievable! Kite’s physical prowess has increased tenfold!

Kade: That’s so cool!

Bella grins.

Bella: The more potential you have in magic, the better the improvements. I’m more of a warrior who relies on brute strength so I don’t need much magic.

Kite lets out a long exhale, maintaining his magical energy.

Kite: That felt great!

Bella: Let’s have another match. This time, let’s both use Lion’s Pride.

Kite: Yes, Ma’am.

With less than ten minutes left until the skill’s limit, Kite and Bella go for a few more rounds, resulting in equal victories for the both of them. The training goes on for the next two days as Kite’s improvements become more and more apparent.

On the day of the match, Kite, the party and Bella meet up with King Njal at the castle’s courtyard, where a larger wrestling ring is located. Vishanti guards gather around the ring while Njal stands at the center, clad in his combat attire. While Kade, Threep and Bella stand with the rest of the audience, Kite gets up in the ring to come face to face with his opponent.

King Njal: I’ve heard from my guards that your strength has improved these last three days, thanks to Bella.

Kite: You’ve heard right. And today, I’m gonna prove it to you.

King Njal: Let your actions in battle prove your words, Young Nightbloom.

Kite and King Njal crouch and plant each of their fists onto the surface of the ring, like the initial sumo stance. Before the referee could start the match, Kite immediately channels his magical energy and activates Lion’s Pride, increasing his physical strength tenfold and surprising Njal.

King Njal: Oh! I see Bella has taught you her technique.

Kite smirks.

Kite: I mean, I am going against basically the most physically built entity in all of the realm. Might as well go all out.

King Njal: “All out”, you say?

Bella: Uh oh…

Threep: What?

Kade: Is something gonna happen?

King Njal takes a deep breath before exhaling lots of frozen mist from his nose. Cold air begins to gather around the mountain king’s body, infusing him with a tough ice armor and intimidating Kite.

Kite: Wait a minute!

Referee: Begin!

Before Kite could get another word, Njal immediately charges forward and shoulder-bashes him, launching the elf out of the ring. The audience parts themselves as Kite flies past them, crashing onto the wall and making an elf-shaped hole on it.

Referee: Round one goes to his Majesty!

The guards cheer as King Njal crosses his arms and smirks in victory. Kite climbs out of the hole, grinning at the mountain king while his friends look at him with concern.

Kite: You just made this a LOT interesting, your Majesty.

Kade: Kite, are you okay?!

Kite turns to his friends and nods before running back into the ring.

Kite: Never been better.

King Njal scoffs.

King Njal: Ready for another beating?

Kite: Not this time.

Kite grins with determination as he and Njal take their stance for the second round. About nine minutes remain until Lion’s Pride reaches its limit. Kite breathes deeply as his perception begins to slow down.

Referee: Begin!

King Njal goes in for another shoulder-bash, but Kite saw the attack coming. The elf leaps up high, above the mountain king, startling everyone. Unable to stop his current momentum, Njal continues to close in on the edge of the ring.

Kite: Gotcha now!

Kite uses this as an advantage as soon as he lands by charging at and pushing his opponent out of the ring. Kade, Threep and Bella cheer.

Referee: Round two goes to Kite!

King Njal reenters the ring with a proud grin.

King Njal: Impressive, but it won’t be easy from here on out.

Kite nods and does a few stretches.

Kite: Bring it!

The two challengers take their stances once more for the third round. Seven and a half minutes remain until Lion’s Pride reaches its limit.

Referee: Begin!

This time, Kite and Njal lunge at each other, clasping their hands together in an attempt to push the other off the ring. Immediately, Kite struggles to move Njal an inch as the latter doesn’t even break a sweat. As each second passes, little by little, Kite skids closer to the edge of the ring. His friends begin to panic.

Kade: Come on, Kite! You can do it!

Threep: I am afraid he might not succeed this round.

Bella: Yer right. Njal’s specialty in this is pushing.

Indeed, Threep was unfortunately correct as Kite is pushed off of the ring by Njal. The mountain king’s guards cheer for him once more.

Referee: Round three goes for his Majesty!

The party and Bella look in horror as Kite gets up, disappointed at his performance.

Kite: Damn it…

King Njal: Are you still determined to continue?

Without a response, Kite jumps back into the ring. King Njal scoffs and smirks at the elf’s confidence.

Kade: Kite needs to win the next two rounds or else, he won’t be able to claim the Mirror Claymore.

Threep: I doubt it’s even about the Claymore anymore.

Kade: What do you mean?

Threep: Kite is also fighting for the support of the Vishanti Kingdom. If he does not prove himself here, we will not be able to have enough manpower for the war.

Kade: Isn’t the Vishanti Kingdom on our side?

Threep: Not originally. They have always been a neutral faction in our Realm, never siding with either the forces of good or evil. But now, with the Empire’s return, they have no choice but to decide who to side with. This is why, despite of the Empire’s presence in the Realm, this kingdom remains prosperous.

Bella: Furball’s right once again.

Threep: Will you stop calling me that?!

Voice: Yip, yip!

Bella feels something soft bumping against her legs. She and the party look down to see a fox with blue and white fur, and purple eyes, glaring at the goddess.

Furball: Mrrm!

Bella shyly rubs the back of her head.

Bella: Sorry ‘bout that li’l guy.

Furball: Hrrm!

The fox strolls away.

(Author’s Note: Was I really gonna use a segment of a chapter for a Furball cameo? There was not a single doubt in my mind! Anyways, back to the match.)

Kite and Njal take their stances for the fourth round. Five minutes remain until Lion’s Pride reaches its limit.

Referee: Begin!

The two challengers repeat the same situation last round, with the two of them trying to push each other off the ring. Once again, Kite cannot budge Njal while the latter skids the former closer to the edge.

King Njal: This is just humiliating for you, Young Nightbloom. Are you certain that this is all you can do?

As the two are inches from the edge of the ring, Kite looks up at Njal with a devious grin.

King Njal: Wha—

Kite suddenly hops up and plants his feet beneath the icy floor of the ring, surprising Njal and everyone else.

King Njal: What are yo—

Kite then bends his knees, leaning backwards, as he tightens his grip on Njal’s hands and pulls him out the ring, once again using the mountain king’s momentum to his advantage.

Referee: Round four goes to Kite!

Kade, Threep and Bella cheer once more.

Kade: Just one more win!

Threep: There is still hope!

Bella: Yeah, but it’s a 50-50 chance.

Bella glances at the two who just glare at her and her pessimism.

Bella: What?!

King Njal steps into the ring for the last round.

King Njal: You truly are a remarkable being, Young Nightbloom.

Kite smirks while doing a few hops, hyping himself up.

Kite: I might even perform a lot better if I have all my memories back.

Njal chuckles.

King Njal: Combat isn’t about memory.

Kite: It’s about instincts.

The two grin at each other before taking their stances. As two and a half minutes remain until Lion’s Pride reaches its limit, Kite thinks to himself.

Kite’s Thoughts: If I push myself even further, I might be able to actually move Njal this time. I can’t keep repeating the same moves. It makes me predictable. I have to do this.

The elf takes a deep breath, channeling magical energy once more. Bella notices this.

Bella: Oh no…

Kade: What’s wrong?

Bella: Kite is going to use Lion’s Pride once more…

Threep: What? Is he not still under its effects?

Bella: The skill can be used as much as he needs to, however, each use decreases the amount of time before it reaches its limit. In this case, instead of two and half minutes remaining, he’ll be left with half that amount.

Kade: This is bad. Will he even win with that amount of time?

Bella: I doubt it.

Kite’s friends look at him with concern as he casts Lion’s Pride once more, further increasing his physical stats and limitations, but decreasing the time limit.

King Njal: Oh? Are you sure about further powering yourself up? It’s risky and it could result to your loss.

Kite: What’s a victory without a little risk?

Kite smirks, empowered while Njal scoffs.

King Njal: Watch your confidence, Young Nightbloom. It could result to your downfall.

Referee: Begin!

The two once again attempt to push each other off the ring, but this time, as Kite predicted, he starts to move forward, instead of backwards, as Njal skids towards the edge.

Kade: Kite’s plan is working!

Threep: Yes, but he has less than a minute left.

However, Kite’s advantage won’t last long as Njal saw this coming. With just a few feet left near the edge, the mountain king takes a page out of the elf’s book as the former crouches down and swings his arms upwards, using the latter’s momentum against him and lifting him up in the sky. Njal then turns and slams down Kite near the edge of the ring.

Kade: Kite!

Bella: Shit… the time is up…

As Kite winces in pain, the magical aura surrounding him begins to fade away, deactivating Lion’s Pride. Njal stands before him.

King Njal: Such a shame, Young Nightbloom.

As the mountain king prepares to punt Kite off the ring, the elf suddenly bolts out of danger and appears right behind the Njal, shocking everyone.

Bella: No way!

Threep: How?!

Kite’s friends begin to notice magical energy gathering around him once more.

Bella: Is he insane?! His body will break if he keeps using that skill!

Kade: Kite, don’t!

Kite lets out a primal scream as he casts Lion’s Pride once more. Cracking sounds can be heard from his body.

King Njal: Are you sure about this, Kite?

Kite twitches from pain and takes a wrestling stance. Nonetheless, he smiles.

Kite: Match ain’t over yet.

King Njal sighs and smiles back as he takes a stance as well.

King Njal: Well then, let’s finish it.

The two charge at each other and once again try to push each other off the ring. Once more, Kite slowly pushes Njal near the edge but because of the continuous intense pain, he is also slowly losing focus. This gives the mountain king an opening as he tightens his grip on Kite’s hand and slings him off the ring.

Kade: No!

However, as soon as Njal lets go of Kite, the latter quickly reaches for the former’s hand. Since Kite hasn’t touch the ground, the round is technically not yet over. He pulls himself back in by grabbing hold of Njal’s arm, then goes around the wooly-man, catching him by surprise. And before Njal could react, Kite hops and uses both his feet to kick the mountain king off the ring. Njal crashes onto the ground, making Kite the victor of the round and the entire match. Silence fills the courtyard for a while until…

Referee: Our winner! Kite Nightbloom!

Kade and Threep rush towards Kite before pulling him in a proud embrace. As magical energy disperses from Kite, he collapses from exhaustion, but still had the stamina to return the embrace to his friends. Bella and the Vishanti guards stare in awe, amazed at the spectacle that Kite and Njal have brought. The mountain king stands up and joins Kite and his friends at the ring. He reaches his hand out.

King Njal: I admire your conviction, Kite Nightbloom. The Vishanti Kingdom shall join you in defeating the Empire of Ash.

Kite smiles and reaches to shake Njal’s hand while Kade is supporting his brother.

Kite: Much appreciated, your Majesty. I’m glad to have you on our side.

Bella leaps from behind Kite and chops the back of his neck with her hand.

Bella: You idiot!

Kite: AACK!!

Kite collapses once more in Kade’s arms while the goddess crosses her arms, fuming.

Kade: Kite! Wha?! Why?!

Bella: That was reckless of you to go over the skill’s limit.

Kite composes himself and chuckles.

Kite: Hey, it was worth it. I won. That’s what matters.

Bella: Hmph! Well, don’t do it again. Other than that, congrats.

Kite: Well, it’s all thanks to you.

The elf grins gratefully as Bella turns away from the group before proudly giving them a thumbs up. A while later, after Kite has regained his strength, he and his friends gather in the throne room. King Njal stands in front of them, holding the Mirror Claymore in his hands.

King Njal: As a symbol of alliance between the Vishanti Kingdom and the descendant of the great Haldir Nightbloom, I bestow upon thee, Kite Nightbloom, our Sacred Treasure, the Mirror Claymore.

Kite kneels and bows his head while receiving the Sacred Treasure. Everyone inside the throne room claps in celebration. The elf then stands up while everyone around him steps back to let him test the weapon. Kite gives the Claymore a few swings, getting used to its weight.

Kade: How is it?

Kite grins.

Kite: I like it.

He turns to King Njal and bows.

Kite: Thank you once again, your Majesty.

Njal nods.

King Njal: We have done our part to aid you in your growth. Now, we must prepare ourselves for the coming war, as should you. Threep told me that a year ago, your allies have been separated from you.

Kite turns to Kade and Threep with concern.

Kite: Yes, but…

Kite clenches his fists.

Kite: I can’t even recognize them…

King Njal wonders to himself.

King Njal: Memories can be tricky sometimes, but as you continue on your journey, piece by piece, everything will come back to you. What matters now is that you must reunite with your companions.

The mountain king places his hand on Kite’s shoulder, comforting him. The elf nods.

Kite: Understood, your Majesty.

He turns once more to Kade and Threep.

Kite: Who do we find first?

Kade: Nia. She’s the closest to the mountains. The question is; how do we find her under all of the snow?

Threep suddenly remembers something.

Threep: We could use the Orb of Seeking that we stole from the home of the High Priest.

The nesper leaps onto Kite’s satchel and grabs the purple orb inside.

Kite: Good. That’ll make things easier.

King Njal turns to Bella.

King Njal: Bella, you must accompany them.

Bella: Huh?! Why?!

King Njal: Their journey will be perilous. They need your aid. Besides, it is about time you go out there and seek your resolve.

The goddess rolls her eyes.

Bella: Ugh, fine, but ya owe me!

King Njal nods as Bella approaches the party. Kade seems ecstatic.

Kade: Are you really joining us?

Bella: Calm down. I’ll only stick with ya until ya reconnect with yer friends.

Kite: Sounds good enough for me.

Kite and Bella bump their fists in agreement.

The Mercenary: Bella has joined the party.

After some thorough preparations, the party departs from the gates of the Vishanti castle.

King Njal: May the Light be upon you, heroes of the Realm.

Kite and his friends wave goodbye at Njal before heading to the market square to purchase some food for the journey ahead. Luckily for Kite, Kade and Threep, Njal has already ordered for their wanted posters to be taken down throughout the kingdom.

Kade: Alright, all that’s left is bread. The stall should be over there.

Kite: Gotcha. Let’s make this qui—

But before Kite could finish what he’s saying, he accidentally bumps into someone in the crowd.

Kite: Oh, sorry.

While Kite ensures that the person he bumps into is okay, Kade and Threep immediately recognizes that person.

Familiar Person: Quite unlike you to treat me this way, Kite.

Kade: No way!

Instinctively, Kade goes in for a punch but the person catches his fist.

Familiar Person: That won’t catch me by surprise this time, Kade.

Kade grits his teeth while Kite looks at the two, confused.

Kade: What the hell are you doing here?!... Aerin!

————— END OF CHAPTER —————

[thelazyeye]

Author Appreciation Day!!

Fanfiction is a truly wonderful experience. I am so lucky to not only be involved in writing, but to get the explicit experience of being able to read what authors share with the world. Every story comes from somewhere inside of an author. Even when they’re silly or fun or seemingly ridiculous, an author has taken the time to write it from inside of themselves. We should ALWAYS appreciate them. Today is just something special to really be loud about it. These are some of my all time favorite fics and authors. Please, read and enjoy. 

(I’m not going to hunt down people’s tumblrs if they’re not listed in the fics so if you know who’s blog wrote any of these and they’re not tagged, please feel free to let me know and I will 100% kindly tag them!)

In The Wrong Place, Trying To Make It Right by pininawig (this is the very first Reddie fic I ever read. It got me into the fandom. I have a deep appreciation for it and I reread it all the time. Please go love this story).

"Richie wasn’t sure how the fuck he’d managed to forget Eddie Kaspbrak. Like, now that he’s got Eddie’s hand in his (his remaining hand, Richie’s traitorous mind reminds him cruelly, and he avoids looking at the hospital gown lying flat against the bed where an arm should be) he remembers everything." Or, 27 years later, Eddie makes it out of the sewers alive.

Tear It With Your Teeth by Belby 

"We could leave this place, Eddie," Richie says. "God, imagine that? Not having to live in this trash dump anymore. We could go wherever we wanted. A different place every night."

Give The Past A Slip by brodayhey

On his way to a live show for his popular podcast, Richie stumbles into a person from his past. He remembers.

Remember (It Kills Me To See You Without Me) by Kandakicksass

Richie Tozier falls in love with Eddie Kaspbrak, forgets him, and finds him again, over the course of twenty-seven years.

The Purge by leighwrites / @aizeninlefox​

In 2014, following an economic collapse and rising social unrest, a political organisation named NFFA (New Founding Fathers of America) formed and overthrew the Government, becoming voted into office. In 2016 the NFFA devised a plan to help stabilise the American society and then in 2017 the 28th Amendment was added. The amendment established a twelve hour event called the purge which would start at seven in the evening of March 21st to seven in the morning of March 22nd where all crime was made legal and emergency services were unreachable.

Stay For The Storm by inoubliable / @hanscom​

Richie and Eddie had become friends almost on sight. Since they met, most of Eddie's time in Los Angeles has involved Richie in some way. It's a little different, now that they're both famous. It's a little different, now that they're sleeping together. Well, to be fair, they've been sleeping together for a long time, but. No one knows, not even their friends. Eddie has been very careful about that. It's just not the sort of publicity he needs. So when Beverly calls him that sunny Thursday morning, the last thing he expects her to say is, "You're fucking Richie?"

5555 by weepies / @finnwolfhard​ 

“I am not harmless,” Eddie had said, his eyes thundering—a challenge. “I could ruin your life.”

“I dare you,” Richie had replied, a smug smile on his face.

This is where I leave you (sitting in a palace, covered in gold inside my head) by Enj0ltaiRe

Going blind wasn’t something that Richie had ever even took into consideration. He had joked about it, thinking that having to wear glasses was close enough to being blind, complaining about the fact that there were people that could see for free, while he had to pay for contacts and specs, but he had never actually thought about the possibility of losing his eyesight.

Blackbird by michelllejones 

“Ho-ly fuck,” Richie whispers, and Eddie has never been so fucking scared. Not when he saw the leper, not when he confronted his mother about his pills, not when they fought It in the sewers. Never. Eddie screws his eyes shut and clutches at the material of his jeans. Please be too high to notice, please be too high to notice, please be too high to notice “Eddie?”

Scene Stealer by mseg_21 / @jem-carstairs-is-perfection

“Oh god, oh god, oh god.” Eddie muttered under his breath, staring wide eyed as the man sat up. “You’re a serial killer, aren’t you? You- you lured me in, with the blood and the- the screams and now you’re going to kill me-” The man just kept on laughing, convincing Eddie more and more that he was a psychopath and that Eddie’s good heart was about to get him murdered. “I’m not going to kill you.” The man said, still laughing. “Hurt me? Kidnap me?” Eddie asked. The man shook his head in response to Eddie’s questions. “No?” The man chuckled. “Definitely not. Why would I want to hurt the cute nurse that came to my rescue?”

Richie and Eddie Were Here by andthewasp

Eddie Kaspbrak is leaving for college tomorrow. He's leaving his best friend, Richie, and the park where they grew up, behind; but he has things to do first. Eddie and Richie embark on one final adventure in an attempt to pick up the pieces they've left strewn throughout their little hometown before they part ways, and end up finding even more.

Grow Through The Dirt by tinyarmedtrex / @tinyarmedtrex​

Mike owns a small flower shop next to a tattoo parlor. He's never been interested in tattoos, but he may be interested in one of the owners, Stan.

I Will Make You Hurt by theonlytraveler / @tozierking​

Eddie has struggled with school the past couple years, and his last year of high school is already off to a bad start. His mom hires him a tutor from the nearby University and things seem like they might start looking up. But when Eddie's tutor takes an interest in him, everything starts to fall apart, and Eddie is forced into a situation he never even imagined.

A Memory Of Love by stellarbisexual / @stellarbisexual​

Richie and Eddie, who haven't seen each other since they were kids, get cast as the lead couple in an indie film.

Into The Dark by nb_richie (shipit)

Richie and Stan have seen and dealt with a lot of cases in the years they’ve been working together, from cults to cartels. A case in Derry, Maine, proves to be one of the most horrific for them and for the two local officers they’ll be working with. And on top of it all, Richie keeps remembering things he’d rather forget.

Hit Me Baby One More Time by richttps @richardtoz​

As a child, Eddie always dreamt of becoming a doctor but things don’t always go as planned - especially when you’re still sleeping with a stuffed animal. At twenty-four, he still deals with his fair share of people passing out and crying underneath a needle, but not medically. Instead, he spent his years in college exploring the world of art and went on to work as a tattoo artist in his own shop. In a way, the two are very similar, at least that’s what he tells himself when a newly legal teenager tells him that they’re so grateful that he’d tattooed the word ‘bitch’ on the inside of their lip. His last appointment for the night is especially different.

A Playlist For The End Of The World by gyngersnap / @redactedrichie​

It's been a year since the zombie outbreak started, and Eddie and Richie are all that's left of the Loser's club. Eddie's not sure if he can handle it anymore, but Richie's convinced almost anything can be fixed with a little music, an abandoned mall, and a whole lot of terrible dance moves.

Scorpion Grasses by PimpedOutGreenEars

“Tell everyone… Tell everyone I’ll miss them. And Eds, tell him… Just promise to call him Eds for me every once in a while. So he won’t forget me.”

On his last night in Derry Richie shares a bottle of red wine with Beverly. He makes promises to send letters he knows he won't remember to write, cries a lot, and then ends it with the boy he loves who's just dumb enough to love him back.

Love Your Body Right by richietoaster / @richietoaster​

Eddie's arm is broken and he enlists the help of his best friend to get off. Richie has a better idea.

A Long Way Back To The Light by slytherincosette / @tozierhargreeves​

For Eddie, senior year is supposed to be an under-the-radar kind of year. He's been avoiding all of his friends for months and his mental health has been steadily declining. Why rock the boat and make everything worse? His plans consist of getting into the local community college (easy) and avoiding Richie, the worst sort-of-ex-boyfriend ever (considerably harder.) Then Bill drags him to a stupid party, and Eddie's plans are thrown through a loop. Suddenly, "under-the-radar" seems like a cop-out. Eddie decides, once and for all, to stop settling for decent, for alright, for enough. Eddie's going to take his life back if it fucking kills him.

Baby, I’m Counting On You by PuddingTown / @tozierpunks​

Alternately titled: My babysitter's a rockstar. When Richie Tozier breezes back into his hometown of Derry, Maine, he’s expecting to see familiar faces. Of course, he’s not expecting to see an old flame chasing around a baby. With a million questions, nowhere to go, and a help wanted ad for a nannying job, he finds himself at the doorstep of Eddie Kaspbrak.

My Eyes Only by chucknovak / @wonderwheelzier​

Eddie accidentally finds Richie's nudes because Richie doesn't understand Snapchat.

Meet Me In The Graveyard by Oldguybones / @oldguybones​

After almost five years apart, the Losers club reunites to spend the weekend together at Mike’s lakeside cabin. Armed with booze and total solitude, the gang plans to make up for lost time and catch up with those who were once the most important people of their youths. Tensions fly as lost love is rekindled and friendships are divided. But they soon begin to realize that they are not alone. Someone or something is out for blood and will not rest until they get it. What will the Losers do?

Richie The Ruiner by RanjantheVictor

It takes Richie Tozier a while to realize, but eventually he does. Richie ruins everything, no matter how much he tries not to.

This is BY FAR not a comprehensive list, nor are they ranked in order. I love a lot of pieces and a lot of authors and if I were to combine them all into one post you’d never see your dash board again. This is, however, some of my all time favorites. Some of these fics hold very special places in my heart. Some of these fics shaped me into the writer I am today. Some of these fics are the reason I am here and writing. I love them dearly. I love these authors. Go love them, please. Lord knows they ALL deserve it. 

[beingevil]

Reinhard/Reuenthal; shots, sleeping with your subordinates, and other terrible, very bad, no good decisions

If you came here for Reuenthal/Reinhard : please behold festivite’s gorgeous Reuenthal/Reinhard art (Tumblr) - also on Twitter.

Okay, fic now. I have only ever found ONE Reuenthal/Reinhard fic in English on Ao3, so if you know of more please let me know: END OF LOGH SPOILERS. The fic is A Glowing Light, A Promise.

I’ve conceptualized/outlined Reuenthal/Reinhard backstory before, but that’s it. Until now. 

title: shots, sleeping with your subordinates, and other terrible, very bad, no good decisions

pairing: Reinhard/Reuenthal

summary: Reinhard demands answers regarding a night he doesn’t quite remember. 

Rating and warnings: G for Garbage - okay, fine, R for mentions of past activities. 

wordcount: 769 words 

author’s notes: This is for the lovely Neon. I borrowed Catraverse’s OC Asa Westberg for a little bit. 

- Don’t like it? Come challenge me (by writing English fic), I don’t care. As long as there’s more public fic in this world that I can read, I win. 

- I’ve scribbled an opening and an ending, but I haven’t the energy or inclination to figure them out right now. 

shots, sleeping with your subordinates, and other terrible, very bad, no good decisions

Since waking up in bed without memories of what occurred the night before beyond a spectacular drinking session, Reinhard has been plagued by fragments of memories that inexplicably feature – of all people – Reuenthal.

An especially vivid image of the long column of Reuenthal’s throat, exposed and offered up to him, is particularly hard to dislodge.

More unsettlingly, the planes and angles of Reuenthal’s hipbones have also found their way into the space between his conscious and unconscious mind, and he cannot for the life of him recall what events transpired to put them there. He cannot even recall if they are an alcohol-fuelled dream or something more.

It all comes to a head one day when Reuenthal briefs him on a proposed assault plan for an Alliance stronghold, and all he can focus on are the corners of Reuenthal’s cheekbones, in between wondering whether Reuenthal genuinely is wearing his collar higher these days, or if it’s simply all in his mind.

When he comes back to himself, it is obvious that Reuenthal has been waiting for a response from some time. There is even a faint air of judgment emanating from Oberstein, who is regarding him with a look that is largely cool dispassion, with a subtle hint of suspicion.

“I will consider this,” he says, although he has not the faintest idea of what it is he is meant to be considering. He will review this with Oberstein, in any event.

He confronts Reuenthal in his office later.

Reuenthal is in the middle of dictating a letter to one of his young officers, and looks up when Reinhard enters, unannounced.

Damn the man, he looks completely unaffected.

“Lieutenant Westberg, dismissed.”

The young officer salutes smartly and deftly gathers his effects before leaving, but pauses at the door. Reinhard doesn’t see what transpires, but Reuenthal says, “I will summon you should the need arise.”

The doors closing tell Reinhard that they are finally alone.

“How may I assist?”

“You know what it is,” says Reinhard, already half-incensed.

“If this is about the proposed strategy –”

“It is not,” Reinhard hisses. “Stop playing games! What happened that night?”

Genuine surprise crosses Reuenthal’s perfect features for an instant.

“You truly don’t remember?”

“Would I be asking if I did?”

“Very well,” Reuenthal capitulates gracefully, steepling his fingers. “As you may recall, we drank. You became… rather drunk. You were –” Reuenthal pauses, uncharacteristically lost for words.

“What is it.”

“Very maudlin,” Reuenthal says, quietly. He pauses before resuming his account in clipped tones. “I assisted you to your quarters and… you fell asleep soon after. Following which, I departed.”

“Is that all that happened?”

Reuenthal is studiously looking away from him. Not in an obvious manner – the man is too subtle for that – but clearly avoiding eye contact.

“What would you prefer I say?” Reuenthal’s voice is very dry. “Very well. Some of our clothes were… mislaid… between the door and… the bed. Nothing of note occurred before you fell asleep.”

This is most unsatisfactory.

Reuenthal’s laughter makes him realise he said it out loud.

“I have no reason to lie to you,” Reuenthal points out. “Question your attendants, if you will. They can tell you how long I was in your quarters, what state I departed in and how they found you. No one has any interest in lying to you.” He seems about to say more when Reinhard, out of patience, snaps, “Silence.”

Reuenthal obeys immediately. He does not comply as quickly with Reinhard’s next order.

“Undress.”

Reuenthal cannot conceal his shock in time.

“Mein Kaiser?”

Hearing that mellifluous voice raised in a query doesn’t improve Reinhard’s mood.

“As I said, I don’t enjoy having my orders questioned, Admiral.”

Reuenthal’s features are once more schooled into their usual unflappable mask.

Reuenthal complies with military efficiency, swiftly removing his surcoat, laying successive layers of clothing atop his desk.

As the layers come off, so the truth is revealed, as Reinhard has sought.

It is not quite what he thought it would be.

The long column of Reuenthal’s throat is not at all the way Reinhard recalls it, in the fevered fragments of memory that remain his.

Reinhard has to make a conscious effort not to react at the sight of the bruises blossoming like strange dark flowers all along Reuenthal’s neck and throat. A particularly vicious-looking cluster centres on the hollow of Reuenthal’s throat, a constellation of violence and passion.

“I did that,” he says, distantly. It had been meant to come out as a question.

Tactfully, Reuenthal does not reply, which is neither a confirmation nor a denial.

[lilacsoutofthedeadland]

TR+HP Massive Fic Rec List

EDIT: Looks like this will be constantly updated whenever I see fit. ;U;

Before going through this, I want to address that anyone looking through this list should expect some really dark ideas/imagery, etc. Considering the pairing(s) we are dealing with, this should come as really no surprise. Most of these works will already be appropriately tagged for readers (by the original authors) to avoid anything they’re uncomfortable with, so keep an eye out and read things carefully. I think I only needed to really give a warning about one fic rec, so generally things should be fine.

LAST UPDATED: 04/09/2017

Note: Mostly alphabetical by author…If you see the same author listed several times, that’s a sign you should definitely check them out. These are only some of my most favorite fics and/or really good fic concepts, meaning that if you check the author’s other works, you might find other amazing works that I have neglected to mention. Warning for possible spoilers…I get…‘passionate’ about really great scenes, though I don’t think I outright spoil in great detail, any of the actual endings of longer fics. Anyway, happy browsing!

Mostly Tomarry, but there may be a few stray HarryMorts or other Harry+Tom+Horcrux+Voldy varieties. Straight-up smut is rare here, but occasional. Smut may be included in the fics, but not as the focus.

Going through this WILL take a while, especially with the longer fics, so I recommend taking your time, maybe relaxing with some tea or something. Have fun.

My reviews range from somewhat intellectual to just plain memespeak/swearing, to a mix of both. I will apologize in advance.

*******

ao3 links

Completed:

In Somno Veritas by ansketil, ladyoflilacs (I bookmarked it, and remembered it being quite good? It’s Voldemort/Harry, rather than Tomarry.) 

I Have Seen Your Heart by Arliene (This is exceptional. Instead of Harry being the one to brave the past, it’s Tom arriving in the future, although Harry’s perspective is more of the focus. DAT ENDING. TOTAL MINDFUCK. Last three letters of this fic: “TBC.” I AM SHOOK. )

and all I could hear was your pulse by belatrix (Very haunting and gorgeous.)

The Coffee Shop AU by BigJellyMonster (Short, sweet, and really cute!! Barista!Harry and author!Tom. I love oblivious!Harry and Tom making Harry his muse.)

Love Potion Disaster by BigJellyMonster (Really cute!! Exactly what you expect after reading the title.)

Petrified by BigJellyMonster (OK. BUT WOW, that ending! I had to reread that last line because damn, did it take me off guard.)

The Soul of a Statue by BigJellyMonster (I am a sucker for Greek mythology, and Pygmalion and Galatea was one of my favorites from an early age. Still is a favorite, in fact.)

Icarus by budchick (I really loved this one. The summary is precious. Tom’s father actually has a big role in this one~ So good!)

All For Show by cannibalinc (Harrymort. Whoo boy, this was incredibly intriguing. Very political. Lmao at Dumbledore’s portrait in Chapter 4. Also, poor Draco.) 

Ozymandias by chocowilliams (Ah, I love the title. And this fic is beautiful, sad, and creepy. That ending, wow.)

Drowned piano by Clarisse (transnymphtaire) (This is really pretty and haunting. From Tom’s perspective. Master of Death!Harry is beautiful and creepy. Love the imagery and tone of this.)

Lies by Clarisse (transnymphtaire) (A Soulmate!AU, though instead of the usual fare, it is lies that appear on the skin. Pretty dark in a beautiful way. Tom isn’t the one doing the damage this time, luckily. Time and place for that in other fics, haha.)

A Lesson in Defense by thecrimsonmonarch (Time Travel. Professor!Harry Charmingly awkward, embarrassed Harry trying to flee the advances of a student. *Gasp* how scandalous! Tom is so thirsty in the end. Boy needs Jesus.)

You’re a Parasitic Psycho Filthy Creature Finger-Banging My Heart by Cryptkeeper (orphan_account) (Damn, that title tho. One of the rare smuts in this rec list. The separating?? images are really cute and I aspire to grow up and look half as cute as some ghosts with skulls, flowers, candles, and incense sticks.)

Try series by d_aia (This is just a really great series. I recommend this.)

Don’t Trust Me by DeeDee (I’m pretty sure I saw flayu’s fanart of this fic floating around somewhere. Both the art and this fic are great.)

A Visit to Wool’s by Durrant (Short and sweet. Time travel at a young age. Tom is still in character, and it’s a very cute fic.)

Dream Boy by Evandar (Sin. Well-written sin. Dark and seductive.)

Butterfly Heart by The_Fictionist (I’m sure everyone and their pet cat knows who this author is, btw. This is a beautiful Hannibal-inspired fic. If you enjoy Hannigram and Tomarry, you will be extremely satisfied. Haunting, gorgeous, and captivating.)

The Circus of Riddles by The_Fictionist (I’m going to say this phrase/variations of it a lot, but I have a weakness for ‘blank.’ In this case, stories of the fey. This fic is exactly what I want out of a story like this. Excellent.)

Impressing Professor Potter by The_Fictionist (Damn, Tom is thirsty as heck and is one smooth mofo in this fic. Poor Harry does not stand a chance. my boi tommy you need jesus.)

Kisses Cursed series by Lydia_Theda, The_Fictionist (Damn, some of you are making it hard for me to arrange this alphabetically, but whatever it’s all good. Beauty and the Beast, Tomarry style, with some other works~)

Love’s Loathing by The_Fictionist (Damn, The_Fictionist, back at it again with the great fics. I’m so sorry for this stupid meme, end me. The summary on ao3 will basically give you the clearest message of the plot than anything I could ever write about this amazing work.)

in death we seek devotion by flat_teeth (onetrickpony) (A very dark Soul Mate!AU. Beautiful.)

falling slowly series by Flufferdoodle (This was a very good series. The first part was really well-written, while the second really gave me feels.)

Broom Closet by IsysSkeeter (Short and sweet. The ending from Tom’s perspective is amazing, my god.)

The Closing Of The Year by kcstories (The summary alone is amazing. A very interesting read with a focus on Albus Severus Potter’s take on Tomarry, and getting used to living with Tom.)

The Locket by ladydea (Holy smokes this is fine smut.)

Lucifer by leontina (Leontina) (Short and sweet, at least in comparison to some of the monsters in this list. Interesting, and I love the beginning! You’ll see why when you read the summary…)

Target by LittleMissXanda (Hitmen!Tomarry. Harry is accidentally assigned to Tom-it’s not his policy to attack other hitmen-and sneaks away before Tom could notice him…or so he thinks…)

An I for an I by lordmarvoloriddle (WOW. This was amazing. Harry doesn’t actually go to the past, in this one. It’s really, really good. Gorgeous. I have no words.)

Father figure by lordmarvoloriddle (Whoa, man. Poor Ginny, but at the same time, get rekt. Very hot. Dat ending. Why are there so many excellent endings?)

Lest You Are My Enemy by Maeglin_Yedi (One of the first fics I’ve read. Just realllllly well-written and gorgeous. God, Tom is just really charming and deceptive and seductive. I feel like I should go to straight to hell after reading this. Welp. It was well worth it and I don’t regret a thing.)

The Soul Adores by Maeglin_Yedi (I remember this fic being really good. Some Snape/Harry and the three of them together, as well, in addition to the standard Tomarry we come to expect and love.)

Voice in the Walls by MalignSensualist (Harry starts to hear things. Mature Tomarry with praise kink and some Voldemort.)

Don’t Fuck With Florists (They’ll Fuck You Up) by MayMarlow (What do I love? Time travel. Master of Death!Harry. Flowers. That’s all in here. Harry tries to convince Tom that being Dark Lord isn’t the way to go, and that politics are where it’s at. I adore this fic. Not to mention that there is gorgeous art by talented artists.)

Thy Pyrrhic Victories by MayMarlow (I love Alice in Wonderland-inspired works. Victorian literature generally interests me. I happily downloaded it, seeing that unlike the other fics on this list, this one is not actually readable on the site. The way this fic is presented is just creative and wonderful. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with some of the roles the characters take…)

Everything’s Fine in the Beast Division by Merrinpippy (This is part of the Tomarry Valentine Exchange. This has great characterization, and has the cast of Fantastic Beasts. Also has Tom giving Harry the locket. I am a complete sucker for fics where Tom gives Harry the locket and/or ring. I cannot reiterate that enough.)

Thank you Shakespeare by Merrinpippy (First, I love the Shakespeare references. Second, I loved Harry and Tom’s interactions. Just wow.)

To Be Set Free by Merrinpippy (I remember reading this and always anticipating the next updates. This is a Cinderella AU. The HP universe really lends itself well to things like this, though it also really helps that this was written very well, haha. Just read it. I have no more I can say.)

Gilgamesh by Morgan Steelgrave (m_steelgrave) (This one is pretty different from most time travels. Heavily-focused on Tom…and you’ll find out why once you read it. Very hauntingly beautiful.)

All The World by Nillen (This is really, really good! Tom is a detective. There is a really crazy twist. I had this bookmarked, but apparently it did not show up when I was looking through them? I’m really glad I remembered it by myself!)

The Fragrance of a Moon Orchid by nuttyasafruitcake (Soulmate!AU with a twist. When you meet your soulmate, you gain the sense of smell. I adore the descriptions of the flowers in this fic.)

Haunted and Hunted series by ObsidianPen (This is extremely excellent. I’m sure many people have already read this by now. Some minor Drarry, moreso Draco crushing on Harry, which Voldy is incredibly quick to try to eradicate. This series pretty much made me fall in love with piano-playing!Harry. Locket was my bae…)

Simple Request by AnOrcaLullaby (Harry’s era!AU with no Voldemort. Tom wants Harry to pretend to be his fiancé…)

To Kill You With a Kiss by Paimpont (I think a lot of people rec this…? With good reason. I vaguely remember something like that…or I’ve finally gone insane. It’s really good. Nothing more needs to be said. Tom is a professor. Take that, Dumbles.)

The Dream Eater by partofforever (Art and horror. My fam. God, this was beautifully creepy. OH SHIT THAT END. Btw, this author has more fics in their native language, for you lucky people who can read them~)

Forget Me Not by partofforever (I remember reading this a while ago. I also remember it was incredibly beautiful.)

The Journal of a Young Clerk by partofforever (Sad, but it ends happily. Soulmate!AU where you stay eighteen years old until you find your other half.)

The Swan Prince by partofforever (Ballet!AU. Memory loss.)

The Three Roses by partofforever (This was beautiful but IT MADE ME REALLY SAD. I don’t regret it in the slightest, however.)

Winter, spring, summer, autumn… and winter again series by partofforever (I read this some time before, but I do remember it was pretty cute. Very pleasant and pretty imagery. Also, like many Tomarrys, time travel shenanigans, though less emphasis on the shenanigans part. Interesting and profound. A lovely read.)

Try by ponnu (Short, sweet, and not happy. This isn’t your standard Harry-goes-back-in-time-and-things-mostly-work-out type of fic. AT ALL. Very interesting.)

Pianissimo by Apuzzlingprince (Harry’s kindness and compassion usually serve him well in many Tomarry fics. WELP. NOT IN HERE. Very dark, but definitely lovely.)

We’re going to be beautiful, Harry by Apuzzlingprince (Ohohoho. A reeeally nice soul mate one. Tom is reaaaaally darkly possessive towards the end. Whew!)   

The Perfect Murder by QuillOfFortune (The title and summary alone are simply amazing. Just read it. Starts out as shenanigans, but then gets much, much darker.)

How’s the weather (am I better) by RenderedReversed (Not into a/b/o, but this is written extremely well and focuses more on Tom and Harry’s relationship than actual physicality, which is pretty rare in most a/b/os. Lots of feels. I love how Harry was so convinced Tom would abandon him, and that Tom proved him wrong. Also, I love how protective Absol was. And Harry’s Altaria made me think of my first shiny Pokémon-Swablu, who I evolved into an Altaria in my Pokémon Ruby game. Nostalgia.)

Thomas Riddle and the Lamb of Dreams by RenderedReversed (This was a very interesting AU! Harry is a god here, specifically the God of Dreams, and Tom is his “champion.”)

Underneath the Boughs of an Elder Tree by RenderedReversed (I’m a sucker for fairy tales, The Tale of the Three Brothers, and wandmaker!Harry. This fic just happens to have all of those elements. Love the ending and closing line.)

Vernal Equinox by RenderedReversed (…The simple reason I didn’t get into Miraculous Ladybug was because I personally didn’t like her costume sorry not sorry I am very particular about my superhero costumes but the OTP is cute so I’m the only one depriving myself, but damn. You read this fic, and just go from…intrigued…’wait, wat,’ to ‘!!!’ This is a Soulmate AU+ ‘Dark’ Superhero AU. You’ll be very surprised at finding out what side people are on. This is a oneshot, but you can’t help but wonder about everything. It really works well as a standalone work, but the potential for so much drama and blood and betrayal… Oh god, and the ending.)

Bad Reputation by rightonthelimit (Role Reversal~ Very nice. Based on fanart.)

Can’t Get Enough by rightonthelimit (Holymoly, this is some fine quality smut.)

Counting Bodies Like Sheep by rightonthelimit (oh snap. Zombies, man. ALSO WHY DO SOME OF THESE TOMARRYS HAVE SUCH MINDFUCKERY ENDINGS. BEAUTIFUL. WOULD READ AND/OR HAVE READ AGAIN.)

Little Lion Man by rightonthelimit (Also based on fanart. Detective!Tom and Psycho!Harry. Very good!)

Running Up That Hill by rightonthelimit (Deaf!Tom, and heroic Harry. Draco and Gang are bullies. OH SHIT DAT TWIST AT THE END. Probably one of my favorite modern!au’s.)

Say Something series by rightonthelimit (Basically sin. Features Tom as Harry’s stepdad. Infidelity and a whole lot of other things. Some Cedric/Harry, though Tom does not stand for it for too long.)

Secrets by rightonthelimit (A fic where Tom is working at Borgin and Burkes and it escalates into some explicitness against the counter and Tom smugly thinking Borgin would be appalled by the actions taking place on said counter. Very good and a realistic ending.)

Stripped by rightonthelimit (Very fine smut. Consensual somnophilia.)

of demons and mortals by seulo (This is beautiful crack. It’s straight up hilarious. Our usually terrifying Dark Lord is a harmless knitted doll. Nice ending and the mention of Draco’s role in this, at the end, made me laugh in the ugliest of ways.)

Kismet by SweetSorcery (Egyptologist!Tom and curse breaker!Harry. Noice.)

The Love of a Good Wizard by SweetSorcery (I think this is another one I’ve seen recced frequently?? Pansy is time traveling with Harry, this time.)

Set the Sails (and don’t look back) by Terrific_Lunacy (Pirate!Au with physician!Harry and pirate captain!Tom. HARRY IS A COMPLETE BADASS. THAT’S IT EVERYONE ELSE CAN GO HOME. WE DON’T NEED YOU. HE’S NOBLE AND CARING BUT SNARKY AND IRREVERENT TO TOM AT THE SAME TIME. THIS YOUNG MAN DOES NOT CARE ABOUT DEATH AND GIVES ABSOLUTELY NO FLYING FUCKS. I want to grow up to be just like him. Man, is he a hardass. Also there are hints of him being some kind of otherworldly/ethereal being, or at least half? Ooh.)

The Hekan ritual by Titels (Demon!Tom, Exorcist!Harry.)

love is touching souls (surely you touched mine) by ToAStranger (This fic has a special place in my heart. I. Just. Wow. When I finished reading it for the first time, I was really moved. It’s so beautiful. I can’t count the number of times I’ve come back to read this fic. The fingers on both of my hands are not enough…I am not exaggerating. I love how Tom is presented as excessively charming but still unrepentantly evil, yet salvageable…gah. If I wasn’t on the aromantic side of the ace spectrum, I’d have a crush on both how he and Harry are portrayed in this fic. Precious, kind, strong, righteous Harry. Probably my most favorite characterization of the two of them, ever?? Read it.)

For the Good of Us All by toomanysunkenships (A very great Time-Travel fic.)

Fowl Pals by Watermelonsmellinfellon (I really enjoyed this one. The title basically sums up the fic, so none of my blathering nonsense is necessary.)

Ice Cream Stalker by Watermelonsmellinfellon (This was incredibly adorable. Again, the author is good at titles so I have no need to explain.)

Moments in Time by Watermelonsmellinfellon (Read this a while ago. I remember it being very good. M-preg at the end, not usually my thing, but DAMN I WAS JUST HAPPY THINGS ENDED WELL. THEY DESERVE IT.)

Póthosca by Watermelonsmellinfellon (I AM WEAK TO THIS ONE. A creature similar to boggart shows up, showing one’s deepest desire. Imagine the SHENANIGANS. Or you know, just read the fic.)

Backslash by wynnebat (This was really good!! Tom and Harry at Borgin and Burkes.)

Through My Veins by xxTwasADreamxx (Look me straight in the eye without blinking and tell me that its summary doesn’t sound at least a bit intriguing to you.)

The Gardens of Riddle Manor by VanillaGhost (Rapunzel/Beauty and the Beast fairytale-inspired. This one was absolutely gorgeous. Read it.)

My Name is Tom by VanillaGhost (HelpthisissogoodI’mdying. Android!Tom. The Golden Trio’s act of kindness backfires like you cannot even believe. Disturbing and pushing the limits of the Uncanny Valley. It’s gorgeous and has lovely art.)

***

In-Progress/Incomplete:

Hem of Your Garment by adVENTitiious (I really adore this one. One of the first time travels I’ve read. Really good!)

Macchiato by aquilagrey (This one is really adorable! Barista!Harry and CEO!Tom!!! Their interactions are very cute and in character! Luna is also here being cute! Why is this fic so cute?? )

Chasing The Careless Traveller by Arliene (THIS IS SO GOOD. Time travel, like one would expect. BUT. Wow. The inclusion of Blaise as a companion of Harry’s is something new and fresh. So good!)

Whirlpools series by asterismal (asterisms) (Very promising series, at currently one fic. Poor Tom, but damn, Harry’s thoughts in the closing lines are phenomenal.)

Moments by BigJellyMonster (So good so far. Lovely imagery within some dreams.)

Trapped Away From Sea by BigJellyMonster (Ohohohoho. Merman!Harry. This is based on the Little Mermaid AND Killing Stalking. …Judging by that, you know it’s gonna be good. DAT CLIFFHANGER. I also love the language barrier. And boy, do I love how unlike the readers, poor Harry has no idea that this particular human is more of a predator than any shark in the ocean.)

Consulting Dark Lord by Chess+Wraith (Tom the consulting detective. Partner Snape. And Harry…whoa. Very promising. Tom and Harry are so close to meeting, dammit.)

Times of Peace series by conquerorofheaven (This is some pretty good stuff. Time travel with Harry becoming the new DADA instructor or something of that nature. Very possessive Tom, which let’s face it, is probably a thing 99.8% of us like for this pairing.)

How to prevent a War by CrazyJanaCat (Read this some time ago. Actually my first bookmark for this pairing! I remember some really great scenes/ideas.)

The Root of All Evil Is Love by Crystia (This is so pure. I think I stumbled upon this fc because of a certain fanartist~ The summary is concise, but hilarious. Oh Harry, my sweet child you always have the worst luck, but that’s pretty much canon.)

The Portrait by DariaSilver (This is really, really beautiful. Tom and Voldy are portraits. Slight Drarry. Why is Tom so charming? I cry knowing this isn’t finished. The only thing giving me hope in humanity is that in some alternate universe, this fic is complete. Rest in fucking pieces.)

The Divine Right of Kings series by darklordtomarry (das_omen) (I’m surprised I haven’t found this series sooner! Grey!Harry that is incredibly interesting…and an information broker! The plot is concerned with slight au…focusing on royalty and politics. The plot, as well as character interactions and relationships are quite intriguing, particularly within Harry’s family. Also, the James and Sirius bromance is hilarious, especially regarding the scene in the very first chapter of the first fic that caused the nearby Draco to run away.)

Lord of Time by DebsTheSlytherinSnapeFan (I think I remember some really good ideas from this. It’s been a while since I first read through it, so I don’t think I can give it the summary it deserves. Luckily it’s very lengthy if you find yourself enjoying it. You probably will. A very interesting time travel fic with an epic length, drama, and a lot of consideration put into the time period it takes place in.)

Looking Ahead by dinopire (Art Student!Tom, Photography Student/Model!Harry. Jesus I really like this one. A whole a lot of potential!! What is here so far is reaaaallly wonderful!!)

The Wand Chooses by DreamerEye (Very interesting concept. Wandmaker!Harry.)

Dance with the Devil by Driverpicksthemooseic (Ratkinzluver33) (One of my slightly more recent loves. Harry with a Horcrux!Tom and Voldemort. Harry is amusing. Very promising potential.)

White Innocence series by emriel (This is one of the more recent fic series, and it has been very promising. It’s a Harry goes-back-in-time-but-as-a-kid fic. The way little!Tom is depicted is AMAZING. I really do love it. I especially adore fics that show a child!Tom with really accurate characterization.)

Dreams and Darkness Collide by Epic Solemnity by Dark_Cyan_Star (Holysmokes this was dark and violent and oh do I love it. Harry is so dark but it’s balanced with him being pretty relatively heroic about his killing intent, so it’s a bit closer to his character. I also love a good-by good I mean well-written, he is still beautifully pretty amoral and complex-Minister for Magic!Tom.)

Grimoire for the Devil series by fadingstarlight (Geneveon) (Slytherin!Harry aka Hadrian. Alternate Universe and very EXPLICIT, like wooooo, XXX-rated, man.)

Baby, You’re Mine series by Fairygirl34 (I love the idea behind this series. Tom just being an evil bastard and taking what he wants without remorse, which, in this case, is Harry, and to some lesser degree, little Albus. Harry already has Ginny, but apparently that doesn’t matter at all. Welp.)

Nursery Rhymes AU series by Fairygirl34 (I’m weak for this sort of fic idea. Many nursery rhymes have a creepy origin, and this series expresses a love for such a dark thing. Very promising.)

Phantom Love by Fairygirl34 (Another recent one I found. Tom obsessively watching and leaving gifts for the Phantom Harry. Harry not falling for his tricks and trying in vain to resist his advances. I love that while Harry is the Phantom of the Opera, Tom, in a twisted turn of events, is the Angel of ‘Darkness.’ That’s pretty great. And there’s only two more chapters left!)

Dancing With Deceit by The_Fictionist (Ahhhh, this one was very good. Just read it.)

Fine Green Eyes by grayclouds (Pride and Prejudice-inspired! I regret only subscribing to this and not bookmarking it because this took some time for me to rediscover. This is really amazingly written and I cannot wait for the next update.)

Lithium by grayclouds (One of my first Tomarrys. It’s really great! There is some Cedric/Harry, too. A very good read.)

Loveless by Hyoushin (Very good. The focus is more on Tom. I especially adored the Paradise Lost reference in Chapter 4. That was especially fitting for Tom.) 

The Fox and The Stag series by KaedeRavensdale (I really remember liking many elements of this one. There was a lot that made this pretty unique. Also, somewhere in the first story, Tom goes back to the future with Harry, which is relatively rare.)

Turn Back 53 by Kefalion (Sadly abandoned, but I’m honestly grateful for anything. Wow, this is so well-written. Lmao, at some point they kinda do a ‘meet-cute??’ with Harry and Tom meeting face-to-face while bumping into each other. They keep meeting this way, actually. Also why is Tom so hot in this fic like SIGN ME THE FUCK UP. Smoking those Muggle smokes, damn, man. Catching Harry like some fucking fairy tale prince. He needs to be arrested…and not even just for being a murderer.)

Would Be He: Lion or Lamb? by KillerInADress (Ahhhh, I really love the interaction between Tom and Harry in Chapter 2. Really hope this updates.) 

Field Theory by Machiavelli (Childhood friends!AU. Harry saves Tom…and the tags inform us that ‘this will probably get quite dark’…)

If Them’s the Rules by MayMarlow (Our glorious pairing, Tomarry, is essentially built on the time travel trope, so it should be no surprise that I’m reccing this particular fic. In this story Harry goes back in time to raise Tom. Usually when I read fics with similar plots, there’s always a little something I’m not really into. But not here. There’s also a very interesting plot with Grindelwald, outside of the Tomarry. The Grindelwald + Harry interactions were also pretty nice. Oh, silly Harry for forgetting about the other handsome genocidal dark wizard during this time period. To be fair, he does have his hands full with young Tom.)

The Train to Nowhere by MayMarlow (Who do I love? MayMarlow. One of the earliest Tomarry fics I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Very intriguing premise. I love Harry’s visits to the ‘train station.’ I love the feelings that accompany this sense of otherworldliness whenever I read about Harry is in this other realm.)

+

The Other Chapter 36 by Mavrick (This fic is one of the works responsible for why I said my list was, “’Mostly’ alphabetical by author.” Also, just realized. This fic is also in the incomplete section, despite being completed...mainly because I wanted to keep it together with “The Train to Nowhere.” Welp. That’s entirely fine because I adored this. A tribute to the above fic. God, I loved how creepy it was with the paintings. I felt chills. Beautiful and scaaaary, if that’s what you’re into. I’m definitely into that.)

Labyrinth by Mer_des_Miroirs (A regency!au with other references. Excellent and interesting.)

Kings of Flowers and Skulls by Merrinpippy (So basically if a fic was destined to become a fast favorite of mine…this one definitely embodies a bunch of things I love. And I sincerely love flowers, skulls, and fairy tales…which are all in here. Tom and Harry as opposite, but complementary otherworldly deities…also a HUGE plus. Ahhh…so good~)

Words Fail by NeaMarika (One of my favorite time travel fics. Really good, it’s different from most because people are aware of Harry’s status as a time-traveler. Also, oblivious!Harry strikes again, to my COMPLETE AMUSEMENT. Oh boy, poor Tom. Lmao, boi can’t even comprehend the possibility of anyone possibly rejecting his handsome, fiiiiiiine, genius self. )

Scarred Match in Time by NicoDiAngeloLover7, vampireangel389 (Tom is actually pretty nice in this one, but what really sticks out to me here is how Harry’s memory loss is treated. I really like the startling but distressing images we get from Harry, who only has vague notions of his experiences.)

Divine by ObsidianPen (I am weak for mythology. This is no exception. This has endless promise. Oh lord, this is so good.)

Incendiary by ObsidianPen (The summary and the tags are definitely what caught my attention! A very interesting au idea! Also, Harry’s parents are alive and he has a sister and is generally much happier, yay! Young Grindeldore and the Triwizard tournament. Also, despite this being an AU, poor Harry somehow manages to also be involved in the tournament, though his rival, Tom, is also a champion…Can’t wait for this story to progress to that point!)

No Glory by ObsidianPen (Incredibly dark and haunting. Another great work from the author. Voldemort/Harry with an incredibly well-thought-out plot.)

Wanderingly by ObsidianPen (Labyrinth!AU. This is incredibly promising. I’m honestly very excited to see how things are going to progress.)

Memory of Stars by Ownlildreamworld (morg) (Very intriguing plot, thus far. Kinda political, with Harry trying to come to some sort of compromise with Tom/Voldemort.)

Nature versus Nurture series by RenderedReversed, Zenithyl (I love the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins and Horcruxes being fused together. So. Yeah. Rereading this to refresh my memory while I’m compiling this list would be counterproductive, but from what I remember I spent some solid hours reading this with a lot of appreciation. The chapter amount might look incredibly daunting, but each chapter is only at least 100 words. So. Not so scary.)

this ain’t no fairytale series by RenderedReversed (One day, this series decided to slap me in the face-in the greatest of ways-and I soon became hooked after the first fic. Characterization is spot-on, and I love the world building. Their relationship is lovely and profound, and I love that both Tom and Harry are keeping secrets from each other about their pasts, though are slowly opening up to each other. My fantasy gaming experience is mostly in the Fire Emblem series, but this fic is encouraging me to look into the highly-rated Recettear, on Steam, which this au is based on.)

Until Death Do Us Part by Rendered Reversed (I really love fics where there is powerful imagery and otherworldliness. Tom and Harry and Gods, here, so yay. Also Yandere!Harry. BIG YAY.)

Zubats, Zubats Everywhere by RenderedReversed (Bruh, it’s a Pokémon AU. That’s honestly the only excuse I need. I love their roles in this. It’s a nice, playful breath of air.)

Not Strong Enough by Sayon_170 (Help me, child!Tom is the sweetest most and possessive little thing. Harry goes back in time to raise Tom. There’s an OC, but it’s actually very interesting to see the budding Tomarry dynamic from that character’s perspective. Tom has not yet matured enough to cultivate his cultured, charming mask to present to the rest of the world, and it’s pretty alarming and fascinating to think what will happen to Tom and Harry’s relationship in the future. Harry, good luck.)

that one mutant romance series by seulo (…Have I mentioned I’m also into comics? I AM. Hello, X-Men. This is Tomarry with mutants. Amazing concept, strong characterization, and beautiful, haunting imagery. My favorite scene is when Harry turns into his dead mother. Also, I’m sobbing over the author calling Tom ‘T-Ridds,’ in the notes somewhere. God, that’s funny.)

in blood our eulogies shall be drawn by shilu_ette (Time travel. Master of Death!Harry. Tomarry and Drarry.)

Lanificus Orsa series by Sineluce_Velius_Tristitia (Time travel. Master of Death!Harry. Very intriguing. I especially loved the second fic, and its later parts, like the ending.)

47 Days to Change (a translation) by snow_owl01 (This is a translation of a Chinese fic that someone was kind enough to translate! I remember really liking this. Basically, time travel where Harry goes back to raise Tom.)

The Spellmaker by SonnyGietzel (Very interesting ideas in this one. Very bookish!Harry. I cry because the only Tom Harry ever gets to talk to is the barkeep. And then you look at the last date updated…IT HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL.)

Good Intentions by Strange_Soulmates (I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS FIC. PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITES. Child!Harry is such a pure and precious cinnamon roll. Tom, on the other hand, is a sinnamon roll. There’s something both poetic and beautifully fucked up when you read about little Harry unknowingly helping his new BFF Handsome Prince Tom design the motherfricken’ Dark Mark. In which vandalism will probably be the least of Tom’s crimes. I also love how tiny Harry is so wise and kind, but is still unable to recognize the extent of Tom’s evil. He thinks Tom is being cool, I can’t even- Tom is so in love with Harry that you’ll feel like Lily and James in the beginning of the unlikely duo’s relationship, all warm and approving. It’s really so sweet. Also, the end of chapter 4 is glorious, pls read it. To quote chapter 3 and James’ decision of bringing Harry and Tom closer together: “It was the worst mistake he ever made in his life.” If that doesn’t make you want to keep reading, I don’t know what else will.)

Matelotage by Strange_Soulmates (A pirate!au for Tomarrytines. WOW, ANOTHER AMAZING PIRATE!AU. AND THIS ONE HAS JUST STARTED. The characterization in this is simply superb, and Harry is strong, but still retains his morals and selflessness. He cleverly bargains with Tom, and is just all-around awesome??? Tom is also described quite well with his propensity for cunning and violence, and Barty is winning a special place in my heart.)

More Precious than Rubies by Strange_Soulmates (I am waiting with bated breath for this to be finished. It’s beautiful. I’m not sure how else to describe this. A fairy tale turned on its head, where the princess, sorry Harry, wizard stuck in a tower falls in love with the dragon guarding him. Possessive Tom is already a thing I’m into. Possessive Dragon Tom? Hell yes.)

Light House by teecup_angel (…This is super great. Very nice concept. Check out the summary. I have no more words.)

Blurring Reality by Terrific_Lunacy (The first fic I found by this author. Oh no, it’s too good please save me. IT’S REALLY GOOD. Dancing!AU. The characterization and story are really great. I love this so much. Please read it.)

Let’s start the show by Terrific_Lunacy (…It’s probably a good thing if I rec most/all of the fics of a particular author. This fic has class issues, the circus, and political intrigue. It’s pretty fucking interesting, in layman’s terms. Harry is bae, but I pretty much love him in all of this author’s fics. So.) 

Rebuilt by Terrific_Lunacy (Really dramatic, magnificent Steampunk!AU. Lots of world building and characterization. Really, really good with a very intricate and impressive plot. I feel smarter after reading it, haha.)

An echo of the past by TosMichiyo (I reaaaallly liked this one. One of those rare Tom-comes-to-the-future fics.)

Twin Skeletons series by transpreussen (Time travel. What is different about this one is that poor Harry isn’t alone like he normally is. He has friends with him in the past, yay.)

Push and Pull by Vespairty (Time travel with Master of Death!Harry aka Hadrian. WWII, also focusing on Grindelwald and Dumbledore. Harry writes letters to Tom, and vice-versa. Can’t wait for them to finally meet up!)

Wear Me Like A Locket Around Your Throat by VivyPotter (I remember being really intrigued by this one. What caught my attention the most was the summary. It’s our old friend time travel, but the unique description of a time turner explosion leaving golden scars on Harry is really pretty imagery.)

I Waited For You, In The Shadows Of Time by watchingvfall_n_drown (This one is pretty special to me and close to my heart. I stumbled upon it one day, and was hooked ever since. It’s a bit different from some of the other fics I rec. Lots of purple prose and beautifully flowery language, if you’re into that. I just really love the general air of ethereal otherworldliness about it. Most of that vibe is from Harry, or at least how Tom/Voldy/Marvolo/whatshisname sees him as. Jesus son, are you moonlighting as a poet when you aren’t murdering people.)

Your Name on My Heart by whitedandelions (I remember liking this. A SoulMate!AU that’s a bit different than what we’ve come to expect.)

In Noctem by windwrites (Dark!Harry. Remember it being interesting. Politics. Doesn’t look like it’s going to update soon, sadly.)

Memento Mori, Memento Amor by You_Light_The_Sky (This is actually going to be rewritten, and I am incredibly excited for that day to come. I remember really loving this idea. Harry putting the pieces of Tom’s soul back together.)

Teaching History (is Old News) by You_Light_The_Sky (I love this one. It’s hilarious and crack-filled. If you read this one after a depressing Tomarry, you’ll feel much better. Read it, fam.)

*******

fanfiction.net/other links

Also known as I burned by brain going through my ao3 links.

*If you only post fics on tumblr, sorry for me being a pleb and not looking there.*

complete & in-progress:

Their Verdict of Vagaries by: Angstier (81 chapters. I remember it being pretty good. And it’s very LONG. So. Read. It.)

Framed & Fractured by: Antediluvian Poet (I am weak for fics about magical paintings..i.e. see earlier examples of this phenomena in the recs. This is time travel, though ‘unconventional,’ as the author puts it. It’s written with a very creepy and haunting mood. Ah, and Tom is so great. Very in character and I just love the way he’s trying to figure out Harry’s secrets. I’m really curious and excited, imaging how things are gonna turn out!)

Iridescent by: BloodyWar2411 (The plot is similar to this manhwa called Totally Captivated, but the author addresses this later. I have also read both works, and I think the similarities are coincidence. It really is not very hard to imagine Tom as a mob boss, after all.)

October by: The Carnivorous Muffin (It’s full of purple prose and incredibly verbose and full of interesting diction. Some may feel that these qualities are a turn-off, but as you can tell by my own ao3 username, I really appreciate the T.S. Eliot quotes in Chapters 9 and 10. The later plot might range from confusing to bizarre, but god do I love how otherworldly and inhuman Harry/Azrael is depicted.)

Fate’s Favorite

Destiny’s Darling

Past’s Player

(The Fictionist’s old stuff. One of my first Tomarrys. Bless.)

Secret Keepers by Hijja (Really good. Nice interactions, meaning written well…they are not especially happy together in this, haha.)

The Anti-Midas by Libertine (Really really good. Dat ending. Mindfuck-ish?)

Wand Cores by Lydia-kitten (Grindeldore side pairing. It’s been a while, but I remember this being good. Sadly doesn’t look like it’s updating any time soon…)

Rain and Regret by TheMuser (This is Harrymort. Beautiful and sad.)

The Diary of a Mad Wizard by Passo (Damn, that ending is priceless.)

love in lower case by Passo (It’s a very lovely and pleasant fic. The fourth wall is pretty much broken in a very fascinating manner. Harry basically escapes from the world of fanfiction, but still ends up with Tom, fortunately. Very poetic and pretty.)

Devil’s Advocate by Rose Ferguson (Incredibly good with nice art. The link to the sequel is on the bottom of the page, if you scroll down.)

Desirable Undesirable by SpiteSpawnsLies (Oh….oh my.)

*******

The dear god please help me section:

http://archiveofourown.org/works/451383/chapters/1905781

Right, so this is a link to a fic that, last I checked, was not dead??? Did I get the URL wrong?? Anyone have a pdf of whatever this may be?? I WAS ALREADY SHOOK BECAUSE OF THE MINDFUCK OF AN ENDING but I’m pretty much deceased because I cannot even read it anymore. To jog memories, Harry was a single parent and Tom was Albus’ teacher…and Voldemort was still a thing, but Tom’s well, MORE evil twin or something. It was really well-written. I think Cedric was in there, and his role was a twist. THE ENDING IS SOMETHING I’LL NEVER FORGET THOUGH. IF YOU READ IT YOU’D KNOW.

To a lesser degree:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11992546/1/Bombastic

I honestly cannot remember what this one was about, but I trust in my past self’s judgment. Anyone know what this one was?

No links, but summaries (most likely ao3 links):

One where Harry appears back in time and catches Tom’s attention. Not a lot of dialogue. There is a New Year’s party and Tom trying to make advances…only for Harry to flee.  Harry is angsting but Tom shows up later, telling Harry that he’s already guessed that he’s a time traveler. Tom also says something about hoping that his kiss wasn’t so offensive that Harry ran away like a damsel in distress or something.

I think there also was another one where Tom is working at Borgin and Burkes, but meets Harry, who time traveled??? Harry cannot stop Tom from killing and generally being amoral, and there is a really bittersweet scene of them banging after angst, with Tom covered in the blood of his unfortunate victim, and Harry just resignedly on the rocks. Literally.

Hmm…I think something might be wrong with my bookmarks. I keep remembering plots for fics I want to add here, go to the fic and see that I bookmarked it, but did not see it the 3-5 times I have been double-checking my bookmarks. Ugh.

*******

This list basically covers what I personally love about most Tomarry fics I like to read. I had to stop myself from adding any more before things became too crazy, haha. Generally, I love most time travel fics. I definitely have more fics bookmarked that I have not included on this list, and probably only subscribed to some so I don't have their links now. I’ve also probably missed a few I would have really liked to add to this list. Some fics have probably been deleted without me knowing, as well, though I thought ao3 informed you of deleted works you’ve bookmarked???

…Now that I’ve finally finished this list, I guess I should start going back and leaving some VERY BELATED kudos and comments, haha. The whole reason I haven’t already done so was because I didn’t like my username, and only found out how to change it, like a few days ago. Welp. I think the last time I tried, probs years ago, you could only make pseuds?? That or I’m dumb. I’ll be better from now on, though. I hope people find some new fics to read, or perhaps revisit some old favorites.

Please tell me if any links are incorrect/dead. If you want your work taken off this list, PM me immediately and I will remove it as fast as I can.

I’m also always up to chat about Tomarry, so feel free to stop by my askbox~

[dailyurbine]

Fic: Traveling Without Moving