#and movie 5 is chosen and short so yeah

[einaudis]

.

[catindabag]

That’s it. Here are my personal Top 10 favorite TBOSAS fanfics to read on the weekends.

PS: Most of them were published even before the trailer for the upcoming movie premiered.

So here are my recommendations:

1. The Plinth Prize by Redex

This oneshot is a certified classic angsty Snowjanus/SnowPlinth fic. And honestly, this is why I support my fellow SnowPlinth shippers, cuz this story could definitely replace the last 3 chapters of TBOSAS and I wouldn’t even question it.

2. Nothing to lose by HopelessRomantikk

This oneshot is another Snowjanus/SnowPlinth fic. However, this one is quite romantically sweet as cinnamon with lots of kisses. Just play the song Say Yes to Heaven by Lana Del Rey in the background and you’re good to go.😘

3. Reflections of the Garden by madzdolin

This one is an angsty SnowBaird fic that actually gives you one of the best bittersweet endings ever. It also gave the readers a proper closure to Coryo’s relationship with both Lucy Gray and Sejanus. You might even cry a little when you read the last chapter. Just saying~.😚

4. Saving Each Other by flipflop_diva

This oneshot is one of those unique SnowBaird fics that gives the readers a good “What if” scenario to seriously think about, cuz in this AU, Coryo doesn’t escape the Arena with Sejanus. So he’s basically stuck with Lucy Gray as another “tribute,” until they both won by waiting and poisoning everybody else. And yes, Reaper was not amused.

5. You Complete Me by gaytriforce

This oneshot is another classic Snowjanus/SnowPlinth confession fic. Moreover, I really loved the simple way of how they got together. And to be honest, this short fic could replace the whole Peacekeeper arc and I wouldn’t even notice the change.

6. Pursuit Predation by evaerobics

This oneshot is that rare Snowjanus/SnowPlinth AU fic that deserves another 50 chapters. It basically gives the readers a “What if” scenario where Coryo was chosen to Mentor District two’s male Tribute, Sejanus Plinth. And yes, Sejanus kissed Coryo in front of his classmates before entering the Capitol Arena.

7. The last two loves of his life by boneslen

This one is a good bittersweet angsty SnowBaird/SnowPlinth fic. Basically, Lucy Gray was forced to become an Avox by Dr. Gaul. Sejanus is still dead. And Coryo is busy having a mental breakdown every second of the day. The newly elected President of Panem just really wants both his girlfriend and boyfriend back, ok. The Bi-panic is real with this one.

8. Roses and Nutmeg by PliaPlia

This Snowjanus/SnowPlinth oneshot features a very stressed out malnourished AF Coryo, who became quite ill because he keeps giving away his food to a very busy Tigris. Seriously, somebody give the poor cabbage boy some soup. Sejanus, call your Ma and feed your future boyfriend.

9. Feverish Dreams by Cordeliadumaurier

Let’s just agree that this long ass SnowBaird fic has the craziest story of the season. I mean, the revenge plot alone is amazing, and every single character is insane in their own way, even Lucy Gray. Moreover, everyone is just borderline obsessed with Coryo’s dead dad, Crassus Snow. Even dead Dean Casca Highbottom was freaking in love with Snow’s dead dad! So yeah, they’re all obsessed, depressed, and crazy. Everyone needs therapy, but Snow still lands on top. #Crasca4ever

10. The Sound of Snow Falling by PRES_CS_HGT

This HG/TBOSAS fic is one of my personal favorites. The plot alone is great and unique in its own way, because it features a very young and confused 5’4 and a half Coryo Snow waking up after the end of the Second Rebellion. Also, the new President, Alma Coin wants to place him inside the Arena as a Tribute for the crimes he doesn’t even remember committing. And his assigned Mentor, Katniss Everdeen hates him for some reason. And what the heck happened to Tigris?! Why is she so old?! And why does she look like a literal tiger?! Who knows, Coryo Snow.

Special Mention:

1. I’m so sorry, Coryo by HopelessRomantikk

Basically, this features Sejanus Plinth’s angsty POV in TBOSAS, and how he was secretly in love with Coryo Snow since forever. However, he still meets the same fate here.

2. The needle in the brain by Sweetlit

This TBOSAS AU fic is already wild and spicy like some Lana Del Rey album. The plot alone is great and full of mysteries. Moreover, this story’s “What if” scenario features a very desperate and depressed Coryo Snow seducing a heartbroken Dean Casca Highbottom to let him stay in the Capitol after winning the Hunger Games. And let’s just agree that if ever Crassus Snow reads this fic, he might as well burn Panem to the ground.

3. The Hanging Tree by SirFanfic

This oneshot features a regretful Coryo Snow, who decided to have a last minute change of heart and saved Sejanus from being hanged.

[coinflict]

15 people 15 questions!!!!

Tagged by @suzufield thank you yay ^^

This is a long one so it's under the cut and also idgaf I love hearing myself talk I love the sound of my own voice!!!!

Not really, my given name is that of a saint like most names from here tbh, but my mom picked it because it's short and she wanted people from everywhere around the world to be able to say it which is kind of cute. I don't have chosen name I have like 3 nicknames people alternate between, one of them is Ani or AniGC which I use on the internet and I don't plan on picking one I think not having a name is cool!

1. Are you named after anyone?

2. When was the last time you cried?

Nope, too young, and also having my own kids or parenting/fostering is not something I am fit to ever do I don't think I would be a good parent. I'm a lesbian so biological kids are kind of out the window (not really but don't want them regardless, better safe than sorry on this matter I think). I would love to work with kids though at least once in my lifetime.

Genuinely yesterday I love crying I cry all the damn time it helps me fall asleep. What the libs don't want you to know is that depression is actually awesome because you can cry all the fucking time and you don't need sleeping medication! Yay for mental illness!

3. Do you have kids?

4. What sports have you played/do you play?

I did karate for 8 or 9 years from ages of like 6-14, loved it, then I fell down the stairs and fucked up my spine and had to quit. Then I did swimming for a bit but nothing too serious and I quit that because I got bored now I do fuck all.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Yes a lot but I try to not get too irony poisoned lol, I mostly just say outlandish shit but I do use sarcasm.

6. What's the first thing you notice about people?

I couldn't tell you if you put a gun to my head. I don't fucking know 😭

7. Eye colour?

Brown! ^^

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

This is a strange one I'm not really big on either of these things. When it comes to horror I'm not really a fan of movies I feel like a thing inherently becomes a little less scary when you show it to me or when it's moving you know? Idk I like some of them but I really do enjoy horror books those are awesome. And for the other thing I don't know is it a happy ending for me or the characters? Like I enjoy all plot threads being tied together well but if that doesn't make my fav happy GOOD. Let that bitch suffer. To actually answer the question I think scary movies lmao.

9. Any talents?

Why yes I'm very awesome. Idk I'm a fast learner genuinely that's the biggest thing I've got going on I think almost everything I know I learned on my own accord, it was never given to me, and idk I'm kind of proud of that idgaf if it sounds corny. I can also dislocate my thumb that's kind of cool.

10. Where were you born?

In the hospital (Serbia but I don't like saying where I'm from too much I want to remain a Mysterious Figure On The Computer and now you have to ignore the fact that I frequently post about this)

11. What are your hobbies?

Running the risk of sounding like a loser nerd I love studying I love learning things if I could stay in school for the rest of my life I genuinely would. I love learning how shit works and I'm gonna be honest organic chemistry has been among my favourite things to study ever it's so perfectly logical and awesome one of the best sciences ever for sure. Besides that I like doing fuck all and taking the piss on the internet.

12. Do you have any pets?

Nope! Small apartment and not enough money or time to take care of them. One day I will get a cat though trust.

13. How tall are you?

184cm that's like 6'0" I think?

14. Favourite subject in school?

Idk probably physics. High school level chem was incredibly fucking boring I didn't even have to fart to get good grades. Math and programming were my original beloveds but I fell out of love with them very soon after starting high school due to bad experiences with teachers. So yeah probably physics idk the only subjects I think about at this point are the ones I'll have next year in college I can't fucking wait for atomistics.

15. Dream job?

I feel like a fucking idiot being at my age and telling people I want to be a scientist but like!!!!!! I do I genuinely do!!!! I want to be a researcher and do cool things I want to be entranced by the work I do maybe this sounds so incredibly optimistic because it's likely that if I become a researcher I'll be eating packet noodles for the rest of my life but!! That's my dream!!!

I cannot be assed to tag 15 people I'm sorry also I think everyone and their mom has done this at this point so I'll tag. 3 take it or leave it! Sorry if any of you have done this already 😭. Also if you haven't but don't want to that's fine lmao no pressure

@k-ru-h @viegoinahoodie @schrodingers-catgirl

[faith-alhazred]

@peterlorrefanpage enlisted me for '9 albums you listen to' and it's kinda challenging, as i am not actually album person, more 'listen this dozen song for the next two years' person 😂 but i will try my best.

1. 'Addicted to Bad Ideas: Peter Lorre's Twentieth Century' by The World/Inferno Friendship Society.

Must have of every Peter Lorre fan, i guess. Speaks to my soul.

2. 'Devil's Dozen' by Fiddler's Green. As well as 'Heyday' and '25 Barney Roses'.

Music, that charges me with energy. 'Perfect Gang' is the song that i use to explain to my players which vibe there would be in Dead But games (Dead But is my own PbtA TRPG about living dead who leave their graves to go to the party or club).

3. 'Wolfrider's Reflection' by Julia Ecklar

As well as a few records of Julia, that wasn't included to that album. I grew up on ElfQuest comics and i feel deeply bounded to this universe. 'Going Back' gives me goosebumps every single time.

4. 'Pirate for the Rum' by Stormfrun. I found this album a few years ago, during one of the most stressful periods in my work life, and it really was like that 'and the new man was chosen to lead our raging crew - but this man is a woman, i'm telling you it's true'. Yeah, it's me. I am the woman.

5. 'Father of Invention' by Professor Elemental. It's time for a confession - i really like rap. I love rhythm, i love when a performer not just sings, but talks to you, buuuut. I am absolutely not into american 'money, bitches, drugs' rap, so when i encountered chap-hop, where on the place where you'd expect 'f*** off, b****' goes 'I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience, sir' - it was immediately sold to me.

6. 'The Vampyre at the Harpsichord' by Verne Langdon. Oh my, this guy is brilliant. His music has the right vibe of a vintage horror movie. Also I use one of his tracks as my basic rington.

7. 'Ooky Spooky' by Aurelio Volraire. Another guy with a great sense of humor, this particular song is hilarious.

8. 'Boo York', Monster High motion picture soundtrack. Another fandom i am into, catchy energetic songs that speak to me a lot.

9. 'Komik' by Komik Mashrabov. That's very local thing. When i was working in a hotel there was a courier guy, tajik, very modest and polite. But after I told him i quit in two weeks, he got much more friendly, and it turned out he not just a courier, he is also a rapper and stand-up comedian. His 'modest guy' social mask was broken, he was always a fountain of improvisation, jokes and awkward flirt. I still excited how dramatically his personality changed in such short time. So, he gave me couple of his tracks, and still i listen to them time by time, trying to improve my tajik listening (still can't get anything but couple of words, honestly). Also he has really good voice and know how to use it.

Well, that's all, folks 😁

I have only couple of mutuals here, and two of them have already joined the flashmob, so i can tag only @ilovemesomevincentprice - absolutely no pressure, though 🌿

[unhappycylinder]

Hellfire’s Newest Member (Eddie x fem!reader) Pt. 5

No warnings but the next part is romance thank god

Masterlist

--

"Well, seeing as your date with Eddie got scrapped, aaaand that you don't really know anyone else, what do you say you come to work with me and meet my friend Steve?" Robin asked you while you walked out of school after Eddie passed you with Jason.

"It wasn't a date Robin, he was probably just going to show me around town or something," you responded

"Oh yeah...yeah...absolutely. Definitely no making out or anything"

"Robin!"

"Okay okay I'll stop...for now. So, are you coming to work with me or not?"

"Yeah, sure, I've got nothing better to do"

Just as you said that, a nice car drove up and the driver honked its horn.

"Speak of the devil," Robin said

Robin opened the back door of the car for you and you slid in, looking up to face another gorgeous man. His hair was perfect and his smile was charming. He had a few freckles around his face and he was wearing a green vest with 'family video' printed on it and a nametag that said 'Steve' below it. Robin got in the front seat and slammed the door, sighing as she set her backpack down at her feet.

"Well Robin, are you going to tell me who exactly is sitting in my backseat?" He asked while he maintained eye contact with you

"Oh! This is my friend y/n, she just started here today and I was showing her around. She had a sexy date with Eddie Munson, but that got cancelled, so I recruited her to come to work with us."

Before you could respond, Steve turned to face Robin, his cheeks turning red, "Eddie Munson, as in Eddie 'the freak' Munson?" he asked her

"Okay slow down there," you said, "first of all, its nice to meet you Steve, and second of all it wasn't a date, Robin, it was just a....a"

"a.....date" she cut you off, turning to you with a smile

"It wasn't a date," you huffed, shrugging your shoulders to Steve

"Okay well, whatever it was, its nice to meet you too y/n" Steve said before he started driving

The short drive was filled with Robin telling you about Steve's reputation as Steve 'the hair' Harrington, and how he was the king of Hawkins High before he graduated last year. She told you about their time working at Scoops Ahoy together last summer, a story which garnered a lot of suspicious looks and laughs from the both of them...as if they weren't telling you the whole story...but you figured it was just their way of flirting and it made you smile.

The car stopped in front of family video and the three of you got out. Steve held the door for both of you as you walked in, gesturing you through with a quiet "after you ladies."

"Well this is it, this is our humble workplace," Robin said while throwing a vest on that matched Steve's

"Got any movie rec's y/n?" Steve asked, turning on a tv angled above the checkout desk in the middle of the store

"Uhh I don't know, Star Wars?" you replied

"Which one?" Robin asked, smirking at Steve

"Empire Strikes Back" you didn't miss a beat

"As you wish" Steve replied before walking to a shelf where you assumed he was looking for your chosen film

----

A couple hours went by at family video, and you had gotten through most of Star Wars. The store was essentially dead, apart from a few couples and old dudes coming in every once in a while, so you three had spent your time talking about all the places you had lived and your favorite memories from them. You were in the middle of a story about some aliens you thought you saw in the Nevada desert when the phone rang, Steve answered.

"Yello-" he was cut off by what sounded like someone yelling, "woah woah, slow down Henderson, what's the problem?"

The person on the other end continued to talk ~aggressively~ until Steve eventually looked up at you.

"Calm down man, she's right here," he held the phone out to you, you looked at him puzzled before taking it

"Um hello?" you questioned

"y/n, thank god!" Dustin yelled on the other end, "where the hell are you?"

"Well seeing as you called family video, and seeing as I'm talking to you right now, I'd say Im at family video," you replied, making Robin and Steve laugh.

"Hellfire starts in 30 minutes and Mike and I have been searching for you everywhere!"

"Oh yeah, I guess we didn't really have time to talk about the logistics of your meeting earlier, but don't worry I'll be there. I've gotta swing home and grab my shit first, but I'll meet you outside the school in 20?" You questioned.

Dustin agreed before hanging up the phone. You turned to Steve and handed him the phone while you bent down to grab your backpack under the counter.

"What'd the little guy want?" Steve asked

"Oh um, I agreed to be the sub for his Hellfire club meeting, apparently one of their members is on the basketball team and can't make it," you responded

"You play Dungeons and Dragons?" Steve asked in a sassy tone

"Uh, yeah, a little bit" you didn't want to sound nerdy, and Steve didn't exactly seem like a fan of the game

"Well do you need a ride or anything? You said you had to run by your house?" He asked

"Oh no thanks, my house isn't that far out of the way, I'll be fine"

"You sure?"

"Positive"

And with that, you left family video and started walking towards your house. At a brisk pace, you'd make it to school just in time. The problem was, you hardly knew your way around town and it was getting dark, so time wasn't exactly on your side.

You managed to navigate your way to the house with what felt like four extra turns, probably adding a good few minutes to your walking time. But there was nothing you could do about it. As you left your house, DnD supplies in hand, you glanced to Dustin's house to see if his bikes were there. Nope...he and Mike were probably at school already. A part of you hoped they'd be there so you didn't have to walk alone, or be late, but once again, that wasn't up to you.

Glancing at your watch 6:46, you cursed under your breath. You had four minutes to make it to school at the time you told Dustin you'd be there...impossible. It was at least a ten minute walk in the pitch black on the freaky highway Eddie picked you up on this morning.

With every step you could swear you heard something rustling in the woods next to you, as if something was stalking you. The wind in the trees sometimes sounded a little too much like voices, whispers, and it sometimes made you turn to see if someone was walking behind you. You picked up your pace, readjusting the binder in your arms and shuffling your bag on your back.

Fuck. I don't need to be late...and I really don't need to get killed by a bear or something.

You hardly knew anyone in this group, yeah you knew Dustin, Mike, and Eddie, but you didn't know them. Not enough for them to make an excuse for your tardiness or understand why you weren't able to make it on time. Maybe Eddie wouldn't mind...maybe he'd remember your talk this morning and that you didn't even have a bike. Or...maybe he'd be ruthless like Dustin and Mike made him sound to be the night before.

Your mind was racing. You hadn't played DnD with an actual group in years, you were definitely gonna be rusty. You wanted to impress the club, you wanted to be accepted by them, by Eddie.

A couple minutes later you could see the lights of the school coming up the next hill. Thank god. No more creepy sounds from the woods, no more worry, you just had to face the Hellfire club and hope for the best.

----Dustin's POV----

"Shit, shit, shit, shit" you paced in front of the school door. Everyone was already here for the basketball game. The parking lot was empty except for a few couples making out in their cars, and y/n was nowhere in sight.

"Dustin, just calm down, she said she'd be here. Maybe she's just running late?" Mike tried to calm you down

"No shit Sherlock! Of course she's running late, do you see her anywhere?" you practically yelled at him

"God dammit Eddie is really gonna kill us. First we lose Lucas, and now we're gonna show up without a sub like he asked and we're gonna get our asses kicked by him and by whatever monsters he has up his sleeve!"

Mike checked his watch 6:58, y/n was 8 minutes late and Hellfire started in two minutes. You couldn't wait any longer.

"Fuck it Dustin, we have to go inside. It'll be worse if we're late and we don't have a sub"

You nodded and you both walked in, leaving your bikes propped against the wall of the school.

Each footstep down the hall felt like it echoed across the whole school. Subtle laughter could be heard down the hall...Eddie...you had no choice but to face it. This would ruin your campaign.

You and Mike paused and looked at each other before heading into the Hellfire room, exchanging a nod and awkward smile as you opened the door.

"Henderson! Wheeler! We were beginning to think you boys were a no show!" Eddie said from his throne, intertwining his fingers. You two hovered against the door, hoping he somehow wouldn't realize you didn't have a substitute with you.

"Well what are you waiting for ladies, a goddamn invitation?" Eddie asked as he gestured to your seats at the table.

"Well gentlemen," he began as you took your seats, bracing for the worst, "it looks like we're down a player," Eddie shot a sharp glance at you and Mike, his tongue grazing over his top lip as he brought his hands down to the arms of his chair.

The other boys in the club shook their heads in disappointment, feeling the hope of their campaign leave as Eddie formed a devilish grin.

"Boys...I thought I told you to bring a substitute for Sinclair or I woul-" before he could finish, the door slammed open to reveal a dark figure illuminated only by the gentle overhead lighting of the Hellfire room.

You and Mike let out a sigh and grabbed each others' arms, you were saved just in time.

----Eddie's POV----

It couldn't be. There was no way that y/n was standing in the doorway to your DnD club. She took a step forward, confirming your suspicions. She looked tired, like she had just walked for miles, and she was carrying her heavy backpack and a large binder with a small pencil bag on top of it. Maybe she was meaning to go to the pep rally with Robin and she took a wrong turn? That was probably it, right? And then your eyes caught the stickers on her binder - dice, swords, dragons, flowers - this wasn't the binder she was using at school today, this had to be a DnD binder. She wasn't here by accident, she was the substitute you requested. She was also, apparently, the girl of your dreams.

"Hi, um, I'm so so so unbelievably sorry I'm late. I uh, I don't have a car, or a bike, and I didn't know what time this started, and I just walked all the way here," she huffed as you all stared at her wide-eyed, "sorry I'm a bit out of breath..." she stepped further into the room as you stumbled over your words.

"Y/n? You...play...DnD?" was all you could get out.

"Um," she held her binder out in her arms, flipping it around to show a weathered piece of paper taped to it that said 'y/n's DnD adventures' crudely written on it, "yeah, I kinda do" she smiled awkwardly.

Without breaking eye contact with her, you spoke, "Gareth move"

"Huh?" Gareth asked.

Keeping your eyes on y/n, "I said, move. Let the lady take a seat next to her DM"

Gareth shuffled over a seat and y/n quietly shuffled over to the seat next to you, uttering an occasional apology as she bumped into the other chairs. She was adorable.

As she took her seat and opened her binder, she looked up at you with a loving smile

"Hello sweetheart, welcome to Hellfire" you said, looking at her with nothing but adoration in your deep brown eyes

-- 

Part 6

Taglist: @definitelynotecho @lfaewrites @sadbitchfangirl @tlclick73

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, November 1

WILLOW: Did you find Jesse? XANDER: Yeah. WILLOW: Was he dead? BUFFY: Worse. (sits at the end of the table) I'm sorry, Willow. We were too late. And they were waiting for us. WILLOW: At least you two are okay. XANDER: I don't like vampires. I'm gonna take a stand and say they're not good. BUFFY: So, Giles! Got anything that could make this day any worse? GILES: How about the end of the world? BUFFY: Knew I could count on you.

~~BtVS 1x02 “The Harvest”~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Such A Nice Girl (Joyce, Darla, PG) by badly_knitted

Startlingly Moral (Buffy/Spike, T) by acekoomboom

Old Relics and Movies (Buffy, Giles, G) by Greensword101

Trick or Treat Little Witch (Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, G) by 29PheonixLement

Portents (Buffy/Faith, M) by aliceinwonderbra

Ghostly Fears (Angel, Spike, T) by Celeste Belle

Help (Xander, Spike, T) by Celeste Belle

Trick or Treat (Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, G) by riah alice drake

Stand Off (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by MillennialCryBaby

All's Fair in Love and War (Buffy/Spike, R) by Behind Blue Eyes

can't fight with you anymore (Buffy/Spike, PG) by sunshine-of-my-lifetime

Thankful or Not (Buffy/Spike, G) by violettathepiratequeen

Take These Broken Wings (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by FoolForSpuffy

Candy Corn Mischief (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by honeygirl51885

The First Annual Spooky Scoobie Party (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by acekoomboom

[Chaptered Fiction]

Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 5 (Buffy, Dawn, T, SG-1 xover) by BrennaLynn

House of Slayer: The Slayer, The Witch, & The Key, Chapter 24 (Buffy, Dawn, Harry Potter xover, T) by BrennaLynn

New York, Chapter 4/43 (Giles/Xander, M) by drsquidlove

Days of Future Past, Chapter 28/34 (Buffy/OC, Angel/OC, Buffy/Angel, M) by a2zmom

Forgotten Memories, Chapter 4/12 (Buffy/Angel, M) by Ilovebooks10

A Family Room at the Heartbreak Hotel, Chapter 11/11 Complete! (Buffy/Spike, T) by julikobold

Unmasking, Chapter 3/4 (Cordelia/Anya, T) by BeatriceEveryTuesday

Her Old Fashioned Boy, Chapter 12 (Giles/Jenny, T) by Bobbie23

Blind Date, Chapter 9 Complete! (Xander, Joyce, M) by Spooksdarkhero

[French language] Du Passé au Présent, Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, T) by guepard54

Shadow Over Hellmouth, Chapter 65 (Buffy/Tara, Ensemble, M) by Tuxedo Mark

1632 Revello Drive, Chapter 2 (Buffy, Giles, T) by A Most Sovereign Lady

Spiderwebs, Chapter 42 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Willow25

Spike v. Logic, Chapter 4 Complete! (Buffy/Spike, R) by Soulburnt

Lover's Walk 2.0 (After When Anne Met Spike), Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, G) by To Be Hers

56 Hours, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Soulburnt

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: ‘I may be dead, but I’m still pretty’ (Buffy, worksafe) by mistyintherivers

Artwork: morning break doodle - I miss these guys (Spike, Angel, worksafe) by simongablelundmark

Gifset: lgbtqcreators battleship bingo — the chosen one (Buffy, worksafe) by sylvielaufeyz

Gifset: lgbtqcreators battleship bingo — free choice (Willow/Tara, worksafe) by sylvielaufeyz

Artwork: Task description - make a copy of the screencaps without using an Eyedropper or drawing over the photo (Buffy, Spike, worksafe) by lialivingart

Artwork: Grom with the gays (Buffy, Willow, worksafe) by pzyii

Manip: Happy Halloween! (Spike, NSFW) by pass-the-dyanmite

Video: Top 20 Most Badass Buffy Summers Moments by MsMojo

Video: 'Slayers: A Buffyverse Story’ Official Trailer by Audible

[Reviews & Recaps]

ReWatch: Angel (the series) S1, E1 - 3 by kimannebb

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 6X02 REACTION | First Time Watching by EvilQK

I AM SO SADDDDDD Buffy The Vampire Slayer | 2x21-22 'Becoming' | Blind Reaction by Vic

Buffy the Vampire Slayer THE MOVIE (1992) | REACTION (With Nicologik Reacts) by JayPeaKay

I'm Crying! // Buffy the Vampire Slayer Episode 2x17 Reaction // My heart is broken! by Brooke Whipple

**RETURN OF THE QUEEN!!** Angel Season 2 Episode 9 "The Trial" Reaction: FIRST TIME WATCHING Buffy by Nick Reacts

Angel 1x20: War Zone Reaction!!! by Victor & Grace Reacts

Thoughts on the Original Buffy Screenplay by Plasticglass456

PODCAST: Episode 41: Amends by Gym Was Cancelled

[Recs & In Search Of]

[Original IWRY Marathon] Entry for IWRY 2023: "In Fair Verona" by melodys_muse recced by iwry_marathon

Top 10 Spuffy fics I’ve read (Oct 2023) recced by mcgnagallsarmy

drsquidlove’s posting New York to AO3. It’s an amazing epic recced by thirteenthblackbird

Rec: Pub Crawl by kangeiko recced by lupines-slash-recs

Advent Calendiles: Calling all Calendiles Appreciators! Feel free to send me asks with short prompts! For each one, I’ll write a 100-word drabble requested by hal-1500

[Community Announcements]

Threesome Month 2023 Has Begun! by btvscrackships

Buffyverse Top 5 Community to Close by buffyversetop5

Q&A with fanfic writer Hannah (Cosmic Tuesdays) on Saturday 11th November 2023!! by Stoney

[Fandom Discussions]

Angel Season 3: Becoming a Parent by andrew-heard

[ask] Do you think Wesley agreeing to help Fred take revenge on the professor is selfishly motivated? asked by angelustheimmortal, answered by we-pay-for-everything

[Musing about Xander being an insert for Joss Whedon] by nancydrewwouldnever

[Spike & The First vs Angel & The First] by krimreader

according to this article, the guy who played Xander tried to get them to do a Xander/Buffy romance in season 7 by aphony-cree

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This scene makes me absolutely insane. unhinged. absolutely raving. “We missed the bed again” by raisedbythetv89

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story SPOILERS by hermyohkneegranger

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Giles - the Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Season 5 by flow

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[thecrookedwriterspath]

Thank you for the tag @sabels-small-sphere ! I'm excited to poke at my dragon story peeps again so we will be visiting that realm today~ The random wheel hath chosen Almyra! My main dragon character. :D

I shall tag @sarah-sandwich-writes, @pure-solomon, and @ashley-woods! If you would like to do this as well please feel free!

Questions and wip tag list under cut.

1) Are you named after anyone

Yeah! Great grandmum. Never met her but heard she was a riot. They shouldn't have known better than to name me after her if they didn't want me to be the same, ha.

2) When was the last time you cried

Prooobably when I broke my wing- I MEAN- no I don't.

3) Do you have kids

ExCUSE YOU, I'm not even 80. I mean I SUPPOSE it's not impossible, but who has time for kids when I've got to keep the elders on their claws?

4) Do you use sarcasm

I'd never ;3

5) What's the first thing you notice about people

Scale color, then how their horns look. Some dragons just don't even try to be presentable and it's sad.

6) What's your eye color

Take a look, the icy blue is sure something, isn't it?

7) Scary movies or happy endings?

I like a good scare now and then, preferably giving one myself haha.

8) Any special talents

Getting on nerves. :)

9) Where were you born?

Silver Peak, ironically, ha. Hadn't seen a white dragon in 2 generations yet here I am.

10) What are your hobbies

Annoying others. Helping my younger cousin (he needs what he can get). Push boundaries a bit more than I should. No I'm not going to call learning clan politics a hobby it bores me but I have to for my father. My cousin is better suited for that.

11) Have you any pets

Hmm... no? I mean, there's been this human coming by who hasn't tried to kill me... and he's so jumpy heheheh...

12) What sports do you play/have you played

Snatch! Someone flies up real high with a decent sized rock or tree or something and drops it, and you wait to try and snatch it from the air later than the people before you. The closer to the ground, the more impressive. I've only crashed doing that twice~

13) How tall are you

... 12 feet. Yes I'm a LITTLE SHORT but my wingspan makes up for it and so does my humor.

14) Favorite subject in school

Definitely flying styles.

15) Dream job

LOUNGING IN THE SUN

Dragons and Kingdoms tag list: @surroundedbypearls, @pure-solomon, @sabels-small-sphere, @ink-flavored, @tate-lin

[dartlekey]

15 Questions

was tagged by @flashbcaks, thanks bud!

Are you named after anyone? Deadname, yeah, after a StarTrek Captain because my parents are nerds. Chosen names are random, just thought they sounded nice

When was the last time you cried? Uhhh last week? Was just so exhausted from work (again), I genuinely gotta quit before the year is out or this goddamn workplace is gonna kill me

Do you have kids? Christ, no. People my age who do weird me tf out, like fam we are still children ourselves. Who gave you permission

Do you use sarcasm a lot? Almost never. I have difficulties with tone and like clear and direct communication, even with humor, so people who are very sarcastic by nature often end up annoying the shit out of me

What's the first thing you notice about people? Style. And not just because I work in fashion. It just says a lot, personality-wise

What's your eye color? Blue! Which is kind of a shame because brown is hands down the sexiest, most beautiful eye color, but what can ya do

Scary movies or happy endings? Both have their time and place, though I'd usually go for the latter over the former

Any special talents? I'm great on a stage, and surprisingly good with people for someone who hates socializing

Where were you born? Oh jesus. This always sounds like made up weeb shit when I say it, but despite being a white toast european/american hybrid, I am unfortunately not lying when I say that I was born in Japan. My parents met abroad while travelling, it's mostly just a hassle when I need official paperwork

What are your hobbies? My ADHD ass makes me pick new ones each month, but the permanent sticklers seem to be writing, drawing, sewing, and singing. Also got into bookbinding last year, and that one keeps returning, so crossing my fingers that it sticks

Do you have any pets? Not unless you count the many spiders in my apartment. We cool though, we have an understanding - I just do my own thing, and they do theirs

What sports do you play/have you played? Growing up I did Ju-Jutsu and Ballet, then Hip-Hop in my teens. I still dance to this day, in a mixed-style group, but god I'd love to learn vogueing some day, and free-running always sounded sick as shit

How tall are you? 5"4, and people need to stop calling me short for it. I think I'm perfectly average sized, although I do like being called a short king, because it matches my energy

Favorite subject in school? Languages, for sure. German, English, Latin, even the bit of French I took. Language teachers are just collectively unhinged, I've always vibed with that

Dream job? Make cool shit in a big group with other creatives. Not fussy on the details, seeing as it seems impossible anyways; artists are usually too broke for anything but solo work

I tag @heartrenderharrington @corrodedcoughin and @starryeyedjanai to keep the game going :)

[pickingwinkles]

I've been tagged by @highponeystoney Thanks friendo!

1. Are you named after anyone? My maternal grandfather. yep I have nothing wittier to say

2. When was the last time you cried? Hmm. Today. I watched some people watch Return of the King on youtube (because that is the way in which i have chosen to fritter away my precious little time on earth) and I cried when they cried when they realised Frodo was leaving for the undying lands. basically i will cry any time i see anyone else cry even if i don't know what they're crying about. why aren't my sentences auto-capitalising on my laptop? Must I do everything myself? I am not cool enough to have non-capitalised sentences.

3. Do you have kids? I'm just going to go ahead and copy paste @highponeystoney 's answer here. No. Nor I do I wish to have any. Never had any desire. *waves to all the busy-bodies who told me I'd change my mind when I'm older*

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot? It depends who I'm with... there are plenty of people who just don't do sarcasm and I will pop it neatly aside for them. But I'm an Xennial and an Australian, it's kind of in my make-up. You didn’t survive teen-hood in the 90s without developing the skill of sarcasm. Also my sister used to call me Darlene (after the character in Roseanne) and I was obsessed with Daria. Make of that what you will.

5. What's the first thing you notice about people? Faces. General facial area. Mostly their chin or mouth because that's where I look so I can understand what they're saying

6. What's your eye color? Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrown

7. Scary movies or happy endings? Depends. I don't like jump scare horror movies, but I like to be scared. The best ones for me never show the horror and good ones of those are few and far between. I can take or leave a happy ending. I prefer a justified ending

8. Any special talents? I can play the nose flute

9. Where were you born? Melbourne baby! In Australia, not that Florida nonsense. So, just 20 minutes ago I was looking up airports and typed in MEL--you know, our airport code because we got it first because we are the best Melbourne--and Melbourne fucking Florida kept coming up first! Excuse moi! One: we are an actual state capital and two: just no. No offence to Florida Melburnians, love ya

10. What are your hobbies? *sigh* Reading, walking, crochet, doodling, playing drums, learning, painting, needle-felting, sewing, cross-stitch and aaaaaall the other things with all the supplies in all the drawers... i just like making stuff okay

11. Have any pets? My kitty cat. She cute

12. What sports do you/have you played? Sometimes I wish I still played something, or had someone to play tennis or something with. At school I played in the volleyball, (field) hockey, and soccer teams. Oh and I was a pretty good high-jumper too… until everyone else grew taller than me. In my own time I used to play tennis, played lawn bowls a few times, and sniffed around the local croquet club. And I've done a few short (5km) runs with so-called friends who made me run. Horrific. Hate running. Actually it was kinda fun running around the zoo...

13. How tall are you? I 163cm last time the doctor checked

14. Favorite subject in school? Art, English, Maths and Science

15. Dream job? Mate, if I haven't figured it out by now I never will. I don't know. The most motivated I am is doing things for other people (literally anything... false. almost anything) and faffing about making things look pretty. So something that combines those.

I was going to tag people... and I'm still too scared to tag people. Look, I am a socially anxious nightmare okay. Just, do the thing if you got down this far and you want to do the thing, yeah? And feel free to let me know if you like to be tagged to do these things, or tag me to say you did it if you like. Not that I get many but you know, if I do. I've lost track of what I'm saying. How did my battery drop down so fast? I gotta get a snack.

[misireads]

What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman

[ audiobook, listened in english ]

a woman returns to her hometown after becoming estranged from her teenage daughter, to work as a palm reader and live at a motel. she reunites with a highschool boyfriend who has become a sombre man who's been grieving the disappearance of his baby son and the subsequent suicide of his wife for the past six years. the woman agrees to help him look for his missing son and their relationship is re-kindled although he seems kind of weird. for a while, she entertains all sorts of paranoid ideas of whether the missing boy is even alive anymore, that perhaps his mother or even his father killed him, and is thoroughly surprised when one day the boy simply appears as if he was never missing in the first place. she soon realises there's something deeply fucked up about the boy, though.

➕ the main reason i kept reading, other than the sunk cost fallacy of "well i only have 5 hours left so could as well finish. only 3 hours left. just one hour jfc i can do this", was that there's uh…. aquatic?? horror? in here that was pretty entertaining to me. some goodreads reviews called it southern salt-water gothic. i like water-related horror and have no explanation why

➕ i'd say it's a plus that this is short but i've never listened to a book this short that felt so fucking long

➖ what a bunch of crazy ass nonsense. i went in thinking this would be a mystery about the missing boy but he appears like half way through. this book has no plot, there's no real story structure, no real mystery to solve. random things just happen. the PoV is mostly the woman but jumps to the man a couple times and both ramble on and on about the most pointless shit. nothing much happens here, the actual events probably took about an hour of this 8-hour book and the rest is the two main characters being fucking delirious, it was very hard to follow at times. i also have zero interest in or drive towards parental love-themed stories so there's that

➖ this reads like the script of a B movie. the "horror" was rather silly, and the body horror is rendered completely pointless by the main character being so unfazed by any of it. and i did pick this up for having been on a list of recommended horror… yeaaaah.

➖ i'm just gonna spoil shit because i don't care, this isn't a good book so you shouldn't read it anyway: so this woman has a daughter, feels sad that she's chosen to live with her father, is happy that she can meet her once a week or something at least. then some eldritch horror creature pretending to be a child she first heard about approximately 2 days ago appears and she's like omg!! must protecc!! at all costs!!! and the monster child attacks her real daughter and tries to like, bite her head off, and the mother is like: aww :( don't do that :( i love u :( sweet child!! and takes the boy and. leaves. and uuhh. yeah alright. so that's how many shits she gave about her daughter actually??? i truly don't understand what this story is trying to say. and what the fuck is a "peeler"???? it doesn't mean anythiiiingggg

➖ every time i thought, okay. this is approaching the end, there can't possibly be anything else to tell in this story, we're done. it continues. and continues. and nonsense shit happens. and happens. and happens. the crab child is eating something weird again, ok cool. the crab child is being all kinda weird and strange again ooooo oooo ok cool. are we done now? no? no we're gonna keep talking about crabs coming out of his ass for another hour? mm okay i see. dear god. i think 90% of this was the author's unauthorised stream of consciousness

➖ thhhee mmmaaaallle nnaarraatoooorr oooff thhhee auudiiiooboookkkk haaasss thhheee slooowweest drAAAWLLLlll iiiiive eveeeer hheeaaardddd. still slurring at 2x speed. which by the way, didn't make this book go by any faster

⭐ score: 2-

[maddsventuregabs]

Presenting myself

Hello people of the world, I'm the other... "poster?' Well anyways, my name is Maria Eduarda, but you can simply call me madds. It's a nickname the other one *cough, cough* (Gabs) *cough, cough* gave to me, because it's the blending of Maria Eduarda in portuguese (Maddu) and Maddiness. Because you know, I'm crazy.

That resulted in MAria + eDUarda = Madu + maDDineS = Madds.

Does that make sense? To me it does!

Okay, let's stop the blabbering to start more blabbering!

As i suppose you guys know by now. I'm a being that came to the world together with another being... I guess you're eathers would call that a Tweyn? Tween? Oh! Ah, Twin! got it.

We were born in January 1st of 2000, Which makes me 24 years old now. Just please don't say I "venho de quatro" (Brazilians I'm watching you) I'm tired of that joke.

For those who don't know it's a brazilian joke, don't want to explain here, because is too long, and uh... obscene for me to translate.

Well since my sister gave some curiosities about her here, I guess Imma do the same.

1-My birthday is 29/01/2000 as said previously here.

2-I'm a Stall-Hat on hogwarts according to my friends between slytherin and ravenclaw, so I'm a Slytherclaw. Some say I'm mostly slytherin, But I have chosen Ravenclaw, because my friends said I'd be the only Ravenclaw in our grade, So I wanted the power.

3-My temperament is Sanguine also, but I'm more the wind type. Or Sanguine-Choleric if you use MBTI Database system.

4-My MBTI type, Imma type it then never look this post ever again (I have some problems with the MBTI Database community, nothing too personal, but it made me existential once, so...) I'm an ENFP.

5- My Zodiac sign is aquarius, please don't come to me talking about Zodiac too. I can't take it. It's better to talk to me about the MBTI, than Zodiac. I truly, really don't believe in it

6-My sister is the younger twin by 2 minutes. That makes me 2 minutes more loved HAHA, Oh yeah and respect your elders Gabs :p

7-I am also a Christian, and we and Gabs went to the same schools

8-I am right handed, nothing new.

9-My life's motto is: "Live it, because life's too short to make it through her timidly." Or "Life's a movie, so let's make the story cool to rewatch it."

10-I'm very charismatic too, but I'm more to the Incredible type. You know Tony Stark way of Charisma. At least from the video I saw.

11-Me and Gabs are MO-MO Twins, which means we have the same face and yet she's "The cute one".

12-I have free space for this one... Wait a min I have more curiosities about me, lemme choose one. Oh Got it! 1st I have an text on my computer, with all little facts and curiosities about me typed in. I think is very fun to do that, and 2nd I know I said life's too short to go through her timidly, but I'm actually very shy, making me shake, blush and speak too fast or cut people in their phrases. I even shake with my parents, kins and relatives. But I try my best to always overcome it at the end of the day

That's pretty much everything. Well... not really, my list of curiosities go over a hundred. But I don't think you guys should know that much about me . At least yet.

Overtime, maybe I let you know all of those. One tight hug and a "cheiro" from this very weird, crazy and fun brazilian. See ya anytime soon. Good evening everyone!

[hotasfahrenheit]

i don't think i have 15 people to tag but i'll still answer these 15 questions and with answers that are probably way too long to make up for it 🌟

1. are you named after anyone?

not that i've ever been aware of, tho all three of my siblings -both younger and older- are named after family members or family friends. i've never heard a story about where my name comes from, so my assumption has always just been that it was chosen because mum's family was Polish Catholics (Mia is short for Maria but i'm very far from being anything other than a white girl)

2. when was the last time you cried?

it's Sunday today yeah? so probably like Thursday or Friday while having too many emotions about *something*. i am a giant crybaby and get emotional and cry about things all the time honestly so it's not that big of a deal when i do and not worth taking note of 🤣 Saturday i spent at work for 9 hours then immediately on a 7 hour road trip where i slept a bunch so no crying yesterday but before that it could have been any time really.

3. do you have kids?

only friends that i've adopted. going from the nickname Mia to lots of friends calling me Mama Mia was entirely too easy and i'll mom at them all 💖

4. what sports do you play/have you played?

the only time i've ever willingly been on a sports team was when i played youth soccer in elementary school, it was just teams of kids from mixed grades all from my school and we got free tshirts and there was an ice cream social at the end of the whole program and honestly those were my motivating factors for playing (and i was bad at it)

5. do you use sarcasm?

who me no never

6. what’s the first thing you notice about people?

their general attitude and vibe

7. what’s your eye color?

hazel, in the blue/grey/green variety, and they look like they change depending on what colours i'm wearing

8. scary movies or happy endings?

happy endings for sure, i will like... read plot synopsis of scary movies sometimes but i don't like watching them, my brain is too visual and repetitive and scenes get stuck in my head and it's not fun

9. any talents?

lots of general art things, like i can draw some and sew things and do leatherwork etc etc.

10. where were you born?

in the northeast United States but i moved away long ago

11. what are your hobbies

playing video games, listening to kpop, watching Asian media, LARPing, making things primarily for LARP stuff

12. do you have any pets?

an elderly gentleman bastard cat, Xanatos, and a trash gremlin cattle dog known commonly as Poops

13. how tall are you?

taller than my sisters and my mother but shorter than my father

14. favorite subject in school?

well i have a bachelor's degree in literature with a minor in history so those

15. dream job

theoretically i was doing that for a while where i was working for myself making things (sewing, doing applique, dyeing fabric, doing some leatherwork, etc) on commission, but i struggle with self and time management, plus my income was incredibly inconsistent and variable so my bills just weren't getting paid. so really i guess a dream version of that would be one where i was getting paid better and had the ability to stay on task 🤣🤣

thanks for tagging me, @callipigio 💖 i think most people i would tag already have been so if you see this and wanna do it and you haven't been, pretend i tagged you and do it anyway 🌟

[whatsnewalycat]

Just Dumb Enough to Try

Chapter 5: We're Going to be Friends

Word Count: 3.2k

Pairing: Javier Peña x F!Reader

Rating: Explicit (18+ only)

Warnings: angst, swearing, smoking, alcohol use, pining, existential crisis, abandonment issues, mental health spiral, attempts at jokes, movie nerd shit, i just wanted to call javi a narc

Series Summary: In 1993, you met Javier Peña in San Antonio. You made an emotional and physical connection with him. Now it's 1998 and you're starting a new chapter of life in Laredo with your fiancé. And who else walks back into the picture, but the man who left you high and dry five years ago.

Chapter Summary: Our heroes go to on their first (unofficial) date.

Notes: Oops I projected too much onto this character and made myself sad. I'm still trying to figure out how to format all these notes/ summaries/ disclosures/ links in a way that doesn't make my eye twitch. If you have any ideas, or any general comments on the story, let me know!! Chapter title from "We're Going to be Friends" by the White Stripes. Spotify playlist for this chapter. Cross-posted to AO3 here (UN: glitter_diety). Update weekly on Sundays.

[ First Chapter ] [ Previous Chapter ]

151 Fir St N, Laredo, TX

June 3, 1998

You walk back and forth in front of the phone, arguing with yourself about whether or not you should see if Javier wants to go with you to your Wednesday movie.

Pro: Company. Aside from your excursion to the Pour House on Monday, you’ve essentially been alone. Dan worked late on Monday and Tuesday, and today he’s going straight to softball in San Antonio after work. You desperately needed to talk to another human.

Con: Movie selection. You want to see Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and you’re not ready or willing to negotiate that detail.

Pro: You like being around him. You two got off to a rocky start, but seeing him on Monday was really… nice. And you are actually looking forward to spending time with him.

Con: You like being around him. The crush you’ve always had is still lingering, which seems dangerous.

You shove that last thought to the back of your brain and quickly pick up the phone to dial the number he gave you on Monday. It rings twice before he picks up with a curt, “Yeah?”

“Hi, Javier. It’s your favorite Minnesotan,” you say, then cringe at your low-effort attempt at being cute.

“Hello, beautiful. How are you today?” His tone makes a 180 from the initial greeting.

Heat rises to your face because did he just call me beautiful?

“I-I’m just seeing if you have any plans for tonight. I’m going to see a movie… if you, um, want to come with,” you sputter.

“Are you asking me on a date?” he teases. Your heart leaps into your throat and you’re practically sweating, your face is so hot.

You throw your head back, “I swear to god, I will hang up right now.”

He laughs on the other end, “Yeah I’m free, let’s do it. I’ll pick you up?”

—

You jump up into the passenger’s seat of Javier’s dusty red pickup truck and slam the door closed behind you. Glancing over at him, you notice he’s wearing aviator sunglasses, a tan short sleeved button-up, and dark jeans. The radio is off, which you find curious. No radio?

“You live on a dirt road or something?” You question, fanning away the cloud of dust that puffs out of the upholstery when you sat down.

“That and I use this on the ranch all the time.” He shifts the truck into reverse and backs out of your driveway.

“Good thing I’m wearing all black.” You joke, trying in vain to brush your dress off. “How is that- working on a ranch?”

“It’s not exactly what I would have chosen for myself. But it’s something to do. I spend a lot of time working with my dad, which is nice, mostly.”

You admire that he has a good relationship with his dad. Chucho doesn’t look like the most approachable person, but he’s been very kind every time you’ve talked to him. Like father, like son, you suppose.

There’s no A/C in the truck so you roll your window down. Then you kick your feet up onto the dashboard to make yourself more comfortable as you watch the scenery go by your window. He doesn’t scold you to get your feet down, which is appreciated.

“If you could do any job, what would it be?” You ask, loud enough for him to hear you over the rolled down window.

His tilts his head to the side, furrows his eyebrows, “I’ve thought about it a few times. I’d like to be a private investigator. A little more mellow than DEA, still get to use my brain. Not as much bureaucratic bullshit.”

“Huh. That would be a really good fit for you. You should do it,” You peer over at him, then look down and start to pick at your nail polish.

He clears his throat, “Have you ever been to this movie theater?”

You don’t look up from your nails, just continue to chip away at the lavender polish, “I go every Wednesday.”

“Why Wednesday?”

“Dan has softball on Wednesdays. He doesn’t like going as much as I do, so I usually just go by myself when he’s not home,” you explain.

He shifts in his seat and looks over at you, perplexed, “How do you keep finding the people who don’t like movies? First that horrible person you lived with, what was her name?”

“Javi, you spent more time with her than you did with me, how do you not remember?” you ask in disbelief.

“My memory from that time is shit. I do remember I didn’t like being around her other than uh…” he trails off, likely realizing he’s within close proximity to the elephant in the room.

“The fucking?” You prompt.

“The fucking, yeah,” he couldn’t keep a boyish grin from breaking out on his face, “Not like you…“

What the fuck does that mean?

You pull your feet off the dash so you can sit up straight and stare at him, waiting for him to finish the thought. He doesn’t. You blurt out, “What do you mean not like me?”

He presses his fingertips to his lips and shrugs, “I like being around you.”

You grin and blush immediately, then settle back into your seat and admit, “I like being around you, too.”

A comfortable silence falls over the cab of the truck until you remember what spurred this conversation in the first place, “Her name is Michelle.”

He snaps into a finger gun, “Michelle, that’s right.”

—

By the time you’re settled into your theater seat, there’s about 10 minutes to showtime. There are a few other people scattered throughout the theater, but it’s mostly empty, which is typical for Wednesdays. Javier sets his pop down into the cup holder between you two.

“I can’t believe you got a tub of popcorn that big and nothing to drink,” he comments, grabbing some popcorn out of the container in your lap and tossing it into his mouth.

“I don’t really like pop. Besides, you’ll share with me, right?”

“What did you just call it?” he snickers.

“Pop”

“ Pahp ” he mocks your accent. You smack him in the chest, as a playful gesture, but your heart skips a beat when you make contact with him.

“Yeah, I’ll share my pahp with you,” he laughs while taking more popcorn.

You start laughing with him, “Shut the fuck up, Javier.”

“What’s this movie about?”

Oh. Oh, shit.

“I didn’t realize until just now that… I asked you, a fucking narc… to come see a movie entirely about heavy drug use,” you giggle nervously, not sure what to expect out of him. He doesn’t strike you as someone overly judgmental about drug use, but he was literally a narc, so…

“Of course you did,” he starts laughing again, “Incredible.”

“We can go see something else if you want,” you tell him half-heartedly, knowing it’s not really an offer you’re willing to follow through on.

He scoffs, “What? No. I don’t care if it’s about drugs,” then pauses before asking, “Did you call me a fuckin’ narc?”

A woman walking up the aisle stops next to the row you’re in and calls out, “Javi?”

His head snaps up to her and he squints, “Beth?”

Beth steps into the row and shuffles closer… so they can talk… directly over you.

“Hey, this is my friend-“ he tries to introduce you before she cuts him off.

“We’ve met I think, you’re Dan’s fiancé?”

You nod.

“Interesting,” Beth says in a- is that a snarky tone ? She turns her attention back to Javier, “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you, did you get any of my messages?”

You sink into your seat and grimace, trying to disappear into your popcorn tub.

Javier holds eye contact with Beth, jaw jutting and body rigid, before admitting, “I did.”

Damn that’s cold.

Beth’s nostrils flare, her eyes roll, and she lets out a cold laugh, “Wow. Ok. Well, don’t bother calling me when you get bored of her,” she gestures to you. You sink down deeper into the chair.

Javier doesn’t say anything.

Then she awkwardly shuffles sideways out of the row, which looks… objectively funny. People in their seats crane their heads around to see what the commotion is as she stomps out of the theater.

“What the fuck, Javier?” You whisper to your companion, who is sulking. He doesn’t respond.

You’re suddenly so relieved to have a significant other as stable as Dan. But you also know the pain of rejection that Beth is feeling right now, so you have a duty to advise him that he’s being an asshole.

“Speaking from experience,” you say delicately, “maybe you shouldn’t just… drop off like that anymore on people. It… it feels shitty, you know?”

He looks down at his hands and sighs, “Yeah, you’re right.”

He lifts his head to face you. His gaze softens and his dark eyes search yours. The way he’s looking at you places a weight on your chest. Your whole face feels like it’s on fire and your eyes drop to your popcorn.

Thankfully the lights dim to black as the movie trailers start. You shake the bucket of popcorn at him. He releases his breath in a sigh ‘ if I have to’ as he takes a handful. You smirk and then pick up his pop to take a drink.

—

The two of you chat animatedly on the way home about the chaotic drug-fueled adventure of Hunter S. Thompson. He seems to like it, even though he’s a ( former - as he argues) narc.

When the truck’s headlights bounce over the front of the white rambler as Javier pulls into your driveway, you turn to him and say, “Thank you for coming with me. I had a really good time.”

“I had a really good time, too,” he peers through the windshield at the house, “When does Dan usually get home?”

“He stays with a friend, since it’s such a long drive.”

“Do you want any company?” He offers quietly.

Do I want company?

As if someone else shoved the memory inside your brain, you remember what it felt like to be wrapped around him. Your skin aches at the thought of being touched by those hands again. This twists your stomach in knots.

Just friends. This is what friends do. It’s fine.

There’s a tingling in your center that reminds you that you’re a liar. You don’t heed its warning when you raise an eyebrow at him and smirk, “Only if you promise to behave yourself.”

“Me? Always.” He kills the engine and winks, which causes you to scoff immediately. You both hop out of the truck and he follows you into the house.

You take off your shoes and walk into the kitchen, shouting back at him, “Do you want a beer?”

He replies in the affirmative so you grab two of them out of your fridge before returning to the living room. He’s standing shoeless in front of a large bookshelf with his hands shoved into his front pockets, grinning at either your knickknacks or books. Either way, it’s endearing. You pass one of the beers to him, then open your own.

“You have a lot of Halloween stuff.” He observes, referring to your skeleton and jack-o-lantern figurines, then points to a picture of you as a toddler, “Is this you?”

“It is.” You nod. He looks like he’s trying to absorb all of the odds and ends you have on display, which tugs at your heart a little. You interrupt his studying, “So what do you wanna do? Wanna play cards?”

He snaps his attention back to you, “Sure.”

You find a deck of cards and sit down in front of your couch, one leg folded over the other underneath your coffee table. Javier sits across from you, also on the floor. The two of you play rummy and talk about how you and Dan met and came to be in Laredo.

“No shit? You were in softball?” he laughs. “I wouldn’t have pinned you as a sports kind of person.”

“I’m really not, I fucking hate softball,” you shrug. He flinches backwards a bit and his eyebrows furrow. He’s confused. You clarify, choosing your words carefully, “I only joined because my therapist at the time wanted me to join an activity so I could… meet people. I didn’t really have any friends here… once Michelle stopped talking to me.”

He nods and lays down his discard, “Was that because of us?”

Us

Your cheeks start to burn and you don’t move your eyes from the cards in your hand. Your stomach flips when you remember how it felt to kiss him. You try to keep a poker face (card pun) when you draw a card and nod yes.

“I’m sorry,” he sighs. You discard.

Your eyebrows press together as you put your hand face down on the table to think out loud, “It’s not your fault. I knew what I was doing, and I don’t regret it. I think maybe… everything happens for a reason. And maybe this all was supposed to happen so I could… meet Dan.”

You both seem to ponder this for a bit. Before you met Dan, you were planning to move back to Minnesota once you finished the masters program at UTSA. What would have happened if you didn’t join a stupid softball team as a Hail Mary to appease your therapist? You’d be back in Minnesota. Probably living with Claudia or in a cramped apartment back in your hometown. You wouldn’t have met Dan.

I wouldn’t have reconnected with Javier.

Shaking your head like an etch-a-sketch to get out of this rabbit hole, you look up at your opponent, who also seems to be stuck in his thoughts. “It’s your turn,” you remind him gently.

“Oh shit. Sorry,” he pulls a card and brings focus back to his hand. He lays down his play, discards, then glances up at you, “You really think everything happens for a reason? Like fate?”

You frown as you pick up from the discard pile, “Yeah, I think I do. I think… I’m always exactly where I need to be.”

He hums acknowledgement. You concentrate on your play, lay down all of your cards except one, so you can discard it.

“Rummy,” you grin.

“Fuck off,” he throws his cards down to light a cigarette.

During the next game, he tells you a little about his time in Columbia. Broad strokes stuff, mostly, about his DEA partner and the basics of what they did.

“Were you able to make any other friends down there, or just your partner?” You ask absentmindedly while trying to figure out your next move.

“Just Murphy. Well, and his wife, Connie. Everyone thought I was an asshole,” his head tilts sideways thoughtfully, “Easier that way, though.”

You shrug and deadpan, “You are kind of an asshole.” He throws his hands up in a what the fuck did I do? gesture. Laughter bubbles up out of you. Once it settles, you’re a little more serious, “But really. I get how it’s easier that way. It’s like… if they stay away they can’t hurt me and I can’t hurt them. It’s not as scary.”

He nods his head vigorously and exclaims, “Exactly!”

You smile from ear-to-ear. It’s sort of amusing that this man, who used to chase Pablo fucking Escobar’s cartel down, is agreeing with you that vulnerability is terrifying. Even though you’re overwhelmingly attracted to him, which makes you feel all kinds of conflicted; you sense a friendship blossoming. And, ironically enough, instead of feeling shellshocked like you normally are at the concept, you find it makes you giddy. You realize that you really do like being around Javier.

You kick his ass in two more hands of rummy before he decides to head home.

“Thank you for your company today,” you tell him while he puts on his boots in the entry way. You turn on the living room tv and settle into the couch with a blanket wrapped around you.

“Anytime. Have a good night,” he opens the door to leave and pauses to glance up at you, cocooned into blanket, and chuckles.

As he’s closing the door you call out, “Goodnight, Javi.”

Your chest flutters and your relax into the softness surrounding you. All things considered, that was probably the best case scenario of him hanging out with you when Dan wasn’t here.

You tilt your head and wonder what you’re going to tell Dan about Javier. Surely, you’ll have to say something. Beth will tell Kim (if she hasn’t already) that you were at the movies with Javier fucking Peña, Kim will tell Dan, Dan will assume the worst (assuming he gives a shit at all).

Sure, you don’t have anything to hide technically, but don’t I, kind of? You take note of how you feel so magnetized to him, the way your stomach flips if he looks at you for longer than one second, how effortless it is to be open with him…

There’s no way he feels the same, though, so it doesn’t matter. Even if he did, you don’t think you could bring yourself to trust him not to abandon you. Hell, you’re not sure if you can trust him to not abandon you strictly as a friend.

Easier that way.

Even though you hesitate to let down your guard with almost anyone, this fucking guy totally disarms you. It makes you wish you had more time with him; you contemplate calling him tomorrow. Panic starts to rise from your chest into your neck. You absolutely cannot call him tomorrow. There’s no way he would want to spend two days in a row with you .

The voice of your ex-girlfriend Mel echoes in your head, “I can’t spend every day with you. I’m not that kind of person.”

You recall the dozens of times you've been called needy or annoying. 

The pit in your stomach grows as you picture the way your father would grimace when he could hear you laugh, or the way he would become snippy with you after spending an extended amount of time with you.

There’s a sharp pain in your chest when you remember your own mother hasn’t wanted to spend more than 10 minutes in the same room as you.

Even Dan stays away from home as much as he can. When he is home, it seems like he avoids you. When you’re invited out with him and his friends, you understand that you can be too much. If you talk too frequently, laugh too loud, say or do something odd , you see him grimace, the same way your father did. So, you sit quiet. He talks for you. It’s less embarrassing for both of you that way.

And each time I lose myself a little bit more.

See, Javier just doesn’t know how to tell you yet that you’re being a nuisance. If you get close enough, though, he will. It’s something you can’t bear to go through again. One more person you enjoy being around that can’t stand you.

All of the good feelings you cultivated today wither and die. A great emptiness takes their place. You sink deeper into this cavern until nothing can touch you anymore. No one can hurt you here.

Easier that way.

[ Next Chapter ]

[abelllia]

hello. i have a question. why did agnes kiss that guy? the coffee shop guy, i mean. at first it seemed like poetic parting gesture from a creature who’s existence is greater than that of a regular person, so his pain and suffering don’t matter. but then we learn that agnes somewhat cared for him and didn’t want him to get hurt by others.. so why put him through that pain and eventual disfiguration? she knew people can’t touch her, she knew what would happen to him. so why..?

Hmmm to be honest, I don't quite know. I myself have not yet started Season 5 so if there's an answer from there then I don't know it yet. I'll answer with my personal interpretation instead.

It's pretty darn long so if you want to skip, I put a short tl;dr at the end of the thing under the conga line of equation marks. Also spoilers!

==============================

I think it was an act of impulse and rebellion. A moment carried by emotions. From what we know of Agnes's story based on secondhand accounts, she was seen and praised as the chosen one. Weighed down by the title of messiah from the moment of her birth to the hour of her death. The one who shall carry the Desolation through and bring about the Scorched Earth. And...that's it. We don't know much of her personality beyond that, since to the people around her (The Cult) a messiah was simply what she was. Arthur Nolan reflects on this in MAG 145 when asked about what Agnes was like. Arthur Nolan, one of the cult members who practically raised Agnes *didn't know what she was like*. All her life, Agnes Montague was merely an idol for her people. A leader to follow until their destined day. She was following a path laid out to her before her time. She wasn't a person. Not to them. She was something greater than herself.

Enter Coffee Boy Jack Barnabas, a nobody who knows nothing about Eldritch gods and destiny or fate. A guy who looked at a woman who can boil coffee with her hands and went "Yeah, I want to date her.", even when warned that she was dangerous. A guy that just saw her as someone. Someone that he wants to get to know better and form a personal, non-eldritch, connection with.

And that's exactly what they did. They went on dates together and got to know each other. They talked, walked at the park, went to the movies, and just generally acted like a couple of young people hanging out. Agnes "Ms. Aloof and Above-it-All" Montague was just hanging out with this rando from the coffee shop. We even get a bit of information here of what she thinks of her grand destiny and from the looks of it, she didn't like it. In the statement, Jack recalled Agnes doing behaviour that would normally be considered bizarre and just...laughed fondly. Jack truly and genuinely liked *her*. And it seemed she liked him back.

Then, of course, the tree fell during the middle of their date and Agnes had to die. Jack helped Agnes walk back to her flat where the rest of the cult were. Once more, Agnes is the Desolation's messiah, here to have one last goodbye with her followers before she returns to the cosmic entity she is, was, and will be eternally bound to. Then as she bids farewell to Barnabas, he looks to her and asks her, against all logic, if he could kiss her.

On her deathbed, as one final "fuck it", Agnes Montague did not what Agnes, the messiah, was supposed to do, but what Agnes, the person, wanted. She kissed him back.

And yeah I guess she didn't think it through and burned his whole face off which was...not great? But it was a decision that was all Agnes. It was not something she needed to do, not something asked by the cult, not something asked by Gertrude, but something she *chose*. Choice is a pretty big theme in TMA though I don't know the conclusion yet because *waves at not having listened to S5 yet.* Agnes chosing to kiss Jack is a really big thing for her and I think is one of the only things she was truly able to choose for herself. The theme of choice is added on to at the end of the episode as well with Barnabas. He mentions that though the facial burns did a huge number on him and his life, he says he's not sure if he would have done anything differently if given the chance, the choice, to. He says that he's like a moth, drawn to the flame.

==============================

Tl;dr: I think Agnes did it as one final middle finger to the universe, the concept of destiny, and being a gifted kid. She did it because she wanted to and that's that.

[romione-trope-fest]

Shag, Marry, Kill

In today’s submission, @adenei​ brilliantly combines Fuck or Die and Marriage Law! Read on, and don’t forget to follow her for updates!

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Fic Title: Shag, Marry, Kill Author Name: adenei Selected Trope: Marriage Law & Fuck or Die Brief Summary: No Voldy AU. 3 years after the Trio graduates from Hogwarts, they’re finally settling into their chosen careers. Ron and Harry have completed Auror training and Hermione has just moved back after working with MACUSA for the past few years. On one of her first nights back, she’s celebrating Angelina’s upcoming nuptials with the girls. What happens when some Muggle party games, paired with Luna’s quick fix for getting rid of Wrackspurts, goes horribly wrong? Read on to find out… Word Count: 3,449 (5 Chapters Total) Rating: E TW: Strong language, eventual sexual content

When I was still attending Hogwarts, I used to love summers at the Burrow—the sweet smell of grass and the dew in the evenings accompanied by the quiet solitude of being tucked away in the countryside, with only the crickets chirping and frogs croaking disrupting the peace. It’s the opposite of the hustle and bustle I grew up with on the outskirts of London, and as much as I hated abandoning my parents in the summer after attending Hogwarts all year, I couldn’t imagine not spending part of my summer with the Weasleys.

It feels so good to be back after three years working with MACUSA’s Magical Law division following my graduation from Hogwarts. Ron and Harry joined the three year Auror training program in the UK, and while I hated being away from them, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 

I wrote to my best friends regularly, and any time they had time off, Ron would take a portkey to visit me, or I’d go to London for a few days if I could manage to take the time off. Those short visits helped me get through the bouts of homesickness and missing the two people who I’d been almost inseparable from for seven years. 

But now I’m back in England, and the boys are officially full-fledged Aurors. My transfer to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry will take effect at the beginning of August, so I’m enjoying my time off. And by enjoying, I mean I’m spending my days organizing my new flat in London and reading up on all the cases I’ll be aiding with once I do start.

Tonight, though, I’m taking a break from all of that to attend Angelina’s Hen Do at the Burrow. She didn’t want a big fuss, so Ginny suggested hanging out in the garden, playing games and drinking copious amounts of wine and firewhisky. So, that’s what we’re doing—Angelina, Ginny, Katie, Luna, Fleur, and me.

It’s amazing to see how far my relationships have come with all of these women. Ginny and I have always been close, but I used to resent Fleur to the highest extreme. That was when I was jealous of her Veela charm and couldn’t stand how ridiculous the boys acted around her when we were in Hogwarts—um, okay, maybe it was just one boy. I couldn’t have cared less if Harry made a fool of himself around Fleur, but seeing Ron succumb to her beauty was like a swift kick in the gut. 

I used to wish he’d look at me like that. And maybe sometimes I still do, even though it’s clear we’ll always only be friends. I know, I know, jealousy has never been my best colour, but I didn’t know it was jealousy at the time. At least, not at first. How many people fall for their best friend? I thought that only happens in films. Though, in films, the best friends always end up together. Too bad my life isn’t a movie. I’m sick of being single.

Sometimes I think he may have felt the same way about me during our sixth or seventh year, but neither of us ever said anything. We were always stuck in this endless loop of toeing the line and subtle flirting. I remember hoping something would happen at Bill and Fleur’s wedding. Like we’d dance and be swept up in the magic of the moment and he’d kiss me and—yeah, that never happened. 

Get a grip, Hermione.

Maybe I’m still carrying around some unrequited feelings for Ron, even after I tried to get away for three years to get over him. Clearly, that worked so well, considering I’m getting caught up in daydreams right now. The last thing I need is for the girls to find out I’m still hopelessly in love with my best friend. 

So, instead of fixating on a specific redhead who’s off celebrating his brother’s stag, I finish off my glass of wine and admire how the floating fairy lights illuminate the garden with a soft glow. The other girls are giggling about something, but I’m too far off in my own world to know what it is.

“Hermione, do you need a refill?” Fleur asks as she sashays around the circle with a newly opened bottle in her hands.

Ginny holds up her glass. “I do!”

Everyone laughs and Fleur tilts the bottle to pour another full glass for Ginny. “Good! Someone might as well drink and enjoy the alcohol.”

“Hermione could use another glass too. She’s staying here tonight, so no worrying about being too drunk to Apparate or Floo home!” Ginny encourages.

I really don’t need another, but there’s nothing I can do to stop Fleur, and I’m not drunk yet. At least, I don’t think I am. The night is still young. One more glass can’t hurt, right? And Ginny makes a good point, I’m staying over at the Burrow so I suppose I can let loose.

Once all our glasses are full again, Fleur settles back into her chair as Angelina sprawls out in the bridal ‘throne’ Luna transfigured for her when we were setting up earlier. Angelina and Katie are whispering about something. When they’re done, Katie turns immediately to Luna.

“Luna, your necklace is beautiful!” Katie points to the silver pendant around Luna’s neck which sparkles as it catches the dim light. It draws my attention to it as well, and I notice there’s some swirly insignia on it that sort of looks like a P and an M, but it’s hard to make out in the darkness.

Luna’s fingers rise to touch the piece of jewellery and she smiles brightly. “Thank you. Daddy says it should be worn during the new moon so the Wrackspurts can’t overtake your mind.”

An awkward silence fills our circle, and I look at Ginny. She’s always the one who knows how to respond to Luna’s outlandish beliefs and remarks. I’ve gotten used to Luna’s ways, but this one seems especially odd. Maybe it’s because I’ve been away for so long, or maybe it’s the wine relaxing my inhibitions, but I decide to call her out on it.

“Luna, you can’t be serious.”

I can see the whites of everyone’s eyes as they bulge out of their heads at my retort. Angelina hides a snigger behind her glass as she takes a long swig. At least she’s enjoying this. I can’t help but wonder if she prompted Katie to ask in the first place.

“Why ever wouldn’t I be? Wrackspurts can wreak so much havoc on our thoughts and actions if we aren’t careful. You know, Hermione, you might benefit from its use more than me. You’re more than welcome to try it if you’d like.”

My first instinct is to tell her thanks, but no thanks. It’s a load of rubbish! But then, just as I’m about to scoff and dismiss the offer, a thought occurs to me. What if I do wear it? Just to prove her wrong. 

A slow smile creeps over my lips and I catch Ginny raising an eyebrow at me out of my peripheral vision. 

“You know what, Luna? Sure, I’ll wear it.” Katie and Angelina both choke on their drinks.

Luna doesn’t pick up on my sceptical tone or any other hidden meaning behind my agreement, which triggers a sprinkling of guilt as she lifts the necklace over her head and uses her wand to hover it over to me. But then, before I can admit I’m only doing it to prove her wrong, Luna speaks up.

“I know you don’t believe in its powers, Hermione, but I’m glad you’re giving it a try anyway. You’ve become much more open-minded since we first met.”

I don’t know if I’d go that far, but even so, my cheeks heat up when she calls me out—even if it’s done so politely.

“Um, okay,” I agree as I place the necklace around my neck, feeling the weight of the pendant. It’s heavier than I expected. “But, if it doesn’t repel any Wrackspurts, will you at least be open to the idea of this being a myth?”

Luna contemplates me for a moment before responding. Her voice is light and airy despite the polite declination. “We all believe what we want to believe, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

I open my mouth to respond, then close it. She’s not incorrect. Everyone has their beliefs, no matter how deranged they are—and I’ve witnessed a lot, working in law since graduation—but even through the clouded fog of alcohol I know now is not the time to debate the definition of a fact or myth. 

“Who wants to play a game?” Katie intervenes, saving me from having to answer.

Angelina thrusts her arm in the air, her drink sloshing at the sudden movement from her excitement. “Me! Hermione, what are some fun Muggle games? It doesn’t matter if they’re ones we can drink to or not, I don’t care.”

I’m the last person to ask when it comes to questions about Muggle parties, but I do have enough knowledge to suggest the staples such as ‘truth or dare’ and ‘never have I ever.’  So, we spend the next hour or so playing those games, asking each other ridiculous questions, all while drinking more and reminiscing about our days at Hogwarts.

When people start to lose interest with truth or dare, Ginny pipes up and asks, “Hey, Hermione, what’s that game we played with your friends in New York? You know, the one where you have to pick three people or something?”

I try to focus on her question, but I am thoroughly drunk at this point. Focus, Hermione. What’s the game where you pick three people? Hmm, I remember having to choose someone for each one…

“Oh!” Somehow, the words come to me. “It was Fuck, Marry, Kill!”

Whoops and hollers erupt with my answer. “Did Hermione Granger just drop an f-bomb?” Angelina shouts so all of Stoat’s Head Hill can hear.

“Shhh. It’s the wine! I prefer Shag, Marry, Kill.”

“Yeah, but Americans don’t say shag, do they?” Ginny tuts. “Besides, I think fuck is much more fitting. Implies no strings attached.”

“So does shag,” I retort.

“Okay, okay, how do you play?” Fleur interrupts.

“It’s simple really, though there are a couple of versions. You have to choose people you’d want to shag, marry, and kill.” 

“Oh, let’s play that!” Katie agrees and looks to Angelina. “But what does our bride think?”

“Let’s do it! But I have two stipulations.” Angelina slurs the word ‘stipulation,’ which makes us all giggle before she continues. “One: you have to choose the people you would have chosen in Hogwarts. And two: if someone uses a name, you can’t reuse it.”

Ginny snorts. “You expect us to remember who everyone else has picked? Yeah, okay, Ange.”

“I will keep track,” Fleur pipes up, summoning a quill and blank piece of parchment. 

I almost forgot Fleur isn’t drinking with us because she’s expecting her second child. Molly probably trusts her to keep an eye on all of us while she’s at Shell Cottage watching Victoire. It’s a good thing Molly isn’t here. I’d hate for her to see me this drunk. Same with the boys. Ron would never let me live it down.

Once Fleur’s settled, we all wait for Angelina to either start us off or tell someone to go. A mischievous grin that could rival George’s spreads across her face when she looks at Katie. 

“Katie Bell, you’re up first.”

Katie scrunches her nose up and she sticks out her tongue at her best friend. “I knew you were going to do that.”

“I want to hear you admit it!” Ange says with a hearty laugh.

“Okay, FINE. I would kill Pucey, marry Diggory, and shag McLaggen.”

“McLaggen?!” I spit out the swig of white wine I was taking, not expecting to be surprised at all by her choices. Mainly because I wouldn’t have known any of them well to begin with. Or so I thought.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. He’s a right dick but was hot as hell in school. Don’t tell Fred.”

“Nope, everything we talk about tonight stays in our little circle,” I affirm, holding up my glass. Everyone agrees with hearty ‘cheers’ from their spot.

“Diggory is not a bad choice for marriage, though,” Fleur admits with a smirk. I wonder if she had him pegged for her marriage response before Katie used him.

Katie nods, knowing she snagged a good one and points back to Angelina. “Now, it’s your turn, Miss Bride to Be .” 

“Alright, alright. I’d probably kill Warrington, marry Wood and fuck Fred. Sorry, Katie.”

“None taken, I’d be interested to see which twin is better in bed for sure.”

Squeals of laughter erupt around the circle while Ginny makes gagging noises. I seriously wonder if they’d be admitting any of this if they weren’t drunk out of their minds right now. Not that I’m any better. Of course, I’ll need the liquid courage to admit my answers when it’s time. For now, I’m just hoping no one steals any of my options. Stupid rules.

“Fleur, what about you?”

“Hmm, I suppose I would shag Viktor Krum, kill Roger Davies, and marry Jean-Luc from Beauxbatons. He was not at Hogwarts for the Tournament, unfortunately.” 

“Viktor?” I gasp. There goes one of my options.

“Oh, yes, I have always been interested in the quiet, mysterious type. I would have liked to go to the ball with him, but it was clear his eyes were set on you, mon chérie. So, I settled with Roger, who was a complete arse. I was like a prize to him.”

“Gross, but sounds like Davies,” Ange admits. “Luna?”

Luna looks toward Angelina, though with a dreamy, far-off gaze. “I’d shag Neville, I think. And marry Terry Boot. I’d rather not choose anyone to kill, but if I had to, I think I would go with Pansy. She was so cruel to everyone and we don’t need that kind of hatred in the world.”

This does not surprise me at all. Luna is such a kind, unique, gentle soul. Though I always suspected she had a crush on Ron. I’m surprised she didn’t choose him despite the tidal wave of relief washing over me since she hasn’t.

“Ginny?” Fleur keeps the game moving before my loose lips can ask.

“Can I choose to shag and marry Harry?”

“You’re supposed to pick someone from Hogwarts, not who you’re currently with,” Angelina whines, but I intervene on Ginny’s behalf.

“Um, not sure if you’re aware but Ginny’s been in love with Harry since before Hogwarts. Her choice is completely valid.”

Ange rolls her eyes. “Fine, but you really wouldn’t pick anyone else for a random shag? Who’d you date before Harry? Michael? Dean?”

“Ew, no, absolutely not. Dean was far too overbearing and Michael was a dick. I’m perfectly happy choosing Harry for both. He never disappoints.” She winks at everyone and I roll my eyes at her blatant honesty. Those two were made for each other. “Oh, but I would kill Draco Malfoy. Fucking little ferret.”

Everyone raises their glasses again in solidarity with that choice, but now I have no idea who I’m going to choose. I’ve lost both my original kill and shag. Then again, if Ginny used Harry for two…

“Alright, Hermione, you’re up,” Angelina calls me back to the present, and I can feel five sets of eyes staring at me expectantly.

“I don’t know why you’re all so interested. You probably know who I’m going to choose.”

“Yes, but we want to hear you say it,” Ange goads me along.

I’ve been prepped and ready to play along with a light-hearted attitude, but seeing all their knowing looks causes something inside me to snap. It was easier to deal with my feelings when I lived in New York and I didn’t have to be reminded of what never transpired between Ron and me because I was too much of a coward to say anything. But now, being back here, and seeing him multiple times a week, I’m reminded of everything I wish we could have had. And it’s exhausting holding it in all the time.

The alcohol helps open the floodgates, allowing me to be honest with myself for once in my life, though I’ll probably regret the admission in the morning. 

“It’s Ron, okay? It’s always been Ron. I’d shag him if that was all I could have, even though marrying is the more appealing option! Hell, why stop at marrying? I’d betroth myself to Ronald Bilius Weasley given how long I’ve been hopelessly in love with him! Yes, me, Hermione Jean Granger, proponent of championing equal rights for everyone would willingly enter a formal agreement if it meant he and I could be together. Even though he infuriates me at times, he’s my best friend and I don’t know how I’m supposed to eventually watch him fall in love and go through life with someone who’s not me.”

I drop my head into my hands after I’ve finished my over-the-top declaration. Merlin, I need a glass of water or something.

“Does the infuriating part mean you’d choose to kill him, too?” Ginny asks, attempting to break the weighted silence with light humour.

A laugh bubbles up to my throat. “Yeah, probably.”

“Hermione, why don’t you tell him how you feel?” Fleur asks, her voice matching the solemn atmosphere now settling over the party.

I’ve been asking myself the same question for years. It’s not like I haven’t tried. I have, countless times, but something would always come up and the moment would be lost. It seems so ridiculous to admit now, even if it’s true.

Luna pipes up to answer for me, and I’ve never been more appreciative of her. “Isn’t it obvious? She’s afraid of losing her friend. I understand, Hermione.”

“Thanks, Luna.” Luna smiles, but then her face morphs into shock.

“Look! The pendant is lighting up. It’s working! You must be warding off the Wrackspurts, Hermione.”

“What?” I look down, and sure enough, the necklace is glowing in a soft pink light.

“It is midnight,” Fleur confirms, though disbelief is etched across her face as well. “And on that note, I should be heading home to relieve Molly from her babysitting duties. Thank you so much for including me, Angelina.”

Fleur stands and begins to wave her wand to clean up the garden as the rest of the girls also get up, deciding it’s best to call it quits too. It’s probably better for them to look as though they were the responsible ones when the boys come stumbling home at two in the morning. Luna takes care of her glass and disappears with a quick pop, and Katie and Angelina head for Fred and George’s old bedroom. 

Ginny and I stand up to help Fleur, but we’re both wobbly on our feet. The world starts spinning around me too.

“Do not worry about it. I will finish cleaning up here. Off to bed with you two.” She shoos Ginny and me into the house. 

We somehow manage to make it up the steps to the first landing where Ginny’s room and the bathroom are. I pop in to use the loo first, noticing the necklace still around my neck. I can’t believe I forgot to give the stupid thing back. Looks like I’ll have to drop it off to her in the morning. 

Once I’ve brushed my teeth, I head back to Ginny’s room, prepared to settle onto the old camp bed I used to use when I stayed here during the summers. But Ginny stops me before I make it into the room.

“Why don’t you go sleep in Ron’s room? He and Harry aren’t coming back here tonight. You might as well be more comfortable.”

“I don’t know, Gin.”

“Just go. I’ve already sent your things up there. Enjoy using his bed,” she urges with a sleepy wink.

I want to argue, but the exhaustion is kicking in and a slightly larger bed does sound appealing. It’s not the way I ever imagined getting into Ron’s beloved orange Chudley Cannons sheets, but it’s the best I can do.

By the time I manage to crawl up to the attic bedroom, I’m barely able to change into pyjama bottoms before I lay my head on the pillow that still smells inherently of Ron. I fall asleep almost instantly, with sweet dreams of a world where he and I are together.

[heyyyharry]

Happier

(inspired by happier by Olivia Rodrigo)

Word count: 2.4k

I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

Part 1: Drivers License

Part 2: Deja Vu

A/N: I edited the original lyrics to match the POV :)

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Harry had come up with a thousand scenarios of how this day would play out. Actually, he’d been thinking of this day since the moment he’d received the news. He didn’t dare to hope that she’d say yes to coming back for a sequel. He’d been sure that they would write her character off, give a lame excuse for how his love interest could not make a return and make his character forget about her completely to move on with a new girl in town. It would have been great if it was that easy in real life. Once someone was written off the script, they were gone for good. Real-life relationships were not that simple. Goodbye didn’t mean ‘never see you again’. You would still share the same friend circle and social bubbles, and it was worse when you two worked in the same industry. Harry didn’t know how he’d lasted a year without running into her, not since the Grammys.

“Didn’t you two date?”

“No.” Harry shook his head, but his eyes stayed glued on Y/N from across the room. She wasn’t looking his way, too busy saying hello to everyone else. “No,” he repeated, more to himself than to his co-star. “We didn’t.”

“But she wrote an entire album about you,” said the other twin. What was her name again? Lulu?

“Luna!” cried her sister, Lex. “You can’t ask him that!”

“No, it’s okay,” Harry said with a tight smile, slightly annoyed by the blonde twins, but he didn’t want to seem like an ass on the first day of filming. “And I don’t know if it was for me. You should ask Y/N.”

“Ask me what?”

Harry flinched when he looked up and saw Y/N padding towards them. She hugged the twins, who seemed way too excited. Harry guessed they were Y/N’s fans. They gave off crazy fangirl vibes, probably just pretending not to know the drama to interrogate him. He couldn’t blame them for assuming he was the villain and definitely could not blame Y/N for portraying him as one. It was more important that he knew who he was and how much he had changed since his last relationship. Maybe they could finally be friends.

“Were they bothering you?” Y/N asked him once the twins had left.

Harry nodded. “They’re your friends?”

“Oh, I met them last year on tour. I’m surprised you don’t know them. They were on Disney.”

“I don’t watch Disney,” Harry admitted with a smile. “Well, not today’s Disney.”

“Understandable.” Y/N nodded and bit her lip. She seemed guarded with her straight back and hands hidden behind her. She eyed him up and down, quite subtle yet noticeable. “How have you been?”

“Pretty good,” he said, nodding slowly. “You?”

“Yeah, but mostly tired because of tour.”

“You’re done?”

“Yup, last night was the last show.”

“Nice.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Nice?”

Harry blinked. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” Y/N giggled. “You still sound very...you.”

“Well, shouldn’t I?”

“Yeah, you should. But it’s been a year so…I mean, you haven’t changed much.”

“Right,” he said lowly, his eyes falling to his feet. Harry supposed he should say something else, perhaps bringing up another random topic to discuss, but all he could think about was what had happened between them. Things had been messy, hadn’t they? How could they go back to before that? Before her first song about him. Before he’d chosen someone else over her.

Or he could talk about her new relationship. She’d been in a happy relationship for almost six months, right? No wait, hadn’t they broke up two weeks ago? He wasn’t sure because he hadn’t been catching up. If they’d broken up, he’d sound like an ass to even mention her ex’s name. He should just stay quiet.

“I’ll see you later?” she said, gesturing at her stylist who was waiting by the door.

Harry could ask her right now -- the reason she’d agreed to film the sequel to their first movie together. He’d heard from a very reliable source that she’d specifically asked her agent to decline any project that he was in. So did this mean they were good? That she didn’t hate him anymore? He could have gathered his courage and got the answer right then…

“Yeah, see you.”

...but he didn’t.

And so she gave him a smile and a little wave, then happily returned to her stylist.

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“See you tomorrow, Y/N!”

“See you, Annie!” Y/N said as she put the rest of her things into her tote bag. Her new driver had got her schedule mixed up, and so she had to wait here for another half an hour. She was in no rush. It had been a light first day, and she’d had a fun time getting to know the new cast members and catching up with old friends.

She sat on the sofa in the lobby, legs crossed, texting her best friend about her day. She’d purposely left out the short off-screen conversation with Harry, and her best friend didn’t even bother to ask. In their world, he didn’t exist, and his name was censored in every conversation like a curse word that was even worse than ‘cunt’. Nevertheless, she didn’t hate him anymore. She was doing just fine on her own, being busy with her career, and she’d been in a happy relationship after her fall out with him.

She and the guy, a model, had broken up two weeks ago due to long distance and some differences that they could not change. They had ended on good terms and decided to stay friends. They said you could only stay friends with your ex when you still had feelings for each other, or you had never loved each other that much in the first place. For her, it was probably the latter. Her previous relationship had been more platonic than romantic, apparently. So she had nothing but the best to say about him.

As she was going through her camera roll, just reminiscing about the past, she heard footsteps approaching and looked up to find Harry. He offered a smile and gestured to the spot beside her on the sofa. “May I sit here? My ride is late.”

“Yeah, sure.” She hurriedly scooted over.

“Good job today,” he said. “You were great.”

“Thanks, so were you.” She smiled, and they both looked away at the same time. This was so awkward. She hated small talk. She’d never had to have small talk with Harry. Conversations with him used to be so easy and natural and silly. Whatever this was, it wasn’t them.

“Can we just be normal?”

At first, Y/N thought she’d been the one who’d said it, so when she realised it’d been Harry, she was speechless.

He swallowed and sat a bit straighter, still not looking at her. “I don’t want us to be weird and awkward.”

“Okay,” she said.

He cleared his throat. “Wanna try again?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, not to sound like an ass but when Joey kept forgetting his lines, I was so pissed off, I could throw a chair at the wall.”

“Right?!” exclaimed Y/N, feeling free to have finally broken out of her shell. “Like, he doesn’t even have many lines. I know he’s new but damn...you can’t get far if you don’t learn your goddamn lines.”

Harry shook with laughter. “Oh God, we sound like dicks, don’t we?”

“Maybe.” Y/N laughed, covering her mouth. “But you know what? We can’t be nice in this industry. It’s impossible.”

“Shhh, if someone heard this, we would be into big trouble.”

“Oh please, I’ve had worse articles written about me than ‘Y/N speaks facts about her lazy co-star’.”

Harry tossed his head back and cackled. “The worst one I’ve got this week was ‘Harry Styles hates therapists.’”

“What?!” Y/N gasped. “No way! That’s so stupid!”

“Right?” Harry rolled his eyes. “I could get all my therapists to speak up for me but I’m kinda immune to bullshit now.”

“Therapists? Like plural?”

“Yeah, one in every city.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah.”

Y/N rubbed her hands onto her legs. “Rough year?”

Harry’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as he leaned back. “You have no idea.” Then he swept his hair out of his eyes, sucked in a breath, and finally looked at her. “I wish I could have talked to you, though.”

She bit her tongue, knowing what she was about to say next would disappoint her best friend so much, but she had to. “So do I.”

Harry looked taken aback before his lips curled into a smile. “It’s silly, isn’t it? I haven’t talked to you in a year, and I feel like I know everything that’s happened to you except that I don’t.”

What he’d just said might make no sense for most people, but Y/N knew exactly what he meant. She nodded and wetted her lip. “You only know as much as everyone else does.”

“Yeah, I got updates on you from the news and our friends.”

“Same.” Y/N smiled back. “I hate how they write articles about your new haircut but not mine.”

“I like your new hair colour.”

“Thanks. I like your new car.”

Then they both burst out laughing. It was fun and also a little bit strange that Y/N didn’t feel the same anxiety talking to him as she used to. It must be because they had grown and were now meeting again as better people.

“Damn, my ride's here,” Y/N said as she read the text from her driver. “I gotta go now.”

“Oh, okay.” Harry stood up and followed Y/N to the entrance. “Hey, just wondering--”

“Yeah?”

“Am I...am I still blocked?” He looked a bit flustered as she tilted her head and squinted her eyes. “On your phone. Because I remember you having my number blocked--”

“I unblocked you on your birthday.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.” Y/N shrugged. “I should’ve sent you a happy birthday text but...I didn’t want your girlfriend to get the wrong ideas.”

“My ex.”

“Yeah, I know.”

They smiled at each other one last time before saying goodbye. Y/N knew it was silly, but she was hoping he would go after her.

Ding.

A notification popped up when she was in the car. She was almost home, and it was from Harry’s number. He’d sent her a link with a message that said, “Hope you like it :)”.

Curious, she tapped on it and was directed to an audio file titled ‘Track 5’. The upload date was last year. About two weeks after their short conversation at the Grammys.

Hurriedly, she fumbled inside her bag for her iPods and put it on before she pressed play.

“Hey, Jeff, I couldn’t sleep so I wrote this song. Listen and let me know if it should go on the album.”

Then came the piano intro. It sounded good, so Y/N wondered how it hadn’t ended up on his last album.

But when he started to sing...

We ended a while ago Your friends are mine, you know, I know You've moved on, found someone new One more guy who brings out the better in you

And I thought my heart was detached From all the sunlight of our past But he’s so nice, he’s so funny Does he mean you forgot about me?

Oh, I hope you're happy But not like how you were with me I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

And does he tell you you’re the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen? An eternal love bullshit he might not even mean Remember when you were with me I meant it when you heard it first from me

And now I'm pickin' him apart Like cuttin' him down will make you miss my wretched heart But he’s charming, he looks kind He probably gives you butterflies

I hope you're happy But not like how you were with me I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better

I hope you're happy I wish you all the best, really Say you love him, baby Just not like you loved me And think of me fondly when your hands are on him I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

The song was for her. He’d written it when her new relationship had gone public. Y/N sat there, staring blankly ahead until the honking of a car tore open her inner peace, and reality came crashing back in. The driver dropped her off at her house. Instead of going inside, she stood on her front steps and replayed the song one more time. When it ended, she decided to text him: Why didn’t this make it to the album?

She didn’t know where he was now, but it showed ‘typing’ in less than a second, as if he’d been waiting in their chat since he’d sent that link.

You would’ve hated me, Y/N.

True, she replied. Still, I would’ve loved the song lowkey. And added, I love it btw.

He took so long to type that it was driving her crazy. She flopped down on the concrete stair with her phone clutched in her hands, her heart thundering against her ribcage. Anxiety popped like a balloon when his message appeared: Were you happier?

She reread it again and again.

No.

I wasn’t either, he responded. I kept getting deja vu.

Ha, nice reference.

That song is my guilty pleasure. Love listening to you roasting me on loop.

That last message made Y/N bury her face into her palm and giggle like a fool. She thought for a second and wrote: I could come roast you in person now if that’s what you prefer. I think we’ve never had a proper roasting.

Can we meet, Y/N? Or are you busy now?

No, not busy.

Great, I’ll pick you up.

Just tell me where, she responded with a smile on her face. I got my drivers license now :)