#anni and nightmares friendship >>>>

[h0rr0rsaxo]

Okay...so I couldn't think of much so I'm bringing up an idea that I may have requested in the past but it was never written by myself or you yet, so why not?

This is also fluffy and kinda humorous so here we go! Ej and Addict! I hc that Ej not only has heats but periods where he kinda goes out of it and just gets feral kinda...like a cat. During these periods he tends to just be very needy affection wise and is very protective over things.

So Addict is chilling with Varrick and suddenly Ej appears and snatches Addict up. Varrick is pissed...obviously, Addict has no idea what's going on or what to do and Nightmare just thinks its funny. But Ej is just super cuddly and just holds Addict, and when he isn't holding her, he's following her around and anyone who tries to touch her he growls at. So Addict is just walking around the mansion with a feral demon trailing behind her like a shadow lmao-

This can end however you'd like, I was just looking forward to the jealous Varrick and Nightmare who is just escalating things...also the fluff...I'm in a fluffy mood-

(Tysm! And please take your time, your second request will be done soon btw!)

[ Affection - Simp Party ]

Warnings; None!

Tags; @insane-horror-movie-addict

A/N; I wanna bully Varrick and EJ

Words; 2,040

"Anni~." Varrick whined, head perched on her shoulder as he pouted, undoubtedly giving her his infamous puppy eyes. He was trying to joke around, but Anni was trying to watch her show. 

"Varrick, stop, I mean it." She warned once more, arms crossed and something close to a scowl on her lips. "I have stuff to do."

"I love it when you get bossy with me~ You know that, but I reeeally need you right now." He said softly, nose brushing the shell of her ear as his hands gripped her waist. His low, seductive tone attempted to lure hrr away from her show and into his arms. To be fair, her show wasn't that important or urgent, and he knew that, she also knew that. But something inside her told her to pull his leash a little tighter, lest he become a spoiled man child who thought he could get her as he pleased, when he pleased. (Which he could, usually, but not this time.)

"Well, too bad, because I really need to finish watching this." Anni said firmly, letting him know that she wouldn't let it go so easily. 

"Can't you take a break?"

"Nope."

"But I can make you feel so good."

"Rain check on that."

Varrick huffed dejectedly, pausing the shoe in one last attempt to change her mind, placing the remote back when she didn't even look at him twice, despite usually being completely unable to tear her eyes away from him after he got rid of the distraction.

"Plus, you also have work to do. Trying to tempt me when you have stuff to do? You're such an idiot sometimes.." Anni scolded playfully, teasing him as he plopped himself next to her on the couch, turned away from her to sulk. She continued on with her, infinitely pleased with the outcome of teasing the one who usually teased her. Although he did start to become a bit annoying with all the nagging and constantly switching to increasingly unreasonable positions to get her attention. 

If he wasn't so hot, she would've shouted at him an hour ago, at least. All that to get her to play with his hair, and cuddle up beside him. He could be such a man child sometimes…

Right as she finally obliged to his words, and cuddled up beside him, lids shield his tired amber eyes from the light of the ceiling fan and his breathing slows to a comfortable pace. Anni's fingers brush back auburn locks as she traces his hair line from temple to nape with a touch so delicate it seemed like she could break him with even an ounce more of force.

They just lied there, cuddling, in front of an annoyed Jack. He could shout at them and get angry…but he could turn to Varrick to shout and start fussing. No, Jack was the one to sulk in the corner of the room. But he was so frozen at the scene, he just stood by the door of the living room, watching Anni roll her eyes at Varrick. Jack was so furious to the extent he felt his face go red in fury. In no time he’s probably going to have steam coming out of his ears. He was much more clingy and protective, he wanted to be affectionate with her.

He looked at her, just because her smile showed hints of drowsiness didn’t make it any less perfect. So warm and inviting. She tilted her head in his direction, something that made him wanna steal her away even more. However the man was still awake, and instantly realizing the current circumstances, falling asleep in Anni's arms once again. Jack sent the closest to a glare the demon's painted on eyes could manage. 

Right as he was about to fall asleep, his eyes snapped open upon noticing Anni had literally been abducted by the demon he despised..

"DAMN IT JACK! GIVE HER BACK—!" 

Nightmare started howling in laughter at their behavior, laughing and slamming her fist on the table attempting to contain her judgemental giggles at the way the two grown men were acting. Anni sank closer to him without asking much questions, wrapping her arms around his neck to wind through his hair, and planting a kiss on the soft skin beneath his ear. She felt his grin. Nightmare continued to laugh at their behavior, until Jack shot a 'glare' towards her….she was quiet for a moment, but then she just started laughing even louder.

“Sorry I took you, but I couldn’t let Varrick have you again,” he whispered quietly. "He…always has you." 

…

Anni's body is thrown onto his bed with a yelp. The brown haired demon hovers over you, 'eyes' boring into hers for a moment.  The intensity stops her breath, making her slightly fear what will come next.

"You haven’t paid any attention to me since I came home from the mission,” he mumbles, laying himself on top of her, his head on her chest and his arm circling on top of her body.  "All I wanted was to be next to you.“

Softening at his behavior, her fingers naturally thread into his soft hair tickling her face.  "Why didn’t you just say so?”

“Do I have to say it?” he snaps, “I haven’t even touched you all week, I missed you like crazy.”

"You're so silly," Anni teased in his ear before wrapping her arms around him and fully pulling him down onto the bed with you. His chuckle was light and sweet, something that always seemed to take her breath away. Lips were pressed to her forehead, resulting in a moan flying from her still cold lips. Anni wanted his warmth everywhere.

Not just one place, everywhere.

Hearing her satisfied moan, Jack trailed his warm lips down her face and towards her lips. “You're so cold,” he purred, huddling up even closer to her more in hopes of warming her up quicker now that they were both lying down. She nodded softly against his lips, eyes closed in the pure ecstasy of the warmth flooding her suddenly cold body. His lips finally landed on hers and thankfully, he kept them there.

Moving his lips slowly against hers, Anni began to feel the exchange of hrr temperatures. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer to her. Like a personal heater, Jack slightly hovered over her with his body still pressed against hers. His lips were rough and feverish against hers, the chilly temperature of her flesh reminding him to try to warm her up a bit more.

Anni mouth opened against his, the groan flowing between her teeth practically begging him to put his tongue inside of her mouth. Taking her moan as a clear sign, his warm tongue traveled between her lips and swiped at the insides of her cheeks. She giggled against him as the tip of his tongue tickled the top of her mouth. A smile tugged at her lips even more once she realized he had been purring.

Jack chuckled back as he pulled his tongue out before pressing a simple kiss against her now warmer mouth. "You feel better?” her body seemed to melt into his at the way the words rolled off his lips. She was in heaven, what with his warm and strong body pressed against her cold one. The freezing temperature of the room meant that no matter how hard he tried, she was still going to need him to stay warm.

Which he knew was her plan all along.

“How about we take a hot shower and then go to bed?” his breath fanned across her blissed-out face, but she didn’t care what the two did, as long as she was in his warm embrace. Jack smiled down at her, enjoying the joy he could bring her with affection, something he always thought he would despise. His left-hand drug down her face, coaxing her back into reality. 

“That sounds great Jack, just keep me warm.”

The slamming open of a door caught their attention, looking up from Jack's slightly hunched position and meeting the eyes of a jealous Varrick. "HEY! I had her first! I don't care if you're in your weird demon heat…just give her back!" the man-child yelled. He stomped over, leaving Anni staring at him blankly, and he seemed to have no reservations as he reached out and dragged her out of Jack's bed.

"How the fuck did you kno—" Jack cut himself off mid-sentence when he saw Nightmare leaning in the doorframe with an overly cocky smirk, that just radiated mischievous energy. She felt like being a little snitch today, and decided to tell Varrick why Jack was being so clingy. He was definitely going to get back at her somehow…

Anni managed to escape both of their grasps, while they argued over who gets to have her today, and snuck her way next to Nightmare. The petty argument escalated immensely, as random objects were seen being flown across the room, random noises of shattering, and Jack undeniably growling at Varrick like some type of feral animal. 

Nightmare nudged at Anni's shoulder, "So a little birdie told me where Amber lives, and after all she's done to ruin your life, I was wondering if you wanted to ditch this place and egg her house with me?"

"Hell yeah!" 

[daisynik7]

Give You Blue Masterlist

When your sky is grey, I will give you blue.

Pairing: Eren x f!reader, Reiner x f!reader (past relationship)

Rating: Explicit - MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Genre: college au

cw: explicit sexual content, language, angst, hurt/comfort, comedy, fluff - specific content warnings will be provided for each chapter

Summary: You and Reiner, childhood friends and high-school sweethearts, break-up in your sophomore year of college. This is the story about how you pick up the pieces of your heartbreak, with the help of your friends and especially your new RA, Eren Jaeger. A story where there are no villains or heroes, just normal people navigating through life and love, one day at a time.  

Author's Notes: Another college au series, yay! I hope you all like this one! All characters are college aged (19-22 years old). Likes, reblogs, and/or comments are always appreciated, thank you for reading!

Give You Blue Taglist | Give You Blue Playlist

Chapter Title and Summary (spoiler-free):

Chapter 1: How It Ends - Reiner breaks up with you the night before the new semester begins. With his car packed with both of your belongings, the hour long ride to campus the next day offers some clarity.

Chapter 2: First Impressions - You move into your new dorm with your best friend and roommate, Annie, where you update her on your current relationship status. That night, you meet Eren Jaeger, your new Resident Assistant.

Chapter 3: Umbrella - With your classes as a distraction, you manage to survive a month into your breakup. However, you hit a wall when you run into your ex for the first time since the start of the semester. And, as if it couldn't get any worse, you forget to bring an umbrella on a day with heavy rainfall. Luckily, someone comes to your rescue.

Chapter 4: Alone Together - You and Annie attend a dinner at the Mu Phi sorority house on campus. Reiner, on his way out of Delta Delta, ambushes you on the walk back to your dorm for a less than pleasant conversation. Later that week, RA Eren hosts a game-night for his fellow residents. But, with it being on a Friday right after midterms, he's disappointed when it flops. Fortunately, someone comes to his rescue.

Chapter 5: Dreams - Your friendship with Eren is taken to the next level. You have a sweet dream that turns into a nightmare. Eren tells his parents that he is considering changing his major.

Chapter 6: Gravity - You attend a party with Annie, only to run into Reiner unexpectedly. Mistakes are made and Eren is once again to the rescue, more than ever before.

Chapter 7: Electric - You and Eren share an intimate moment together, one that the both of you wish could last forever. 

Chapter 8: How It Begins - The conclusion of the series Give You Blue.

Epilogue: A little bonus chapter for our couple.

[thedelicatearcher]

☆finnick odair masterlist☆

☆finnick odair who helps you study for your finals

☆finnick odair who breaks up with you after seven years together

☆finnick odair who loves making home improvements to make your life easier

☆finnick odair who loves doting on his partner, but also loves being doted on back

☆finnick odair is a sucker for affection from his romantic partner

☆finnick odair loves knitting and crocheting

☆finnick odair loves dancing with you on the living room floor

☆finnick odair loves being taken care of when he feels sick

☆finnick odair survives the mutt attack but is left with scars

☆finnick odair loves showering with his partner

☆finnick odair can’t stop writing poetry about you

☆finnick odair loves gifting you flowers with symbolism

☆painting finnick odair's nails

☆finnick odair likes going to sleep early

☆fair dates with finnick odair

☆finnick odair’s love language is physical contact

☆baths with finnick odair

☆finnick odair lets you braid his hair

☆finnick odair reacts at your bad haircut

☆you and finnick have a jewelry stand in the district four’s market

☆finnick odair loves having his back rubbed

☆finnick odair makes embroidery friendship bracelets

BLURBS

☆finnick odair has a bed full of plushies

☆finnick odair and classic maritime romance

☆finnick odair searches for your comfort when has nightmares

☆finnick odair's hair after the rebellion

☆finnick odair calls you cupcake ironically

☆finnick odair had a lemonade stand as a kid

☆finnick odair loves receiving forehead kisses

☆finnick odair's favorite ice cream

☆finnick odair is a hydrated king

☆finnick odair is an expert at poker

☆finnick odair loves being the little spoon

☆finnick odair is bad at making pancakes

☆finnick odair has a pair of shark slippers

☆finnick odair has a baby blanket

☆finnick odair wanted to be a firefighter as a kid

☆finnick odair gets sunburned very easy

HEADCANONS

☆finnick odair with a partner who loves animals

☆finnick odair goes dress shopping with his partner

☆finnick odair with a musical partner

☆finnick odair had braces as an adult

☆sick finnick odair

☆finnick odair with a partner who has dyed hair

☆finnick odair with a tattoed partner

NSFW

☆finnick odair eats you out

☆one of your favorite activities is sucking finnick off after his nightly shower

☆finnick odair doesnt't mind being submissive in bed with you

TWEETS

☆tweet #1

MODERN FINNICK ODAIR

☆finnick odair is a sucker for romcoms

☆finnick odair is a passionate duolingo user

☆finnick odair loves minions

☆finnick odair considers himself a fashion connoisseur

☆finnick odair doesn't want to wear his retainers

☆finnick odair loves cats

☆finnick odair and johanna mason watching garfield

☆finnick odair has a stanley cup in every color

☆finnick odair has protective cases for every device

☆finnick odair and the sims 4

☆finnick odair has a spiderman toothbrush

☆finnick odair is an excessive emoji user

☆finnick odair loves watching cake boss

☆finnick odair is a menace playing roblox

☆finnick odair gave everyone a kenough hoodie

☆finnick odair and peeta mellark love water parks

☆finnick odair calls the property brothers to remodel everlark's home

☆finnick odair and animal crossing

☆finnick odair & costco

SWIFTIE!FINNICK

☆finnick odair loves knitting and crocheting for his swiftie gf

☆finnick odair loves fearless

☆finnick odair and surprise songs

☆finnick odair is a swiftie

☆more swiftie!finnick thoughts!

☆finnick odair & eras tour

ODESTA

☆finnick and annie call themselves gamers

COMING SOON !!

☆finnick odair fluff alphabet

☆finnick odair's struggle after telling his story in mockingjay (requested)

☆finnick odair with a rockstar partner (requested)

☆finnick odair and a riot grrrl fan hcs (requested)

☆swiftie finnick odair and rock gf (requested)

☆swiftie finnick and rock gf go to the eras tour (requested)

☆finnick odair with reader dealing with trauma after being taken to the capitol (requested)

☆finnick odair with virgin reader (requested)

[crappy-writings]

Marvel | Agatha Harkness

Main Masterlist | Marvel Masterlist | Recced Fics Masterlist

Let me know if anything needs to be fixed!

No Going Back |

Summary: “An incurable illness plagues you, something one of a kind that has never been seen before. It corrupts magic, leaving you unable to use your powers without risking death or worse. Someone wants all of your unused power themselves, and a reluctant Agatha Harkness is convinced to keep you safe after some bribing.”

Work by: @harksness

Witches road | Part 2

Summary: “Agatha seeks a coven to walk the witches path. Yet there is one name on the list, she had not thought about for a very long time. With no other faith, she follows a familiar to the darkest hour.”

Work by: @frost-queen

“A Witch’s Bargain” |

Summary: “Once you find out a witch as infamous and powerful as Agatha is seeking you out you decide to go to her before she can pull one over on you; an attempt was made.”

Work by: @apocalypse-shuffle

Ivy | Angst/Fluff

Summary: “you and Agatha strike up a friendship over your shared love of books, but soon the two of you can’t ignore your love for each other.”

Powerful Woman |

Work(s) by: @ifnotlovepersevering

we wave goodbye at moons shine. | Angst

Work by: @tearsucry

Unraveling | Fluff

Summary: “For the past three years, Agatha was trapped under the Scarlet Witch’s spell. Trapped in her own mind to play the character of Agnes, the nosy neighbor. But even then she was able to find some sort of happiness, you. At some point, you always found yourself at her house, talking or just watching tv together and in Agatha’s mind it became a romantic comedy where you were her love interest. It was such a refresher after the nightmares of her past she had every night. Then came the day the spell was suddenly lifted. Agatha had finally come to her senses. She had fallen in love again after all these years but were you even real? She had no sense of what was real or fake.”

Work by: @dmysterioblog

don't wanna leave you anymore | Fluff/Angst

Summary: “wanda stole your powers too, three years ago. while it was a curse for agatha, it was a boon for you. as a divination witch with powerful clairvoyance, it wasn't uncommon for you to be troubled by spirits. so nothing can make you change this mundane life you adopted. so what happens when she attempts to convince you to have another shot at the road?”

Work by: @vidals-harkness

I deserved it | Angst

Work by: @annie-creates

Last Updated: October 11, 2024

[essenceofelegance]

Sand on cheeks (pt. 1)

Percy Jackson x reader

m.list pt.2

warnings: none

disclaimer: this is also on wattpad as Sand on cheeks

I sat up in a panic with a pounding headache, cold sweat clinging to my forehead,

I took deep breaths, quickly fishing out a light pink notebook, 

grabbing a pen from my bedside table and jotted down what my nightmare consisted of.

It had become a routine I had grown used to, nightmares always haunting my sleep.

I set down my notebook, shoving the pen in between the pages hastily, grabbing my cup and took a sip of water.

I lied back down on the bed, closing my eyes, reaching up to rub my temples.

I let out a sigh, directing my eyes to the clock sitting on m bedside table. 5:53am. The sun had already risen.  Almost time to get up. 

I stared at the ceiling.

I started imagining blinds that could block out the Sun entirely, blinds that could protect me from the Sun's wrath- 

What? 

Sometimes, I don't know why I think my thoughts are like the way they are, almost wandering.

I think about the consequences of staying in bed all day,

I already knew that staying in bed was not a possibility,

but a little imagination didn't hurt anyone, let a girl dream.

After what seemed like a minute, I got up, slipping into my fuzzy slippers, not seeing the point in trying to fall asleep again.

I walked to the camp bathroom and did my usual morning routine, brush my teeth, skincare, makeup, hair and clothes.

By the time I walked back into the Aphrodite cabin in my bright orange camp t-shirt that I wanted to burn so badly- most of my siblings had already woken up. 

I walked  to my bed and replaced my slippers for my sneakers, greeting some of my siblings as I walked to the pavilion. 

"Hey, princess," Percy said as he jogged up to me, flashing me a smile.

"Hey, seaweed brain," I said as I flashed him a tired smile, "Nightmares?" Percy said, though it wasn't really a question. "Mmhm," I nodded.

"Do you have to help with sword training today?" I asked as I tied my hair up into a low messy bun, strands of curly hair fell loose, but looked perfect nevertheless, thanks to my mother.

"Nope," Percy said as he waved to some of his friends in the distance,  "I was gonna take a dip by the lake again, are you coming?" 

I considered his offer.

Well, I didn't have to teach archery lessons today, and who would give up an opportunity to hang out with Percy? He's always busy.

"Yeah," I said after a beat. Percy nodded in response, "I'll catch you later," he said, giving me a playful wink. I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"Hey," I greet my siblings as I sat down at the Aphrodite table. 

"Percy broke up with Annabeth!" one said, "Yeah! He's single now, we should totally go get him!" then a bunch of compliments starting pouring in. 

It's not a secret that Percy was attractive.

Having been on more quests then most demigods could only dream of — Percy was something of a legend. Saving Mount Olympus? Check. Surviving Tartarus? Check. Being unnecessarily hot? Double check.

Dark hair ruffled in a summer breeze. Vibrant eyes blending into the coast line. Tan skin draped over a body sculpted by gods.

Percy was the ultimate prize.

I never denied my feelings for Percy, I just never told him.

Why risk throwing away years of friendship when I know that he doesn't feel the same?

"Earth to Y/n!" Silena snapped her fingers in front of my face, "Sorry," I mumbled, "I'm okay."

Silena sent me a knowing glare, "You better shoot your shot before it's too late, if you don't want history to repeat itself," she whispered. 

She was right. I had already started liking Percy before he and Annie become a thing. 

And just as I was about to tell Percy how I felt, they had already fallen in love.

Fallen in love. 

It was no secret that I was Aphrodite's favourite daughter.

Then why couldn't she give me the one thing I wanted?

Love. 

I spent the entirety of breakfast thinking, until I was snapped out of my thoughts by a hand on my shoulder.

I snapped my head towards the owner of the hand. Percy.

"You okay?" he asked as he took a seat next to me, it was only then I realised most of my siblings were done with their meal and went off to their activities.

"Yeah," I answered with a nod. Percy shot me a knowing look.

"What? I'm fine," I sent him a glare, "You know you can always tell me, right?" he said, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm gonna go get my stuff," I muttered. 

Percy knew better than to follow me.

pt.2

author: okay okay i know i have a reputation for not uploading very often- almost never- but i’ve already written a couple of parts for thi and i’m feeling really motivated, so this will officially be my first (mini?) series!! at least one new part every week- i got you- part two coming in really soon, in like half an hour probably. taglist is open, send an ask or a comment<333 also i’m using a completely new writing style this time soo

Copyright © 2024 Emory Belrose. All rights reserved. 

⋆

Please do not re-upload my work on any platforms without permission.

Any reblogs, comments, likes, shares, and follows are appreciated.

[vesteneris]

I love your Annie design soo much and the hc that her stylist dyed her hair red to match the capitol fashion more, I was wondering if you have any more Annie hcs? I would love to hear them ^^

ofc i have more hc, and sketches! >my Annie was a confident career >if it comes to her look she was latina with dark curly hair, and freackles all over her body

>from kinda rich family, her father had few fishing boats and she was going to take over the buisness after him, she was working with 16 yo old boy, who was later in the games with her (he was not a career and she didn’t know he would be in the games before volounteering)

>her bodycount in the games was 2 (bloodbath and the last standing opponent) on her own and next 3 when she was working with her District partner, so 5 in totall, and it was Annie's idea to cause an avalanche of rocks that crushed their camp, my girlie was determined to win

>my arena for 70th games is inspired by the Green Canyon in Turkey, mostly bc there is a dam right there

>when everyone was thinking about her as a confident career she mostly wear bright solid colours

(Everyday working clothes, Reaping outfit, 2 in-between-the-trainings outfits, and dress for the interview with ceasar)

>shes pretty tall (about 178cm)

>after her victory when everyone thought that she win because of her luck not her skills, her stylist starts to dress her in pastel colours that washed her out, to make her look more pale and innocent

>they also dyied her hair red and straighten it, get rid of most of her freackles, starts to just in general making her more white, just everything to make her look more Capitol

>when they finally become a couple with finnick i imagine theyre dynamic kinda like this

Like, c’mon, theyre both teenagers basicly, ofc they’ll be stupid together

>more than 1 year after her games annie could function pretty well (like, for her, not totally at her own, still with nightmares and with screaming crying throwing up, losing in her own thoughts etc) but whenever she would be put in public the capitol would put her on so many calming drugs to make sure she wouldn’t make a scene that she couldn’t even speak and wasn’t mentally present at all

>the whole crown for a Victor from president Snow? Don’t remember a thing. Learn that she was crowned from posters and tv

>thats kinda how her friendship with Johanna started, the new Victor was asked to hang out with previous games winner to make it look like Annie was cool and normal

>theyre trio of besties, Annie, Finnick and Johanna, No one can change my mind

thank you very much for the question anon, I’m just so happy that someone asked me this, I love talking about my version of Annie

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - July 16

 Hello, friends! Short list this week because I spent several days re-reading a favorite of mine. Enjoy the list and be sure to leave your authors a comment/kudos! 

What do you think of the new banner?? 

***Recent favorites

~*~ 

***Enchanted by iam93percentstardust

This night is sparklin', don't you let it go

I'm wonderstruck, blushin' all the way home

I'll spend forever wonderin' if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you

~

Steve starts making his way back towards the directions of the cars, wanting to greet her, only to stop dead when he realizes who her date is.

Natasha has brought Tony with her.

Tony of the pictures, of the stories, of Steve’s infatuated little heart even though he’s never met him in person.

***once in a lifetime by meidui 

“You should be worried that I'll break into your apartment, steal your identity and flee the country with all your money,” Steve says, one arm slung lazily across Tony's chest, playing with the key to his safe. “You shouldn't go around handing out keys to people, you know.”

Tony makes a low, offended noise and grabs Steve’s chin, making him laugh. “Is that what you think I do?”

bake my breath away by earliebirb 

Steve develops a crush on one of his bakery's regulars, charming businessman-slash-inventor Tony Stark. He is not stupid enough to think Tony would ever like him back, though.

Besides, Tony is already in a relationship.

As it turns out, Steve might have been wrong about a couple of things.

A Place In My Mind by KandiSheek 

The Avengers all swap bodies, with Steve ending up in Ironman's. It's a nightmare for multiple reasons, mostly because Steve has no idea who Ironman actually is, and he'd rather die than be the one to expose his friend's well-kept secret.

What Ironman doesn't know is that Steve has a secret of his own. One of the mushy, romantic kind. And being this close to Ironman, after all these years of desperately wanting it?

It just might be a bigger temptation than he can resist.

Dark Matter by RurouniHime 

A mission goes wrong with troubling consequences for Steve. (Based in the world of sabrecmc's Celestial Navigation and its sequel Orbital Mechanics)

an anger that you crush and fuel by starvels (dinosaur)

“I’m mad at you,” Natasha says, gripping Steve’s collar so tight the shirt seams strain.

Steve glances down at her hand, and his arm quivers beside her head. “I know,” he says, voice rough.

Symmetry Breaking by Annie D (scaramouche)

After the Battle of New York, Steve rode off on his motorbike. That's how it went the first time.

This time he rides back, all the way to Stark Tower, where he asks Tony for help.

The God of Solid Life Advice by kehinki

It's 2012. Steve is just informed by Loki that Bucky's alive.

Loki also tells him some other things.

The Hazards of Falling in Love (Rescue Me) by EmmaLostInWonderland 

“So that’s your name?” Rogers hasn't looked away from him once. His eyes are a piercing blue, and Tony barely manages to keep from squirming under his gaze.

“Yeah. Or Telecommunications Operator Stark, if we’re getting technical about it.”

“Are we?”

Tony tilts his head slightly. “Depends. Can I call you Steve?”

The man grins. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, Tony.”

// Tony Stark doesn't date firemen. But he'll make an exception for Battalion Chief Steve Rogers.

written for BladeoftheNebula as part of the Stony Loves Steve 2023 Gift Exchange

Trying not to lose my sensibility by Girl_Back_There 

In the weeks leading up to his heat, Steve rethinks about his relationship with Brock. And his fading friendship with Tony.

i'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone by iam93percentstardust 

The real reason Tony wanted to do this movie, the one that he'll never tell anyone about, was because when he’d asked his agent who would be playing Chris, she’d slyly smiled at him and told him that it was Steve Rogers.

“Oh,” he’d squeaked, cleared his throat, and tried again in a more normal octave, but by then it was too late. Natasha had laughed at him and made the call without even waiting for him to agree to the audition.

He’s not quite sure if he should thank her or fire her for that.

Chamber of Reflection by Thahire 

A few years after retiring, Steve and Tony get a surprise visit from another Steve. Steve Rogers from Earth 1610 is lost, grappling with the new century he’s been unceremoniously dropped in, with confusing feelings for his new teammate, with himself.

Steve and Tony decide to get involved.

Soft Robotics by isozyme 

“I promise this is all non-toxic. The silicone is medical-grade, even.”

Steve makes a choking noise. “I would hope so,” he says, going bright, tomato red as he says it.

Tony makes some cool robots. Steve makes an assumption.

***Celestial Navigation by sabrecmc

Celestial Navigation: 18 year old Omega!Tony finds himself Bonded to Captain Steve Rogers. He isn't happy about it until he is.

[evita-shelby]

They didn't know we were seeds

Chapter 16

Cw: grief, mentions of rage, prostitution, pedophilia

Heaven belongs to @call-sign-shark

@justrainandcoffee @emotionalcadaver @peakyswritings

She cleans the wounds in his hands and holds him as he mourns his niece.

Drunk with whiskey and grief, he is only a shell of the man she loves. He is broken, in ways hardly a few mentors have been. Not many survive it either, suicides were high amongst the victors even the careers for a reason.

Jack sleeps with her in her floor until the games are officially over. His room was too wrecked, and neither she nor Lyme could trust that he wouldn’t hurt himself in his pain.

Heaven wins on the third evening, with a staggering number of kills that thrill the Capitol.

Eva’s heard the eldest of Shelby’s brothers will be rewarded for his loyalty the same way Luca was rewarded with her. She can’t help but sympathize for the girl knowing she’ll have no choice but to join the roster or risk seeing her family die because of her.

You never win these things, you’re just stuck in the arena for the rest of your life, Eva thinks to herself as she holds Jack after his nightmares like she’s done these past three nights.

The morning after the games end, the avox assigned to Eva comes with Jack’s clothes and a note.

President Snow summons her before lunch, and she’d be a fool to even wonder why.

Jack had told her about that last argument with Gina where he had admitted to what they knew not to confirm. Nothing incriminating had been said, she knows for a fact what he told her in the gym hasn’t been reported and this life has made her into a good liar.

Eva is taken to a greenhouse, a beautiful thing filled to the brim with roses. It is a wonderland of colors and forms only the Capitol can have.

There are simple white roses like the ones Tigris had her wear. They don’t stand out here beyond being the favorites of Snow.

“I see you recognize them from your own games. My cousin knew what they meant to me and sought to hurt me.” He speaks as if they were more than master and servant.

“I inferred that by the way you hid it when you saw it on Dustin’s lapel…and by giving Jack the chance he needed to kill me.” Eva doesn’t play dumb, it’s not her way of playing these things. “Mistakes of your youth coming back to bite you, I supposed.”

She is dying to say Lucy Gray Baird coming back to haunt you. But she isn’t here for that, to play her card right now wouldn’t gain anything.

The words have him change the topic and get to it.

“Your unorthodox relationship with Iacobus has raised many concerns. Mr. Shelby believes as long as the rest of the districts hate District 2 we are in no danger.” Snow doesn’t beat around the bush, something Eva is thankful for.

There is a straightforwardness he shares with Tigris, only where it is comforting with her former Stylist it is deadly with him.

“People find it, what is the word, unpalatable. I killed his brother to win and named our child after him. Too macabre to inspire anything but disgust.” Eva grows brave enough to touch the white rose sporting shades of pink thanks to the acidity of its soil.

An unwanted flaw in the sea of perfection. Snow’s likely to prune it to keep it from destroying the image he portrays.

He'd prune them from existence if he knew what they were truly up to.

“Is that why you try to foster friendships between the tributes by those last day of training parties?”

Ah so that was part of it too! He couldn’t have someone show that the districts can unite for one goal. Heavensbee had said Jack and Eva being together were a threat to Snow’s order but could never be the symbol of the rebellion. The rebellion needed someone cleaner, a newer victor who didn’t have the blood of her lover’s brother in her hands.

“Started out as way to get Finnick and Annie one last date, but the children forget this is a punishment for their forbearers’ sins for a moment and sends them a little more relaxed into the arena with a hope maybe they will be the ones to go home.” Eva answers honestly, doesn’t have much to hide. “As you know humanely treated livestock produces tastier meat than its opposite. tributes who have hope and time to form alliances and even romances with fellow tributes produce better games, as you’ve seen.”

It is a disgusting thing to say, but makes Snow remember how much the Capitol loved Eva and Laurie’s ill-fated romance. There was even fanfiction about it, weird tales about her and him in their last days. Too many people had wanted them to fuck when they broke away from the rest of the career pack apparently.

The drama of friends going from fighting for each other to fighting each other gives ratings, star-crossed lovers dying to save the other or killing the other as well.

Jack’s pain and anguish had the Capitol bet against Heaven in hopes Marius could avenge the little girl on whose corpse he spread breadcrumbs on as was tradition in their district. They had lost their money, wept when Marius lost to the girl, but gave Eva the thing she needed to convince the President what she was doing was only her patriotic duty.

She hates herself for it.

“Your idea has merit; these past games have had higher ratings than their predecessors. I may be inclined to keep the practice for a price, Miss Smith.” Snow delicately cuts the rose she had touched and offers it to her.

“Some clients do not like women who have given birth.” Eva knows exactly what he wants. She was in high demand still, she was enigmatic and sexy, fond of revealing outfits and very well trained in fucking.

“They won’t be able to tell once the surgeons are done with you, dear.” He gives a smile as dangerous as snake oil, the blood on his sore tinging it like the nature he hides.

Snow knows Jack hates it and seeks to drive a wedge between them.

Smart man. Too bad it won’t work.

It’s a shit deal.

He tells her so and yet she comes home without a single hint of ever having nurtured their baby inside her.

Jack hates it, more than he hates how they cover up her freckles with makeup and make him wax off his body hair to fit their idea of beauty. Hates how his room had not a single sign that he had demolished it with his own fists and the metal floor lamp.

Laurie was the physical manifestation of their rebellion against Snow and his freak show, Eva’s ticket off the auction block and his reason for rebelling. His reason to live now.

To let herself be put back in that place for the sake of a fucking party for kids is a bad fucking deal. What if its not enough? What if Snow begins to demand more? What if one of those fuckers decides they want more than just some nights with her?

“I don’t need him to suspect anything about all this, they took Gina and will stop at nothing to take Laurie if we don’t dance to his tune.” Eva reminds him. “He knows we’re a threat, but if we do as he says he will believe he has won and fuck off for a while.”

Snow had taken Gina from him and knew Jack wouldn’t be able to handle Eva being forced to submit to anyone else. Jack had endured his fair share of torments with the people who bought him, he hated to see and even witness how people treated his Eva, his wife, like a fucking toy.

He’d kill them all if he could.

Perhaps that is what Snow wants, for Jack to lose what little restraint he has left and give them a reason to put him out of his misery like Titus from the last games.

Which is why they must run to 13 before Plutarch Heavensbee kills them all waiting for his fucking symbol. On the next shipment, he has to go with them, perfect the passage and see how he can get his family out here before Snow stops trusting Shelby.

It’s the only way.

[captastra]

The collection of 19 fics I've written for Writer's Month 2023!

AO3 Series or full break down under the cut! Biggest shoutouts to @kourumi @poetikat and @kyber-infinitygems for all your support and assistance throughout this whole experience <3!

Day 1; Day 11

Suicide Squad: Recovery and Redemption (The Suicide Squad, Words: 5,492, Chapters: 2/?, Rating: T) (Chapter 2)

Living in a world with meta-humans hasn't stopped Renée Watts from doing what she does best, helping others as a nurse. But when she befriends one particular patient, she finds herself learning what it truly means help others. Rick Flag wasn't meant to live. Peacemaker had made sure of that back in Corto Maltese. But when he wakes up in a hospital months later, he finds himself left wondering: what will he do now? His sense of emptiness gets challenged when he befriends a nurse that shows him that there can still be purpose and recovery for him.

Day 2; Day 9; Day 15

Statesman: Four Roses (The Outer Worlds, Words: 10,214, Chapters: 3/?, Rating: T) (Chapter 2; Chapter 3)

Felix Millstone, aka Agent Whiskey of the Statesman agency, has devoted his life to taking down the underground criminal mastermind, Charles Rockwell. So when he is assigned a simple protection duty of a UDL scientist, Rhea Hawthorne, he feels all his hard work has been for naught. But as he comes to know Rhea, his secret plans to bring down Rockwell may come to harm his new companion.

Day 3; Day 10; Day 12; Day 27

A Beach Vacation (Bullet Train, Words: 3,776, Chapters: 4/4, Rating: T) (Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4)

Lily, Tangerine, and Lemon enjoy a beach vacation together.

Day 4; Day 19

I Don't Need Your Love (The Suicide Squad, Words: 2,707, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

Renée and Rick are faced with the reality of their world when Rick is called to lead another suicide mission by Amanda Waller.

Day 5

To New Beginnings (Mass Effect: Andromeda, Words: 2,543 Chapters: 1/1; Rating: G)

Kiara Ryder struggles to process what happened at the Eos Vault, despite the restart being a great success. A chance to chat with Kandros helps her realize she doesn't have to face her problems alone.

Day 6; Day 26; Day 29

Along the Right Path (Resident Evil; Words: 6,576; Chapters: 3/3; Rating: G) (Chapter 2; Chapter 3)

A recreational hike through Arklay Mountains takes a turn when Jill and her friends get lost, but a certain handsome park ranger comes to their rescue.

Day 7; Day 21

A Promise for Another Day (Haven; Words: 2,133, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

Duke attempts to surprise Paige with a promise to get away, but fate has other plans.

Day 8

Watermelon Candy (Z Nation; Words: 753; Chapters: 1/1; Rating: G)

Enjoying a rare moment together, Annie shares a sweet treat with 10k.

Day 13

Fanning Their Feelings (The Outer Worlds, Words: 2,164, Chapters 1/1, Rating G)

Mayor Odie supports Deputy Felix with his crush on the new schoolmarm, Miss Rhea. Only problem is he won't court her, so Odie decides a little meddling in their affairs will help matters along.

Day 14

By the Fireside (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 716, Chapters 1/1, Rating: G)

Everlith and Gale's friendship starts to blossom on their first night at camp.

Day 16; Day 20

In You I Can Trust (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 2,600, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

After revealing the truth of his magic absorption, Gale still worries about whether Everlith truly wants him to stay by her side. But a nighttime conversation shows just how much he is truly wanted.

Day 17

When Dreams Become Nightmares (The Suicide Squad, Words: 1,006, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: T)

What started out as a peaceful getaway for Rick with Renée turns into a nightmare when reality comes crashing down.

Day 18

A Nurturing Hand (Elden Ring, Words: 1,307, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: T)

The animal shelter Aisling works for rescues an extremely angry feral cat. With Malenia's help, and a lot of patience, their family gains a new member.

Day 22

An Enchanting Encounter (The Outer Worlds, Words: 2,008, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: G)

Becoming a wallflower at her own celebration, Rhea's evening takes a turn for the better when she encounters a mysterious winged figure.

Day 23; Day 30

Waiting Out the Storm (The Outer Worlds, Words: 3,352, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

A surprise thunderstorm offers Rhea and Felix a chance to learn more about each other.

Day 24

Stolen Kiss (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 1,001, Chapters 1/1, Rating T)

Gale and Everlith steal a moment alone on their journey to Baldur's Gate.

Day 25

Just You and Me, Alone (The Suicide Squad, Words: 536, Chapters 1/1, Rating: T)

Rick and Renée get to go on the vacation they deserve.

Day 28

What Promise Awaits (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 1,248, Chapters 1/1, Rating: G)

Gale Devrakis had accepted that his life was one of solitude and reflection. Being summoned to Elminister's tower promised a possible solution to his magical condition, and companionship from his new assistant, Everlith S'aer.

Day 31

The Light In The Darkness (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 1,793, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: G)

Gale and the others attempt to enjoy an evening around the campfire while traversing towards Moonrise Towers. But even as darkness and evil surrounds them, Everlith reveals her feelings to Gale as Wyll supports their budding romance.

Taglist: @olliesaurus-rex @roofgeese @kyber-infinitygems @poetikat @confidentandgood @spaceratprodigy @darkfire1177 @jillvalentinesday @theelderhazelnut @shegetsburned @awhellstothejoe @oh-nostalgiaa @seliviawanders @thisisrigged4 @poisonedtruth @bitchesofostwick @transcaster @incognito-insomniac @kirjanikv6ilill @madparadoxum @gayafsatan @euryalex @mxanigel @eclecticwildflowers

[nekoannie-chan]

Urban building

Title: “Urban building”

Ship: Brock Rumlow & Jack Rollins (Friendship).

Word count: 530 words.

Rating: Teen.

Square: G1 “Scary urban legend”.

Summary: Urban legends aren’t real, are they?.

Warnings/Tags: Urban legends come true, enchanted building.

A/N: This is my entry to @marvelrarepairbingo​  @marvelrarepairs​ MarvelRarePair Bingo Round 2 2023. Annie MRP-066.

You can read it on Wattpad and Ao3 too.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

I don’t give any kind of permission that my fics to be posted on other platforms or languages (I translate myself my work) or the use of my graphics (my dividers are included in this), I did them exclusively for my fics, please respect my work and don't steal it. There are some people here who make dividers that anyone can use, mine is not this type, please look for the other's people. The only exception is the ones I gifted 'cuz now belong to someone else. If you find any of my works on a different platform and are not one of my accounts, please let me know. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish:  Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter. 

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou​  @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad​ @navybrat817​ @angrythingstarlight​ @shield-agent78​ @charmed-asylum​ @caplanbuckybarnes​  @sapphire-rogers​ @nana1000night @talia-rumlow​ @writingshae​ @alexxavicry @azulatodoryuga​ @daemonslittlebitch @chaoticcollectivenightmare​ @endlesstwanted​  @chemtrails-club​ @whiskeytangofoxtrot555​ @here4thefanfics​ @theestorm​ @patzammit @kmc1989

Brock was going over the plan in his head; it was one of the first missions he had ever had, not to mention that it was the first unsupervised mission in which he was in charge. Jack, on the other hand, was better at appearing calm, although in reality he was completely nervous.

They were both adventurous and always looking for new thrills and experiences. One day, after training for such a mission, they heard about a gloomy place on the outskirts of town—an old abandoned building that was shrouded in urban legends.

They adjusted their flashlights as soon as they arrived; somehow Brock needed the mission to go well.

As they walked through the dusty hallways and dilapidated rooms, they began to talk about the urban legends they had heard. Jack mentioned the story of a ghost that was said to inhabit the building, whispering in the ears of those who dared enter. Brock, meanwhile, shared the story of a curse that befell anyone who dared to spend a night there.

As they continued to explore, the strange sounds and whispers seemed to increase in intensity. The tension in the air was palpable. Jack and Brock began to question whether the stories they had heard were more than just scary urban legends.

Suddenly, as they stood in a room whose appearance looked exaggeratedly ancient, the doors slammed shut behind them. They were trapped in darkness, with only the dim glow of their flashlights to illuminate their surroundings.

Their hearts pounded as they tried to find a way out. The whispers became more audible, and shadows seemed to move around them. Jack and Brock were plunged into a nightmare.

The first thing they did was to calm down; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to think clearly. Jack had noticed that in all the rooms there were different doors, so he somehow managed to open one. As they made their way through dark corridors and abandoned rooms, they heard footsteps that seemed to follow them. Fear and paranoia gripped them as they struggled to remain calm.

Brock looked at Jack, who, despite his apparent calm, was also showing signs of nervousness. They knew they had to find a way out as soon as possible.

They continued to explore the building, following the sound of footsteps that seemed to be chasing them. The shadows seemed to dance around them, playing with their minds and increasing their sense of unease.

In a moment of desperation, Brock remembered something he had learned during their training—the way they could escape from there and that they brought the right equipment—so he began to search through his backpack.

After several minutes, they finally found the exit. Fresh air greeted them outside. They looked at each other, exhausted but relieved to have escaped that nightmare. Although the mission had not gone as they had hoped, they would not give the details of what had happened.

From that day on, Jack and Brock never spoke of urban legends again without a slight shiver running down their spines. They had learned that some stories may have some truth in them, and ignoring them can have unexpected consequences.

[ailendolin]

Six Idiots Headcanon Masterlist

BBC Ghosts - General

Ghost power headcanons

Ghosts meets Buzzfeed Unsolved

Daley can see ghosts and meets his dad again

The ghosts watching Night at the Museum

Mike can see the ghosts instead of Alison

Francis sold Thomas's body to anatomists after his death

Halloween's effect on the ghosts and the livings

Bone Suite

BBC Ghosts - Ghost-specific

Norne and the matter of appearances

Nigel's family

Thomas's family & the time right after his death

Robin stops befriending ghosts for a while & Robin and Mary

Pat died hungry & Pat knows about the Captain's pillow talk

Kitty's death & Alison painting a picture of the two of them

Julian and the beagle & Rachel and the beagle

Fanny knows how to lead in a dance & Dante became a ghost

Humphrey and the little things in life & Humphrey and Sophie

Mary had children but they died young & Mary and Robin

Thomas loves hugs and Robin gives him one

Mary & Kitty watch the clouds

Humphrey plays with Barclay's dogs

Thomas gives Isabelle a rose without thorns

Thomas once looked up to Francis

Kitty's father read her bedtime stories

Pat teaches the Captain some knots

Eleanor loves birds

Eleanor shows Kitty the perfect hiding place

Francis is more a Thorne than Thomas is

Fanny doesn't know how to connect to people

The Captain was married once

Alison finds the rose Thomas once gave to Isabelle

The Captain once visited Havers's family while on leave

Alison used to dream of being an artist

Humphrey & Sophie once had a baby daughter

Julian and Robin consider the nook their safe space

George gave Dante to Fanny

Julian and Fanny bond over the difficulties of loving their children

Fanny and Humphrey talk after her affair with his body

George allowed Fanny to have so many pets for a reason

Humphrey can sometimes feel his body like a phantom limb

Julian and Mike's friendship if Mike could see ghosts

Kitty used to catch glimpses of Mary and Annie when she was a child

Sophie tries to fix her marriage

Julian/Robin Soulmate AU

Julian/Cap Coffee Shop AU

Instead of running away, Sophie stays

The Plague Ghosts have a pet ghost rat

Thomas/Nigel Bookshop AU

Thomas needing glasses

Thomas hides himself away in the safe to cry

Thomas & Pat and hugs

Thomas/Nigel and PDA

Thomas/Julian and sleeping habits and nightmares

Thomas/Nigel being soft and tender

Thomas would love The Lord of the Rings

Yonderland

The Youngers' names

Vex is the son of an Overlord & Irk killing someone was an accident

Choop once had a fling with the Crone & Debbie's kids love Grandpa Choop

Ho-Tan and the meaning of gifts & Ho-Tan never admits she's sick

Ho-Tan was the main caretaker of her younger siblings

Ho-Tan learning and practicing her scribing skills

Debbie brings her family to Yonderland & Debbie takes in Boo

Flowers is allergic to pollen & the beginnings of his friendship with Ho-Tan

Pressley used to be in the military & drinks to forget

Negatus adopts a dog & continues to play Santa for Ben and Hayley

The Elders find out Vex is the son of an Evil Overlord

Voltari has trouble sleeping. Being near Dissectus helps.

Vex finds a way to keep the rabbits.

Ho-Tan passes her seat on the Council on to her son.

Dissectus/Voltari Flower Shop AU

Alvin comes to Vex for advice

Vex finds Ho-Tan crying

Irk surprises Ho-Tan on a difficult day

How Voltari and Dissectus met

Edith and Sue deal with Lynn getting hurt

Negatus's childhood and relationship with his parents

Choop & Sepal and Choop being hurt

How Bradley and Mojo met

Bill (2015)

Ian once made a cake for Gabriel she couldn't eat

Gabriel/Ian Soulmate AU

Ian is friends with a cat

Horrible Histories

Milton comforts Mike after a call from Mike's father

[daisynik7]

Give You Blue

Chapter 5: Dreams

Pairing: Eren x f!reader, Reiner x f!reader (past relationship)

Rating: Explicit (for mature content)

cw: switching POVs (reader is in 2nd person, Eren is in 3rd), implications of a panic attack and anxiety, language, angst, mature content, sexually explicit content

Word Count: ~3.9k

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Give You Blue Masterlist | ao3 | Give You Blue Taglist

Summary: Your friendship with Eren is taken to the next level. You have a sweet dream that turns into a nightmare. Eren tells his parents that he is considering changing his major. Author’s Note: What do we think of this chapter? I know it’s a bit of a slow burn, so I appreciate you sticking with this! Likes, comments, and/or reblogs are always appreciated. If you want to be tagged in the next chapter(s), please let me know! Divider created by @/mikeykuns.

You press firmly on the strings of the guitar, stretching your pinky as far as you can to reach whatever note Eren instructed you to. With a gentle strum, you play the chord. Well, sort of. It definitely doesn’t sound the way it did when he showed you. You drop your head, sighing. “Okay, it’s official. I suck at guitar.” 

Eren sits crossed legged in front of you. “You don’t. Try again,” he encourages, a small smile on his face.

“I can’t get my hands to bend the right way!” You hold your palm out in front of him, twisting your fingers in all types of misshapen claw formations. “Admit it. I suck.”

“You don’t suck.”

“It’s okay, I’ve accepted it! And as my mentor, you should too. Say it.”

“I will not,” he refuses, folding his arms over his chest, smirking. 

“C’mon, Eren! Look,” You play the broken chord again, louder this time, trying to prove a point. “See?! Say it!”

He chuckles, responding quietly, “Okay, maybe you do suck at this. Just a little bit,” pinching a small space of air between his thumb and index finger.

You set the guitar back on its stand, laughing. “Ha! I knew it. This tells me that I should leave this to the professionals.” You grin at him, hugging your knees to your chest as you sit across from him on the carpeted floor. 

Ever since the game-night Eren hosted a few weeks ago, the two of you have grown closer. More often now, you find yourself in his room, chatting about life, listening to each other vent, watching a movie, or indulging in his wonderful guitar skills. He even attempted to teach you the stringed instrument; the key word being attempted. Being with him makes you almost forget the misery that you suffered at the beginning of this semester. Almost. 

Reiner remains relentless in his efforts to contact you. While you’ve managed to avoid any personal confrontations ever since the last one outside your dorm, he hasn’t stopped reaching out through text. A few times throughout the week, he’ll call you, leaving a short message that’s along the lines of, “Hey, it’s me again. Call me when you’re ready to talk.” You never pick up, nor respond, and still, he tries. 

You wish you were unfazed by it, but parts of you cling to the past. Deep down, it pains you to ignore him. Sometimes, you see him as Reiner, your best friend, the kid you grew up with. Protecting you on the playground, confiding in you during his lowest moments, picking you up during yours. And as much as you want to preserve those memories of him like a delicate treasure, one bad breakup is enough to shatter it. To make you realize that maybe the two of you should have stayed friends all along, and nothing more. 

Surprisingly, you’ve been able to talk about this easily with Eren. Annie has always been your main confidant throughout, but her less than gentle approach sometimes leaves you defeated, as if you’re wrong for having these conflicted feelings for your ex. As much as you’d like to be completely, one hundred percent over him, it isn’t that simple. And with Eren, he understands that. Having no stakes in it, or knowing who Reiner is, he listens to your inner turmoil without judgment. He makes you feel normal. 

He's been opening up to you, too, sharing his on-going struggles with his pre-med major and the impossible expectations of his father. He maintains that pleasant smile on his face, despite being crushed by whatever weight that’s been forced on him from an early age. A victim of suffering he’s been subjected to inherit, without any say. It’s his father’s burden that was passed on to him, to continue whatever legacy he thinks will help the world. Dr. Jaeger is always looking out for the greater good of society, never about his own family. 

It’s been nice confiding in each other, not having to hold back for the sake of each other’s feelings. When you were with Reiner, you always had to be extra cautious around him, wanting to avoid saying anything that might hurt him. In Eren’s case, he’s never been able to be honest with his father. While he has his mother, he can’t always be completely honest with her, not wanting to cause any rift amongst his parents.  

Eren is actually considering changing his major. He’s been in contact with Erwin Smith, getting an idea of what the process would look like. The senior has been more than helpful, alleviating any concerns he might have about the transition, even setting up a time to meet with his father, who works as a teacher at a nearby elementary school. Still, he’s apprehensive to make the final step, as expected. It’s a big decision, one that changes the course of his future. It might cause drama between him and his family. No matter what he ends up deciding, you’ve made it clear that you’ll support him through and through. 

You check your phone for the time. “It’s getting late. I should probably head back to my room now before Annie gets worried.”

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, wouldn’t want her getting an ideas about us.”

“Oh, believe me, she already has. She’s convinced we’re dating,” you say, standing up. 

He follows, stepping towards the door, fingers at the handle. “How scandalous! I can picture the headlines now: Anxiety-ridden RA whisks beautiful resident off her feet to run away into the sunset together.”

You beam at him. “Now that’s a story I’d love to read.”

He smiles back. “Me too.”

Recently, there’s been a shift in energy between you two. There’s no denying it: you are attracted to him, both to his magnetic personality and his charming looks. But there’s this everlasting guilt in the pit of your stomach, preventing you from pursuing anything romantic with him. Simply imagining it brings you shame, like it’s inappropriate to think about. Obviously, you and Reiner are over, maybe for good. And you’re almost certain he’s been with other women since, at least, that’s what your self-conscious mind theorizes. So what’s stopping you? Is it fear? Fear of working hard at another relationship, only for it to crumble before your feet, like it did with your ex? You can’t take any more heartache. It’s easier to avoid it all together. 

As you’ve said before, the easier road isn’t always better. And the optimistic, love-sick fool in you believes there’s a chance at a happy ending, this time with Eren instead of Reiner. It’s new, foreign territory, a journey filled with the unknown. Is it worth the risk? 

For now, you keep these thoughts buried in the back of your mind. You value your friendship with Eren, enough to not ruin it. Besides, you’re unsure how he feels about you. Maybe you’re better off as friends and nothing more, just as it should have been with Reiner. And while this hurts to realize, it’s better for everyone in the long run. There’s no room for heartbreak if you don’t give your heart to anyone. It’s that simple, right? 

He holds open the door for you, leaning against the frame. “Sweet dreams.”

“You always say that,” you giggle.

“Well, that’s because I mean it. I really hope you have some seriously sweet dreams tonight.”

You step out into the hall slowly. “Thanks, Mr. RA. I wish the same for you, too. Goodnight.” With a final wave, you head into your room, cheeks pleasantly warm with a bright smile on your face. 

~~~

“You’re beautiful.”

Eren lays beside you in bed, cupping your face in his hand, thumb brushing delicately along your cheekbone. He leans closer, lips brushing yours into a gentle kiss. A rush of heat radiates to every inch of your skin, electricity buzzing through your veins. “I want you to feel good,” he whispers, mouth grazing your ear, fingers sliding down your throat and to your chest, resting his palm over your heart. You hold your breath as he touches you, nervous to be vulnerable with him. 

Sensing this trepidation, he pulls away to look at you, tipping your chin towards him to meet his gaze. With a comforting smile, he says, “It’s okay. You’re safe with me.”

And you believe him. At his words, you’re at ease, letting his hands caress your body, stripping you naked. He scatters kisses on your neck, trailing down your stomach, slowly making his way between your thighs. Peering up at you, he asks, “Can I taste you?”

You nod, eager to feel his tongue on you. 

He latches his lip on your arousal, licking and slurping at your clit. Your fingers are bunched in his hair, feeling his head thrash side-to-side against your pussy. 

“Fuck, Eren. Feels so good,” you moan, indulging in the pleasure. 

At the mention of his name, he suddenly stops. When he raises his head to look at you, it’s Reiner. He crawls up to face you, nose-to-nose, sneering. “How could you do this to me, Coco? Cheating on me with your fucking RA? You fucking bitch.”

You stare at him, wide-eyed and in shock, limbs rigid at your sides, unable to move. You’re trapped beneath him, the air growing thin, making it difficult to breath. As you suffocate, he grabs your face in a rough grasp, seething the words, “Cheater, cheater, cheater” over and over again…

You wake up with sweat beading on your forehead, blanket twisted around your limbs. Guilt weighs heavily on your chest as you take deep breaths to calm down. It was a dream, thankfully. Reiner’s never called you a bitch before. It was the worst version of him your mind could think of in the form of a nightmare. 

Sitting up in bed, wiping the perspiration from your face, you recall Eren’s uncanny farewell to you hours earlier. It definitely started as a sweet dream; the idea of you and Eren being intimate with each other has you flustered. All the times you’ve been alone with him in his room, elbows grazing, hands brushing, the shared looks that last seconds longer than they need to. It’s a leap of faith, to cross that line. And fear is what holds you back. Fear of failure, of falling in love to only stumble out of it again. Fear and guilt. It’s silly to feel guilty about it, especially since you’re the one who got your heart broken. But nightmare Reiner calling you a bitch and a cheater haunts you.

You lay back down in bed, fitting your head comfortably in your pillow. It takes a while longer for you to fall asleep; eventually, you do. And deep down, you’re disappointed when you don’t have another dream about Eren. 

~~~

Eren sits in an alcove on his favorite beach, watching the sunset on the horizon. He managed to catch this beautiful sight before he has to meet his parents for dinner. It’s their semi-annual visit; his father managed to squeeze him in on his very busy schedule. Lucky him. 

He takes this time to lose himself, pretend that it’s just him and the sea, basking in the day’s last moments of sunshine. It’s too pretty to indulge in all alone. Suddenly, he has the urge to share this with someone else. Without thinking, he scrolls through his contacts, finding the one person he wants to talk to. The resident from Room 104. His friend. 

It takes two rings until she answers. “Hey, are you okay?” 

He smiles to himself, amused at her immediate concern. He realizes now that he’s never actually called her before. They’ve texted plenty, exchanged funny tweets, greeted each other good mornings and goodnights. But to hear her in his ear, as if she’s sitting beside him, feels right. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just called to say hi.”

There’s a beat before she responds with a simple, “Hi.” He can practically hear the rounded cheeks on her face. His chest swells, happy he decided to dial her number. “Where are you right now?” she asks.

“I’m watching the sunset on the beach,” he replies, wiggling his toes into the sand. 

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s beautiful here. It puts my mind at ease.” He wants to add that her soothing voice has the same effect; he decides to keep that to himself. 

She hums. “Sounds like paradise. Where is this, exactly?”

“It’s my super-secret spot. No one knows about it, not even Armin or Mikasa. You have to be really special to know about it.”

She laughs. “I guess I’ll have to charm it out of you, then.”

Too late. He unsure exactly when it started, but lately, Eren has been seeing her in a different light. From the first time they met, even though snot and tears as she cried over her ex because of a cupcake, he was drawn to her. In a weird way, he felt a connection; she’s going through her own struggles like he is. Everyone around him is having a fabulous time, nailing their classes, partying like there’s no tomorrow. And he never resented his friends for enjoying their college experience. He felt left out. Different.

And maybe it’s true: misery really does love company. However, being with her is far from miserable. Although they confess to one another their strife in life, it’s cathartic, like a cumbersome burden gradually easing away. When they’re not complaining about annoying exes or overbearing parents, they’re sharing new memories together, learning more about each other, solidifying that bond. That connection. 

He likes her, enjoys being around her. Sacrifices precious study time to teach her guitar, though she really does suck at it. He forgets about the unending quizzes and tests he has to constantly prepare for because he’d rather sit on his carpeted floor, snacking on Pocky Sticks or eating Chinese takeout with a movie playing on his laptop. He’d choose her over textbooks any day because being with her is like an escape. A breath of fresh air when he’s otherwise suffocating from the pressure. 

Before he realizes, he’s saying, “I’ll show you this one day. You’ll love it.”

“Does that mean I’m special?” she teases. He pictures her on the other line, smiling with the phone pressed to her ear, lying in bed. All cozy in the sheets, probably in some dainty pajamas. The hem of her shirt riding up, exposing that cute belly. Maybe she isn’t wearing a bra, nipples peaked through the fabric…

He’s officially lost it. Face hot with shame, he rattles his head, as if doing so will eliminate the naughty thoughts occupying his mind. Swallowing hard, he answers, “You are special. Very, very special…” It comes out awkwardly. His cheeks are sweltering with both guilt and embarrassment now. What’s going on with him?

Luckily, she seems to think he’s still normal, replying, “You’re special too, Mr. RA. Thank you for being such a good friend to me.”

Friend. He has to remind himself that they’re just that, and nothing more. If only she knew the effect he has on him. Would she give him a chance? 

His phone vibrates in his hand, and he knows it’s his mom texting him that they’re on the way. It’s his cue to head back into town. He reluctantly says goodbye, nothing else incriminating coming out of his mouth. With one last glance at the ocean, he turns around towards his car, dreading what’s to come. 

~~~

Less than an hour later, Eren and his parents are sitting around a table at an Italian restaurant downtown. The waiter serves their drinks, iced water for Eren, two glasses of red wine for his parents. His mom is holding over most of the conversation, catching Eren up on all of the family news. He doesn’t care, but he likes listening to her talk. It’s relaxing for him, allows him to not think about anything else. That is, until his father starts speaking. 

“Eren, Zeke’s been telling me you haven’t been performing well in Organic Chemistry. Is that true?”

What a fucking snitch. It doesn’t surprise him; Zeke’s always knocking Eren down a peg so he can look taller in the eyes of their father. And while he says he means well, he actually doesn’t. However, this is a good opportunity to segue into what he actually wants to discuss. “Yeah, dad. That’s true. Ochem is really kicking my ass right now.”

Dr. Jaeger takes a swig of his wine. “Do you need a tutor? I’ll give you money to hire one.”

Eren tips his water into his mouth, gulping slowly. He’s getting nervous, second guessing himself if he should really say what’s been on his mind for the past couple weeks. Before he chickens out, he decides to go for it. “Actually, I’m considering changing my major.”

The silence is loud, even with the other patrons clinking their dishes and chatting away.  His mother stares at him, eyes wide and mouth parted open. His father swirls the alcohol in his hand, staring at the liquid whirling around the glass. It lasts for at least a full minute, or at least, that’s what it seems like to Eren. He’s tempted to add, “Just kidding!” to make this painfully uncomfortable quiet disappear.

Finally, his father speaks. “If this is your idea of a joke, it’s not very funny, Eren.”

“I’m not kidding.”

He leans forward, inspecting his son’s face carefully. “What would you change it to?”

Eren taps his foot nervously beneath the table, responding, “Education. I want to be a teacher.”

His father barks a cruel laugh, startling your mother and the neighboring table, who stares, intrigued. “Teacher? You want to be a teacher? Eren, this is ludicrous. I’m not going to waste my money on your tuition for you to become a teacher.” 

“What’s wrong with being a teacher?!” Eren snaps. 

“I’m paying for you to become a doctor. Teachers don’t make any money.”

Eren mumbles, “Not everything in life is about money.”

“That’s a very naïve mindset. How will you support a family without a decent income?”

“There are plenty of teachers who can afford to raise a family, so I don’t see how that’s relevant.” And besides, making more money doesn’t automatically mean you’re a better parent. Prime example is Dr. Jaeger himself, but Eren knows better than to throw that back to him. 

His dad shakes his head, massaging his temples as if he’s got a bad headache. “You need to hire a tutor, Eren. The courses are difficult, but getting a tutor will help.”

“It’s not just that, dad. I’m not happy. I don’t want to be a doctor.”

His mom chimes in. “Honey, are you sure you’ve given this enough thought? This is a big decision.”

He nods. “I have. It’s been on my mind for a while now. And I know in my heart this is what I want.”

She gives him a small grin, glancing at her husband, who’s reeling in his seat. “Grisha, it’s going to be okay.”

“Carla, this is his future. He’s ruining his life.”

Eren scoffs. “Dad, is it really that bad?”

He glares at him. “You were supposed to take over my practice.”

“You have Zeke.”

He continues to rattle his head, freaking out. “If you change your major, I will not pay for the rest of your tuition.”

It’s a threat. Eren’s prepared for the worst. “I’ll get a job, take out loans. If you don’t want to support me, fine. But that’s not going to change my mind.”

It’s silent again for what seems like forever. Suddenly, Dr. Jaeger stands up, tossing his napkin from his lap onto the table. “I can’t listen to this anymore. Carla, we’re leaving.” 

“Grisha.”

He stares at Eren dead in the eyes. “You were supposed to be special. I had very high hopes for you, Eren. Now, you’re just a disappointment.”

It’s words. That’s all it is. Eren has to remind himself that. Sticks and stones, right? But the disdain on his father’s face, the contempt dripping in his frown, all of that combined with what comes out of his mouth so easily, without a hitch in his breath. It breaks his heart. He is not prepared to hear this. While it doesn’t completely surprise him, it still hurts. He fights the tears, gulping down the sorrow building in his throat. Drinking the remaining water in his empty cup as his father storms off, his mother chasing after him, pleading with him to come back. Eren waits a couple of minutes, hoping they return, that his dad apologizes and takes back what he said. It doesn’t happen. His phone vibrates and reveals a text from his mom.

Mom: I’m sorry honey

Mom: We’re driving back home now

Mom: I will talk to your father and I will call you later

In the worst timing possible, the food they ordered minutes before disaster is served. Eren asks the waiter to package everything up, no longer hungry. After he pays the check, he drives back to campus, grip tight on the wheel, listening to whatever music is on his playlist at full volume. Trying to drown his father’s words replaying over and over in his head. You were supposed to be special. I had very high hopes for you. You’re just a disappointment.

He parks the car in his usual spot, sulking in the driver’s seat for a little while longer until he exits, carrying the heavy bag of pasta towards his room. It’s a Friday night, and of course, the dorms are empty because everyone is out partying, not being a disappointment to their parents. He approaches his door, leaning forward to press his forehead against, feeling like he’s at the bottom of the barrel, trying to claw his way out somehow. He can’t call his mom because she’s probably too busy dealing with the aftermath. So, he dials the only other person he knows will listen. The only other person he can rely on. 

She picks up his call quickly, after one ring. “Eren?”

He thinks he can hear her faintly down the hall from inside her bedroom. His feet shuffle  towards Room 104, dragging the to-go bag of food along with him. “Hi,” he greets, sullen. 

“Are you okay? Where are you?” She sounds concerned, and in this fucked up state he’s in, it’s what he needs. Someone who cares. 

“No, I’m not,” he sniffles, tears rolling down his cheeks. “It was a mistake. I should have never said anything.”

“Where are you?” she repeats, more frantic this time. From outside, he can hear her bed squeak as she hops off it. The swish of a jacket. The jingle of keys. Seconds later, she opens the door, finding him already standing there, begging for comfort. 

And it’s not weird when she hugs him, wrapped around his torso, her face nestled into his chest. She fits into him like a puzzle piece, a missing one he never knew he needed. This is the closest they’ve been, probably the most they’ve ever touched. Yet something about this is familiar. Maybe it’s the warmth radiating from her affectionate embrace. Or the way he instinctually bows his head to nuzzle his nose at the top of her head. This is what he’s yearned for, dreamed of. Someone who looks at him like he’s worth something, even when other’s see a failure. Someone who holds him tightly with every fiber of her being to make sure he knows he’s loved. It’s in the way she presses her ear to his chest, listening to his heartbeat. How her hand massages small circles onto his back, chanting, “It’s okay, Eren. It’s going to be okay.”

And with her in his arms, he actually believes it.

Taglist:

@batafuraikisu @bloompompom @monirei @filunara @katestrophes @ichinosejager13 @hoperenae @zellskz @e-ayyy @liliorsstuff-blog @maliakealoha @holdmeclosebutdontloveme @chrollohearttags @sailorputa @squickkk @dnyllmh @hellomeow12 @s-cream-ing @potofstewie @conniesbbymama @erzascarlett28 @lem-hhn @roronoazorosbxtchh @ichigostrawberry15 @rhaelrence @lilshades @bigmoodyjoody @icansmellsouls @aangsupremacy @ashsauroras @bakuhoes-bxtch @mrs-wolfwood @si-kamo @jmtherula @imaddicted-b @monkemanjeager @neesiewrote @large-juice @chiinni @belovedackerman

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

Ten Facts Carla?

Can recite the entirety of Mamma Mia by heart

Has loved Rocky Horror since she was a little girl but can't watch it for years after Schue tries to make them do it

Queen of a breakup anthem, she loves to handle all of her feelings through song but channeling her sadness into angry breakup songs always helps her get through them

The main requirement that Carla has is just someone who makes her feel like she’s a priority to them.  She’s the middle child of nine (later ten) siblings, has had to fight for any spotlight her entire life, has to compete with Rachel for Glee and Quinn for Cheerios, and just always feels like she’s an afterthought to people.  She needs a partner who makes her feel like she comes first, and while she would never try to make her partner choose between her and other people/things in their life, she still needs to feel like they would choose her.  She can’t handle feeling like she’s still fighting for time and attention and importance in her own relationship, or like she’s always waiting for some magical “right time” when her partner will eventually be able to prioritize their relationship

(this also applies to friendships – she definitely doesn’t expect to be someone’s only friend but needs to feel like she matters to them and isn’t just a friend when it’s convenient/when their other friends are busy)

The first professional musical that she ever saw was a touring production of Cabaret

her first community theatre role was an orphan in Annie, followed by young Eponine in Les Mis

Her name was Carlotta Rose Vasquez but after her parents died she legally changed her name to Carlotta Maria Rose Vasquez-Brice, Maria in honour of her mother and adding Brice for her new family

She is a taurus, also s1 Regionals happens on her birthday (which doesn't really line up with my usual competition season but also glee's timelines are a joke so like whatever)

loves necklaces, rings, and boots

Always puts on Nightmare Before Christmas at 11:22pm on Halloween so that she gets exactly half of it on halloween and half of it in November (aka the start of Christmas season to her)

(absolute halloween girly but does adore Christmas too, especially because it means her entire family is together)

[locke-esque-monster]

Some final thoughts on Jessica Jones season 1:

Love that the strongest bond in the show is between Trish & Jessica. We need more superhero shows with strong female friendships.

It feels very progressive for 2015 the whole Jeri/Wendy/Pam mess. The show is very casually gay in a way that I wouldn't have expected, especially from Marvel when the MCU is all "we'll have a man miss his male partner who was snapped" or "one of the Eternals has a husband for 2 minutes".

The Netflix shows really decided "Well - we can't have special effects budget - let's incorporate as much sex and violence as we can reasonably get away with they'd never put in the MCU. Daredevil gets most of the violence, Jessica Jones gets most of the sex."

The Netflix Marvel shows also have no problem killing off people like crazy. I left both Daredevil (which I watched immediately prior to JJ) and Jessica Jones astounded at the amount of minor characters they killed off in 13 episodes of their first seasons. Also, there's apparently nothing that will kill you faster than the trope of being close to retirement in this universe. Poor Ben Urich and Detective Clemons.

They really brought in all that blue pill/red pill nonsense on a show with Trinity. I can't decide if I'd love or hate her to be in a scene where they discuss that in front of her.

I feel like I've heard something about Trish being a villain/going off the deep end in later seasons. I hope I'm wrong, but Jessica's monologue at the end of season 1 about being a hero/villain makes me suspect I'm not.

Is Malcolm going to be Jessica's secretary? Probably good. She needs a nearby companion to balance her out who isn't Trish.

Bless whoever put David Tennant in the dad sweaters for the episode at Jessica's house. Both for the implication this is his vague understanding what normal people wear at home (it's still very posh). And my headcanon there's definitely nosy neighbor women on the block are eyeing the hot British dude giving off dad-vibes who just moved in.

I'm seriously questioning whoever does casting on The Boys watched this show. Because both Annie and Ashley from The Boys popped up here playing versions of characters they play later. Ashley, as a total nightmare of a human who has glimpses of humanity to ground her, and is in way over her head with supes. And Annie, sweet-faced from the Midwest, sexually assaulted by a supe and traumatized, and in fear, and trying to be brave and fight in the face of that. That and the elements of Homelander's backstory I see in Kilgrave, I've got some questions for Eric Kripke and his team on The Boys (to be fair - when don't I have questions I'd like Kripke to answer/answer for). I'm also waiting for the hat trick of a 3rd actor from The Boys to pop up.

Killing Kilgrave had to be done, but I am going to miss the hell out of David Tennant.

[mercerislandbooks]

Quick Takes: Recent Romance Reads

It's that time of year again! The 5th annual Bookstore Romance Day is almost upon us. Saturday, August 19th will be full of great romances and equally great giveaways and deals, both from us and from our audiobook partners at Libro.fm. You can sign up for free virtual panels featuring a variety of topics and amazing romance authors, or stop by the store for fun displays of romances of all sorts. In case you want to get a head start on some great recommendations, a few of our staff have highlighted favorite recent romance reads below!

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

Recommended by Lori

Florist Annie Walker is the youngest, sweetest sister of four. Orphaned at an early age, Annie's grown up under the protective wing of her older brother and two older sisters, not to mention the close-knit (and nosy) population of Rome, Kentucky. But now Annie would really like to find "the one," settle down, and have a family. That would fill the emptiness that nothing else seems to satisfy, right? Except Annie's social anxiety makes dating a nightmare, and when her most recent date fakes an emergency to ditch her, Annie is ready to give it all up. Enter tattooed bodyguard Will Griffin, back in town to guard Annie's future sister-in-law, pop star Amelia. Will agrees to be Annie's dating coach, just to give her tips and practice with the things that seem so hard when she's in the middle of a date. Unsurprisingly, the more time Annie and Will spend together, the closer they become, and the more Annie wonders what she's going to do when Will's assignment with Amelia is over. Annie is so delightful as a character, trying to break out of the box her siblings, and everyone in the town have put her in -- and with Will she is able to explore aspects of her personality that she hasn't shown anyone else. Will, of course, has his own past to contend with, and his own hangups to overcome. I listened to the audiobook on this one, and the dual narration really brought the novel to life. As I say in my rec card, "the most adorable small-town romance."

With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson

Recommended by Lillian

Even though I think there is too much talk about tropes these days, it does work as a quick way to sum up a story. With Love, From Cold World seems like it would be easy to categorize. It's an Enemies to Lovers, workplace romance. The author ticks a few classic Rom-Com boxes - stuck in the office overnight together, beach trip sunscreen application, the setting is an almost too-quirky Winter-themed amusement park in Florida called Cold World. But hold on - there's more going on here that just that. Every layer starting with something as simple as the cover and continuing on to the emotions of the main characters is handled with a little more thought and a little less cookie-cutter storytelling. Lauren is a buttoned-up accountant, but getting her to open up and take risks for friendship and love didn't feel simple. Asa is a career Cold World employee who is not living up to his potential, but actually maybe he's doing great right where he is. There were moments I laughed, got choked up, and—of course—s​wooned. I found their getting together to be surprisingly touching. Definitely recommend for the romance reader as well as the romance-curious.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

Recommended by Becca

All Dylan Tang wants is to help keep his aunt's struggling Chinese takeout, Wok Warriors, afloat. He has a plan, too. Win the Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake competition—using his grandmother's unique blue mooncake recipe—and get Wok Warriors featured on a popular food television show. There are only two problems: 1) his aunt doesn't have the recipe, and 2) Theo Somers. After Dylan has an unfortunate run-in with Theo's best friend, Theo (wealthy, charming, and very attractive) tries to make it up to him by making a rather large donation to the takeout. Unable to refuse the needed money but not wanting to ​owe any favors, Dylan agrees to be Theo's fake date to a family wedding. But a weekend in the Hamptons surrounded by rich-people problems and having to contend with his growing attraction to Theo as they get to know each other might be more than he bargained for. Will sabotage, scandal, and stress get in the way of their budding relationship, or will Dylan learn the secret ingredients for both mooncakes and romance? Short, sweet, and a quick read, Fake Dates and Mooncakes was everything I wanted. Delicious food descriptions and a fake dating plot where they don't mess around too long saying, "Oh, it started as fake but now I have feelings for him and I can't act on them because we had an agreement!" (my least favorite part of the trope), took it over the top. Also, the cover art! I'm in love.

Long story short, next Saturday should be a lot of fun. Good vibes, good people, and good books. Come stop by and celebrate love and people who love love!

—Becca

[aspookyloop]

Time for an *updated* introduction/writing post! I’m spookykuroneko / Luna Elizabeth and I self-publish my writing as ebooks! I mostly write horror and murder mysteries that involve ghosts, witchcraft, or just people feelin' stabby. There's also always asexual, demi, and lesbian main characters solving mysteries or going up against the spooky horrors.

At the moment I have four stories out, and they're all free download on Smashwords and other book places, or 0.99 on Kindle!

Here's their descriptions:

A Day For Ghosts is my first story, a light-hearted shorter story about a girl name Ellie who one day finds herself with a weird problem: the ghost of a recently murdered girl has become attached to her. The ghost’s name is Arielle, an oddly cheerful and bubbly person who can’t remember how or why she was killed, and together she and Ellie have to solve the mystery in hopes that Ari can move on 👻

Midnight Witchcraft is a horror mystery about a girl named Amelia, who is now in the care of her aunt after her mother passed away. After moving to her aunt’s old hometown, Amelia meets a group of girls her age that claim to be witches. After a sleepover of witchcraft and storytelling with them, people the girls don’t get along with begin to die in crazy ways, and Amelia suspects one of her new witch friends is playing with magic… 🌙

Eerie Eden is a horror tale about four different girls: Eumelia, Moira, Annie, and Morgan. A death in their school brings them all together, and when a little friendship begins to bloom, they learn something that connects them: they’re all having strange dreams about the same woman, who calls herself Eden. The dreams are nice at first, giving the girls an escape from the pain of their everyday lives, and Eden offers them to stay. When the dreams turn into their worst nightmares, and more people around town begin to die, it turns out that Eden will go to great lengths to make them stay… 🐈‍⬛

Twelve Candles is a murder mystery. It's Violet's twelfth birthday party, and her classmates decide to play a cruel prank with rabbit masks and knives... that ends with death. The mystery goes unsolved for eighteen years, until Violet Woods returns to her old hometown of Twilight Falls nearing her thirtieth birthday, and ends up meeting all her old schoolmates again. She decides to solve the mystery of which one was the killer at her birthday party back then, which brings the killer back to their old tricks... The story is told from Violet’s perspective, but wanders back to eighteen years ago each chapter to the view of one of her classmates, showing that each kid from back then had dark secrets, and maybe even reasons for what happened... 🐇

If you read this far and like the sound of them, they’re available here on Smashwords (for free!) and here on Kindle (for 0.99)!