#anyways i enjoy 13 i think she is delightful

[basiltheta]

its actually beginning to annoy me that whenever anyone even mentions the 13th doctor all you hear is "she was a good actress but the writing was awful". it just gets old bc theres no actual discussion there and honestly i dont think the writing was anywhere near as bad as people are saying. are there issues w her seasons? definitely. but it's the same w every other season of dr who this is a very goofy show lmao. but it feels like people dont even want to give her a chance and are just blinded by nostalgia (or misogyny). its the same w 15- dr who has been branded as "woke" so no one gives it a chance. pisses me off bc you cant even have a proper constructive discussion about the show’s flaws because weirdos who dont even watch the show will spin it into some weird narrative abt the gay agenda. im so tired man

[astrugglingsuun]

WARNING: LONG POST!

A bunch of thoughts about the Konoha 13 girls (a.k.a. a collection of could-have-been's and what-if's).

PART 1: Sakura <3

First of all, giving Sakura the most basic, NPC backstory (daughter of a civilian family with lacking personality) is decidedly NOT it when you compare her to her teammates'. I've been thinking a lot about her today and have decided if I were to write her that I would incorporate Kishimoto's obsession with having love be the focal point of her character in a different way: an arranged marriage. (This does tie into SasuSaku and them being well-written and reworked too, but that's not yet the point). Say her parents are affluent tradesmen who happen to deal with the Feudal Lord of Fire (was that his title?). Say that Feudal Lord had a son. Say he and Sakura's parents came to an agreement that in return for their continued good services and an extension of their trade, his son would marry Sakura on her 18th birthday. Interesting, right?

So Sakura has been promised to this Feudal Lord's son since she was a little girl a la her parents' decision. They've well and truly planned out her life as a doting wife and loving mother in exchange for further trade, bigger business, etcetera. They don't see anything wrong with this decision; in their eyes, Sakura would be well looked after and set up in a good position throughout her entire life. Win-win and all that. All they want Sakura to be is a sweet, pink-haired little thing who does as she's told. Not hard. Simple, right?

Absolutely not. Sakura resents everything that her parents want her to be. Any way she can rebel, she does. Get her clothes dirty? Excellent! Develop an attitude for arguing? You got it! She delights in going against the 1000 rules her life has been built around in any which way, including enrolling herself into the Ninja Academy. Her parents are FURIOUS when they find out. But Sakura is smart, smarter than people think when they gaze at her innocent little face, all green eyes and timid smiles. She knows that she won't get to live her life like everyone else, so she'll be darned if she lets anyone stop her from enjoying the years she has left under her parents' roof. She wins out against them in the end and stays in the academy, flaunting what a good opportunity it is to further her education. What grows is her attitude, strength and self-preservation. Oh, and her knack for hitting things hard, though that is more after hours. Her future friendship with Rock Lee makes a LOT of sense.

In short, Sakura is a master manipulator. The world makes it clear how it sees her, so she utilizes it. No one expects a knockout punch from such a princess, and no one suspects fake tears when she bats her eyes. What harm could she do? Petite little thing. (They haven't heard of sleeper builds somehow).

She wears a hood to hide her hair, but during the Waves Arc (or whatever it's called), the hood comes off and she has a Nagisa moment (Assassination Classroom) where she waltzes innocently towards an idiot merc for hire who's approached Tazuna, and she gives him a good jumping knee to the nose, knocking him flat. Zabuza has his fun shortly after, but that's the start of Team 7 getting to see the real 'her', thought Kakashi is the only one who actually sees it. No blubbering over Sasuke, though she does worry. She's not heartless, but she's not dancing around him like he's the best thing since sliced bread. She barely knows him, and they're children; that would be dumb.

Fast forward Chunin Exams Arc - Kakashi actually does his job and teaches all three of them. We end up in the Forest of Death where Sakura gets to have her feral moment. She still ends up getting beaten on until Sasuke wakes up via Orochimaru neck drugs, but she holds her own a lot better. Still cuts her hair and gets to be a tad bit more feral perhaps when she's biting that psycho chick, but ANYWAYS. They get out of the Forest of Death, and her parents are MORTIFIED by her haircut, which pleases and angers her. She's delighted they're unhappy with it (especially because she prefers it short and hasn't been permitted to cut it from them before), but also very rightfully rageful that the only reason they care is because they view her more as a useful object than their daughter with her own life, and she's most useful if she embodies the role they've chosen for her as the silent beauty who does as she's told.

At some point after the Chunin Exams once Team 7 has had more bonding time (Sasuke doesn't leave with Orochimaru in this AU, but he does get briefly kidnapped and brought back), Sakura tells them what her parents plan for her is. None of them are particularly pleased about the arrangement, which she finds comforting. They continue to grow closer, etcetera etcetera, Team 7 actually becoming a found family because it's what they deserve... Kakashi being the older brother/reluctant father figure and Naruto being the ridiculous, hilarious younger brother figure, AND THEN..!

SasuSaku crumbs, ehe ;D They're 16 and Sakura has less than 2 years until she's to be married. Team 7 are all about getting into each other's personal space and irritating each other (it's how they show affection <3), so physical closeness has never been an issue. Sasuke is stingy about it, but the other two ignore him even when he complains, so <3 Anyway, one day Sakura's parents mention something about one of their trade routes or something and remind Sakura how little time is left before she's married (probably in the form of a 'you need to be more lady like' lecture), and Sakura acts out about it by being particularly aggressive while they're fighting some ninja on a mission. This leads to a random discussion about her hair (one of her most prized possessions in her parents' opinion) with her asking Sasuke if he likes it. He's weirded out and confused and asks her to explain, so she tells him she hates it as long as it is (it's grown out again since FoD). She asks him how long he likes it, and he raises an eyebrow at her. Just when she thinks he won't respond, he places his sword (they've just finished fighting) a little above her shoulder where her hair used to end, and simply says, 'There.'

She's surprised and then smiles. 'You can cut it if you want to.'

His brows rise and then furrow. 'What about your parents?'

She grins. 'I'm not the one cutting it. Besides, are they gonna punish you for a simple workplace accident?~'

He gets her meaning: things happen all the time on the battlefield. If his sword happened to slash her way and cut her hair, what would they do? Say it was deliberate? They were far too spineless to accuse the last Uchiha of all people of something so stupid. He nodded, moving the sword closer. A single lock falls, and Sakura closes her eyes, smiling, waiting. Sasuke steadies his hand, and then...

'GUUUYS! HURRY UP! THIS WAY!'

They both sigh. Sakura looks disappointed. Sasuke - surprisingly - does too. He huffs, 'That idiot...'

Sakura shakes her head, looking over her shoulder. 'Guess we better regroup, hm? Come on' - she pushes Sasuke's shoulder - 'I'll race you.' She's off with a smirk before he can sheath his sword. When he does, he tails behind her, wondering about the weird feelings stirring in his chest. It's nothing, surely....

Fast forward to them not quite acting like they were before. Something is different yet they're not sure what it is. They're not addressing it, and it's not big enough for anyone else to notice, surely (aha, poor Kakashi picks up on it quick enough). Que long pining looks, weird jealous emotions (oh no the horror) and lots more moments in between until another fight on another battlefield leads to Sasuke ACTUALLY cutting Sakura's hair in her defense (taking out the enemy, yaaaay~). Kakashi and Naruto are finishing off their end of the fight elsewhere, so they get to have a moment where they recollect after everything. Sakura is shocked, holding tufts of her hair that only fall to her lower neck. It's strange having it so short after years, but it's so freeing. Sasuke looks at her - genuinely looks at her - and she's giving him this look, and there's something there, 100%, but he isn't about to say anything incriminating, hopefully. When she remains quiet, he musters the courage and says, 'Sorry, I... I know you liked how long it was.'

It's a poor attempt at a joke, but she huffs lightly anyway, and then her smile grows and she's suddenly a whole lot closer than she was before. Standing on her tiptoes, her lips meet his cheek, and his eyes widen as he tenses beneath her. Slowly she retreats, head moving to the side of his face where he can feel her breath as she speaks into his ear: 'Thank you,' she whispers sincerely, drawing back to face him without letting him go. Her arms are around his neck. There's definitely something here. He smiles, small and soft, and seeing how her face mirrors his in that moment is enough.

Obviously some political intrigue (do not know if that's the right phrase, but aight) and tension too, duh, since she's supposed to be marrying this other guy, but oh wait, 'is she in love with her teammate?' To, 'Yeah, she's definitely in love with him, oh no,' and whatever else. Forbidden love? Forbidden love.

All's far in love and war though, and they do get their happy ending, and Sakura does get her friendships with TenTen, Hinata and Ino, OBVIOUSLY, and even though Ino is jealous that Sakura is on Sasuke's team when they're genin (stupid twelvies, honestly), that doesn't ruin their friendship when they're young, Ino's presumptions that Sakura was happy with her predicament did. But then they solve that, DEFINITELY, and the girls get to be girls together in all their different ways, slayyy~ <3

There's a lot more I could say about Suun!Sakura probably, but I've been writing for hours and think that this is a pretty conclusive amount to leave this on, but if you have any more questions feel free to ask! I like talking (evidently) and would be more than happy to discuss many tings~ Deuces!

UP NEXT: TenTen %, Hinata ^^ and Ino ;>.

[marvelmaven]

Broken But Brave Pt. 20

This is my first attempt at a fic, so encouragement and kind advice are welcome. Let me know what you think!

Bucky Barnes/Original Fem! Character

Set in an AU where Tony DOESN'T die after End Game and Steve is actually with Bucky till the end of the line.

Summary: Bucky is going through therapy, consulting with the Avengers, but not interested in living under Stark's roof, for reasons he thought should be obvious to everyone. On his way home to his Brooklyn apartment, he bumps into his new neighbor, a petite, self-proclaimed cat lady. But he notices something about her that will have him keeping his eye out.

Trigger warning: References to Domestic Abuse (Not Bucky)

Part 20/?

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19

Hours later, Bucky stared up at the ceiling of the room at the Tower he was staying in, the bed was soft, but it felt like he was sinking into it, like a marshmallow or something. Most nights, he ended up sleeping on the floor after too many years sleeping on the ground or sitting up in a trench or on an army cot with scratchy sheets. Rubbing a hand over his face, he sat up, knowing he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep easily. He’d enjoyed the movie Lori’d picked out, it was funny in a very peculiar, very odd way, that made perfect sense for Lori to enjoy. Her delighted laugh, light and tinkling during the funny bits, the way that her eyes had teared up when Inigo had fought the Count. Damn, he’d probably spent half the time watching her watch the movie. Steve was right, he had it bad. Maybe if he went and exhausted his body with another training session, he’d be able to catch a few hours of sleep, Bucky reasoned, getting to his feet and heading to the door of his room. 

He opened his door and was shocked to find a wide-eyed Lori standing on the other side, fist raised to knock. His heart jumped into his throat. He’d been so in his head he hadn’t heard her get up. 

“Everything okay, doll?” He watched her shift awkwardly from one foot to the other. 

“I, um, I can’t sleep.” Lori looked up at him, big hazel eyes fixed on his blue ones. He felt the back of his neck heat up, “I wish I could doze off like Marvin.” Bucky looked over her head to where Marvin was sleeping, belly up on the small couch in their shared apartment at the Tower. 

“Me neither, you, uh, you wanna come in?” God, when did he become so awkward? Probably at some point when he’d been cryogenically frozen and had his brain scrambled six ways to Sunday. 

“Would you mind?” Lori seemed anxious that she’d disturbed him despite the fact she hadn’t even knocked on his door. She had an oversized t-shirt on and baggy sweatpants, but to him she looked like an absolute vision. 

“Not at all, doll.” Bucky backed up and let her in, slowly shutting the door behind him. When he turned, she was sitting on the edge of his bed and was wringing her hands. He sat beside her nudging her shoulder with his own, “penny for your thoughts?” 

“A whole penny?” Lori smiled at him, “don’t know if they’re worth that much.” 

“They are to me,” he answered simply, chuckling as she shook her head like she was shooing away a worrisome fly, “you shouldn’t shoot yourself down like that, you know?” 

“Like what?” She tucked one of her legs under her, angling herself to face him and leaning back on the headboard of his bed. 

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He gazed at her, admiring the pink tint that had flushed into her cheeks, before shifting to face her more fully, “You holding up okay?”

“Yeah, I’m doing okay, thanks to you. By the way, you never told me any of your good pick-up lines the other day.” Lori was deflecting, Bucky knew that. He had been seeing Raynor twice a week, perfecting that art himself, but he indulged her anyways, laughing slightly. Her eyes fell back to her hands that had begun fidgeting again. 

“Let’s see, I remember being at a diner once and when the waitress asked what we wanted to eat. I said, ‘You’re a swell dish, I think I’m gonna go for you.’ We’d just been to see Public Enemy.” He grinned at the memory. 

“That’s so cheesy! Did it work?” She was looking up at him now, a soft smile on her lips. 

“‘Course it worked, what do you take me for?” Bucky shook his head, “I used to be quite the charmer.”

“She look like Mae Clark?” She asked him. Wait, had she just looked at his lips? 

He wet his bottom lip with his tongue, “Nah, but she wasn’t half bad to look at. Not as pretty as you.” 

Lori blushed, looking away from him, disbelieving, “You? You think I’m pretty?” 

“Doll, I think you’re gorgeous.” Bucky smiled down at her, tenderly, carefully, he leaned forward and tipped her face up to meet his eyes. “You got this curly, gorgeous hair” he tugged a strand of it which coiled back up the second he let it go, “long lashes, and big eyes that would make any guy weak in the knees.” 

“Yeah?” She had definitely looked at his lips that time, pulling her bottom one into her mouth with her teeth. 

“Absolutely,” He glanced down at her lips again before meeting her eyes. A pause hung between them, heavy and tense, in a way that he’d forgotten about. He hadn’t done this since 1943, but now, with Lori, he didn’t want to see how many girls he could win a kiss from. Just that he could keep kissing her for as long as she’d let him. The fire in his veins he’d been desperately trying to tamp down flared again, but now was not the right time. After all Lori had been through, he didn’t want to seem like he was taking advantage of her, and she’d told him how fast her ex had moved on her, like a predator hunting its prey. The last thing Bucky wanted to do was make her think that she had no choice in this. Even if it would break a part of him - the desperate want for a partner to walk through life’s trials, a partner who could be a safe harbor from the storms that seemed to rip through his life so often - he didn’t want to take advantage of her while she was hurting and healing herself. It wouldn’t be fair to Lori. 

“Hey, James?” Lori’s voice saying his name made his heart squeeze, it was like a blessing every time it fell from her lips. 

“Yeah, sweetheart?” He noticed that the pet name made her flush with pleasure. 

“Are you gonna kiss me, already?” Lori’s voice was quiet, as though she too knew that this request would break the fragile wall that still stood between them. 

He looked at her for a long time, his gaze taking in her face, her delicate mask containing her desperate want to break down that wall. He wanted that too, but he didn’t know if the timing was right. “I want to, I do, I really do, Lori, but I don’t want to overstep. I don’t want to rush you into anything you aren’t ready for.”

Lori’s lips parted in surprise at his answer, her brow furrowing, but the flush on her face had crept down to her chest. She shifted forward, eyes fixed on his own face, searching it for confirmation of his feelings. “You aren’t rushing me, James. I wouldn't ask if I didn’t want you to kiss me.”

“Lori,” Bucky took a breath and delicately cupped her cheek in his left hand, the vibranium cradling her smooth cheek, “I’m falling for you, doll. I’m falling hard and I’m falling fast, but I want to do this right. I don’t want to take advantage of you in any way, and you deserve the world, not a broken old man with 70 years of bad memories.”

She sucked in a breath and her eyes widened, before her words came out in a tumble, “I want this, I want you. And I don’t think you’re broken, I think you’re incredible. James, I’m falling for you too, I…I really like you, like I haven’t liked anyone in…well, ever. You’re not rushing me. ” 

Bucky felt euphoric, relief and exhilaration rushing through his body, but the nagging doubt in his mind about his past made his happiness flicker. It must have shown on his face, because she put her hand on his vibranium one on her cheek, a small measure to show she didn’t want him to let go. “Lori, I’ve…I’ve done so much…bad in this world. I hurt people, not because I wanted to, but because they made me, and I don’t know what I would do if those people ever went after you…” 

Lori turned and left a soft, delicate, precious kiss on the palm of his vibranium hand. “James, I know you are still working on your amends, but I don’t see an ex-assassin or a monster when I look at you. I see the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met who wants to care for me the way I care for  him. I want to support you like you’re supporting me. Fuck timing.” Bucky couldn’t help but laugh when the rare swear word passed her lips. “James,  waiting for the perfect time is a waste, we both know life doesn’t play fair.”

A charged silence lay between them, Bucky could move close the gap. Take her breath away with passionate kisses and carnal desire, but all he could think was how this, this moment needed to be special. She deserved it all, the romance, the flowers, being treated how an incredible woman should be treated. He could hardly wrap his head around the fact that she cared for him. But she was also right, fuck timing. He thought he would find this 70 years ago. His smile was confident as he leaned in a bit closer to Lori, bending forward so their noses brushed, “‘You free for dinner, tomorrow night?”

Lori nodded, closing the gap between them, pressing a chaste, sweet kiss to his lips, which he returned, moving in closer, winding his fingers through her curly tendrils of hair. It was unhurried and unrushed, like they had all the time in the world, that their alarm clock wouldn’t be going off early the next morning. In this perfect, precious moment, there was no threatening ex-boyfriend, no new generation of super soldiers, no fighting, no strife. There was just a man and a woman, sharing their first, tender, precious kiss. Lazy, soft kisses followed, as he gently laid her down, bracing himself above her with his vibranium arm and while he ran his other through her wild mane of curls. When they finally broke apart, he found himself breathless with awe, staring at the vision laid out under him before gently leaning his forehead against her own. 

“I gotta be dreaming, doll” Bucky finally managed, voice hoarse and full of the love he felt. 

Lori laughed, nuzzling her nose against his, “Why’s that?” 

“Cuz this has only happened in my wildest dreams.” Bucky smiled, certain that he looked like a fool, but he didn’t care. 

[docholligay]

Reminder of your discovery of the moment Roy and Hawkeye took over your mind

Yes thank you!!

Okay I think I figured it out, I reserve the right to be wrong. But I was rewatching some stuff last night and trying to figure out the moment it went from "Oh, I really enjoy Hawkeye! I love an extremely capable woman who is allowed to be a little distant," and, "Oh by god, I do sometimes love a magnificent bastard. Way to go, Roy." Where I was basically just having fun with them while dealing with Ed's magical special boy times*. I like an adult character that I'm allowed to have all kinds of feelings about.

I HAVE ONLY SEEN TO EPISODE 15 PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT SPOIL ME

But while I enjoyed them, it was only fairly recently that I basically got lit on fire, and when you asked me, I realized I hadn't really THOUGHT about it that much.

So I think the beginning of it all was the end of episode 13. I mean, I liked them before, I was delighted to have Ed come back but mostly I was excited to have Roy fucking rag on him again, because, well, i think it's funny. I have some nascent feelings about Roy's relationship to Ed and what I think about all that, but I'm going to let them percolate a little bit. Anyway.

So we have this at the end of episode 13:

and this is what I said:

Also, I really love how we have who I would consider to be their seconds, their right hands, side by side holding their coats. I never really thought about how, different as they are, Hawkeye is to Al as Roy is to Ed. I had one brief moment where I wondered if Hawkeye knew why Roy stopped but of course she fucking did, she’s just the kind of loyal who would never say anything.

So this got me starting to turn their relationship in my head, because in this episode, she also basically tells him to shut the fuck about wanting the be Fuhrer, the walls have ears. She's sitting here holding his coat instead of just letting him deal with the problem his own damn self. And it got me thinking about this heady sort of loyalty, and how when he's exiled to Eastern, he or she or both of them make sure that Hawkeye goes with him, and not even the powers that be are willing to punish them both harshly by splitting them up. (and it WOULD be a punishment). I've thought about this quite a bit since then, how Al and Hawkeye are both much steadier and more reliable people, and the movements of their lives are determined by a couple of blustering arrogant disasters they can't walk away from. Who love them, but are...sometimes just kinda self-absorbed assholes.

Anyway, it made me really start thinking about the two of them.

REMINDER NOT TO TIP MY HAND TOWARD ANYTHING IN ANY WAY

But what really did it? @morkaischosen prompting me to write something about them. I think I've spoken before about the monologue at the end of HIll House, with Leah and Steve, and how I think a lot of writers, and certainly me, worry that might be true. That no one or nothing is real until you've written about it. Writing about things forces me to turn things over in my head, roll them around in my hands, it makes me think more intensely about people and events and ideas. My feelings about things and people become deeply ingrained in how and if I write about them.

Couple that with the fact that I actually started that fic from Roy's perspective, so getting into his head and how he thought about things, and I got like...75% of the way done before I decided to try from Hawkeye's view. I do this sometimes with those kind of prompts, just write a bit as both until I figure out who feels right for the bit. I normally don't get so FAR into one, though, I just took it for granted I knew Roy better. So now I had a real thought about they both think and function and how they fit together.

That set it on fire. All of a sudden, I was just, there. The encouragement helped in the way of writing about it out loud, but I mean, there are things I think about all the time that I don't publish because I know people aren't really interested, and they could easily become that, but it would have always been something from that moment.

It sucks in some ways to be watching this the way I am and to feel about them the way I do, because I am ass-deep in thinking about them, and wondering how do you 'make' a Roy or a Hawkeye, and I'm sure that at some point the show will hand me their tragic anime backstory and I don't want to be like, "well I like mine better so there' ahahah.

PLEASE DO NOT SPOIL ME FOR ANYTHING OR CONFIRM OR DENY OR ANYTHING

*which seem to be...and god I'm afraid to hope...waning? Him getting his whole ass handed to him, without question, outgunned, outrun, and/or outwitted, twice in quick succession, has made me put some trust pieces back on the board

[colleybri]

Past The Rust

I thought long and hard about what to do for today’s “That’s just love” relationships theme for @andorappreciation … there are so many complex and beautiful relationships in Andor. This is one that we see so little of but care so much about because we can see exactly what Clem meant to Cassian. Using his name at the heist, acknowledging his Jyn-like naivety that the Empire is not a problem if you just ignore their flag, the horror of the memory of what happened that cold day 13 years ago… and finally the simple and happy father-son-making-a-mess memory that allows Cassian to grieve properly, perhaps for the first time.

Clem, like Nemik, knows it’s important to look past the rust. To see the value in something that had been discarded as worthless and not fit for use. That’s Cassian. He cleans up nicely.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this internal monologue.

…

I’m sorry that I never did call you “Dad” while you were alive.

Perhaps if your name had started with the same letters it would have been easier for me. Perhaps you were a little jealous when, while I was learning your language, I said “Ma” and you and she had realised about the coincidence for the first time. She had laughed and looked delighted, and I had smiled. So had you, but a little sadly, I thought.

But I used your name with the exact same love. And in time you became to me the figure I thought I had lost forever: my father. My Dad.

I’m sorry, too, that I haven’t thought about you often enough in the way that I would have preferred to. What I mean is - I thought about you a lot. Every day. But always with the association of what happened to you. And to me. Your memory had always brought me pain, because even when I remembered you alive I also saw you dead. Cold, stiff and dusted with frost. The rope, creaking. And I always tasted the acid bile of my grief and my horror and my pain, retched into my mouth, burning me so badly that I would always swallow it back down so it could churn and boil below, contained as much as I could contain it.

See? Even now, though I’m not much good usually with fancy language, the horror is apparently more vivid to me than the joy of remembering you. When I let it overpower me again.

But I’m changing that. I’ve already started, I think.

You see, a few months ago I was asked to do something brave. I was going to be paid for it, but the danger was clear to me from the scale of the job. It turned out to be even worse. But before I knew that … I chose to be you. I chose your name. I thought I could make you live again, a little, through me.

I know you told me, before you died, that it was “not our fight”. I love and respect you enough to tell you that you were wrong. I knew it then, deep down, and I know it even more now. Then, I fought in the only way I knew how to. With just my rage and sense of justice - and a stupid stick. And I paid the price for all that so bitterly that I went on to convince myself that you had been right, and that the fight wasn't ours and was something to avoid.

But you can’t avoid this. You just can’t ignore it. Because if you ignore it, it doesn’t go away. It just gets worse. We have let it get worse and worse and it’s almost too late to do anything about it. Almost, but not quite.

I learned this lesson for myself. I can’t ignore what is happening, not anymore.

When I first used your name - borrowed you - I was like you: a man who didn’t want to fight, but one who grew to love and respect his new family members. So I ended up wanting to fight for them.

And just as you had welcomed me into your life and your heart despite your early misgivings, so too I learned to love, and to care for others outside of my own circle. I didn’t want to give up on them. I grew to care.

So you might not have approved, at first, of what I chose to do but I think that in the end you would have been proud of what I did. And what you did too, living on in your name, as part of me.

I was so proud to have you with me.

And I had you with me again, earlier tonight. I came here for Ma's funeral. Though I can’t mourn her yet. There's too much raw pain - I can hardly stand to think about it all, can hardly stand to think about her. All I can think about is how I left her. How I had only just missed her. So I went straight to you, for comfort, perhaps in the knowledge that I can now properly mourn you. And this time, the memory came bright and pure and hopeful. I didn’t see your body and I didn’t think of the pain. I thought of you, whole. A simple happy memory from simple happy times. It made me sad, of course, but I smiled anyway. You had lived again for me, and this time through a loving memory. But also one with a lesson. It’s like you were trying to speak to me, having me remember that particular moment. I am pretty good, I am discovering, at learning. You would be proud of me, I think, if you could see how adaptable I am becoming. Practically, but also in terms of understanding and acting on … I suppose I should call them: deeper messages.

I cleaned up nicely, I think. People didn’t look past my rust. But there is still a lot of good in me. Iron. Pure Ferrix iron. I am dissolving away my rust in new resolve. You see, I need to be put to use again. I have salvaged myself from the yard, been repurposed as a weapon. I have been welded together with my need for freedom and justice. I have been oiled with new resolve. And I have been fuelled with love.

I don’t know how effective I will be though, as this weapon, against such a huge and solid fortress of hate and oppression. Just like Nemik describes - I’m alone, unsure and I feel dwarfed. I have lived and loved and lost so much.

Bix. Tomorrow, I am going to die, probably, trying to save her - even though maybe there's nothing left to save except her honour and her memory. I will fight for her because I love her, and I owe her so much that I could never hope to pay off my debt - except like this. I don’t think I valued love enough until I accepted once again how hard it is to lose it. But also because if I don’t try, I will have failed in this fight before I have even properly started.

If I live, if I succeed, I think I will go on fighting. I think I have found the man I really am. Either way, I don’t want to go back to who I was in these years since I lost you. I like the new me better. Because I respect him. Because he reminds me of you, at your best. I will keep my eyes open. I will look for possibilities everywhere.

I think I have a choice, now. If I hide or run again, none of this will go away. And nothing that I have done will matter. I have to fight. I have to save those I love. Those I have left. Those who are still alive, but also the the memory of those I have lost. You. Ma. Kerri. My first parents. Nemik. Kino. All the others. But I also simply have to try to stop allowing others, who I don’t even know, to be forced to feel the same pain that I have - of this injustice, this tyranny, this hate. I have to help bring the Empire down or die trying. That’s something I know beyond doubt that I can do: I can try.

I will try.

I know you always loved me. Maybe now you can be proud of me too. As I can be proud of you.

I love you, Dad. And I’m so proud to be your son.

[mortalscience]

tag game 💜 get to know me!

tagged by @midnightsandwriting! thank you <3 it only took me forever to do this, haha.

kinda long so behind the cut if you don't care :D

1) are you named after someone? nope

2) when is the last time you cried? a few days ago when I was making sad gifs from 18x03 of CM haha

3) do you like your handwriting? no, it's terrible :( I have to really concentrate to make it look acceptable but usually it's scribbles.

4) what is your favourite lunch meat? turkey, especially honey roasted

5) do you have kids? no, unless you count cats, in which case I have 5 :)

6) if you were another person, would you be friends with you? hell yeah, i'm delightful :D

7) do you use sarcasm? who doesn't?

8) do you still have your tonsils? I do indeed

9) would you bungee jump? never in a million years.

10) what is your favourite kind of cereal? I don't eat cereal but not for any high and mighty reason, but because I will house an entire box in two days and cannot be trusted around such a delicious sugary snack. However on the rare occasions I have cereal, I love Corn Pops the best.

11) do you untie your shoes when you take them off? no, I slip them on and off.

12) do you think you're a strong person? yes, I've even been told so

13) what is your favourite ice cream flavour? peppermint stick! my favorite since I was a kid. it's sooo good!

14) what is the first thing you notice about people? smile, that is a big thing to me, I love seeing people's smiles

15 ) red or pink? pink!!!

16) what do you least like about yourself physically? my weight lol

17) what colour pants and shoes are you wearing now? I'm in bed and wearing neither..

18) what was the last thing you ate? caramel corn

19) what are you listening to right now? Bastille - Warmth. I love the album this song is on sooo much.

20) if you were a crayon, what colour would you be? uhhh yellow?

21) favourite smell? the blossoms of a sweet acacia tree, there was one outside my old house and it smelled amazing. I miss that tree

22) who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? I don't even remember. I don't talk on the phone, lol.

23) favourite sport to watch? baseball, though I haven't watched a game in yearrrsss

24) hair colour? dark brown

25) eye colour? hazel

26) do you wear contacts? no. I tried once in high school when I fell into the "glasses are ugly" trap, and the contacts were annoying as hell and irritated my eyes a lot. and I kept falling asleep with them in which is a no-no. anyway that lasted maybe a year and i've been a glasses girlie ever since.

27) favourite food to eat? Korean, I go feral for it

28) scary movies or comedy? honestly neither of these movies genres are really my thing. I like some scary movies and some comedies, I have a few faves from those genres, but scifi movies are my favorite overall genre

29) last movie you watched? The Fifth Element.. one of my favorites!

30) what colour shirt are you wearing? blue

31) summer or winter? winter. I live in the desert and summer is not fun (we're already hitting the 100s and it's not even June yet), winter is when I can leave the house and enjoy the outside.

32) hugs or kisses? hugs :3

33) what book are you currently reading? none because fanfic has a death grip on my heart

34) who do you miss right now? my cat Geiger - she is alive and well, but I am in my bed and normally she sleeps in bed with me. however right now I am taking care of a mom cat + kittens that someone found on the street so they are in my bedroom with me, and Geiger is excommunicated for now. but she's my night time snuggle gal so I miss her!

35) what is on your mouse pad? it's like a vaporwave anime-styled cityscape

36) what is the last tv program you watched? Stargate SG-1

37) what is the best sound? a purring cat <3 <3 <3

38) rolling stones or the beatles? neither are my fave.. probably The Beatles has more songs in their catalog I enjoy, but Paint it Black is probably better than every song from the Beatles.. so, hard to pick.

39) what is the farthest you have ever travelled? 3000 miles.. I grew up on one coast then moved to the other

40) do you have a special talent? I don't think so..

41) where were you born? the United States

42) people you expect to participate in this? whoever wants to do it! :D have at it. my brain is too mushy to tag people right now.

[cailynwrites]

In doing my HP Birthday podfic extravaganza of 47 unique pods last year (see the whole collection HERE), I came across quite a lot of rare pairs. I'm an equal opportunity shipper and variety truly is the spice of life, so I wanted to share some of my fave rare pairs that I read last year. In Part 1, I will share some rare pairs that I read or listened to and in Part 2, I will share some rare pairs that I podded myself. Enjoy!

Part 1, in alphabetical order, below the break ...

dispersion point by SchrodingersHalfling, podfic by ambivalently_certain (G, 5k, 40 minutes, Harry x Ron)

“Harry, when it happened… I was thinking of you.” Harry swallows thickly. Sometime in the future Ron gets hit with some unknown magic and with no way of knowing he would survive, his last though had been of Harry. It makes him wonder what Ron had been about to say in the forest. (or, Harry has known Ron his entire life; it doesn't change much, but it's enough that he's there)

The Favourite by @mallstars (E, 17k, Draco x Harry x Ron)

On a throne of glitzing clutter, Draco Malfoy sits like a degenerate prince. His robes are the colour of sour champagne, celestial patterns stitched across the sweeping silk where it drapes over sharp shoulders and cradles a spindly waist. A rain of glitter dangles from one of his ears, and his expression is nauseating. The curl of his lip, the upturn of his pompous nose. Draco is a criminal. Harry and Ron are the Aurors who arrest him.

Hear Me Out by @rainstormradish (E, 5k, Draco x Harry x Ron)

“I know this is all just a big joke to you,” whispered Draco, his lips inches from Ron’s ear, his breath on his neck, his hips pressed against him, Merlin, “but I need you to fucking commit to the bit here, Ron.”

ink and paper prayers by @kitsunerei88, podfic by @juuls (T, 11k, 1.5 hours, Cedric x Cho)

It’s OWL year, and Cho Chang has too many things on her mind. She needs top grades, especially because she didn’t make prefect, and no Quidditch this year only means one less thing that can go on her Healer applications. On top of that, she has her traditional Chinese paper magic exams in the summer, and therefore absolutely no time for bullshit. Enter Cedric Diggory: seventh-year, Hufflepuff prefect, and Triwizard Champion. 

Lost and Found by @jetainia, podfic by JocundaSykes (G, 2k, 13 minutes, Kingsley x Sirius)

Despite losing the one thing that could lead them to each other, they still managed to come together.

Molly Weasley and the Second Cousin by ZebJeb, podfic by TheLastVoice (T, 2k, 17 minutes, Arthur x Molly)

Molly's children do not know much about her second cousin, besides him being an accountant or something. She has a good reason to keep her family in the dark.

Ron Weasley and the Clothes of Doom by Liesha130 (E, 33k, Blaise x Ron)

Do the clothes make the man? Ron Weasley thinks he has no chance, until one night when he dresses up and Blaise Zabini can’t take his eyes off him. The solution is easy, then, right? Ron just has to keep dressing up, and Blaise will keep wanting him. But every time Ron puts the new clothes on, he’s sent spiraling off into a past filled with insecurity. Will he really be able to keep this up without going completely bonkers? And what does Blaise actually want from him, anyway?

The Taste of Țuică by @fluxweeed, podfic by @lastontheboat (E, 15k, 1.5 hours, Draco x Harry x Ron)

It’s quite one thing for your best mate to casually tell you about all the sex his boyfriend wants to have. It’s altogether another to have him bring up the time you snogged him in a shitty Central London park.

Vigil by kelly_chambliss, podfic by JocundaSykes (T, 4k, 25 minutes, Minerva x Severus)

On the night after the Battle of Hogwarts, Filius and Minerva sit with Severus.

why not both by varnes, podfic by @blackestglass (M, 14k, 2 hours, Hermione x Ron x Viktor)

“Small baby,” Krum diagnosed, sounding delighted by this. “World too big, yes? Wants back in small, warm place, yes?” Ron realized that he was holding his breath. He glanced over at Hermione, who was looking at Krum like she was definitely, absolutely going to leave Ron for him, and honestly, at this moment, Ron felt that was fair. Ron was going to leave himself for Krum. Ron was going to rob all the banks in the world to get Viktor Krum back his money as long as it meant he’d keep their beautiful, perfect, angelic monster of a screaming baby quiet. “I want to be in a small, warm place,” Hermione muttered, and then squeaked a little realizing she’d said it out loud. Rose giggled. “Shidole,” she whispered, looking pleased and interested, smacking at Krum’s chest. “Rose, don’t call our guests shitholes,” Hermione scolded, and then said, “Viktor, you can stay as long as you like.” - Or: The Ron/Hermione/Krum fic that absolutely nobody was hankering for in the year of our Lord 2020.

BONUS CROSSOVER - I'm not usually a fan of crossovers, but this one is particularly adorable.

Fireworks by @copperbadge, podfic by @tinypinkmouse (T, 2k, 15 minutes, Remus (HP) x Angua (Discworld))

Remus Lupin gets a little lost in the Discworld, and meets someone who really gets him.

[honeyjars-sims]

3.2 Lover I Don't Have to Love

“She was just bitching at me all day and I had enough. 'Carina, you didn’t bring the napkins to table 13. Carina, why aren’t you checking on your tables? You look pissed off, Carina, the customers aren’t going to feel welcome.'" Carina passed a small baggie to Larisa, who then passed it to Johnny.

It was a weeknight, but he didn't think twice about indulging. It wasn't like he had anywhere to be the next day, except back at the club. "Like no shit I look pissed off, she wouldn’t leave me alone," Carina continued, barely pausing to breathe between sentences. "So I told her I don’t need this job anyway and just walked out. Johnny, are you listening?”

Johnny finished snorting the powder off his hand. "Yeah, sure. Sounds like you’re better off without that job.”

"Where’d you even get this shit?” Larisa asked, apparently unimpressed with her free gift.

"From Stephen, why?”

"Ugh, I don’t buy from him. He cuts it too much. Don’t you think so, Johnny?” Larisa was always searching for an opportunity to stir up some drama.

"I don’t know, it seems okay to me.” Truthfully, Johnny didn’t really care about the quality as long as it got the job done.

Coke wasn't his first choice--he didn't like how agitated it made him feel once it started wearing off--but he welcomed any kind of distraction these days.

That was what drew him to Carina and her friends. They weren’t all that nice but they knew how to have a good time.

"Well, he gives me a discount.”

"Why, are you fucking him or something?”

"Actually, yeah, I am,” Carina admitted with a laugh.

"Oh my God, don’t say that in front of Johnny! He’s going to get jealous.” There was a bit of delight in Larisa’s voice on the last word, as though she was hoping she was right.

"Nah, he doesn’t care. Look at him, he’s fucked up anyway.” She was right, on both accounts. His interest in Carina was purely physical. It was a bit freeing; Carina was an adventurous lover and Johnny enjoyed exploring new things in the bedroom with her.

Occasionally, though, his mind would start wandering to Lexie. He could remember how it felt having her body intertwined with his, the softness of her skin against his palms as he held her close, how easily their breaths fell in sync. If he fixated on it too long he’d remember how little those moments had actually meant to her and end up in a spiral of self-loathing.

With Carina it was different—she didn't love Johnny either, but at least she was attracted to him. It boosted to his ego to be desired by someone.

That was what kept him coming back. Sometimes he’d feel the urge to ask her about her favorite memory or what made her feel inspired but he knew there was no point in getting to know her on a deeper level. In a few months time they’d have both moved on with their lives and she’d just be some girl he fucked for a few weeks when he was 19.

The rest of the night was a blur.

By mid morning Johnny ended up in Carina’s bedroom with her and her best friend Skyla. He supposed he should feel lucky to have two beautiful women pleasuring him, but he didn’t really feel much of anything.

Despite his best efforts, his thoughts turned to Lexie once again. He wondered if it was possible for someone to love him as much as he’d loved her, and if he would ever feel that way again.

Previous | Beginning of story | Beginning of chapter | Next

[amethystfairy1]

(Buckle up, this is gonna be a long one.)

Hi! Hello! How are you? :]

Let me just say, your work is simply incredible.

I've been binge-reading your TTSBC series for a few days now, as you can probably tell from all the kudos (you deserve them!), and I have been going crazy

First of all, I think this was the first Hermitcraft ship fic I've read. Conclusions/thoughts;

1) You've made me a flower husbands fan, great job, I am now obsessed with them

2) the relationship between Scott and Martyn is so precious to me, you have no idea

3) I am now a fan of ALL the relationships you've written; flower husbands, treebark, desert duo, Tango/Zed, Lizzie/Joel, Shelby/ Katherine, Etho/Doc (I hope I didn't forget anyone)

4) PEARL IS A MENACE AND I LOVE HER. SHE IS MY FAVOURITE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. She is the big sister™ and she is the best

5)Scar is a sweetheart and that is a FACT. HE WAS SO SWEET TO CUB?? AND TO GRIAN?? I LOVE HIM

6) I absolutely love mom Cleo, her and Bdubs are so kind and thoughtful and caring to each other, I will simply explode

7) KATHERINE STRAIGHT UP JUST SAID "nope" AND WENT BACK TO THE UNDER-CITY

8) I need more Scott as a journalist. I need to see his hunger to get all the details. I need to see him use his silver-tongue skills on someone, and I need to see Jimmy(or anyone) be scared but also fascinated. I need to see more Scott and Pearl fighting for the best interview.

I don't even watch cc!Scott, and now look at me. Im obsessed with his character.

9) PESKY BIRDS BEING LITTLE WAS THE CUTEST THING EVER I WILL CRY TEARS OF JOY. SMALL BDUBS?? CHILDREN ARE SO CUTE

10) I also,,, kinda,,, want to see someone react a bit badly to seeing their partner being from the under-city. Maybe,,, Martyn being angry with being lied to? Maybe,,, Scott screaming at him that what he's doing is helping no one? Maybe, maybe,,,,

(im secretly an angst-girlie at heart, what can I say. I love me some good hurt/comfort)

11)JOEL AND LIZZIE'S BACKSTORY IS ALL I NEEDED IN LIFE, I CAN NOW DIE HAPPILY

12) please let zed and tango have a happy ending pleasepleasepleasePLEASEPLE-

13) also the titles have all been so cool! I saw a post of yours that said you use terms of endearment, and I thought that was really cute :)

14) SOUP GROUP

In conclusion, I am crazy for your work, please feed us more.

To show you how crazy I've been over this series;

I went completely nuts, explaining to my friend some basics about it the moment I was sure I've read everything, and Im probably gonna make them read it too. I've already sent them the link to the series.

They are not even a Minecraft fan. They don't know what Hermitcraft is.

Anyway, this was all to say; you're amazing, your work is truly fantastic, your writing style is one of the best I've ever seen/read (and I've read a lot of fics, do not doubt me)

Please don't feel forced to write anything I've said! I'm just throwing ideas that came over my head when reading!

(your traveling thieves series is also amazing! Im just currently full of ttsbc thoughts rn, its eating me alive /pos)

Hope my spam liking was not annoying!

Have a great day!

:D

It was not annoying in the SLIGHTEST!

Hello hello, thank you, thank you! I'm so glad TTSBC has been so enjoyable for you and that you've had fun binge reading all of it!

I am delighted and honored to be the first author you've read that has written Hermitshipping and that you've enjoyed it and it's caused you to love all my ships! That's a great day for a fanfic author!!!

FLOWER HUSBANDS ARE MY FAVORITE! More people who like Flower Husbands? HAPPIER I AM! It is a DIRECT correlation!

Someone commented at some point that they reminded them of drunk girls comforting each other in the bathroom after a party, and I think that's exactly accurate 😆

YES! ALL THE SHIPS!

Pearl is the Big Sister ™️ of the group and if anyone hurts any of her little siblings it is game over!

Scar is SUCH a sweetheart in this AU! He's a superhero, he's a boyfriend, he's a best friend, he's a professor, and he's just doing his best to juggle it all!

Zom-Mom and Sentient Glowstick. Only the best combo!

Katherine said "Wait crap I think that was the love of my life!" and dove back in!"

Journalist Scott will be making a return in several pieces of the future, don't you worry! We'll get to see him strut his stuff! I'm very glad I've gotten you to love c!Scott even if you don't watch cc!Scott, that's just the best!

PESKY BIRRRRRRRBS!

ooooo there's an angsty take. Hm. Well, there is certainly more angst on the docket for everyone, I assure you, and while I can't promise that brand of angst in particular, there is other stuff left to unpack! Please look forward to it!

JOEL AND LIZZE! BUTTERFLY AND CAT LADY! MARRIED FOR OVER A DECADE AND RUNNING A BAKERY! ADORABLE!

Zedango will return! That is all I shall say!

I'm so glad you like the titles! I think it's very cute but I have to admit I'm starting to struggle to come up with terms of endearment I haven't used before 😆

SOUP GROUP

I'm so glad you're trying to get your friend into TTSBC! The nice thing is I don't think it's too terribly difficult to spring into without context of watching any of the CCs because the characters all pretty much explain themselves within the AU. Maybe looking up some fanart for what everyone ought to look like, but it's not the worst thing!

Glad to hear you also like Traveling Thieves! I was gonna point you that way when you said you were an angst girlie so good that you're already there!

Thanks so much for coming by! 💖

[sea-side-scribbles]

Solas wakes up in the strange new world of his own making and it terrifies him. Ridden with guilt, he joins the Inquisition and begins his lonely research in order to correct his mistake.

He doesn’t expect to find consolation in the presence of a human who wields ancient elven magic without knowing it. Who is way too gentle for an elgar’thanelan, but doesn’t know that either.

Solas, for his part, doesn’t know how to stay away.

Dorian wonders if the mysterious elf just enjoys playing with a Tevinter. He wouldn’t expect anything else.

_____________________

Chapter 1- 13 | Right after uthenera, Solas is found by a Dalish clan. This goes well until it doesn’t. (Basically my excuse for world building and hilarious misunderstandings.)

Chapter 14 | Solas joins the Inquisition.

Chapter 20 | Dorian appears in Haven.

Chapter 34

Wandering up the hill to the village, Dorian heard the sounds from afar: the clanking of armour, blades hitting each other, the hammering in the smithy. And voices. "Is this version of Haven full of spirits?", he asked, already bracing himself. "It is full of images", Solas explained in a dreamy tone. "I assumed you would feel more comfortable there if it was not empty." "I can imagine this would've been eerie. Although now, we'd see a lot of actually dead people walking around”, Dorian couldn't help mentioning. "That is the nature of the fade.” The dreamer was almost reproachful. "It holds memories. As long as someone remembers, they will not be lost."

Dorian spotted a group of people walk out of the heavy gates, bows on their backs, about to hunt. Discussing something supposedly important, their voices were carried over to him, but their words were muffled. Solas watched them, too. "Hunters. Their party went out every morning to supply the Inquisition. I remember their names being called at the funeral." Now Dorian was ashamed he didn't remember them. Even though he couldn't possibly know every single soul of Haven. Did this have to become so sad?

Even Solas didn't seem to enjoy this. He looked up the mountain with a wistful expression that broke Dorian's heart. "Perhaps we avoid Haven for now. I wouldn't like to reopen any fresh wounds. And I don't think Fade-Flissa serves drinks in her tavern anyway", he tried to distract him, awkwardly fidgeting, because he didn't dare to put a hand on his shoulder. The elf actually lightened up a bit. "You don't think so?" The playfulness in his tone delighted Dorian in return. "Does she?” His curiosity awoke again. “How would this work?" "It would be just a memory. The taste, the temperature, the texture...But it would not sate you." "I've been told to never consume anything I'm given in the fade." "A safe sentiment, although not always necessary." Dorian threw his head back, laughing. "You're making the fade a lot more likeable.” "That is why we are here”, Solas said calmer, but still entertained. “To reduce the fear your Circles have taught you." "I'd say caution, not fear, but I nonetheless appreciate the invitation." To Solas' furrowed brows, he added: "To a drink. At Fade-Flissa's."

"...really? That is what you think about now? In the fade?" For some reason, Solas didn't like this. "Why not? If you're going to confront me with a spirit, at least I'd have a glass to hold on to. You know I'm shy like that!" The elf was the first person to manage an angry chuckle. "You are not ready to speak to a spirit yet." "But hopefully not because I'm enjoying myself?" Solas didn't answer. He walked on towards Haven, as if he angrily agreed to have a drink. With a boost of courage, Dorian planted himself in front of him and pressed both his hands against the slender shoulders. The fur of his coat felt really fluffy on his skin. He wasn't ready to have the freckled face so close to him, and the violet eyes piercing his own, but he had to pull through.

"Solas, please", he said to the hardened features, "I believe we've been through this already. Let me comfort you. This time, we're even about to be in a tavern." He added a smirk to the last sentence. Solas stared over Dorian's shoulders, as if annoyed, but his mouth puckered. "You do remember my words", he stated, standing immobile like a statue. "Naturally, as I told you." Dorian let go of his shoulders, now that he halted. From a safer distance, he went on: "Don't get me wrong. I'm taking the fade very seriously. I just can't bear seeing sad elves. Especially when it's you. You have a way of lowering your ears that I just can't stomach." "And I thought you would be used to that sight.” Said elf was dry as sand paper.

The notion stung, but there was no way giving up now. "Call it a complex, if you must. If I see a sad elf, I get the feeling I have to do something about it." "You would have plenty to do at home." Solas tried to push him away, but he wouldn't have it. "I...suppose. But right now, I'm not at home. I'm here, with you." Dorian tilted his head, hoping to be just as adorable as Solas with this gesture. The elf turned his gaze away. “Come now, have a drink with me. I promise to behave.” Solas crossed his arms, but Dorian could see his shoulders tremble. “We will have to speak about Tevinter one day...”, he stated as if he read it from an agenda paper. “Of course. I'd like to. I love speaking about my homeland, and myself for that matter. But perhaps not here. The subject causes blood to boil and not in a good way.” Solas unfolded his arms and his posture relaxed a little. He headed into the direction of the Haven gates, less angry, probably. It was better than nothing.

Soon, Dorian needed to sort his own feelings, crossing through the place that didn't exist anymore, seeing people that never made it out of there. But even creepier were those that still lived. He had walked past Fade-Cullen and he had greeted him. Shuddering, he kept close to Solas when they went up the stairs, about to pass Fade-Varric. “I never thought I'd prefer formless wisps pulling at my hair.” The elf gave him a more sympathetic look. “Then perhaps the images were not a good idea.” Before Dorian could answer, Fade-Varric interrupted them: “Sparkler? Chuckles? You two together? That's a rare sight. What are you up to?” His voice sounded strangely far away. Otherwise it was a flawless depiction of their favourite storyteller. The two exchanged glances. Solas seemed to let the Tevinter sort it out. “Ah, you know, just the usual mischief”, he quipped at the fade-dwarf as if he was real. “Two mages plotting can't go well.” Not-Varric regarded them with a very convincing smirk. “Don't let Cassandra catch you.” “Noted. We'd rather keep our pretty heads on our necks.”

Moving on, Solas was annoyingly quiet. Dorian continued their conversation: “Is this what the fade feels like to you? How you watch forgotten memories? They play out in front of your eyes like this?” “They are not always this clear. Old memories blur over time. Even spirits that embodied strong emotions forget their meaning. I once found an ancient spirit who had been undisputed king of almost every land I had discovered. Like pride or rage, it was the fade’s reflection of a feeling. When I asked which one it was, the spirit faltered. 'They’ve forgotten,' said the spirit. 'There remains no word for what I was.'” “So, the fade doesn't sustain all memories forever. It's changing.” “As a part of our world, it changes with us.” Solas made it sound as natural as the tide. “Fascinating.”

Solas opened the door to the tavern to let him in. “Very kind of you”, Dorian said as he strutted in, already smelling the waft of stew, bread, ale, sweat, tears and blood this tavern always held. There wasn't much going on in the morning, and still it pulled at Dorian's senses. A group of villagers played cards, talking over each other, their voices echoing unnaturally. Sera slept in a corner with her head on the table, snoring like she always did. The bard sang quietly. In reality this would be a peaceful scene, but here, Dorian's ears fought the cacophony of distorted sounds. “Are you alright?”, Solas brought him back. Dorian wiped his eyes. “This is...obviously more than handling a few wisps. Give me a moment.”

Suddenly he felt Solas' fingers curl around his arm and his skin rejoiced at that. Finally something that felt real. Yes, that was the reason. The dreamer guided him to the bar while he still blinked against the images. A wide, sparsely landscape had been alright, but this narrow space with people and things so close overwhelmed him. And everything shifted. He needed to stare at something to make it stop and he noticed that in the corner of his eyes the images flew, free from his grasp. This might be the first time he'd puke in a bar without having drunk anything.

“Good morning, Flissa”, Solas then greeted the image. “Morning, you two”, he heard Fade-Flissa answer. “What's with him? Hangover? I'd have a recipe, but I'm sure Adan can help you better.” “No, no, don't worry about me.” Dorian waved his hand in the air. “It's the...uh...the allergies.” “Allergies?” “Yes. Best treated with alcohol. So, please, do your thing, would you?” There was a pause. Between blinking, Dorian noticed Fade-Flissa exchange glances with Solas, who shrugged. A few moments later, they finally had their drinks. Dorian sniffed at it. “Oh, it's that holy Chantry ale that tastes like nothing already in the waking world..What was the name...?” “Semibrew.” “Yes. Semi indeed, at best.” “Are you here to drink or to complain?”

The answer never left Dorian's lips, instead he closed his eyes and massaged his temples. The stimuli in this realm weren't kind to him. “Dorian?”, Solas reminded him that he was still with him, caring. “How about both?”, he answered, trying a smile. The elf shook his head. “Remember, you can end the session any time you like”, he suddenly said so smoothly, it wrapped the chaos into a warm blanket. “You do not have to do this.” Dorian grabbed Solas' sleeve. “Let's go outside. I need to breathe.” They went, and Dorian kept the mug pressed against his chest, trying not to drop it. Outside, he collapsed on a barrel behind the tavern, where no fade-people could bother him. Solas helped him sit upright and Dorian couldn't decide if he should be embarrassed or entranced. He was too busy taking breaths of fade-air. It was cool, but didn't burn in his lungs and satisfied him just as much. Then, when he could keep his eyes open again, he took a sip.

The taste caught him off guard. And disappointed him in a way he hadn't dared to expect. It was just... the boring, tasteless, somewhat sweet ale of Haven. He could swear it felt funny on his tongue, but couldn't figure why. When he looked up to the dreamer, he found him already with his nose deep in his mug. “Do you...enjoy this stuff?”, Dorian blurted out. “I have tasted worse”, was the pragmatic answer. And truly, as an apostate hermit...Dorian didn't want to imagine the culinary crimes he experienced. “Point taken.” Solas watched him then, like an enigma unfolding in front of his eyes. Dorian felt like he needed to say something. “This is...surprisingly unsurprising.” He lifted his drink. “It's exactly what you described.” “What did you expect?” “Honestly? I thought it would overwhelm my senses like the tavern does. I imagined the most entertaining scenarios, you know. Me fainting, crying for help, falling into your arms...Instead, nothing.” “It seems that my word has more weight than your hopes for entertainment.” “In this realm, at least.”

Solas dipped his head. The way his features tensed told Dorian that he had said something incredibly wrong again. “No. Dorian, what did I tell you about the fade?” “Solas, please, you have to be more specific than that!” But Solas remained quiet. “Come, now! You can't make me repeat everything you said in the last three days!” The elf just drank, unbothered by the Tevinter's despair. “Festis bei umo canavarum!” That just gave the dreamer a smirk he quickly hid behind the mug. Dorian, for the lack of other options, just drank as well.

Solas, not having to steady a dizzy Tevinter any longer, settled into a pose that was insufferably smug, leaning against the back of the tavern, legs crossing in a way that tilted his hips enough to show off the tight leggings. How was a man supposed to gather his thoughts like that? And Dorian could swear Solas knew.

With a swift movement, he joined the elf at the wall, placing a hand close to the pointed ears. Solas didn't flinch. “Found an answer?”, he asked, looking up from lowered eyelids, tone challenging. Dorian silenced. He felt their closeness that made his blood pound through his veins and for the first time, he wallowed in it. Solas was right before him. He was real. His enticing form didn't change or flicker under his gaze and his voice had the fullness of a real thing. Although their bodies were both manifestations of their dreaming minds, he felt the difference. Among the images, they were alone, sharing this intimate moment hidden from other eyes. For a glimpse, Dorian thought to see the hardened look in the other man's eyes change. Opening up to show the soul inside. Or it was just his imagination going wild, because Solas then pushed himself off the wall and brought distance between them.

“Really, Dorian?” He sounded frustrated. “Are you even trying?” “I am! Trust me! But I'm at a loss”, the Tevinter reluctantly went back to the point. Solas looked up to the sky and almost rolled his eyes before he pressed out: “Expectations is the keyword.” Eventually, the scales fell from his eyes. “Are you serious? You mean, if I expected this to taste like Agreggio Pavali, out of a dirty mug, nonetheless, I would've actually had a good drink?” The dreamer just eyed him then emptied his own drink. “What did you have?” Suddenly a million possibilities popped up in his mind. Solas put the empty mug on a barrel. “You still have much to learn. But I acknowledge this: you give my words credit.”

“But it can't be so simple, Solas. The fade isn't a wishing well that hands you exactly want you want all the time. Otherwise, it would be a paradise and we would all rather live in the fade.” “You never heard that having all your wishes fulfilled would be a curse?” A shade of a smile flashed over his features. “Yes, but that's only a word play in comparison to what we'd actually deal with.” “It is not as simple as fulfilling your wishes. You are not the only one forming this world. But you need to understand your own influence, for better or worse. You have power here.” Dorian remembered the wisp and saw why Solas would point this out. “I thought that only mattered for...” Solas waited for his answer. “The living.”

“You influence the fade in its entirety”, the dreamer said, but he sounded softer now. “Ah”, was all Dorian could say. “As for opposing powers: in this realm, that would be me”, Solas went on, giving him a faint lopsided smile. “Do you think I would deny you a drink you enjoy?” “Hmm.” Dorian lifted an eyebrow. “I can actually imagine you pleasing your mean streak.” Solas straightened himself and folded his arms behind his back, as if to emphasize his innocence. Dorian didn't have it. “Playing with a spoiled Tevinter?”, he slowly went on, pretending to ponder. “I can see that in my mind's eye.” “Careful”, the elf said and tilted his head, “with your expectations.” Dorian dared to step closer. Solas didn't move this time, not even when he leaned in to whisper into the offered ear: “I'm not saying I wouldn't like it, to a degree.” The pointed tip twitched. Dorian showed his teeth as the thing in his chest rejoiced.

Then Solas quickly broke the connection. “Either way, keep this in mind, Dorian”, he stated, walking away. “You are less of a visitor in the fade than a resident and every act, considerate or not, has consequences.” The Tevinter watched him leave, catching his breath. Perhaps it had been the right moment to warn him, but the loss still hurt. “I understand I exhausted your mind tonight”, the dreamer went on, much sadder now. “I have underestimated the influence of Haven's memories and for that, I am sorry.” “No harm done, Solas”, Dorian hurried to ensure him. “I find all of this rather exciting. And worthwhile. You should give lessons in the Circle.” The elf smiled sadly. “I rather not set foot into one. I might never get to leave.” “Because everyone would adore you so much.” Solas turned his head, annoyed or flattered, Dorian couldn't tell. He liked to imagine the latter.

“Your mind needs rest now,” he stubbornly stuck to the point. “Ah, but I'm not tired at all”, Dorian countered, not willing to give up. “You fail to remember your lessons and you usually don't have a bad memory”, Solas stung his ego. “Hey, that's unfair! You just caught me off-guard, right after the tavern. I'll do better, now that I'm warned.” “You would better spare yourself the shame and safe your energy for the march tomorrow.” Solas had no mercy. “I see, there's not way reasoning with you. That's a shame already. Who knows when you'll ever see me like this again.” He played with the hems of his precious robe. “The fade will keep this memory for a while”, the elf offered without blinking an eye. “Oh? It did leave a strong impression then?” “An impression, yes.” Dorian stared into Solas' eyes, not hoping to break the border but to leave a mark there. “There's your mean streak.”

Violet eyes turned away once more. “Rest well, Dorian.” His voice was honey on cream. “See you tomorrow.” The elf nodded, then the scene dissolved. Dorian didn't know how long he slept until he woke up.

During the day, Solas found his way back to Dorian Pavus, without giving it much of a thought. The Tevinter didn't mind it either and gladly began to ask questions about the fade.

They hadn't gone a long way until they spotted Blackwall among a crowd, apparently telling them a story that involved a lot of wide hand gestures and imitations of beastly growls. Solas had to smile at this, assuming he was adding more spectacular details to the memories since a lot of them had been too blurry for his taste.

"Didn't take him for a storyteller", Dorian commented on the commotion. "I thought that was Varric's job." "Grey Wardens tell their own stories", Solas said in his mysterious way that made Dorian wonder if there was more to it. "And Varric isn't here to take the place. Strange, I thought he'd be exploiting our skirmish to no end, but he's oddly quiet." At Solas' worried look, he added: "Likely because he's still writing. So, the attack might yet come." But Solas wasn't convinced.

He found Varric during a break, bending over scrolls and papers he spread over a barrel. He looked indeed occupied. Solas neared carefully. "Master Tethras", he began as if addressing a noble. He knew that it would tease the dwarf, who looked down at titles. "Chuckles," Varric said barely lifting his head. When he realized Solas wasn't just passing by, he asked: "Need something?" "You know I have taken on the role of a healer, for a lack of personnel", Solas explained himself. "Among other things." Varric eyed him sceptically. "What? I'm not a healer." "We have not seen each other since..." "Uh..." Varric regarded his notes as if the answer was written there. "...yeah."

Solas took a breath. "Are you alright, Varric?" The dwarf chuckled, but stiffly. "That's it? You creep up behind me to ask if I'm okay? You're something else Chuckles." Solas' mouth narrowed. "Now, don't frown. I'm just joking. You see I'm snug as a nug." He put his arms behind his head and grinned. "I would prefer to confirm that myself." "What? Wanna fuss over me like a nanny? You see I'm fine!" Calmer and with a wink, he added: "Missed me, huh?" Solas awkwardly shifted. "I must admit I wish I visited you sooner." "Aw, stop it. You didn't miss anything anyway. But come by when we're in that new base. I see a new bottle of Koslun's Tears coming." "I understand. My punishment is already on the way. I will endure it with grace." Varric clicked his tongue. "Lowbrow." Then he focused back on his writing.

"You would not hide any injuries, Master Tethras? That would be unwise." "You kidding me? I've seen what we're up against. I'm not turning myself into dragon fodder." Solas nodded, then silence followed. He figured he was dismissed. Judging by the dwarf's behaviour he knew that there was something bothering him. At least not an injury. "Maker's balls, Chuckles! I'm not a damsel in distress! Go help someone who needs it!" Solas winced at the outburst, then he left.

In the late afternoon, the shape of a mighty fortress appeared between the mountains. Voices rang out in the camp. The Herald hurried through the admirers, her advisors and friends behind her. At the top of a hill, she stopped to marvel at the sight. "It's here, and it's still standing", she gasped. Cullen next to her snorted in disbelief. "I guess I owe Solas an apology." "That can be done right away", Dorian said, popping up behind him. He turned around: "Solas, our Knight Commander likes to tell you something." He bravely faced the glare of said commander, probably because it was accompanied by a deeply pink blush.

Solas walked up to Cullen, face all innocent. "I'm sorry", the former templar said after clearing his throat. "I didn't think it was possible." "You apology is accepted." "I hope it looks as good in the inside, though." "I appreciate you favour inner values, Commander." Cullen gave him a confused look. Leliana laughed first, then Josephine giggled and everyone had a good time."You were right", Ellana told Solas when he joined her, a trace of sadness in her tone. "It doesn't look elven." Solas suppressed the notion that she wouldn't recognize an Elvhen monument if she saw one. "What remains is the name", he said instead, looking at it fondly. "Skyhold."

[lgvalenzuela]

Hi! 7 or 13 for the rook story time prompts?

Thank you so much for the prompts!

7. Rook being taught an important skill.

Zevran started at his wedding ring, equally as amazed as he was astonished. It had been a week a he was still delighted by the image of Ciara on that wedding dress. But now, what? Living a quiet life as a husband was not where he'd imagine he'd ever be. Especially not with...

Finn was a little older now, not as easily mesmerized by the first person with tattoos he'd ever seen. And he really didn't know what to do with all of this. It was on him for falling in love with someone who had a kid anyway.

Still, Finn would give him these big smiles and place flowers on his lap and maybe for even a brief moment, he'd think everything was going to be alright.

Right now the little boy seemed concerned about a toy box, maybe he was grounded, because it was locked. Finn fiddled with the padlock, with the cutest frown on his face. Until he gave up and started biting it. And as funny as it was watching a small child bite a piece of metal like they were an angry puppy (and it was very funny), that probably wasn't good for his teeth.

Zevran crouched near him, trying not to laugh:

"Hmh, perhaps I could have a try at that?"

Finn made looked at him with those huge green eyes of his, and made some space for him. Zevran looked at the padlock, not exactly the most difficult thing, hopefully he wasn't going behind his new wife's wishes when he cracked the chest open.

But at that moment Finn stopped being interested in the toys at all, he grabbed Zevran's sleeve:

"How you do that?" he asked

"...well..."

--------------------------------------------------

"Cielo" Ciara rested on the door frame, with her arms crossed

"¿Sí amor?" he asked

"Care to explain why my five year old knows how to use a lockpick?"

Zevran swallowed, already preparing a clever line:

"I can't belive you taught him that...before I did" she smirked, jokingly "Such a horrible mother"

She really was the perfect woman.

13. Rook visiting a place they love.

Finn sat next to Harding's garden, after everything he finally had a bit of time to unwind. Taash soon crouched down next to him, they've already talked about everything that happened so Finn just rested his head on their shoulder, as Taash awkwardly ruffled his hair:

"You're not going to say sorry again, are you? Because it really wasn-"

"Nah, I think I'm out of awkward moments"

"Oh okay" they sniffed "Good"

"After we lost Denerim, Harding made a recreation of my mother's violet garden, just wanted to enjoy it before I leave for Ferelden to help"

"Yeah I get that" they rested their head on his head "We'll come back here, right? To see each other?"

"I hope we do. You're a good friend. Besides, it's easier with all this eluvian bussiness" he chuckled "If you ever miss me just come see me"

"Shut up asshole, but I will" they looked at the violets "So, your mother's garden?"

"Yeah, I'll get her another one, whatever it takes"

"Good, I like your mom"

"I'll make sure she knows that"

[editorialsonlife]

So I've officially been unemployed for a month now, and I only just feel like I'm finally catching up on sleep and starting to feel vaguely human again.

We were in Melbourne last week and it was bloody delightful, but the week before that I went to the doctor because I was actually just so wiped out and he was like, not to be OTT about it or anything but this is burnout and you're in it basically. So thanks for that! All the blood tests came back ok though which is excellent news but also rude because a pill for low iron would be much more convenient than simply you need to rest for several months to get yourself back on track which is rude but anyway. I've dropped from 10 hours of sleep a night to 9 so I guess that's something? No longer feeling compelled to have an afternoon nap every day so that's helpful.

Melbourne was great, as it always is. We clocked up about 15kms a day of walking which was really good, and a nice reminder for this old overweight body that it can actually move and do things again. Ate a lot of delicious food, did some good shopping, caught up with family, and got to hang out together and buy some things for the new house as well which I guess really isn't so new anymore?

Had my first PT session today which was enjoyable? I think we're on the same page. I just need to relearn how to move in a body that's significantly heavier and less mobile than it used to be, and she was like, what do you even enjoy doing? How can we make this fun for you so you actually want to be here? which was a very refreshing perspective and she was like, let's just try some things and see what feels good and go from there? what a novelty. It's nice not to feel totally intimidated at the gym, and she's given me a cheap pack of PT sessions since I'm currently unemployed so winning for that.

Mum got an all cash offer with no conditions for her house so yay for that. She's moving on 13 December which will be nice to get her out of that house. finally.

Still haven't thought about a job or what comes next career wise but I also can't be bothered to stress about it? I've got enough savings to get me through til March so that's a good time. Happy with it in general.

Rest, exercise, good food and some creative fun stuff is on the cards and I'm happy for it.

Big yawn, need to cook dinner and go to bed!

[joedaytoday]

MLK Weekend 2024

Saturday, January 13, 2024

MLK weekend is here. Enjoying not having anyplace to be but home. It's cold and there's a light coating of snow on the ground. Dale and I are lounging on the couch and Sylvester is on Dale's lap. It's very cozy in here. We're contemplating shoveling the snow but we're not moving too fast to make that happen.

Later...

It's cold. Dale and I just got in from shoveling the little bit of snow that's on the ground. Glad we're not just south of us in Iowa which is also frigid but getting HAMMERED with snow.

For us it's notable because we've been way warmer than usual this season and we haven't had enough snow at any given time to shovel any more that what we got overnight. We've been spoiled but we're bracing ourselves. Who knows when but the monster snowstorm WILL come.

Even later...

I've come to regard MLK weekend as something of an extension of winter break. As a teacher I've always gotten a 2 week break around the holidays. Every other teacher I talk to says the two week mark is just when they feel they're starting to really relax. That's the case for me with summer break too. Anyway, the two weeks I've been back in school have been productive albeit tiring. There's some good stuff going on at work but I'll just leave that there for now as I need to give myself a mental break from thinking and talking about my job.

I'm sitting down now with a Fresca and listening to Christmas with Ed Ames, one of my favorite Christmas albums from childhood. Hearing these songs brings me right back to the living room in the house on Stevens at Christmastime.

Later still...

We had Fran, Charlie, and Christine from Gethsemane over for dinner tonight and it was really delightful seeing all of them. Dale and I made a lasagna that went over very well. Fran brought over lychee martinis which she's been telling me about for a while. I loved 'em. They're one part lime rum, 1 part lemon run, 1 part vanilla rum, and 1 part lychee liqueur.

[caitbird]

fic recs batch 6/13/2025 - part 2

Fandom: Enchanted Forest Chronicles - Patricia C. Wrede

The Balance of Affection, by RecessiveJean Rating: Gen Ship: Cimorene/Mendenbar Word count: 6k Status: Complete Summary: The King and Queen of the Enchanted Forest haven't shared a bed in more than a decade. Not that it's any of your business, really. My bookmark: Post-series, Mendenbar, Cimorene, and Daystar adjust to their new circumstances. I enjoyed this very much.

Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist

terrible ideas, by gracelesso, silentwalrus Rating: Explicit Ship: Roy/Ed Word count: 22k Status: Complete Summary: In which Ed gets high, and Roy gets bothered. My bookmark: SO funny, I was literally crying laughing while reading this.

Madame Christmas' Palace of Pleasures: Psychiatric Counseling Division, by silentwalrus Rating: Mature Ship: Roy/Ed, past Ed/OMC Word count: 6k Status: Complete Summary: It’s not the worst break-up. But between the realization that him only ever calling his boyfriend Elric and his boyfriend only ever calling him Brad might say something about the nature of their relationship, and the realization that Elric treated him with the same level of baffled amused affection as he did his brother’s cat, even, especially, in, and around the times they were having sex — anyway, there was a reason why it was better for both of them to break up. My bookmark: (sequel to terrible ideas) Ed’s ex-boyfriend tries to get over him, with questionable results. Roy does not help.

Fandom: Game of Thrones

*fav*you're in my blood like holy wine, by magneticwave Rating: Explicit Ship: Jon/Sansa, Arya/Gendry, Arianne/Jeyne Word count: 73k Status: Complete Summary: Sansa finds it difficult to look at Jon’s face, with its weathered lines and cragginess. It is the face of the North and a face that northerners trust; the face of Sansa’s brothers and her father, who had been loved and respected by their tenants as their forefathers had been when they were kings. How can Sansa feel anything but resentment, looking into that face and knowing that all of her years of hard work will never earn her the respect that that profile engenders within seconds? But she does. It is a small, burning coal of something that must be smothered. My bookmark: Long, superbly well written, absolutely delightful Jonsa Regency AU fic. Highly recommend!

Fandom: Harry Potter

stumble on a secret power, by pinkdementors Rating: Teen Ship: Harry/Ginny Word count: 15k Status: Complete Summary: All stories have a beginning. This is one of them: the diary, the girl, the quill dipped in ink. Don’t trust a magical object if you can’t see where it keeps its brain, Arthur would admonish months later, but Ginny had grown up in a house crammed with unknown magic, had no memory of a life separate from talking mirrors and singing teapots and the tinny complaints of Great-Uncle Alfie’s chess set. She was just turned eleven years old, and she wanted a friend. Was this to be her crime? My bookmark: Excellent Ginny character study. I have been wanting a story exactly like this for so long.

Eleven Up, by ryfkah Rating: Gen Ship: None Word count: 7k Status: Complete Summary: In 1990, prominent Muggleborn research wizard Cromwell Albertson embarked on an ambitious project to interview six Muggle-born students – before and after their life-changing discovery of their wizarding talent. He continued these interviews over the next nine years, a period of time which spanned both the Chamber of Secrets attacks in 1992 and Voldemort’s second rise and subsequent persecution of Muggleborns in 1997. The Pensieve Projection that resulted won a Superbius award for artistic excellence in 2002 and has been required viewing in the Hogwarts Muggle Studies course since 2008. My bookmark: An interesting idea for a fic, and I think it’s done really well. I really enjoyed getting to know the different Muggleborn characters included – main characters, minor characters, and original characters – and seeing their different personalities and perspectives and how they react to different canon events.

Stone Walls Do Not a Prison Make, by Anonymous Rating: Teen Ship: None Word count: 6k Status: Complete Summary: or, A Discourse on the Damned. An examination of Azkaban through its prisoners. My bookmark: From Marvolo Gaunt to Stan Shunpike, the experiences of those condemned to Azkaban.

Fandom: Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones

*fav* jackrabbit, by Anonymous Rating: Teen Ship: Howl/Sophie Word count: 71k Status: Complete Summary: Moderating the annoying youtuber’s livestreams was only ever meant to be a brief favour to her internet friend. Joining their team discord server was only ever meant to be a distraction. Pretending to be an old woman through it all was an accident. But as the 22-year-old tailor left running an ailing family business during a global pandemic, Sophie Hatter can be forgiven for making some questionable decisions along the way. [Or: Sophie's strange lockdown hobby grows violently out of hand.] My bookmark: Listen, I know this probably sounds like a weird AU but trust me, TRUST ME, it’s so so good, I loved it so much!

Fandom: Jujustu Kaisen

Pink Blues, by athena_crikey Rated: Teen Ship: None Word count: 1k Status: Complete Summary: Then there’s Itadori and Fushiguro, AKA Major Simpleton and Captain Apathy. They would go to the drug store for her if she asked. But having to see their sketched-out expressions when she tells them what she wants them to buy would be off-putting – as is the idea that they’ll be staring at her all day thinking about it. She needs someone understanding. Someone mature. Someone who doesn’t give a fuck. “No-ba-ra~” calls a familiar, teasing voice from the hallway. “It’s time~ for~ class!” Fuck. OR: Nobara runs out of tampons. My bookmark: Nobara has a problem, and Gojo comes to the rescue. Nobara’s POV is perfect, and they are both totally in character.

Fandom: Mairelon the Magician - Patricia C. Wrede

Magician's Misjudgment, by abstractconcept, the_con_cept (abstractconcept) Rating: Gen Ship: Kim/Mairelon Word count: 22k Status: Complete Summary: Kim and Mairelon's pasts intrude on their life when an act of charity results in a dire warning; a mysterious woman is after revenge. Their magic is being leeched by an unknown adversary. It's up to Kim, Mairelon and a young friend to track the woman down, and without magic, Kim will have to rely on her wits, her fists and her friendships. My bookmark: Another adventure for Kim and Mairelon, featuring magic, mystery, new friends, old enemies, and quite a lot of BAMF!Kim.

Fandom: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

the devil finds work for, by Fahye Rating: Mature Ship: Gaby/Illya/Napoleon Word count: 7k Status: Complete Summary: Here's the thing about Napoleon Solo: he only values something if he's stolen it. My bookmark: Pitch-perfect, all three of them.

Fandom: Naruto

The Way of the Wind, by just_enough Rating: Mature Ship: Itachi/Sakura Word count: 164k Status: Complete Summary: ANBU Captain Uchiha Itachi had things well planned out, until a medic-nin with ridiculous hair went and made herself interesting. Sakura insisted she was just doing her job, but Itachi didn't quite see it that way. My bookmark: Very enjoyable, long, non-massacre canon divergence ItaSaku AU. Sakura inadvertantly catches the attention of her teammate’s mysterious older brother; an unconventional courtship full of intense UST ensues. Itachi is more than a little unhinged here, but it’s okay, Sakura is into it.

Fandom: Supernatural

The Love Story of the Runner Up, by Margo_Kim Rating: Teen Ship: Castiel/OMC, Dean/Castiel Word count: 5k Status: Complete Summary: “So you saw a white man in a trench coat pop out in an alley,” Paul says, “and you thought, what, ‘I want to see where this is going’?”“If you get hung up on details like that,” Miguel says, “it will take a very long time to get through this story. For a very weird era in his life, Miguel dates an angel who is in love with another man. My bookmark: I haven’t read any SPN fic in ages, but I am glad to have broken my streak for this absolutely fantastic outsider POV story.

Fandom: Tiān Guān Cì Fú

'Til our compass stands still, by edenwolfie Rating: Explicit Ship: Hua Cheng/Xie Lian Word count: 179k Status: Complete Summary: After getting lost in Ghost City, Xie Lian bargains away years of servitude to the Gambler’s Den to help a man in need. He dons the robes of a worker and hides his face and life behind an enchanted mask, protecting himself from the city's denizens. Xie Lian finds an unexpected home in Ghost City before he ever sees the lord of it, the infamous Hua Cheng. When he finally does, something about himself seems to catch the attention of the Ghost King, slowly striking up an unusual friendship. Xie Lian must figure out how to navigate his burgeoning feelings, how to keep his identity to himself, and how to get over a ghost so clearly in love with someone else. My bookmark: Wonderful, long canon-divergent AU set in Ghost City, with lots of fun ghost OCs.

A paper shield and a wooden sword, by edenwolfie Rating: Mature Ship: Hua Cheng/Xie Lian Word count: 13k Status: Complete Summary: Extra 1 for ’Til our compass stands still A pair of familiar faces come searching for Xie Lian in the Gambler’s Den, bringing with them some unexpected news and receiving more than they anticipated in turn. Probably intelligible without reading the original fic, but it sure will make a lot more sense with it. My bookmark: A wild Feng Xin and Mu Qing appear.

if they caught you, by feyburner Rating: Mature Ship: Hua Cheng/Xie Lian Word count: 6k Status: Complete Summary: “I’m going to kill the Ghost King,” said White Dragon Devouring Moon. “Hmm,” said Xie Lian. My bookmark: Xie Lian gets kidnapped, but don’t worry, he’s got the situation under control.

An Exercise in Proper Sitting Posture, by Princeliest Rating: Explicit Ship: Feng Xin/Mu Qing Word count: 5k Status: Complete Summary: 800 years is a long time to remain celibate and Mu Qing is wound tight at the best of times, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to him that trying to take the entirety of Feng Xin's massive dick is... well. Not easy, to say the least. Luckily for him, Feng Xin has a lot of patience, and a lot of lube. My bookmark: Very very tender (but also very very hot) FengQing smut.

Fandom: The Untamed & Módào Zuˇshī

I hope that you will come and meet me, by feyburner Rating: Mature Ship: Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian Word count: 28k Status: Complete Summary: The second time Lan Zhan said Wei Ying, come back, Wei Wuxian did. My bookmark: Absolutely lovely post-CQL-canon getting together story.

and i double dare me as well, by iodadh Rating: Explicit Ship: Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang Word count: 50k Status: Complete Summary: Four years ago Xiao Xingchen came down the mountain and took up his position as Baoshan Sanren’s representative. Ever since then, Song Lan has been guarding his back from threats both personal and political. The spring discussion conference in Lanling promises nothing they haven’t dealt with before—until a beautiful assassin tries to shoot Xingchen dead, and everything goes wildly off the rails. As it turns out, this is only the beginning of Song Lan’s problems. (Or: How to ruin a discussion conference, nearly start a war, and fall desperately, agonizingly, soul-destroyingly in love in ten days.) My bookmark: I am going feral, absolutely foaming at the mouth over how perfect this fic is!

you, you, me, by iodadh Rating: Explicit Ship: Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang Word count: 6k Status: Complete Summary: What comes next, exactly, after the end of the Lanling Jin discussion conference? Well, that’s the thing: Xue Yang doesn’t know. My bookmark: (sequel to and i double dare me as well) Porn (with feelings) coda.

Our Minds Wide Open, by Pip (Moirail) Rating: Explicit Ship: Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang Word count: 37k Status: Complete Summary: Song Lan is a good photographer. He has a good eye for angles, for lighting, for the way that people shift when he moves just enough to show the branding on the clothes they’re trying to sell. He’s met dozens of makeup artists and brand reps and probably hundreds of models. That doesn't mean that he's immune to beautiful people. And that certainly doesn't mean he's immune to the most beautiful man he's ever seen. Song Lan regrets accepting the contract, except for how he really, really doesn't. My bookmark: Modern AU with photographer Song Lan and models Xiao Xingchen and Xue Yang. Established XueXiao, developing SongXueXiao. Well written, and I really like the characterization and dynamics of all 3 of them.

some life yet unspent, by Fahye Rating: Explicit Ship: Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian Word count: 28k Status: Complete Summary: Lan Wangji wasn't privy to the conversations that took place among Yiling staff, but there was always an apologetic, tense edge to the tech's voice when someone else took over his missions. As if Wei Ying had put the fear of God into them if they let anything happen to Lan Wangji when Wei Ying was not personally available to oversee him. "Something like that," Mianmian told him. "Anyway, it's not like there's anything for either of you to be jealous over. None of the other agents prefer him." My bookmark: Wangxian 00Q AU, in which Lan Wangji goes on missions and Wei Wuxian makes gadgets. Well written of course, and a fun time all around.

Meng Yao's Guide to Sex and Love, by Princeliest Rating: Explicit Ship: Lan Xichen/Meng Yao Word count: 25k Status: Complete Summary: “How are you even supposed to enjoy going on a date with your boyfriend if you’re acting like ‘Olympic gold boyfriend material’ is too mediocre for him! I’m surprised you two manage to have enjoyable sex!” There is an awkward pause, and Meng Yao only realizes too late that it’s one that he let sit too long. He sets the dysfunctional hair straightener in the sink, unplugging it, but the noise of busywork comes too late to stop Wei Wuxian. “Are you not even having decent sex??” “It’s,” Meng Yao stutters, “—okay?” Or: Meng Yao and Lan Xichen have been dating for a while, now, and everything about their relationship is perfect. Meng Yao makes sure of it, just like he makes sure that his annual performance review at Jin Corp is impeccable, that Madam Jin never catches his surreptitious, short visits to deliver gifts to Jin Ling, and that Lan Xichen gets a mind-blowing orgasm at least three times a week, even if they're too tired for sex for five days straight and Meng Yao has to chain them back-to-back until his jaw is sore. Everything is going great, until he makes the mistake of genuinely befriending Wei Wuxian. My bookmark: One of my favorite Meng Yao POVs ever, he’s SO neurotic and tightly wound and overthinks absolutely everything, it’s fantastic. Love WWX being a supportive subway rat/friend, and of course LXC is very sweet.

Meng Yao's Guide to Sex and Sensibility, by Princeliest Rating: Explicit Ship: Lan Xichen/Meng Yao Word count: 3k Status: Complete Summary: The kink sheet is embarrassingly scribbled-over. It is impossible, Meng Yao finds, to simply cross out ‘name calling,’ and yet it still took him fifteen whole minutes, sat at the head of the bed with his clipboard balanced on his knees, which were so pulled up as to nearly hide the paper from the room entirely, to append the note: ‘Only if you are nice about it.’ The entirety of Meng Yao’s paper ended up full of contradictions like that. How is he supposed to explain that he does not mind—perhaps even enjoys—being called desperate, messy, a slut, but only in the kindest of Lan Xichen’s tones? And yet, his boyfriend understood. Or: Lan Xichen and Meng Yao's sex life is greatly improved the judicious application of trial and error. Sometimes there is more error than expected. My bookmark: (sequel to Meng Yao's Guide to Sex and Love)

Want The Lights On, by Pip (Moirail) Rating: Explicit Ship: Nie Mingjue/Lan Xichen/Meng Yao Word count: 19k Status: Complete Summary: Meng Yao's sister-in-law is following the Jiang tradition of being evil. Why else would she try to set him up with a married man? “I’m pretty sure my sister-in-law is trying to ruin my life.” Lan Huan’s tone is one of genuine curiosity when he asks, “Why would she do that?” “I don’t know yet,” Meng Yao untangles himself from the barre and crosses his arms across his chest, looking up (and up, and up, curse Jiang Yanli for her knowledge of his tastes) at Lan Huan’s very handsome jawline. “But I need you to make less vigorous eye-contact until you bring me a notarized waiver saying your spouse doesn’t care about you hitting on me.”   My bookmark: Tooth-achingly sweet and thoroughly fun modern AU with established NieLan & developing 3Zun.

i wanna be (completely weightless), by iodadh Rating: Explicit Ship: Song Lan/Xiao Xingchen/Xue Yang Word count: 10k Status: Complete Summary: Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan are definitely not Xue Yang's boyfriends, but they're still probably his best option for unobtrusively riding out a curse that means he can't be alone. They don't even have to know anything's wrong. Xingchen will smile, Song Lan will ignore him, he'll spend a few days hiding at their place, and then everything will go back to normal. That's the plan, anyway, but a mind-reading curse has a way of putting a wrench in things. My bookmark: Xue Yang and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being Loved, aka my favorite trope <3

Fandom: Yuri!!! on Ice

hood & glove, by Fahye, hawberries Rating: Teen Ship: Otabek/Yuri, Viktor/Yuuri Word count: 12k Status: Complete Summary: "I don't mess with the fae," Otabek says. "I'm not asking you to mess with them," JJ flat-out lies. My bookmark: Perfectly delightful OtaYuri fantasy/fairy tale AU. Also the illustrations are gorgeous!

happy reading! :)

[thecubspeaks]

For the meme:

4, 13, 15

4: if your Tav was a companion, where would they be found?

I have answered this embarrassingly elaborately for Izar.

I think Isemay, a half-drow bard, would be found in the Blighted Village. The goblins can clock a half-drow when the druids and tieflings don’t which I find very funny, but being a bard, I think Isemay persuaded them that no, she’s for sure definitely with this other drow they’re talking about. When the party arrives, the goblin scouts spot them, but then decide to “ask the drow what to do.” Then Isemay gets called over and your tadpoles connect.

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

Izar hates that she enjoys it, but it isn’t the passion and delight that Orin has. It satisfies her urge, but most of it is the sort of cold pleasure of doing something you’re very, very good at. Izar likes to feel competent and she never feels more skilled and competent than when she’s killing.

Isemay is a swashbuckler at heart and takes genuine pleasure in a dramatic slaying for JUSTICE. She can even get behind crueler deaths if there’s a sense of poetic justice. But she has no patience for gratuitous death or violence, and will always try to talk her way out of a situation first. She also killed anyone who was racist to her or Lae’zel.

Avigey’s skills lie more in healing and crowd control. She’d like to think she’ll do what it takes to get the job done, but when it comes down to it, she doesn’t really have the ruthlessness required to be good at killing. She’ll eviscerate you verbally if the situation calls for it, but she’s enough a cleric in her soul that she finds personally ending a life hard. Happy to let Minthara do it, though.

15: what NPC’s do they like? Which ones do they dislike?

Izar and Avigey are both quite fond of Barcus because they are also quite caustic people who care more than they let on. They also both really like and respect Zevlor, though Avigey had less patience for his (in her view) self-pity after he was tricked by the Absolute. He was weird about drow when they first met, so Isemay finds him a tragic figure but not someone she’d try to get close to.

Isemay initially found Rolan extremely frustrating. She actually empathised quite a lot with his ambition and sense of grandeur, but couldn’t deal with the way he lashed out at the party when they had no ill intent whatsoever. She was wary of seeming to be sweeping in to his rescue yet again with Lorroakan (though obviously was gonna do it anyway) and was really pleased that it all worked out as it did. I think they stay in touch to some extent, and he helps her magically send messages from the Astral Plane.

Isemay ADORES Aylin. They talk about their workout routines and practice swordsmanship and talk about all the cool smiting (literal or metaphorical) they’ve done. She’s absolutely flirting all the time but neither Lae’zel nor Isobel are concerned because Aylin is obviously completely oblivious.

[cuephrase]

ask game: 🏜️, 🍓, 🎨, and anything else you want to answer :))

🏜️⇢ what's your favorite type of comment to receive on your work?

any comment that indicates enjoyment! i will say the aggressively positive ones crack me up, like never thought i would enjoy being cussed out but it's pretty fun lmao. ummmm oh, bc i write angst, i like when i get comments saying 'i cried' LMAO. i also love long comments, which i feel like i have to make it very clear that i don't dislike short comments!! when i super fall in love with a fic i tend to like word vomit in the comments tho, so like receiving that kind of comment makes me malfunction, bc like what do you mean my writing was worth all that kindness?? actually. pretty much every nice comment makes me feel that way 🥹😭🫶 if you've ever left me a comment, just know i can practically guarantee that i blushed, looked slightly insane for a second, and then had a massive grin for the rest of my day

🍓⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction?

omg fun question!!! so!! okay, i've been writing since i was in first grade bc i read obsessively so when my teacher was like "dolphins can't drink coffee" my smart ass was like "ummm they could if it was the right story" and she was like "well then write it prove me wrong" and i was like omg i can write my own stories?! mind blown. got extra credit for that story actually, horrible influence, taught me to argue with authority figures. jk. kind of. where was i? oh!!! fast forward to when i was eleven, i got super crazy into tmnt and would spend hours just like...reading about them, like fact articles, don't laugh at me, anyways, something mentioned fanfiction and i was like, what is that? googled it. mind blown AGAIN. i would spend hours daydreaming new episodes okay, and even though i wrote all the time i never considered writing down my ideas bc i thought i needed to like work for nickelodeon to do that lmao.

wasn't allowed to have an acc, even once i turned 13 (which would've been on ffnet actually, had no idea about ao3 then), and also wasn't allowed on a computer so i just wrote in spiral-bound notebooks and my siblings waited for each chapter the same way they did for new episodes.

can't remember how i discovered ao3, weird, but that was when i was around 15. all the fic i posted then was bnha, has since been orphaned, whoops, i anon what i don't love now. and then i kept writing fic just for myself but i posted a bnha one shot back in 2022. got into batfam in august 2023, did some whumptober for fun, and now i'm posting my first multi-chap fic!!

i write...a lot, but share very little bc i'm super, super self-conscious. i'm trying to be less shy!! it's just hard *buries head in hands*

🎨⇢ link your favorite piece of fanart and explain why you like it

asjfjkskj I CAN'T DO ONE. i gotta limit myself somehow tho crap. okay okay okay

first up, is this absolute gem from @/danidoodels, i mean LOOK AT HIM. the lil pout, and then the hair ruffles and his smile and the colors and the and the everything. just everything. EVERYTHING. patpatpatpatpatpat

then, @/ashrayus dick and jay art had been a recent and joyous discovery, but this one i'm going to highlight this one bc he's holding him like a naughty kitten lmaooooo. i'm obsessed with how like soft and warm this art makes me feel, i want to wrap up in it like a blanket and sob

next, @/malenjoyer's delightful art is always going to worm into my brain but this cat dami?! SOG. i want to squish him. just SQWUISH

finally, this timkon animatic @/oneswordstyle- i've probs thought about it every day since i first saw it. it's just so soft and cute and i adore them and they make me sick to do not try to cure me

🛼 ⇢ describe your latest wip with five emojis

🫥⏳💔⚖️🔂 (i don't think this counts as spoilers, right? hehe)

tysm for the ask anon!! i hope you enjoyed the answers <3