#ao3 excerpt

[levelofyoureye]

First up is the triple flip-double axel sequence. Regulus turns into it with ease, tapping his right foot on the ice and drawing himself up into as tight of an air position as he can manage. He lands the jump without difficulty, then steps onto his left foot and kicks up right into a double axel. Yet again, he comes down with ease, and as the applause from the crowd picks up he uses it as motivation. That was nothing, he thinks as he takes his crossovers down the ice. Now, it’s just the triple lutz. One more jump, and you’re set. One more jump. One more jump, and it’s the one he’s landed the least in practice. One more jump, and his success rate is still barely above sixty percent. One more jump, and if he falls, his mother will be furious. Lucius will blame it on him nearly killing himself in the short program yesterday, and Regulus won’t be able to deny it. One more jump, and it’s a clean skate.

chapter 30 of my james potter hockey player/regulus black figure skater AU is up now, we're so back y'all! sorry i fell off the face of the earth for a bit–hope you guys accept this as an apology 🫂

[tenrousei-kuroi]

Can you remember?

Regulus shook his head, the alcohol working its way through his system at an alarmingly fast pace. His memories of the days prior to waking up in this house were a jumbled mess of fear, research and planning. Unclear. Fuzzy. Blocked as though an iron door had shut on his mind. “I...I wouldn’t have,” he insisted in a voice barely above a whisper. “Sirius, you have to tell me everything, why...what did you find?”

But Sirius wasn’t listening to him. He’d sauntered to his feet and over to the window, staring pensively out towards the ocean, one hand loose in his pocket, the other cradling his glass. “I picked this house out especially for you,” he said wistfully, talking on as though Regulus had never spoken. “Because you’ve always loved the ocean.”

Regulus frowned. “I’ve only been to the seaside once. Before Hogwarts. I...I nearly drowned.” Regulus could almost feel the pulsating waves against his skin as the ocean from his childhood memories crept up on him.

“Oh, I remember,” Sirius said with a small grin. “Mother and Father were drunk off brandy back at the pier and you went under. Damn near dusk, the water black...but I saw you.”

Sirius was back standing next to Regulus in what felt like an instant. Regulus blinked nervously, setting down his glass and putting a hand over his heart, which was racing faster...faster…

“And I pulled you back up.”

it’s an old, rushed piece and at least once a week my brain screams to rewrite the entire thing

“Pull it back up”, if you will

[nootcatt]

An Excerpt from

Want So Bad

By HalaeNoor on AO3

Nangong Si finds it to be ironically amusing how everything that he files under good in his life somehow ends up related to Ye Wangxi. It is a phenomenon that happens unconsciously and as soon as he realises that it has happened again, he finds himself laughing and mentally smacking himself. He cannot help it. There is a reason Ye Wangxi is his best friend. All the best things in his life are because of him.  When Nangong Si first started thinking about what he wanted in his life, he was seventeen years and one month old. He remembers that night because that was the night Ye Wangxi told him about his gender identity.   It was a quarter moon night, and the stars were just beginning to show in the night sky because all the lights in the estate were finally turned off.  “Finally,” Ye Wangxi had said, wrapping his blanket tighter around himself. “Now maybe we can see the meteor shower.” For some reason, between the two of them, he always got cold sooner. Which is why he was tightly wrapped up while Nangong Si sat on his blanket with his weight on his hands and his legs spread in front of him. They had pushed the chairs to a side because they both preferred the floors to tweed chairs when they did things like this.  “It doesn’t start for another hour,” Nangong Si reminded him.  “Forty five minutes actually,” Ye Wangxi corrected him, “and that doesn’t mean I can’t be grateful for less light pollution.”  Nangong Si hummed and huffed a laugh at that, but he did not say anything against it. There were already so few things that Ye Wangxi enjoyed, why should he interrupt him now that he finally gets the chance.  He just observed his friend from where he was sitting while Ye Wangxi had his eyes already glued to the sky like some stray meteor would pass by way ahead of scheduled activity. His features were softer then, his cheeks were rounded and his body was smaller than it is now. He identified as a girl then. His hair was longer, but he always kept it rolled up or braided away. That night, it was held up with a simple ballpoint pen that he had been using in class. He was a tomboy. Yet his eyes and his smile have always been the same. Nangong Si found himself smiling whenever Ye Wangxi did. Never as wide or bright as his, though. Ye Wangxi’s smile has always been unparalleled. 

“A-Si,” Ye Wangxi said after a little while, “don’t look at me like that.” Nangong Si realised then that he was staring. He didn’t mean to stare, he was just watching how happy Ye Wangxi looked. “Sorry,” he said and sat up. He folded his legs under him and put his chin on his fists, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” “I’m not uncomfortable,” Ye Wangxi shook his head, “just… you weren’t even blinking.” That sounded a little peculiar to Nangong Si. The whole time he was looking at Ye Wangxi, he did not see the boy move his eyes away from the stars. How did he know that Nangong Si did not blink? “I’ll remember to blink next time I stare,” Nangong Si told him, and that earned him an eyeroll. “I didn’t mean that, dummy,” Ye Wangxi told him, “I mean don't stare.” “Ah Xi'er,” Nangong Si chuckled a little at that, “I will not stare. I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.” “Don’t be,” Ye Wangxi said, and then they returned to waiting for the meteor shower to start. With nothing to do now that he was told to not watch Ye Wangxi, Nangong Si opened up the bag of chips that they had bought along with the juice boxes that reminded them of when they were little kids. He passed one box to Ye Wangxi and opened one for himself. He was careful not to finish all of it even before the shower started because then there would be no snacks left for after. “A-Si?” Ye Wangxi said when Nangong Si was half way through the box. “Yes?” He asked. “Did you feel bad when I told you not to stare?” That was an unexpected question. Was Ye Wangxi feeling guilty for having done that? Was he afraid of having hurt Nangong Si’s feelings? “Why would I feel bad?” Nangong Si asked, “It’s your right to tell me when you’re uncomfortable with something that I do.” “I was not uncomfortable,” Ye Wangxi told him, “not exactly.” The way he said that, Nangong Si wondered what was going on in his head. Just a little while ago he was so happy to be looking at the sky and now he was saying things like this that didn’t exactly make sense. “Can you tell me what you felt?” Nangong Si asked, and Ye Wangxi remained silent for a while. It made Nangong Si anxious. Even then, when Ye Wangxi did not make his heart beat faster or his breath fall short, Nangong Si cared about his feelings. He cared about when his best friend was feeling upset about something. He cared about his happiness and his smiles. “I…” Ye Wangxi pulled the blanket a little higher over his head, “I don’t know if it will make sense if I try to explain it.”

Nangong Si got up from where he was sitting and sat down on his knees in front of the bundled up Ye Wangxi. Under his blanket, he had his knees pulled up to his chest and half his face hiding behind it. His eyes watched Nangong Si waiting to see how he would react.

“Try me,” Nangong Si told his best friend, “I will tell you if it makes sense or not.”

Ye Wangxi closed his eyes then and pulled the blanket up until all of him was just a bundled up person in front of him. Then his muffled voice sounded from the depths, low and quiet.

“I don’t want anyone to look at me in a body that I don’t associate with.”

“Don’t associate with?” Nangong Si was confused. He hadn’t thought that Ye Wangxi was going through something like that.

“Let me explain,” Ye Wangxi peeked out from under the blanket, “think of it like… Like if you have a uniform. It’s pink and frilly, and it twirls when you spin it too. It's cute. Everyone says you look pretty in it.”

Nangong Si did as he was told, imagining a person in a uniform like that.

“Now,” Ye Wangxi continued, “Everyone else likes it. And it looks really good on other girls. But you hate the frills, and the pink is so bright it makes you want to squint each time you look in the mirror.”

“That was me when dad made me wear that brown frilly suit with the bonnet.” Nangong Si remembered, and Ye Wangxi pulled his head out. It was still hidden behind his knees, but his eyes were very bright and visible.

“That’s how I feel in my body,” Ye Wangxi told him then, “like it is good looking, but I don’t like being in it. I don’t like looking at myself in it.”

“Is that why you’re hiding?” Nangong Si asked, and Ye Wangxi nodded.

“Do you not like to be seen like you are?” Nangong Si asked and Ye Wangxi shook his head.

That could mean two things. Nangong Si decided to confirm.

“What would make you feel better?” he asked, “Would you like to be… curvier? Or…”

“Not curvy,” Ye Wangxi shook his head, “not curvy at all.”

“Then?” He asked.

“I don't know,” Ye Wangxi told him, “I just… I would change things if I could. I just… I just don’t like the way I look. I don’t want you to look at me like this either.”

“I will not look at you,” Nangong Si promised.

“Forever?” Ye Wangxi sounded so innocent when he asked that.

“Well not forever,” Nangong Si did his best to not laugh, “let's see if there's a way to make you feel easier in your body. Or maybe we just swap it for a different one and see if you feel okay being seen like that. You know, like in video games?”

“Like changing avatars?” Ye Wangxi found that thought funny too.

“Yes,” Nangong Si settled down there. Ye Wangxi crosses his legs as well, emerging from the blanket to copy his posture.

“Can I be taller?” He asked.

“Can I be taller?” He asked. “Not taller than me,” Nangong Si specified, “if you get taller than me, I'll have to call you jiejie.” “Don't call me jiejie.” Ye Wangxi shook his head, “you don't even call me meimei.” “What do I call you then?” Nangong Si asked. Ye Wangxi frowned as he thought that over. Then he came to the simplest solution. “Ye Wangxi.” “Ye Wangxi it is then.” He nodded. “But a taller Ye Wangxi,” came another specification. “Less… girly. Less frill, less frocks, no dresses— no makeup.” “Hmm,” Nangong Si hummed, “manly man Ye Wangxi. Big, strong and handsome.” Ye Wangxi blushed at that. He fumbled with his blanket and then a few days later, he told Nangong Si that he really liked the idea of Man Ye Wangxi, even though they missed the first few meteors. Nangong Si did not see any meteors at all though, so he could only chuckle. The only thing he saw was Ye Wangxi watching the stars with a possibility of a future that feels like a fantasy. Then he found himself wondering what would be in his fantasy future.

Read the rest of the fic here (x)

[dss1101]

"Jason is smart, okay? Though that may not exactly be the first word that comes to mind when most people think of the Red Hood. Words like brute, violent, and crazy, sure, those are words he expects. It’s not like they’re untrue, and he worked hard to cultivate that image of himself, thank you very much. But being Robin’s a tough gig, you don’t survive being Robin if you aren’t smart. 

Huh, maybe he’s not as smart as he thinks."

I love writing Jason because he's an overflowing container of a backstory worthy of dark humor. Ugh he's the best

[erinwantstowrite]

WIP Game

Rules: You will be given a word. Share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that start with each letter of that word.

Tagged by @cerealboxlore

My Word: Marvel

I decided to use chapter 16 of LoF for this because I've been working on it today teehee

M- "Maybe because it was because Peter was introducing Loki and Dick for the first time, and he remembered what the Bats thought about the God."

A- "Also, it would make Thor sad, so I’d ask that you not kill Loki. Because you totally could, I believe you.”

R- Resurrection?

V (I don't have a V sentence 😔💔)

E- "Everyone needs backup at some point, fighting alone doesn’t help anyone. But especially someone Peter’s age. He’s done a great job at taking care of himself and this situation, but that doesn’t mean he has to. We’re more than happy to take some of the burden. And this is how we operate. If you don’t like it, or if your Avengers don’t like it, then they can take it up with me.”

L- Loki got a kick out of that part of the story. At one point, he created an illusion of little action-figure sized Batman, Robin, Nightwing, and Spider-Man on the dashboard, and had them re-enact the scene as best as Peter could tell it. “For the visuals.” Loki had smirked. And he had asked Dick, “What do you think? They look just like the real thing, no?” To which Dick had replied “Why did you make my head so big?” and Loki had sworn that his head just looks that big normally and he ‘Didn’t do anything to the illusion, really, Grayson, do you think so little of me?’ Which made Dick’s eye twitch.

I'm tagging @mockingjaylad !!! :3 your word is "BIRD"

[clegfly]

Hi. Throws small self indulgent “mari actually IS something and after the true ending is able to get with hero via cleg logic I can’t be bothered to explain in a short funny description and oh god this is too long” au at you and runs into the woods

[deathnguts]

Everything about Regulus screamed that he was already dead. His very being sang of apparition, grief was painted white in his skin. One looked at him and could feel in the cold emanating from him that he was already a ghost.

Everything about Barty screamed: haunt me, haunt me, haunt me…

[ellesthots]

Fateful Beginnings

IX. “goodbye, Gotham”

parts: previous / next

plot: when the flooding recedes, Mr. Wayne helps you leave the city—but not before a sufficient olive branch.

pairing: battinson!bruce wayne x fem!reader

cw: 18+, mention of chemo, playful banter/teasing

words: 2.9k

Bruce looked over with a heavy scoff, and you bristled. Before he could react you continued. "Alfred is kind, and thoughtful, and obviously helps you because you were calling out to him again and again." This elicited an immediate response.

"Don't tell me about Alfred." He spoke through gritted teeth, the color coming back to his face with red heat. You wanted to step away but swallowed the lump in your throat. Alfred says he's so compassionate, huh? Doesn't seem like it. "You don't have to keep up this tough guy facade, you know."

His sarcastic laugh boomed in the hallways and you could've sworn you heard Alfred wake up. "Facade. Big words."

"Dick!" You turned on your heel and stomped up the stairs, then heard a low sigh. "I'm sorry." He spoke. You didn't turn to look at him; it was triggering hearing a man mock you so openly, especially in his own home. Being a vigilante billionaire didn't absolve him from being a human being. "That's not fair fighting, and I didn't mean to imply—"

"That I'm some mousey, stupid woman?" You whipped back around, all but hissing at him. He met your eyes carefully from the bottom of the stairwell. He gave a small nod, looking smaller now. "Nothing like that. I apologize." His swift recognition of wrongdoing did make it sting a bit less, and you had to remind yourself you were essentially camping out at his place. You leaned against the top railing, staring down at the masses of brown marble flooring. The moment felt just tender enough for honesty. "You can be scary, Bruce.... Wayne." You hovered on his last name, hoping it might act as an olive branch.

Bruce didn't want to be scary. Sure, to criminals he wanted to be, but hearing you say he brought it home hurt. It sank into his chest a bit like a branding iron. He didn't like hearing you say his last name; it already felt foreign in your voice. He looked over at the puddles of water he dragged in and shifted the convo. "The flooding seems to be letting up. You'll be able to get back to your apartment soon."

You took that more personally than was necessary. A thought glued to you. "Wait, will I be able to see Alfred again?" You felt ridiculous as soon as you said it, knowing you were about to graduate and move across the country permanently. You wanted out of this city more than anything in the entire world. Now you were concerned about missing a random old guy? You walked over to the top of the stairwell and sat crosslegged, putting your head in your hands. Bruce shifted uncomfortably, not knowing quite what to say to you, and wondering why the hell you'd decided to sit with him on the stairs. You assumed he wasn't going to respond to the Alfred comment, and you didn't really want him to. You thought about how Alfred had said Bruce was worried during your reaction and decided to pay it forward. It took a lot more effort to verbalize than you thought. "Do you want any pain meds or anything?"

It felt like a breeze shot through Bruce's stomach. A weird rippling sensation. His leg was burning in pain and he wanted to say no, he needed to say no, he wouldn't accept help from you... except seeing you with your guard down was... pleasant? If he forgot you were about to expose him, which he immediately remembered. His momentary lapse in annoyance ended with his next comment. "Are you still going to expose me?" You didn't say anything, and after about thirty seconds of silence he looked up at you. You slowly and discreetly shook your head. "No."

Bruce cleared his throat, trying to hide his relief. "I'm good on meds, yeah." He slowly rose from the stair and limped his way up. It was more bearable now that his body was lit up and electric—you weren't going to tell anyone? He wanted to trust you, it sounded genuine, this felt genuine, and usually he could trust his read of a situation... but it was you. You were different than everyone else. You'd noticed him immediately. It didn't even take a full second for years of practiced concealment and tracking two separate identities to fall apart. You scared him, too.

You stepped aside as he rose to the top of the stairwell. He looked at you from his periphery and gave a small nod. "Night." His voice was raspy and quiet, and then the only other sounds were of boots against ground and your own heels as you padded back to Alfred's office. The next half hour you whizzed through the formatting, scheduling an email for a few hours later to Dr. Vry. You got ahead of her disappointment by writing:

Good morning Dr. Vry, I hope this email finds you well. Unfortunately Mr. Wayne rescinded his offer mid-interview, so I interviewed someone else. The paper is attached below. My sincerest apologies, and thank you again for getting me the journalism materials. They will be returned swiftly in the AM. If you would like confirmation that I did meet with Mr. Wayne I can put you in contact with his manager. Best, Y/N Y/L/N.

Sleep was hardly restful. You tossed and turned the next few hours, wired from finally turning in the last paper for your degree. You'd received an email back at 8:49am, where Dr. Vry expressed deep regret at your lack of follow-through on what would have been Bruce Wayne's first ever interview:

Ms. Y/L/N, thank you for turning in your paper. However, it would be remiss to not acknowledge my disappointment at what would have been such a spectacular frontier in journalism. I look forward to hearing from Wayne management to confirm your meeting. Regards, Dr. Janay Vry.

Fuck. Now you had to elicit Alfred to send a 'sorry' email. You sat up in bed, promptly hearing a strong knock. "Can I come in?" It was Bruce. You hurried your greasy hair back into a ponytail with a rubber band you'd found and sat expectantly on the edge of the bed. "Yes?" In walked Bruce, presumably fresh from a shower. He had your phone in-hand. Your brow furrowed. He nodded in anticipation. "You left it in Alfred's study. He's making breakfast now. No peaches." Bruce paused, avoiding eye contact. "Uh, and he wanted to tell you the flooding has died down enough to drive you back to your apartment." He tossed your phone to you and nodded before shutting the door. You sat, feeling the rage of hunger in your stomach. The first thing you did was look for flights back home: there was one from Gotham to Seattle at 11:45am, a five hour direct. With the time difference you might be able to make your mother's chemo appointment. Tentatively, you booked one of the last seats and bolted out to breakfast. It was 9:03. You needed to get home and shove all your belongings back into your luggage.

"Someone had a restful night!" Alfred was cheery, and placed an omelet in front of where you sat yesterday at the table. Bruce was already dished up and sidling into his chair across from you. "The ingredients are only egg, green and red bell pepper, spinach, olive oil, salt, and pepper. All good?" You gave him two thumbs up and thanked him, walking over to your side. You felt bad hurrying them. You waited for Alfred to dish himself up and sit down, tucking into a few bites before you broached the question. "I actually booked a flight today, back home. My mom has a uh, thing happening and I needed to be back. Bruce—Mr. Wayne said the flooding had gone down, and I was wondering if I could get a ride back to my apartment."

Bruce side-eyed you when you corrected his name. It still felt weird hearing you say his last name. It was weird hearing you say his first. It was weird that you knew he was Batman. It was just... weird. He finished chewing and gestured to you. "What time's your flight?"

It was unnerving to have such normal conversations with Bruce Wayne. After both your walls had begun to settle the night before, you felt the weight of his reputation. You blushed, and could tell he noticed. "Um, around eleven. Like two hours." Bruce's eyes nearly bulged out of his head "Couldn't have told us sooner?"

Alfred spoke, his face fallen, ignoring the man's antics. "I actually can't this morning, some men from accounting at Wayne Enterprises scheduled an emergency meeting. I'm so sorry. I'm sure Master Wayne can manage, however." He shot a glare at Bruce and Bruce rolled his eyes, starting to tear into his omelet with urgency. "Yeah fine, whatever."

You squeezed your eyes shut tight at feeling like such a burden. The next fifteen minutes you scarfed down as much food as you could, then went back upstairs to gather your shoes and phone. You noticed Bruce standing expectantly at the front door, wearing sunglasses as he peered at what you assumed to be a newly-delivered paper. He looked up when he heard your footsteps, making you hustle down the stairs.

Without a word he slid through the open door, but you reached your head around to see Alfred cleaning up the kitchen. You ran over to him and gave him a hug, quickly telling him about the email thing. He agreed to send the email shortly, and even offered to return your journalism supplies. Looking at the time—9:45—you had no choice but to take him up on it. He told you not to be a stranger and sent you off on your way. Your heels ached the arches of your feet, but you weren't taking a chance with the sewage water still taking up an inch of real estate on the concrete. Bruce was already pulling out of a matte black Lamborghini, the passenger door opening automatically as you walked to it. You slid into the leather seat and tucked your feet in as he sped off.

You watched out the window as trees and grass turned to buildings whizzing by. The car was quick and steady; the tinting on the windows seemed a bit excessive, but you understood the need. After a few minutes of silence he startled you with a question. "Why didn't you write the exposé?" He tried to make his voice strong, his tone nonconfrontational. You shrugged. You were still a bit bitter about the night before and his comments about your smarts, but if this was going to be your last time seeing him you figured there was no shame in being honest. "I didn't want to jeopardize the city. As much as I hate to admit it, you make it better." You let out a heavy sigh trying to rid of the tension. His hands stiffened on the wheel. It was the first kind thing you'd ever said to him; it was the first time someone other than Alfred had mentioned Batman to him... because you were the only one outside of him who knew. A small smile curled up his lips. Music to his insecure ears. Did he really make it better? Really? He wanted to. He really, really wanted to. Did you really mean it? Actually?

"STOP!" Your shout caused an immediate braking, and a worried mother clutched her kids as they rushed across the crosswalk. Bruce tensed, eyes wide. He'd never come close to hitting a pedestrian. His heart pounded as he glanced at you beside him. You stared with a tight-set jaw, your hands clenched together in your lap and eyes as wide as his own. He moved his attention back to the road and kept on, refusing to entertain any more potentially lethal thoughts.

It was 10am on the dot when you pulled up in front of your apartment complex. It had been such an awkward ride you hadn't questioned how he knew your address, but you didn't have time to pester him. Bruce got out just as you were jogging to the lobby doors, and your eyes nearly bulged out of your head as you hissed at him. "What are you doing?! Someone could see you!"

"Traffic is always bad around this time at the airport. We need all the time we can get, I'm helping." His tone was flat and he adjusted his sunglasses... as if they could distract from the Lambo in front of the complex screaming BRUCE WAYNE IS HERE! You pushed through the lobby and rushed to the elevator, Bruce calmly in tow. The doors opened and you both stepped inside. He sidled in next to you now, and you looked over at his outfit. Unlike the last elevator ride together, he was just wearing a black tee and trousers. He glanced at you from his periphery and you quickly moved your line of sight to the floor with a subtle blink. A subtle aroma of pink pepper and musk lingered in the air, mixed with a little bit of sweat. Your sweat. You hadn't showered in days, and did a little shift of your weight away from him. Embarrassment washed over you.

"What?" He turned his head, noticing your movement away. "Looking for more lint?"

No, I just smell bad. You thought. I probably smell like ass and I don't want that to be your last memory of me. It became apparent to you how terrible of an impression you would leave on the man—forcing your way into his home with blackmail, being forced to more than overstay your welcome, now he was helping you pack while you smelled like sweat and spit. It was embarrassing. Very embarrassing.

The DING of the elevator doors opening to your floor was like a call from heaven, and you rushed past him so he couldn't get a good sniff.  You fumbled with the lock and thanked god how poor you'd been as a student; your apartment was small and minimalist, making it easy to throw everything into one or two luggage bags and move yourself back home in a jiffy. Trying your best to forget that a billionaire was standing in the middle of your studio, you went to your small closet and pulled out the large checked-luggage bag your dad had bought you two years prior. You hadn't been able to fill it then, but were grateful now for the extra real estate.

"What do you want me to do?"

You looked around the room, running through a short list of everything you'd have to do in the next half hour. The bedding needed to be removed, bathroom ransacked, kitchen food trashed, and clothes packed. Oh. And you needed to go down to the lobby and break the lease.

"Uh, can you clean out the fridge? I need to get to the lobby." You bit your lip hard, anxious as you grabbed your keys and rushed downstairs, ignoring the elevator in order to try and metabolize some of the stress. You only had about ten dollars left in your checking, and you'd forgotten that breaking a lease would mean an extra fee. When you made it to the receptionist, it was a new person you'd never seen before. She looked sour, and rolled her eyes when you walked up. "Hey uh, I need to break the lease."

"Name and unit number?" She smacked on gum as she sat up and started typing. You obliged, and after agonizing silence she shook her head. "Your lease ends this month anyway and you already paid the rent. We'll be sending a check to your permanent address after you have returned the keys with your deposit if everything is good."

Oh thank GOD. You thanked her profusely, somehow still out of breath, and went back up the stairs. Jesus. Thank god. If you had to ask Bruce Wayne for MONEY? You would've rather jumped off the Gotham bridge to your untimely demise. You put the key in your lock and opened the door to him standing with the bedding removed, fridge open and cleaned out, and half your clothes packed into the bag. Half of you wanted to be angry at him touching things without your consent, while the other was begrudgingly impressed. Almost like he read your mind, he spoke. "I didn't look at individual items, I just picked up armfuls and shoved them in."

Looking at your apartment now, the only thing left was the few toiletries in the closet (which could be recycled) and whatever was in your bathroom. You checked your watch: 10:20. "Thanks uh, can you wait in the car? I think I want to shower real quick."

He chuckled, plopping the last of your clothes into the bag. "I'm sure your seatmate will appreciate it.”

You gasped under your breath. "Really?" It hurt. You didn't want it to, but it did. You wanted to shoot something back at him, like you were only trying to smell like him or some shit. But it stung. For some reason. He chuckled again, shaking his head with a sly grin turning up his cheeks. "Nah. But you believed it."

[marauders-brain-rot]

Wrote this for the fic I'm writing but I literally have no clue when it's going to happen, thought it was perfect to post for today though, might write another one exclusively for Tumblr as a microfic rather than an excerpt but we shall see, I'm determined to be able to update my ao3 fic today:

Regulus was laying with his head in James’s lap and James was running his fingers soothingly across the other boy’s scalp, humming absentmindedly as he thought. Regulus’s eyes had fluttered shut long ago but James knew he wasn’t sleeping because every now and then he would adjust himself or his eyelids would flutter briefly before settling again. James liked that things were easy with Regulus, he didn’t have to pretend around him, he could be the imperfect version of James Potter and Regulus would still choose him anyways. 

“I was doing some research last night,” James said absentmindedly after a while, fingers still running soothing tracks through Regulus’s hair. 

“I knew this was too good to be true, tell me Jamie, how long before I go into the light?” Regulus popped one eye open and the mischievous smirk that spread across his face sent James’s stomach into flips. 

“Hush now, you, or I won’t tell you what I found.” James replied with a light flick to the tip of Regulus’s nose, which only caused him to scrunch it so adorably that James couldn’t resist planting a delicate kiss to the space between his brows. 

“Okay, okay, what did you find?” The smile on Regulus’s lips made James want to kiss him until they both forgot what they’d been talking about. 

“Did you know that Regulus is the brightest star in the Leo constellation?” James started as he twisted strands of Regulus’s hair between his fingers. 

“Believe it or not Potter, Sirius and I were taught all about our stars growing up.” He answered with one of his famous dramatic eye rolls that rivalled Sirius’s.

“That isn’t the point I’m trying to make. The Leo constellation is the lion constellation, the actual name for Regulus is Alpha Leonis which means ‘heart of the lion’. Reg, we were written in the stars, you were meant to be in my heart.” James was beaming with pride at his discovery but Regulus just groaned. 

“James Fleamont Potter, that is absolutely the cheesiest thing I have ever heard.” Regulus was shaking his head but the smile on his face and the red in his cheeks told James that he didn’t really care all that much. 

“You love it,” James responded, hovering his face above Regulus’s. Regulus’s eyes locked with James’s, allowing him to see every bit of emotion that he usually kept locked deep inside. 

“No, I love you.” The intensity in his eyes was unlike anything James had ever seen before and it took his breath away. Before he’d known him, he’d always thought that Regulus had gotten cold, grey eyes where Sirius’s had a more lively tinge of blue. It wasn’t until Regulus had really started letting James in that he realised that every time he’d looked at Regulus and seen cold, grey, lifeless eyes, he had been staring directly into carefully crafted occlumency walls. In reality, Regulus’s eyes were the most stunning grey-blue that reminded James so much of the ocean when they were filled with emotion.

“I love you too, Reg.” James watched as his reply caused the widest smile he’d ever seen spread across Regulus’s face before the emotions of the moment overtook him and he kissed him as passionately as he could given their awkward angle. ‘This is my happy place,’ James thought, ‘this is where I belong.’

[renzireads]

Nightwing opened the fridge, trying to figure out if he had any soda that hadn’t gone flat. After what barely felt like two seconds of looking, he felt a presence behind him.

“What d’ya have?” The Flash asks, standing just a little too close. Nightwing turned halfly, giving him a look that apparently didn’t look too intimidating, considering the Flash stood there, smile unfaltering.

“Not much, I fear.” He said as he turned back to the fridge, grabbing a bottle that seemed unopened. “Will this do?”

“Fine with me!”

Nightwing stepped back to close the fridge, bumping directly into the Flash’s chest. A hand appeared on his waist to stabilize him and -much to Nightwing’s dismay- the hand disappeared when the Flash seemed to realize he didn’t need it.

A pity.

And another thought Nightwing was not going to think about tonight.

[tenrousei-kuroi]

“They're beautiful. They’re films, Reggie…they’re not gone forever.”

“Hope springs eternal, I suppose.”

For the first time in a long time Sirius sees the ghost of a smile flicker across his brother’s face, shimmering and stuttering like the hundreds of films he’s seen at the Lueur. All at once Sirius sees in him Congolese rebels and British mercenaries, shining diamonds and bloodstained forest floors.

does the context make any more sense?

[hunterevie]

When you need a bit of chaos to a story, just add Crowley 😅

Link to the fic - https://archiveofourown.org/works/51989266/chapters/131470918

[bitkahuna]

“I heard you died.”

Bilbo was snapped out of this thoughts as he turned to Frodo. The hobbit took a deep breath, sighing and closing his eyes. “I … I did, yes. I died.” He swallowed hard as he opened his eyes. It wasn’t pleasant to think about. “I spoke with Yavanna. She … she said she would bring me back if I stayed in Erebor, and, by Thorin’s side.”

Frodo snapped up into a seated position. “You what?”

Bilbo said nothing. He wasn’t sure if he was ashamed or embarrassed, but whatever it was, it didn’t feel good.

“You made a deal with Our Lady of the Shire to, to what? Watch over Erebor and it’s king?” His eyes were wide. Frodo couldn’t place the feelings inside himself. He was shocked, to be sure. But he was also, scared. Bewildered. Confused. “What’s coming that Erebor needs to be protected from?”

Bilbo’s tense face dropped to one of dumbfounded fear. He’d never though to wonder that.

———

Excerpt from the new chapter I just posted

[ksbbb]

Fuck it Friday

Tagged by @hemlocksandfoxgloves

Paint the Town Red🩸

“He’s angry. Has a bit of a temper.” Nolan comments, trying to sound helpful and giving as much insight as he can.

“He’s a werewolf though?” Theo sounds so damn ridiculous. He has to ask but he hates appearing like he’s clueless.

“He wasn’t a werewolf then. I can only imagine he’s a new type of monster.” Mason retorts, the pain in his eyes evident, and——-ah. There it is.

Mason misses his little childhood friend.

“He’s quite an interesting guy.” Theo smirks, happy to be gaining some progress with them and loving the details they’re divulging.

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but save it. You’ll only be beaten by Scott again.” Mason ruefully smiles, and he slams the door, locking it behind him.

Theo’s not planning anything this time. He’s bored and he needs the leg up to get some quiet. Even with nothing planned, he’s still always watching his back, fearing the worst, and waiting to be sent back to hell.

It’s fine. Not really, but maybe it never was, because when he turns to head back to his truck, Liam’s in it. He’s staring back at him and calmly licking his lips.

Tagging @wolfboy88 @thiamsxbitch @mmoosen @maplesyrizzup @honestlydarkprincess @theoceanismyinkwell @chasing-chimeras

[powerful-niya]

— (α lσvє rєвσrn.)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚hαppч nαruhínα mσnth єvєrчσnє!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟼: 𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢 + 𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚢 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 + 𝚁𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 - (𝙽𝙷𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚑𝟸𝟹)

Link to Oneshot below ↴

Pt 1: Wattpad | AO3

Pt. 2: Wattpad | AO3

Pt. 3: Wattpad | AO3

Pairing˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Naruhina

Synopsis˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡Love was a risk, a risk that cost Naruto everything, leading to the loss of the life he always knew and an everlasting separation from his beloved: Hinata Hyūga. 

His forbidden love for her brought about a curse that condemned him to live as a monstrous beast, forever wandering alone in despair. 

Yet, in this new lifetime, with a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his beloved now miraculously in reach, love could very well be the solution to his salvation.

Content Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Alternate Universe - Medieval • Arranged Marriage • Beauty & The Beast • Destiny • December 2 • December 5 • December 26 • Emotional • Fairytale • Fairytale Curses • Fantasy • Falling In Love • Family Issues • Fate • Forbidden • Forbidden Love • Heavy Angst • Historical Eras • Hurt & Comfort • Knight AU • Love • Love Confessions • Monster • Mutual Pining • Mythical Beings And Creatures • NHmonth • NHmonth23 • Non-Human AU • Princess AU • Pining • Prophecy • Psychological Drama • Romance • Reincarnation • Reincarnated Lovers • Royal AU • Soulmates • Tooth-Rotting Fluff • Tragedy • Tragedy With Happy Ending • True Love • 1600s era • 1700s era • 2023

NSFW Tags: Body Worship • Cave Sex • Claiming • Coming Untouched • First Time • Fluff • Fluff And Smut • Hickeys • Love • Love Making • Magical • Outside Sex • Ownership • Praise Kink • Tail(s) • Scent Kink • Scratching • Sensation Play • Size Difference Kink • Unprotected Sex • Vaginal Sex • Virgin • 2023

Overall Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Part #1: 12.5K

Part #2: 9.2K.

Part #3: 17.6K.

Tumblr Post: Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚1.8K

Preview ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

The Beginning 

17th century.

1600s.

---

Naruto Uzumaki 

Naruto wasn't supposed to love.

He had taken a solemn oath—never to love, never to wed, never to father children.

He wasn't meant to fall for anyone.

Certainly not Hinata Hyūga—the Princess of the Kingdom of Konoha, the delicacy of the land, the diamond of the ton. 

Not to mention, she was the daughter of Hiashi Hyūga himself. He was a king, a formidable ruler known throughout the land for his unwavering authority and strict governance—a man of principles, tradition, and nobility.

A man of steel. 

Having such a man as a father meant that Hinata's upbringing was meticulously planned down to the finest detail. From childhood to adulthood, she was taught to walk with poise, to speak with eloquence, and to conduct herself with the dignity befitting a princess. 

Her every move was scrutinized, and her every action was held to the highest standards. 

Her attire was always immaculate, her manners impeccable, and her education comprehensive. She was trained in the fine arts, fluent in several languages, and educated in the intricate politics of the court. She was even skilled in musical instruments, having mastered the piano, harp, and violin. 

Hinata was groomed to be flawless, and untouchable. 

Absolutely perfect. 

And that is what she became—a beacon of perfection in the eyes of society, more than suitable to one day marry, bear children, and assist the Hyūga lineage flourish and prosper. 

Hinata was the epitome of beauty and grace, off-limits to all except suitors with suitable titles—a precious gem that no commoner or knight could ever hope to touch.

Certainly not a knight like him—not Naruto.

He was her royal guard, a position of great honor. He was meant to safeguard her, to be by her side for all of her days, to protect her and remain loyal—not to love her.

She was supposed to be off-limits to him. Yet, he crossed those limits. 

He fell in love with her.

Naruto recalled the subtle moments when it all began—the fleeting smiles, the accidental touches, the stolen glances, not just from him, but from her too. 

Her gaze began to linger on him just a second longer than usual, and in those moments, he saw a spark of something more in Hinata's shy eyes—an unspoken connection, a shared understanding that he couldn't ignore.

At first, Naruto thought it was just him.

He figured he was just imagining things. But then he started to see that spark in Hinata's eyes more and more—a twinkle of longing, a yearning for the freedom she saw in him. 

Each interaction, each shared glance, built a bridge between them, one that was both exhilarating but terrifying. 

It felt so new. 

...so wrong.

Naruto wasn't sure how it all happened. 

The progression from duty to love was a blur. It was as if one day he was merely her protector, and the next, his heart was entirely hers. The line between his oath and his feelings had blurred, and he suddenly found himself drawn to Hinata in ways he could neither control nor comprehend.

It was the greatest victory of his life.

And the greatest mistake of his life.

Nights in the moonlit garden of Konoha palace were where they began to meet in secret. 

One night led to another, and another, and before long, they were meeting almost every night.

They would spend their evenings together under the starry night sky. They would sit on the soft grass, surrounded by the fragrant blooms, and talk for hours. They shared their days, struggles, dreams—anything and everything. It didn't matter to them, as long as they were together.

They would even have playful moments where they chased each other through the garden, past the flowers, and under the stars. 

Naruto recalls the sound of Hinata's laughter echoing through the night, her delicate hands clutching her dress as she ran, her face glowing with happiness.

And he would chase after her. Always.

"Catch me, Naruto-kun! Catch me!" She would cheer.

And indeed, he would catch her, their laughter mingling as they collapsed onto the soft grass, breathless and happy.

These moments became the only light in Naruto's world.

Hinata became the only light in his world.

The sweetness of her smile, the warmth of her embrace, her lavender eyes full of love, her silky midnight blue hair, her sweet scent, her heartfelt laugh, and her gentle spirit—all of it stayed with him.

Deep in his heart. 

Day after day, despite the risk, despite the danger, despite duty or even mere common sense, the two were drawn into an ever-going routine. 

Princess and knight by day.

And lovers by night.

Both were always eager for nightfall, when Hinata would slip out of her bed chamber, and Naruto would desert his post to meet in the garden of Konoha palace.

Some nights, when they met together, they would just lie on their backs, gaze at the stars and imagine a future where they could be together. 

During these times, Hinata often grew vulnerable with him. She shared her deepest fears and her greatest desires, opening up in a way she couldn't with anyone else.

Hinata even confided in him about her longing for freedom and the strict control her father exerted over her life. 

"He is determined to marry me off—my f-father," She told Naruto that night, nearly driven to tears, "Love was never supposed to be a consideration for me. That's what my father has always told me, that I need to marry. I need to choose my family. I need to choose duty. But I f-feel—" Hinata admitted, but then she stopped herself.

Naruto listened intently, as he always did, trying his best to lighten her heart and unburden her.

"You feel differently, don't you, Hinata-sama?" Naruto asked gently. 

"You've chosen love, haven't you, hime?" He added softly.

And the look that appeared in her eyes then touched his heart deeply.

Yes. I choose love. I choose you, her eyes had told him.

But there was more. 

Her eyes showed a plea for freedom, for something real and true, beyond the cold, heartless world she had always known.

Naruto's heart ached for her, it truly did. 

He found himself leaning close, taking her hands in his, and he made the mistake of promising to always protect her. He gave her hope that he could save her from such a horrid life, to be the source of freedom and love she so desperately sought.

"I'll figure something out. I'll save you, I promise," He had assured her.

Naruto remembered the joy that instantly appeared in Hinata's eyes, how she believed him wholeheartedly, placing all her trust in him.

That night, she actually kissed him for the very first time.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun," She whispered against his lips.

But he should have known better than to make such a promise.

What they had was fragile yet unbreakable when they were together, a beautiful dream they lived each and every night.

But dreams were fleeting. 

Reality was cruel. 

And, forbidden love never lasts.

They were caught. 

Hinata and Naruto thought it would be another quiet, hidden night together in the garden, a sanctuary where they could steal moments away from prying eyes, just like all those times before. 

But they were wrong.

Naruto could still remember the rustling of leaves and the snap of a twig that alerted them too late.

Suddenly, they were ambushed. 

King Hiashi's guards emerged from the darkness, torches in hand, intent on seizing them both.

Naruto fought back fiercely, for Hinata, for both of them, but there were just too many. Their sheer numbers overwhelmed him, and despite his best efforts, they managed to subdue him. 

Subdue them both.

The guards then dragged them away, tearing them from their sanctuary.

And just like that, their secret was out. 

Naruto had no idea how they had been discovered that night, but it didn't matter. The truth was out, the damage done, and they were now at the mercy of the King—a furious Hiashi Hyūga.

And oh, was he furious.

Their punishment was as cruel as it was merciless.

Hinata's punishment was given first. For defying her father's orders, daring to love someone beneath her stature, and tarnishing her family's honor, she faced severe consequences.

She was forbidden to see Naruto ever again.

Her tear-streaked face and dull eyes were the last sight Naruto saw of her as the guards forcibly took her away to her chambers. Naruto had never seen her so broken. Her desperate cries and pleas echoed through the cold, stone halls, her voice screaming his name the entire time. 

He could still hear her cries.

His punishment, however, was far worse. 

He was beaten, humiliated, and dragged before the King, where he was forced to his knees and made to face Hiashi's wrath.

"You have betrayed your duty, dishonored my family, and defiled my daughter," The King declared, his voice cold and unforgiving.

"For that, you will pay the ultimate price."

Naruto had accepted his fate. 

He believed he deserved it for turning his back on his knight's oath and causing Hinata so much pain. He expected his punishment to be death, a swift end to his suffering. He braced himself for it, thinking it would be a merciful release compared to the agony of being separated from Hinata.

But fate had a crueler design.

Instead, Naruto was brought before a dark, malevolent witch, and he instantly knew what was in store for him. 

He would be cursed.

Indeed, the witch cast a spell upon him, a powerful one. She transformed him into a beast—a creature so hideous that Hinata would never again be able to love him. 

"You will live out your days as a beast," The witch declared, her voice dripping with malice, "Banished from this palace, condemned to wander the forest for all eternity. You will outlive her, always knowing she is beyond your reach."

Pain tore through Naruto as his body twisted and changed, the curse taking hold. His once strong hands became claws, his noble and formidable body transformed into something large and terrifying, his face a grotesque mask of the beast he had become. 

The guards then threw him out of the castle, casting him away from his home, away from people, and away from Hinata.

Discarded like trash. 

Now, Naruto roamed the vast, lonely forest that surrounded the palace he once sworn to protect, his heart aching for the love he had lost. 

The forest was his prison now, and loneliness was his constant companion. 

Each step he took reminded him of Hinata, of the tender moments they had shared and the future that had been stolen from them. 

His curse was relentless, ensuring he would never forget. He was cursed to remember, to feel the pain of their love that could never be, every single day.

The only way his curse could be broken was if he was loved again. True love. 

But how could that ever happen? 

He was now a beast, feared and shunned by all who saw him. The idea of someone seeing past his beast form to the man within, understanding his pain, and loving him, seemed utterly impossible.

It was all wishful thinking. An unattainable dream. 

A painful hope he no longer allowed himself to wish for.

Continue Reading On Wattpad Or AO3.

— (⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆)

[iwriteasfotini]

Chapter X

Sirius POV, first year

“You can do underage magic in extreme circumstances and not be punished,” Remus said. “I read about it in Modern Ministry: An Overview of the Ministry of Magic in the Twentieth Century.” Sirius gave him a long look, “you willingly read a book called Modern Ministry: An Overview of the Ministry of Magic in the Twentieth Century?” “It was interesting,” shrugged Remus.  “When did you read it?” “When I was nine.”  “Sheesh Remus, didn’t you have any friends to play with?” Remus looked down and Sirius immediately felt ashamed. After all, who was he to talk about not having friends before Hogwarts. 

From The Heir and The Spare, Chapter X - Quidditch and Quarrels