#as I posted the fic I realized: bisexual lighting

[endercasts]

red blue light

this outfit, picked out by drakos:

combined with this:

turns into this drakos/ender fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48033475 (rated Mature for sexual content)

[doomedmoth]

Three’s a crowd

Pairing : Poly and bisexual fem!reader | reader x alexandra saint mleux x charles lerclerc

Warnings : use of y/n, polyamory, fluff, very light angst, request, not much more tbh

Synopsis : Request : Could you write a poly fic about Charles, Alexandra and Y/N ? Everyone is celebrating Charles’ brand LEC but since Charles and Alex are the public couple (for Ferrari PR etc), Y/N can’t do anything. She’s starting to feel left out because of it since they’re going out and celebrating without her, they keep leaving her out and forgetting important dates (her birthday or smthg). Happy ending please !

Moth’s prophecy💡: Thank you to the anonymous cryptid for the request, I tweaked it a bit but still kept the main plot, and I hope you and the other poly enjoyers will like it ! Thanks again for the support and great ideas !

“Okay one… two… three… and posted !” You threw yourself in Charles’ arms as he clicked on the button and threw his phone away immediately, catching both you and Alex in a cuddle.

“You did it !” Alexandra pinched at his cheeks and you ruffled his hair, hands trembling with excitement.

Finally his ice-cream brand, Lec, was out, the main announcement posted on Instagram. The end of countless sleepless nights and never ending zoom calls, meetings at the worst time possible, and secrets to keep. Of course, now the promotion would be another handful, but at least the three of you would deal with it together. And you had always been pretty good at supporting your lovers.

You got into a more comfortable position on Charles’ lap, head resting against his, as Alexandra had gotten up and started her, as she called it, “happy dance”, which consisted mostly in jumping in circles screaming until she got dizzy. As you snorted, Alexandra very clearly loosing balance, Charles took your hand in his, softly rubbing it with his fingers.

“Thank you… I know it hasn’t been easy to deal with this on top of the races and everything… You’ve been amazing. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” You could not help a smirk from coming up your lips, and thought this was the time to charge again.

“I know how you can repay me…” You straddled him, and as he did his best to appear confident and in charge, his blush betrayed his shyness. Alex had stopped spinning, seemingly much more interested in what was taking place on the couch. “Maybe you could…” You got closer to him, and peppered his neck with kisses until you got to his ear, in which you whispered as seductively as you could. “Maybe you could get me a dog ?”

He immediately rolled his eyes and playfully pushed you away as you laughed at his bright red cheeks. You had dreamt of having your own dog for so long, specifically a longhaired dachshund, and both Alex and Charles had said no multiple times. Charles’ arguments were mainly that he was away too often to properly care for it, and your girlfriend, who called the breed “hairy sausages”, argued she would have to deal with all the responsibilities of it because both yours and Charles’ works took a lot of time. And though she actually found dogs very cute, she did not have an interest big enough for them to manage her schedule around one.

You had pleaded to Lewis to use Roscoe to convince them, managed to go partly remote with your job, and flooded their messages with videos of dogs almost daily. At this point, you were seriously considering getting one in secret just to see how long it would take for them to realize, and then argue it is too late to give it back.

“Sure.” What ? You sat straight up on Charles as he pushed a strand of hair behind your ear. You couldn’t have heard well. You turned to Alex, who shrugged.

“I can’t deal with seeing you cry over reels anymore, and Mimi’s pretty cute.” She gave you a warm smile. Mimi was your friend’s dog, the one who got you into dachshund in the first place.

“You’re not serious, are you ? You’re just in a good mood. You’re joking.” Charles actually laughed, and you thought your heart wouldn’t be able to handle a prank.

“Promis juré ma princesse. Why not, you want one, you can take care of it, who am I to deny you ? Let’s get you a dog.”

No matter how well isolated was your apartment, you thought you would be lucky if no neighbors came to complain tomorrow. There was a lot to celebrate for one night.

“I’m sorry Y/N, I really need you to give Leo back, we’re going to take pictures…” Searching desperately for support in Alex’s eyes, you felt sick when you saw her staring at the ground. You were so shaken you let the event coordinator take the puppy from your arms and give him to Alexandra, who sheepishly turned her back to you and walked towards the press wall.

Charles himself was nowhere and everywhere at once, it was no use trying to get him to advocate for you. Too stressed by the beginning of the racing season combined with the launching events for Lec, he had mindlessly agreed to most of his agent’s suggestions, including playing what the Ferrari PR team had called “happy family”. Following the announcement of Carlos’ replacement, they needed good news to balance, and thought emphasizing Charles’ couple and furry kid would pull at a few heartstrings. But in their good Italian traditional beliefs, there was no place for a third, and since you had always been more busy, and therefore more discreet, than Alexandra, the cut had been made. They were to be the hit couple for a while, in a vain but admittedly successful attempt at calming the fans.

You had had little to no say, Charles having always been your voice in those kinds of businesses, and Alexandra being media trained to perfection. You thought back on your promises, on your dedication to be supportive of them, and decided the best thing to do would be to go get some air. It wasn’t as if you would be missed anyway.

As you stepped on one of the secluded balconies, the cold breeze of the night came to slap your face, and without anyone’s arms or jacket to comfort you, you suddenly felt very lonely. The evening had dragged on enough, you just wanted to go home. Debating between taking a cab or waiting for your lovers, you took out your phone, only to be flooded by notifications from your socials. You barely used them, so had no idea why they would be so active all of a sudden.

Both Instagram and Twitter greeted you with the same pictures taken either by fans or paparazzis. You shopping with Carlos’s girlfriend, Leo trotting happily by your side, as well as another few at a restaurant with friends, where Leo was sleeping on your lap while Charles and Alex were somewhere in the background, probably discussing going dancing after. The usual. But this time, all the comments seemed to agree on one thing. The dog wasn’t yours.

“Did they lend her the dog for the day ?”. “Leo’s godmother.” “Is she gonna be the babysitter while they’re gone ?” “Me when my friends get a baby”.

You three had always been private, but not secret. People made their own opinions anyway, and you did not care much about polishing a public persona. You did not use socials, Alex had private accounts, and Charles’ were managed by his PR team. In the end, even though you had dated Alexandra since high school, and Charles for a bit more than a year, the lack of official pictures or announcement, coupled with Ferrari’s new strategy, only served as validation to those who affirmed the real couple were Alexandra and Charles.

You felt sick, cold, and particularly lonely. Cab it would be.

“Babe what are you doing outside like that, you’ll get a cold !” You felt his jacket fall on your shoulders before you even heard him walk up to you. Ears buzzing, eyes watering, you weren’t sure you were able to face him.

“I’m gonna go home. I’ll leave you with your girlfriend and your dog if you don’t mind.” When you turned to him, you saw right behind one of the girls in charge of the party holding Leo, and your blood started boiling again. Charles was looking at you all confused, and you felt an itch to slap him.

“What ? What are you on about ? How ‘bout you come back inside, I think Leo misses you.” He chuckled, and you thought a full punch would probably be better than a slap.

“I don’t think your dog misses me.” The words felt like poison in your mouth, but you wanted him to get it. To understand how ridiculous this situation was getting. And why wouldn’t the girl put him down, he was clearly uncomfortable in her arms ? Why was no one taking it seriously ?

“Leo’s your dog, Y/N, I don’t get it…”

“Then give him back to me !” You screamed and the puppy yapped back, before jumping from the assistant’s arms, who shrieked and struggled to get him back. Too late, he had found your arms before she managed to pull the leash. “You should probably talk with your team, Charles.” He frowned at the use of his name, which almost always meant you were pissed. “Goodnight.”

As they finished filling their suitcases, you thought back on this evening, and that you probably should have shut your mouth. Following Lec’s launching party, what you hoped would be a wake up call for your lovers turned into something even worse. Charles was indeed called in for a talk with the PR team. And then Alex too. Your turn never came, and the more the days passed, the more it appeared your relationship was being taken over by management and marketing teams.

The following weeks had been a blur of unspoken tensions and meaningless routines. Breakfast alone, walking Leo only in the areas pre-approved to avoid pictures, going to work without him and coming home to new communication materials published with his face on it, work calls for your boyfriend stretching into the night, and your girlfriend going out so often it seemed her side of the bed was getting colder with each passing day. They both seemed to have undergone a sad transformation, their fiery and protective spirits dampened by forced compromises. Something told you they had been pushed to agree to the new directive, and yet you couldn’t help but stay mad at them. You understood Charles. The pressure he was under, the expectations of the whole team, the weight of his responsibilities. But Alexandra, you had known for too long. She had never been one to bow down and blindly agree to unfair decisions. She had loved you, through good and bad. She had promised you, together forever. And now she kept her hands by her side on the street and you wondered when her clothes had stopped smelling like you.

They kissed you goodbye, promised you mountains of gifts and a magnificent restaurant when they returned, but the door had not even closed when you fell crying to your knees. You had moved to the couch and slept there, your puppy watching over you, when your mother knocked on the door the following morning.

“Happy birthday darling !” She opened her arms and you ran in them, grabbing at your siblings behind her to get them in the hug too.

You had hoped to be out of tears by now, having spent the night reading articles speculating on why you were living with Formula 1 hottest couple -were you a distant relative ? A friend of Alex in need of a place to crash ?-, but the warm embrace of family members you hadn’t seen for months was enough to bring you back to the edge.

“Where are my favorite in-laws ?” She was beaming as she settled her belongings on the kitchen counter. “Oh that’s my baby grandson, come here baby !” She took Leo in her arms and you thought you had more time to breathe, but your younger brother tugged at your sleeve.

“Can Charlie take me on the boat ? I learned how to do a backflip at school and he can film me do it from the boat and then the others are gonna be so jealous and” You put your hand on his head and ruffled his hair softly.

“I’m sorry… Charles isn’t there. Alex too.” Your mother furrowed her brows and gave you a puzzled look. “Race weekend, and they were expected at an event they couldn’t cancel.” Your voice, barely above a whisper, was already shaking. You felt your tears ready to spill over, and gritted your teeth. “Last minute decision.”

Your brother only groaned and ran to the balcony to look at the port, already over it, but your mother came to hold your hand, and you exchanged a look of “we’ll talk about it later”.

Unfortunately, by the time you all came back from your evening out, and the kids were in bed, your mother was faced with the situation without leaving you any time to explain.

“Y/N, dear, come here please…” You sat next to her with two glasses of wine, and looked over her shoulder to her phone, where she had some celebrities gossip website open. “Is that the event they couldn’t cancel for your birthday ?” Her tone was cold, and you took at better look at the pictures.

A sunset movie-worthy, one of those that always brought tears to your eyes. A small table with candles and flowers on the beach, cocktails so colorful you could almost taste them from afar. Holding hands, looking at each other like the world had stopped, your lovers were apparently having the time of their life in a romantic restaurant, on your birthday evening. You took out your own phone. No messages.

The panic attack struck you without warning. Your heart had clenched all at once, and despite your mother’s attempt at laying you on your back, your muscles kept you rolled in a ball. You felt as if every breath was tearing apart your lungs, and could feel your heartbeat from your ears to the tip of your fingers. You could vaguely hear her talking to you, but it was as if a wall was standing between you, yet her touch felt very close, too close, as if her usually soft fingers were now burning your arms. Was it the end ? Was it how your great love story ended, alone on a Saturday night, crying so much you were drooling on the couch ? Your body was aching like never before, were you about to pass out ? To simply die ?

In the end you only managed to fall asleep after your mom calmed you down. You thought before closing your eyes that even your pain was disappointing.

You were helping your siblings pack up their bags when they came home, arms filled with packages. The little ones jumped to them, glad to have at least been able to say hello before leaving, but your mother stayed by your side, not even greeting them. She thanked them coldly for the gifts, and pushing the children towards the door, gave you a sympathetic look. She said she would always be there for you. She said you could come home if needed. But when Leo jumped on the couch and laid next to you, you knew no matter how painful it was, your home was here and there. You just needed time. You would figure it out, together. But not tonight. Tonight you just wanted out.

“Happy belated birthday, princesse.” Charles said tentatively, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he gestured to the mountain of gifts piled on the table. Alex sat by your side, but you got up before she could hold your hand.

“I don’t want your gifts. I want an apology. Think well about what you’ve done.” You kissed your puppy’s head and left the apartment immediately.

Almost running in the hallways and stairs, you got to his door panting. You knew he was back, they always made the journey together. So when he opened the door, clearly exhausted and surprised to see you, you broke down once again.

“I’m sorry Max… can I come in ?” He immediately closed the door behind you and called for his girlfriend, while his step daughter Penelope came to hug your legs. You collapsed on their sofa, shoulders shaking with silent sobs, unable to find the words to explain the depth of your pain. Kelly and Penelope tried to soothe you with soft voices and hugs, but Max only managed to pace the room, his jaw clenched in anger.

“What the hell happened ?” He had always been so sweet to you, so welcoming in this unfamiliar world. You felt bad for seeking comfort in his home after he had just came back. But the gates were opened, and while you cried, you still managed to make out a few words, enough for the couple to piece out the situation.

Penelope stayed close to you, hugging you with all the warmth a child could muster, while Kelly had been forced to stand in front of the door to prevent your friend from committing murder. They were now arguing silently, and you felt your eyes get heavier by the minute, strangely lulled to sleep by their hushed whispers. You had finally put words on what was happening, and the little girl’s cuddles had managed to calm you down to the point of dozing off.

“I think you should take her home.” Kelly murmured, still worried.

Max nodded in agreement, and he carefully scooped you in his arms, cradling you against his chest as he carried you back to your apartment. Charles was standing in the doorway, Alex pacing behind him, and both let him pass, faces etched with concern.

“You two stay right there.” Max’s voice was sharp, commanding not to argue. He laid you down in your bed, tucking the covers around you and stroking your hair until sleep finally claimed you. When he tried to leave the apartment, your two lovers were still standing by the door, begging to be heard.

“Max, please, what’s going on…” Alexandra tried to get close but he immediately took a step back, and pointed his finger at her.

“You had your chance to make things right by staying this weekend. You blew it up. Take your responsibilities.” He then turned to Charles, and almost spat to his face. “And you… I thought family was supposed to always come first. Maybe I was wrong.” His face was distorted with anger, and his knuckles white on the door handle. “You two have to man up for once in your fucking life. Either you tell Ferrari, and everyone who’s putting their noise in your business, to fuck off, or you loose her.”

With that, he slammed the door, leaving Charles and Alexandra with the consequences of their actions. They knew they had been fooled. Manipulated. Two nights ago, when the pictures of them had been taken, they were having one of the worst conversation possible. One they wanted to share with you as soon as possible, and in person, and not on your birthday. They were now wondering how they could do so without sounding like liars.

Would you trust them ? Believe Charles, when he would tell you the PR team had said you weren’t cut for fame, that the spotlights were obviously making you stressed, that you would be happier away from it all ? Believe Alex, when she would admit that they had threatened her with your boyfriend’s career, as well as your own, reminding her that she had never needed to work, and that if she loved the both of you, she should let professionals handle the situation ? Believe them, when they would say that’s what they talked about at the restaurant, and that their look of love was captured when they thought of you home, and wished you were with them ?

They weren’t sure. The thought that you could decide to end it all, and you would be smart to do so, frightened them. When they finally went to bed, hands shaking and eyes wet, each one cuddling by your side, hoping this night would not be the last, you did not even wake up.

“Still not forgiven ?” Max pushed Charles’ shoulder softly, half teasing him, half genuinely concerned for his friend, even though he hated to admit it. He had moved away from the group of men having a drink in the shared garden of their building, and had been staring at the moon for too long for someone in a good mood.

“I don’t know… She keeps saying everything is fine, but it’s clearly not. Even when we told her of our meetings, she was like… she agreed with them ?” Charles turned to his friend, disbelief written all over his face. “Said they knew what they were talking about, that it was for the best. Keeps walking behind us in the street, encourages us to go out just us two, even refuses to hold Leo when there are fans ! Her own dog, Max !” Charles felt the arm of the taller man lay on his shoulder, and he rested his head in the embrace, sighing.

As he was about to turn for a full hug, he heard Carlos whistle from the table, and Daniel signed at them to get back and away from the hedges.

“Paps.” The Aussie simply said when they got back, pointing a finger at the light of a camera through the bushes. “What a waste of money living here if they still manage to get in.” Max groaned and started to pick up the bottles, inciting everyone to go back inside.

“What a pain those fuckers…” He grumbled, clearly annoyed to not be able to enjoy his evening out with friends without the sound of camera shutters ruining everything. “What fucking interest is there to our lives, go get one of your own or something for god’s sake…” Everyone agreed but still followed him to one of the shared inside spaces, frustration hanging heavy in the air.

As they settled around the pool table, anecdotes about obsessive fans and annoying paparazzis were shared, but Charles’ mind was drifting elsewhere. An idea had begun to take root, a small glimmer of hope for his relationship, to maybe get back his girlfriend, before sadness had taken over most of her. He chugged down the rest of his drink, and called for the attention of his friends.

“What if… what if we used the paps ? What if I said fuck you to Ferrari without dealing with the legal issues ?” A spark appeared in their eyes, and in their last sober decision, they called Alexandra to come down, all agreeing she would be their voice of reason.

Oblivious to it all, you were reading in bed when the gathering happened, and would never know of it.

Only a few days later was the plan put into action. Charles’ idea of using actual paparazzis was turned down by Alex, who reminded the boys of the consequences on their careers if anyone found out who made the call. Despite his drunken arguments of being ready to fuck it all for his girls, soundly supported by his friends, she had found a much safer solution.

When you stepped on the huge balcony, you felt tears come to your eyes, happy ones, for the first time in weeks. Your lovers had crafted a perfect romantic dinner for you, straight out of a movie. The table was laid out for three, candles lit up and rose petals everywhere on the ground. A bottle of expensive champagne was chilling in a bucket of ice, waiting to be popped podium-style, and Leo was waiting by the door with a little bow tie on his collar. You had missed being just the three of you, no waitress, no management, no friends, just a homemade dinner and loving looks.

So when they took you in their arms, wrapping you in love and affection, peppering your skin with kisses and sweet compliments, you simply gave in without a care for anything else. You hugged and kissed until you had no breath left, and let them treat you, for you had deserved it.

Yet the whole time, unbeknownst to you, Daniel and Max had been stationed right under your balcony, hidden from view as they snapped pictures of the intimate scene unfolding. They did their best to capture every shared glance and affectionate touch, every kiss and hug that would make it impossible to deny the love shared between you. They had all warned paparazzis were roaming in the area the night before, which would make the whole thing even more believable for the PR teams. The secret mission was going to perfection, and when you retreated indoors with a seductive wink to your partners, Charles and Alexandra gave a subtle thumbs up to the boys to signal the end of the work for tonight.

As you awoke to the gentle rays of sunlight through the curtains you had not closed well last night, a sense of peace came over you for the first time in a while. Yesterday’s romantic dinner, and night, was still fresh in your mind and body, and you smiled when greeted with your lovers’ sleeping faces when you turned in the bed. Reaching as quietly as possible for your phone, your soft morning suddenly turned to hell as you saw hundreds of notifications and missed calls appear on the lock screen.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you scrolled them all. Missed calls from Ferrari. Messages from long lost friends. And obviously, dozens and dozens of pictures plastered across every gossip account related to Formula 1. It seemed an anonymous account had taken and posted pictures of your very private dinner during the night, and then disappeared, right after the pictures had been reposted everywhere.

With trembling hands, you turned to look at Charles and Alexandra, still sleeping peacefully by your side. Instead of finding solace in their presence, a wave of dread washed over you, the fear of losing everything you held dear threatening to consume you whole. Would this be the breaking point for them ? Would Ferrari ask you to move out ? Would they all lie, deny completely your existence ?

The sound of Leo’s plaintive cries echoed through the room, snapping your partners from their slumber. They came even closer to you, filled with concern as your breathing got more and more erratic, tears streaming down your face. They took turns kissing away your tears and whispering words of comfort until you managed to give them your phone, as well as theirs. You tried regulating your breathing as they scrolled, and sat down, expecting a tough conversation straight after.

Alex simply threw her phone away after not even two minutes of screen time, coming back to lay her head on your chest and faking purring. Charles sighed, and opened the camera of his phone. Had they asked him to make an apology video ? He turned the camera to Leo, and added his hand to where Alex’s fingers were already intertwined with yours. Snapping a pic of the small dog with your three hands next to him, he immediately posted it on his story on Instagram, which he had apparently gotten back the login details for, with the caption “Family 4️⃣❤️”.

“About time it was out officially, right love ?” Charles stroked your cheek lovingly while your girlfriend hummed in agreement, nuzzling closer to you. “I was thinking your red dress for the event next week, and we could get me a new suit but” He kept rambling on, his phone buzzing non stop on his side table, head in the crook of your neck. Too stunned to speak, you simply laid back in the bed and let him talk your ear off. It wasn’t over then ?

By the time of the next Lec event, you were sure it was far from over. Alex was holding your hand, and you had gotten matching nails the day before. Charles had insisted you were the only one to wear red tonight, and he kept you as close as physically possible, one hand always on your waist. The little pup struggled to find his place in all this affection, but you made sure to keep him in your arms whenever he needed comfort, and otherwise refused to give the leash to anyone else. When Charles’ agent came to warn you there would be trouble, Alex stepped in front of you with the look of defiance you had always loved, and simply told him “With all due respect, fuck off.” Charles shrugged, saying this wasn’t a Ferrari event anyway, and smiled as he took you two away.

You finally stood tall and proud, at peace and at home. The party was quite private, you were mostly surrounded by friends and well-wishers, and one in particular came to greet you with the biggest smile on his face.

“As pretty as ever querida !” Carlos took you in his arms, and gave a small pet to Leo’s head. He congratulated you, and gesturing to the PR team seemingly having a breakdown in the corner of a room, he chuckled. “The only thing I won’t miss at Ferrari is their shitty strategy.” He winked at you before going back to the buffet, not without a last word “It’s clear the only happy family they should advertise is you three, with how they’re looking at you.”

You turned back to meet their eyes. Charles raised his glass to you, and Alex’s smile was brighter than the neon lights. You felt filled with pride, love, a sense of validation like no other. You thought of your mother, of her warm embrace and comforting words. You hoped she would see the pictures of tonight. You hoped she knew you had a home away from home in them. And so you ran to them, and laughed until your cheeks hurt, and danced until the lights went out, and promised to love until the very last star in the sky burnt out.

[ellieslaces]

NOTHING’S GONNA HURT YOU, BABY.

featuring: leon kennedy x fem!agent!reader x ashley graham

synopsis: ashley graham's biggest weakness is attractive people, especially kind, attractive people. she was not expecting to be saved by two of the hottest, kindest people she'd ever met, much less to end up crushing on the both of them

content warnings: harsh language; mentions of violence; tension; lots of flirtatious banter; ashley shooting her shot for an entire fic basically; mentions of reader being bisexual; light smut; kissing (f!f & f!m); one bed trope; forced proximity; no real smut bc idk how to write a threesome :(

notes: takes place on the way back from Spain (technically post RE4R); one bed-ish trope (r&leon share a bed, and a room with ashley); ashley is sort of confused about her sexuality; semi-established relationship (r&leon); really more of a sibling dynamic between ashley and leon (it sounds weird, but its balanced in the actual fic, i promise)

word count: 6.13k (i’m so sorry)

chloe talks: was this entirely inspired by @postersofleon ? yeah, i read this post a week or so ago and i'm losin' sleep over it. so full credits to @postersofleon for the plot! luv their lil' drabble :) also, sorry this isn't more of a threesome fic. if it were a triple female threesome, i could work with that, but add a dick into it, i'm clueless. anyways, enjoy ashley fumbling for this whole fic (luv her, i just can't help embarrassing her shes so cute). also, please appreciate this, i wrote around 80% of this while i was supposed to be studying for an exam. that’s on adhd and procrastination :)

now playing: Nohings Gonna Hurt You Baby; Cigarettes After Sex

It is entirely possible that blondes were, indeed, your weakness. Sure, over the years, you'd come to realize there was something especially alluring about lighter hair - possibly the way it reminded you of the sun, or how each strand looked like spun gold. Although, what seemed to seal your fate was the ever dangerous pairing of blonde hair and blue eyes. Oh, how alluring and damning was the color of icy blue coupled with silvery, silken strands.

For a time, you believed your weakness was encompassed only within your field partner, Leon S. Kennedy. God, how handsome was that agent. Not only handsome, but brave, and kind - awkwardly so, but it really is the principle of the thing. It was painstakingly obvious to everyone, other than Leon it seemed, that you were completely and forlornly in love with him. It seemed you were equally as blind to the evidence that Leon Kennedy was also miserably in love with you.

But the one person who noticed it upon first glance was Ashley Graham. Not only for the clear obviousness of the situation, but because the feeling was entirely, and unfortunately mutual. And it was this girl who also awoke the realization within you that Leon was not the only blonde-haired, blue-eyed person you found enticing.

Though, you were not the only one in this clandestine triad who had an impending weakness for certain types of people. No, you were not, Ashley had an Achilles heel for graciously kind people. Not just kind, but attractive. Not in a shallow or superficial way, but to say more that a person would catch her eye. She had no pre-existing physical type - no particular hair color, eye color, or even height preference. Just that they be kind. And much to the First Daughter's dismay, you were both horribly kind. In your own respective ways, of course.

Leon — as aforementioned — was awkwardly kind, despite how well he meant. He never knew exactly how to word his concern, or how to come about comforting someone. It was usually said in simple phrases such as “you okay?” or in way of one of many snarky comments he had stored in the deep recesses of his mind. Ashley thought he was funny; sometimes.

You, on the other hand, were painfully sweet to her. Always reassuring her that she was okay, and you were going to keep her safe. Field medic, that’s how Leon explained your role in her rescue. You were there to keep her and Leon healthy and in one piece, which you were startlingly good at. Any bruise or cut she procured was immediately treated by your sweet disposition and skilled hands. She liked how gentle you were with her.

So yes, Leon was kind in an awkward manner, and you were kind in a practical sense. And that devastating combination was her inevitable downfall.

From the moment you and Leon found her in that church, she knew she was fucked. Because, how could people look that good while doing the sort of jobs you had? There was no way, no way she would ever be able to form coherent sentences around you two. But, somehow, by some miracle, she got on with you both quite well. Despite the obvious moments of third-wheel-ism because you and Leon were so close.

There where multiple reoccurring occasions where Ashley suspected the pair of you may be together. Or at least fucking on the side. Because no two people who are just partners have that dynamic. The constant tension, the way Leon could be protective or even overbearing sometimes. The way you would rush to his side to patch up his wounds — no matter how small and minuscule they were — after a fight. Sometimes, despite how endearing it could be, Ashley was annoyed. Sure, you two had known each other for an extended period of time and had just met Ashley that day. But, it became so aggravating when you would consult each other without the inclusion of Ashley.

Many times you would apologize to her, expressing how sorry you were for leaving her out of conversations or hypothetical battle plans. It wasn’t that either of you thought she was stupid or couldn’t handle it. No, it was more along the lines that you were used to it just being the two of you. There was rarely ever a third party involved — other than Hunnigan chatting away in your ear pieces of course — in these types of situations.

Ashely was smitten, to put it lightly. She’d made several attempts to quote-unquote ‘shoot her shot’ with Leon. Little comments of how brave he was, how thankful she was for his saving her. Even calling him her ‘hero’ on one occasion or another. His name had posted permanent residence in her vocabulary it seemed.

However, her means of flattery with you was completely different. She was a little more bold with you, seeing as you were more of an open person than Leon was. She partook in the cliche, yet never failing flirtatious mannerisms — simple touches, giggling at your jokes, or simply sticking to your side in dangerous situations. It wasn’t that you didn’t notice, no, you just turned a conscious blind eye to it all. Ashley was a college girl, a sorority girl, a privileged girl. She was probably used to using flattery to get what she wanted, to gain the attention she so desperately thrived on.

Though as your time in the hostile Spanish village went on, you came to realize that it wasn’t superficial, Ashley’s flattery toward you and your field partner. Absolutely not, far from it. You realized after Leon had carried her to Luis’ laboratory and you managed to get the machine working to expel the parasite from her body, that Ashley was totally and completely smitten with the pair of you. She was attached in the worst way. And that would be your inevitable downfall.

Leon was consciously blind to it. Your partner — no matter his selfless tendencies and his awkwardly kind nature — was melancholic. He had a firm belief he was predestined to be miserable. That there was always another shoe waiting to drop. He didn’t deserve happiness, peace, love, a good life. So, he ignored it. He ignored how Ashley was equally as taken with him as she was with you. He didn’t bring it up, he didn’t even act like he noticed. Oh, but you did.

You saw the attachment so clearly by the time the three of you had managed to escape the crumbling island via Ada Wong’s gifted jet ski that Ashely was so attached to the pair of you. She’d offered positions on her own personal detail to you, claiming she could put a word in with her father. Denials were made, kind smiles and the shaking of heads. Too kind of an offer and you liked your jobs, is what you’d told her. That wasn’t at all what you were thinking though.

Post a Hunnigan meltdown over your earpieces, the three of you were told to stay the night in a shabby, rundown little local hotel in a larger town a couple dozen miles south of the village. Still in Spain, still tired, still craving a warm shower. One room, two beds. Great, one of you was stuck sleeping with someone. Ashely offered for one of you to have a bed to yourself, she’d sleep with the other. Not a great idea. You and Leon — having spent many awkward and difficult missions together, so this was not strange to either one of you — decided on giving Ashley a bed to herself and taking the other together

If you’d been alone, oh how your lovestruck little heart would have burst. Sharing a bed with Leon Kennedy, the object of your affection. The sole performer in your wildest — and wettest — dreams. But you weren’t alone. Ashley was in the room, a matter of feet away, in her own double sized bed.

If she hadn’t been — to be vulgar and completely honest — nothing would have stopped you from fucking him then and there. The tension between the pair of you had been growing thicker since your arrival in Spain. It was thick, painfully so, and also horrifically obvious not only to you, but yet again, to Ashley. For the longer stretch of the mission, she’d expected a grand confession at any moment. A breakdown caused by a dangerous situation that ensued a moment of emotional and even physical vulnerability. But, to her dismay and yours, that never happened. Because, above all things, Leon was professional for a lack of a better word. He wasn’t going to allow his emotions to jeopardize the mission.

And so no breakdown of emotional distress and vulnerability played out. No confession of hearts bleeding for the other were cried out. Part of you was glad it hadn’t happened that way. But the larger part of your soul which was dedicated to Leon had wished it had. You longed for the day he realized he needed you too. But, to maintain professionalism and dignity, neither of you made such admissions.

Warm showers were taken in rotation in the tiny excuse for a bathroom. The shower was small and permanently stained with grime, but really was clean as the owner swore. The shower head was one of the older ones from the seventies that made the water come out in a dribble, then a forceful rainfall that hurt your back. The toiletries provided by the hotel were small and cheap, but you were clean. That’s all that mattered.

Sans dried blood and grime, you sat on Ashley’s bed, cross legged as you patched up each one of her injuries. Ashley had been the first to shower, after a fifteen minute debate with the two of you over who should go first. She had a few bandages and exposed scrapes that needed to be re-cleaned. So, with gentle hands you did so as Leon took use of his turn to shower.

“Looks good, no signs of infection so far. But, like I said before, I can’t tell too much without the right equipment.” You reassured Ashely as you finished patching up a cut on her arm and began to put your first aid kit back together.

“Thanks,” Ashley nodded, inspecting her scrape riddled skin. Small bruises and surface cuts were beginning to make their appearance, telltale signs of the brutality the three of you had endured in that village.

“Let me know if you feel feverish or see any swelling. That could mean infection.” You offered, being kind but stern.

“‘Kay,” the girl nodded, smiling up at you as you let out a sigh, leaning back on your hands on the bed.

You looked at her, smiling softly as your head tilted to the side a little. “Need me to kiss it better?”

At this, Ashley’s eyes went wide, her cheeks dusted with pink. You felt a little bad then, you just tried to ease the tension. “S’okay, Ashley. I was just playing.” You laughed, your tone lighthearted as you placed a gentle hand on her knee with an equally gentle smile.

It seemed the touch was worst than the comment. Ashley’s entire face went aflame, her eyes wide, and large as she stared at you. An uneasy ache settled in your chest, uncertainty lingering in the air as your smile faded. The initial shock between the pair of you didn’t last long as the door to the bathroom swung open.

“Jesus, you could’ve left me some hot water.” Leon grumbled as he stepped out into the room, lips downturned and brows etched in an annoyed frown.

The three of you were now paused as Leon’s eyes fell on you and Ashely — or more-so on the hand that rested on Ashley’s knee. Reality seemed to snap into place all at once for you, yanking your hand back and standing up.

“Let me check you out.” You mumbled, clearing your throat as you picked up the first aid kit and took residence on your own bed.

“No, I’m fine. Check on Ashley,” Leon shook his head, damp blond strands sticking to his forehead.

“Already did. Just finished. Your turn, whether you like it or not.” You stated, your tone final as you looked up at Leon, brows raised.

The agent let out a huff of agitation, grumbling something indiscernible as he sat down on the bed beside you. You began to gently inspect Leon's wounds- some small, others more intense. Despite his prior hesitation to be taken care of, he was stoic about it all. He sat still, unmoving, silent as you worked to disinfect and cover each wound with fresh bandages. The silence in the room was loud, startlingly uncomfortable as you patched Leon up.

A quick glance over at Ashley as you finished bandaging a deep cut that you'd quickly stitched up on the field showed her wide eyes. Wide baby blue focused on the way your fingers gently worked, how graceful and careful they were again the alabaster tone of Leon's skin.

"Doing okay over there, blondie?” Leon inquired, a small smirk playing on his face as he spotted Ashley's startling gaze on the wounds decorating his skin. He had mistook her fascination of your hands as nervousness of his wounds. But you knew. You could tell what her gaze meant.

"Oh, yeah. M'fine." Ashley recovered very quickly, to your surprise. Well, maybe it wasn't just your hands that had her enraptured, Leon was sitting on the bed, shirtless.

"Alright, hero-boy, all better." You smiled at Leon as you patted his bicep - earning a small, almost inaudible grumble from him - and moving to close your medical kit. You stood, tucking away in your pack and let out a sigh. "’Kay, l for one, am fucking exhausted."

“Yeah, me too,” Ashely murmured, an aura of discomfort still radiating from her. She offered a kind, if not awkward smile to the pair of you before settling into the bed, pulling the overs over her shoulders. “G’night.”

“‘Night,” you smiled, shuffling over to the bed you and Leon were sharing. You sat down on the edge, eyes trained on the back of Ashley’s head — the blonde hair, how it shimmered against the dim light of the single lamp in the room. You felt almost as if you weren’t really there.

“Need me to check you?” Leon asked, snapping you back to reality. You jolted a bit, looking at him from over your shoulder.

“Oh, nah, I’m okay.” You shook your head, clearing your throat as you settled into the bed, flicking off the lamp.

“Okay,” Leon shrugged, getting into the bed too, still in just a pair of pants. Everyone was in the barest of clothing. You in a tank top and underwear — Ashely in the same. It was all you had. All your clothes were soiled with dirt, and grime, and blood.

Thinking of nothing in particular, you laid there, staring up at the ceiling of the dark room. The walls creaked every once in a while, odd drafts filtered in from cracks in the ceiling or from the window. It was too quiet. And it stayed that way for a long while.

“Everything okay with Ashley?” Leon asked, his voice quiet, as not to wake the subject of conversation.

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” You mumbled back, turning your head. He, too, was on his back. Both of you too afraid to face each other in bed, seeming too personal. “Why?”

“Just making sure.” His response was quiet, a little too nonchalant, as if he’d forced it to be casual. “It was awkward earlier.”

“Earlier?” You decided to play dumb, despite knowing that Leon wouldn’t believe it. He was well aware you knew what he was talking about. The touch. How Ashley had frozen when you’d touched her leg.

“Whatever, play stupid.” He scoffed with a half smile — a knowing smile. The bastard. “Just saying, she seems attached to you.”

“Oh, and she’s not with you, her hero?” You bit back with a hint of humor. Your voices were still low, hoping Ashely was asleep — or she couldn’t hear you if she wasn’t.

Leon laughed quietly, a rough scoff sound that echoed in your ears. You smiled at little at that sound. “Whatever you say,”

You frowned, gaining the confidence to shuffle onto your side, facing him as you contemplated what that simple, yet heavy ‘whatever’ meant. “What do you mean, whatever?”

Leon sighed, rolling onto his side to face you too. His eyes, still so blue even in the darkness of the motel room, bore into yours. It seemed he didn’t carry the same awkward feeling about this topic as you did. Or, maybe he did and he just hid it exceptionally well. But knowing him, that didn’t seem right.

“She’s just attached to you. Always at your side, or chatting your ear off. And what the hell was with that earlier?” He continued, brows furrowed in their eternal frown.

“I was patching her up. Making sure none of her cuts were infected.” You half shrugged, trying to play it off as something simple, even though it was so complex.

“She looked like she wanted to kiss you or something.”

“Oh, my God,” you rolled your eyes, trying to push away the way your chest tightened at the though. “You’re so fucking dramatic. She wasn’t gonna kiss me.”

“Okay,” Leon shrugged, his tone final and casually dismissive. Like he was finished talking about it. Like he didn’t believe you but didn’t want to say so.

“She was not going to kiss me.” You pushed, voice quiet yet firm. Your own brows were pulled into a frown, like what he’d said was offensive.

But it wasn’t. Kissing Ashley wasn’t a bad thought. It wasn’t as if you’d never kissed another girl before. The first time you had was in the training program for USSTRATCOM, your training partner who made you realize that all girls don’t look at other girls that way. She was the first, others followed.

Ashley was pretty, very pretty. Tall, pretty lips, and the blonde hair, blue eye thing, of course. Kissing her wouldn’t be so bad, really. It would probably be very nice. But nothing like kissing Leon, though.

“Okay.” Leon said again, shifting to lay on his back again, letting his eyes close. The finality of it all aggravated you. So, you asked him a question maybe you shouldn’t have.

“What if she did?” You asked, eyes narrowed and trained on him. A smile bloomed on your face at the way his eyes opened, his brows furrowing deeper at your question.

“What about it? It’s not my business.” Leon grumbled. But the tone he used made it wound like it was very much his business.

“M’kay.” You nodded, quietly celebrating to the way you’d seemed to have stumped him, surprised him.

For a moment, he didn’t respond. He stared at the ceiling, and you stared at him. It was deadly quiet, the rhythmic sound of Ashley’s breathing the sole sound in the room.

“Did you want her to?” Leon asked, mumbling quietly. His eyes stayed on the ceiling, as if he were afraid to look you in the eye when you answered. Afraid you had an answer he wouldn’t like.

“I dunno.” You admitted, honestly. You didn’t know, truly you didn’t. Kissing Ashely wouldn’t be so bad, but you hardly knew the girl. Not to mention her heavy attachment to you. It could get worse if she kissed you.

Leon nodded, not sure of how to answer your admission. He laid there, your eyes on him as you laid on your side. You wished so desperately for him to kiss you, or hold you, or do something. It was painful, the thought that he didn’t feel the same.

“Would that bother you?” You dared to ask, voice so low it was almost inaudible as you spoke.

Leon was still quiet for a long moment, maybe considering whether to answer seriously or with his usual dry humor. The latter won. “Not something I’d wanna walk in on.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “Why? Because we’re girls?”

“Because she’d be kissing you.” He responding, saying it lightly, like the meaning of that simple sentence wasn’t the heaviest thing you’d ever heard.

Your mind did circles, your heart raced. Did he mean that because you were his partner? Or did he mean it out of jealousy. God, you hoped it was jealousy.

“What do you mean by that?” You questioned, voice apprehensive and unsure.

Leon shrugged, a soft, unintelligible grunt falling from his lips. He didn’t look over at you, his eyes still trained on the ceiling. The nagging feeling that was ever present in your chest worsened. The silence was deafening, painful. Then, finally, he spoke.

“It’d just be weird. It’s Ashely, it’d be weird.” He mumbled, like even he didn’t believe his own answer.

Leon’s words befuddled you, made you frown in contemplation. “Because it’s Ashley? What you mean by that?”

“I mean it’s Ashley. It’d be weird.” He repeated, not clarifying at all. This annoyed you.

Eyes narrowed, lips in a line, you scoffed. “Thanks for the explanation.”

“Anytime,” Leon clipped back playfully. But you were in no playful mood.

You huffed, Leon picking up on your attitude as you sat up in bed. “Seriously, what’d you mean by that?”

Leon let out a scoff of his own, rolling his eyes as he looked over at you. “I mean it’s just a weird thought. You and Ashley. We, we just met her, okay?”

“Oh,” you nodded, wishing you hadn’t jumped to your own conclusions internally. You’d thought he meant it was weird because she wasn’t him. Or maybe that he wanted to kiss you. Not such a simple and obvious answer.

“Yeah,” he nodded, letting out a small sigh to stifle a yawn. “Look, can we get some sleep now? Kinda have a long trip home tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Yeah, sorry.” You mumbled, lying back down on your back, eyes on the cracked ceiling once again.

It was quiet again, the discomfort of silence present once more as Ashley slept in the bed next to yours, and Leon tired to sleep beside you. Your mind buzzed with a thousand variations of the same question: why did Leon actually care so damn much?

“Go to sleep. You think too loud.” Leon grumbled, shifting to lay on his side, back facing you.

“At least some of us think,” you quipped quietly, earning a scoff of a laugh from him before he went silent for the final time that night.

Of course Leon woke up at dawn. The asscrack of fucking dawn. And it wasn’t like he was quiet either. Shuffling of his feet as he stumbled to the bathroom, the sink creaking on. You tried so hard to stay asleep, but your stupid internal alarm clock was ringing too. Oh to be in D.C. where it was still dark.

“C’mon, get up. We need to get moving.” Leon said, his voice somewhat gentle as he rested a hand on your shoulder once he’d emerged from the bathroom, fully changed.

“I’m up. You’re loud.” You mumbled, voice muffled as you pressed your face into the pillow.

“Jesus,” Leon whispered under his breath. “Even Ashely’s up.”

“Good for her,” you nestled deeper into the pillow, hearing a second set of footsteps head toward the bathroom. Less than five short seconds later, Leon yanked the covers from your body, sending a muffled yelp from your lips.

“Up, we need to move.” Leon said again, giving your leg a small shake as you grumbled on about a lack of sleep. His gentleness was gone now, replaced by urgency.

Technically, you were still on ‘enemy grounds’. You weren’t safe until you were back on U.S. soil, and even then there carried a risk with Ashley in tow.

So, with more sour encouragement from Leon, you got up and changed into your now dry clothes. Once Ashely used up her turn in the bathroom, you took yours. And not long after, the three of you were heading back toward the lobby of the shabby motel.

You managed to convince Leon to stick around for an extra thirty minutes for a shitty cooked breakfast in the sad excuse for a dining room where the motel offered complimentary breakfast.

Once full of frozen scrambled eggs, stale toast, and really bad coffee, the three of you were on the move once more. It was tricky, getting home like this. Hunnigan had promised that of you made it to a certain location a few miles north of the motel, there would be a chopper waiting to pick you up. Hunnigan hadn’t failed you yet, so you didn’t doubt her.

“How much further?” Ashley asked, her brows creased, forehead already glistening with sweat as the three of you walked through the winding streets of a small village as you had been for the past few hours.

“Not too much. Tired?” You asked, slowing your steps to walk alongside the girl.

She nodded, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Sympathy panged in your chest — Ashley wasn’t built for this like you and Leon were. The two of you had trained for exhausting situations such as these, she had not. You frowned.

“Need some water?” You asked gently, holding out a canteen from your belt. Ashley nodded vigorously, taking the canteen and drinking deeply.

You motioned to Leon to stop for a moment, he frowned, but did nonetheless. You stood with Ashley as she drank, taking a break before going back to drinking the water.

“Thanks,” she smiled, handing the canteen back to you — now half empty. “Sorry, I drank a lot.”

“That’s okay. Can’t have you passing out on us now, can we?” You smiled, taking a sip yourself before latching it back on your belt.

Leon, noticing that Ashely was finished with her break, began walking again. You and Ashely followed, keeping a small bit of distance between you and Leon.

“Hey, I um, I overheard you and Leon talking last night. Not everything, but some of it.” Ashley confessed, her voice a bit hesitant.

“Oh, that so? What’d you hear exactly?” You asked casually, worry springing in your chest.

“Just, I’m sorry because I know you guys have a like, groove or whatever. And I mess it up and I make it weird.”

You frowned for a moment, thinking about her words. Then it hit you — she didn’t hear about the kissing discussion, just the last bit about her being new to the trio.

“Oh, Ashely. You don’t make anything weird. Leon and I… we weren’t talking about you making things weird.” You promised, lips curved downward as you and Ashley walked behind Leon.

“Then why’d Leon say that?” Ashely asked, the insecurity obvious in her voice.

You hesitated, unsure whether or not to say it to her face. That he’d thought you two were going to kiss. After a moment of consideration — and seeing Ashely’s sad, curious eyes — you decided to just say it. Consequences be damned.

“Because he thought you were going to try to kiss me. When he came out of the bathroom last night.” You explained gently, shrugging as if it weren’t a big deal. When it kind of was.

The girl was quiet for a long moment, her brows creased, lips turned downward. She swallowed, looking back at you from where she’d been staring at her feet. “And he meant it’d be weird if I did kiss you?”

“Yeah, that’s what he meant. Not because we’re girls,” you were quick to interject your previous statement. “But because it’s just… that you and I don’t really know each other that well.”

Ashley nodded, walking beside you as you followed Leon along the uneven stone paths. Every once in a while, he’d glance backward to make sure you weren’t lingering behind or somehow gotten lost.

“Okay,” one simple word carried such finality. It shook you — Ashley was uncomfortable.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel weird. I just wanted to be honest.” You tried to explain gently but firmly. You didn’t want her to think you were strange.

“You didn’t make me feel weird.” Ashely shook her head, eyes squinting in the mid-afternoon sun as she looked over at you.

You smiled a little, relieved you hadn’t put her off or made her uncomfortable. That really was the last thing you wanted. “Good,”

The three of you continued to walk along, and a little further up, you demanded a break. Leon huffed, claiming you didn’t have time for a break. But the sun was warm and you were quickly running out of water.

So, you stopped for a quick fifteen minutes before setting off again. Leon was walking much quicker than before — dead set on getting to the extraction point before sundown. Which was very much possible as you were a mere four miles away.

There was a chopper waiting, just as Hunnigan had promised. God, you’d mentally decided to name your first born after her, so thankful to finally leave Spain and sit your ass down.

You sat beside Leon in the back compartment of the chopper, all three of you sporting massive headsets to protect your ears. You chatted away with the pilot — a friend of Hunnigan’s named Danny who was funny, and reminded you of the late Mike who died in pursuit of getting you and Leon out of trouble in the village.

With the promise of a good meal and actual hot showers, Danny flew the three of you home. You were busy looking outside the chopper when Leon nudged your knee with his, earning a slightly venomous glare from you before he pointed to Ashley. Who was dead asleep across from you.

The ride back to D.C. was long, around six hours. Most of which were spent talking with Danny or falling asleep, slumped against Leon’s shoulder. Around twenty minutes before you were set to land — you and Leon had been previously discussing what you were doing first, eating, sleeping, or showering — you shook Ashley awake.

The poor thing was groggy and half asleep as you all filed off the chopper and bid goodbye to Danny — whom you’d made a promise to meet up with and have drinks in honor of Mike at his favorite bar he’d mentioned before he tragically died.

A government issued SUV waited for you, instructing the three of you to pile into the back so you could be taken straight to the President, then to testing. Which you put up a damn good fight. Who the fuck cared about testing? You were hungry and tired and dehydrated as hell. Leon shut you up quick though, despite not being happy about the arrangement himself.

Unfortunately, the car ride was around a half an hour. The driver — not as intimidating had he’d first appeared — flicked between radio stations ntil he landed on one he knew was Ahsley’s favorite. (Apparently he’d been the one to drive Ashely to college, so he knew what music she liked).

Much to Ashely’s dismay and deathly embarrassment, the fucking Backstreet Boys were playing. The driver turned it up, also having the knowledge that this particular track was one of Ashley’s favorites.

Unfortunately, you knew the lyrics too. You mumbled along with them, Leon biting back a smile at how ridiculous his own field partner could be.

“You like the Backstreet Boys?” Ashely asked, her cheeks a bit warm as you bopped your head to the beat and hummed along.

“Nah, but don’t be embarrassed.” You shook your head, smiling at the girl who was sitting between you and Leon.

“Music is music, blondie.” Leon agreed, nodding his head with your positive attitude. He looked back over Ashely’s head at you, trying hard not to smile at your antics. God, you could be so stupidly immature sometimes.

“Oh,” Ashley mumbled, slinking down further in her seat as the driver made the final turn and parked the SUV.

Leon exited first, then Ashley, and you to follow up the rear. You and Leon were armed, still charged with protecting Ashely, no matter the fact that you were indeed on U.S. soil again, and at the White House. The President didn’t greet you outside to your surprise, but you were ushered immediately to his office.

There he was reunited with his daughter, the emotional moment making you have to quietly clear your throat because it even choked you up to see Ashley so happy to see her father again.

You and Leon were thanked profusely, promised your compensation and the highest of honors and awards. To which you didn’t really want (except the money, fuck, you wanted the money), but you knew better than to even try to deny.

With that, you and Leon were quickly dismissed, told you were being led to government testing to be sure you really were clear of the parasites. You gave Ashley a quick goodbye smile and hug, Leon giving her a pat on the shoulder, telling her to behave herself.

She looked so unsure, so strange standing in the Oval Office, clothes grimy and blood stained, hair mussed as she watched you and Leon being escorted from the room.

The First Daughter felt a strange sort of emptiness in her chest then, watching you leave. Her brows furrowed as her father spoke incessantly to her about how worried he’d been and how much he missed her. You were agents, assigned to bring her home and leave. No more, no less. So why was she so devastated to see you go?

Of course, you felt a little sad to leave the girl behind. Despite spending only around forty-eight hours with Ashley, you found yourself realizing you’d miss her. Her smile and her comments and her laugh. The way she always asked if you were alright when you should have been doing so to her. How she tried her hardest to defend you and Leon, despite her chronic helplessness.

These things were not spoken to Leon though as you two walked out of the White House together, followed by guards back to the SUV you’d arrived in. But, even though you didn’t say it, you knew Leon felt it too. Somehow, in forty-eight short hours, Ashley had left a mark on you. The both of you. And you missed her already.

“Wait!” You stopped in your tracks, you and Leon almost simultaneously looking over your shoulder to see Ashley running out of the White House after you. She was panting, trying to catch up.

She ran to Leon first, wrapping her arms around his neck, taking the agent by such surprise it made him stumble backwards a bit. Leon wasn’t much of a hugger, you knew this personally. But, despite the action being hesitant and awkward, he hugged her back.

After a few moments — which you knew in your bones were long for Leon — he gave her a quick pat on the back. Ashely took the motion in stride and unlinked herself, smiling at him.

Then, she turned to you. Of course, you expected a hug as well, and you got one. She wrapped her arms around your neck too, you wrapped your arms around her middle, hugging her back with no hesitation. But what you hadn’t expected, was for her to lean back and press a kiss to your lips.

You paused, frozen, eyes wide as Ashley kissed you. What the fuck? She wasn’t a bad kisser, actually. You felt a little bad, not kissing her back as Ashley pulled away, letting go of you and taking a step back. You sort of wished you had kissed her back. But, as the girl stood there, she held no contempt for the fact that you hadn’t. She knew she’d taken you by complete surprise.

“Thank you, both of you. I know I already said it, but thank you for saving my life. It, it means a lot.” Ashely said, her lips — which had been as soft as you thought they were — curved in a sweet smile. Baby blue eyes darted between you and Leon.

Leon who was as shocked as you that Ashley had kissed you with such little hesitation. He was still recovering as well.

Ashely said no more, just offering one last wide smile before turning around and walking away. Her guard — which had followed her outside, running behind her — escorted her. She didn’t even look back, didn’t get a second look at the still shocked look on your face.

“Holy fuck,” you said finally, looking away from Ashley’s retreating figure to look at Leon. He was shocked as well, brows raised as he blinked for a moment.

“Yep, that was weird.” Leon mumbled, nodding as if in affirmation. He said no more, turning around and walking to the SUV, leaving you in momentary silence.

You blinked yourself back to the present, realizing Leon’s comment. You frowned, turning and quickly walking to the SUV as well. “So I didn’t just have a dehydration induced hallucination? She actually kissed me?”

“She actually kissed you,” Leon nodded as he buckled in the SUV, you climbing in and sitting beside him. The car started and rolled out of the parking lot.

“Oh my God.” You said, brows raised, shaking your head. You were unsure of what else there really was to say. You were at a total loss for words.

“Fucking weird.” Leon shook his head, whispering again.

This caused you to look over at him, brows raised. “Why? Because we’re girls?” You brought up your challenge from the previous night, knowing full well you’d get the same damn response.

“No, because it's you.”

You frowned deeper, lips downturned. Oh, you liked a good fucking challenge. “You think I’m like, un-kissable, or something, Kennedy?”

Leon rolled his eyes, exhaustion obviously catching up to him. He looked tired — physically and mentally. “I didn’t say that. It’s just weird.”

“See, that’s not an explanation. Just like it wasn’t last night.” You chided, eyes narrowed.

“Christ,” Leon mumbled under his breath as shook his head, clearly regretting ever speaking in the last five minutes. “It’s just weird to see my partner being kissed like that.”

You took this as your chance, a grin forming on your lips. “By another girl? Or just in general?”

“General.” Leon responded, obviously not caring of how bored it sounded.

“Jealous or something?” You challenged further, lips pulled in a shit-eating grin.

Oh you’d gotten him there. You could tell by the way Leon’s shoulders tensed and his too casual expression that he was, indeed, sickeningly jealous. An idea — stupid, one that may ruin your dynamic — popped into your head.

You turned your body to face Leon in the backseat, grinning as he frowned at your sudden closeness. With no hesitation or moment for him to react, you leaned forward and kissed him. Square on the mouth. It must be a thing for blondes to have really soft lips.

Leon didn’t say a word, didn’t pull back, didn’t move. He just let you kiss him. Which was strange in and of itself. You placed a hand on his cheek, him a hand on the back of your neck. Eureka, he’d wanted to kiss you all along. Fuck yes, that’s all you could think.

Leon was a decent kisser too, a really good kisser actually. You scooched a little closer, allowing him to hold you by the back of your neck, your body relaxed against his as if it were natural to do so.

Was this what Ashely was feeling when she’d kissed you? Absolute elation and joy? You didn’t let yourself wonder too much, getting swept up in the fact that you were kissing Leon. His hand was gentle yet firm on the back of your neck, your hand on his cheek drifting down to rest against his chest. This moment, God you wished it could last forever.

Which unfortunately, it didn’t. You heard someone clear their throat, the driver looking at you through the rear view mirror. You pulled back, cheeks a little warm. You must look like some sort of girl. Someone who got around maybe. First the First Daughter had kissed you, now you were verging on making out with your field partner in the backseat of a government vehicle.

“Sorry,” you mumbled, pulling away from Leon and sitting back on the seat.

Leon scoffed to himself, letting his hand fall from where it’d been resting on the back of your neck. “You’re stupid,”

“Excuse me?” You let out a small laugh. You’d kissed him and he was calling you stupid? What the hell?

“I can’t believe it took you that long to realize.” Leon shook his head, making you roll your eyes. He’d been jealous the whole time. So the comment of how weird it’d been that Ashley would kiss you — and actually had — was exactly what you thought. Huh, you were some amateur detective.

“Shut up,” you smiled, mumbling as you crossed your arms over your chest, sinking into the seat.

“Nope.” Leon shook his head, making you smile wider.

Maybe these tests wouldn’t be so bad, now that you had two kisses to think on. One you could only ever remember, and one you could receive a million more of once all this was over.

how you can help Palestine! 🇵🇸

[wikiangela]

fav lines game

rules: share your favourite lines or paragraph you've written from one of your fics, posted or wip.

tagged by @lover-of-mine @bidisasterevankinard @diazsdimples @dangerpronebuddie @hippolotamus

so ofc suddenly I'm forgetting everything I've ever written lol but here's some of the most recent ones idk

from I wanna breathe you in

“Both.” Buck nods, so confident and sure in this. “I want- I want my family, my friends to know that I’m- that I’m bi.” he says, a smile splitting his face. He’s taken a minute to label himself, but when he found this one, it felt right. Bisexual. That’s what he is, that’s what feels like him, like Buck, like Evan. Like all the parts of himself that felt scattered and chaotic and weren’t making any sense are finally settled in the right place, glued together by this realization, by this one simple word – bisexual. The only person who knows so far is Maddie, and he wants to tell everyone else, wants them all to know, and wants to share how happy he is. Besides, he thinks she’s going to explode if she keeps it from Chimney any longer – and once Chim knows, well, even with the best intentions, he sucks at keeping secrets. He doesn’t want Tommy to be his secret. “And I want them to know you’re my boyfriend.” he adds confidently.

from I'm comin' back, don't let me go

He feels like every single action, just getting up, getting dressed, pouring a glass of water, getting something to eat, just anything takes much more effort than it should, than it used to. Living takes much more effort than it used to. Sometimes he thinks maybe it’d be better if he- He doesn’t want to die, not again, not really, but he can’t help thinking that he’d rather not be here. Not when he feels the way he feels. He doesn’t feel like himself, he’s just putting up a front, a Buck-shaped mask in front of people. He feels like a hollow, empty vessel. He just- he doesn’t want to be here.

from you can see it with the lights out (you are in love)

 It’s sweet and soft, and it makes Buck’s stomach flutter even more, but at the same time it feels like everything is finally as it should be, like relief, like coming home after a long trip, like taking a breath of fresh air after being in a smoke-filled burning building. It feels familiar, like home, like they’ve been doing this forever, like maybe they’ve been in love through multiple lifetimes, always finding their way to each other. It’s a ridiculous thought, a little bit, that he knows Eddie would fondly roll his eyes at and tell him there’s no such thing as past lives or fate. Buck believes what he believes, though. He feels like he’s loved Eddie for an eternity, and he’ll love him for another one, or a hundred, or a thousand eternities, as long as the world keeps turning, and if there’s anything after that, then even longer. He’s never been more sure of anything in his life.

also this from my most recent fic bc for some reason i just love this little moment haha - we don't know where this is going now (don't be afraid of heights, let me open your heart wide) 

“I know.” Evan chuckles, his gaze settling on Tommy’s. “I just- I really want to.” “Okay.” Tommy repeats, smiling, and waiting. It’s fine if Evan changes his mind, but this is his to initiate. Tommy will wait. He’d wait forever, is the thing, and it’s scary, with how short they know each other. “Okay.” Evan echoes, and then he’s grabbing Tommy’s chin, similar to how Tommy grabbed his during their first kiss. His thumb nestles into his cleft, and Tommy sees a flash of an endeared smile before Evan’s lips are on his, fingers not letting him go.

no pressure tags: @elvensorceress @thebravebitch @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @watchyourbuck

@eowon @loserdiaz @evanbegins @ladydorian05 @wildlife4life

@diazpatcher @monsterrae1 @thewolvesof1998 @weewootruck @loveyouanyway

@spagheddiediaz @rainbow-nerdss @epicbuddieficrecs @pirrusstuff @spotsandsocks

@alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @nmcggg @rogerzsteven @giddyupbuck @tommykinards

@honestlydarkprincess @underwaterninja13 @exhuastedpigeon @911-on-abc @jesuisici33

@steadfastsaturnsrings @theotherbuckley @buddieswhvre @tizniz @daffi-990

@fortheloveofbuddie @hoodie-buck

[sonofthedunes]

hey hi it’s christina alexlifesonofficial, finally admitting how down bad i truly am for luke skywalker. let’s lay down some guidelines, shall we?

this blog will contain explicit material, either written by myself or reblogged. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION!

if you need certain words/concepts tagged, please do not hesitate to let me know

NO FOLLOWERS UNDER 18. if you are underage, or your age is not listed on your blog, you will be blocked

all fics/headcanons/imagines written by myself will feature AFAB characters. i do not write male luke ships (if you do that’s fine, they’re just not my thing)

i love hearing from fellow luke stans! my askbox is always open, so feel free to send me headcanons, requests, feedback or questions. that being said, i may choose not to respond to certain asks for any reason, and requests may take a long time to be filled or not filled at all.

if you ever want to write/draw something based on my work, you’re more than welcome to! i only asked to be properly credited

a list of my one-shots and imagines can be found under the cut

i think that’s it! i hope you enjoy what you find here, and may the twin suns light your way ☀️☀️

ONE-SHOT FICS

who says you cannot hold the moon in your hand? - post-esb comfort and fingering, luke/reader

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses - post-anh (mostly). luke searches for the answer to a very important question. featuring my oc andrie mykarrah.

the last of life, for which the first was made - various time periods, from pre-anh to post-tros. a collection of drabbles exploring five of luke’s birthdays. featuring my oc andrie mykarrah.

whispers of the heart, echoes of the mind - post-anh. quiet reassurance and heartfelt promises in the middle of the night. featuring my oc andrie mykarrah.

this gentle art - unspecified time period. luke indulges in fantasies of a special lady while “polishing his saber.” luke/reader (or luke/your oc, depending on your mood)

a mock-up of reason and order - two years before tfa. just what DOES a jedi master in exile do during the day? a recently unearthed diary entry has the tea. no pairing

remembrance and reflection - two thousand years after the battle of yavin. a young child on coruscant observe statues of our heroes and reflects on their legacies. brief mention of han/leia

it takes two flints to make a fire - post-rotj, just before the mando season 2 finale. on ossus, the jedi temple is just beginning to take shape—and the student manages to teach her master a thing or two. featuring my oc andrie mykarrah.

IMAGINES

misc dilf luke headcanons

warming up luke on hoth

dilf luke and compliments

tempting dilf luke with your tits

pulling dilf luke’s hair/beard

luke realizes just how big certain parts of him are

subby dilf luke

dilf luke having a crisis while being kissed

taking a bath with luke

pussy so good it restores dilf luke’s will to live

luke seeing you in lingerie

luke sees god (boobs) for the first time

luke eating pussy

luke discovers nipple piercings

dilf luke is snippy with you but makes up for it

what pet name(s) does dilf luke like?

younger luke vs. dilf luke, sex wise

ambidexterity

winning dilf luke over and thus saving the universe

luke misses flight drills for a most unfortunate reason

The Pegging Ask

luke and his dagobah glow-up

a treatise on what makes esb luke so attractive

poor little bullied wormie :(

giving luke a surprise smack on the ass

dilf luke winking at you

luke skywalker, the bisexual with a secret dating history

defeating the first order with swag and fashion

jedi sugar baby?

making dilf luke laugh

how luke would be with a shy and quiet s/o

dilf luke joins the resistance and gets a crush

jedi sugar baby part 2

thoughts on sith luke

pussy so good it turns sith luke back to the light (maybe)

afterglow/pillow talk with luke

sweet dilf luke

extremely gentle and tender luke

gnawing on dilf luke’s mechanical hand (no really)

how dilf luke would be with a younger/inexperienced partner

pondering how obscenely powerful dilf luke actually is

how dilf luke “pounds puss”

dilf luke gets a blowjob

learning to take luke

dilf luke gets mistaken for reader’s dad

does luke takes risks?

some dirty secrets

when dilf luke pops off just a bit too fast

luke using his first language in bed

my filthiest luke thoughts. sorry

random cute anh headcanons

seeing off luke with a bang (but in a sappy way)

luke offers you massages

luke being unafraid of the dark as a kid

soft and tender moments with dilf luke

ANDRIE MYKARRAH (MY STAR WARS OC)

intro post

what kind of animal would andrie be?

where does andrie feel safest?

an overview of the luke/andrie relationship

spicy headcanons

fluffy headcanons

andrie and the elements

angsty headcanons pt. 1

why does andrie join the rebellion and what does she do?

angsty headcanons pt. 2

andrie’s favorite foods

andrie and luke’s favorite + least favorite things about each other

would andrie eat luke to survive (theoretically)?

does andrie have any fantasies she’d never ask luke to partake in?

do luke and andrie have pets?

andrie learns to shoot good

how andrie picked the temple location on ossus

andrie and her anger

andrie (and luke) and cooking

the in-universe origin of andrie’s name

being friends in mos eisley

what lightsaber form does andrie use?

andrie and her history with ships

[providing-leverage]

The A-Team

(asexaul and aromantic Ted Lasso fic recs)

Let's be honest, half the reason for this post is the title. But also to shine some light on a couple beautiful fics I've found with aro and ace characters in this fandom. The purple heart indicates ace, green indicates aro content.

A is for Ally by starryeyedknight 3.8k💜

When Richard suggests a novel way for the Richmond boys to show their allyship, Colin ends up coming out to the team...just not in the way they were expecting.

In which the team gets distracted (multiple times), Isaac is overprotective, Jamie suspects Colin might actually be a Jedi knight, and Bumbercatch reveals way more about his sexual preferences than anyone was expecting. (And poor Will is inadvertently scarred for life.)

A cute little fic that I found perusing the asexual tag. I really enjoyed this au, and Colin's coming out/the guy's reactions to him as well as him not having it all figured out himself.

Love Stuck by @altschmerzes 6k 💚

When Keeley opens the door, Jamie bypasses any kind of perhaps typically-expected greeting. While this isn’t exactly unusual for him, what he says is.

“I’ve got great news,” he tells her, smiling like he really does have great news, which helps to somewhat offset the sense of foreboding she’d been starting to feel. “I am not in love with you. Can I come in?"

OR: Jamie Tartt is aromantic. This changes everything. This also changes nothing. A study in identity, defining your own relationships, and different kinds of love.

I am completely in love with this fic. Jamie having a bi panic before he realizes actually, neither is good/ref. It's very true to my own experiences and made me relate to him so much.

Such a Skeptic: or, Keeley Jones is Bad at Communication by ellarree 800💚

Keeley Jones is definitely not bitter about Shandy. Barbara is definitely interested in double dates and the institution of romance as a whole. Jamie Tartt definitely knows why he’s here. And Jack Danvers? Well, she knows that none of those three statements are true.

A short sequel to the above fic, with aromantic bonding and Barbara who quite honestly deserves so much more screen time in cannon. It has it's own sequel which you can find here.

A Simple Matter of (Mis)Communication by starryeyedknight 3k💜

For the past few weeks Moe Bumbercatch and Jan Maas have been spending an awful lot of time together, and everyone knows what that means. Everyone, apparently, except for Moe Bumbercatch himself...

Apparently I just need to binge read this author's whole collection of works because I didn't realize they also write A is for Ally until making this. Asexual Jan Mass which again I found myself relating to a lot. Technically part of a series and his asexuality was mentioned in the first work, but it's central to the plot of this one. It's also super cute.

Self rec: it's a rather touching notion by providing_leverage 5.7k 💜💚

“I won’t beat around the bush. We think you might be bisexual. You familiar with it?” A friendly team game of spin the bottle ends in a few revelations, some quicker than others. (AKA Moe Bumbercatch going through the unofficial aroace right of passage: adding no real attraction to men with no real attraction to women and coming up with bisexual, with a little help from his friends)

I really enjoyed writing this, even if the last 2k was just a fight against myself. It went through so many different versions and ended longer than I meant for it to be. I really neat part of the Ted Lasso fandom is how platonic so much of the content is.

If you've got any aspec recommendations of your own, please drop them here or tag me. Self recs are absolutely invited. Happy pride!

[inevitably-johnlocked]

hey steph! hope your having a good day!

I was wondering if you had any "first dates" type of fics, because that's the current mood (woo yeah projection)

Hi Nonny!

AHHH, You know, I really needed to make a "Dating" list, so here we are! This one has fics specifically where they Date Each Other, and not NECESSARILY a first date, but definitely think you'll enjoy these anyway!

AND to make it a bigger list, I've added fics that came up with "date" or "dating" as a search result on my MFL list :)

As usual friends, feel free to add your fic or a fic you know! <3

FIRST DATES / DATING EACH OTHER

See also:

Date on a Dare

Victor Trevor / Sherlock and Other People

Sherlock and OMC's

Jealous Sherlock Because John Dates a Man

The Marriage Proposal Negotiation by Goddess_of_the_Night (G, 2,161 w., 1 Ch. || Dev. Rel., Possessive Sherlock, Insecure Sherlock, Fluff, First Kiss, Post Mary) – Sherlock hasn't ever really done anything the traditional way, so of course it wouldn't bother him to propose to John even though they're not even dating. And the fact that John is already on a date with someone else when he decides to do it? Tedious. 

Last Christmas by Mazarin221b (T, 3,911 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff, Pining Sherlock, First Kiss) – That Earth-shaking revelation, then, leads to a problem, and one that Sherlock realizes should be solved quickly, before John’s dates turn into girlfriends or boyfriends, because sometimes girlfriends or boyfriends can turn into wives or husbands while your back is turned. Every time John hums happily at the mirror as he shaves, splashes on a little gift cologne Mrs. Hudson bought him for Christmas, Sherlock is drawn back to that night by the fire, and the way John’s touch had made the world stand still.

Date Night by inevitably_johnlocked (G, 4,451 w., 1 Ch. || Anxious / Worried Sherlock, Caring John, Schmoopy Fluff, Fidget Cube, Baking / Cooking, Date Night, Established Relationship, POV Sherlock Holmes, Understanding John, Grumpy Sherlock, John’s Bum, Kisses, Hugs, Domestic Fluff, Touching, Hair Petting, Light Humour) – It's John and Sherlock's first Date Night as an official couple and Sherlock needs it to be PERFECT. Mrs Hudson helps. Part 7 of I-J's Tumblr Ficlet Collection

Correspondence by Cleo2010 (T, 8,031 w., 5 Ch. || Letters, Friends to Lovers, Jealousy, Dating) – Sherlock’s been spirited away on a case for Mycroft. Part of the deal was that he and John could communicate via letter until the case was completed. Maybe the cliche is true, absence does make the heart grow fonder. Or perhaps something is growing on the feet in the fridge. Read their letters month by month.

Six Dates by avawtsn (E, 7,421 w., 2 Ch. || 5+1, First Time / Kiss, Post S4-Compliant, POV John) – A rather accidental 5+1 written for the prompt “is this a date?” Hint: it is.

How To Give Your Boyfriend Who Doesn't Know He's Your Boyfriend the Best Valentine's Day Ever by unicornpoe (T, 9,832 w., 1 Ch. || Valentine’s Day, Fluff and Crack, Soft Sherlock, POV Sherlock) – Sherlock is pretty sure that John Watson is his boyfriend. He's also pretty sure that John doesn't know it. But with a little help from a magazine, some friends, three crepes, five dates, one awesome CD, and a stalker van, John is bound to realize just in time for Valentine's Day.

Uncharted Territory by J_Baillier (T, 19,603 w., 4 Ch. || Dystopian Future / Black Mirror AU || Alternate First Meeting, Angst, Drama, Homophobia, Bisexuality, Technology, Humour, Romance, Near Future, Happy Ending) – The System puts people through a series of assigned relationships in order to determine who their Perfect Match is. John believes that it works; Sherlock really, really doesn't. One of them is probably going to be wrong.

Dear John by wendymarlowe (E, 23,031 w., 64 Ch. || Post-TRF, Online Dating, Pining, Epistolary, Cybersex, Long Distance Romance) – With Sherlock dead, John eventually (under duress) makes a profile on an online dating site. And falls into a long-distance relationship with an enigmatic partner who reminds him of Sherlock in all the right ways. (Hint: it turns out to be Sherlock.) Part 1 of Dear John

Don't Leave Anything Out by lookupkate (E, 27,422 w., 24 Ch. || Letters / Epistolary, Misunderstandings, Angst, Happy Ending, Alternate First Meeting, Sherlock in Love, Pining Sherlock) – The first letter John writes home from Afghanistan is meant to go to a woman he went on only one date with. How it ends up in Sherlock's hands is completely innocent. What happens next is not. What do you do when you find out the person you're in love with has been lying about something as monumental as who they are? What do you do when you're the one who lied?How on earth do you put the pieces back together?

Classified(s) by blueink3 (E, 36,153 w., 4 Ch. || Wedding Date AU || Fake Relationship, Jealous, Pining, Hurt/Comfort, Idiots in Love, Happy Ending, Mary is not Nice, Escort Service) – Clara's American father is the ambassador to some such territory that Great Britain probably used to own, but she (and Harry’s undying love for her) is the reason John is getting on a flight at 12:30pm, flying across the second largest ocean in the world, and pretending to be in a perfectly happy, healthy relationship with an undoubtedly perfectly coiffed stranger. See, Clara is not only American (and wealthy to boot), she's also best friends with John’s ex-fiancée. Whom she's placed in the wedding party. As Maid of Honor. And John just happens to be Best Man. Bloody brilliant.

floating through a dark blue sky by Lediona (M, 58,966 w., 15 Ch. || Notting Hill AU || POV John, Celebrity Sherlock, First Date / Time / Kiss, Past Drug Addiction, Angst with a Happy Ending) – Of course, I’d seen his films and always thought he was, well, brilliant -- but, you know, a million miles from the world I live in. Or, when John is the owner of a travel book shop and the famous Sherlock Holmes stops in one day.

MARKED FOR LATER

A proposal in blood by Some_weird_queer_writer (T, 756 w., 1 Ch. || Marriage Proposal, Injury, Ambulance, Established Relationship, Date Night, Love Confession) – John and Sherlock go out for a date night when they're attacked and John is injured. Still, they make a promise.

Date Night by Calais_Reno (T, 1,477 w., 1 Ch. || Coming Out, Drunken Love Confessions, Drunk John, Fluff) – On a date, John and Sherlock out themselves to Lestrade. It's all fine. Part 1 of the Just Johnlock series

The Importance of February 14th by cypress_tree (T, 3,156 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff, Humour, Valentine’s Day) – Sherlock was born on Valentine's Day. John doesn't know this and invites him out on a date. Sherlock assumes it's a birthday celebration and believes so right up until the moment John kisses him.

Third Date by Calais_Reno (T, 4,111 w., 1 Ch. || Dating, Awkward Romance, Relationship Advice, Jealousy, Friends to Lovers, POV Lestrade) – John Watson dates a lot of women, but never gets beyond the Third Date. Sherlock solves it. Part 3 of the Just Johnlock series

It's all Fun and Games Until Someone Falls in Love by Malakia (T, 5,618 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || Fluff, Bullying, BAMF John, Online Dating) – Anderson and Sally while drunk sign Sherlock up for some gay dating event or website as a laugh, hoping to embarrass the detective. The next time they see Sherlock, he is on a date with his new boyfriend John who he met at the event/ through the site.

Come and Find Me by Salambo06 (M, 9,737 w., 3 Ch. || Different First Meeting, Fluff, First Kiss, Twitter, Awkwardness, First Date, Love at First Sight, Inexperienced Sherlock, Frottage) – Two days ago, Sherlock found himself being kissed by a man only known as John during a Pride event, before running away. But Sherlock soon realises that the said John intends to find him again, even it means asking the help of the entire Internet.

Not this year by Imjohnlocked87 (E, 16,293 w., 4 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting ||  Friends to Lovers, Valentine’s Day, Fluff and Smut, Implied / Referenced Drug Use, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Food Sex, Wall Sex, Angst with Happy Ending) – One month after leaving the rehabilitation centre, when Donovan asks Sherlock if he will be alone on Valentine's Day this year too, he replies he will be spending it with someone special.The only problem is that this someone doesn't exist.Because who would want to have Valentine's date with Sherlock Holmes? 

The Aftermath is Secondary by meet_me_in_samarra (E, 19,641 w., 5 Ch. || Punk AU || Pining John, Seductive Sherlock, Implied / Referenced Drug Use, Horny Idiots, Public Sex, Toilet Sex, Hand Jobs, Tongue Kink, Insecure Sherlock, BAMF John, Insecure John) – Will Doctor Holmes and Doctor Watson really go on the agreed date in the infamous punkrock club "The Misfit"? Will their sexual tension finally be resolved? Is it really going to be dangerous? And will Sherlock really wear the promised fishnet top? (Oh God, yessss!) Part 2 of the Wretched and Divine series

Cinema by thelookyouredoingthelookagain (E, 22,411 w., 12 Ch. || Different First Meeting, Nightmares, Flirting, Cinema, John’s Cane, John’s Blog, Therapy, First Date) – John's nightmares drive him across the street to the all night cinema where the tall, dark projectionist provides in an interesting distraction.

Gravity is missing from everything by meet_me_in_samarra (E, 23,557 w., 6 Ch. || Punk AU || Overdose, Suicide Attempt, Developing Relationship, Slutty Sherlock, Vulnerable Sherlock, Public Sex, Food Sex, Porn With Feelings, Sherlock’s Past, Sherlock Whump, Caring / Protective John, Insecure Sherlock, Anal Sex, Drug Use) – People bumped into him, cussing and throwing death glares. Blocking their way, Sherlock stood frozen in a throng of commuters. “Are you high?” one shouted into his vacant face. Funnily enough he actually was not. This was all John´s fault. Inflicting a date on him. To have dinner. Part 3 of the Here I Am series

Whenever it's right (AKA First Date) by Aliea (M, 26,493 w., 15/? Ch. || WiP || London Underground, Explosions, Doctor John, Sherlock Whump, Angst, Hospitals, Mind Palace John, Coma, Past Drug Use, Big Brother Mycroft) – Meeting the person you have been searching for all your life, never knowing that you have been searching until its over and you have them before you. What happens when you fall in love at first sight then everything goes to hell? Do you stay or go, take the risk or run for the hills. John has has never ran from anything, so he wasnt going to run from the man that changed his life in less than five seconds.

A Wizarding Barista's Field Guide to Seducing a Muggle by paradigmfinch (T, 29,344 w., 9 Ch. || Harry Potter Coffee Shop AU || Fluff, Wizard John, Muggle Sherlock, Bisexual John, Flirting, First Dates, Harry Watson, Secret Identity) – To help pay for Healing tuition, John Watson gets a job at a coffee shop in Muggle London, where he soon sets his sights on a particularly gorgeous customer. John's seen plenty of Muggle films. How different can it really be to woo a Muggle?

If Baker Street Could Talk by a_different_equation (E, 31,723 w., 12 Ch. || Neighbours AU || Blind Date, Domestics Life, Widower John, Pianist Sherlock, Developing Relationship, Slow Burn, PTSD, Mental Health Issues, Alternate First Meeting) – There is a very thin wall between 221b and 221c. As if by fate, it has separated two sitting rooms that now almost morph back into one. One sitting room belongs to Sherlock Holmes (43), a pianist; and the other one to Dr John H. Watson (45), whatever he might be after everything. Theoretically, John's a war hero, an ex-surgeon, a widower, and he’s telling everyone that he develops a game which might take a lifetime. There is a wall between them, but they cannot be separated.

Four Shots Series by Opy3332 (T, 34,736 w. across 5 works || Series WiP || Coffee Shop AU || MI6, Barista John, Developing Relationship, First Dates) – Series of stories revolving around John and Sherlock meeting under different circumstances--when John takes a job as a barista at SIS headquarters and meets Sherlock there.

Starting Over by Calais_Reno (M, 49,260 w., 10 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting || POV Alternating, Dev. Rel., Awkward Romance, Misunderstandings, Angst with Happy Ending) – A disappointing blind date set up by well-meaning friends brings together John Watson, invalided army doctor, and Sherlock Holmes, asocial, "married to my work" consulting detective. Two idiots falling in love.

To Poisons and Their Antidotes by thegirlinthedeathfrisbee (M, 66,648 w., 12 Ch. || Unilock AU || Deductions, Coffee, Dinners, Dates, Drug Use, UST / RST, Romance, Humour, One-Liners, Drama, Angst, ASiP, Oral/Anal, Hand Jobs) – Every poison has their antidote. Sherlock will meet the antidote to his poison in the most unlikely of ways. 

Follow Me Down by 221BeStillMyHeart (E, 67,725 w., 15 Ch. || Alternate First Meetings / Professions AU || Captain John, Daddy Kink, Suave John, Slow Burn, Pining, First Dates, Gay Sherlock, Jealous John, Case Fic, BAMF John, Caring John, Insecure Sherlock, Protective John, Protective Lestrade, Big Brother Mycroft, Fluff, Masturbation, Gentle John, Flirting Sherlock, Jealous Sherlock) – Sherlock Holmes is a 23 year old genius working as a forensic analyst at Bart's hospital. John Watson is a 38 year old army captain just back from war, working as the lead surgeon in the trauma ward. A chance meeting brings them together, and no one is ever the same.

What have you done? by Tildathings (M, 78,184 w., 20 Ch. || Internalized Homophobia, John’s Family, Coming Out, Sherock/OMC, Hugging, Suicide, John Deduce’s, Nightmares, Love Confession, First Date, Bed Sharing, Psychiatry) – John have been invited by Sherlock on a pub night?! Sherlock said to him at Monday that Greg and Mike wanted him to come with them on a pub night. Sherlock is afraid that he would do something wrong socially left alone, so could John come with him? When John arrives at the pub Two Broken Hearts he sees Sherlock talking to a man.

[running-tweezers]

Ok since I’m posting my 80’s AU fic about my OCs, I figured I might as well give a little bit of info about them. Don’t want to give away TOO much tho.

If you’re interested 👀

Zephyr Nguyen

- light of my life, my beautiful child, my number one blorbo

- 19 in canon (22 in the 80’s AU), they/them, gay, Vietnamese, 5’6”, weird androgynous goth icon.

- STORYTIME: They were NOT AT ALL supposed to mean this much to me. They were created as a stock NPC for my original table top role playing game. I wanted to give my players someone to go to if they needed something they couldn’t get from a normal shop, an underground black market dealer type NPC. At first I wanted to make a character who was dark and mysterious and didn’t reveal too much about themself.

Then I thought, you know what’s so much better than that?? Someone who thinks they’re dark and mysterious and is trying not to reveal too much about themself. But in reality is just really bad at it.

So I made a character that I only referred to as “Zee”, made them a try hard goth kid selling black market stuff out of their grandma’s basement, and sent my players to them. Those were truly the only details of the character I had going in.

Unfortunately for me, my players FELL IN LOVE WITH THEM INSTANTLY. They all became so invested in this weird kid and were like “ok so we’re adopting them, right?”

So I realized they were gonna come back and see “Zee” as often as they could get away with, so I had to scramble to build an actual character around them. That’s when they got their full name, age, a solid appearance, and a full backstory. From there I slowly got more and more invested in them until they became My Favorite OC.

Nate Grey

- 20 in canon (23 in 80’s AU), he/him, bisexual, White, 5’10”, chill asthmatic plant-loving sunshine boy

- I actually share custody of this oc with my bestie. He belongs to both of us.

In the fic, I mention Nate’s sister Mick. Mick is my friend’s player character in my game. Nate was an NPC created by them for Mick’s backstory and motivation.

This particular friend ( @phantasmechanical I’m calling you tf out) was the ringleader of the “let’s adopt this basement goth” movement. They LOVE this little weirdo.

So one day they come to me on discord and offer an idea that permanently altered my brain chemistry. “Mick’s brother and Zephyr are around the same age, What if they met?? What if we smooshed their faces together and made them kiss???”

I was not the same after that. Brainworms took root and have not let go. Now I’m here 3 years later with a Google drive full of fics of them.

That’s all for now. Again. Don’t want to give TOO much away.

[vanaglori-ah]

OKAY! so i went to bed and i come back to see that a lot of people have responded to my post! i’m still going through all the reblogs right now but thanks so much for the love and support 😭

i mostly specialize in writing fics and headcanons. but i don’t have many hours in game and have not went too far yet in game (70 hours now). so i’ll hold off a bit until i can get a better grasp of the lore. i was really into star wars as a kid but couldn’t play the old republic when it first came out. this game has singlehandedly revived my love for the franchise.

ANYWAYS! i’m gonna share my main two darlings for the game since that is what i have seen other people do and one of the many things others have suggested!

this is my sith warrior! emma nymeria. she’s a darling woman.

now originally i was gonna commit to the normal sith empire, dark side alignment. but i kept making light side choices so we’re sticking to the bit now. her current mission is to reform the empire from within.

a humble servant of the empire, she carries orders without questions. it isn’t until recently that she’s started suspecting her fellow colleagues in the empire are a bit...eccentric, might be the best word.

i’m still working out details for her backstory but she comes from a small planet named eria, the daughter of a servant and his master. her mother was the daughter of a sith lord. she primarily grew up as a servant until her talent in the force revealed otherwise.

one of her closest friends is vette, with whom she has sympathies for. you can find them both talking to each other in the engine room late at night. it’s homophobic that i can’t romance vette as a woman /j

emma is a sorceress because i wanted lightning hands. she has a fondness for fruit, sweet drinks, and quinn (for now). she also likes flirting with most of the adult people she comes across.

emma is a cis woman, uses she/her pronouns, and can be identified as bisexual (or anything under the umbrella really).

and now for my jedi knight! liffessia!

i have ideas to make my jedi knight and sith warrior parallels, so we’re trying to commit to the dark side (but also i keep making light side choices without knowing smh).

a new padawan of the jedi order, she is devoted to the galactic republic, peace, and destroying the sith empire. she currently has a lot of self restraint, but that might be slowly chipping away the more she realizes their enemy is relentless.

also still working out backstory ideas. she’s from a small planet called yamia carro where control has been contested all her life. most definitely lost her eye when she was a child during that conflict. her parents both were key figures in the fight against the empire on her home planet.

i haven’t played her much in the past few days, mostly because i like my sith warrior character a lot more. but liffessia is a sage (made the same mistake sob). she likes sour foods, coloring, and playing with children.

liffessia’s a cis woman, uses she/her pronouns, and can be identified as being ace/biromantic.

[negativepeanuthoarder]

What has been your favorite line/section in a fic you've written

Funny, hard hitting, whatever 👀

Oh god it has to be the fake twitter thread I wrote in the Yung Gravy crackfic where the person was trying to cancel Dream for accidentally making a sex tape 😭

the section included below the cut

“Wait, wait, go back up,” Yung Gravy asks, and Dream scrolls up a bit, giving him a puzzled look.

“Why Dream making porn is harmful, problematic, homophobic, and dangerous, a 🧵,” Dream reads out loud, sighing. The profile picture is TommyInnit fanart, which is… fitting, really.

“Wait, I want to see that,” Amouranth snickers, climbing into bed beside both of them as Dream clicks on the thread.

“I’m going to start this off by saying that I’m not super fond of Dream, but this is really crossing a line ,” Dream reads aloud. “ First of all, this video was uploaded to the internet, where there are MINORS!”

Amourath and Yung Gravy snicker. 

“It's basically GROOMING to have ANY pornographic content at all, but ESPECIALLY because DREAM is a MINECRAFT youtuber with a HUGE child fanbase! This is irresponsible!” Dream reads more, and Amouranth and Yung Gravy share a look.

“They do realize that most of your viewers are… eighteen to twenty-four, right?” Yung Gravy asks, puzzled.

Dream just sighs. “This person thinks any sex at all, even between consenting adults, is “grooming” so. They probably don’t have all the lights on upstairs.”

Amouranth snickers. “Read more,” She asks, and Dream does.

“As we ALL know, Dream says he's 'unlabeled' or whatever, but he really just doesn't want to get canceled for constantly queerbaiting us with his friends, so him going so far as to make a sex tape with another man is just GROSS,” Dream reads, and Yung Gravy just laughs.

“They do realize that you’re basically bisexual, right? ” He asks. “ Really, I’m the one who should be canceled for having sex with a bi dude.”

Dream stares at him. “Yung Gravy, I know you’re joking, but if you go knocking on enough doors, the devil will answer at some point.”

Yung Gravy snorts. “Fair point, continue.”

“Next, Dream HAS to know that the porn industry ABUSES women, which means that HE's abusing Amouranth by having sex with her! I don't care that she's getting paid, it's still wrong!” Dream reads, sighing. “These people are nuts.”

Amouranth frowns, narrowing her eyes. “This person’s a fucking idiot,” She growls.

“Tell me about it,” Dream sighs, reading the last tweet in the thread. “So yeah, if you support Dream or Amourath or Yung Gravy after this, you can just unfollow me. Moots, you have 24 hours before I post your social security numbers on the internet.”

[ashcoveredtraveler]

A ship that I have only drawn but haven't really made a post about would be Dryya and Xero. I thought it would be a bit more popular, but nope.

I only have seen Dryya paired up with the White Lady and Xero with Markoth(I don't dislike those ships, I just like to change things up instead of seeing the same types of things over and over again). The only times I have seen them paired as a couple is if Xero is training as a guard until he succumbs to the infection.

However, I like this ship and I think it could be explored more, so this is how it would work in my Split Family AU:

(Oh ya, slight TW here for mentions of physical trauma)

Malicious Trauma- While all of the great knights and guards around them experienced physical trauma, it wasn't targeted or malicious like Dryya's and Xero's trauma. None of the other knights had to worry about dying every day or about getting lynched(both of their backstories go more in-depth which is right here). Both of them dealt with horrific trauma that no one really understands but themselves and each other.

Unattractive- Both Xero and Dryya in my AU aren't really handsome or beautiful. In the concept I drew for Xero, he looks rough. Now this concept isn't his set design as in Bugs That Warm Up Five Cold Days(which is a short little fic I made for the AU), I describe Xero as a bug that could be mistaken for an ant. But the drawing does get the point across that he has patches of burnt skin and fluff around his body and his wings are barely intact. His veins and skin could be seen and his claws were cracked(which I drew here). He is clearly not the most attractive bug, which is part of the reason why he covers himself head to toe with armor. Now Dryya is in the same boat as Xero, though she was born 'unattractive' and it isn't based on scars that she gained. You wouldn't guess as she always wears her armor, but she has no pigment in her chitin at all. She isn't like PK or WL where they had silver or white pigment, she is a sick pasty color and is very translucent. If you were to place her in front of a light, you would be able to see some of her organs. In a normal situation where you would see her in normal clothes, you can see her veins and see the slight colors of her organs. Obviously, Dryya has some scars from her past and her time as a knight which accentuates her translucent features. Regardless of these features, both of the knights find comfort in each other's bodies, knowing that regardless of how they look, they are cared for and someone understands what they went through.

Short guy, tall girl - Xero is about a head shorter than Dryya. This isn't really a huge part of their relationship, I just like this sort of relationship dynamic and is one of the few straight™ dynamics I like.

Kindness towards kids (and others)- They both have a soft spot for kids, though Xero can show it more than Dryya. Dryya had a hard life and was practically a child slave for the Colosseum until she fought her way out and was rescued by the guards. The reason why she fought was to free the children younger than her. She always cared for the well-being of those who were being taken advantage of. When she heard about Xero's ambush of some of the traffickers(which I get into more in Ghost's backstory), she was quite touched as this event hits close to home for her. And once she found out that he kept one of the children from the event, she started observing him more. Soon after the event Xero starts to be trained as a Great Knight and Dryya realizes how far his kindness goes.

Not really a point, but I think this meme encompasses their personalities:

But to add to the image above, Xero does allow Dryya's inner child to come out. Xero always keeps the childish side of him while Dryya never had the chance to be a child. He allows he to find that side of her.

The Straight Knights™- Out of all of the Great Knights Xero and Dryya are the only straight ones. While Isma and Orgim are dating, Isma is bisexual while Ogrim is pansexual. Ze'mer and Hegemol have a wlw/mlm solidary. This makes them the token straight™ friends. However, this doesn't affect any of their friendships at all in any way. No one feels uncomfortable with each other, and Dryya and Xero still go to queer events with the others as they think it is fun.

I feel like this dive into their relationship was a good exercise on how their personalities should work as there isn't much material to go off of.

I'm going to do this with some of the other rare pairs in my AU like Mallow(Markoth and Hollow Knight) and Lurimol (Hegemol and Lurien).

[cavendishbutterfly]

I posted 302 times in 2022

That's 113 more posts than 2021!

73 posts created (24%)

229 posts reblogged (76%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sorrybutblog

@softlystarstruck

@ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm

@corvuscrowned

@moonstruckwytch

I tagged 297 of my posts in 2022

Only 2% of my posts had no tags

#drarry - 178 posts

#my writing - 40 posts

#harry potter x draco malfoy - 39 posts

#hpdm - 38 posts

#hp fanfic - 22 posts

#queue - 15 posts

#drarrymicrofic - 12 posts

#inertia - 10 posts

#bday stuff - 8 posts

#asks - 8 posts

Longest Tag: 109 characters

#i’ll be honest windy city was an exercise in how do i live up to fwooshy’s gorgeous writing even a little bit

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Hi, I’m looking for fics where Harry has to come to terms with his sexuality (internalized homophobia angst is welcome) after realizing he likes Draco with the support of Hermione (and maybe Ron). Know any?

Hi there! It looks like @lettersbyelise and @sitp-recs have posted lovely answers to this here and here.

I'll add an additional sprinkling of my favorite Harry-explores-his-sexuality fics (can't guarantee Hermione's involvement though!):

Harry Potter and the Bisexual Awakening by @writcraft (23k)

This fic scratches all the parts of my brain and is so delightful to read and reread again. Driving lessons, Snitch the dog (the bestest girl), Harry grappling with identifying as bisexual in the midst of some harrowing biphobia, and the beginnings of my personal obsession with Seven Minutes In Heaven in any fic whatsoever.

Welcome to the Broom Closet by incapricious (23k)

Liv has written such a gorgeous review of this fic that I'll leave here--it's the reason I read this fic and I'm so grateful I did. It starts off with such a strong concept and then follows through perfectly, with secrecy and faint memory and hot smut that truly kept me hooked from the very beginning.

Buds, Blooms, and Beards by @corvuscrowned (27k)

I am a long-term fanboy of crow for many reasons but this is one of them. A fantastic Harry and Ginny friendship, and their plant shop(!!!) which is full of storerooms for one Draco Malfoy to pull Harry into and ah, Help Him Do Some Research. Harry and Ginny explore their sexualities in gorgeous parallel, including how and when they feel ready to come out to themselves and their friends.

I'll also add in a fic of my own!

Bridges by cavendishbutterfly (16k)

This is a fic I wrote to shower lots of love on Budapest as a city, but also to tell the story of a Harry just beginning to test out his bisexuality. It's a fic that's close to my heart, and I wanted to play with the ways that exploring one's sexuality can feel complex and muddy and confusing. Hopefully it succeeds in that :)

107 notes - Posted June 12, 2022

#4

how they save each other

rated M | 50 words | for the @drarrymicrofic prompt “kind”

it's a different kind of love. they fuck in the mornings. soft light through old windows. new sheets. scrambling for purchase as Draco presses into him. they used to be loud. now whispers: there, darling. just like that. why did it take so long after the war to know peace.

193 notes - Posted September 27, 2022

#3

For Worse, For Better

A joyous fanniversary to @sitp-recs, a beautiful person to whom I and my fandom experience are indebted. Just over a year ago I’d started to drift away from drarry after reading a few fics, until I discovered Liv’s incredible blog and so many more fics to love and reasons to dig deeper. I wouldn’t have found my way into this community without her, and am so grateful for her kindness and presence here. Liv, I hope this lil story gives you even a fraction of the joy you and your blog have given me over the past year.

Of course, it’s the one eventuality he hasn’t planned for.

“It’s raining,” Draco says, clutching Pansy’s arm and watching the windows streak.

“It sure is,” they say. Their lipstick is sharp and red—any overt warmth from Pansy is rare, but a corner of their mouth tugs upward, not even in a sneer. They tuck a piece of Draco’s hair behind his ear and smooth out his robes.

“It’s a Muggle venue,” Draco says, realising. “No Weather Charms. We can’t even cast an Impervius.”

“No, we certainly can’t.”

“Don’t laugh at me, Pans.” Draco clutches their arm harder. “Oh Merlin, all the guests are going to be wet, they’ll hate me.”

Pansy shakes their head, tugging Draco gently toward the door. “It’s just a bit of rain, Draco.”

The quartet starts playing outside and Draco thinks, Salazar, all those wooden instruments out in the wet, and there’s nothing to do but push open the doors to the outside. Draco sees the aisle first, a thin carpet lined with flowers and splotched with raindrops. A couple guests have thought to bring umbrellas, which unfurl over small pockets of the crowd. The attendees are dressed in a smattering of Wizarding robes and Muggle dress clothes, all dark with water. The rain hammers on the roof behind them, and on the platform at the end of the aisle.

And there, on the platform in the midst of everything, is Harry. His hair clings to the back of his neck, waterlogged and uncharacteristically flat. His glasses are spotted with droplets, and for a moment Draco thinks, Is he cross? He must be cross. But as Pansy guides him down the aisle, he sees Harry’s smile, impossibly wide.

Draco steps up to the small stage.

Harry grins at him. “Look at you,” he says.

“Yes, well,” says Draco haughtily, smoothing out his hair. “Imagine how you look at the moment, you’ve been out here longer.”

Harry laughs, one of those big belly laughs Draco hadn’t known was possible until Harry came into his life. He reaches for Draco’s hands. “I meant that you look quite handsome,” he says, squeezing Draco’s fingers. “I love those robes on you.”

“You look handsome too,” Draco says quietly, because even with his hair plastered to the sides of his face Harry still looks stunning. “I just—“ Draco glances at the quartet, finishing their song, and knows he only has a few more moments. “It feels like a bad omen, all the rain. It’s grey and horrible out, I just feel like it must mean—“

Harry pulls Draco’s hands to his lips, kisses his knuckles once, twice. “Bad omens are usually good ones for me,” he says. “Black dogs, prophecies, curses. I’d be more worried if our wedding went off without a hitch.”

Draco laughs, despite himself. “I planned for everything. I thought I had it covered.”

“You didn’t plan for me, though.” Harry wiggles his eyebrows nonsensically. “I always make things go sideways.”

It’s not so far from the truth. From the beginning, Draco had never planned on Harry. Harry is a force of nature, something impossible and glorious that has happened to Draco, and somehow keeps happening. He seems to defy all logic.

“I didn’t plan for you,” Draco agrees. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Somewhere behind them, the music stops. The rain continues. And Draco and Harry, hand in hand, begin.

An enormous thank you to the wonderful @lqtraintracks for betaing, and for the prompt “rain on their wedding day” &lt;3

203 notes - Posted May 5, 2022

#2

If you decide to start writing fic

you’ll post something on Aug 22. Nothing major. It will go out to your fresh-faced AO3 and your followers on tumblr, fewer than ten, including your friend the gymnast who is also very good at reccing. You’ll write more microfics, wait to see whether anyone notices, loiter in your office bathroom to scroll through the precious tags of a reblog. A tiger will offer you an invite to a discord server, a first gateway, a beginning. You’ll talk about transness with a chameleon. You’ll talk steadily more to a black cat who lets you onto a whole sea of servers and that will make all the difference in the world. And then the cat will make all the difference in the world, a hundred times over, a thousand. You’ll meet a small community: cacti, witches, rocks, birds, cat owners, apricots. A local of the city you love. You’ll meet fellow hufflepuffs and acespecs and writers you’ve quietly followed for months and months; stars and sweets and quills, readers, healers and academics and degree-holders, and people who take your breath away in fifty words. You’ll remember why language is beautiful. You’ll remember why you write, or maybe learn it for the first time. Four thousand words will feel impossible but you’ll build the first story brick by brick, rewriting and rewriting. People will take the time to read it over for you. They’ll volunteer, even. Sometimes they’ll even thank you for asking them, and it will blow your mind; you’ve forgotten how giving people can be, or perhaps you’re still learning. You’ll meet a chemist by passing your phone to your partner, and by some stroke of luck she’ll anchor you in all her brilliance and warmth. When you post your first longer fics, they will receive love beyond your comprehension. People will leave you long, gracious comments. They’ll write recommendations that floor you. They will say, we saw your heart in Eastern Europe. In the scene with the hair, on the shoreline, in the small cramped flat, in the cabin. You will create things you did not think were possible for you. Strangers and friends will choose to keep you company online, small strange boxes of text made infinitely precious on lonely days and bright ones. You will write a horrifying (wonderful) story with someone halfway across the world and cackle far past your bedtime. You’ll trade paragraphs about eighth year fics, recipes, disco cowboy memes, gifts and prompts galore. A bee, a white cat, milk, honey, geese, a chickpea, an octopus, an artful mouse. These people will teach you queer joy. It is not a small thing to learn. There are so many intricacies captured—here, this is a new way to love your body. Here, this is a new way to stoke your soul. And all the while you will have been becoming yourself, surrounded by art and artists, and you will remember what a beautiful way this is to grow. Fostered by the generosity of strangers, and strangers become friends.

251 notes - Posted August 22, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

he finally finds out

Rated T | 50 words | for the @drarrymicrofic prompt, “evidence”

Harry frowns. “There’s no evidence he fancies me.”

“He took your quill,” says Pansy.

“Insulted you three weeks straight,” Greg adds.

“Trust us, we know,” says Blaise.

“He’s just a ponce!” Harry says. “He’s always been like that to me. Always.”

A pause.

“…You’re not saying—”

“—Oh, we certainly are.”

402 notes - Posted October 9, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[cinematicnomad]

i tried to add more fics to this post and it wouldn't let me! so here are some more added to a reblog:

while the walls come tumbling down by Thorinoakentwig (1/1 | 12k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; soulmarks; internalized homophobia

"you know i think about two-thirds of hawkins high would claw my actual eyes out to have the steve harrington as their soulmate," eddie says thoughtfully and then waggles his eyebrows. steve laughs. "two-thirds? seems awfully low." (or: steve harrington’s multi-year bisexual awakening, soulmate style)

i wanna kiss you (but i want it too much) by xiaq (5/5 | 13k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; outsider POVs; getting together; queer joy

"i knew i liked girls," robin says, "because i wanted to kiss girls." "yeah. but how did you know it was more than the normal amount?" "…the normal amount," she repeats. "Well, sure." steve scrubs a hand through his hair. "everyone wants to kiss everyone a little bit, right? like. how did you know it was more than the normal heterosexual amount?" robin cannot believe she’s going to have to say this out loud. she glances around the empty store just to make sure no one has somehow teleported in during the last two minutes. "steve. steven. there is no normal heterosexual amount of wanting to kiss people of the same gender." he crosses his arms. "well, that can’t be right."

it’ll be fine by dusk light (i’m telling you, baby) by anonymous (1/1 | 14k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; angst w/ a happy ending; letters; pining

the van is running, steve realizes, and eddie wouldn’t start it if he was just coming out to smoke. it sobers him up almost immediately. "you leaving?" eddie gives him a smile, sad around the edges where it reaches his eyes, says, "yeah," and steve knows he doesn’t just mean for tonight.

heart on your sleeve by anonymous (1/1 | 22k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; soulmarks; bad harrington parents; angst w/ a happy ending

steve harrington doesn’t know how to love right. he knows he loves his parents, but their soul marks have turned to scars on his skin. he doesn’t know what he’s doing wrong. with some help, he figures out it's not his fault. inspired by a kink meme prompt where your soul mark appears when you realize you love someone.

blood between your teeth by rednights (1/1 | 24k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; eddie POV; getting together; fix it; hurt/comfort

the first time eddie sees steve harrington with his face smashed in, he’s at the corner store off 6th street choosing a frozen meal to bring home. (a 5+1+1 type of fic)

darlin’ you give love (a bad name) by thorinoakentwig (1/1 | 24k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; pre-s1; secret relationship; break up; angst w/ a happy ending

the first time he hears dustin and mike mention the name eddie munson he almost walks into a vhs display at work. steve wants to ask them how eddie’s doing but then his face from that last party flashes into his head and he always clams up. if he was eddie he’d want nothing to do with him and rightly so. instead steve teasingly complains about how much time they spend with eddie and that’s as far as it goes.

heart on your sleeve by brbsoulnomming (1/1 | 29k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; supernatural elements; body horror; hurt/comfort

steve's parents always locked their hearts in a safe in his dad's study at night. for as long as steve can remember, he watched them do it, pulling their hearts out of their chests and tucking them away in the safe in an easy, practiced motion—like a dance, like something they did without even thinking about it. he liked it, liked watching them move in unison. it made him daydream about his own partner in the future, how they could move in sync with each other, anticipating each other's every movement and not having to say a thing to know what the other wanted. even his parents’ hearts were similar. they were both the same pale pink, bisected with only a few silver scars, and though they didn't quite beat in unison, it was close enough that steve's young eyes didn't notice the difference. "one day," his dad always said. "when you're old enough, your heart will go in here, too. when you're trained to be separated from it, when you're grown up." steve wanted to be grown up more than anything. but his heart never looked like theirs. — or, steve's journey in letting himself be folded into a family of his own making, and finding the kind of love that will last forever.

i've been trying to figure you out, tell me then would you lend a hand? by dark_rosaleen (8/8 | 31k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; eddie POV; outside observations; 6+1; character study

“so, tell me what’s so great about harrington, then.” he doesn’t really know why he says it, it’s not like eddie cares about the old king of hawkins high; steve harrington is an asshole. that’s just a fact of life. the sky is blue, high school is pointless, steve harrington is a dickhead. but eddie likes this kid, likes all of them actually. dustin turns to look at him, a small smile on his lips, his eyes softening, and bingo. - six times eddie tries to understand who steve is, and the one time he finally manages it. (and works some things out about himself along the way.)

are you flagging? by soidade (17/17 | 40k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; friends w/ benefits; internalized homophobia

“look, i’m just asking, okay? not—i don't mean anything by it. but, uh.” his eyes darted back and forth, then he leaned in close to steve. steve had gotten used to that, kind of. the guy had no concept of personal space. “are you flagging?” eddie finally finished. steve shook his head slowly, eyes narrowed. he had no idea what that meant. he had no answer. “what?” eddie leaned away from steve, facing forward again and nodding. “okay, got it. that answers my question. carry on.” ------------------------------------------------- a (mostly) innocent question leads steve harrington on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, sex, and romance.

this is me trying by jeanelainegrey (15/15 | 44k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; eddie POV; miscommunication; angst w/ a happy ending

the thing was that steve didn’t like eddie. at least, not as far as eddie could tell. he’d said something to robin about it who brushed him off. “steve’s just being steve. he likes you fine. he’s just…being steve.” or...eddie isn't sure when steve started to dislike him so much, but he's more than willing to mess around with him when steve confesses he has...something...he needs to get out of his system. eddie just wasn't counting on his heart getting involved along the way.

proximity by stervrucht / @stervrucht (11/11 | 52k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; eddie POV; slow burn; getting together; sexuality crisis

eddie shifts his weight, pressing himself closer to steve’s side. this was his little game and he always won. for more than a year now, eddie has been the undisputed king of personal space invasion. steve casually sips his beer, seemingly unaware of the fact that they're too fucking close. totally, utterly unaffected. - eddie enjoys invading people’s personal space, just to mess with them. steve's complete disregard for boundaries makes him the ultimate challenge.

turn and face the strange by peachesandpears (11/11 | 56k+ | Ex) au – no upside down; steve POV; angst w/ a happy ending; bad harrington parents

he never wanted this, is the thing. never wanted to stay in hawkins. never wanted to work for his father. never wanted to be the guy who peaked in high school. but once his options had dried up, this is exactly where steve harrington ends up. enter eddie munson, who tears all of that to shreds, thank god.

today is a new day to find you by formosus_iniquis (5/5 | 56k+ | M) au – no upside down; eddie POV; time loop; temp character death; happy ending

eddie is having the worst day known to man. It might qualify as a catastrophic event. missing homework, lunch spilled on the cafeteria floor, broken strings at band practice, and that's not even touching steve harrington. steve harrington who keeps talking to him like they're friends. steve harrington who has become a new person overnight. steve harrington who keeps making hypotheticals about time loops. steve harrington who is somehow the best and worst part of his day.

shame on the night by kikiz (11/11 | 61k+ | E) canon divergent s4; steve POV; angst w/ a happy ending; communicating through dreams

they find him in the boathouse. there’s glass at his throat and a fear thick enough to choke, but steve doesn’t take it personally. these things happen. eddie’s shaking apart and steve doesn’t know him but he knows the look in his eye. they leave him with promises and a hope that he’s not crazy. still, they leave him. there’s a story steve remembers about looking back, a punishment in salt. he’s got his key in the ignition and there’s something brackish in his mouth when he turns to see the shadow in the window. "we can’t…he’s alone," he says and no one answers because they know he’s right but they don’t know what comes next. it’s dustin who finally breaks the silence, a quiet, "where can he go where no one would look?" eddie hides at steve's house. there are consequences.

the white rabbit by fastcardotmp3 / @fastcardotmp3 (3/3 | 63k+ | M) canon divergent post s3; eddie POV; temporary character death; drug abuse; slow burn

because eddie does a headcount. and there are five people, not four, standing at the bottom of this dried up lake, and one of them is tearing the final bat in half with his bare hands. robin chokes, hunches over and vomits straight onto the ground. fair enough, considering they’re looking at steve harrington. fair enough, considering they’re looking at a dead man. sequel: the golden afternoon (3/3 | 64k+ | Ex) steve POV; PTSD; temporary eddie/chrissy & steve/jonathan; codependent relationships; happy ending

just a rhyme without a reason by doriangrayscale (12/12 | 78k+ | M) season 4 rewrite; steve POV; homelessness; hurt/comfort; angst w/ a happy ending

the mall is destroyed. el’s lost her powers. billy’s dead. so is hopper. steve is probably fucked up mentally for life, but what else is new? steve has a pretty good thing going. he has kids to take care of, an awkward lesbian to advise. max needs a big brother. hawkins is his home, and steve can’t just leave. not while he’s still needed. he knows one day he won’t be. but for now, it’s enough. or: the harringtons sell their house before the real estate market goes belly-up. hawkins has been going downhill for years, anyway. his parents give steve a choice: move with them and finally take that job at his dad’s company or get left behind. for steve, it wasn’t much of a choice at all. he may not have a house anymore, but his bmw’s backseat has served as a bed plenty of times already. no one has to know. the party has enough problems to worry about. or: eddie munson worms his way into steve’s sorry little life months before vecna rears his ugly head. or: steve harrington, a character study.

a sign of the morning by toedenandbackagain (12/12 | 86k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; slow burn; friends to lovers; PTSD

vecna is dead. the upside down is cut off from hawkins yet again. steve is trying to go back to normal, whatever that is. he's also trying to figure out exactly how eddie munson has managed to fit so easily into his life.

someone else's favorite song by fastcardotmp3 / @fastcardotmp3 (16/16 | 120k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; alternating POV; hurt/comfort; angst w/ a happy ending

"not sick, not sick," he slurs, and eddie wants to see his face, wants to hold it in his hands, wants to look him in the eye when he says, "just sad. sad. fuck…fuck, sad." "why are you sad, big guy?" eddie asks. steve laughs again, but it’s sharper this time, it doesn't last as long, because as soon as the words slip out of his mouth— "my mom's dead—" —it walks that treacherous line between the two sounds and morphs straight to a broken sort of sobbing that reaches directly into eddie’s chest and drags out his heart. - a friends-with-benefits relationship goes complicated when who steve and eddie are to one another shifts with the coming of a new sort of tragedy. prequel: no one else will do (1/1 | 11k+ | E) steve POV; origin story; first time; period-typical homophobia; ptsd; healing sex

it's good to see you back in a bar band, baby by liarsandthieves22 (33/33 | 139k | E) au – modern era; eddie POV; rock band; famous!steve; enemies to friends to lovers

when eddie’s bassist breaks his wrist right before corroded coffin’s first big tour he’s forced to turn to desperate measures. namely: hiring steve harrington, a former industry golden boy who’s since fallen from grace, stopped recording, and vanished from the limelight entirely. eddie’s never met steve, but he knows he'll hate him. he's heard all the rumors about the guy. he knows steve's type—preppy, arrogant, nepo-baby asshole. doesn't he? OR: the not-quite-famous-yet rock-tour enemies-to-lovers au no one asked for.

late night, double feature by strangegoingson (20/20 | 172k+ | Ex) alternate universe; steve POV; canon-typical violence; slow burn; steve plays dnd

people are saying that when it rains, if you look into your television at midnight, you'll see your soulmate. steve harrington is pretty sure that's just cootie-catcher nonsense. but something is definitely going on. everyone is seeing the same people in the television—and the people they see keep turning up dead.

empty space by paryton (24/24 | 293k+ | M) s3 canon divergent; eddie POV; monster!steve; fix-it; angst w/ a happy ending

eddie is walking around in a dead man’s shoes. - in the aftermath of the starcourt mall fire, hawkins mourns their dead (steve harrington among them), the town’s unsung heroes grapple with grief, and eddie munson gears up for his final (fingers-crossed) year of high school and stubbornly tries not to get attached to the party of sad freshmen trailing behind him, bleeding heart be damned.

cinematicnomad's steddie fic recs

i've been reading a lot of stranger things steddie fics over the past 2 months so i've decided it's time for me to make one of my requisite fic reclists, both for myself, and for anyone else interested. here's my usual reminder that i prefer lengthy fics, and that i am also a sucker for canon divergent fics (which basically all of these are bc eddie is alive post s4 obviously unless it's a time loop fic—if i tag a fic as "canon divergent eddie lives", assume this means the fic is compliant through the end of s4 except for eddie's death) and happy endings. all these fics are complete, though it's possible that if the fic is part of a series the series may not be complete. i will try to always add appropriate tags!

T = teen M = mature Ex = explicit NR = not rated

bracing for impact by writersagainstwritersblock (1/1 | 9k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; wayne POV; steve has bad parents; outsider POV

wayne watches as eddie falls hopelessly in love, with of all people, goddamn steve harrington.

it's not a big deal by aidaronan (1/1 | 11k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; alternating POV; mutual pining; angst w/ a happy ending

eddie survives, but his entire life is locked away in the upside down forever (his books, his dnd stuff, his guitar.) everything that wasn't on eddie when steve carried him into the ER, gone. so naturally steve starts giving him things. handing eddie back those little outward markers of who he is.

you oughta know by thisapplepielife / @thisapplepielife (1/1 | 12k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; future fic; angst w/ a happy ending

days stretch out, long and slow. steve tries to ignore the only thing he’s sure of: eddie ran. he ran from him, ran from all of them. or: steve's having a rough couple of years, thanks for asking. compliant fic: i'm brave, but i'm chicken shit (1/1 | 13k+ | M) eddie POV; eddie centric; 1990s; recreational drug use

introduced me to my mind by alchemystique (2/2 | 16k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; mutual pining; getting together; happy ending

"eddie," wayne says, and eddie fights the urge to scream, or laugh, or cry. "i'm not running," eddie tells him, even though that is a fucking lie. "you should call him more," wayne says, and eddie rubs the meat of his palm into his eyeballs until he sees stars. doesn’t think about what 'call him more' means in context—do they talk about him? series: sweet leaf (4/4 | 16k+ | T) outsider POVs; rockstar!eddie; period typical homophobia

steve harrington's guide to making it work by eggbertsheggbert (8/8 | 23k+ | NR) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; bad harrington parents; steve is kicked out; angst w/ a happy ending

steve harrington has never been good at asking for help. especially not since he started being seen as the protector of the group. so, when his parents kick him out after discovering his sexuality, he figures he can get extra shifts, save up, and get a place before anyone realizes anything is wrong. join steve as he takes on the weight of the world. he's got it figured out, he's definitely NOT struggling, and—above all else—he can make this work.

the power of love by lacerta26 (8/8 | 27k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; outsider POVs; series; post-canon; coming out

jim gets mostly to the end of the house and then someone speaks. "i came out here for a smoke," eddie, his voice low, hushed. "yeah, but this is much more fun," steve now, almost laughing but not quite. * jim had only stepped out for a cigarette when he learns something new about steve and eddie and if this was one of the boys bringing home a girl, he’d have the exact stern words to make sure they were being a gentleman but his usual shovel talk isn't quite going to cut it because he has to let them know it's fine, more than fine, for them to be who they are, here. 

hands where i can see them by SolarMorrigan / @solarmorrigan (12/12 | 29k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; multiple POV; established relationship; emotional hurt/comfort

eddie thinks that he and steve have a good thing going; being friends with benefits is honestly a pretty sweet deal. steve is a great friend, the sex is great, everything is great. except for the fact that steve hadn't realized they were only friends with benefits. except for the fact that steve thought they were in a relationship. except for the fact that eddie doesn't realize how much he'd valued that relationship until it's gone (and he's trying his damnedest to get it back).

it's alright if you love me by alivingfire (7/7 | 31k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; outsider POV; character study; 5+1; steve-centric; hurt/comfort

"oh, haven't you heard? steve harrington doesn't cry." in which steve harrington breaks up, breaks a few hearts (including his own), breaks free, and finally gets to break down. or: 5 times steve didn't cry, and 1 time he did.

off the beaten path by pukner (6/6 | 34k+ | M) canon divergent post s3; alternating POV; queer awakenings; cliffhanger ending (must read sequels)*

"i'm saying this," says steve, loudly, cutting him off, "because someone i love is, uh, gay. and i love them, but like, platonically. and also me calling you a queer might've been a little hypocritical, in retrospect." there is a long, baffled pause. "what," says jonathan, "steve, are you—are you coming out to me?" steve frowns, "oh, yeah, i guess i am. cool." or, post season 3, steve manages to figure out that he's bisexual, despite his best efforts to repress it, comes out to robin and jonathan byers of all people, and figures himself out. also, there's a cute guy who might be actually insane running the kids' dnd club and he's got his eye on him. and his bandana. too bad eddie munson hasn't had a similar revelation. he's still under the impression that he's a straight man obsessing over steve harrington for normal, extremely heterosexual reasons. OR: steve figures out he's bi before eddie figures out that he's gay. eddie still manages to fall first. series: *off-script (2/2 | 67k+ | Ex) eddie POV; internalized homophobia; mutual pining

a tattoo is worth a thousand words by writersagainstwritersblock (18/18 | 40k+ | M) canon divergent post s3; eddie POV; babysitter steve harrington; getting together

"ambidextrous, princess, it’s what makes me so good with my hands." eddie wiggled his fingers. "you mean for guitar?" steve asked, completely missing the innuendo, and also nearly knocking eddie flat at the thought that steve harrington knew he played guitar. "you stalking me or something?" eddie asked. steve frowned. "uh, no, but your band played in the middle school talent show, it's pretty hard to forget a thirteen year old screaming death metal before his voice dropped." eddie almost laughed at that. almost. "you saying i'm unforgettable, princess?" "if that’s how you want to take it, munson." eddie realized this was turning towards something far more dangerous than taunting a boy known for getting into fights, like flirting with a very, very straight boy known for getting into fights. OR after the events of season three steve shows up on eddie's doorstep asking for a tattoo... and then keeps showing up much to the dismay of eddie's traitorous heart. sequel: visible ink (12/12 | 57k+ | M) outsider POVs; firefighter!steve; tattoo artist!eddie; found family

the one in which a time loop is fucking exhausting. by badpancake (12/12 | 41k+ | T) canon compliant; time loop; steve POV; temporary character death; suicide; angst w/ a happy ending

it’s the first time in a while that he doesn’t know what comes next. he’s dove into the water hundreds of times. screamed as his flesh was torn apart, heard master of puppets in the distance and held back tears. felt max’s cold, small hand in his as she laid in the hospital bed. there are things that always happen, no matter how hard he tries: el doesn’t arrive in time. eddie dies. max is put in a coma. steve fails. they lose. "steve, how many loops have you been through?" his head is nodding, and his eyes are watery, and eddie has approached him like a spooked animal. "i lost count.” AKA: the one where steve harrington is stuck in a time loop, and eddie munson is really fucking hard to save, or: fuck volume 2, these bitches are in love.

steve the reluctant by rachtay13 (7/7 | 46k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; oblivious steve; steve plays dnd

robin raised her brows.  "you know what, harrington?" she nodded her head. "yeah, you know what? i dare you to make a friend. i dare you." read for steve in denial, excessive d&d gameplay, robin as a mermaid, and eddie's glinting rings. as one reader said "the most frustratingly dense version of steve i have ever read and i am HERE for it."

you're so fucked up and i love it by genericfanatic (18/18 | 54k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; eddie POV; accidental relationship; hurt/comfort

eddie munson hated steve harrington. he'd apparently saved his life, dragged him out of hell and got him to a hospital while nancy rushed behind him working on alibis and half truths to prove he couldn’t have murdered chrissy. and here he was, doomed to live for the foreseeable future, in debt forever to steve fucking harrington. but eddie really hated how normal steve fucking was.

where do we go from here? (quietly fading away) by allandmore (9/9 | 60k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; angst w/ a happy ending; non-graphic violence

"what's scarier than saving the world? figuring out what to do afterwards. i get it," eddie turns on his side, one shoulder on the wall, and grips the front of steve's shirt. His face is so close steve can feel the warmth of his breath. "but we've got time now. right, steve? we bought us all time. time to figure all our shit out. isn’t that what matters?" OR steve harrington struggles to find purpose after the upside down. (but maybe purpose doesn't have to be big. maybe it's helping dustin navigate sophomore year. maybe it's reminding robin to send in college admission letters. maybe it's eddie munson. maybe).

star of the masquerade by glorious_spoon (6/6 | 64k+ | M) canon compliant; eddie POV; time loop; temporary character death; angst w/ a happy ending

steve jerks awake, sitting up so quickly that robin almost topples over and staring wildly around the room. when his gaze lands on eddie, he blanches visibly. "oh, shit," he mutters. "come on, no. come on. not again." "harrington?" eddie asks slowly. he does not love the way that steve is staring at him right now. he really doesn’t. steve looks like he’s staring at a ghost, a bloodied monster, like eddie is something that should not exist in the light of day. "you good, dude?"

one size fits all by entanglednow (10/10 | 65k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; fake/pretend relationship; misunderstandings; slow burn

steve just wanted to do something nice for a friend, he doesn't mean to get eddie's ring stuck on his finger, and it's definitely not his fault that everyone he knows is jumping to conclusions.

renegades (leave a light on) by queerofthedagger (13/13 | 66k+ | Ex) canon divergent s2; eddie POV; road trip; slow burn; strangers to lovers

eddie doesn't expect to get into trouble for his recent drug business, although he probably should have. even less does he expect steve harrington of all people to save his sorry ass with a nail bat that looks awfully at home in his hands. least of all, though, does he expect harrington to insist on skipping town for a while to avoid the fallout. the winter holidays of '84 seem intent on proving him wrong on all fronts. thrown into a spontaneous road trip-slash-cut-and-run to san francisco—just until things back home blow over, munson—eddie has all the time in the world to confront such questions as: why would harrington care to help him? why does he wake up from nightmares more often than not? and, maybe most importantly, why is the former king so ready to leave hawkins behind on a whim? or: idiot boys make impulsive idiot decisions, and along the way—reluctantly but inevitably—they fall in love. a story of endless winter streets, finding family, and leaving home to find a new one.

falling without caution (people watching) by super_skam310 (10/10 | 66k+ | NR) canon divergent eddie lives; eddie POV; slow burn; eventual happy ending

steve harrington is a man that demands your attention; whether your give it willingly or not is inconsequential. eddie's camp tended to be in the latter category. OR eddie's borderline obsessive watching of steve spanning from steve's freshman year to season 4, culminating in the unfortunate realization that the king had been dethroned the moment nail bat hit monster flesh and that maybe steve harrington was lovable all along.

in the margins by foxy_mulder (4/4 | 70k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; angst w/ a happy ending; suicidal thoughts; hurt/comfort

steve is having a hard time adjusting to the new normal, after everything that went down. he doesn't want to bother his friends with his problems, though, when they've got so much weight on their shoulders already. steve stumbles on an alternate version of hawkins, where none of it ever happened. everyone’s alive, his headaches are gone, his friends actually want to hang out with him, and he’s…happy. (the party has to fight another monster. but this one doesn't prey on people's fears. it preys on their deepest desires.)

skull rock era by chattrekisses (11/11 | 71k+ | Ex) canon divergent s2; steve POV; slow burn; internalized homophobia; fix-it

steve harrington never planned for eddie munson. steve was supposed to marry his high school sweetheart, have 2.5 children, and take over the family business. he was supposed to live a blissful life on a nondescript cul-de-sac, complete with a white picket fence and a closet full of tasteful polo shirts. he was supposed to make a graceful transition between being the golden boy and being the american dream. mediocrity was what destiny had designed for steve. reality had other plans. (or, steve and eddie, against all odds, fall in love.)

roll for seduction by spikeisthebigbad (37/37 | 74k+ | Ex) canon divergent post s3; steve POV; steve plays dnd; fix-it

when steve reluctantly agreed to play dungeons and dragons with the hellfire club he expected to hate every second. he did not expect to spend his friday nights flirting with eddie munson. what if eddie and steve were dating during season 4? starts after season 3, and eventually ventures into season 4. not canon compliant.

in over my head by staymagical (16/16 | 75k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; alternating POV; head trauma; temporary amnesia

one moment, steve is entering his room, ready for bed, and the next he's in forest hills staring at a very confused very concerned eddie and the run-down remains of the old munson trailer. three hours later. thus begins a secret shared between friends, steve leaning on eddie as they try and understand and navigate this new terrifying post-concussion symptom of steve's. with vecna dead and the gates closed, it can only be steve's own scrambled brain giving up on reality. it's a race against the unknown, trying to find answers and search for solutions before it happens again and steve isn't sure how long he can keep pretending he is alright when he is anything but.

leave the light on sometimes all night by anniebibananie (7/7 | 78k+ | M) au—no upside down; steve POV; hurt/comfort; slow burn; eventual smut

june 1986 steve is lonely. he’s always been lonely, honestly. an empty house, absent parents, friends that didn’t really know him. frankly, he probably doesn’t really know himself, either. it used to be easier to ignore—between sports and parties and searching for the next girl to hang around with. then nancy wheeler told him he was bullshit. in the wreckage of the storm, he realized she probably hadn’t been that off base to call his life bullshit. [life in hawkins, indiana is boring, ordinary, no supernatural entities. steve still changes. luckily, he still makes some new friends, too. certain people are simply meant to be in the same story.]

the lathe by palmviolet (13/13 | 82k+ | M) canon compliant; steve POV; time loop; fix-it; angst w/ a happy ending; implied self-harm

"this time, do it right. this time eddie won’t bleed out in his arms, in anyone’s arms. this time, steve will do it right." — or, steve relives the day they try to kill vecna over and over, and eddie just can't seem to stop dying. steve finds this totally unacceptable. sequel: disaster / lucky (1/1 | 7k+ | M) coda; eddie POV; implied/referenced self-harm; trauma recovery

it's got what it takes by rose235b (20/20 | 83k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; friends to lovers; slow burn

“i can walk you to your car if you need to go though.” eddie’s hand stopped moving. robin’s eyes snapped towards steve as if it wasn’t a nice thing to offer. “i’ll just maybe grab the vest so i can leave it for tomorrow.” he was undeterred though. if he could help eddie munson after the worst period of his life by literally just walking, steve would walk across the entire state of indiana. eddie looked back at him, his eyes narrowing slightly as he seemed to search for something on steve’s face. “okay.” it came out softer than steve was used to eddie being. steve's on his never ending quest to make up for past mistakes. eddie's post-vecna mess of a life seems like the perfect place to start. - or, two idiots fall in love very slowly to the tune of 80s music.

(something happens and i'm) head over heels by gibbouslunation (11/11 | 94k+ | T) canon divergent eddie lives; alternating POV; head trauma; angst w/ a happy ending

eddie made a strangled disbelieving noise, expression flickering. "you are not apologizing to me right now, for like, feeling a normal way about stuff. i can’t believe you." steve pushed a shaking hand through his hair. his heart rate no longer in his ears meant he felt he could at least think a little more clearly. "maybe it was the heat. doesn’t always have to be something messed up, right?" eddie gave him a placating nod. "sure, heat exhaustion is a helluva thing." it had been happening a lot recently. the…forgetting. zonking out. whatever. he was pretty sure he was just extra exhausted, it had been a few weeks since everything but it might have just been the adrenaline or something finally wearing off. sometimes it was like he just forgot someone was speaking, or couldn’t remember for a moment what they’d been talking about. like blinking out of a fog maybe. it does not get better, in fact, it actually continues to get worse.

water closet by stillmadaboutpetra (7/7 | 103k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; found family; slow burn; character study

steve's heard that a lot of life changing conversations usually happen in the kitchen or on the porch, but in his experience, it's the bathroom. a series of bathroom conversations (plus a whole lot of everything else) that slowly change steve, and his little world, in the wake of surviving vecna.

burned on the pyre by oklahoma (13/13 | 105k+ | Ex) canon compliant; steve POV; time loop; temporary character death; angst w/ a happy ending

"i’m gonna save your life, eddie munson." - caught in a time loop created by eleven where he is forced to relive the same day over and over, steve has to come up with a plan to kill vecna entirely while also making sure eddie and max don’t lose their lives in the process.

the beat has just begun by forgetthemoon (12/12 | 106k+ | M) canon compliant; steve POV; period-typical homophobia; fix it; slow burn

vecna dies. so does eddie. the world doesn't split open. in the aftermath, steve goes home to an empty house. well. almost empty. steve sighs, hanging his head. one more thing. then he can go to bed. the dirty towel can wait until later. he tosses it towards the bathtub without looking and turns to the sink, grabbing his toothbrush and toothpaste. when he looks in the mirror, eddie's staring back at him.

lonely is the night by intrajanelle (23/23 | 109k+ | T) canon divergent post s2; canon rewrite; eddie POV; hurt steve; angst w/ a happy ending

harrington had fallen, splayed in front of his preppy little beemer, like the jock equivalent of a fallen fucking angel. eddie, not having thought this through, watched harrington’s eyes roll to the back of his head, and said, "well, crap." or: post-season 2, eddie and steve get to know one another.

i can give you a heartbeat by soupbitchin (14/14 | 113k+ | T) canon compliant; eddie POV; ghost!eddie; happy ending; fix-it

being dead isn’t like eddie thought it would be. for starters, he’s a lot more alive than he expected. or, the ghost of eddie munson’s still hanging around, and he’d really appreciate if someone could notice him, thanks.

the end is here (and we do it a hundred times over) by placebythering (13/13 | 125k+ | M) canon compliant; steve POV; time loop; temporary death; suicide; angst w/ a happy ending

steve jolts awake, staring up into the dull beige of the camper’s ceiling. there’s a distinct brown stain, likely from a leak. the cushion of the back seat is hard against his back, and if he strains he could hear yelling and laughing from the outside. he wonders if he’s finally lost his fucking mind. —or, steve relives the day of the end over and over again.

caught in the middle, helpless again by margosfairyeye (14/14 | 131k+ | Ex) canon compliant; eddie POV; time loop; angst w/ a happy ending; canon-typical violence

fuck, eddie has been here before. the deja vu was bad enough but this is like, double, this is like deja deja vu or deja vu vu or something, this is unprecedented shit here. and eddie knows what comes next, knows like the roiling ache in his stomach that they’re going to go in, go though the portal and into the upside fucking down and didn’t they already do this? -- -- eddie loops through the time from lover's lake to his death, over and over again.

blood, love, and rhetoric by sourpastels / @lesbiansidney (18/18 | 143k+ | M) canon compliant; alternating POV; eddie lives; canon typical violence; accidental roommates

eddie believes three core things about the art of performance. 1. all the world's a stage. 2. performance is both a weapon and a shield, he wields it as both. and 3. you can’t act death. to quote stoppard: “it’s not gasps and blood and falling about—that isn’t what makes it death. it’s just a man failing to reappear, that’s all…” and eddie had gasped and bled and fell about, and was foolish enough in that moment to believe that was death. but he forgot a crucial step: he reappeared. or: steve is taking it day by day, flitting between the high school and the hospital and hopper’s cabin, locking any thoughts of eddie munson away at the back of his mind. meanwhile, eddie is just trying to get out of the upside down, with nothing but a nail-shield and the world's worst company.

sleight of hand by smithereen (19/19 | 143k+ | Ex) canon divergent post s2; alternating POV; internalized homophobia; slow burn

steve needs a weed dealer. he gets a bit more than that. (this is an AU set a couple months after the snow ball in season 2.)

take the money and run by thisapplepielife / @thisapplepielife (22/22 |143k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; alternating POV; road trip; getting together; future fic

"rules. like, there’ll be no eating in my car. you're not driving my car. no heavy metal," steve keeps listing, "you’re not picking up women and fucking them in m—" "i'll try to control myself," eddie interrupts with a quip, a smirk. fucking girls in steve’s car, or anywhere else for that matter, isn’t going to be an issue, unless something pretty fundamental shifts in him. steve continues, completely ignoring eddie, "you’ll wipe your feet. you're not dragging dirt all over my car. no hitchhikers. no cutesy road games. no smoking in the car. i'm not paying for all the gas." "ass, gas or grass, got it," eddie says, like he's taking this very seriously. he is not taking this seriously. or: road trip!

if your heart surrenders by asbealthgn (39/39 | 163k+ | Ex) canon divergent pre-s1; alternating POV; slow burn; secret relationship; angst w/ a happy ending

“that one’s on the house, okay?” eddie says, and steve opens his eyes to look back down at him. on his face is the slightest hint of concern, and something else steve can’t place. he’s still holding his hand. "thank you," steve says. he’s not sure exactly which thing he’s thanking eddie for, the weed or the hand in his or the lack of judgment at his fucked up head. he just knows that he’s grateful. eddie gives him a smile, a gentle curve of those pretty lips. "anytime, harrington."

tuesday's gone with the wind by thisapplepielife / @thisapplepielife (9/9 | 184k+ | Ex) alternate universe – no upside down; eddie POV; rock band; drug use; plane crash

corroded coffin's leased plane went down on june 13th, 1995 in the woods of louisiana. ten people on board died. eddie munson survived. before he survived, he really lived. companion series: wildflowers...and all the rest (15/15 | 151k+ | Ex) gareth POV; original female character; one shots; growing old; slice of life

gossip by jcmadgirl (11/11 | 213k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; pre-canon; sexual assault; angst w/ a happy ending

steve's whole life story, told through multiple snapshots of the events that made him into the person that he is today. or, a rewriting of stranger things from steve's POV.

i never did believe in miracles (but i've a feeling it's time to try) by cuoredimuschio (26/26 | 215k+ | M) canon divergent eddie lives; multiple POV; slow burn; mutual pining; getting together

eddie is beginning to think that, somewhere in the helter-skelter of surviving the upside down, being swarmed by possibly rabid but definitely rancid demobats, and charbroiling vecna’s slimy ass, he accidentally tripped through the wrong gate and landed in an alternate dimension. well, a different alternate dimension than the one he was already in. because steve harrington is flirting with him.

vignettes of lost connections by hardlyhalcyon (halcyonfrost) (50/50 | 229k+ | Ex) canon divergent pre-s1; alternating POV; secret relationship; angst w/ a happy ending

steve harrington and eddie munson had met long before dustin henderson dragged steve down to reefer rick's cabin. hawkins wasn't a huge town, and there was only the one high school, but the two were never friends. didn't even like each other. in all their darkest moments however, they somehow found company together. or the one where steve has depression, eddie becomes his safe space, and when eddie encounters battles he can't fight, steve reminds eddie of his own strength. a pre-/peri-/post-s4 fic with steddie before s4 events, continuing through and after.

as the world falls down by daeneryske (36/36 | 245k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; steve POV; bad harrington parents; period typical homophobia; angst w/ a happy ending

after saving eddie from the upside down, steve hides him at his house while the party concocts a plot to clear eddie's name. what steve doesn't expect is how much he likes hanging out with eddie as they get to know each other. under the looming shadow of the mind flayer threatening to destroy hawkins, steve and eddie realize they're each grappling with their own darkness, from steve's father's impossible expectations to eddie's feelings of worthlessness. their friendship develops into something more even as the party prepares to fight Vecna and his monsters one last time. steve must decide if he's ready to shrug off the rigid roles assigned to him and become his own person. eddie must learn to embrace what steve has been trying to show him every day since nearly dying: that he's worth saving.

nothing else matters by bigskyandthecoldgun (31/31 | 279k+ | Ex) canon divergent post s2; steve POV; secret relationship; period typical attitudes; everybody lives

"you ask a lot of questions about me," steve tells him. "because you're interesting," munson says, quiet and honest. "you're a lot different than what i've heard." steve hums, eyes closed. "yeah," he says, eyes fluttering open when munson takes the joint from him again, "you are, too." or: steve ditches the prom to get high.

the man that i could be by ohstars (26/26 | 325k+ | Ex) canon divergent post s3; steve POV; secret relationship; period typical homophobia; angst w/ a happy ending

"steve harrington isn't straight. it's been a few weeks since he sat on that bathroom floor at starcourt with robin, where she shared her biggest secret with him and unintentionally unlocked an entirely new side of steve. since he’s had to come to terms with being open to exploring that side of him, but he's finally acknowledged that he's most likely, definitely, without a doubt into guys." -- after coming to terms that he may be queer, steve harrington does a little exploration on his own and meets the one and only eddie munson. just as things are going well and accepted the fact he's falling for eddie in their own little bubble, steve's world is shaken by a tragedy he can't quite talk about. and when the dust settles and he's nearly ready to put the pieces back together, his worlds collide when he realizes his eddie is the same eddie playing D&D with the kids. the same eddie who's now wanted for murder thanks to another upside down monster. how will he save the day when he can barely focus watching his ex mingle with his monster fighting team? series: the men we've become (4/4 | 45k+ | M) future fics; alternating POVs; domestic living

since you've gone (i've been lost without a trace) by steddieeddie (7/7 | 300k+ | M) canon divergent s4; multiple POV; comatose steve; grief; angst w/ a happy ending

may 31st 1986, two weeks until graduation. robin, eddie, and nancy are all set to walk across the stage, eddie being given a free pass after the whole ‘almost framed for murder’ thing. the three have been trying to be excited about their graduation, but it feels almost mundane to be excited when steve wouldn’t be there. they would be sat out on a football field in the blistering heat while waiting for their names to be called, with dustin and max in the crowd, cheering them on in steve's place. there would be fake smiles plastered to all their faces, no matter how realistic they tried to make them. none of them have genuinely smiled since steve got vecna'd. sixty-five days. steve had been in a coma for sixty-five days. the doctors keep telling the party that it doesn't look good, that steve's injures had been severe, and that they didn't know if, when, he would wake up. but they refused to lose hope. he'll wake up. it's just a matter of time. OR five times steve harrington didn't wake up, and one time he did.

the most dangerous thing (is to love you) by brokebeatle (21/21 | 304k+ | Ex) canon divergent eddie lives; alternating POV; shared trauma; slow burn; period typical homophobia  

"i know you care about what those little twerps think of you, and i can assure you they think way too highly of you," eddie says with a wink, and steve gives a half-hearted smirk for just a moment. "but look…i know i can’t ask you to stop worrying about those kids, so how about this? you worry about them, and you let me—actually let me—worry about you." steve pushes his hair back, and yet again, gravity instantly pulls it back down, since he’s looking at his feet. "…i don’t need anyone to worry about me." "too fucking bad. someone’s gotta do it, and it’s gonna be me." "why?" steve replies with a raspy laugh, shaking his head slowly. "why? why." eddie crosses his arms tightly across his chest, knocking his foot into steve’s again with a bit more strength. "because we’re friends, dipshit." —in which eddie's got a reason he's been planning on leaving hawkins since long before the world almost ended. the only thing keeping him in town at this point? his promise to be friends with steve harrington. and eddie doesn't break promises.

[firstprince-ao3feed]

It's Never Too Late

by PeterParkerSimp3000 Alex’s dad is seeing someone. Alex and Henry have been at the lake house for a little summer vacation for the past few days, along with Ellen, Leo, June, Nora, and Oscar. Alex felt a little bad that his father was the only person there who was single. He didn’t say anything out loud, but he could tell that his dad had been feeling lonely. But throughout the past few days at the lake house, Alex has been keeping an eye on his father. And in doing so, he’s come to realize that he may have been wrong. It started with Oscar giving a few extra glances at his phone. Alex had noticed but assumed it was a work thing. … But then he noticed those extra glances were accompanied by not-so-subtle smiles. Alex tried to justify his father’s behavior using other reasons, but he was kidding himself. It’s obvious. Oscar is definitely not single. ~ Alex is suspicious that his father is dating again and is a little upset because his father hasn't told him yet. He plans to talk to his father about it, but the universe has other plans ... A heart-to-heart between Alex and Oscar ensues.   ***I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR THIS FIC TO BE REPOSTED ON THIS SITE OR OTHER SITES*** Words: 2430, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Oscar Diaz (Red White & Royal Blue), Rafael Luna, Ellen Claremont (mentioned), Leo (Red White & Royal Blue) (mentioned), June Claremont-Diaz (mentioned), Nora Holleran (mentioned) Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Oscar Diaz, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Rafael Luna, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor & Rafael Luna, Ellen Claremont/Leo, Oscar Diaz/Rafael Luna, June Claremont-Diaz/Nora Holleran Additional Tags: Alex Claremont-Diaz Loves Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Loves Alex Claremont-Diaz, Bisexual Disaster Alex Claremont-Diaz, POV Alex Claremont-Diaz, Established Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz Needs a Hug, Married Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz Has ADHD, Alex Claremont-Diaz Has Abandonment Issues, Hurt Alex Claremont-Diaz, Gay Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Protective Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Good Significant Other Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Divorced Ellen Claremont/Oscar Diaz, Gay Oscar Diaz, Everyone Is Gay, Good Parent Oscar Diaz (Red White & Royal Blue), Coming Out, Caught, Walking In On Someone, Being Walked In On, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Baggage, Old Gay Character, Post-Divorce, Childhood Trauma, Insecure Alex Claremont-Diaz, Trust Issues via https://ift.tt/BlAkaK4

[litterateur97]

What are the reasons to ship lawmane? It’s so unpopular and I’m genuinely interested in your reasons, I never saw any ship potential in DN and I’m just curious because this one seems one of a kind?

To be completely honest, my number one reason for most of my ships is usually because I like both characters a lot and/or find them attractive and decided they would be happiest together. A lot of the time it's just because I found the dynamic between two characters interesting, or thought the characters had potential for an interesting dynamic, or thought if the characters had ever met they'd have an interesting dynamic. I disregard canon for a lot of my ships and usually like fanon stuff more.

Now when it comes to Death Note, I first read the manga when I was like 12 and didn't initially ship anything. I just liked the plot, but really wished L hadn't died, which eventually led me onto the path of fanfiction. By the time I was 13, I had been neutral to a lot of the pairings, but one in particular stuck out to me. I had started reading fanfics where L survived and found L x Misa fics in my search for good stories where L lived. And honestly a lot of the fanfics were not that good, but hidden within the fandom were these absolute gems that made me realize the two characters actually had a lot of potential as a pairing.

As a bisexual, nonbinary person who is also autistic, very pale, loves sweets, and has a hard time in social settings, naturally L became my favorite character because I relate to him. I also liked Misa a lot because I thought she was very cute and had the potential to really fuck up the story. I was kind of waiting for her to betray Light the entire time during my first reading of Death Note and was genuinely surprised when that moment never came. Also Misa wore gothic clothing and had blonde hair and that was kind of my type back then.

While reading fanfics of the two, I realized there was a lot of potential for L to win if he just used Misa, which made me want the two together so that my favorite could win, but I also started to realize how cute their dynamic was. The socially awkward freak and the attractive young model. They were the opposites attract trope and the enemies to lovers trope and the enemies to buddies to lovers trope, which were all tropes I really loved. I also liked how they would tease each other, but also had intense sexual chemistry, but also had all this drama with Misa often being torn between Light and L. Fanon really made me see the pairing in a new light, and that combined with the fact that I already really liked the two characters individually, made me ship them.

I eventually watched the anime and went back to reread the manga and realized there was even subtext for the pairing in canon. I'll give a few examples because I know myself and other lawmane shippers have already talked about this in detail in other posts:

L's treatment towards Misa is very similar to boy who pulls girl's hair because he likes her

He locked her up in a fetishy way that wasn't necessary even if he wasn't sure what her powers were exactly

He is often perverted towards her, but somehow unaware of it, or so he claims, indicating repressed sexuality

He always leans in suspiciously close to her when he is speaking to her and she often leans in as well

They tease each other a lot and enter each other's personal space often (like Misa pulling his hair or L complaining about her acting)

The kiss and "I could fall for you" moment, which was probably a lie, but could also show there's something there under the surface

Both L and Misa are sexual characters and the only ones to really talk about sex in the series

Misa called L unique when she first met him and seemed to genuinely like him until she was arrested

Misa is nicer towards L once again after the "I could fall for you" moment

If you consider L Change the World canon, (personally I do not), he admits he genuinely liked Misa and hoped she would live a good life after the events of Death Note

So taking some canon elements, I started to build the pairing up more as this sexually repressed pairing that tried to ignore their feelings, but would get put into circumstances that made it impossible to ignore their feelings any longer. Honestly, despite L x Misa being a straight pairing, there are a lot of queer elements to their relationship in canon and fanon.

There's plenty of subtext for L being queer that I don't think I need to dive into, but there's actually subtext for Misa as well. She's the one who notices and calls out L's behavior as queer (gay recognizes gay), but also explicitly makes it clear that the only reason it upsets her is because she thinks L is trying to seduce HER boyfriend. She also has no problem with Rem being in love with her despite knowing that Rem is female. For Misa, it seems she sees all love as equal and valid, and it is even implied that she would still be in love with Kira had Kira been a woman. Also her whole relationship with Light reeks of compulsory heterosexuality on both sides.

It's no wonder that the major ships for L and Misa are Light and Rem respectively when both characters come across as queer. But they can be queer and still be in a relationship with each other, like bi for bi. In fact, in a lot of L x Misa fanfics, at least recently, one or both characters is written as bi. Gender is also not significant in their relationship as even in the old fanfics people would sometimes write Misa as filling the traditionally masculine role in the relationship (there are a number of fics of Misa pegging L) and L filling the traditionally feminine role in the relationship (seduced by Misa and receiving a lot of sexual pleasure from the relationship).

I also liked how a lot of L x Misa fics would acknowledge Misa's potential as a character and give her a more complex role in the story. Sometimes she was a villain, sometimes she was a victim, and sometimes she was a confused girl who didn't really understand the impacts of her decisions. I liked how they would make Misa more likeable or more villainous. Meanwhile, L would be written as more likeable or more vulnerable in a way that made me relate to his character even more. The pairing made me enjoy both characters even more, once again giving me more reason to ship it.

The ship also adds to the story of Death Note in complex ways. If Misa has feelings for L, how will this affect her relationship with Light? How will this affect her being the Second Kira? Will she betray Light to save L? Will she find a way to save both men if they are equally important to her? Will she sacrifice herself for one of them or both of them? Will she betray L and give up on their relationship to save herself and Light? And if L has feelings for Misa, how will this affect his relationship with Light? Will he throw Light under the bus to save Misa? Will he find a way to save both Light and Misa? Will he give up his values to be with Misa, but still condemn Light? Will he arrest Misa anyway and put the case before his feelings? There's a lot of potential for more drama, love triangles, and complicated manipulation and mind games.

So, in conclusion, I think there are a lot of reasons to ship these two. They are hot together and have a lot of chemistry. The relationship adds more to the characters and to the plot. They are a straight pairing often written in a queer way where gender doesn't really matter. There is subtext for the pairing in canon that fanon expands on in a lot of fun ways. If you want L to survive and for Misa to have more autonomy in the story, putting them together is a fun way to accomplish that.

They are very interesting characters that I love separately that have an interesting dynamic with plenty of potential for more had the original story used what they had to their advantage. And they are both hot. The end. Lol.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Five Fics Friday: Aug. 12/22

Happy Friday everyone!!! It’s been a long week, but so happy it’s finally some downtime so I can immerse myself into my fandom love stuff, hah! Please check out the boosted fic as well, and hope y’all like the fics I’ve got on my MFL list this week!

SIGNAL BOOSTING

Genius is a Star Whose Light (is Soon to Sink in Endless Night) by LoloLolly (M, 25,393+ w., 7/10 Ch. || Canon Compliant Through TFP, Aftermath of Serbia, Alternating POV,  Established / New Relationship, Parentlock, Explicit Torture, Mentions of PTSD, Mentions of Human Trafficking, References to Child Abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Captivity, Angst with Happy Ending, Fluff, Case Fic, BAMF John, Sherlock Whump, Mycroft and John Work Together) – Sherlock had buried the past. Shut Serbia away in the attic of his mind palace. Muddy footprints at a heinous crime scene, however, have led him right back to old enemies. And right back to captivity. For God’s sake, Mycroft. Part 2 of the Earthly Pomp (Is But a Dream) series

RECENT MFLs

Maddening by Flightless_Bird (T, 2,982 w., 1 Ch. || ACD Canon/Victorian Soulmate AU || Soul Marks, Pining, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Drug Use, Getting Together, First Kiss, Platonic to Romantic Soulmates, Fluff, Pet Names, Period-Typical Homophobia) – “Oh. Well, no, I don't think I—” Watson straightened up with sudden realization, then turned an outraged frown on Holmes. “Holmes, are you suggesting that the murdered man we are investigating is my soulmate?” “I'm not suggesting anything, I'm asking you,” Holmes sniffed. He flicked a glance in Watson’s direction. “Is he?” “No!”

Learning the Heart by Calais_Reno (T, 10,999 w., 1 Ch. || Sci Fi Dystopian / Android AU || Androids, Radiation Sickness, Android Sherlock, Emotions, Post-Nuclear War, Love, Grief, Heavy Angst with Happy Ending) – An android tries to understand love and grief. Part 22 of the Speculative Shorts series

Matchmaking for Solitary Animals by ArwaMachine (E, 61,023+ w., 11/13 Ch. || Friends to Lovers, Misunderstandings, Matchmaker John, Grindr, Coming Out, Sexually Confident Sherlock, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Bisexual John, Blow Jobs, Anal, Jealous John) – Upon moving back to Baker Street following Sherlock’s return from the dead, John finds that Sherlock is a bit more keen on entertaining gentlemen callers than he once was, a fact that seems to make John irrationally angry. Intent on proving that he’s not a total dick, John decides to make it his mission to find Sherlock a boyfriend. This, as it turns out, is the worst idea John has ever had.

Icebergs by TheSignsOfTwo (M, 130,880 w., 26 Ch. || Post-TRF, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Slow Burn, Anal, Angst with Happy Ending) – John Watson is an iceberg. Most of what he really feels and thinks is hidden from sight. What's visible is just the tip of who he is, a facade masterfully created and maintained to keep others out. Sherlock glimpsed the rest of it once, but he left before he could understand the full extent of it. And the iceberg of bottled up emotion just keeps growing. Sherlock Holmes is an iceberg. His Mind Palace extends for miles and miles below the surface. Even he doesn't know where every path leads. But the iceberg is melting away and losing momentum. At some point soon, the weight will shift and the iceberg will roll over, collapsing in on itself.