#bade fanfic

[ronancecore]

That one scene gave me 🦋 in my stomach

[bababaka]

Shipping Wars - Bade x reader

The prompt:

Person A, B, and C are famous. Their fame is growing and they are hesitant to come out as a poly couple so they just pass it for a really good friendship. Thing is, the internet being the internet started a shipping war. Some ships A and B some B and C some A and C. It’s starting to do some fights online. One day, they get tired of being asked questions about it and decide to come out as who they are.

Warnings: Aged up Characters. My writing and grammar. Some anxiety but nothing too much. Me not knowing how Twich works. I didn't truly revised it so...

Word count: 3.143

An -> I tried writing in portuguese and then throwing it into the google translate. Lotta work, let me tell you. Nah. It was a valid experience, though.Don't know if i'd do that again. Anyawyas. Love Bade and yeah. Here it is.

You liked what you did.

Entertain and chat with people on the internet who have the same interests, while playing some silly game or one that you've waited your life to play. Was funny. Interesting. Laugh and freak out on the internet with others.

In your five years on the channel, you've created a loyal, funny, and comfortable community. But, well, things started to take a bit of a left turn after the channel's first year.

The shipping war.

And the more time passed, and your popularity increased, the bigger the fight became.

@Yn'slapdog

Jpg.net 

Get yourself someone that looks at you like yn looks at Jade.

-> @Thatonetheaterkid

uuuhm i wish! Thats real love right there! 

-> @Yn'slapdog

Yyyyes! They are the reason i believe in love!

-> @Beck'sBack

whaaaat? Why? They are not a couple! Stop being a delulu! Jade is dating Beck!

Jpg.net 

I mean! C'mon! Look at them people! 

-> @Badeisreal

duuuude! Yes! Their chemistry in that movie was just off the charts! And that scene was improvised by the way! 

-> @Jade'sbottom

it was IMPROVISED??? WHAT? OMG! THAT IS MY FAVORITE SCENE! THEY ARE MY FAVORITE COUPLE!

-> @Badeisreal 

Right? Same! Also, i heard they are going to play as a couple in a new movie AGAIN! 

-> @Jade'sbottom 

jsjfjrkfkekfjdkdjdk Santa is bringing my gift

-> @Yn'slapdog

...its may…

-> @Jade'sbottom 

….Santa is late…

-> @Astarion'slittlebitch

ok. Guys. Take a breather. It is a crime you guys haven't mentioned Beck and Yn. 

They are so darn cute in yn's streams! 

-> @Imyourfather

YEEEEES! BECK BRINGS YN SNACKS ALL THE TIME! AND EVEN PLAYS SOMETIMES! 

-> @Thatonetheaterkid 

...i don't watch their streams… not really my cup of tea. 

-> @Y/n'slapdog 

You should though! There's a lot of damning evidence there! INCLUDING JADE MAKING COMPANY TO THEM! 

-> @Beck'sBack 

we back at this again? 

-> @Thatonetheaterkid 

oh, please! Jade and Beck are actors!!! They are meant to pretend!!! Fake! If they played a couple and didn't seem in love they'd just be out of job.

-> @Badeisreal 

There's somethings you just can't pretend tho!

-> @Imyourfather 

yes. There is. Thats cinema for you.

-> @Theoficialdreamer

What if they are just all good friends though? I mean. They do live in the same house. Maybe just roomates. 

-> @Yn'slapdog  

...get off my thread….

- Boom! That's how it's done! Pay up, guys! I warned you not to doubt me. I am a god.

You got out of your chair, jumping in front of the camera and computer, which showed the end credits of the game.

"I can't believe it! How many people have zeroed in the first time like that?"

"Few. And now they're part of them! What a legend. Mad respect."

"Look at theeem! Dancing with joy! How cute! I can't even be sad about losing the bet."

Yourmom donated $500.

Spideeey donated $500

"Ah! Come on!!! Really?! Noooooo!"

"Just pay, man. Accept that it hurts less"

"Ugh. Next time, I'll win the bet."

Mastermind donated $700

"You guys should just give up at this point. Yn is invincible"

Damn right i am! - you finally finished your extremely petty celebration. You did an event of ten challenges, and in each challenge, if you won, a group would pay you. If you lost, your subscribers would choose a punishment.

But, you were amazing. And didn't lose even once. Inside, you were scared to death of what they might ask. Your fans were cool. But they could cross some lines.

- So, that was the last challenge, right?

You waited and read the comments until you received a definitive answer from one of your moderators.

"Congratulations, Yn. You completed all ten challenges exceptionally."

Yn'srock donated $500.

- Sweet! I'm buying a new mattress after this! Mine broke.

Before the chat could react inappropriately to your speech, Beck appears at the door, out of view of the camera, but unfortunately his voice is audible.

- I heard screaming. What happened? - Normally, you would brush him off and get back to your stream, but, throwing caution to the wind, you turned your attention completely to him.

- What happened? It happened that I'm amazing and you owe me, baby!

- No.

- Ohohoho! Yes! - Beck joins you in front of the computer, the credits rolling on the screen. The actor's delicate, pretty face contorts, eyebrows furrowed, mouth contorted, and a defeated sigh. 

- How? You didn't even like AllSouls.

- Nope. But, a bet is a bet, I did it and now you gotta pay. The chat already did.

And that's when you turn your attention to your computer and notice the chaos in the chat.

Damn it.

This happened whenever Beck or Jade appeared on your streams. Sometimes it could be restrained. Like the times Jade remained by your side, almost sitting on your lap, throughout the stream. Or Beck would join and play with you. Your fans would get used to their presence.

But, well, there were moments, phrases, actions that turned your lives into a complete mess.

This was one of them.

"They are so cute!"

"Ooooh! Bet?? Bet what?"

"BABY??? I'm sorry, WHAT?"

"Bet, hm? The sexy kind?"

"Beck's so hot. Lucky yn"

"Wait??? Beck Oliver?? Wth? Im new someone explain to me"

"They live together. Jade West too."

"And they're also dating"

"Stop spreading fake news!"

"C'monnn! Admit it they'd look amazing as a couple"

"Guys! Stop! We don't know a thing! Respect their privacy please!"

- OK! OK! Let's stop, guys.

Beck laughed awkwardly. He had read the comments.

- Hi, chat. Long time no see.

"Yeah! You should come over yn's streams more often! 

"Oooh! You guys should play one of those games for couples"

"You should do pvp. I'd bet on Beck." 

- Ok! Ok! First. Stop betting against me. Learn your lesson, I'm the best. 

- Cocky. - He murmurs.

You continue, ignoring Beck. - And second, it's no big deal. Just because Beck played a million times and couldn't finish it without dying, he thought I couldn't. Well, you thought wrong, bitch!

-Okay, okay! I lost, you won. Satisfied? - Beck rolled his eyes, but the smile he had tried to suppress gave him away. And you couldn't stop smiling. 

- Not even close! - you had plans for Beck. Your back and neck were extremely sore, and your boyfriend had talented hands.

The internet and the outside world were unaware of your real relationship with Beck and Jade. They speculated, of course, but everything the three of you said was the same thing.

"Chat, we're friends. Stop."

"No, no. Beck and I are just good friends. It helps a lot when we play as a couple"

"We're not a couple."

"No."

"Just friendship."

"Are you stupid? Do you need me to draw? Friends!"

"F-R-I-E-N-D-S! We're just friends!"

It was a recurring question. Jade couldn't always stay calm. It was quite common for her to lose her cool actually. She was always like that, short tempered.

You met Jade and Beck in high school. And before you even finished your senior year, you were together. It was complicated. Painful. Difficult, but in the end, everything was resolved. And you have remained together ever since.

9 years later, and here you all were.

You've decided to try streaming. After 5 arduous years, you got your first million subscribers.

Jade and Beck pursued acting careers. And, along the way, they won a few awards here and there. Their goal was the Oscar. And you supported them more than anything.

They also created channels on YT. They weren't active like you, but every now and then they would record vlogs and other stuff.

Jade posts a "things I hate" videos series. And would terrorize unsuspecting civilians.

Beck talked about cars, and his hair for some reason. Both recorded backstage videos, and rarely, about life inside the house.

That was the problem. You appeared with a certain constancy on each other's social midias. Whether it was a video or a photo.

And that caused a stir. Which turned into ship wars.

- Hello, darling. - you threw yourself on the couch, next to Jade, who was smiling at the phone. - what you're doing?

- Ah, hey. - Without hesitation, she snuggled into your arms. - Nothing much. Just seeing how my last video is doing. 

- The cover one?

Yep. - She shows you her phone, a soft smile in her face, and her eyes just at ease. - You look cute playing a guitar. 

- Well, thank you. I agree. I should play more to you and Beck. - you say cocky. Jade huffs at that.

- Sure. 

- Anyways, babe, i was thinking. You, me, Beck, dinner? I'm cooking.

That got Jade's full atention and she stops staring at her phone to look at you.

- That sounds interesting.

- I was hoping to come off as romantic.

- It didn't.

- Not even if I say it'll have candle lights?

Jade cocks her eyebrow at this. 

- Kinda lame. Overused.

- Right. Right. What about me serenading you and Beck?

- Cute, but corny. 

- What about me doing your and Beck's favorite food, serenade you and make a reference to "the scissoring" at the end? 

Jade goes silent at this. And you realize that you had hit the nail on the head. You knew your girlfriend.

- Well, now i have expectations.

- Worry not. They will be met. 

- It better.

Lucky - cover by Jade West ft Yn

2.3 M views

140.787 comments

Thecurupira

Dude. I was just listening to this song! Definitely adding to my playlist. you guys ar releasing it on Spotify? I MUST LISTEN EVRYDAY

Littleprincess24

At this point they're just mocking us. WHY CHOOSE THIS SPECIFIC SONG??????

Zeldainmasteros34

KSNFKDNCKDNFKDNCKDNCKDK IM DYING JADE IS SO HOT! AND HER VOICE!!!! 

Whydidithavetobespiders

That's love.

Look at how they look at eachother.

I rest my case.

Kieranhotttt69

Yn can play the guitar??? And sing??? That's so hot of them ngl

Luke2385

Idk who i want to be. Yn or Jade.

The interviews with Jade and Beck all had something in common. The dreaded question.

- You are a couple in your newest film. Extremely in love. But, what about in real life, is there someone special?

Jade had improved a lot. The patience. Manners. And with Beck by her side, she could control herself.

- No. There's nobody.

- Really? But you are so beautiful and young.

Jade gritted her teeth. Fists opening and closing. Beck rushes in to interfere. He smiles, which many magazines call "the masculine charm".

- Haha. Life is like this. What can we do? We haven't found the right person yet.

The interviewer pauses. Her eyes slightly closed gains a manic shine. They had fallen right into the trap. It was like a predator, salivating at the sight of its defenseless prey.

- But, there are rumors that Yn, a famous streamer, who lives with you, has some involvement with one of the two. Is it true? Jade, on your channel, a cover was recently posted in which you do a very romantic duet. What can you say about it?

But, Jade West was never prey.

- Wow. You don't have intelligent questions to ask so you repeat the same question that a million people have asked? Do you think you will be the person to have a different answer? Do you think you're so special? Well, you're not. And I'm going to speak slowly, so that you can get into your fucking empty head, Yn and I are friends. Beck and I are friends. Nothing more.

The reporter was lost for words. She stuttered awkwardly and didn't know how to redirect the interview, completely embarrassed.

Beck sighs. Jade got better. She hasn't changed completely.

- I think this interview has come to an end. - Beck says. There's nothing he could do now.

The reporter didn't hesitate to jump out of the room. The silence that followed was uncomfortable. Jade crossed her arms. And she stared at the floor. Her leg starts to bounce. Nonstop. Until she can no longer bear the silence, the crushing feeling in her chest. - Are you angry? - she says, hesitantly. Beck sighs.

- No. It's okay. It was not your fault. She wasn't very kind.

Beck lifts Jade's head, his hand gently on her chin.

- It's fine. Come here. - and pulls her into a hug.

- This sucks. - Jade murmurs quietly.

- Yeah. It does...

- Hello losers. Another video. This time we're grocery shopping. - Jade starts talking to a camera.

- Do you really have to record it? It's just grocery shopping. - You asked. Not seeing why she would want to film your outing.

-I want to record so i will.

- Fine. - you shrug.

- Are you guys ready? - Beck comes into the living room.

- Yes. Say hi to the camera Beck.

- …Why are you recording? We are just grocery shopping.

- That's what i said!! - you chime in, excited to see you aren't alone in the matter.

- Oh my god! Because i want to! I don't have to, but i want to…You two are annoying. 

- Why thank you. I try my best. - you smirked. You did enjoy being a little shit.

- Fine. Let's go. Get to the car. 

Grocery shopping wasn't something you did together all the time. Mainly because someone was always busy. But it was faster when the three of you did it together. Beck was the driver, Jade was just picky about what she'd eat, and you were the muscles(though actually, you were the one who has more experience shopping. Jade just likes to try to spite you. Never works.)

- Ugh. I hate lines. 

- We know. - Beck answers it.

- But the public doesn't. 

- No, i think they do. You already made a video talking about it. - at this, Jade turns to the other actor.

- I did? Wait. You watch all my videos? 

- Every single one of them. 

- Uh.

- Why are you surprised? What kind of booy- Beck unmaskedly interrupts himself with a cough, and tries to recover. - what kind of roommate would i be if i didn't?

You thought that save was horrifying. And you tell Beck as much, mouthing it to him. He pushes you lightly, whispering a "shut up", you just chuckle and stay on the line. 

- Hey. Yn. What you are doing? - Beck asks. Interrupting you. Stoping you from beautiful and precious slumber.

- Napping. Or trying to. 

- You sound like an old person. 

- Perhaps because i am old.

- You are only 30 years old. Stop being dramatic.

- Nah. I need my old people nap. Bye. 

Unfortunate for you, Beck called Jade and they decided to take a picture of you. And make fun of you. 

Though Beck insists you look cute napping like an old lady. You didn't know how to take that. And Beck considered it as a victory. 

- Hello, old lady. - Beck greets you in the corridor to the kitchen. You huff, annoyed but also not completely awake. Until a thought comes to you.

- Wait. If i am your lover AND an old lady. Does that mean I am a cougar? 

You can hear Jade's booming laughter from the kitchen. 

Beck just rolls his eyes and gives you a peck on the lips. 

- Yes. It does. Good morning, by the way. 

You smile cheekily. 

- Good morning. 

You and Beck head to the kitchen then, where you see your gorgeous girlfriend still in her pajamas, brewing her black coffee, hair disheveled. Beautiful. 

She comes to greet the two of you, though when she gets to you she adds a little jab. Of course. 

- How is my favorite cougar? Slept well? No pain in your back? 

- Yes. I slept just fine. 

You decide to let it slide. You needed coffee first. 

Your breakfast at first was supposed to be calm. Quiet. Your phone however does not comply to it, beeping and beeping. 

- Hey. I thought we agreed on no phones today.

- Yeah yeah! Sorry. I just. Forgot to… - as you grab your phone and take a look at what it's bothering you and your partners, your humour just sours. 

Hundreds and hundreds of comments on your picture sleeping. On Beck's account. Just tagging you. Again. And again.

All fighting to know who was right about your love life.

Honestly, you were tired of it.

- Babe, are you okay? - Jade asks, noticing your change in mood, the frown, the twisted lip, the distant look. You look up from your phone.

- We should come out. - this quiets the kitchen. Jade with a hand on your arm, Beck still with a piece of toast in the air, on its way to his mouth.

- We should just come out. - you repeat. - I can't take any more of the speculation, the murmurs and buzz.

- Everyone would continue, even if we actually revealed our relationship. They would still gossip and be super invasive. - Beck replies, leaving the toast completely aside, and focusing on you. His face is serious. The lighthearted and fun atmosphere becomes more sober and heavy.

You have already discussed this. More than once, but in the end, you agreed that it wasn't worth the hassle, and you didn't owe other people anything.

And here you were again, debating the subject. This time, however, you found yourself unable to continue hiding.

- But, the media never stops talking and being invasive. It doesn't matter what we do. - Jade speaks up. She sighs, looking away for a moment. - I'm tired of having to lie. Aren't you, Beck?

Beck stares at the table blankly, letting his hands move repetitively along his legs.

- What if this affects our careers? - he asks. You quickly speak up.

- It won't get to that point, and if it does, it would only be temporarily. Our careers would recover. - you say, placing yourself next to Beck, Jade doing the same. And you try to lighten the atmosphere. - and if needed be, I can become your sugardaddy.

This makes them both laugh. And Beck turns to you.

- You'd make a terrible sugardaddy. - he says with a slight lift of his lips. Still stunned. He looks at you and Jade.

- Are you sure about this?

You and Jade share a look. You nod.

- Yes we are.

- With you, I can face anything.

You were in the living room. Your leg wouldn't stop shaking. The camera was in front of you. Jade was adjusting the lights, Beck was in the kitchen, getting water for you. It was now. The moment of truth.

Shit. What if you were making a mistake? What if you got ahead of yourself? What if it actually doesn't turn out okay? What if you are judged and shunned by everything and everyone? What if-

- Hey. - You were interrupted by Beck, beside you, placing a comforting hand on your thigh, and a charming smile on his face. - Everything will be fine. We are doing this together.

You allow yourself to breathe. Jade finally finishes the final adjustments and plops down next to you on the couch, while Beck hands you a glass of water. Your girlfriend snuggles next to you and kisses your cheek.

- I love you. - and all your tensions are gone. You melt into a puddle of love for your partners. You were together. You weren't going to face the public alone.

- I love you too. - you reply, completely smitten. You turn to Beck. - both of you. 

- You know I love you two. 

You shrug. 

- It's always good to hear. 

Jade laughs. 

- You are so sappy. - she says and you smile teasingly.

- And you love it. 

- Do i?

You push her and turn to start the video. 

- Hey, guys! Welcome! And today, we have something to announce. 

Yn, Beck Oliver and Jade West admit their relationship as a throuple and the internet goes crazy!

@Yn'slapdog

Ksjfjrnfjdnssosndkdksksjdksdbdj

@Beck'sback

...i guess this means we'll have to stop fighting…? Love wins…?

@Astarion'slittlebitch

...gotta admit this was not on my prediction chart bingo of this year…

@Badeisreal

Yn is one lucky motherfucker. Good for them. Hope theyre having fun living my dreams T-T

@imyourfather

The true bissexual dream lol

[fayfayrxx]

My View of Bade

warning: THIS IS A PERSONAL OPINION DON'T COME 4 ME

In my eyes, both Beck and Jade were toxic. - BECKS TOXICITY

In various scenes, Beck purposely upsets Jade or says things that he knows will tick her off. He also never validates Jade's anger or is seen talking to her about it in a logical way and hearing her out. He knows he is attractive and popular, and doesn't seem to comfort Jade much. He also doesn't seem to listen when she says she doesn't want to talk anymore. ALSO LIKE BRINGING CAT INTO THEIR ARGUMENTS !!!????

"how is it my fault girls stare at me?!" - he doesn't value boundaries (ex. when he was talking to Alyssa constantly and not listening about the fact that Jade was uncomfortable"

"See? We fight so much even our friends don't want us around!" - blames relationship flaws on Jade!!!

- JADE'S TOXICITY

Throughout the show, Jade is extremely possessive, attached, and sometimes even codependent with Beck without even trying to be. She hates when Beck basically breathes the same air as another girl, and fears that when a girl merely talks to him, she will lose him. This could be a reflection of her daddy issues which were brought up, and just her fucked up childhood in general. She seems to think that not having a boyfriend makes her lose her worth. She also displays almost none, if not any romantic feelings toward him at all. This can obviously lead to uncertainty and wariness in a relationship.

"yeah? Well I'd like a boyfriend who girls don't STARE at all the time

- Blaming Beck for being hot LOL

"Oh, so you think I'm ugly??"

- funny as fuck but like this is annoying and guilt-tripping LOWK

"I don't like your little relationship with Alyssa Von!"

- cheating accusations go CRAZY!! she couldn't let him be friends w another girl. That's crazy controlling. Along with this, this just showcases Jade's insecurities. She says over and over that Beck can be friends with "ugly girls" as Jade fears that Beck will fall in love if someone's prettier than her (however that can be possible)

ANYWAYSSS thats all! Thank you for reading my Victorious brainrot post. Have a good night/day pretties <3 - Fable

[naughtygeek49]

Me omw to write the most out of character, mushy, feel good fanfiction about a woman who could and in certain cases would kill me and her sweet, slightly pathetic boyfriend

[solreix]

shoko ieiri as yn's peace.

minsan nakakasawa na lang talagang magkaro'n ng paulit-ulit na ginagawa. gigising, papasok, mag-aaral, uuwi. buti sana kung ganoon kadali, pero sa pagitan no'n ay mayroong katakot-takot at nakakapagod na commute.

minsan, payapa rin sa pakiramdam na maupo sa bus, mag-isa, katabi ng bintana sa tuwing rush hour dahil oo pagod ka, pero alam mo ring pagod ang mga kasama mong pasahero. as if you share the similar, but also different struggles which makes you feel you're not alone.

since she reached college, yn had felt that. exhaustion. loneliness. in the middle of exhausted crowd. hustle lang nang hustle kahit pagod kasi wala namang choice.

she thought she already got accustomed to that life style, and it's okay. she's gonna grow old to that.

not until shoko ieri entered the picture. at ang dating mag-isang si yn sa tabi ng bintana ng bus, pinipilit na magising dahil alam niyang delikadong makatulog—ngayon ay may katabi na, at handang maging sandalan niya.

"okay ka lang?" bulong ni shoko. "sleep, love. mahaba pa."

napanguso siya sa sarili, isinandal ang ulo sa balikat nito bago sumagot, "sorry. imbis na naka-motor ka."

kaya niya namang nagcommute mag-isa. shoko might have insisted on sending her home through her motorcycle, but she refused. trauma sa kaniya ang motor, so she insisted on going home alone.

shoko chuckled. "pinili ko 'to ano ba. isa pa kapag naka-motor tayo, we wouldn't have moments like this," sagot nito.

pero makulit si shoko. mabuti na lang at halos pareho naman sila ng destinasyon kaya hindi na ito mahihirapan nan sobra.

"maghihirap magcommute para sa landi?" biro niya."

mas lalo itong natawa. pabiro nitong pinitik ang noo niya. "oo, para sa landi."

natawa rin siya. never did she imagine she would have someone by her side as she reach for her goals. sanay na sanay siyang mag-isa, being the only child, yet still not the favorite that she is.

but when she met shoko, she realized how it feels be taken care of—and to take care of someone not because she feels obligated to do so. she wants to take care of her too, every waking moment.

"how's your day, by the way?" tanong niya. ayaw niyang matulog as yn wants to enjoy this.

"ayon. ang sarap sakalin ni gojo, sinasadyang galitin si utahime." naramdaman niya ang mahina nitong pagtawa na parang may naalala. "lintik na 'yon, college na nanlalagay pa rin ng bato sa bag."

nanlaki ang mata niya. "umuusok na naman si utahime niyan." miski siya ay natawa. hindi pa man siya ganoon pamilyar noon sa magkakaibigan, ang dalas niyang marinig ang galit ni utahime kay gojo at geto dahil pare-parehas naman sila ng org.

"oo, bukas alam ko lalagyan niya ng palaka sa bag 'yung dalawa eh. nagpapatulong kila mai maghanap."

ganito ang bonding nilang dalawa sa bus. pag-usapan ang buhay ng iba. ng iba equals to kalokohan ni gojo at geto.

"mai?"

"mga freshmen sa isa pa niyang org," shoko replied. "tulog ka na," dagdag nito.

umiling siya. "ayaw. marami ka pang chika."

at nagtuloy lang sila sa pag-uusap tungkol sa nga tropa nito. comedy talaga kapag si gojo ang bida kaya halos nawawala ang antok niya sa bus.

sinusulit niya na, dahil panigurado, realidad ang sasalubong sa kaniya pag-uwi ng bahay. few months left, and she could already feel freedom, pero ngayon—suck it up. basta gigising siyang alam na one day, pareho na sila ng uuwian ni shoko.

"thank you, love," she suddenly whispered as she felt her eyes getting heavy.

"hmm?" shoko seemed to peek at her face, only to see yn fighting sleep. "no. thank you," she whispered back, and finally, yn drifted to sleep.

[nonchalantatall]

how they dance | 400 words

4 Yume Yume Jump drabbles for Day 5 of MMJ Fan Week on Twitter

one, two, three, the four of them—if nobody else, Kanade has to do everything she can to support all of them. She wasn’t supposed to be an idol. Producers don’t perform, and Kanade doesn’t dance. She’s not accustomed to leaving her house let alone meeting up for singing and dance rehearsals everyday. The sudden lifestyle change has been exhausting, but even so, if personally delivering the music she writes can help even one person, if being a fourth member can do any good for the others, if she can find a way to save herself, then she has to try.

five, six, seven, eight—this is so stupid. Shiho should be playing at a concert or at least running fingering drills until the strings of her bass are worn. She doesn’t understand how she could let herself get roped into something that has nothing to do with her goal; least of all she understands why she’s starting to care so much. Her sister and their manager promised her freedom as a temp. So what if she doesn’t have the choreography down entirely? She doesn’t need to dance where she’s going. Shiho isn’t an idol. Why is she suddenly trying to be?

one, two, three, four—An has to memorize every step. She needs to be able to move without hesitation, without thought. These movements will become second nature so that she can focus the most on singing, performing, and delivering. She finally has people to perform beside, and she only had to give up what was most important to her to find them. After such a sacrifice, she has to do everything to not lose them too. If she is going to stand a chance of living her dream, she must make every action count or run herself into the ground trying.

five, six, seven, eight—no, that’s not right. Do it again. Shizuku has to gain full control of her body. Every step, point, and turn is intentional. As the recognizable name, the selling point, the beautiful face of Yume Yume Jump, she has to do all she can to live up to their expectations—no, that’s not right. She has to surpass them. They all have to surpass what they think they can be to stand a chance with a crowd. She must do her best—be perfect. In front of adversity, she quickly realizes the only thing they can do is try.

[sleeplessdreamer123]

Fanfic Idea! (ABO Lucemond, Part 2 of omegan Dragonkeeper Lucerys)

First part:

It hatched. The egg hatched. His dragon was beautiful. He was pearlescent white with a yellow flame, with golden eyes and a golden chest. He knew, from the moment he heard the egg shells cracking, the moment he saw his tiny head popping out, that he would love him and treasured him with all his heart and being. Finally, a dragon of his own. A living proof of what he is. A Targaryen with his dragon.

His mother was less than enthused. He didn't understand it at first, but it gradually dawned on him that she didn't see them as anything more than large, dangerous beasts. Her views on them are so unlike his own. He, who sees them as the majestic, powerful, beautiful creatures that they are. She didn't like it when Aegon visited Sunfyre, and showed relief when both his and Helaena's dragon didn't hatch. He knew she secretly wished they'd never bond with a dragon, that they'd stay on the ground rather than on a fire-breathing beast up in the sky, and there was a time in his life where Aemond secretly thinks his mother's inner wishes were granted by the Faith, blessing her while cursing them, cursing him to such a fate. It was a hard truth to swallow, the fact that his mother, the one person he felt truly loved him, would never understand his near desperation to have a dragon. With a dragon, he was no longer, in a sense, incomplete. He couldn't tell her that though.

Aegon congratulated him in his drunken haze, and Aemond smirked as Aegon yelped, the dragon nearly biting off his fingers when he tried to touch him. Helaena just smiled, saying things about a black thread, and Aemond just nodded along to appease her. Even his Sire seemed glad for him, congratulating him, calling his dragon beautiful. It was unexpected, seeing as he only ever talked about his eldest half-sister (the one that never visits, despite his father's numerous attempts to call her back), and that was when he had his fill with his medicine, the milk of the poppy. Still, a small part of him was happy his sire showed any interest in him at all (an even smaller part wondered if he would have shown any interest in him if he never had a dragon. He pushes that part deep, deep down).

It took a few days of him parading around before he remembered his promise to a certain little dragonkeeper. He decided that it was time to present the dragon to Luke. After all, he chose him for Aemond, it's only fair he gets to see him hatched.

When he reached the Dragonpit, he started walking through the tunnels, until he finally saw a familiar small, curly haired boy. Luke was with another young dragon keeper, and it took a moment for Aemond to recognize him as the one who brought the pig. Aemond felt a wave of anger, hurt and betrayal, before shaking it off. Of course he was with another dragon keeper. They looked so much alike, they could be brothers, for all he knew. Why would he feel betrayed?

Aemond called out for him, and Luke turned to see him, bade a hasty goodbye to the other dragonkeeper, and ran straight to Aemond like an obedient puppy to his master. When he saw him with the dragon on his shoulder, his eyes said everything. He was in awe. Aemond felt pride. Yes, his dragon should inspire awe. He was going to be the most powerful dragon, the most beautiful, even more than Aegon's Sunfyre.

"He's so pretty, My Prince. His scales are like the moon's." Luke said, still looking at the dragon. Said baby dragon seemed to preen with the praise. Said owner also preened with the praise.

"Do you have a name for him yet, My Prince?"

Of course Aemond had a name chosen, ever since he learned about dragons, ever since his first egg didn't hatch. Looking at the hatchling, Aemond knows knows it fits him.

"Arrax, the Ruler of the Old Gods."

"Hello Arrax." Luke greeted his dragon in High Valyrian, and Arrax made crooning noises as a response.

Aemond decided that Luke would be a good dragonkeeper for Arrax, at least, once he's old enough.

--------

Aemond visited him almost every day. Luke was a bit shy at first, though eager to please. Once they've gotten close enough, and Luke felt comfortable with him, he began sharing a lot of stories about the dragons, though most of what he shared were from the older dragon keepers.

Aemond liked that. He liked learning about dragons from the very people who trained them. Luke does tend to babble a lot, taking detours in his stories, but all he needed to do was clear his throat for Luke to stop with his side stories, blush perfusedly, and continue on with the main ones.

He also has the habit of blushing brightly when he realizes he said too much, glancing at Aemond to see if he was angry, then continue on when he sees no trace of annoyance.

Aemond liking of little Luke slowly grew. He likes how knowledgeable he was about dragons, likes learning some secrets that dragon keepers learned through generations, and he was beginning to like whenever Luke speaks in High Valyrian when he doesn't know the word in common tongue.

It helps him learn more about the language. It was rather embarrassing for him to admit it, even to himself. A Targaryen prince not knowing how to speak High Valyrian. His mother didn't really see the point of him learning a language few people use in Westeros, the fact he didn't have a dragon until recently only strengthened her resolve to give him a different subject to focus on. So, while his older brother got to learn High Valyrian (not that Aegon cared to actually learn the language), he was stuck learning about the Faith of the Seven. He eventually taught himself the language through the use of old books, so he could understand it to an extent, but without someone actively teaching him, guiding him, correcting his pronunciation, he fears he doesn't know as much as he should. He refrains from actually using said language, afraid he would butcher it somehow. Luke's jumble of both common and High Valyrian has proven to be quite helpful, as he notes the particular way every word was said, commiting it to memory so he may practice once he was alone.

Aemond also learned about bits and pieces of Luke's life. He was apparently the second youngest bastard being watched over by the dragon keepers, the other two being his brothers, the youngest being a toddler, and the eldest being the one who brought out the pig. Aemond greatly disliked that one. Luke, however, loved him very much. And liked talking about him. A lot.

"Jace watches over Prince Aegon's Sunfyre, My Prince. He's also the one who gives me lessons on how to properly train a dragon when the other dragonkeepers are busy. Oh! He also sometimes play with Prince Aegon in the pit - Elder Byron wouldn't allow us out of the pit until dusk - though they won't let me join sometimes. But that's ok, because he makes it up to me by teaching me more secret tricks, and-"

Aemond sighs, before clearing his throat. While it was good to know that his brother wasn't always sneaking out to the Streets of Silk, or at Fleabottom, he didn't really want to learn about their brothers' little "adventures".

"Oh! I'm sorry, My Prince. It's just that I never had anyone to tell these things to. Um, where was I again? Oh, right! So Syrax continues to refuse to eat, and Elder Byron was worried she was sick. She wasn't though! She just didn't like the meat. The others said she was the most spoiled dragon they ever had to watch over, and-"

--------

Luke was used to having Prince Aemond as company. He usually arrived after the dragons were fed, with Arrax on his shoulder, demanding stories that Luke was eager to regale, while he simply listen, an eager audience. He never had people close to his age (besides Joffrey, but he's too small, he can't even talk yet) and he greatly enjoyed his time with the Prince.

So when he didn't arrive at his usual time, he began to worry. When Arrax was sent to him to care for, he really got scared.

Did he somehow manage to offend the only other person he could talk to besides his brothers? No, that couldn't be it. If it was, then Arrax would have been given to one of the older dragonkeepers to care for. Then did Prince Aemond somehow got hurt?

He knows of tales of assassinations, the royal life isn't always easy, especially for the women and children. They were the easiest targets, after all.

But that wouldn't be the case, because he saw Prince Aegon running around with Jace a few hours ago. He knew the queen, well, knew of the queen, through talks and rumors, and she wouldn't have allowed Aegon out of her sight if anything like that would have happened.(A small part of him wonders if Prince Aemond was bored of him already. That part grew larger with every thought that enters his head).

Did I bore him? Were my stories too confusing? Did I say too much? Did I annoy him in some way?

Thankfully, he remembered that there was someone who might know what was going on with him. He went to Jace, who looked at him with a look of amusement.

"Nothing happened to him, Luke. The prince just presented. He entered his first rut yesterday."

Oh.

Oh.

Luke felt the weight on his chest lessen greatly. So that was it. He was just having a special kind of sickness, like Jace recently had. Everything was fine.

Ok.

Good.

He guesses he would need to start watching over Arrax now while Prince Aemond was gone. What sort of tricks should he teach him? He ponders over that while Arrax stay perched on his shoulder, contently crooning over him.

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

So, this is fun, and I'd like to make more parts soon.

If anyone wants to write a full length fic with this concept, please tell me!

Thoughts? Violent reactions?

Update: I'll be using the hashtag (#omegan dragonkeeper lucerys) so it would be easier to read all the different parts.

[emmatgc]

Wonderful World FanFic

(This is only for Seon Yul and Soo Hyun shippers, nothing more. This is my own interpretation . This is a sequel to their story. New characters were added. This will be a mini novel for most probably 10 parts. Enjoy and thank you for the few who is supporting this! This is for you who made a request ❤️)

Part 3 : Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word 🌌

It is her ex husband, looking perplexed seeing Soo Hyun with Seon Yul after a very long time sitting face to face towards each other. Soo Hyun stood up and greeted her ex husband and they shared a kiss on the cheeks and a warm hug. In this moment, Seon Yul doesn’t know yet the full story. He feels very uncomfortable. The last time they saw each other, he was about to get punched at his trailer in the garage where he works. Su ho, stared at Seon Yum, also with awkwardness but he is the older one, the more mature, he thinks and he went to Seon Yul and extended his hand. 

Hello Seon Yul. I am sorry for what happened, he said. 

Seon Yul replied “It is in the past. Thank you”. 

So Ho turned his face back to Soo Hyun and she asked what is he doing in here. He shared he was there for a story and made use of his time to visit her mom. “I visited Mom. I was just in the neighborhood”.  Soo Hyun smiled and said “Thank you, she is doing fine. Im sure she was happy to see you”.  

“So Hu”, another voice called his name. It was a pretty petite woman dressed in white corporate attire with glasses and in high heels. So Hu gave a big smile and embraced the woman. He then introduced her to them. “Soo hyun, this is Liza Chang, my girlfriend”. Seon yul was shocked and his jaw dropped for a moment. He turned to Seon Yul, and didn’t know how to introduced him but nevertheless, introduced him to her. Soo hyun extended a hand shake and smiled while saying how lovely she looks. Liza is a journalist, too from America but of asian descent, Chinese American. They both meet during one of So Hu’s conferences abroad. So Hu bade goodbye to both and So hyun replied “ It was nice to finally meet her”.  They left and again, silence engulfed the two having tea. 

Driving back, it seems there is an ice waiting to break. Seon Yul is very confused. “Is Soo hyun single? But why was he visiting her mom”, “Is it my fault they broke up?”. His head hurts just thinking about these thoughts. The travel time from the tea house to the orphanage seems fast and he can’t seem to utter the words to ask her, might it be too personal but he is dead curious at the same time. Soo Hyun being always the initiator of talks, finally broke the ice just when they were about to arrive at the orphanage. She said “It wasn’t your fault. In case you’ll ask. So Hu and I were divorced for almost 5 years now”. Seon Yul wanted to reply and in his head he wants to ask her if she is sure and yet he replied “I wasn’t going to ask, it is too personal”.  She smiled and replied” Well then, good and stop thinking already”. 

The dinner was divine and everybody loved it.  Yoo Ra and Shi Joon both enjoyed the food and talked a lot about wanting to be of service a to an orphanage for a long time. Yoo ra, noticed Seon Yul not talking much, though she knows he is an introvert, went on to ask, how he and Soo Hyun know each other. Yoo ra was an exchange student 3 years ago and she doesn’t know much about Seon Yul’s past, Shi Joon is different however. He knows, a lot and almost everything for he witnessed everything that happened. Shi Joon, sensing Seon Yul’s hesitance to answer her question, said “Dr. Soo Hyun here is a famous author in Korea, Seon Yul is a huge fan, aren’t you Seon yul?  He replied “Yes” and smiling with thanks towards his best friend. In another time, if needed, he will tell her the story , “if needed” , in his mind he told himself. 

Soo Hyun did not join the dinner for she was working in her office. Seon Yul notices and can’t help but look for her and wanting to talk to her. He asked a staff and she said that Soo Hyun is in her study room. “Has she had dinner, yet?, he asked. The staff replied “She might have dinner with her Mom when she goes home. She stays half of the week here and half with her Mom who is nearby the orphanage so its very practical for her. She can just pop in and out here while taking care of her Mom”.

Around 8pm, Soo Hyun finally appeared and she went to the dining area where they were still bonding with the staff and she bade goodbye to all. Seon Yul wanted to talk to her so bad and again, he chased after her. “Excuse me, Ill be back”, he told his friends. 

Soo Hyun was getting some things in her study room and Seon Yul at the door said “I am sorry”. I know you told me It wasn’t my fault but I feel I am still at fault". 

She put her things down and replied “before you came into my our lives, we were already broken and apart, we tried again but it wasn’t meant to be”. Still Seon Yul repeated “Im sorry" many times to her that night for everything that happened. Soo Hyun told him she forgave him a very long time ago. She picked her things again, her bag and Seon Yul carried some of them towards her car outside. Heading to her car, Soo Hyun looked up and saw the moon as beautiful as it can be.

She remembered Seon Yul and her watching the stars. “The stars, I remember, the mother and son you said to me. I am sure my baby is happy now. This orphanage consoled me, after all”.  Once again, they both looked up the sky and the stars. Once again, together beneath it, they are together but this time not as enemies nor strangers but as two healing souls. 

Seon Yul without thinking asked “what are we now?, Friends?

Soo HYun replied “You don’t want me to be your guardian anymore?

Seon Yul: You insisted on that, not me, You were annoyingly interfering with my life. You were annoyingly kind. He said it while smirking

Soo Hyun this time smirking, too” Well, you haven't changed in your sarcastic tone a bit. You interfered, first, remember? You were annoyingly detached in this world not taking care of yourself either. But If you say so”. Then, let’s be friends, stalker.

Both laughed for the 1st time, a real laugh under the beautiful moonlight. 

Seon Yul’s parting words is “Take care” and Soo Hyun waved and replied” See you tomorrow, Doctor. You have a lot to do” 

He had this biggest smile of his 1st day in the orphanage while saying “See you and I’m at your service anytime, Boss”. 

Part 4: Start of Something New? 🌻

Seon Yul can’t stop thinking about Soo Hyun being single, again. This time it is not remorse or regret. He saw her in the 2 weeks they have been working together as happy, vibrant and full of life. Again, just like he admired her before from afar, her admiration doesn’t fade but only grew everyday in the orphanage. When a child suffered a fall, she was there to catch the child and cared for her like a Mom should. She spends at least 6 hours a day at the orphanage and Seon Yul now memorizes her routine. From her study room , to the clinic and supervise everything and more. He wants to see her everyday and those days he can’t, he feels restless. He just feels there is more to say to her or more to atone.

He feels he needs to serve her in any way to make up for his twisted revenge years ago but then he knows she has forgiven her already so he is very much confused with his new found feelings towards her. Is it regret? Remorse? Guilt or is it something else? 

In 3 weeks time, a lot has happened in the orphanage. It was found out most of the kids have cases of respiratory diseases due to their past upbringing. Some had traumatic injuries from fall from their abusive foster parents and some, because they were left behind, had blunt trauma that has to be addressed. The doctors suggested a Child Psychologist even aside from a clinic. Soo Hyun recognized this one and it weighs heavy on her. Not only because of funds but also the sustenance might be more than the staff and handle. She needs donors and she is asking for help for she needs a permanent doctor to stay or at least 3x a week and an on call psychologist. 

Now, its their last week as volunteers and Seon Yul’s friends are ready to leave but he on the other hand, he isn’t. It is not helping either that he hasn’t seen Soo Hyun for 3 straight days now. He doesn’t want to leave without seeing her or talking to her he thought.

So, he found the courage to ask her assistant why is she not coming these past few days. He was told her mom is sick and she went to the hospital. Seon Yul got really worried. He knew her Mom and she was so good to him. He asked her assistant where is the hospital or their house where he can visit but she declined to say. Now, Seon Yul won’t stop. He texted Soo Hyun. 

Where are you? Are you ok ? The text reads. 

Soo Hyun seemingly surprised and busy, decided not to reply just yet. 

Seon Yul borrowed Shi Joon’s car without asking for permission. He is that worried. Driving, he received a text. Soo Hyun finally replied. “Im at home with my Mom. Don’t worry”. 

She knows he is worried. He replied “where are you?”. Those words again and again. She thought he might not stop if she won’t tell him so she did tell him.

Arriving at their house, Soo hyun opened the door and said to him that he doesn’t have to be worried or really go in their house but he said he must and insists. Her mother saw Seon Yul and he introduced himself. He touched his face and tried to remember. Seon Yul said “Im a regular at your restaurant” and she replied” are you? Wow, what handsome customer I have then”. 

After 30 minutes, Yuri and So hu arrived , panting and looking worried, too. They hugged their Mother and Seon yul, for the 1st time felt something completely different than any of his feelings before. When he saw So Hu hugged her Mother and the mother smiled back, he thought, I should be also doing that but he brushed off the idea and contested to himself to stop thinking like that. He still calls him Mom and it made him cringed though he knows he doesn’t have to be and he doesn't know why.

Yuri was shocked to see him so as So hu. Yuri told Soo Hyun to go back to work and she will spend the night to take care of their Mother. So hu, on the other hand walked towards Seon Yul and asked what he is doing here. “I was worried “ Seon yul replied. So Hu, bluntly asked further “for Soo Hyun or Mother”, Seon Yul didn’t backed down and answered “For both?”. So Hu smiled and nodded his head “ Good”.

So Hu wanted to ask Soo hyun if she wanted to be brought to the orphanage but he saw a car and thinks its Seon Yul’s and maybe he thought, its better Seon Yul and Soo hyun go back together to the orphanage and not with him. He has things to discuss with her but it can wait. 

So Hu being in a much better place now is one of the few who thinks the relationship of his ex wife and Seon Yul is something that can’t be easily labeled or understood. He knew then more than anything not just a father who lost a son but as a guy who lost a wife. Now, after 6 years, they found each other again and he is nodding in disbelief but also acknowleding anything is possible and both are almost the same even if he hates admitting to it. There is something between them and they just don’t know yet and for him, it is about to unfold and he wants Soo Hyun to be careful and safe, whatever that means. He also wants Soo Hyun to be happy. He left and bade them all farewell and promising to come back. 

Seon Yul wants to go back to the orphanage first for he feels he rushed to her house and  overreacted a bit. He also feels he is invading her privacy and for whatever reason he reacted that way, rushed to her rescue without thinking if she really needed rescuing, he feels so confused and weirdly so. But then Soo Hyun caught him off guard and said “can I join you back at the orphanage? He then said “of course”. 

In his car, to be exact, in his friend’s car, Soo Hyun explained why her ex husband is still seeing her mOm. She said that having dementia, they want things to be the same for her, if that is what she wants, they just pretend and its ok as long as her mOther is ok. Seon Yul felt warmness while Soo Hyun was explaining and she on the other hand was confused why on earth she has been explaining about her Mother.  “I didn’t ask, you know” he said. “Yes, but you were about, to” Plus i just want you to know, she replied. Both again smiled.

I want to extend my stay here, Seon Yul blurted out. Would that be okay? Soo hyun, with a confused look asked “why, I mean, you are just volunteers, Im am sure you have more important things to do at the hospital, you are needed there, too and I can’t ask you that”. 

You are not asking, I am offering. My chief already said yes. For another 3 months at least. She replied “Are you sure about that? You don’t have salary here only allowance but I will try to find one for all of you. I promise” He replied “It doesn’t matter. I’ll help you until you find a permanent one”.

She was relieved and both smiled. Do you want me or not…to stay? Jokingly he asked. Soo Hyun answered sincerely, “Of course, I do. Thank you so much”. 

The truth is, Seon Yul hasn’t informed his team just yet and his chief. 

He called his chief and told him to let him stay for another 3 months but the other two can go back. His chief hesitated but also, realizes, Seon Yul earned another 2 months break but only if he promises to double time on his work when he comes back and to pay attention to the scholarships of short courses that is coming his way from abroad. He keeps on delaying them. He said yes to both things and ended the phone call. Soo jin heard the talk and they talked inside their room alone. 

“You lied to the Chief, 1st time.” He said while laughing softly 

Look sorry about your car. I did not lie, I just well, yes I did or at least made the decision 1st before him which I feel awful, he replied.

You always do crazy stuff when it comes to her. You know that? What is this all bout, Seon Yul? Why are you staying here? Seon yul replied” The orphanage needs me...us I mean”. 

Does the orphanage need you or you need it or her? Soo Jin forcibly uttered those words. Are you doing this because of your guilt towards her? It is in the past already, she said herself. Let it go, Seon Yul. 

“This is not about the past. I just want to help her. She needs me even if she won’t ask for it”

Or you need her, Seon Yul? Hmmm doesn’t matter, I guess, right? You are the same, You and her, you said a long time ago. 

Soo Jin sighing but tapping Seon Yul’s shoulders, as if to say “I got you, brother but be careful. You and her are kind but the world isn’t”. It is not that simple out there. 

What are you talking about? Seon Yul asked. 

Hmmm, honest to God , I don’t know, but you’ll see. This little bubble you both are in. It is weird but you have always been weird around her from the beginning. 

Little did they know, You ra was standing outside the door of their room, listening. She held her mouth, gasping and shocked with what she heard. The secret, at least a portion of it was out. 

Much of his emotions he cannot understand. He has simple emotions until he met Soo Hyun. The past was full of hatred and this time, was is it then? What is it about her ex husband that he was kinda pissed off about? He truly cares for her and then some. He shrugs it off as nonsense while in his bed about to sleep but he is staying here with her. Why?

He can’t stop thinking about her. He is saying he needs to do this to atone for his sins. Heaven knows it’s not for the children really but for her. He may not understand it yet but he just wants to stay and be near her he believes. Maybe then he will find his answers.

It is the start of something new indeed for him and her. The world be damned. This is their time. But is he really moving forward or is he stuck in the past?

[conkers-thecosy]

Hi guys!

So, I hear it's Fanfic Writers' Appreciation Day, and as someone who has enjoyed a LOT of Bagginshield fanfiction this year, I thought it would be nice to share some recommendations!

These are just a few of my personal favourites, feel free to share your own!

If I could Give My Breath Away (I Would) by StupidFatPenguin

Thorin loses his memory and quite forgets that the hobbit by his bedside whom he wishes to court and marry is already his husband. Everyone else find this hilarious.

Safe and Distant by Lindzzz

Bilbo never bothers denying that he is a slight, little bit, probably infatuated with Thorin. It’s not something that bothers him. Really. He’s pretty sure that everyone very likely has a little flutter in their chest for the dwarf. He’s something grand and unattainable. And it’s really much safer if it stays that way.

Travelling Songs to Fall In Love To by galehautstomb

When Thorin started to sing, Bilbo had to sit down. It was all he could do not to put his head in his hands. He knew at that moment, that he would be going on this journey, but he was not brave enough yet to voice it.

Unspoken Choice by snarkymonkey

In the wake of war and all else, Bilbo decides he needs to do something for Thorin that isn't related to dragons or gold or anything else. Nothing simpler than the offer of a trim, right?

Best To Move Forward by sharkbait33

“Thorin,” he greeted, a small smile forming on his lips. Thorin did not smile, though his expression softened just a bit. “Master Baggins.” The professionalism made Bilbo flinch, his expression falling, and the hobbit dropped his gaze to the floor. Though he should have expected this, should not have such heartache faced with the truth, he had been quite hopeful. “Bilbo.” The dwarf’s tone surprised him, so quiet and gentle, if that was even possible. Two large hands came into view, one cradling Bilbo’s cheek, the other finding a place beneath his chin, using two fingers to tilt his face up so their eyes met. “Bilbo,” Thorin repeated, and this time there was a sad smile gracing his features, small, but still there. “I am truly, very sorry for all the hurt I have caused you.”

As Is The Custom by ever_yours

After everything, Bilbo becomes an integral part of castle workings—and honestly, there’s not much waiting for him back at the Shire. So he stays, and decides to learn more about dwarrow culture while he’s at it. As it turns out, dwarf kings are significantly more affectionate than he’d expect...

A Moment When by elementalist

All those precious moments when a look, a touch, a smile, all come crashing together into a single, inescapable truth.

Call You Home by northerntrash

In which the Company are entirely too nosy about matters that are supposed to be a secret, and Bilbo learns that being concerned about propriety is overrated when you could be making friends instead.

The Riven Crown by BeautifulFiction

‘We may have won the battle, but I fear the war with winter is just beginning.’ The aftermath of war is no laughing matter. Those who died must be honoured, those who are wounded must be healed, and those who remain need food and clothing, peace and sanctuary. With Thorin's life hanging in the balance, it is up to Bilbo and the rest of the Company to rule the rag-tag remnants of Erebor in his place.

I Love You Most (but I'm not worthy) by rowanguerrin

Something desperate and keening bade him look once more at the Thief— at Bilbo— and, before he could even think of doing anything else, his eyes shifted to the body pinned down before him. Bilbo looked up at him with wide, wide eyes, his lips parted as he breathed heavily, afraid and— And sad, so so sad, as if it were not his body Thorin was about to throw over the ramparts but his heart instead.

Eye for Eye and Tooth for Tooth by Chrononautical

Bilbo is kidnapped by dwarves looking to hurt the king. Though he manages to escape, he is badly injured and no longer feels safe in Erebor. Thorin, furious at the harm done to his burglar, seeks vengeance. Unfortunately, all he really wants is to find a way to make Bilbo comfortable at his side once again, and that is more difficult.

The Road Delivered Us Home by Keelywolfe

In the years since Bilbo left Erebor, he has lost his respectability, gained a nephew, and gotten on with life at Bag End. He'd left aside adventure for the comforts and peace of his little Hobbit hole, and for the love of a child who needed him. Though perhaps, adventures can yet find him.

A Passion For Mushrooms by Chrononautical

There are many trials for a hobbit attempting to make a life among dwarves. A hobbit wants a garden. A hobbit wants to eat regular meals. A hobbit wants friends, good books, and comfortable chairs. Bilbo does his best to carve out a little hobbit life for himself in the mountain. If only there were not one final obstacle. For a hobbit heart wants love, and among dwarves that is a sticky subject.

Something Blue by lapin

Thorin marries Bilbo after the Battle of Five Armies, a marriage of convenience, not love. Slowly, they must come to make the best of it, Bilbo resolves. After all, he's a Hobbit. They make the best of things.

Cold Sheets by plotweaver

Thorin is angry when Bilbo's new duties as Master of Agriculture for Erebor make him bring his work home.

Dragonhearted by LordOfTheRazzles

The grandson of a greedy king and his dwarvish companions fall under the curse of literal dragon sickness - at least for Thorin. Bestowed by Smaug the Terrible, an enchanter whose other form is also that of a dragon, the vilest of fire drakes from the north, is seeking riches at the end of a hard trial for the prince of Erebor. The decades roll by and the curse shows no sign of lifting, for Thorin was tasked with proving that his heart was worth saving and that he would not be corrupted by gold lust like his grandfather. All seems bleak until the arrival of one quirky little hobbit of the Shire with his mother’s stubborn streak and his father’s gentility. Bilbo Baggins, a prisoner of this draconic beast, soon begins to show Thorin just what a heart worth saving feels like.

The Letter by objectlesson

Once Bilbo arrives in the haunted stillness of Bag End, his chest aches to realize the house does not feel like a home anymore. He at first chalks it up to having been empty: to a year of disuse, to odd scents filtering their way in and settling like cobwebs in the absence of his usual routine, tea and baking and the drying of herbs. Perhaps, once he begins these things again, it will not feel so cavernous, so lonely, so strangely and painfully bare, like a tree stripped of its leaves come winter. But weeks pass, and nothing changes. So maybe it’s not the emptiness, but the fact (which he is trying his very hardest to dutifully ignore) that he left his heart behind to crystalize in the caverns of the Lonely Mountain.

The Things You See In The Market by GothicMama

Krelven just wants to explore the market on his day off. But instead he gets thrown for multiple loops when he sees two extremely familiar faces.

You Should Be Safe With Me by fantasyinallforms

Thorin is haunted by the guilt of almost losing Bilbo in the battle of the five armies. As Bilbo settles in the mountain, many are enamored with the new Hobbit, and some wish him harm. How will Thorin react to Bilbo's newfound attention or the threats to his life? Is it even safe for the hobbit to stay within the mountain?

Songs in the Dark by leoandlancer

After the resolution of the Battle of Five Armies and the beginning of the restoration of Erebor, Thorin and Bilbo are still carefully, and respectfully, distant to each other. Each certain the other wants nothing to do with them after the betrayals they've committed. However, trapped by a cave-in while exploring the lower halls, Thorin and Bilbo are suddenly, and unavoidably thrown together and slowly they begin to sort things out.

[daisiescomelate]

my favorite au in fanfics it's soulmates au, and i couldn't help to noticed that sukuna's true form has two faces, two arms, and two legs (according to the nihongi, a very very old japanese history book where we can find the first mention of the figure of sukuna in folklore), and that description matches with the theory of soulmates given by aristophanes in the symposium by plato.

the story is told by aristophanes during a discussion this character had with other philosophers about what love is. it tells the tell of people originally being these creatures with two faces, to arms, to legs, to sets of genitals, etc, that got punished by the gods and got separated.

all quotes are fragment of symposium from here: the internet archive classics

why they were a threat ergo they got punished:

"Terrible was their might and strength, and the thoughts of their hearts were great, and they made an attack upon the gods; of them is told the tale of Otys and Ephialtes who, as Homer says, dared to scale heaven, and would have laid hands upon the gods. Doubt reigned in the celestial councils. Should they kill them and annihilate the race with thunderbolts, as they had done the giants, then there would be an end of the sacrifices and worship which men offered to them; but, on the other hand, the gods could not suffer their insolence to be unrestrained."

so zeus split them in half

"At last, after a good deal of reflection, Zeus discovered a way. He said: "Methinks I have a plan which will humble their pride and improve their manners; men shall continue to exist, but I will cut them in two and then they will be diminished in strength and increased in numbers; this will have the advantage of making them more profitable to us. They shall walk upright on two legs, and if they continue insolent and will not be quiet, I will split them again and they shall hop about on a single leg." He spoke and cut men in two, like a sorb-apple which is halved for pickling, or as you might divide an egg with a hair; and as he cut them one after another, he bade Apollo give the face and the half of the neck a turn in order that the man might contemplate the section of himself: he would thus learn a lesson of humility."

and they are cursed to need each other, look for each other

"And when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy, and would not be out of the other's sight, as I may say, even for a moment: these are the people who pass their whole lives together; yet they could not explain what they desire of one another. For the intense yearning which each of them has towards the other does not appear to be the desire of lover's intercourse, but of something else which the soul of either evidently desires and cannot tell, and of which she has only a dark and doubtful presentiment."

so i keep thinking about a story where sukuna is defeated and sealed, losing his true form because a part of his soul dispersed and escaped somewhere as the other half of him was being fragmented and put into fingers. if i don't remember wrong, according to folklore sukuna didn't obediently follow the commands of an emperor and tended to cause ruckus and because of that said emperor send someone to execute him, so it'll add up with the idea of infuriating a god because they consider him a threat because of his strength.

then a thousand years later he strangely fits perfectly inside this boy, making him the perfect vessel for some unknwon reason, a boy that looks almost exactly like him for some other strange reason.

one day, bored out of his mind, sukuna is walking around yuuji's mind and stumbles across images, memories, more than a thousand years old that look so familiar to him. he realizes that yuuji is the part of his soul he lost back then, understanding that they are both the same but also very distinct individuals since this fragment of his soul had being apart from him for so long and had grown and develop on its own.

this idea also comes from some other thing i read about the original sukuna that said that maybe he came to be a symbol of twins or brothers from ancient history, and the theory that maybe sukuna represented actually two brothers (kagosaka no miko and oshikuma no miko) that were sons of an emperor, which would go pretty well with a platonic soulmates au.

ps. the way aristophanes describes one of this types of creatures (because there were three types: woman+woman, man+man, and then this third one) that looks like two people into one is like a third genre he called "androgynous" (i don't think it's necesserily woman+man but something different that doesn't exist anymore according to him, idk), that has both female and male characteristics, and in the lights that we found out sukuna lactates and he might be pregnant now, i think it fits perfectly to what his true form shows to be now in the manga.

ps2. i'm not a philosopher, i actually don't know what i'm talking about, just very passionate about the topic of soulmates in general.

[devinox-art]

I'm sure everyone has written a BG3 Tiefling Party fanfic by now. If you enjoy them, you can find yet another one under the cut.

If you say please.

Of course saving a bunch of tieflings meant crowd work for Astarion; the poor bastards were under the impression he did it out of the goodness of his unbeating heart, and not because he was given very little choice by their oh so gracious... Well, as much as he was loathed to admit it, Velvari was their leader. Despite not having a single thing in that head of hers besides a mind flaying parasite, she still felt some sort of kinship with the merry band of tieflings, who were on the verge of being left at the mercy of goblins. The moment she decided they were going to offer aid there was no room for questions. Ugh. But no one else was grabbing the reins to steer this wreck of a group. Too caught up in their own personal shit to do so, he supposed, so off to save the day they all went. 

Which was how he found himself smiling out of reflex and saying whatever it was his small audience needed to hear to allow for quick departure. They offered him a bottle of wine and he took it with charm before he bade them his ados.

"I trudged through goblin filth up to my elbows and this is all I get for my trouble? A pat on the head and vinegar for wine?" he grumbled, the moment he was out of earshot to do so. He uncorked the bottle and made his way back to his tent, but before he could indulge in giving himself something else to complain about, it slipped through his fingers in one smooth action that completely took him off guard. 

His red eyes flicked up to the culprit, a tiefling with otherworldly dark skin that blended in shadows and an obsession with the color gold. A color choice that matched her eyes: golden irises piecing the blackness of her sclera. With the way they caught the fires that lit up the night for them, they almost appeared to glow. Perhaps they did. 

Was this the last thing the poor bard girl saw before she was torn into? Flashes of liquid gold as the claws of hell tore her flesh asunder? He didn't care of course. In fact, the subtle air of guilt she carried around her the morning after made the situation amusing. As long as that aggression wasn't turned on him it was something he could perhaps use in his favor. In fact, it was rather impressive how well she hid the body. If he hadn't smelled freshly spilled blood in the air maybe he too would have been none the wiser. It made him think. How quickly could she make any one of them disappear without a trace?

Velvari tilted her head back to take a swig while Astarion watched on, unimpressed. She  carried herself with proper posture, one arm folded neatly behind her back like a war general. When she walked it was with a confident swagger and when she talked it was with authority. Yet he seen her persuade people where she could have easily intimidated — and it would have made it all the easier if she did. All of this crafted an image that seemed to appeal, one way or another, to the damned and fraying souls he found himself in company. Even the Githyanki held some grudging respect for her. But Astarion? No, if Cazador wasn't a looming figure over his life, he would've been out of here the first chance he got. 

As of right now, this misfit group was the only protection he had on hand. An uneasy alliance but one all the same. 

"You did a good thing. Suck it up and enjoy yourself," she said, licking wine off her gold painted lips. She must have overheard his griping.

Astarion gaped at her. "Enjoy myself? I have a blasted parasite in my head and a–" One of his flailing hands was caught and his fingers were made to curl around the neck of a bottle.

"It's rich, dry, and sharp," she stated matter-of-factly. "I'm sure someone with your expensive taste could appreciate such depth of flavor."

Oh please. If it wasn't blood he didn't want it. If it wasn't her blood... He looked between her and the bottle of wine she put in his hand. "Is this your way of telling me to enjoy the little things?"

"More or less," she said with soft laugh, and dropped her hands away from his. Her warmth lingered on his pale skin. 

He huffed in disbelief. "I just want a little more excitement! A little more... fun. Is that really too much to ask?" 

"In regards to you? Perhaps."

"Oh don't be so sour. I like a good time as much as anyone." As he spoke, he looked her over. She wasn't even bad looking. Her black leather top cupped her breasts perfectly, and the deep, plunging neckline showed them off in a way that was mouthwatering. The bumps and ridges between them were on full display as well, like thorns, as if to say look but don't touch. She was sharp all over. It didn't dissuade him in the least; however, he needed to ensure he had an ally in this massive cluster fuck and if it took seduction to secure her then so be it. He's done worse for poorer reasons. "You know, we could always make our own entertainment, darling. Get a little closer, so to speak."

Her long, fleshy tail gave a twitch, but whatever that meant her expression wasn't giving it away. "Maybe. If you say please." 

"What?" Astarion asked with a humorless laugh. It was almost enough to make him retract his proposition. No, he can handle power trips. He can go through the motions of being desirable and he wouldn't even have to be mentally present. He did it so many times before. He was just that good. 

Leaves rustled under her boot as she took a step closer to him. She seemed taller than she actually was but in reality, she was no taller than him. The torch behind her head lit up her orange and yellow hair in such a way that almost made it look ablaze. "Say please," she said, so softly it caught him off guard. It wasn't a command. It wasn't playful either. He didn't know what to make of it, and he would be lying if he said her tone didn't pique his curiosity.

"Please," he said with a purr.

She ran a hand over his chest and shoulder. Even through the fabric of his shirt she felt her warmth. She may not have an infernal engine chugging away in her ribs but she ran hot nonetheless. Her gaze was turned away from him, as if suddenly shy. No, that wasn't it. He saw her do this before, but with animals she wanted to gain the trust of. Astarion's lips parted, bottle of wine lowered and forgotten. 

"I... like being manhandled," she confessed. 

He wanted to laugh. Not a power trip at all. Even if he didn't quite understand what this song and dance was, he started to understand the jist of it. Their gracious leader wanted someone else to take charge in the bedroom. He knew the type. He leaned into her, a hand reaching up to touch her elbow, and he murmured into her ear. "Oh darling, I'll take good care of you. No need to worry your pretty little head over the details." When her eyes met his, he expected heat. Lust. A flirty smile even. Instead what he saw was an emotion he couldn't discern. Behind her, her tail jerked to and fro. Not quite a wag. 

"You can bite me too." That's what made Astarion realize she wanted to discuss this, and what she was doing now? Gouging how receptive he would be. Oh, she was not going to make this as easy as falling into eachothers arms, was she? More than likely also the type that needed to be engaged mentally. 

Weariness started to rear up. "With no tricky strings attached?" He asked. 

She nodded. "No strings attached."

"Then I'll bite," he said with a grin, pun fully intended. "I'll be seeing you later." When she stepped away from him, a flirty little smirk twisted her lips this time and Astarion couldn't help but feel like he won. She dragged her hand away as if reluctant to let go, and he let her. 

Success. 

[xo-alie-xo]

As an adult in her mid 20s, I realise now how toxic Seddie was. They really were in different places. And Dan romanticised a bully and a victim. And continued the violence after hinting they might like each other. Had it been like Devi and Ben or even Jade and Tori, Seddie would've been okay. Just bickering. But there was real physical abuse like wtf?

And I think Seddie was handled horribly. Where they couldn't go a minute without arguing. Like the show said, they had a connection but that's not enough for a relationship. I was pissed at that episode but now I understand it. Sam was brutal and she needed to grow tf up and be less aggressive before she could become a gf to anyone. No wonder Jenette hated her character. Blonde boss trope was we needed back then. But her character Sam was awful.

Fanfic writers wrote seddie correctly. Bickering idiots who later end up falling in love and treating each other right. But the original iCarly, the Seddie arc was despicable. I actually have to skip it when I rewatch iCarly. Makes me hate both Sam and Freddie. Poor Gibby!

Looking back, I now realise and support that Creddie was meant to be. But Carly was too obsessed with hot boys to notice the good guy right in front of her. And Freddie was going from one toxic relationship to the next. He needed to become more assertive and stop taking shit from women.

They needed to grow up. And correct their flaws before they could be in a relationship with each other. They need to fall in love again once they reach adulthood. But I feel like Miranda and Nathan don't have much romantic chemistry as Jeanette and Nathan. I think a lot of people liked seddie because of the chemistry. But if it was played by different people, maybe Seddie wouldn't have taken over the Internet in 2012. I love Creddie but the actors need to establish more chemistry.

Jori on the other hand....perfect enemies to lovers. Except when Jade tried to bury her and almost killed her by intentionally misplacing her blood and sending her bush daisies which she was allergic to. So I'll just erase those moments on the count that Dan was too sick to write those. It's not funny to physically harm someone by sending them to hospital. Had Victorious aired now, on a different channel, Jori would be canon.

As a kid, I loved Seddie and Bade. Two of the most toxic relationships on children's television. But as an adult, I ship Creddie and Jori. Because I can finally understand the value of healthy relationships.

[serickswrites]

What do you think of the BBU?

Wohoo! An ask (I love them so much). So I will be very honest, I wasn’t super sure what BBU was so I had to check the tags. And like (probably because I am so new to the info), I think I like it? Maybe? I think it’s the consensual part that has me a little uncertain. I write pet whump (my poor pets), but none of them ever volunteered, so I haven’t really thought about it. But. But. It has an interesting element to it. Like someone volunteers to be a box boy for one thing, but is bought by a very bad owner and the whump the ensues? And Caretaker is the next, kind owner? I’m not entirely sure that’s how it works. I will think some more on. 

HOWEVER, please enjoy another installment of my pet whump series, Freak On A Leash for your troubles. 

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Warnings: pet whump, hurt/comfort, referenced injury, referenced cruel whumper

The Pet knew that things would get worse. That the Master would take every opportunity to hurt them. And that they would fight the Master every step of the way. 

What the Pet had not taken into account was the lengths to which the Master would go to hurt them. A slap for not standing in position correctly. A kick for not kneeling low enough. Choking for not answering fast enough. The Pet was miserable. Their body hurt all the time. And worst of all, they knew that it would not end until the Master killed them. Or sold them. 

And they didn’t want to leave Bunny. 

The Pet frequently woke in Bunny’s arms. With Bunny stroking their hair, nuzzling in close. Bunny rubbed a soothing salves on their bruises. Bunny made sure they had food and water. Bunny was always making sure they were ok. 

In the dark that night, the Pet woke, a cold sweat covering them. Bunny squeezed them tightly, rubbing soothing circles on their back. “Shhh, it’s ok. I’m here. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

The Pet relaxed into Bunny’s arms. Bunny was the only good thing in their life. Bunny never tried to get them to change. Never judged or scolded them. Never told them to do as the Master bade. They just comforted them. Soothed them. And made sure they felt safe for even a few moments each day. 

And for that, the Pet was eternally grateful. 

Tags: @pigeonwhumps @endlesscyclezz @damienxozmoze @starlitwhump @minty-fanfic-corner @stardustagony @d-cs @asleepspoon368

[photogirl894]

"IronStar"

Chapter 4

"Symbol of Acceptance"

A "Fairy Tail" fanfic!

Pairing: Gajeel x fem OC

A/N: It's been a bit since I updated this one, but I felt it was time to! Sadly, I finished rewatching Fairy Tail a little bit ago and so my motivation to keep writing this fic went down a little, but I'm not giving up on it! I still love this fic just as much as I do my other ones 😊 Hope y'all enjoy!!

Taglist: @l-lend , @rosechi , @the-bad-batch-baroness , @angrypaperearthquake-tbbb-main

《 Chapter 3

》 Coming soon!

All chapters

Explanation: Genna, Gajeel and Lily return to the guild and it is determined whether or not Genna is worthy to join Fairy Tail.

Very soon after waking up, Genna, Gajeel and Lily bade their farewells to the villagers and departed from the village to make their way back to Fairy Tail. For part of the walk, Genna remained quiet as her mind kept wandering back to her brother and his ultimatum: do the job her father had for her or M would take her back to her family's guild.

The job was to infiltrate Fairy Tail.

She felt so caught between a rock and a hard place. For a long time, she'd wanted to be a part of Fairy Tail and, considering how welcoming a lot of people had been to her already, she didn't want to hurt any of them...but she also never wanted to return to her old guild. That was the last thing she wanted. What was she going to do? Maybe if she told Fairy Tail the situation, they could help protect her from her father...but that would mean having to tell them who he was, which she knew wouldn't go over well.

"What am I gonna do?" she wondered.

Lily's voice beside her broke her from her thoughts as he asked, flying up next to her, "Is everything all right, Genna? You've been strangely quiet."

"Yeah, it's kinda weird," commented Gajeel.

She gave a shake of her head, snapping back to reality. "Sorry. Just was zoning out," she told them.

"Somethin' on your mind?" Gajeel inquired.

Thinking quickly of a cover answer, she just shrugged and answered him, "I'm just...feeling a bit anxious about going back to Fairy Tail. I've dreamt of being in the guild for a long time and...I guess I'm worried that maybe what I've done won't be enough to achieve that or the Master won't think I'm a good fit. I'm just trying to not get my hopes up."

"Trust me, Genny, you've got nothin' to worry about," he said. "The old man hardly turns anyone away. You've got a pretty easy shot at gettin' in."

"I just can't help but worry," she said. "What if I get in and the others don't actually like me?"

Lily chuckled in amusement. "I highly doubt that will happen. Natsu, Lucy and Happy love everyone. You'll have friends for certain. You've got us, too."

That brought a smile to her face. At least, they both seemed to buy her excuse. "Thanks, Lily," she replied.

A few more minutes passed and when they rounded a corner on the road, they saw a downed tree across the middle of the path, blocking their way. Genna wasn't sure how she was going to get over, at first, because of her injured arm, but then she figured Lily could fly her over. However, just as she thought to ask, she was shocked as Gajeel said to her, "Hold on," and suddenly swept her up into his arms. Then he leapt into the air and soared over the tree to the other side, landing with surprising grace. She had not expected that from him and was slightly flustered as he set her back down.

"Th--thank you, Gajeel," she told him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"No problem. There was no way you were getting over that with that arm," he said back.

Lily came gliding over the tree and pointed out as he came up next to him, "You know I could've just flown her over, right?"

Gajeel gritted his teeth and his cheeks went pink with slight embarrassment. "Yeah, well...you weren’t movin' fast enough," he stated back, quickly walking away.

"Well, that was unexpected," said Genna to Lily.

With a hum of agreement, he replied, "Gajeel may appear rough on the outside, but he does have a softer side that he lets slip through the cracks every once in a while."

"That's good to know. I was afraid he didn't like me," she told him.

"I assure you, that isn't the case," he said.

She hung her head for a moment. Lily seemed to be a wise Exceed. She wondered if she could say something to him about her problem without jeopardizing her chances at getting into Fairy Tail. Perhaps he could think of something she could do.

"Lily, could I ask you something?" she asked.

"By all means," he replied, hovering a little closer to her.

Her hands fidgeted nervously. "I'm...afraid," she admitted. "I'm afraid of my father coming after me and potentially endangering Fairy Tail. I don't want that to happen and I don't know what to do."

"You have no need to fear," he said firmly. "All of our guild protects each other. Should your father come for you, we'll make sure to instill the fear of Fairy Tail in him."

"If only it were that easy...," she lamented in her mind.

The Exceed noticed her hesitancy and gently nudged her shoulder as they went along. "Everything will be okay, Genna. Once you're a part of Fairy Tail, you'll have plenty of people who will look out for you."

"I know, you're right," she responded.

Up ahead, they heard Gajeel call out, "Hey! Keep up, will ya?"

They hadn't realized they'd fallen a few feet behind as they were talking. After Gajeel got after them, Lily and Genna picked up the pace to catch up to him. Despite Lily's reassurances, Genna still couldn't help but still worry. He had no idea of the power her father held and the danger he would pose to Fairy Tail and to her if she didn’t do what he wanted. She didn't want to, but knew it would only bring chaos if she didn't.

"I'll figure this out," she thought to herself. For now, she supposed all she could do was just get back to Fairy Tail and see how things went from there.

"Hey, welcome back, Genna!"

The first person Genna saw upon entering the Fairy Tail guild hall was Lucy, accompanied by Natsu as well as a shorter, blue-haired girl wearing a headband and an orange dress.

"Glad you made it back," said Natsu with a smile.

"Hi Lucy, hi Natsu," Genna said as she walked in.

"Hey Gajeel," said the bluenette.

He smirked. "How's it goin', half-pint?"

She immediately scowled playfully at him. "Why do you always have to make fun of my height, you jerk?" she replied.

Gajeel simply snickered in return.

"This is Levy," Lucy said to Genna, gesturing to Levy.

Levy turned to Genna and said, "It's nice to meet you, Genna. Lucy was telling me you're looking to join the guild. It'll be fun having you here and I look forward to getting to know you."

"Thanks, Levy," said Genna.

It was then Lucy noticed Genna's arm in a sling and she gasped. "Genna, you're hurt! Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine," Genna said dismissively.

Gajeel looked around the room for a second and then yelled, "Hey Wendy! We could use some healing over here!"

"Oh, I'm coming!" replied a small, feminine voice. Then a small young girl with long, dark blue pigtails come running up, followed by a white Exceed in a tiny dress.

"This little girl is also a Dragonslayer?" Genna thought in surprise, seeing the Exceed.

Wendy immediately saw the problem and ran up to Genna. "Here, let me help you," she said, holding both her hands over Genna's arm.

Her hands began glowing a bright teal color and suddenly, Genna could feel her arm go cool and her bones started shifting inside. The throbbing from her fracture began to subside and fade. A few seconds later, Wendy's light went away and Genna's arm felt like normal. She pulled off the sling and slowly moved her arm around. It was perfectly fine!

"Oh wow! Thanks so much!" she said gratefully.

"Happy to help. I'm Wendy, by the way, and this is Carla," said the young girl, then pointing to the white cat with her.

"A pleasure," said Carla.

Genna then introduced herself by name in return.

"Where's the old man?" Gajeel asked, looking back to Levy, Natsu and Lucy.

Natsu pointed back towards the bar and answered, "Gramps is back there with Mira, Erza and Laxus."

Genna looked and saw Master Makarov sitting on top of the bar with a mug in his hand. Mira was behind the counter talking to him and on the Master's other side was Erza and a very tall, muscular young man with slicked back blonde hair and a lightning-shaped scar over his right eye. He wore a purple dress shirt, black pants and a dark, fur-lined coat draped over his shoulders like a cape. She assumed he must've been the one named Laxus. Gajeel motioned with his head to Genna for her to follow him to the back so they could talk to the Master. She followed Gajeel over to the bar with Lily flying behind them. Natsu, Lucy, Levy, Wendy and Carla all trailed after them.

Makarov saw them coming and declared, "Ah, welcome back, you three. I take it things went well with your job?"

With a nod, Genna replied, "Yes, sir. The Dark Wizard we faced was known as Darius, the Shadow Shepherd, and he's been taken care of. We left him to the villagers to hand him to the authorities."

"That's excellent to hear," said the Master.

"I've heard of the Shadow Shepherd. He is indeed quite a powerful force. Did he prove to be a good enough challenge for you, Genna?" inquired Erza, her tone low and almost authoritative while still friendly and curious.

"I took a few hits," Genna answered and then she looked at Gajeel as she went on, "but with Gajeel and Lily's help, I managed. I owe a lot to them."

Gajeel rolled his eyes. "Ugh, cut the sappy crap, will ya?"

Erza smiled warmly. "I'm impressed."

Right then, Natsu came up beside Genna and draped his arm over her shoulders. "I knew you could do it the whole time!" he exclaimed.

Then Makarov turned his attention to Gajeel. "Well, Gajeel, what do you have to say?" he asked him. "What did you observe about Genna in your time with her?"

The Iron Dragon crossed his arms across his chest, a frown on his face. "Oh, I've got some things to say about Genny," he said almost condescendingly.

"Huh?" Genna voiced, confused at the tone he had when he said that.

He went on to say, "At the start, she thought she could take on the Shadow Wizard alone, which was pretty careless. Then she took as much of a beatin' as he did. If I hadn't been there, she would've lost. It was kinda embarrassing to watch."

Genna couldn't believe what she was hearing. After everything he'd said about her having what it takes to be in Fairy Tail, this was his report to the Master? What was his deal? What was he saying?

He kept going, "She's headstrong, reckless and she needs serious training if she's gonna take on other powerful Wizards like him."

Disappointed and hurt, she clenched her teeth together and turned her face away, fighting back tears. Had he been lying to her the whole time? She couldn't understand why he would say such things. She knew she shouldn't have gotten her hopes up about being enough for Fairy Tail. Guess it seemed her best efforts weren't good enough...and that Gajeel really didn't care about her at all.

Then she heard Gajeel state, "That bein' said...I think Fairy Tail is the best place for that."

Genna gasped softly in astonishment.

She noticed he was now grinning proudly as he told the Master, "No other guild's gonna be able to help her as well as us. She's already got pretty powerful magic that'd be even stronger if she trained some more. And while fightin' the Shadow Wizard by herself was reckless...it reminded me a bit of myself and even Salamander 'cause we also love jumpin' headfirst into fights."

"Ha ha! You got that right!" agreed Natsu with a wink.

Gajeel then looked at her and said to everyone who could hear while maintaining eye contact with her, "She's strong, determined and, like I said yesterday, she's got moxy. She'll fit right in."

Seeing the mischievous glint in his eyes, it was then Genna realized that, once again, he had been pulling her leg, giving his report in a negative way first to mess with her head only to spin it in a more positive way; the way he really meant it. How she wanted to just punch him right in the face at that moment, but she was too elated at his last words to really act on it. Maybe later, she'd hit him, but right now, she was too excited. His words were what could help convince Makarov to let her into the guild.

With a light chuckle, Makarov said in reply, "Very well, then. With that testimony from Gajeel, there is only one thing left to say." He focused intently on Genna with his kind gaze and asked, "Genna Whitesun, is it still your desire to be a Wizard of the Fairy Tail guild?"

At any other time, she would've shouted "yes" immediately, but now with the order from her father, she was hesitant. It was a no-win scenario. She'd either get her father or her brother coming after her if she didn't follow through or she'd end up betraying Fairy Tail if she did. Her eyes wandered and she realized that just about everyone in the guild hall had gathered around and was watching her, waiting for her answer. Something about the light and hope she could see in all their eyes instilled a calmness inside her. There was warmth and camaraderie here. She caught Natsu, Lucy and Levy smiling at her encouragingly. Even Gajeel had a small grin on his face looking at her. She'd felt more accepted at Fairy Tail in the brief moments she'd spent thus far than she ever had with her own family. She still couldn't help but worry about what would happen to them or to her if her father were to ever learn she didn't obey his orders...but now, she didn't care. She wasn't taking orders from him anymore. If somehow Fairy Tail were to learn who she really was and who her family was, it would be devastating, but that was a bridge she'd cross later. She would reveal the truth in time after gaining some trust first.

"This is what I want...Father and M be damned!" she thought.

With deep resolve, she then answered, "Absolutely!"

Natsu cheered and pumped his fist, Lucy and Levy both clapped and giggled excitedly. Lily and Gajeel exchanged pleased looks.

"Excellent. Mirajane, if you will," then said Makarov.

Behind the bar, Mira pulled out a large stamp with the Fairy Tail symbol on it. "What color would you like your emblem to be and where would you like it?" she asked.

Genna thought for a few seconds and then answered, "Purple and then right here." She pointed to her left forearm just below her elbow.

"A great choice," said Mira as she pulled out a pad of purple ink.

While she prepared the stamp tattoo, Makarov spoke up softly to Genna, "Now remember, my child: once this emblem is on your skin, you are a full-fledged member of our guild. Not only that, but you are a representative of Fairy Tail wherever you go, in all you do and say. Your actions are a reflection on our family, so be sure that the things you do are only for the good of the guild and the good of all people."

"Yes, sir," she promised, giving him a nod.

She looked at Mira, who was beaming with delight as she held up the stamp. Genna laid her arm out on the bar and Mira pressed the tattoo stamp firmly onto her forearm. Once the stamp peeled away from her skin, Genna had to keep from bursting into tears at seeing the new purple emblem of Fairy Tail now on her arm. It just seemed too good to be true.

"This is the symbol of Fairy Tail," she then heard Erza say to her. When Genna looked at her, Erza told her, "It is a symbol of truth, hope and second chances, but above all...it's a symbol of acceptance, home and family."

Both Genna and Erza shared happy smiles.

Throwing his arms out the sides, Makarov exclaimed, "On behalf of everyone in the guild...welcome to Fairy Tail!"

Everyone in the guild hall cheered loudly and vigorously, which only made the smile on Genna's face grow wider.

"Thank you...Master," said Genna with overwhelming gladness.

"Welcome to the family!" cried Natsu.

Then Makarov shouted, "Mira, rounds for everyone! It's time to celebrate our newest recruit!

"Coming right up!" Mira replied.

As Mira prepared drinks, Genna was bombarded by a lot of people coming up and welcoming her or congratulating her. It was exciting, but also a bit crazy at the same time. There were definitely a lot of faces and names she'd have to learn, but now that she was officially in the guild, she had all the time in the world to learn them.

In the midst of the crowd, Gray came up to her, having just gotten back from a quick outing himself, and he had a woman with him with long blue hair and wearing blue winter attire. He congratulated her and introduced his friend to her. Her name was Juvia.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Genna," said Juvia, her low pitch resonating with elegance. "Now that you've joined the guild, where will you be staying?"

"Um...I hadn't actually thought that far ahead," Genna shyly admitted, rubbing the back of her head.

"A lot of us girls live in apartments close by. There are a couple extra rooms; I'm sure you'd be welcome to claim one of them," Juvia told her.

"Thanks, I'll look into that," said Genna.

More people soon came up and congratulated her or introduced themselves. Other members named Elfman and Lisanna--who were Mira's siblings, it turned out--Cana, Jett, Droy, Freed, Bixslow and several others. However, Genna's attention was diverted when she spotted Gajeel sitting at a corner table by himself, sipping his drink from his mug. Even though he'd told her that he was a "lone wolf", she still felt bad seeing him alone. There was something about him that made her feel like he wasn’t as much of a loner as he tried to make himself out to be; that he wanted friends, but was too shy or embarrassed to do anything about it. So she decided she would. She ducked out of the crowd, excusing herself, and made her way over to his table. He saw her coming and, to her slight surprise, got a small smirk on his face at her approach.

"Well, Princess, looks like ya got whatcha wanted. Welcome to Fairy Tail," he said before taking another swig of his drink.

"It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you," she replied. Although, her eyebrows then furrowed and she scolded him, "Though, the way you started your report to the Master was a real jerk move."

He chuckled in amusement. "Yeah, you should've seen the look on your face," he said.

Her teeth clenched and her fists tightened at her sides. "You shouldn't have done that," she said in a lower voice. "After all the things you said about how I had a good shot at joining Fairy Tail and then you started off your report to Makarov in a way that painted me in a negative light...I really thought you had lied to me the whole time and that almost upset me."

A small grunt mixed with a quiet gasp caught in his throat at her admission, noticing the hurt in her face. He'd only meant to tease her; he didn't expect what he'd done to actually hurt her feelings. An unfamiliar feeling of guilt grew within him, but his pride was keeping him from apologizing.

Trying to push aside the guilt, he stated, "Well...no need to make a big deal about it. I told the old man the real truth in the end and you got into the guild. That's what you wanted, isn't it?"

"I mean...yeah," she said.

Gajeel took one last drink, set down his empty mug, stood up from his seat and told Genna, "Look, Genny, it doesn't matter. I helped you get into Fairy Tail, the job is done and you can move on now."

Her head tilted, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Meaning you're done dealing with me," he clarified.

"What makes you think that's what I want?" she questioned.

He closed his eyes and he sighed loudly. "Trust me...no one wants to deal with the likes of me." After he said that, he moved around her and attempted to walk away.

Genna wasn’t about to let him just leave after saying that. "Gajeel, wait, hold on!" she cried.

Before she could say anything else, he stopped and whirled around to face her, saying, "Listen, kid--"

"Incoming!" they both heard someone shout.

Gajeel and Genna looked up to see Natsu flying through the air, screaming and hurtling in their direction.

"Look out!" exclaimed Gajeel as he grabbed Genna and moved her out of the way of the flying Natsu.

Just as she moved, Natsu crashed into the tables behind them, breaking them practically in half and sending splinters and chunks of wood everywhere. Gajeel shielded Genna from the wooden debris.

Natsu sat up from where he landed and then yelled, "All right, you wanna party, Gray?"

Gray yelled back from the other side of the room, slamming his fist into his other palm, "You bet, Natsu! Bring it on!"

"Then let's dance!" replied Natsu as he got to his feet, turning his fist into a ball of flame before leaping from where he landed towards Gray.

As another fight between Natsu and Gray commenced, Genna turned her head and found herself looking up right into Gajeel's crimson eyes. They both gasped quietly at their close proximity and Genna suddenly realized that she was right up against Gajeel, her hands on his chest, and he still held her in his arms from moving her out of the way. Time seemed to stand still as they found themselves locked in place, staring into each other's eyes for a moment in astonishment. They hadn't anticipated finding themselves in this situation and yet...it felt strangely...nice...and almost familiar somehow. Her hands on his chest sent a warm wave through him he'd never known before and being in his arms seemed like the safest place she could be.

However, the moment ended all too quickly as reality set back in and Gajeel let go of her and Genna took a small step back, the two of them awkwardly averting their gazes.

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she tried saying, "Gajeel, I--"

"Look, Genna," he interrupted her, slightly stunning her when he used her actual name, "you'll be better off not hangin' around me. Let's just leave it at that."

"But why? I don't understand," she asked in return as he turned away. "I know you didn't want to go on the job with me at first, but I really thought things turned out okay."

He shook his head and just replied, "I gotta go. I'll see ya around." Then he briskly walked away, calling for Lily as he went out the door and his Exceed flew after him.

Dumbfounded, she watched him leave the guild hall, wondering why he was suddenly more closed off from her than before. She wanted to thank him again for helping her on the job and now the chance had come and gone. Then just now, there had been something small between them...or had she just imagined it? No...something within her told her it hadn't been imagined. It didn't seem like just a normal feeling, but somehow, something more magical, like her starlight magic inside her ignited in the moment. She'd never experienced that kind of sensation with her magic; it was very strange and foreign.

Then Genna saw Levy come up to her, looking perplexed. "Wow, what did you do to Gajeel?" she asked, looking to the guild hall entrance and then back to Genna.

Slack-jawed, Genna answered, "I have no idea. He's acting like, now that the job we went on is done, I won't need to be around him anymore and I don't know why he thinks that. I personally liked our time together on the job and I figured maybe he thought the same. Guess I was wrong."

"He might, but he's just too proud to admit it," Levy said. "Gajeel is a good guy, but he's a tough book to read sometimes. He had a bit of a...rough start with the guild when he joined and, even though a lot of us have warmed up to him, he still just keeps a lot to himself. The only one who really keeps him company is Lily."

Then Erza approached them, overhearing their conversation. "Gajeel can be obstinate, but he is good at heart despite his past and what he believes about himself. I had full faith when I sent him on that mission with you."

"I thought we worked well together," Genna told her with a shrug. "Or, at least, we did eventually."

"What do you mean?" asked Levy.

Genna hesitated slightly on telling them what she was about to say, but then she decided to go for it anyway. "At one point on the job, Gajeel and I got into an argument where he made it clear he didn't want to be there, so I told him to leave...and he did."

"He what?" said Erza, her voice raising.

"Yeah, he left at first, but then he came back...and lucky for me, he did, because I'd gone up against the Shadow Shepherd and he had me weakened and pinned down. He was about ready to put an end to me had Gajeel not come back and saved me. In the end, he still did the honorable thing. He acts like he doesn't care, but if he really didn't, he would have left me behind and never looked back."

"Exactly," Erza said.

"I was hoping to thank him again for his help before he left, but I feel like I need to do more to really thank him because he saved my life," Genna told them.

Levy put a finger to her chin in thought for a few seconds, humming contemplatively. "What if you make something for him?" she suggested. "Is there anything you're good at making?"

Genna liked that idea. "I'm not the best at crafts or anything, but I'm decent at baking."

A cry of seemingly euphoric elation suddenly rang out on her other side and Genna jumped, startled, as she turned to see Erza gaping at her with the brightest, most excited look in her eyes and on her face.

"You bake?!" she cried with sheer delight. She placed her hands on Genna's shoulders. "Do you bake cakes?"

"Uh, yeah, I've been known to make cakes every now and then," Genna answered.

Erza shrieked again with joy. "Oh Genna, my dear, you are heaven-sent!" she exclaimed, her normal low tone suddenly jumping up a couple octaves.

Then Genna heard Levy whisper into her ear, "Erza really loves cake. It's practically her weakness."

Erza didn't seem to notice as she then went on a very dramatic rant, "Cake is the most magical thing to exist in this world, even more than the magics we all possess. Taking even a single bite is like tasting happiness itself. Its delectable sweetness is enough to fill my soul with the most overwhelming joy that nearly causes me to burst!"

Through a laugh, Levy said to her, "All right, Erza, I think you've painted a pretty good picture of how you feel about cake."

Erza's cheeks went as red as her hair and she sheepishly replied, her attention mostly on Genna, "My apologies. I tend to get a little carried away when talking about my favorite sweet treat."

"It's okay. Now I know something interesting about you," Genna said back.

"Back to the subject at hand, why don't you make Gajeel a cake to express your thanks?" Erza suggested.

"Maybe, but I also want to thank Lily, as well. Is there anything they both like?" Genna asked the two ladies.

"I'm not sure," answered Levy as she looked down in thought again. A few seconds later, she snapped her fingers as an idea came to her. "I've got it! What if you made them cupcakes? Then you can make individualized ones for both of them that they'll like."

"An excellent idea, Levy," commented Erza.

Genna agreed, "I like that idea. What things does Lily like that I can use?"

She heard her answer come from a smaller voice above her: "Kiwis!"

Then she, Levy and Erza looked up and saw Happy, Natsu's Exceed, hovering above them with his wings, having overheard them below.

"Really?" Genna asked curiously.

Happy nodded. "Oh yeah, he loves kiwis. He drools over them as much as I drool over yummy fishies."

"Noted. Thank you, Happy," Genna said back.

"Aye, sir!" Happy cried before flying off.

"Gajeel eats iron, I know that much," Genna then said aloud.

Then Levy spoke up, "You could find some iron chunks to mix in, kind of like chocolate chips."

"Ooh, I like that!" said Genna excitedly.

Erza chuckled. "It sounds like Gajeel and Lily are in for quite the treat."

"Oh yeah," said Genna. "I can't wait to get started!"

After partying for a few more hours, things started to die down and Genna figured she'd better head back to her hotel. Though, as she was about to head out, Levy suggested that she go with her and Juvia to the girls' apartments to see if they could get a permanent room for her, now that she was an official member of the guild. The three women made their way to the apartments and sure enough, getting a room was easy. She even was able to get the room right next door to Levy. Then both Levy and Juvia helped Genna get all her stuff into her room and then left her alone so she could get settled.

Genna fell back onto her new comfy bed, taking in the new space and the fact that she was now actually in Fairy Tail like she always wanted! It felt so surreal like a dream, but every time she looked down at the emblem on her arm, she knew it was the real deal. She squealed like a little girl into her pillow. This was a dream come true!

Right away, she'd met a bunch of great people that she looked forward to getting to know more over time. They were so welcoming and beyond friendly; it honestly felt like coming home. Now that she was in the girls' apartments, she knew she definitely would be getting to know all the girls pretty quickly. Levy seemed like a sweet person that she thought would be a great neighbor.

As she stared at the ceiling, her mind wandered back to Gajeel and the image of his back to her as he exited the guild hall. What had happened that made him suddenly so dismissive of her? He was a mystery to her...and she had always been drawn to mysterious things. He came across as abrasive and cold and yet, he had saved her life when he very well could've left her alone. Then he'd opened up to her the previous night when neither of them could sleep. It had only been a little, but it was a start, at least. There was something about him that made her want to know more and befriend him. Though, given how the last couple days had gone, she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she was determined to get to know the elusive Iron Dragon.

The idea then came to her of writing down all the days' events in her journal before she forgot, so she dug her journal and her pen out of her bag. She recorded everything from when they'd gotten back to the guild, being inducted into Fairy Tail and the celebration that followed as well as the myriad of feelings she'd felt in achieving her goal. Though, just as she finished, she set her book down on the bed and absent-mindedly put her hands in the pockets of her skirt where her fingers brushed up against something inside that she'd forgotten about. She gasped lightly, remembering what the object was as she withdrew it.

It was the piece of paper she'd received from her brother that said "Infiltrate Fairy Tail".

Her teeth clenched tightly together and her blood boiled, hating how both her father and her brother put her in such a compromising situation. She'd never dream of turning against anyone in Fairy Tail and yet...

"If you don't do this job...you know the kind of punishment I can inflict...the bargain is simple: do this or I'll take you back to the guild...and to Father."

Her brother's malicious voice rang through her head, recalling once again the ultimatum he'd given her. The frustration growing inside her was so intense, she knew she had to add that in her journal just to help vent and get all the feelings out. She picked up her journal again, holding the small piece of paper between her hand and the book, as she quickly scribbled in:

"One thing that terrifies me about all this, however, is the fact that M somehow visited me last night. He gave me orders from Father that I don't want to obey, but I'm scared to disobey. Father wants me to infiltrate Fairy Tail. I wanted to join this guild for so long and now, he's using my own dream against me. How twisted and cruel can he get? If I don't do what he wants, he'll send M to take me away and possibly hurt my new friends. If I do, then I'll betray the guild and my friends will still get hurt, anyway. There's no winning this. What's worse is I can't seek help from Fairy Tail either for this. They'd turn on me immediately if they were to find out my father is..."

There was a knock at Genna's door, making her jump. "Who is it?" she called out.

"It's me again," answered the voice of Levy on the other side.

Genna quickly slammed her journal shut, trapping the piece of paper inside its pages, and she slid it underneath her pillow before saying, "Come in!"

Levy's head peeked in through the now cracked open door and she smiled. "Hey, I know you might be tired or still getting settled in, but I was going to make a run into town. Would you like to come with me? I figured we could shop for the ingredients you need for your cupcakes while we're out."

Her offer touched Genna greatly. Despite only being a member of Fairy Tail for a couple hours, Levy was already including her and treating her like a real friend.

"I would love to!" she exclaimed. Then she had the thought to invite Levy to do something in return, so she added, "And hey, if you're not busy afterwards, maybe you can help me make the cupcakes?"

The bluenette's eyes lit up and her smile widened. "Oh my gosh, yes! That would be so fun!" she replied gladly.

Genna was really happy to hear Levy accept her offer and the two of them quickly took off from her room. She could see herself being great friends with this girl. This was only just the beginning.

The beginning of her new life in Fairy Tail.

[bitmeddler]

A wee excerpt from my soon-to-be finished Newmann fanfic for WIP Wednesday! I'm just in the editing phase of a little one-shot sequel to my long!fic 'Compositions' involving a camera, a recreated photoshoot and a bonus appearance by a pair of black rabbit ears…

***

“Hey, Herms?” Newt called back, half turning against the graffiti covered wall. “Are you staring at my butt right now?”

“Well, of course I am,” the taller man snapped. “You’re wearing those bloody leather trousers and gyrating your hips in that way that you know drives me to madness. I’m only so strong, Newton. Now hold that pose for a moment, won’t you?” 

With the assistance of his cane, Hermann lowered himself to a crouching position and moved forward slightly to get an upwards angle, raising the camera up for the shot.

“Hell yeah,” Newt chuckled in surprise, “you’re getting into it.”

The lengthening shadows of the evening began to cast a rich, warm glow that lit up the colors of the wall with an aurelian overlay. This was it, the exact conditions Hermann had seen referenced in photography magazines as ‘magic hour.’ The entire scene was filled with the soon-to-be waning light and Newton’s elongated shadow fell long and narrow upon the uneven pavement. 

Hermann stood back up and stepped further forward and met Newton’s eyes through the lens. There was still an arm’s length of distance between them, but the space felt charged and intimate. 

Hermann’s fingers hovered above the shutter release in anticipation. He could see it in his mind’s eye; the photo from the magazine shoot, the one that they were here to recreate. He closed his eyes momentarily and saw Newton, leaning on the wall, thumbs threaded through his belt loops staring right at the camera, his chin tilted up slightly with a wide grin. He opened his eyes and refocused on the task at hand.

“Newton. I want you up against the wall,” Hermann stated smoothly. His prior apprehension had completely subsided as he allowed a little innuendo seep into his directions. 

“Y-yeah? Cool, um… yeah, okay,” Newt said, tongue darting out across his bottom lip. 

It was not very often that Hermann succeeded in unbalancing his partner and he delighted in the rare moments of Newt being the one to waver.

“Now,” Hermann continued, “put your thumbs through your belt loops. Good. Very good. Now tilt your chin up slightly and smile for me.”

Newton recovered and did as he was bade. He leaned back, looking down at the ground before raising his eyes to the camera.

And there it was. The same boyish smile that had captivated Hermann two decades prior as Newton had stared out at him from the pages of an obscure indie music magazine, a lifetime ago before the kaiju, before the war, before their letters, before the torrential rains and bright, neon lights of Hong Kong, before the metal, rusting Shatterdome lab where he had stood by Newton’s side until doomsday in a mad scramble to pull the world back from the teetering brink on the edge of the end.

As he sought the viewfinder again and peered through it, he realized… Newt was not smiling at the camera. Newt was smiling at him.

And in that moment, Hermann Gottlieb fell in love all over again.

[silavut]

The Tumblr

Something I’ve been working on… since… well… last year, really. It’s not my best work, but I had fun with it. I wanted to add more, but it had reached the end. So without further ado, I give you “The Tumblr.”

Once upon a Tumblr scrolling, while I reblogged, eyes a-rolling, Liking many a post of ancient texts and arts and more— Nearly sleeping, yeah as if, suddenly there came a notif, I see a reblog as a gift, as a gift they left me more. “Just some mutual,” I muttered, “reblogging from me yet more— They like and reblog even more.”

Ah, distinctly I remember it was that one meme from December; And each older ancient meme there found it’s way there back to fore. Eagerly I sought yet more;—vainly I had sought for yet more; From others I would reblog more—more to keep away the bore— For the rare and ancient older memes which were out there for no more— Lost out there for evermore.

And the writing, art, a hoard filling up my crazy dashboard Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic feelings never felt before; So that now, to still the wonder I felt inside, I repeated yet another “Just some mutual reblogging another art and even more— Some mutual reblogging another art even more;— Like and reblog even more.”

Presently my board grew longer; postings from many a blogger, “Wow,” said I, “go you fiends, truly your postings I adore; I cannot believe all the blorbos, art and writing and more so, And so many of your blorbos, blorbos being posted galore, That I was sure to scroll past”—then I scrolled to see more;— Eeby Deeby and many more.

Late into the nighttime scrolling, long I laid there scrolling, rolling Liking, reblogging memes no mortal ever dared to meme before; But the scrolling was unbroken, and the posting gave no token, After came the next meme there then was with the one word, “L’amour” This I stared at, and another post then with the word, “L’amour!”— Liking this reblogging more.

Back onto the dashboard scrolling, all around my mouse wheel rolling, Soon again I saw a notif and even more than before. “Surely,” said I, “surely usual reblogs from my mutual; Let me see, then, that mutual, and this notif explore— Let my scrolling stop a moment and this notif explore;— Then they reblog even more!”

Stopping then to scroll again, when, with posting my board did extend, With a posting of AO3 with chapters to read yet even more; Not the least of a smile I made; but a grin it was not to fade; But, with fingers flying I bade, I had to see what was in store— Fixed upon my screen of color just before my viewing orbs— Fixed, the text, to read some more.

Then the story now alluring kept on going and enduring, By the dozens they piled up the fanfics and originals galore, “Though surely there is an end to them,” I said, “but alas to begin, Many I have yet to read adding onto my list before— Tell me how many more shall there be on this dash of tales more!” Silence there forevermore.

Much I marvelled this ungainly reading to see another story so plainly, Though they keep on being written—being added even more; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Before was blessed with seeing so many fics and art galore— Fics or OCs upon the dashboard created with such fervor, With fanart to view even more.

But the dashboard, being filled up with all of these, still added All the more, as if their soul in writing those words did outpour. Many more then did I see—yet more of them came to me— For I really more than agree “All these posts I adore— On the board they will be shown, as many posts have been before.” Then yet I saw even more.

Seeing all the new posts added kept me going at it, “Crazy,” said I, “that these posts are being made yet more and more With videos, stories, and memes with such wonderful daydreams The dasboard bulging at the seams till the posts were reblogged more— Till the posts on the board which need to be reblogged more Given homes forevermore.

But the posts still beguiling all my fancy into smiling, Straight I tagged a mutual there onto my board, for one notif more Then, after tagging yet another, I then looked at every other Posting upon posting, liking what this whimsical board did store— What this great, ungainly, gnarly, giant, and whimsical board did store To reblog yet all the more.

This I sat engaged in posting, but no posts for boasting For the board had filled with new shows upon those before; GIFs and more I set to liking, with my hand on mouse divning On the button’s clacky clicking where the cursor hovered o’er; On the button-press clicking where the cursor hovered o’er, This I press, ah, all the more.

Then, methought, the posts grew wilder, coming from some new beguiler Made by Scorsese whose film was given a whole other score. “Whoa,” I cried, “Goncharov I see—on the dashboard I came to see Unreal—unreal it has to be from false memory of before See, oh see this unreality and keep up this new fun lore!” They continued posting more.

“Crazy!” said I, “Goncharov!—crazy stuff, it is not enough!— Whether poster sent, or whether others posted thee here aboard, Wonderful are the story lines, to the forefront from other minds— On this board by blogging posted—tell me truly, I implore— Is there—is there more of Goncharov?—tell me—tell me, I impore!” There they posted even more.

“Crazy!” said I, “Goncharov!—crazy stuff, it is not enough! By the posting that sends these to us—by that blog we all adore— Show this soul with eager yearning if, within the posts a-churning, It shall see a new one turning to give the new tale more lore— See another post is done turning to give the new tale more lore.” Posted there I saw yet more.

“See here now our sign of parting, Goncharov!” I voiced, mouse scrolling— “Set thee back into the dashboard and let the memes return once more! Leave there traces as a token of that tale OP hath posted! Leave thy posting there unbroken!—keep the post going some more! Keep thy meme post on my dash, and keep thy tale with all the lore!” Goncharov forevermore.

And the dashboard, always chilling, still is filling, still is filling With a manul cat of Pallas just upon my catered board; And the memes have all the seeming of the posters that are dreaming, And the art-work o’er here being shared all over on the board; And my soul with all that posting that lies floating on the board; Shall be lifted—all the more!