#boondock saints inspired au

[stellar-waves]

stay on my side tonight *

. . .

[ boondock saints : connor + unnamed fem!oc ] ⚠ warnings: 18+ only! explicit language, poorly written angsty smut, unprotected because established relationship A/N: Established relationship AU set just after the first movie. This has been sitting in my brain and in my drafts for a while, and I'm finally in a headspace that I was able to finish it (poorly). ♫ music inspiration: "Disintegration" by Jimmy Eat World

. . .

“You have some nerve, you know that?” 

She’s angry. She has every right to be angry. And Connor knows that. But still, he wanted to see her…he needed her.

“May I come in?” he asks quietly, shifting his weight under her firm gaze. The twist in her mouth gives him a bit of hope, coating his voice with a wash of desperation. “Please?”

She steps aside, letting him enter her apartment. He feels like a stranger, a ghost of what they used to be. She moves to the sofa, curling her legs up impatiently while Connor just stands there. He opens his mouth, searching for the right words to say…to fix this. 

She shakes her head and looks down at her fidgeting hands. “It’s all over the news.”

Her voice rips his heart apart. He should have told her. He should have told her the truth from the beginning. But he thought he could protect her, so he lied. With a lump in his throat, he forces himself to speak. “Lass, I…”

But she holds up her index finger, staring him down. “Don’t.” After a few heartbeats, she sucks in a breath, relaxing her shoulders as her face softens slightly. “I don’t want to fight right now. And if you apologize, I’ll want to fight, so just don’t.”

Connor slides off his coat and lays it on the dining table. He slips his hands into his jeans pockets, slowly walking back toward her, genuine and cautious. “What do ye want, then?” 

She can’t bring her eyes to meet his; instead, she rests her gaze on his forearms and shakes her head. “I just want to know why, Connor...why you didn’t tell me.”

He sits on the coffee table in front of her, resting his arms on his knees as he leans forward, wanting everything to go back and change what he had said in the past few months. “Would ye believe me if I said I wanted to protect ye?”

“No…well, yeah…fuck, I don’t know,” she covers her face with her hands and lets out a small, bitter groan. Connor wants to reach for her and place his hand on her knee, but he holds back, pulling air into his lungs when she wipes her cheeks and glares back at him. “But now I know. You still going to protect me?”

He presses his lips together, biting back the guilt and the fear. “Aye. That’s why I have to go away.”

The hurt in her eyes makes him want to crumble. All he has to do is offer to take her with him. But he can’t. Because it’s better to live with regret than risk putting her in danger. 

The questions spiral in her face, questions she knows he won’t answer. 

Connor rubs his thumb over the tattoo on his other hand, then twists the plain silver ring around his finger that matches hers—never traded in front of witnesses, never accompanied by a legal document, instead just a simple promise to each other. 

“When do you leave?” she asks quietly, breaking the thick silence between them, refusing to look at him. 

He inhales slowly, his promise to her shattering with one single word. “Soon.”

She nods, a tear escaping down her cheek as she still can’t bring her eyes back to him. She reaches out for the pack of cigarettes, her arm brushing against Connor with a chilling spark. Her breath hitches with hesitance, and she offers the box to him. He pulls two cigs out, along with the lighter he stole from his brother, lighting both simultaneously between his lips. He hands one to her and watches her body relax from the nicotine as she slowly blows out smoke. 

Her eyes finally meet his, a sense of resignation dulling the color of her irises. “Do what you want,” she says, her voice flat and void of expectation.

Connor takes another drag and hangs his head, his eyebrows pressing together as he watches the love they both knew fade away. “None of this is what I wanted. It just…it is what it is.” He rubs at the back of his neck, the rosary beads pinching his skin as if to remind him what remains at stake. And maybe that’s why he never told her, because he couldn’t understand why his devotion to the greater good started to outweigh his devotion to her. 

She hangs on her cigarette, her eyes narrow yet somehow empathetic. “Then do what you need to do.”

He breathes out, his chest tightening as he stares at her. She tamps out her smoke in the ashtray, and as Connor discards his own, she grabs his face and kisses him. He’s caught off guard, but the burning in his heart moves him. He threads his hands into her hair, deepening the kiss with his tongue. 

Because tonight, he needs her. 

He drags his lower lip over hers, drinking her in as she pulls him to the sofa. She strips his t-shirt over his head, the wooden cross falling to his stomach as he brings his arms back around her. He grips her hips, and she runs her fingers along his jawline, feeling the stubble of facial hair until her hands slide to his neck. His pulse drums next to the Virgin Mary tattoo, and he can’t tell if his blood is surging with love or desperation. 

Whatever it is, he feels it under her skin, too. 

She discards her shirt, leaving her bare breasts heaving as she reaches for his jeans. Connor moves his hand to assist, his fingers tangling against hers as they release his belt. His blood pumps harder into his veins as she takes off her remaining garments. His cock swells at the sight of her while his heart breaks simultaneously. 

A distant thunder growls in the night outside, bringing a steady rain pattering against the windows. Connor inhales slowly, his chest hot and sweaty against her hands. She stares at him with a palpable lust, though her eyes remain dark reminders of his lies, of his sins. Still, he needs her. 

He rolls back as she moves to straddle him. She wraps her fist around his cock, pumping him hard as his eyes drop to stare at her breasts. He rubs his hands around her ribcage, coercing her to lean in closer as he kisses her sternum.  She shifts above him, stroking his cock against her clit until he twitches and pulsates harder. He moans and digs his fingers into her skin. 

Connor can’t help but stare into her eyes as she positions his member to her entrance. Her eyebrows knit together briefly as he slides inside her, salt stinging his eyes as he watches her slowly begin thrusting. He knows this pain, this physical pain she feels, will be over in just a few seconds, just like every time before. But the other pain, the pain that will elude everything he knows about her…that pain still sits just under her skin. 

Despite the pleasure of their bodies being connected as one, Connor feels a tear fall fast down his cheek. His breath catches in his throat as she leans in, brushing her lips against his while her hair brushes his shoulder. “Shh,” she whispers into his mouth, wiping her thumb across his salt-stained cheek. 

But that dangerous mix of love and desperation rushing through Connor’s veins suddenly explodes in his heart. He kisses her frantically, holding her tightly as they tumble onto the floor together. He loops an arm under one leg, lifting her knee to hook onto his shoulder. The stretch coaxes a sultry moan from her throat, rippling into Connor as he shudders with desire. 

His bicep flexes as he holds her leg, and her walls tighten around him. Somehow, he blinks slowly, letting everything come back into focus as he feels the edge of her orgasm echo into him. Her eyes glisten, and her voice trembles slightly, staring at him as he holds her face with his other hand. “Stay.”

Connor’s gaze traces over his tattoo before finding hers again. He exhales softly, biting back the burning conflict inside his chest. “Tonight, álainn.”

A small smile tugs at her lips but quickly disappears as Connor moves ever so slightly inside her. She grasps his forearm that’s keeping her leg in place against him and wraps her other leg around his waist as she shivers in ecstasy. He thrusts harder, slower, holding onto this feeling for as long as possible…holding her for as long as the night will allow. 

Her orgasm sends shockwaves through her body, vibrating into Connor and pushing him to increase his pace. She groans loudly as she comes, and Connor knows he’s done for. He slams his hips into her once more, gasping as he releases inside her. 

As he stills his body and steadies his breath, Connor gently guides her leg off of his shoulder. He gently runs his hand back up her thigh to her hip before shifting himself to lie next to her on the floor. She inhales softly as Connor grazes his fingers across her forehead, brushing her hair off her face before trailing his hand down her collarbone. 

She presses her hand over his, rubbing her fingers against his knuckles until she stops at his ring. He doesn’t move, letting the sad silence fall between them as she pulls the ring from his finger. He deserves that, he admits to himself. But she slides her ring onto his finger instead, the smaller circle of silver unable to move past his first knuckle. “To remember,” she confesses quietly, hooking his larger ring on her index finger as she clasps his hand again.

Connor kisses the side of her head, muttering a hushed “come on” as he pulls her into his arms. Without argument, she loops her arms around him, and he carries her into the bedroom. She slides under the blankets and sheets, her naked body starting to shiver as the cold of night breaks through their dissipating heat. Connor begins to tuck her in, figuring it’d be best if he leaves now…but she reaches for his hand, tangling her fingers between his and yet somehow still holding onto his ring. Her eyes burn his soul as she pulls him into bed with her. 

She melts into him as he holds her tighter, feeling his rosary pressed between their skin as if to remind him of everything he’s done…everything that’s bigger than the love they used to know so well. 

Her broken heart beats against his own, and Connor swallows his pride as he blinks to release the tears he’d been holding back.

Tonight…stay tonight.

. . .

[majicmarker]

get to know me

tagged by: @thecryptkeeperskeeper 👻💕

favorite color(s): depends on the Thing. clothes? black. blankets? navy or mocha. phone cases? whatever complements my phone’s pale pink. flowers? yellow. her energy? amber. (bah-dum-tss)

last song: “i’ll still feel for you,” by pretty bleak

currently reading: christ i’ve not been much for reading lately. my last one was over the summer, the murdstone trilogy by mal peet (and *highly* recommend), but haven’t been in the bookish mood. it’ll come back around, tho, and then i’ll hit the library for another funky little book i’ve never heard of before <3

currently watching: rewatching criminal minds, rewatching the boondock saints + the sequel every few days bc Nothing Else quite scratches that particular itch, catching up with st. denis medical whenever i need a break from all the murder, new eps of the sex lives of college girls on thursdays, stephen colbert when i feel out of touch with the world’s goings-on, and friends or daria while i’m falling asleep

(it’s been a tv mood lately, hence my reading not-happenin’-at-the-moment)

currently craving: the healing power of true love, and i wish that was a joke.

also and more attainably, tacos and like 60oz of margarita from the local chain

coffee or tea: i’m a prepared can of iced coffee kinda caffeine gremlin—starbucks, international delight, whatever, i just wanna get my white chocolate mocha and/or various candy flavors on

hobby to try: i’ve been meaning to kinda junk journal my way through my new book of shadows, which means what i really need to do is haul all of my supplies out of their cupboard so i stop forgetting they exist.

i’ve also gotten into collecting and listening to vinyl, but a girl’s only got so much spare cash ヽ(⌐■_■)ノ♪♬

current au: the big ongoing project rn is the bethyl boondock saints-inspired au, buuuuuut i’m also playing with a one-shot inspired by luke bryan’s “crash my party” (among my most romantic songs of all time)—

summary: “Daryl keeps doing nice things for Beth and gettin’ the hell outta there before she can thank him.” it’s very slice-of-life feel-good butterflies romance and not that i’ve been yearning lately or anything—

tagging: whoever wants to and also @carry-the-sky @redbelles @sluttyhenley @hangon-silvergirl @littlelindentree @maybedeadbutstillpretty @sail-not-drift @woodswit @winterrose527

[absoluteocellibehavior]

Tag Game for “People I’d Like to Get to Know Better”! Tagged by the lovely, beautiful @bizarreohmart <3

Last song: “Blonde Dynamite” by Caravan Palace. Man, I love me some Electroswing and their new album Gangbusters Melody Club is *chef’s kiss*.

Favorite color: Purple. No question. It’s a good color!! Can you blame me??

Last book: Gosh it’s been so long since I’ve pleasure read but I believe it was “Thirteen Storyes” by Jonathan Sims! I’m also going to make a plug for my absolute favorite book series “The Shadowhunter Chronicles”. I have all the books and OUGH!! Those are good!

Last Movie: “The Boondock Saints”! GOSH, that was good!! Highly recommend!

Last TV Show: Me and the fam are working through season two of Arcane at the moment! I am sobbing! I am not ok! We’re sooooo chillin- *sobs*

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: SPICY!! I think it’s usually sweet for me but we had Cajun for Thanksgiving and I’m in the mood :]

Relationship Status: Taken >:D

Last Thing I Searched: Ah, let’s see… “Jewish prayer times”! Can you tell that Holy Ghosts religion sharing has been on my mind? HA!

Current Obsession: Speaking of which, Malevolent!! Specifically this Malevolent and TMA AU that lives in the realm of me and my friend’s discord chat. That and now a Malevolent/Critical Role crossover. So, Malevolent in general! I’ve pretty much been living in that Discord server and was even featured on the most recent Malevolent Autopsy! Yay!

Looking Forward To: End of the semester! Christmas villages! Seeing long distance friends! Sharing a Blood and Sand with my friend on her 21st! Malevolent gift exchange!

Favorite Drink: DR PEPPER CREAM SODA IS A GUILTY PLEASURE!! OH IT’S GOOD. But a nice Old Fashioned for special occasions <3

Song Playing on Loop in Your Head 24/7: “Experience” by Ludovico Einaudi. That song has inspired countless stories for many years now. It’s beautiful…

Current Favorite Character: Just one?! I’ll give you two. The partners: Charlie Dowd and Roland Cummings! I’m still listening to Malevolent and I’m working my way through Harlan’s first Call of Cthulhu campaign. I’m in denial about both of them. They’re in the Waylay sharing a Moscow Mule and Old Fashioned and you cannot convince me otherwise (this is a fanfic I’m planning on writing too).

Fun Activity You’d Really Like to Get Into: Book binding!! I think it’d be so neat. I’ve got this hand bound journal that I sketch in and it’s one of my favorite things. I’d love to learn leather work and how to make your own paper! This just combines those two in a perfect way.

Last Video Game: Played? Stardew Valley! I will marry Harvey or Sam come hell or high water. Now, watched about eight hours of lore videos over? Faith: The Unholy Trinity. Horrifying game. Delicious lore. SO good. Father Garcia, my beloved <3.

Last Comic/Graphic Novel: Truthfully, it was the garbage, totally inaccurate comic called “Samson: Judge of Israel” for my Old Testament class but I don’t wanna talk about that unless you want me to rant about modern Christians reading Jesus into the Old Testament where He shouldn’t be read into (*rasa frasas in Catholic Religion Major*). I will say that the art was stunning in it though. The last one I read out of choice was Blue Exorcist! I don’t think I’m caught up with it anymore but that is my favorite manga of all time! Father Shiro Fujimoto, my beloved <3

(Did I just “my beloved” two priest characters back to back? That wasn’t purposeful! You know, while we’re at it, Father Oscar Malevolent and Father Edwin Burroughs TMA, my beloved <3)

As for tagging!! My dearests @rightpastnowhere , @vee-lociraptor , and @rosesofenvy !! I’d love to hear from you! No pressure at all though <3

[leandraderaven]

Archangels Chapter 27 (Final) - Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

The final chapter is here!

Or catch up here

Thank you to @riverdalenerdlol and @mieteve-minijoma you are the best power betas. i love you!

[zebraljb]

Top 5 things that you've written?

Part of me is hesitating, because I feel like I’m like bragging or something dumb. But I’m gonna take this as you asking about stories that I’m proud of writing.  This was a fun walk down memory lane for me - thank you!

In no certain order...

5. Solitude - a Phantom of the Opera Erik/Raoul story I wrote when the movie came out, so, 2004?  I have improved as a writer but this was way out of my comfort zone and people (at least on livejournal, back in the day) really liked it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/420861

4.  Sound of the Sea - A Chris Kirkpatrick/JC Chasez real person slash fic.  I was HUGELY involved in the boyband fic fandom back in the day, and a friend made an offhand suggestion about a retelling of The Little Mermaid with JC as the mermaid.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/333496/chapters/538669

3. Home - A Boondock Saints twincest story (Connor & Murphy McManus).  I discovered the movie shortly after it came out, and was completely enamored of the fandom.  This is an AU where the twins are separated at birth and find out AFTER they fall in love while at university.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/343188/chapters/556608

2. This one is a tie. It’s just too hard.  The Driving the Nail series (Merhartwin, also known as ‘Puppy Eggsy’) because it is just too fun to write and people have been so supportive, and Photographs and Memories, a Harry/Eggsy ABO story where Eggsy gets pregnant on their 24 hours together and thinks Harry is dead in Kentucky.

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1525892

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21521815/chapters/51300637

1. Talk to Me - A Kingsman Merlin/Eggsy AU fondly called ‘Shy Eggsy’ by people I talk to about it. :)  My most hit story ever.  Inspired by the prompt “elevator meeting,” Eggsy is a very shy young man who has a hard time speaking to just about everyone.  He gets stuck in an elevator with his new boss, and sparks fly from there.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/16716233/chapters/39205757

[thewincestgospel]

Adam deserved better….

but that last episode was pretty damn good so with that in mind how about a list of stories that feature baby boy Adam Milligan Winchester

Boston's Saints by   NaughtyPastryChef  Sam and Dean Winchester are a little rude, a little crude and would rip the world apart to save each other. A Wincest retelling of the movie Boondock Saints.        

The Brother Kings  by keep_waking_up   There were stories about them.  The Brother Kings of Winchester.    

Brother Mine by etrix John was out on a hunt when the call came: Kate Milligan was dead, and John was named in her will as the guardian of her son—his son—Adam. Pissed but knowing his duty, Dean pulled Sam out school during exam week, and they went to Windom in the thick of the Minnesota winter. 7-yr-old Adam was a lot like Sammy at that age, but Dean wasn't ready to accept him as another Winchester. Then the boy's life was threatened and all bets were off.

Dean Winchester vs. the World  In order to date his brother, Dean Winchester has to defeat Sam's seven evil exes. Inspired by Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Flowers in the Impala by Evandar Kate wants them to be a family - really, she does - but there's something wrong with John's boys. 

Gamble on a Little Sorrow  by  nigeltde   Adam wakes up in hospital after the events of Jump the Shark, his mother dead, his face cut up, and his right arm gone from the elbow. His life destroyed and out of his depth, he joins his new half-brothers on the road to the apocalypse. They introduce him to Ellen and Jo, and Bobby; they teach him how to shoot, and lie, and be a Winchester. But Sam and Dean are dealing with their own demons, and the cost of war is heavy.       

It's a Long, Long Road by  Twisted-Slinky   Pre-series AU. Dean's sleeping off a hunt when he gets a call from a kid claiming to be his half brother. The weirdest part? It's true. He's already had one brother leave him, and Dean doesn't want to chance another rejection from his own blood, but for some reason, he can't simply forget Adam Milligan exists, even if he knows it would probably be safer for both of them.      

Keep This Secret  by ellerkay Sam and Dean travel to the fairy realm hoping to make a deal to get Adam released from the Cage. The price: their shared secret.                

Living Like a Fucking Happy Family by Eipos John killed the Yellow-Eyed Demon. The Winchester's mission is done. So John brings his boys to Kate and Adam to try and have a normal family.However, Sam and Dean don't know how to live normally. They've been on the run all their lives. They know how to kill a monster in fifty different ways. They don't know how they're supposed to let John and Kate take care of them. They don't know how to stop looking over their shoulder.But they have each other and that's not going to change.

The Middle Child by  morrezela   In a world where all three Winchester brothers made it out of that building without becoming angel suits, Sam has to adjust to his new role in Dean’s life and Adam’s obsession with his sex life.

Pendulum's Resolve  by  bluebells  Adam doesn't want to upset the delicate balance between his brothers, but said brothers have stubbornness issues.

Shell Game by rivkat   Sam and Adam Winchester know when they’re being conned. Problem is, this new guy Dean Milligan seems to really be their half-brother. Adam is unamused, Sam is unfazed, and Dean is inappropriate.            

SkyFall V.1 by SilasSolarius   Summary: AU! Post Season 7. After failing save Castiel from the leviathans, the boys find themselves awakening in the past, in the time before Dean made the deal and their father is still alive. Can the handle juggling the knowledge of the impending apocalypse, their horrible future, and Sam's broken mind, all the while hiding their more than brotherly relationship from their suspicious father.                                    

We Make Our Own Future by Eilonwy_the_white   In an A/B/O universe where there are two genders (male/female) and three designations, life could be better for an om. Federal and state laws are restrictive, making life for an unmated omega all but impossible to navigate. Sam Campbell and Dean Winchester meet when Dean is enrolled with his younger brother, Adam, in a boarding school that trains alphas to be hunters. Adam and Dean's father, John, is a transient hunter while Sam's grandfather is a powerful official with the Federal Department of Hunters, but despite their differences the three young boys become friends. When Dean presents unexpectedly as an omega and is expelled, his friendship with Sam is fundamentally changed. Dean goes on to be a hunter and Sam goes off to college, returning to the life after a few years.Now all grown up and active hunters themselves, Sam and Dean hate each other. Or do they...? One night, a hotel room, and a Lord of the Rings drinking game are about to change everything.

the world will end in fire  by: a.lakewood Sam and Adam fall into a clandestine relationship, and the strain of the job and the secret eventually takes its toll on them. Then Dean finds out.            

[justonebadspray]

8 People I’d Like to Know Better:

ONE / ( ALIAS / NAME ) -  Beyond / B / BB - this has been my online alias for ten years now, oh my gosh.

TWO / ( BIRTHDAY ) - September 2nd.

THREE / ( ZODIAC SIGN ) - Virgo.

FOUR / ( HEIGHT ) - 5′9′’ - 5′10″

FIVE / ( HOBBIES ) - Writing, sewing, singing, dancing...does tormenting my RP partners with evil AU / Plot ideas count as a hobby? If not, then I suppose aesthetic-making.

SIX / ( FAVORITE COLOR ) - Pastels. Anything pastel.

SEVEN / ( FAVORITE BOOKS ) -The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix; anything by Gerald Brom - I highly recommend Lost Gods, Child Thief, and Krampus; The School for Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani; and Perfect Blue by Yoshikazu Takeuchi.

EIGHT / ( LAST SONG LISTENED TO ) - What’s Love Got To Do With It? Cover by Prides

NINE / ( LAST FILM WATCH ) - A rewatch of The Boondock Saints, because it’s my favorite comfort movie when I’m sick.

TEN / ( INSPIRATION FOR MUSE  ) - Honestly I don’t really know. The inspiration from Jeremiah mostly comes from the show, but I try to sprinkle a little bit of BtAS here and there, a little Ledger where it’s due.

ELEVEN / ( STORY BEHIND URL ) - Okay so this wasn’t my original URL, but I lost my old login so I had to completely remake. “justonebadspray” comes from the line where Jeremiah and Jerome are confronting each other in the Maze and his brother tells him that everyone could go insane with just one bad day. But in Jeremiah’s case it’s ‘more like one bad spray.’

Tagged by: @stagekiller - Grazie~

Tagging: @prcttypoiscn, @nygmaa, @imperialkingpin, @hrlyqn, @acertiijo, @loonhell, @multiiis, @sovthside ~

[ao3feed--bughead]

by LeandraDeRaven

The Irish twin Brothers Sweet pea and Jughead Jones had enough from the criminal live of the Serpent Riverdale. They chose a live and path with god. But when Jason Blossom got murdered they knew that they couldn’t let Riverdale become to a City of blood and crime, especially when the life of Jughead's long secret love - a woman who was far to good for him - was on the line. But does this justify The self-righteous path the two brothers have chosen. Are they simple serial killers and no better than Clifford Blossom or are they Riverdales new archangels - Every coin has two sides - but does the end justify the means? And what will Jugheads sweet blond best friend say, when she discovers that the man she trusted the most is no better than anyone else in this God damn forsaken town…

Words: 3583, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Riverdale (TV 2017)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con

Categories: F/M

Characters: Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, Sweet Pea (Riverdale), Hal Cooper, Alice Cooper (Archie Comics), Malachi (Riverdale), NICK (Ghoulies) Riverdale, Sheriff Tom Keller, Pop Tate, Sierra McCoy, Hiram Lodge, Veronica Lodge, Archie Andrews, Toni Topaz, Joaquin DeSantos, Kevin Keller

Relationships: Betty Cooper/Jughead Jones, Jughead Jones & Sweet Pea, Betty Cooper & Sweet Pea, Betty Cooper & Jughead Jones, Cheryl Blossom & Betty Cooper

Additional Tags: Friends to Lovers, Heavy Angst, dark themes, double morality, jughead and sweet pea are irish twin brothers, post serpent jughead, Bystander Effect, Jughead is older than Betty, Protective Jughead Jones, Alternate Universe, boondock saints inspired AU, Betty Cooper Needs a Hug, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Self-Harm, Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, Blood and Violence, Blood and Injury

[weapon13whitefang]

So lets call this “Part II” of the “I was tagged by @im-immortal to share my WIPs” and the last list was the “these are in a file and I need to get at them” and this is the “I started posting these then stopped” list... And a little explanation of why I stopped for some.

1.] Baby, I Want You Back [Guardians of the Galaxy] - A human!Yondu and Meredith Quill fic that I know a lot of people were interested in me writing. I myself was very excited about it. So I started writing it out and had a few chapters done before I eventually just kind of died down in interest / ran out of motivation... Also I want this fic to be as authentic to the time period as possible so I have a lot of research I'm doing for thee 70s and 80s since I wasn't around at that time and only know the basic shit, ya know?

2.] The Mark [The Walking Dead] - A soulmate AU featuring Daryl and Beth and Shawn Greene and how one handles and feels about having a soul mark that’s supposed to “tie you” to someone that is supposed to be “perfect” for you... Or is it all just bullshit? That’s the discovery here. I always read these soulmate AUs where once the soulmates find each other, everything is all sweet and good. Which is fine and I love it... But I wanted to try a different route. I still know what I want for this fic just now how to go on with it...

3.] But, Oh, Those Summer Nights [The Walking Dead] - Crossover of Bethyl meets Grease... Really that’s it. I just wanted to mix Grease with Beth and Daryl. Obviously I’m taking some personal liberties with it but yeah, that’s what I wanted to do... I just kinda paused and wrote myself into a corner I’m trying to wiggle out of. Cause I know the movie/play like the back of my hand... Now to remake it and get it not stupid. Because Obviously Drayl isn’t exactly like Danny so I can’t make him completly Mr. Smooth... But I have the next chapter started just need to... Push. Ya know? 

4.] Dizzy With a Canary [The Walking Dead] - Merle/Beth 1930s gangster AU that I was inspired to do after listening to a lot of old rat pack music and from reading the Lackadaisy comics and from reading a book on the last 100 years of my city and seeing all the cool stuff from the 20s and 30s in it... Plus I just like the whole Roaring 20s/30s gangster era and the prohibition act and flapper girls and I was so inspired... But now I’m not sure how I want to go with Beth and Merle and how to lead up to their relationship without it being rushed.

5.] In The Air [The Walking Dead] - This is a Brickyl Werewolf piece that every day I swear I get a message asking when I’m gonna continue and guys I’m so sorry I’m trying I really am... I just can not get the next chapter to feel right at all and it’s bugging the fuck out of me... So I’ve been rereading a lot of werewolf literature and fanfics again so hopefully it helps... Ahhhh!

6.] Gotta Get Underground [The Walking Dead] - Labyrinth meets Bethyl with my own twist that I really wanna play on some of the myths of Oberon and humans and faes as well but that’s a lot of research I’m dealing with so forgive those that actually are into this piece...

7.] Of Angels and Crusaders [The Walking Dead/The Boondock Saints] - This MacManus/Beth piece has done a 180 for how I had planned it out so that’s literally the main reason I haven’t updated... That and my writing style has changed a bit and I needed a break from The Boondock Saints for awhile and just didn’t want to hate this piece because it’s actual;ly my baby and I want to do it justice!

8.] Through The Years [Casper] - Yes a Casper fic staring Kat growing up through the years and undigging the mystery that is Caspers past - including his relation to his Uncles and their past and mixing in a bit of a tense attraction between a ghost and human. Still one of my favorite pieces I started and really want to finish.

And there’s me dragging myself for all the actual pieces I’ve posted and that people want me to finish... I won’t tag anyone here.. I’m just gonna go hide my head in a hole in shame lol!

[laceratedphoenix]

//When there’s part of me that wants a Boondock Saints inspired AU. 

[wings-of-a-raven]

Author Honesty Hour

I just randomly stole this from someone who tagged @prettyepiic cuz it looked like fun. :) “imagines” are really my fics, obviously lol.

1. Which is the imagine you’re most proud of?

Probably Anytime, Sweetheart. 

2. Which is your least favorite?

I don’t really have one, I don’t think. 

3. If you were to recommend one to read to your mum/mom?

Oh geeze, lol. Um, my mom shares my love for John Winchester and country music, so probably 8 Second Ride

4. Which one would you consider re-writing?

Feral, there are a lot of past/present tense errors in it that I’d like to clean up.

5. Biggest regret in an imagine?

That I started writing Angels and published it without any idea of where it was going, and now my muse hates the whole thing. 

6. Biggest success with an imagine?

Either Gonna Make it Better or Fuck You Daryl Dixon, those two have the most notes out of any of my fics I believe. 

7. Your imagine with the most notes?

See answer above. 8 Second ride has over a hundred as well.

8. Your imagine with the least notes

I would have to say that would be The Boondock Saints Three

9. What do you think makes a good imagine? Tips?

Writing for an audience of one.

10. When’s the next update on your works?

Well, I have something coming out tomorrow morning, but the next update of Whiskey Sweetheart should HOPEFULLY be out Friday. Hopefully. 

11. Number of followers before you started writing and after?

I had zero followers xD and now I have like 400 on my writing blog. 

THE WRITER

1. Which character do you love writing for?

Daryl Dixon is a lot of fun for me, but Dean Winchester is a close second. 

2. Which character do you dislike writing for?

I wouldn’t write anything for someone I disliked writing, lol. 

3. What’s your favorite AU to write for?

I don’t write AU :/

4. What’s your least favorite AU to write for?

All of them, lol. 

5. What do you hope never gets requested?

Uhhhh who knows. 

6. What do you wish was requested more?

I only take requests when I do contests, but I would like to see some Castiel.

7. Thoughts on writing Smut/POC/Curvy/MxM/FxF?

Smut is my go-to, and from what I’ve been told, I’m pretty good at it, lol. I don’t feel comfortable writing POC because, as a white girl, I can’t relate and don’t wanna fuck shit up. Just like as a skinny girl, it’s hard to write curviness, because I write as if I’m the person fucking the character (and all of my OC’s are little like me, because it’s what I know) but I do my best when the time comes. I have like ONE MxM (destiel) scene in Angels and it was fun, but I don’t know if I’m any good at it, as well as there’s one FxFxM scene in Whiskey that was difficult because SO MANY FINGERS.

8. Which account is your biggest inspiration in writing?

bro that’s gonna have to go to @jesbakescookies, because her dirtyness gets my dirtyness and makes me think of other kinky things to do with Daryl.

9. How long have you been an imagine writer for?

I wrote Ville Valo and Bam Margera and Harry Potter FF back like 12 years ago on Quizilla, but only recently pickedit back up again in March or April.

10. Any upcoming secret works? 🤔

Not really a secret, but yes.

tagging @srj1990 @dragongirl420 @jesbakescookies

[majicmarker]

fanfic writer interview

tagged by: @carry-the-sky 🩵⋆˙⟡

what fandoms do you write in?

currently revisiting my daryl/beth (twd) fixation, as well as getting some of my eddie/chrissy (st) squared away.

i started way back when with lily/james (hp), dabbled with some other ships therein, then moved on to jon/sansa and theon/sansa (got). i've also played with katniss/haymitch (thg) and alina/the darkling (sab), and some crossover crackships.

so, y'know. it's really become a "whatever i feel like" thing, which is probably what fanfic should be, anyway.

how many words have you published in 2024?

my darling i haven't the faintest idea <3

what is your greatest achievement this year?

finally wrapping my head around the fact that this is all for fun, removing myself from the fandom arena of it all, and just writing what i want to write and leaving it there. this foundation has always been there, but i've definitely lost sight of it so many times over the years; now, though, i've settled into it.

what are your top three fics you've written this year?

what comes next, hey, bust a move : the revamped and in-progress bethyl/boondock saints-inspired au

wish he would get over you : the eddissy/jason pov that i at last updated, and god willing (or not willing, even, this isn't any of his business) i will finish it—

that was it for this year! i've been focusing more and more on original stuff, but i think having a couple fanfic side-projects now will do me some good. i'm finding the balance.

what was your biggest pit of despair moment?

i don't think anything? not in relation to fanfic, at least, if only because i wasn't doing much of it during this rotation 'round the sun. but in general i think any creative pursuit comes with its highs and lows, and learning how to ride those waves is part of getting better at your art.

what have you learned?

how to ride those aforementioned waves, and letting them be fun.

did you beta any fics? any faves you want to shout out?

not this year! my day job is, for all intents and purposes, beta-ing. if someone asks, though, i'm usually up for it!

what three fics have you read this year that you love?

mostly i've been rereading old loves, BUT i did at last stumble across algorithm love song by @littlelindentree. 10/10 instant classic comfort fic.

what ideas are percolating for next year?

nothing fresh and hip, i'm afraid! with new and good things happening with my original stuff, fanfic is officially my little hobby de-stressor (and about goddamn time, too). once i wrap up some eddissy, i'll focus on the bethyl bds fic and whatever one-shots hit.

there are other wips i'd like to finish, but the truth is they're not a priority right now; i'll work on them if/when the mood strikes. some of them might need a full redo if i pick them up again, but we'll cross that bridge… at some point, probably.

who do you want to thank?

@littlelindentree for, however inadvertently, somehow jedi mind-tricking me into working on bethyl again, which has been really fun and it's reminded me of how much this dynamic inspires me.

@sluttyhenley for letting me in her inbox so we can both Yell and also academically examine the finer points of this ship.

@carry-the-sky for a really lovely conversation a few weeks ago about our Feelings About Writing that was all things helpful and validating

@hangon-silvergirl bc rereading the buzz in particular has helped me out of a few of the worse depressive spots this year <3

tagging: literally anyone who feels like it. tag me back so i can see! x

[loonyloopylisa]

Omg, now I’m thinking like a Boondocks Saints inspired fic. Like, without the religious component but with the bone deep belief they’re doing the right thing. And with them pulling off impossible crimes.

If it’s AU then Steve could be Willem Dafoe, trying to catch these guys as he slowly decides they’re in the right.

Okay but who wants to talk about Bucky and Clint going on a killing spree and exacting revenge against Hydra? And then anyone they deem evil or unworthy? I just really need some dark, dark Winterhawk please and thank.

[leandraderaven]

Archangels sneak peek chapter 27 (final chapter) - Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Everyone was out of the tall hall now. Hiram was dead. It was Jughead and Penny now. And Betty. An inner voice has told her to stay... so she did...

“Ah I should have made the connection as soon as I saw this pretty lady. Young and Innocent!”

“Shut the fuck up Penny.” Jughead just shouted, pointing the gun towards her head.

“You think you scare me with that. You don't have the guts to do it.” Penny spatted with an evil love.

“Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that Penny.You have brought misery over Riverdale. You still do. Using little kids to feed other's men sinful behavior. Ending their innocence and destroying them for a lifetime.”

Penny started to laugh evil. “You think you are high and mighty Jughead. Look at yourself married to a woman who looks exactly like the version of that little girl....

His hands were shaking, Betty could see him loosing it. Penny was messing with his head.

“I said shut the fuck up and go down on your fucking knees.” Jughead shouted and his entire body was shaking from rage.

“And then what. You're going to shoot me... What is this revenge going to give you Jug? A peace of mind? I am not the problem here. You are?” Penny spoke further

She wanted to break him. That's not going to happen. Betty just thought and her feet begin slowly to move forward. Trying to catch his gaze to ground  and encourage him, but he was far too gone...

“I said shut the fuck up!” He yelled and his hands were shaking even more.

“Admit it  Jug. Admit it. You liked it. “ Penny said with an evil grin looked at him.

Jughead stopped for a second and murmured: “That's not true... That's not true.”

Penny broke him. Betty could see it. But this won't be how it ends... Betty knew that Jughead needed to do this and that she was lying.

She was almost by his side, when she saw his shaken hand sink and his knees shake.

Betty didn't even know why she started to move. It was just the right thing to do. Her calling. She stepped beside her husband like an angel od Justice and vengeance and reached for her husband shaking palm.

He didn't even realized what she was doing and that was good. His hand automatically steadied under her touch and she resettled the gun in his hand. She moved it upwards and began to place his finger over the trigger.

“She lying Jug. “ She whispered into his ear, But he didn't seem to realize it.

“That's not true... That's not true. He murmured over and over again, but still holding the gun steadily in position under Betty's tender grip.

And then as if god spoke through her, familiar words of the holy book were leaving her tongue smoothly and quietly:

“And shepherds we shall be. For thee, my Lord, for thee.”

With every spoken words she felt him more and more calm

“Power hath descended forth from thy hand that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command.

His finger twitched upon the trigger...

“So we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be.

In Nomeni Patri, Et Fili Spiritus Sancti.”

BANG it echoed through the air as soon as the words of God were spoken...

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

“When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold in judgement, I will take vengeance upon my enemies and I shall repay those who have hazed me. Oh Lord, raise me to thy right hand and count me among thy saints.” 

Get ready for the final chapter of Archangels!

This week on AO3

Until then catch up here

[theao3feed-bughead]

Archangels

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2WtyuvY

by LeandraDeRaven

The Irish twin Brothers Sweet pea and Jughead Jones had enough from the criminal live of the Serpent Riverdale. They chose a live and path with god. But when Jason Blossom got murdered they knew that they couldn’t let Riverdale become to a City of blood and crime, especially when the life of Jughead's long secret love - a woman who was far to good for him - was on the line. But does this justify The self-righteous path the two brothers have chosen. Are they simple serial killers and no better than Clifford Blossom or are they Riverdales new archangels - Every coin has two sides - but does the end justify the means? And what will Jugheads sweet blond best friend say, when she discovers that the man she trusted the most is no better than anyone else in this God damn forsaken town…

Words: 3583, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Riverdale (TV 2017)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con

Categories: F/M

Characters: Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, Sweet Pea (Riverdale), Hal Cooper, Alice Cooper (Archie Comics), Malachi (Riverdale), NICK (Ghoulies) Riverdale, Sheriff Tom Keller, Pop Tate, Sierra McCoy, Hiram Lodge, Veronica Lodge, Archie Andrews, Toni Topaz, Joaquin DeSantos, Kevin Keller

Relationships: Betty Cooper/Jughead Jones, Jughead Jones & Sweet Pea, Betty Cooper & Sweet Pea, Betty Cooper & Jughead Jones, Cheryl Blossom & Betty Cooper

Additional Tags: Friends to Lovers, Heavy Angst, dark themes, double morality, jughead and sweet pea are irish twin brothers, post serpent jughead, Bystander Effect, Jughead is older than Betty, Protective Jughead Jones, Alternate Universe, boondock saints inspired AU, Betty Cooper Needs a Hug, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Self-Harm, Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, Blood and Violence, Blood and Injury

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2WtyuvY

[toddlazarski]

Milwaukee’s Best Ethnic Eating Strips

Shepherd Express

“Try getting a reservation at Dorsia now!” implores Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, before some tasteful profanities, and in the middle of raining bloody ax murder upon an unsuspecting Jared Leto. Dorsia, as it happens, is the name of the new restaurant taking over the lease of Mimma’s Cafe. Which means the longstanding pasta emporium, largely credited with establishing the neighborhood as a dining destination in the 80’s and a reminder of the quarter’s Italian heritage, is being replaced by a name inspired by every frat bro’s second favorite movie (behind only Boondock Saints). In the process, a classic, with a perfectly situated mid-strip spot, will join the likes of Cempazuchi, Bosley on Brady, the real Glorioso’s, and, soon, around-the-corner Trocadero, as victims of the mysterious restaurant death panel that might make a long time Milwaukee-observer ponder: what’s happened to Brady Street?

There’s still foot traffic, and really nothing to complain about at Easy Tyger or La Masa. But, looking around, seeing the Whole Foods-ification of Glorioso’s, the rock n’ roll rehash of Angelo’s Lounge, hearing the names of Sinatra-soundtracked Brady Street Sicilian joints of a longgone yesteryear - Cataldo’s, Tarantino’s, Joey’s, Giovanni’s - it’s hard not to get a little nostalgic for the old standby strip. Or, at the very least, the idea of the old standby strip: The kind of immigrant row with whiffs of an old country, like De Niro setting up shop in the Lower East Side in Part 2. With a sense of neighborhoody appetite buzz, single-item specialists, familial business secrets, and many dining options far from Jack’s American Pub (actual name). If you stick to the main drags of Milwaukee food now - monied Milwaukee St, hip KK, new and whitewashed ‘Tosa North Avenue -  it’d be easy to wonder: Did such strips ever even exist?  

It actually takes a bit of poking around the Milwaukee fringes, a bit more gas money. But a little searching can still yield little enclaves, unexpected bands, and classic ethnic eating cluster streets that really should be setting property values.  

6.

2nd and National

Yes, everybody knows about Walker’s Point - Milwaukee’s little Brooklyn. With tattoo-ed chefs and their fetishistic food and low rent former warehouses becoming small plate destinations. There’s Braise and the Noble. The great and nearly indistinguishable 3 M’s (Morel, Meraki, Movida). The friendly, delightfully-greasy, curd-crushing Camino. The delicious and miraculous melting pot that is still Steny’s. The old zapato comfort of Cielito Lindo. But what many may miss, maybe unless you happen to be lucky enough to occasionally await the 15 bus southbound on 1st and Bruce, is the confluence of cooking smells from the Walker’s Point Plaza that is a bit like walking through the halls of an overcrowded apartment building in Queens at supper time. Indian, Mexican, and Greek, side by side, wafting, offer a gastronomic cloud as stinkily delicious as possible. A little fish, some lamb, ghee, fry grease. Despite all the offerings - Cafe India, Taco Bandito, Gyro Palace - being just decent, it’s the American experiment come back to life. Plus, it’s part of a Mobil gas station lot, with a liquor store built right in. It’s actually a magically utilitarian corner, and a manifest of the truest kind of melting pot.    

5.

Layton Avenue

The proximity to the airport makes for apt appetite takeoffs - really toward all points. But one should start with Pho Hai Tuyet, a onetime fast food spot hastily rejiggered as a Vietnamese joint. There’s a bountiful menu, all kinds of pho, noodle and rice dishes, many dishes that start with the letter ‘X’. But there’s only one bahn mi, and only one necessary. It’s certainly the best sandwich of it’s kind, or maybe any kind, in Milwaukee. The big French bready beast is remarkably consistent, always put together with love and a liberal topping hand, with a subtle sauciness, gigantic fresh jalapeno slices, not too much carrot wedgery, and a garden of cilantro. It’s such a construct even mediocre meat would round out the package. Yet the bit-sized pork scrags are always tender, moist, indefinably, piggily perfect every time. Kim’s Thai applies near the same care to chicken. Curries and fried rice dishes abound here, with customized spice levels, and careful crisp all around. But it’s the house specialty - chicken wings stuffed with minced chicken, vegetables, noodles and cilantro, that defies reason with good taste. Or maybe vice versa. Also down the block are Bangkok House, Ramallah Grille, Pho Cali, etc, seemingly for good measure, for helping prove the hypothesis that the best food in most towns resides within a tortilla’s toss of the airport.

There’s Oakland Gyros for something completely different, the greasy standby at once a reminder of college drunken munchies, and, something still exotically Mediterranean. Or, at the same end of the caloric spectrum, but of a time continuum so different it feels cultural, is Nite Owl. It’s a burger joint comfortably situated somewhere between early Eisenhower and American Graffiti, all grease and meaty, onion-y, soft white bun satisfaction. A bit closer to the here and now is Martino’s, the only even semi-legitimate offerer of Chicago’s every-corner Italian Beef sandwich. Like embracing a fear of flying, it’s important to remember you only live once, so, get it dipped - the entire beef and pepper and mozz brick quick-bathed in au jus, then appearing like a glistening meat sponge on your tray. As long as you’re this far off any kind of sensible diet wagon, why not embrace the buttery gluttony of our very own Culver’s? No matter how far your appetite travels, it’s nice to know you can still go home again. And home tastes like stomach-regret - but the worth-it, Grandma’s-griddle kind. 

4.

South 27th Street

You wouldn’t think it, what with the car dealerships and wide boulevard of suburban traffic and glaring hints of Chili’s country, but from Grange-ish down to College, behind the 27th Street scenes exists a lamb-scented mini Middle Eastern row. Al-Yousef boasts two massive spinning shawarma's, a sizzling flattop, and subsequent smells of a back alley food bazaar. The beef kofta kebab is a saucy, spicy Turkish sort of burrito, chock with garlic-y meat, pungent juices, snappy vegetables, and thai hot sauce, the whole thing grilled for good measure and impossible to leave the parking lot without tearing through the butcher paper for. Then there’s Holy Land, with arguably the best hummus in town, and falafel reminiscent of street cart-Istanbul. Amanah Food Market is the spot for Arabic bread and hookah and tobacco needs. And, again, of course, kebabs. If you’re looking to go further, much further, east, you’re already right there. Pho Viet yields massive bowls of luxuriant pho. Or you can get adventurous in your own kitchen. Pacific Produce is next door, and provides the refrigerator-list necessities: rambutan, durian, jackfruit, dragonfruit, frozen frog, duck heads, duck eggs, and, yes, if you want to be boring, fresh fish.

3.

13th & Oklahoma

It says it all that this humble Morgandale strip could lose so much and still offer everything. Recently departed is Christie’s, Jason Christie packing his bags for sunnier pastures, bringing with him meal memories from a place that was nothing short of a miracle of corner bar, mom-is-cooking charm. Also gone are the best asada tacos in town from Los Altos de Jalisco, in the sadly shuttered Mi Super Foods.

But what remains makes amends in quality and quantity. JC Kings, a solid but jokingly-painted taqueria, is maybe most distinct for its ability to combine delicious and disgusting within just a single bite. Try a half, or really a quarter, of any of the gluttonous torta breeds that marry the likes of ham, mozzarrella, pineapple, or, maybe chicken, chorizo, and hot dog? If such a meat massacre isn’t for you, just walk a few blocks north or south. Tortilleria El Sol brings a similar vein of bang for your buck, with massive sacks of delicate corn tortillas for at-home taco forays. Going the other way, El Tucanazo may remain quiet king of that elusive ‘authentic’ label - the colorful counter-and-three-table joint offering a deep menu of rich sauces, tender meat, and enough character that a native of the Mexican state of Hidalgo told us it’s the spot that most reminds of home. There’s also Taqueria Arandas, Mexican run-of-the-mill in the best sense - comforting and bustling, with piping, grease-saturated and cilantro-popped tacos, lots of perfect bases for that ubiquitous southside Milwaukee sauce that is the creamy jalapeno emulsification. When you realize the amount of protein herein, know that Bombay Sweets can level out the most stubborn of no-fun diets, offering strictly vegetarian Indian fare. Two kinds of saag can distract from lack of meat.     

2.

Silver City

The most concentrated sliver on the list, Silver City lets you go from Thai Bar Bar-B-Que, with impossibly juicy chicken, meatballs, curries, volcano sauce spice, Milwaukee’s best pho bowls of deep mid-winter comfort, to Fiesta Garibaldi’s Chicken Palace - in just a block’s time. The latter is a shabby, corner, yellow-coated Mexican fast-food joint, with a logo bearing slight resemblance to Gus’ Pollos Hermanos in Breaking Bad. Not the spot you’d expect one of the only salsa bars in town, with five distinct varieties and three chopped pepper and onion options. Chicken is the namesake protein specialty, and it’s offered every way. But the most intriguing delivery option is the tlayuda, essentially, a Mexican pizza, not readily found about town, here folded up in it’s own crisped, crunchy flat bread crust, with melty cheese, avocado and every tangible south of the border satisfaction Taco Bell looks like it has on commercials when you’re drunk. Wash it all down with a mangonada, and wonder why you’ve never heard that word before. Or how beautiful it is to combine mango sorbet with tamarind sauce, lime, and spicy chilli powder.    

For the less pepper-inclined, there’s the Puerto Rican La Isla across the street. But the area is most notably Asian forward. Along with Thai BBQ is Thai Lotus, Bamboo, Vientiane. Instead of your usual crab rangoon, these are the spots to try duck, to try lad, to try larb. Speaking of which, there may be no greater gastronomical disparity than the off-putting sound (aka ‘larp’, aka ‘laab’), unappealing description (it’s meat salad), and the delicious reality. The national dish of Laos busts with cilantro, mint, lime, green onions, and big spice. And, at Vientiane at least, tripe.     

When it’s all over, let the friendly blues joint Mamie’s offer up a domestic brew as digestif. Or, right your Shanghai-ed intestinal ship with a three-buck cheeseburger.

1.

Lincoln Avenue

It’s almost too much: between 5th and 20th a gritty narrow strip deliciously echoes San Francisco’s Mission, Chicago’s Pilsen or Little Village, and at once boasts the carnitas and top notch salsas of Don Lucho; the maritime aesthetic lunacy and seafood fare of both Fiesta Garibaldi and La Canoa; the massively comforting papusas of El Salvador; porky takeout Cuban sandwiches from El Rincon Criollo; the old school, family-style Mexican diner and professional Mariachi-style karaoke singers at Tres Hermanos; the churro, bollillo and holiday-time tamales of Lopez Bakery; another Arandas location; another La Salsa location; the occasional food truck or two. At 20th, where you’d hope to maybe arrive at some sort of Pepto dealership, you’ll only find the best of them all, El Tsunami. The tiny new spot with the open kitchen slings some of the deepest salsas, maybe the juiciest pastor, the most consummate of Mexican grandmother sauces - Veracruzana, diabla, mojo de ajo. Get any on a whole snapper, filet, shrimp, octopus. Then just sit and spoon the fallout with chips, as the waitress take a carcass away, and you await a stomach-settling horchata to go, giving thanks to be part of the country not so inexplicably afraid of the other.       

Like all good food tours, this is the one to leave an open mind pondering, maybe recalibrating pending and future real estate searches. Or at least it’s a happy, non-healthy, full-gut reminder that it’s fine to leave Brady and the bunch, for the usual drags to become, to un-become, to re-become, what they may. The curious and inspired can alway drive a few blocks west, get out of normal routes and big-deal new openings, embrace the other side of the wall, and the real buffet of options available.