#but there are so many amazing lil stories like this and I can’t wait for y’all to read it too

[doll-elvis]

The story behind the pictures

“‘Hi honey,” Elvis said. He came to meet me and the first thing he did was hug and kiss me. Affection was something he loved to show. He seemed to want to give it — and to crave it right back from you. In large amounts and often. He loved to touch and be touched. ‘Let’s don’t forget this,’ he said, slipping the camera off my arm. ‘Let’s get some shots while the sun is still up’. He slid down into one of the lawn chairs on the grass and opened his collar a little and smiled at me. It could have been a movie poster. He seemed to have a way of looking great, no matter how he stood or sat. He was so beautiful I could hardly operate my camera…I ended up with a roll of twelve pictures all shot from the exact same spot”

(excerpt from “Elvis: This one’s for you” by Arlene Cogan)

[yourlittlettoy]

MINI GATHERING - FIRST SLEEPOVER RUMBLE!

Hi everyone! Look I’m using my blog like a traditional blog LMAO 😝🤪

I’m a little late with this recap post but I recently hosted the (apparently) first ever sleepover-type gathering for my local Canadian community this past Canada Day long weekend! IT WAS A BLAST!!!

I’m so happy with how it turned out. I was kinda nervous at first, it started out as a fun idea that hatched in a little groupchat, which got larger and larger as the planning continued. I had never hosted anything like a gathering before! Especially not at this scale!

However, the attendees quickly quelled my worries, as everyone was not only extremely pleasant but so helpful and generous and just all in all I couldn’t be luckier to have made the friends I did in this community! (Can’t wait to make more 😉) thank you truly to everyone that pitched in and helped out and brought stuff and just for being awesome all around!

We played board games, took turns signing up for play slots in the “play room” pictured above (courtesy of @clayticklish ‘s portable dungeon lmao, and thank you @toadallytickles for taking the pics), had a bbq with an ice cream party for dessert, had yummy beverages, and played video games too! It was truly a pleasure getting to meet and talk with so many amazing people 🥰. There were also lots of first time sessions, which warmed my whole heart to see that whole process unfold and see people I adore having a long awaited blast?

Anyway, long story short, I had the time of my life. Nothing beats curating a good time for a group of people that I love, my lil service heart is so so fulfilled, especially after reading everyone’s feedback about having fun after it was over. Made my day 10x over. Can’t wait to do it again! Thanks again everyone for being the most perfect first time crowd ever!

That’s all from me :) thank u for reading!!

[heartsforvin]

GUYSSSSSS

i will start SOBBING no joke 🙁

thank you all forever n ever for 1k that is actually fuckin insane, all of you mean so much to me <33

never thought i’d get here when i first started posting. i honestly just regrouped from wattpad to here, and im so glad i did cus ive met so many amazing & kindhearted people on here 🫶🏻

so glad you all like my lil stories of our favorite boy 🥹 can’t wait to continue the journey w yall <33

[fayes-fics]

Moments: Family Dinner

Moments masterpost

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader

Summary: Baby Thomas says his first word.

Moments Moodboard by: @margowritesthings

Warnings: none… domestic fluff.

Word Count: 0.8k

Author’s Note: Unbetaed. Just a little domestic scene for Moments that wouldn’t leave my brain until I wrote it down. More Benedict being a total girl dad for @iboopedyournose. I hope you all enjoy this lil NYD fluffy drabble, to counterbalance the filth I posted yesterday lol <3

“Bleurghhh, what is that?” Amelia shudders, looking over at Thomas’ food as he sits perched in his little wooden high chair, feeding more of his face than his mouth but proudly brandishing his spoon unaided just before his first birthday.

“It’s stewed apples,” you respond, “perfectly tasty; you love apples, Amelia.”

“Not apple soup,” she responds, pulling a nauseated face.

“Eat your chicken, please,” Benedict soothes.

“I don’t like it anymore,” she opines dramatically, crossing her little arms and frowning so hard her whole face scrunches up.

“Yes, you do,” he laughs, “you were just eating it.”

“Well, I changed my mind,” she sniffs and pushes away her plate. “May I get down and play?”

“No love, you have to wait until we are all finished,” you reply calmly.

“Whyyyy,” she whines petulantly, pouting in rather an epic way. If James is your artist and Isobel is your lawyer, Amelia is most certainly your actress, prone to dramatic outbursts.

“Appdebaba!!!!” Thomas chatters happily, waving his spoon at Amelia, flicking tiny flecks of apple in the general vicinity.

Amelia’s little pout cracks, and she can’t help the giggle that erupts at Thomas’ antics.

“See, my heart, even your baby brother knows polite table manners,” Benedict points out.

“Daddy, I don’t want more dinner. Can I sit on your lap, please?” She wheedles, already sidling over and clambering into his lap. He will never say no to his babies, and she knows it.

“Just this once,” he sighs, knowing he is lying to himself.

“Why can’t I sit in your lap, daddy?” Isobel pipes up. “I’ve been a good girl and finished all of my dinner,” she adds, pointedly holding up her plate to prove her case.

“Fine,” he capitulates, knowing he will have no peace this dinnertime. Amelia perches on his left leg as Isobel climbs up onto his right. You huff, bemused, as you watch your husband holding both his daughters, unable to finish his meal but looking happier than ever.

“James, what are you reading?” you address your eleven-year-old son, who is now engrossed in a book; he is ignoring everyone.

“The Swiss Family Robinson,” he responds. “It’s an amazing adventure story.”

“That’s wonderful, but it is rather impolite to read at the dinner table, my dear,” you denote diplomatically.

“I have finished my dinner, but, as you said, we have to wait for everyone else to be done; I thought it more polite to read quietly than complain like Amelia,” he replies airily, frowning at his younger sister.

She sticks her tongue out at him, and you watch James pull the exact meh-meh-meh mocking face you have seen Benedict aim at Anthony on many occasions. The resemblance is sometimes frightening.

“Estiplifffff,” Thomas adds, spit-bubbling apple all over his face but grinning triumphantly.

You sigh. “I recall a time when I could have dinner peacefully without sudden chicken hating, apple splattered everywhere, and book reading,” you say pointedly, but to no one in particular.

“Yes, but mummy, wasn’t that time so very boring?” Your tiny lawyer argues from her father’s lap.

Benedict chuckles.

“Isobel has a point, my love,” he replies mildly.

You look around the dinner table at the five beautiful faces that are your whole world. She’s right. As she usually is.

“Mama-mama,” Thomas babbles, looking directly at you.

“Did he just…?” you gasp, clutching your hand over your heart.

“I think he did,” Benedict agrees, a huge smile breaking out on his face.

“Oh, my darling Thomas!” You exclaim and grab him from his high chair, cuddling him tight, uncaring of all the apple mess being mashed into your dress. “Yes! I am your mama!”

“Mama mama mmm,” he chatters again, with a four-toothed grin, wiping his apple-y hands on your cheeks for good measure.

In an ebullient mood, you twirl around with Thomas in your arms until you are behind your husband, both daughters still in his lap.

“You are right, Isobel,” you smile at your eldest daughter over Benedict’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t change this for the world.”

Apropos of nothing, except perhaps feeling left out, James leaves his seat and comes to hug you as you stand behind Benedict. He’s so tall now that he is up to your shoulder, but you happily wrap your spare arm around him as he curls into you, and you kiss his hair.

And there you stand for a few moments of bliss amongst the chaos, James and Thomas in your arms, Isobel and Amelia in Benedict’s.

Benedict tilts back over his chair with a grin, and you can’t help but lean over and land a kiss upside down on his lips.

The beautiful moment is broken by the chorus of disapproving noises from your three oldest children at their parents' display of affection, and you giggle against each other’s lips.

“Umm a nooooo,” Thomas even opines, which has you and Benedict breaking out into belly laughs, foreheads touching.

Some family dinner moments are so very precious.

Benedict taglist: @makaylan @iboopedyournose @wysteria-clad @colettebronte @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @margofiore @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @bridgertontess @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld

Moments only taglist: @queenofshinigamis @khaleesjj @starslibrary @magical-spit @honeylovemoon @justwant2read8421

[endlessthxxghts]

Goodbye, 2023.. Hello, 2024!🥂

Hello, beautiful people.💚 2023 is now coming to an end, and although there is so much I have to say about these past 12 months at a personal level, I’ll try to keep it brief (in roughly 800 words LMAO) and stick to our beautiful fandom world I love so dearly. 

I am absolutely not new to reading fan fiction—to reading all these fucking amazing stories that keep my hyperfixations well-fed😅 As a matter of fact, for the majority of this year, that’s what my tumblr consisted of—purely reading😅 

What I am new to, however, is actually contributing to this beautiful fandom. I’ve always loved writing, and I’ve written a few tiny stories for myself in the past. I just never would’ve thought—on one random day in September—that I would post them for the world, and I never would’ve thought that they were good enough to be loved by so many of you. It baffles me—still, after every new story I’ve put out, I still get surprised and feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for the love you guys give to me. I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I’m learning to love myself more and more every single day, and in that, I’m learning to appreciate my abilities. To appreciate the skill that I’ve honed, and in doing so, I want to give back in the way that I can—through writing stories that put the biggest of smiles on our faces that our cheeks hurt, through writing stories that we can see a figment of ourselves in it, through writing stories that make us feel a plethora of emotions but ultimately make us feel loved.

I don’t mention this often, but I am physically disabled, and because of that, I have to physically rely on another person to help me with everything—showering, feeding me, using the restroom, etc. Ever since I could remember, I vowed that I would give back to everyone in the only way I can: through my verbal abilities (hence why my career goal is to become a clinical psychologist💚), and—naturally because of that—through my writing abilities. My only hope in this world is that I can provide others with the warm and welcome feeling that I’ve been surrounded by all my life, even if I can’t take any action to do so. I’ll always find a way. 

But okay, I digress (this is me keeping it brief, I apologize). I also wanted to take a moment to specifically say thank you to those who read my work. I’ve only been posting and writing for you guys since late September—only a little over three months!—and I have nearly 800 of you constantly cheering me on and providing me with the sweetest of support I thought could never exist for someone like me. I seriously wouldn’t be here without you guys. You seriously have no clue what your words do to me; they are my driving force, the fuel that keeps me going, the hugs I need when a story gets a little too complicated for my easily-frustrated brain because I just want it to be perfect for you. Thank you. With my entire heart, my entire soul, my entire existence: thank you. I can’t wait to see where 2024 takes us. I love you all. So much. 

And I want to give a special special thank you to a few people—whether we message each other, or we just constantly have given each other unconditional support, or simply I just admire and am inspired by you—who mean so much to me. Your support and guidance as I began my journey is irreplaceable. I’ve learned so much from each of you in our own unique way, and I’m inexplicably excited to enter 2024 with you guys by my side. I’m truly honored to be able to know you, even if it is solely online. @katiexpunk @janaispunk @toxicanonymity @bearsbeetsbeskar @farmerlarrry @joels-shitty-puns @tightjeansjavi @mandoisapunk — All my love to you beautiful people, and I can’t wait to continue being one of your loudest cheerleaders throughout 2024.

And to @javierpena-inatacvest… I don’t know what I was expecting out of making my presence more known on this lil platform, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to make a best friend out of this. And I definitely wasn’t expecting a lifelong best friend, at that. You don’t know this, but you entered my life at a time that I was struggling. There was something I was missing… something I was needing. Little did I know, that something was you, and I’m endlessly grateful. Your existence in my life is truly one that is irreplaceable. I don’t know what I did to be so lucky—but whatever God or all-knowing being did this, I’ll be giving them offerings now and until the day I die. Thank you for letting me in, and thank you for letting my crazy ass be a part of your journey. I love you, friend.🌚💚

Happy 2024, everyone!! This will be our year for prosperity in every aspect of  our lives. I just know it. 

Endlessly yours, L. 💚

[ghoulphile]

here, queer, a lil stoned, and with ghoul rot q/a

do you lean more towards the ghoul be fuckin head cannon or the 200 years of celibacy head cannon? personally i like both but in my opinion post war coop is low key a slut.

if the tv show ever ends up with a season in the commonwealth/goodnieghbor do you think we'd get a live action John Hancock? who's your dream hancock actor? (if you have one)

fav ghoul/coop headcannon?

ps im glad you and your wifey are ok! i really hope yall were able to still enjoy the long weekend!

──★ ˙🍓 ̟

do you lean more towards the ghoul be fuckin head cannon or the 200 years of celibacy head cannon? personally i like both but in my opinion post war coop is low key a slut.

i like both and i def see the thoughts of celibacy (man was in a hole in the ground for some odd years lol) but i do lean more towards him fuckin.

now there's no tender kisses or sweet nothings. just a quick and dirty tumble that leaves you soaked in sweat (maybeeee some regret) as he satisfies urges and nothing more. it would take a whole lot more than that to get him to open up.

if the tv show ever ends up with a season in the commonwealth/goodnieghbor do you think we'd get a live action John Hancock? who's your dream hancock actor? (if you have one)

as much as i would love-love-love to see a live action hancock!!!! i don't know if we will :/

i remember reading somewhere that bethesda has been approached many times to make a live-action fallout and they were never satisfied with the ideas pitched to them.

what made this time around different is that it was a fresh idea set in the same universe which tells me they prefer to have an original story opposed to a re-hash of one that's already been told.

that said, i think it would be amazing to have cameos from the games and i think a lot of people would love it too so i hope they consider throwing us a bone lol.

you know i've never thought about it before, but off the top of my head, i think tom hardy, sam reid or jacob anderson (do not look @ me rn i am going thru it with interview with the vampire ok?!? but they are both fantastic actors), boyd holbrook, james mcavoy or oscar isaac.

there are some others but i cannot for the life of me think of their names rn 💀

any faves for you??

fav ghoul/coop headcannon?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 🤔

there’s a lot but ig one of my personal coop hcs (that kind of relates to barb) is that he’s more in love with barb than she is him — not that she doesn’t love him or rather didn’t at one point in time!! but more so she fell out of love with him while he was away at war and by the time he came home, she had already mourned him and moved on. (i.e. the convo where she talks about how she waited every night for news on whether he was alive or not, how she always seems startled by him touching her, how she hesitates to kiss him back etc etc)

and as fallout is based off the 50s divorce was a big no no, so have a baby bc that’ll make everything better (it doesn’t).

another hc attached to that is coop was injured at the battle of anchorage (his talks with bud about the power armor etc also i think i read somewhere that he was honorably discharged too but idk if that’s canon-canon) and was possibly even MIA for a bit which forced her to mourn him and their relationship. only to then be faced with him coming back home very much alive… and she’s not in love with him anymore but can’t leave so she has to make do.

because that man is in love with her so much it’s sickening!!! heart eyes!!! touch is his love language!!! he’s willing and ready to drop everything as soon as he sees her. whereas the first time i was introduced to them as a couple in that scene by the crafts table, and it was revealed that they were married i went oh, he’s into her more than she is him. here he is loving on her and she kind of pauses, hesitates as she decides what to do before ultimately leaning in to give him a quick peck back. and from there on out he’s the one initiating the intimacy. reaching out. and she always seems so thrown off by it when he CLEARLY loves her. idk i’m rambling sorry this got so long lmao.

anywayyyy thank you!! she ended up pinching a nerve in her lower back while riding her motorcycle and couldn’t walk 💀 but the er got her sorted so we were able to relax today 🥰

[zzencat]

Hello! Myself RJ🪷🐚🪞🪽 ( an ♌sun and ♎moon&rising ) she/her. Here for your free reading game<3

My questions are :")

What's blocking/stopping me to reach my true potential to achieve my dream life? For my career & dance/writing stories?

Is script writing or dancing is a good career field for me?( basically entertainment industry works) Or I should go for language specialist/ jobs related to Laws?

What's I need to focus on in order to achieve success in life?

Thankyou so much in advance💐

Hey RJ!!! thanks for the wait, i hope you’re getting your daily words-read limit in:

Hey RJ!!! im gonna just start it off here- i think you’re stopping yourself. you have what it takes and you have the creativity and the emotion- the raw passion inside of you, but for some reason, you’re stopping yourself. i think you’re hard on yourself and but you do keep your emotions in check. i think you detach yourself easily or “take flight”/mentally check out just in case things backfire, and you might be used to this sort of thing, and while i do think you’d be good at keeping personal and work matters separate, i do recommend that you stick to your promises or things that you claim to commit to. lil teddy note: also i’ve never seen so many king and queen court cards in a celtic cross reading for someone hahaha. i think the biggest issue here is commitment and not trying to limit yourself to one thing, trying to do multiple things at once and get em all with 1 or 2 stones. i can’t tell you that’ll be possible or impossible, but it’s the quality produced that might go south. i suggest focusing on one thing at a time, maybe 2 if you can handle it (but im still iffy on that), and hone that 1 skill or profession up to amazing standards first. perfect what you can do now, but ofc allow yourself to make mistakes. i think you can be pretty harsh on yourself, esp on a subconscious level, but you have to be careful not to burn yourself out and start 1 thing at a time. that way you can balance out the social, emotional, and mental aspects of your life. but other than that- skills n creativity? you’re doin great!! you just need to raise the standard for your own products and commitment levels. and don’t try to make things harder for yourself! a challenge is great and all, but rmr consider the costs :)

i REALLY recommend that you go into something that’s not crazy overwhelming. something that you can handle, and then build up from there. again, the sense of detachment comes up, followed by perfectionism and fear of failure, and then eventually pessimism. something that allows you to express your emotions and story, but overall not dead stressful, bc it can get pretty crazy up in there (esp the industries that you’ve chosen.) i suggest choosing something small that you can tackle and then build your way up so that you can build your commitment as well and lower levels of burnout and anxiety over them. i think it’s a good time to choose rn and honestly, you do value your freedom a lot and ability to make your own choices, do and create whatever you want, so you’d have to look at these options carefully and choose the one that’s less likely to stress you to hell n back. start small, then you can build big. something that you’re already good at, and you don’t mind adding in some extra beginner blocks (even if you already know them.) as appealing as being booked and busy and recognized sounds, it’s also a lot of energy and a whirlwind of things to think about…these could wear you out real quick, so you have to have a stronger foundation.

that’s it!! thank you for waiting and joining the game RJ, i hope this clears up some things for you 😁

[alwaysxlarrie]

underrated fics of 2021 + 2022

ok so yes i did a masterlist of my fav fics of 2021/2022 but i wanted to end the year w some fics from 2021/2022 that, in my opinion, are underrated! as a smaller writer, i know how discouraging it can be to see lots of popular writers/fics on everyones’ lists all the time, but never see yours. & that’s no one’s fault! but i wanted to balance it all out a bit w this. just a friendly reminder that not getting many hits, kudos, comments, etc is not an indicator of your talent !!! write something because you want to & it makes you happy -- you’ll find your audience along the way!

i actually didn’t read a ton of fics that came out this year (i was surprised before i remembered that i work in retail & we’ve been short staffed the majority of the year & i pet sit on the side & am a student .... makes sense that i wasn’t able to read nearly as many fics as i wanted to lol.) so i’m incorporating some fics from 2021 as well, just like i did w my previous list & managed to compile a list of my top 15 underrated fics :)

as usual, the fics are in alphabetical order 

consequences of public breeding by @jaerie / jaerie

as someone who’s very passionate about social justice & inequalities, this fic spoke to me. i love the way jaerie writes harry’s internal monologues acknowledging the difficulties & bleak realities of the situation while still allowing himself to be/feel empowered however he can. we love to see it! & the tension & dynamic between harry & louis? top tier!

charm your pants off by @evilovesyou / 4ureyesonly28

i know this was released super recently but i’m counting it anyway lol. from the banter to louis’ immediate flirting to harry’s clumsiness, everything packed into this short fic is so cute and is guaranteed to have you grinning the whole time. 

darling, can’t you see by @tommokat / tommokat

this fic is such a good combination of crack, humor, fluff, hurt/comfort & smut. it was on my ‘marked for later’ list for a while before i finally got to sit down & read it this past week & it was so worth the wait !! plus we love cat mom harry hehe

do you think the tides know by @loveislarryislove / livelaughlovelarry

i betaed & helped out with this fic BUT would i still think the writing & story telling is phenomenal even if i hadn’t? yep! annika’s ability to write the raw emotions, navigation, dynamics, etc of this fic is incredible.

gotta get (me) outta my head by @parmahamlarrie / parmahamlarrie

as someone who has severe adhd, this fic made me feel super seen. i, unfortunately, do not have a lovely dom like harry does, but i am perfectly content with living through harry for this fic. the way bee describes harry’s feelings going from trying to navigate the scrambled mess that is her head to how louis’ praise makes her feel to how safe & protected she feels with louis? amazing. groundbreaking. we love to see it!!!

i need you right now, baby (won’t you come home?) by @non-binharry / enbyharry

this fic is a great representation of the fact that a fic does not need to be long to good!!! things happen fast but they don’t feel rushed. louis & harry’s dynamic right off the bat is cute & sexy. is sexy even an applicable word to describe a dynamic? idk either way i’m going with it lol

know you better. by @wabadabadaba / wabadabadaba

this fic always keeps you on your toes, wondering how the next interaction louis & marcel have will go. the pining, flirting, louis being protective & supportive, marcel opening up & letting louis in & their healthy communication is amazing. i’ve included this fic on some of my previous lists, so it’s a shocker to no one that i love it & would absolutely recommend.

little freak (aka: jezebel) by @homosociallyyours / homosociallyyours

if you know me, or read some of my fics, you know how pro adopt don’t shop i am (especially for older animals but i digress), so i’m obsessed w the lecture harry’s mom gave him. the whole fic is so cute, funny, cozy & just a lil bit steamy. my cat’s at the vet today, actually, so kind of ironic timing. regardless, if you’re looking for a feel good fic, i 10000% recommend this one !!! (also my house is an acab household so we love louis’ reaction to harry’s joke ab his occupation)

lazy days and pancakes for two by @cyantific / cyantific

i also betaed this fic & know first hand how much work, research & love was put into this. another wonderful feel good fic that will leave you grinning for hours after you read it. larry’s banter, love for the each other, respect for each other, etc. calling it wonderful is an understatement, to say the least, tbh.

making my way downtown by @disgruntledkittenface / disgruntledkittenface

i love how maggie describes louis & harry’s dynamic in any larry fic she writes, including this one. i’ve included this fic in my previous masterlists before & it’s for a good reason !! whenever harry’s internal monologue went into how louis acted with harry at the party, i just wanted to know more!!! and then when louis panic spam texted him?? ugh. so cute. my heart.

where’s the divide? by @2tiedships2 / 2tiedships2

melanie always writes the funniest internal monologue for louis, you will never get through one of her fics without laughing. this one is super short, sweet & lovely. niall & louis’ friendship dynamic is always top tier, too. there’s so many cute aspects about this one. shoutout to harry going along with louis’ fake chef abilities.

wanna play you like a game, boy (what’s the thrill of the same toy?) by @thebreadvansstuff / thebreadvan

ari already knows how obsessed i am with this fic, but let me tell all of you. i’m obsessed!!! i am normally very much a praise kink type of girl, but the way larry’s dynamic was written in combination w the humiliation kink? louis’ dirty talk? harry thinking he’s been nonchalantly getting louis to go along w his experiment, just to find out louis was -- & always is -- ten steps ahead of him? YUM. WONDERFUL. AMAZING. brb i’m manifesting that part 2 !!!!

when did i first know? i always knew by @panye / eynap

steph is literally carrying the weight of the shiall main pair fics fandom on her back & she deserves more recognition for that. the way she writes the foreshadowing build up to shawn’s realizations, zayn’s observant ass observing correctly & helpfully & niall’s reaction/response?? i absolutely think that even if shawn isn’t your otp, you’ll love this fic. it’s so cute & fluffy & hot & she’s even given everyone a nice dose of larry & ziam on the side.

your head in your hands as you colour me blue by @hershelsue / docklands

this is such a wonderful, cute, raw fic. greta is phenomenal at writing metaphors & bringing anything they write to life. it’s written in first person which i think, instead of putting readers off, it just makes you feel so much more immersed in the fic & the wonderful world greta created.

you make the world taste better by @loveislarryislove / livelaughlovelarry

ok so yes i also betaed this fic bc annika is wonderful to work w but i genuinely recommend this one as well. the psychology major in me is obsessed w the dark & twisted plot twists & the ending. i loathe miscommunication used as a plot device (in some fics, it’s understandable, in others it’s used an excuse to create unnecessary angst, but. i digress) & i cannot tell you how relieved i was when i saw that there was an opening to use miscommunication to create more angst & annika instead decided to throw in communication that was healthy yet understandably withdrawn. the bittersweet ending always gets me conflicted bc like i want a happy ending??? but it’s so good & absolutely makes sense for the fic??? i could go on forever.

-----

in a last second decision (i swear lol),i’m gonna use this as an opportunity to shout out my current wip bc it’s my first chaptered wip & i’m very proud of it so far & i’m excited to continue it (new chapter goes up every saturday! i’m not sure if i’m gonna post this saturday’s upcoming chapter on monday instead bc of new years eve. idk. we’ll see. but other than that, every saturday!):

you are my destiny (you are the reason that i still believe)

“Being a new employee at a company means that you have to learn to brush off the shitty bosses, shitty coworkers, and not getting the credit you actually deserve for things. At least, that's been Harry Styles' experience. Coworkers who steal his ideas in pursuit of getting praise and a raise, and a boss who's indifferent at best and condescending at worst. Harry has learned to expect this reality for the foreseeable future. He's accepted it.

What he hadn't expected was for Louis Tomlinson to waltz into their company, and his life, and change around everything he thought he knew about fate. -- A Cinderella AU.”

-----

as always, if you read any of these fics, please remember to leave kudos & a comment for the talented authors!! i also have more masterlists planned for 2023 bc i have no self control so watch out for those lmao

[trancylovecraft]

Hi it’s me again, the anon from the other day hehe. I stayed up till 5am reading and i finally caught up with the latest chapter of your Kokushibo yandere fic. The part where you showed F/N and her brother’s backstory almost made me cry 🥺 like i was genuinely tearing up when they had to split ways…i hope the two can finally reunite in the future.

ALSO i was surprised at the new ‘friendship’ between F/N and Akaza, but I LOVE IT. I read for Kokushibo yet stayed for Akaza haha because the way you portray him is just perfect!! I wonder how the dynamic between them will play out. Time to look for some Akaza fanfics hehe ~

Anyways, I can’t wait to read the next chapter!! I’m literally so excited!! Your writing is truly a masterpiece and I love the way you describe things. You are an amazing writer and I can’t wait to read more of your future work!! Make sure to take care of yourself and to rest!! Bye now 🩷

EEEEEE THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Its so good to know that you loved it so much!! I loved writing it and im happy the rest of the story was up to par!!

IM HAPPY YOU FELT SO STRONGLY AT [F/N] AND HER BROTHERS SEPARATION!! i keep getting comments saying ive made people full on weep and it makes me feel so ejfoiwfjiowfjoi (even tho that sounds a lil weird lol)

Akaza and [F/N] is one of my favourite duos too!! i love writing their banter fr- i think their personalities mash really well and i hope you enjoy the akaza fics cause ive read them and UGH SO MANY TALENTED WRITERS FR? JEALOUS!!

THANK YOU SO MUCHH!!! When the next chapter is out, im sure you'll enjoy it :)

[gamerwoo]

Hi Rocket! Its dejavernon. I just wanted to let you know a lil bit of how much I’m loving A Lover’s Playlist and all the songs you’re using… I went through a punk rock phase in my late teens (5sos was my life for several years) and so many of these songs are bringing me back!!

I’ve always been amazed at how much music can hold and how many memories and feelings can be hidden away in a single song waiting to be unlocked with the next listen no matter how many years later. Your song choices are just fantastic at seamlessly fitting into the story arc and bringing that extra level of connection to the story right to where it hits the hardest. (It also helps that I’ve been there where oc is a couple times myself lmao). I usually don’t love reading song fics bc I often find them chopped up or just not smooth to read but this whole entire series just amalgamates the lyrics seamlessly with the plot and I am loving every single chapter. Thanks for sharing this journey of a series!! I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

OMG STOP I WAS WATCHING YOUR REBLOGS FJSJSJS THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS BTW!!!!

i’m so glad you like the series 🥹 tbh there are times where i feel like it’s choppy or like could be written better so this makes me feel less worried about it not flowing well. i spent so long trying to pick the perfect songs for each part (and im continuing to nitpick and added 2 extra songs in vern’s part lmao) so i’m glad all that work paid off 😌💛

[screampied]

heyo vaygus 💪🏼 i jus woke up 🥱🥱🥱

nawrrr, i hope it gets better for you, make sure to have hella fun at hiking !! <333 that’s gud LETS. STAY. POSITIVE 💪🏼

OMFG YOU PLAY VOLLEY ??? I WANTED TO START A SPORT THIS YEAR AND I THOUGHT ABOUT VOLLEY ‼️‼️ how it is ? would you recommend ?

can’t wait for your 2 fics, but i saw you started a virgin series 😈😈😈 how do you manage to start so many series at the same time 😭

YES I SAW BRAZIL TOO BUT HAVE YOU SEEN SIMONE ??? AND LMAOOOO HAVE YOU SEEN THE GUY WHO GOT BETRAYED BY HIS OWN PENIS JAJAJAJAJAJJAJA the headlines were so fckn funny 😭 yeah the breakdancing was…peculiar 🥰🥰🥰

ohhh so that’s love and deep space i heard about it but i never knew what is it about, what kind of game it is ?

ahhh i think i confused you but i’m not writing smut i was just calling you sexy (if it’s okay with you!!)😞😞😞 but thanks for the tips i’ll try to apply them! i write for brazil hinata bc i have a crazy about him brainrot atm… do you have some dialogue tips ? or any tips i can use for the ambiance like how can i describe it smoothly ? sorry i’m asking a lil too much but i really sick at that and i think it’s gonna be my first long fic…😭😭

don’t forget to take care of you and not to overwork yourself, drink and eat sufficiently, hope you have better days begas!!💕💕💕xxx

-🌟

hiiii star i hope you slept well 💓!!

i’m doing pretty better now, i think it’s bc i’m approaching shark week soon 🫡 the cramps are killing me maaaan. i don’t think we’ll make it out alive but we’ll try 💔. MWAAAAH THANK YEW

YEAAAA i play volleyball. i’m my team’s setter and our season is about to start back soon so m excited for that. i missed it BADDD. it’s very fun especially when it’s competitive—i recommend!! beach volleyball is fun also

feheheh thank yew 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️💓 yes i did, y’know i really don’t know either! i have a habit of starting new stuff and not finishing the rest, i get bored so easily but i just had to </3 but i make sure to take lots of breaks ‘n pace myself :P

YESSS SIMONE IS INSANEEEE. she did so good m so proud of her. rebecca from brazil too i was stunned >>>> gymnastics is so fun to watch ahh. LMAO THE BREAKDANCING i’m surprising that’s considering a sport let alone in the olympics but yk 🧍🏽‍♀️🧍🏽‍♀️

ya !!!! it’s basically a gacha game and it’s kind of like genshin impact / obey me if you heard of that. it’s very story driven and it’s so good so far, you can wish for characters and battle to get rewards n it’s also super cute side tasks to build relationships with the male characters.

OH HELP IM EMBARRASSED. well 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️. oooh okay i see! for dialogue, i find it easy to describe dialogue by simple talking out loud to see if it flows well. i also use synonyms to build up my sentences and make them stronger. depending on the character, ill add humor / cockiness, etc. but its okay no worries !!! long fics yummy i bet it’d be amazing xx

BUT THANKKKK U i appreciate you sm <3 you too, luv 💓✨

[cassidyblackwrites]

Hi Cassidy! I’m such a fan of your work and I absolutely love the stories that you tell!

I’ve been following Endless Night since you started writing the OG version and I can’t help but notice there are quite a few differences in the plot (which I love!!) I was a bit heart broken when Hermione didn’t end up with Tom but I also found it realistic considering the plot twist at the end. So now that in the new version things seem to go a different way I wanted to ask you - are they going to end up together? 😁

Thanks so much for sharing your amazing works with us! You’re one of my favourite Tomione writers :)

~Emmy

Hi Emmy! omg thank you so much for your lovely, lovely message! 💕💕

It means so much to me that you’re following this story since the OG version. Of all the fics I wrote, I connect with Endless Night the most because this story is about how Hermione change and grow over the decade of her life. She was not perfect. So are other main cast in this fic- they’re all so flawed and so real to me. In a way, this story is very personal to me. That’s why it really means a lot to me when people tell me they love this story! 🫶

(Spoiler below)

I’m glad you liked the new version! I fixed many things I didn’t like in the previous version, especially the pacing. (It was a hot mess lol) I’m going to write two endings in this one. Ending 1 is the original ending. Ending 2 is an alt ending, and it’s happer. They’re together in ending 2.

Thanks so much for reading my lil fic! 😁 I cannot wait to share the rest of the revised version of this fic!

[chibi-tsukiko]

Emmy boo!

I finally read the prologue. I waited for a good time to read it and boy I'm glad I did! Now I'm going to go make myself a cup of tea because it's the only thing that can fix my heart right now.

I wrote a lil bit of a live blog (or whatever this is). My apologies for the rant!

BUT I HAVE THOUGHTS. SO MANY THOUGHTS. 

To me, the objective of a prologue is never only to set the scene, but rather to intrigue the readers and make them curious. About the characters. About the world we’re going to take them into. Prologues, sometimes, are chilling. I love a good chilling prologue and you did a fantastic fucking job! 

I know you’ve shared about Hein and his experience and story as an Essence. But to read it from the narrator’s pov is something else. My took me somewhere else (as if it often does) because the way in the mothers protected their (Essence) children and the things they did to protect their children reminded me of how in some communities mothers do similar things (even the same and even to the extent to infanticide) to protect girl children because they face a familiar fate. It reminds me of how fiction and reality are often very much interconnected and the cruelty we read about in fiction is often not fiction at all. Not everyone can write about pain and misery in a real way. You can. It's a skill and a curse. I hope you use it for good. Because the way you write pain is so beautiful.

I was also wondering if you ever wrote a story about an Essence child who was ‘chosen’. It would be such an interesting story to write from a child’s pov. Would they be scared? Would they confused? Would they excited to be chosen among all the other children? It’s a beautiful - and a difficult - piece to write! 

All the laws about the Essence are trash (but quite real) and I cannot wait for Mr. Takashi Han to say ‘fuck the law’ like another amazing boi we love - and for him to protect not just Hein but all people like him! 

The description of the island was so haunting. What a graphic visual! 

I love all the names of these characters. It makes me constantly wonder about their meanings. Just such magical sounds! 

Actual footage of me reading that interaction between Shohei and Hein. 

I already said it in the comments, but this is the most beautiful prologue I’ve read in a long time. It not only makes me want to read more but also completely changed the way I looked at Hein - and his relationship with Takashi, and the Han family. 

That last scene…poetry and pain. That’s it. 

When Shohei watched the seagull disappear into the sun, I just knew what was coming next. It was incredibly heartbreaking, but also beautiful. Because, Shohei did fly. He did get ‘to be free’ on his own terms, even if it’s not what I wanted for him. 

(I say this - but I am also in denial and can’t wait for Hein and Shohei to meet again lol)

I cannot wait to read about Hein and what he remembers and recalls about Shohei and his childhood. 

You are a marvelous writer. Thank you for writing and sharing this story with us. Thank you for building this beautiful, tragic, and big world full of people we can’t help but love and want to protect.

Lots and lots of lots of love to you (and to Shohei) 🤍

Dani x 

Dragon babe!! 💚💚💚

This was the best way to start my day. I'm so emotional after reading this, thank goodness I'm working from home haha.

When I originally wrote this moment, it was just a side story. Part of Hein's past that I wanted to explore, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt like it made the perfect prologue. Especially, since Hein's POV is the one we get most often in the story, I liked how the prologue is told more from Shohei's. It gives a different light. I'm glad you feel the same.

I love the idea of exploring the story told from a child who has been chosen. I imagine there are parts of the world where the children know the horrors of being an Essence, but I feel like there would be others that dress it up like it's an honor. The different emotions would be painfully beautiful.

Painting the picture for readers is something I have always loved to do, I want to visually capture as much of the story as possible, so when I hear that I have it makes me so giddy.

Shohei did get to fly and in many ways his "end" is actually a beginning for him. It's a moment he got to choose something for himself. There's a moment in the story, between Takashi and Hein where Hein speaks of Shohei for the first time since what happens in the prologue. It's a bittersweet moment, but I think you would enjoy it. I think you'd especially like what Takashi does in response to learning about Shohei. He is the best boi. 🥰

I can't put into words how it feels whenever you say that you like my writing that you think I write well. It means so much. Thank you for taking the time to read it and share your thoughts with me and of course for always supporting me.

I love you! I hope the tea helped! 🙈

Oh! Also, you mentioned the names...I like to play with meanings and there is a bit of irony in what I chose for the children on the island.

Yang - light, sun

Ryuby (Ruby) - deep precious stone

Edytha - Prosperous in War

[changlix-mp4]

hii sunny! how are you? i hope everythings well.. i see you wanted to deactivate your account. you know what? im really sad.. you're the first account i followed when i started using this app, it was a year ago. your works just amaze me!! i remember i fell in love with the way you plotted your stories. whenever i got a chance id go back to your account to reread your works. i wanted to give you lil tmi, i really like hope series and you have no idea how many times i read chapter1-2 while you were on hiatus, when the chapter 3 was up i was so happy.. i was like "whoaa the wait is over, my fav acc is back".

now i see you wanted to leave, it's you your decision tho im sad :,(( im wishing all the good things to you and i wanted to thank you for made us happy and entertained all this time x

hello!! hey everything’s well, i’m just a bit tired with my studies but I’m fine. And you, how are you?

Please don’t be sad 😭 it makes me sad gosh. The first account you followed? I’m about to cry for sure now! "your fav acc" damn you can’t imagine how much your words make me feel. I’m gonna be honest with you rn. I’m crying.

pls don’t be sad!! 😭 like I just said with my anon, I’m not sure about it, so no decision is made. I’m still thinking about it. I’m just more active on my new blog, BUT if you guys want me to continue here, I will! I don’t want to disappoint or make people sad with my decision. But if I continue, I’ll prob be really slow with updates :((

Honestly, it was a pleasure to write for y’all. I have such a supportive and good readers. Telling me that I made you happy makes me feel warm. Like my heart literally melt :( pls I love you 😭😭

[froggibus]

Hi bestie do you plan on writing a part 2 for blind date? Maybe when they go to Tony's party together and Sam and Steve keep flirting with reader?

Christmas Party (Blind Date 2) - Bucky Barnes

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Genre: fluff!

Word Count: 600

Summary: after your blind date with Bucky, you go to avengers tower for a Christmas party

CW: pure fluff, alcohol, flirting, Bucky is a lil possessive but wholesome!!

hey bestie! i wasn’t really planning on it since I wrote it so long ago but here’s a little blurb I wrote! hope you enjoy <3

this is a part 2. you can read part 1 here

————

Stepping into Avengers Tower, you can’t help but smooth down the wrinkles on your clothes. The snow is coming down harder now, and thick flakes of it are clinging to the fabric of your clothes and strands of your hair. 

“Are you sure I’m dressed up enough for this?” You ask. 

Bucky squeezes your hand in reassurance, “honestly, I’m not the best person to ask that. But you look great!”

You nod, watching him press the button for the elevator. You figure Nat will be there, so you won’t be completely alone. Still, you’re nervous. 

Even when you’re stepping off of the elevator onto the top floor, where waiters cart around platters of champagne and serve them to heroes of all kinds, your nerves only grow. You can see many familiar faces—people you’ve only seen on the news and dreamt about seeing. 

“Well, well, well,” a familiar redhead purses her lips at you, setting her empty champagne glass on a tray. “Look who showed up.”

She looks gorgeous—a black slip dress framing her athletic figure. She brings you in for an awkward hug, the scent of her perfume filling your nostrils. 

When she pulls back, she shoots a glance at the two men she was talking to before you showed up. 

“Where are my manners? Y/n, this is Steve and Sam,” she gestures to them. 

Even without the introduction, you know who they are. Steve Rogers: Captain America, and Sam Wilson: The Falcon. You’ve heard countless stories about them, including many tonight from Bucky himself. 

Speaking of Bucky, he drops your hand so that he can give his friend a pat on the back, giving the other man a begrudging handshake. You giggle slightly, before introducing yourself to the two men. 

“Hi,” you extend your hand to Steve’s, his engulfing yours. “I’m y/n.”

“Nice to meet you, y/n,” blue eyes stare into yours. Something about his gaze makes your stomach flip. 

You shake Sam’s hand next. He grins at you, “looks like our boy Bucky really scored. You look amazing, by the way.”

Your cheeks burn at that, and you’re so focused on his words that you don’t notice the way Bucky scoffs at Sam’s antics. Him and Nat have a side conversation while you talk to the other two. 

“Can I get you a drink?” Steve offers, eyes twinkling. 

“That would be great, thank you!”

Sam chats you up while you wait for Steve to return. You shoot the occasional glance at Bucky, whose eyes never leave you. Sam asks about where you’re from and how you ended up in New York, and Bucky takes that as opportunity to come next to you and wrap an arm around your shoulders. 

The contact makes butterflies erupt in your stomach, but you know it’s not completely innocent. Bucky is clearly annoyed that his friends have already stolen you away. Before anything can happen, though, Steve is retuning with your drink. 

“Aw, thank you!” You beam at the man, “you guys don’t mind if I steal Bucky away, do you?”

“Not at all!” Steve seems genuinely happy for his friend. 

Sam seems less happy, but accepts it regardless. 

You shrug his arm off your shoulders and snatch up his hand instead, dragging him to the snack table. “So,” you grab a chocolate covered pretzel, “they seem nice.”

“Steve is.”

You laugh, “but not Sam?”

“He’s a bit of a flirt,” he says, “he gets on my nerves, too.”

“Aw, were you jealous?” You poke at his ribs. 

“No—he’s just…annoying.”

You stand on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek, “well, there’s nothing to be annoyed about. You’re my date for the night, so how’s about introducing me to the man himself?”

His cheeks burn red at the contact. “Aye aye, Captain.”

masterlist

[minisugakoobies]

Third Time's the Charm | JHS

Pairing: Hoseok x Reader (Gender Neutral)

Genre: fluff, holiday, friends to lovers, OlderBrother'sBFF!AU

Rating: T

Warnings: drinking, pining, a lil’ smooching, Namjoon's a dance machine, it's as fluffy as a warm blanket on a chilly night

Word Count: 2.1K

Disclaimers: None, other than obviously I don’t own BTS - they simply inspire me

Summary: After two close encounters with your brother's best friend, Hoseok, you decide the third time's the charm.

A/N: This is my second story for the Winter Wonderland Fic Event, run by the amazing @hellojeongkook! It's a short one, just a little soft Hobi to help us weather the storm of insta thirst traps he keeps dropping. Unbeta'd as usual. I'd love to know what you think - my inbox is always open! 💕

Masterlist 💜 Find me on AO3 💜

The first time you almost kiss Hoseok, it’s your 21st birthday.

Namjoon visits you over his senior year spring break, declaring it’s his duty as your older brother to buy you your first (legal) drink. Of course, he doesn’t come alone, bringing best friend Hoseok with him. The two have been attached at the hip since elementary school, there for every major event in both of your lives so far, so naturally he’d be a part of your celebration, too.

And how you celebrate! At the pub across the street from your tiny apartment, Namjoon buys the first round, Hoseok treats you to the second, and then from there it gets a little blurry. At some point, a cute coed catches your brother’s eye, and he excuses himself to shoot his shot, leaving you alone in the corner booth with Hoseok.

Music thumping from a jukebox swirls around you as you hum to yourself, fiddling with your pint of beer. You feel warm and giddy, the alcohol working its dark magic as it burns through you, and glance at Hoseok only to find him staring at you.

“What?” you ask, suddenly self-conscious. Did he catch you dancing in your seat? You can’t help it, the song playing is so catchy.

Hoseok shakes his head. “Nothing. Sorry.” He looks away, taking a long sip, before glancing at you again. “I just realized I didn’t bring you a gift.”

You shrug. “You don’t have to give me anything! I’m just happy you’re here. You and Namjoon,” you add hastily.

Hoseok hums. “Of course we’re here. It’s your big day. Can’t miss that.”

You don’t reply, adrift in a dreamy haze as you peer at your brother’s friend. Countless times you’ve noted to yourself how handsome Hoseok is, and tonight is no exception, black hair swept off his face as he smiles at you softly. You try not to focus on those perfectly heart-shaped lips, but it’s like you’re hypnotized, unable to look away.

Suddenly, you’re intensely aware of how close the two of you are sitting. His thigh presses against yours, and the chill that runs through you makes no sense, given how flushed you feel. From the alcohol, of course.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything you’d like?” Hoseok murmurs, and you snap out of your daze. His arm comes to rest on the back of the booth behind you as he turns towards you, dark eyes dropping to your lips as you shake your head. “Nothing I can give you?”

“I don’t know,” you reply, heart racing as his face tilts down to yours, “maybe… maybe there's- “

“BAM!”

A napkin is slapped onto the table in front of you. You and Hoseok both jump, moving away from each other as if you’d been shocked.

Your brother slides into the opposite bench as he grins. “How you like them apples?” He gestures to the napkin, on which a name and phone number is scribbled.

Hoseok inspects the crumpled paper. “It’s missing a digit.”

“Wait, what?”

As Namjoon realizes he’s been duped, you take a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. The space between you and Hoseok suddenly feels like a gulf. Pouring yourself another drink, you try not to think about the expression on Hoseok’s face as he’d leaned towards you.

Even after the many (many) drinks that come later, you fail miserably.

The second time finds you at another celebration - Namjoon’s graduation party.

Your parents, over the moon since he’s been accepted to the medical school of his choice (he’s been accepted to all the medical schools he applied to, actually… you’d be annoyed if he wasn’t such a wonderful older brother), spare no expense for his big bash. Their backyard is awash in revelers dancing up a storm in front of a live band, caterers mingling with guests, and well-wishers swarming Namjoon to shower him with compliments.

But you hang back on the edge of the party, sitting on the bench under your favorite maple tree, idly stirring your rum and coke as you observe the scene. There are too many strangers in your yard for your comfort. You’d much prefer a quiet, intimate dinner with your favorite people to something like this. Good thing it’s not for you.

Lost in thought, you don’t notice that you’re no longer alone.

“Not in a dancing mood?” Hoseok inquires. He leans against the tree, one foot propped as he smiles down at you.

“Not really.” You sip at your drink. “You taking a break? I think your fan club will miss you.” A gaggle of Namjoon’s former classmates are here tonight. As soon as the band struck their first chord, Hoseok dashed to the dance floor, and it wasn’t long before he had a crowd of starry-eyed admirers lining up for a spin.

Not that you could blame them.

Hoseok chuckles as he takes a seat on the bench, nudging you over slightly with his elbow. “They’ll be all right. They’ve got Namjoon to entertain them.”

As you both watch, your brother glides across the dance floor and shimmies into his signature move - pretending to drop a ball and kicking it. His onlookers giggle, even the one he nearly kicks in the shin.

“I keep telling him he uses that move too much,” you mutter as Hoseok snorts.

“It’s all he’s got, honestly,” Hoseok states as you laugh. He nudges you again. “Come on, come dance with us.”

“I’m fine here,” you insist. His elbow keeps poking your side and you swat at him playfully. “Quit it!”

It’s not lost on you that this is the closest you’ve been to him since that night at the bar, the night you try not to think about but can’t seem to get out of your mind. Like right now. Again.

He sits so near now that you catch his cologne, something bright and citrusy, invigorating while still sending a warmth flaring through you. It suits him so well.

“I just don’t like seeing you sit here by yourself, missing all the fun.”

“I’m not missing anything. I’m perfectly happy to sit here by myself. Don’t I look happy?”

It’s meant to be a quip, nothing serious, your response. But Hoseok takes his time, deep brown eyes sweeping over your face as he contemplates your words.

The silence between you stretches as the wind whips up, stirring the branches above. Shaken free by the breeze, a bright red leaf flutters down and lands in your hair. Hoseok quietly reaches out and plucks it loose, long fingers lightly brushing your cheek. The gentle touch makes your pulse race as though you’ve been electrified.

His tongue licks at the corner of his lips. “You look - “

“Hoseok! Hey!” One member of the fanclub has broken free of the pack. She approaches with a pout and a loud giggle. “You said it was my turn next and then you ran away!”

“Sorry,” Hoseok rubs the back of his neck. “Just needed to sit for a minute.” He shoots you an apologetic look before he gestures to the swaying crowd. “Lead the way.”

At the edge of the dance floor, Hoseok draws his impatient dance partner into his arms as the band plays a ballad. He casts one final look in your direction before they waltz away, disappearing into the throng.

By the time the band winds down, Namjoon and Hoseok are both gone, having taken the party elsewhere. You, however, remain in your perch, head tipped back to look at the night sky, wondering just how many stars to wish on to ensure that one comes true.

Christmas break finally arrives, and you make the long trek home. Senior year is kicking your ass and you cannot wait to spend several weeks camping out in your childhood bedroom, sleeping and pretending the world outside doesn’t exist.

You also can’t wait to see your family again. Namjoon will be home as well, of course. The two of you haven’t seen each other in months, since you spent the summer at an internship.

And you know Hoseok will be in tow.

It wouldn’t be the holidays without a party. This year, it’s your parents’ turn to host the family gathering. You spend the day helping decorate and prepare the house for an influx of merrymakers. As you string up some garland in the hallway, you pause to add an extra sprig of green.

Third time's the charm, right?

That evening, you can’t relax as guest after guest pour through the door. You hover in the hallway, but Grandma Kim sees you and forces you to join her in the living room so she can sit comfortably while she grills you about your (nonexistent) love life.

The butterflies that have taken up residence in your stomach stir to life as Hoseok enters the room. He’s immediately bombarded by your mother with a million questions about how he’s enjoying grad school. Your plan has not quite gone to, uh, plan, but you improvise.

“Hey Hoseok,” you greet him. “Come help me open some more wine. Grandma Kim needs a refill.”

He smiles, relieved to be rescued from your mother’s firing line, and accompanies you into the hallway. As you near the kitchen, you suddenly stop, Hoseok looking at you curiously.

“Say, what’s - “ You trail off in surprise as you glance up.

Where did it go?

“What are you doing?” Hoseok asks.

You shake your head. “Nevermind. I - I thought I saw a spider.”

Namjoon is in the kitchen, already uncorking another bottle of wine. He and Hoseok greet each other as if they haven’t seen each other in years and you roll your eyes at their dorkiness.

“Hey, do me a favor and hide the mistletoe next time Mom pulls out the holiday decorations,” your brother requests, and you nearly drop the wine glass you're clutching.

“Mistletoe?” you inquire innocently.

“Yeah.” Namjoon frowns. “I was in the hallway, taking little old Ms. Lee’s coat when she noticed it hanging over our heads. Next thing I know, she’s halfway up my chest like some sort of horny koala.” He shudders. “I can still taste her cigarettes. Ech. Anyway, I took it down right after that.”

Hoseok doubles over, cackling delightedly as you laugh halfheartedly. Figures your brother would thwart your plans. As you take a swig of the wine you’d poured for Grandma, you decide that some things just aren’t meant to happen.

By midnight, you’ve had enough of the festivities, so you retreat to the sunroom. Snow falls outside the windows, quietly coating the ground in a fluffy white blanket. You watch the flakes spiral through the air as you savor the silence.

“I thought I’d find you here.”

“And why’s that?” you question Hoseok as he joins you at the window.

Running a hand through his dark hair, he grins. “Because I know how much you love watching the snow come down. Remember that blizzard… god, was it ten years ago? I had to spend the night because your dad couldn’t drive me home. You slept in here that night so you wouldn’t miss a minute of the snow.”

“You remember that?” You barely recalled that night. The only thing that lingered was the sheer joy you’d felt as the snowflakes kept falling and falling. “Wow. I didn’t know you were so observant.”

He shrugs. “I catch things.”

In the silence that follows, he shuffles closer, until you can feel the fuzzy sleeve of his plush sweater gently rubbing your hand. You tear your gaze away from the snow to peer at him. The sharpness of his profile is softened slightly by the flickering glow of the Christmas lights hanging around the room. Your eyes rake over the cute little upturn of his nose, the roundness of his cheekbones.

He sees you looking. “You know you didn’t need mistletoe to get me to kiss you, right?”

“What?” Caught off guard, you blink rapidly. “I - what?”

“I told you,” he murmurs, tugging on the bottom of your sweater to pull you closer, “I catch things.” His arms loop around your hips as you dazedly peer at him. He laughs, and the merry sound sends your heart soaring. Gingerly, you place your hands on his chest, relishing the way his laughter rumbles through him.

“I’m going to kiss you now, okay?” he asks, head tipping towards yours, and you nod slowly, still caught in his spell. Hoseok’s lips brush against yours delicately, before you slide your hands around his neck, pulling him closer, ever closer.

Outside, the snowflakes continue to whirl, caught in a wintry wind, but all you know is warmth, wrapped in arms that feel like home.

© 2021-22-23 by sunshinerainbowsbts/minisugakoobies. Crossposted to AO3. Please do not copy or repost.