#crave court

[chicken-nuggs-and-cozy-hugs]

So I just finished Court (Crave #4) and I have questions. Well, many questions but, once you find out about Izzy & all of the family stuff does this mean that Grace & Hudson are related?

[codename-adler]

22.

it smells hella gay in here. i don’t actually know what i did here. i felt gay, so i made gay.

pookie post ref from pt. 16

[aftgscenes]

Two tweets which COULD MEAN NOTHING- THAT COULD HAVE NO CORRELATION… but I am still looking 👀

[gabrielleragusi]

Wanderlust Window Collectible

12 windows into different fantasy worlds, designed in 2023 for the Bookish Box

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[disenchanteds]

the sunshine court book summary is still so funny to me because it says shit like "jeremy is forced to contend with the cost of victory" meanwhile the cost of victory is jean in a blue scoop neck t shirt making jeremy's brain short circuit

[the-asshole-court]

something that i realised whilst doing my most recent reread of tsc was how many popular book tropes are in it ?? but are always done so much better than i've seen in other books ?? like renee and jean being right person wrong time, jeremy and jean with 'who did this to you?' ?? i'm sure there are more, but that's so cool ?? i love this silly book series

[onlysanepeoplesleep]

possible tw: brief mention of an eating disorder and body dysmorphia (implied but it’s barely there??).

There was no doubt when someone said Kevin was beautiful or pretty. Everyone complemented his looks, even Tetsuji had said that his looks could be used and he should use them. He hadn’t understood when he was younger what that meant exactly, but he understood now.

You could get anything just by having a pretty face and an eye-catching body. Maybe that’s why he was put on strict diets in the Nest. So the photoshoots they took months later would show his slim waist and lean figure. Riko always said his eyes were the prettiest part about him, and thus were meant to be kept unharmed.

His face never showed any sign of the abuse he had received in the Nest, even years after people still believed he had had it easy. Maybe that’s why he hated his self-image so much, why he stared at the mirror for seconds longer than he should. Why he hated eating anything above the calorie intake he was meant to. Because he had had it easy. Life had been easy for him, he shouldn’t worry others with his problems because he didn’t have any.

He was fine because he wasn’t traumatised. He wasn’t hurt the way Neil or Jean were. He didn’t have lasting scars except for the one on his left hand — and even that wasn’t as bad as the ones Jean or Neil carried.

Everything was fine. He was fine. Nothing was wrong.

And yet… if something wasn’t wrong, if he was truly okay — then why did he still have nightmares? Why did he awake abruptly at night drenched in sweat and riddled with fear? Maybe he was a coward, why else would he have nightmares when his experiences in the Nest had been nothing compared to what Jean suffered. What Neil suffered. Why should he have nightmares when Neil woke from them more frequently? When Kevin didn’t deserve to be traumatised because he wasn’t.

Everybody believed that was true so why shouldn’t he?

Betsy would probably say it wasn’t good to think like that. It wasn’t healthy to undermine his own trauma (which he didn’t have) just because someone else experienced the same things — just differently. She’d tell him to focus on his own nightmares and focus on trying to heal, but what was there to heal from if he was fine? Because he was. He was fine, as fine as one could be.

So he didn’t deserve the small reassurances his friends gave him. Didn’t deserve any kind of affection from them especially because it should be the other way round, but Kevin’s not sure how to comfort people and he knows he should know because if he’s fine and everything in his life has been fine up until this point — then how come he can’t give solace to those whose lives aren’t?

Why must he be so selfish and rude and stupid and a coward? Riko hardly did anything to him. He wasn’t beaten as much as Jean, he wasn’t tortured as much as Neil, he wasn’t broken. He survived the Nest and was fine, so that meant he had no room to argue with those who didn’t. Those who were braver then him. Who endured the pain because they didn’t know much else.

Kevin had the key to his cage whereas Neil and Jean didn’t. That was the difference. That was why he was fine and they weren’t. That’s why they needed to be loved and cared for and he didn’t.

He was not fine. He hadn’t been fine in years, but he’d never voice that aloud. He’d never disagree when someone said he had it lucky; when they said he was spoiled for thinking he didn’t. Whatever horrors he had been through in the Nest didn’t matter because in the end, the only way for people to realise just how broken you truly were was if they had visible evidence. And in that, Kevin was lacking.

[achaotichuman]

See the thing with Tamlin having a daughter, he's absolutely a single parent and has no clue what the fuck he's doing.

So, balancing having a newborn with also rebuilding a Court from the ground up would be one of the most mentally taxing jobs he's ever had. He's so exhausted and can barely think straight or string a sentence together, and there's no real help in Spring, because most of the servants, or nurses, or anyone that could provide any support are still wary to enter.

So, he reaches a point where he's like, 'If I keep going like this, I'm not going to survive.'

Therefore, desperate times call for desperate measures, and Tamlin goes to one source of help that might take pity on the situation, or least on his daughter Dahlia.

And goes to Day, where Andrea, former Lady of Autumn, is staying with Helion.

Cue super adorable step in grandma and grandpa Lady of Autumn and Helion.

Anyway, it would start something like this.

Rain pounded down on the Day lands. People rushed inside, desperately dragging signs and chairs into buildings. Using books, clothing, anything to shield themselves from the onslaught of water that poured and poured from the raging dark clouds above. 

Andrea drank jasmine-infused honey sweet tea. The warm liquid slipped down her throat, and soothing her body. The Day palace was warm and dry, a stark difference from the thunder and lightning cracking in the sky. A fork of brilliant white light streaked the sky, Andrea smiled, she had always loved storms. 

Her husband… not so much?

Helion huddled himself closer to Andrea when lightning followed quickly by a snap of thunder pierced the sky. The Day Lord had near a dozen blankets wrapped around himself, his head lying in Andrea’s lap. Andrea laughed as he jolted and wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pressing his face into her navel. She toyed with the braids in his hair. 

“It isn’t all that bad,” She assured him, leaning back into the soft white couch, while her eyes tipped to the balcony across from them, the glass doors sealed tightly to shelter them from the rain. 

“It is that bad,” Helion insisted, “The thunder has no right being that loud.”

Andrea laughed quietly, stroking her husband’s hair. Placing the porcelain cup down on the table beside the lounge, Andrea tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Smiling to herself at the next round of thunder, holding Helion closer, knowing he was ever so frightened of the storm outside. 

She sighed, this was nice. 

There was a rapping at the door. Looking up Andrea furrowed her brow, surely none of the servants needed them currently? After a moment’s hesitation, Helion sat up and looked at the door, then Andrea. It was Andrea who called out, “Please come in!”

A short female with wild brown curls, red eyes and fluttering wings entered. She bowed low, then straightened, “Your Majesties, there is a visitor requesting your presence.”

Andrea put a hand on Helion’s. Her brown eyes turned to his, though she found no answer, his face was as confused as her own. Helion took in a breath, “Where are they as of now?”

“Still at the entrance, my Lord, the guards have not let him through.” She replied. 

There was a moment of silence as Helion and Andrea assessed each other. Helion raised an eyebrow, Andrea shrugged ever so slightly. They weren’t in the middle of anything, the slight quirk of her lips told Helion she was just a little bored and this could be some form of entertainment.

“Alright, we’ll head down, thank you.” Andrea told the female. 

She again bowed low, then quickly fled the room, flittering off to wherever she was required. 

Andrea and Helion fixed themselves and quickly headed down for the Day Court palace entrance. Whispering to each other, “Who could be visiting so late?” “Perhaps a courtier, or emissary?”

They reached the tall golden doors, the two guards stationed there shared a glance. When Helion lifted his hand, they nodded, the doors flew upon. 

Immediately there was an onslaught of cold wind, it rushed through the threshold and splattered water across the polished tiles. Hail had begun, the small balls of ice rained down from the sky, smashing against the flooring. 

Andrea had closed her eyes and put her hands out in front of her as she adjusted to the sudden cold. Then she looked up to see the person standing at the entrance. 

Her jaw fell open. Looking at Helion his face had gone white. 

Tamlin was shivering in the cold, his whole body quivering. His eyes were dull and his skin was near grey. His lips were blue and frost-bitten. Instead of the normal greens and whites he wore a heavy black coat with a hood that had fallen off. His hair was a wild mess of knots and tangles. 

And in his arms was a tiny babe, so small she couldn’t be more than a few weeks old. She had tiny golden curls and pale skin, mostly wrapped in linens, her face was red, she was crying and screaming in his arms. 

Tamlin met Helion’s eyes, then turned to Andrea’s. Looking back at the High lord, he half-sobbed, “I had nowhere else to go.”

He stumbled like at any moment he might collapse. Snapping out of the daze they had been shocked into, Andrea made the first move. Like him or not, he had a child in his arms. She quickly approached the male and gently took the small girl from his arms, hushing and cooing as she did in an attempt to console her. 

As soon as the babe was safe in another’s arms. Tamlin collapsed to the floor. Helion then rushed to the younger High lord, shouting orders for a room to be made up and dry clothes to be brought out. Andrea rocked the crying girl as Helion picked up Tamlin. 

The doors were shut and the storm was locked outside. Helion and Andrea exchanged a look. Then the Lady of Day looked at the babe in her arms. 

Green eyes glistened up at her. Andrea stood there in pure shock. She looked like a tiny version of Tamlin. She screamed and Andrea watched as tiny claws pricked out of her fingertips. 

“Thats…” Helion trailed off. 

“The future Heir of Spring.” Andrea finished, her voice filled with wonderment, “Tamlin’s daughter.”

Tamlin himself shivered and gasped in Helion’s arms. The older High lord gritted his teeth. Her eyes didn’t deceive her, Andrea saw Helion bring the younger male closer to his chest. 

“What do we do?” Andrea asked. 

“We do what’s right.” Was all Helion said, then a group of servants came out. 

The oldest among them said, “We have prepared a room for the guest.”

Helion nodded, he then said, “Tamlin and his daughter will stay with us until further notice.”

Looking back down at the baby in her arms, Andrea bit her bottom lip. 

“Why were they out in the storm?”

Helion shook his head slowly, “I don’t know.”

[jeanmoreaue]

I agree!! *an incoherent rant incoming* Jean imo def moved on from Kevin (in a romantic way; i think he’s not moved on from the whole ‘Kevin left me’ thing ofc but I think he obviously knows and accepts that he and Kevin won’t ever happen lol). And that scene with Renee was obviously a closure/farewell and they’ve moved on to being friends now (also imo while i like their dynamic i feel like they’d never work bc of the whole victim saviour complex, that’d be really uncomfortable and hard to overcome). Jeremy seems like he’s able to handle Jean’s crazy baggage without placating him too much or pushing him too hard. He definitely needs to work on his own shit first (i feel like the way he went all in on helping Jean is kind of giving ‘I am avoiding my problems by getting too involved in others’ problems’) but I think Jean will be the perfect person to help him with that! As you said he’s super perceptive and honestly very empathetic even if he doesn’t show it in the most obvious way. Jeremy would probably really appreciate Jean’s brutally honest approach lol. They’re lowkey perfect for each other ☹️ TSC2 can’t come soon enough

hardcore agree on every single point you made!! i feel exactly the same about Jean and Renee, as much as their dynamic is sweet, i think it would be really difficult to overcome Jean feeling indebted to her (whereas Jean and Jeremy are both growing together) + ya i think Jean has very complicated feelings toward Kevin but i don’t think he’s actively yearning over Kevin anymore

and exactlyy i definitely imagine Jean quietly picking up on whatever Jeremy’s going through and expressing concern only for Jeremy to try and pull a “my problems aren’t that bad and therefore don’t matter” which i don’t see Jean accepting. especially since Jean has an ‘older brother who cares more about other people’s well-being more than his own well-being’ vibe (underneath his slightly prickly attitude lol) i think Jeremy and Jean are really good for each other, Kevin subconsciously knew what he was doing by having Jean transfer to USC 🤨

[whitesnakewine]

the more i think about it, it just doesn't make sense why Kabuto doesn't stay put in the lab where Orochimaru made specifically for him.

He's not nearly strong enough to deal with the kind of people Orochimaru pissed off, he's not a frontliner, he doesn't even want to fight most of the time.

If he had wanted protection from Danzo, his chance was plenty high at that isolated lab outside of any villages territory/ anyone reach. If anything, he was supposed to be like Karin, tucked away securely in a lab all for himself to do with as he wishes and still proves his loyalty.

It's not like Orochimaru would abandon him consider he paid for all utilities and most definitely give him some kind of monthly allowance to get whatever else he needs.

That snake is frugal and amass devotees everywhere. I'm certain Kabuto was the one who started to call himself Orochimaru's righthand because I sure as hell NEVER seen Orochimaru ever called him as such. He doesn't know what he is to Orochimaru for a very long before he settled for that role.

I think, for the duration of the time Orochimaru set him up at the island facility, he was cautious and keep his distance. That he doesn't really know if this is really happening to him then Orochimaru leave him alone at that island and he thinks, for a few months in utter isolation, he thinks for himself in between the tasks he was assigned.

That he would not know what to do if he was forgotten again. When Orochimaru came to check on him, he had decided what he'll do to make sure he will never be forgotten, for all eternity.

btw read: 👉Shiver by Sleeplesslark where Kabuto chilling at the island all alone by himself  ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿

[wherebeeslive]

Thinking about who owns the cheese drawer because Kevin's still strict about food, Andrew survives off junk food, and Neil is non-indulgent as a person

[dykevillanelle]

starting a different d20 season 90 minutes from the end of fantasy high bc im not ready to let them go yet :(

[codename-adler]

and what if i say that in Riko’s eyes, he and Kevin were supposed to be like Hannibal and Will?

what then?

[notafagipromise]

finished sunshine court I'm unwell, I will never recover I need the next book now

[bonefall]

How did you decide Leopard killed Crooked via poisoning, or was that from one of your AUs? If so, which AU does that come from?

It's gone through incarnations. I'm still very fond of the idea that both he and she have a form of diabetes, and because of that, she knew how to fuck with his doseage and just weaken him without killing him outright.

But then I wasn't sure if that would be in good taste or not, so I've swapped it over to just good old fashioned poisoning for now.

The original idea of Leopardstar poisoning Crookedstar started with Fire and Water iirc, which is an AU written by someone else following a RiverClan Firestar. I can't recommend that fic enough, but I also remember getting the poisoning as ask suggestions a few times.

But anyway it's always been BB, and goes back to when I was still calling it the Bonefall Rewrite. I think it's fitting for her and her ambition, as something underhanded and dishonorable that she felt was neccesary but still regrets.

[stick-ball]

Someone hold me down bcs I feel such an urge to post my Kevin slander stream of consciousness but I also don’t feel like getting stoned by the girlies.