#cuz like this fic's story is set in modern times. the 3 characters in it are students with 1 that im partially projecting some

[aria0fgold]

I don't know what I'm doing with this fic's story anymore at this point, I'm just doing feck all but somehow it's also so fun to just... make it a lil wacky.

[wangxianficfinder]

Fic Finder

Apr 27th

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1. For a ficfinder: I lost an NSFW oneshot and cannot find it no matter what I search.

So it was set during Cloud Recesses era and Wangxian had gotten together at some point before the fic, and the fic itself is about wx being caught having sex in the library by SMS, except he's being a gross voyeur and getting off on that without wx's permission.

They catch him in the act and when sms tries to say that they'll end up punished when he says what happened, LWJ went and said something like "Even if I'm punished, you'll be punished worse cuz I'm clan and you're just an outer desciple."

And that's about all I remember 😅 Thanks in advance!

FOUND! divulgences by ataraxistence (Not Rated, 2k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Fluff and Humor, Love Confessions)

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2. For fic finder: I am looking for a canon-era fic where WWX is a mermaid-type creature. He is injured and taken to Cloud Recesses to heal and everyone there is very respectful of him (he is a godly creature, maybe?). However he is kidnapped and he is tortured so that he will cry pearls. I can’t remember if this is the whole fic or if that kidnapping scene is just one chapter in a larger story. Sound familiar to anyone? Thank you!

FOUND? melt away (in your arms) by saccharinings (M, 32k, WangXian, Siren WWX, Prince LWJ, Fluff, Inspired by Legend of the Blue Sea (TV), The Little Mermaid Fusion, Mermaid WWX, Angst with a Happy Ending, Amnesia, with a twist ;), Hopeful Ending)

FOUND?🔒Secrets of Yunmeng's Lotus Lakes by Cy_an_Blue (G, 73k, WangXian, One-Sided SuXian, Omega WWX, Mermaid WWX, Cultivator LWJ, teenage WWX, teenage LWJ, No War AU, Non-Traditional A/B/O Dynamics Falling In Love, Getting Together, Interspecies Romance, Interspecies Relationship(s), Interspecies Awkwardness, Injury Recovery, accidental injury, Accidental Stabbing, Cultivation Accidents, Near Death Experiences, waterborne abyss, Kidnapping, Non-Explicit Torture, Mentions of major injury, Fluff, Attempted Sexual Assault, Courtship, Courting Rituals)

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3. Hello, I am looking for a fic in AO3 that I have read this past few months but I'm having a hard time finding it again. It was about before Jin Ling's One Month Celebration, where Wei Wuxian died and the Wen Remnants were devastated and don't know how to explain this to the rest. During this, from what I remember reading this Jiang Yanli and the others are planning on reconciling with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji asked his brother for encouragement in confessing to Wei Wuxian and permission in marrying him - also asking Lan Xichen for a forehead ribbon. But they don't know it is already too late since Wei Wuxian is already dead. I will appreciate the help in finding this Fic. Thank you. @mythiquefonceephenix

FOUND? To Offer a Heart by WhiteCrane (M, 111k, wangxian, major character death, Sad WWX, Hurt WWX, YLLZ WWX, soft wangxian, Cinnamon Roll WN, WWX Whump, WQ is a good sister, WN is a good brother, everybody loves wwx, yunmeng siblings, Triggers, Suicidal Thoughts, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Fluff, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Heavy Angst with a Happy Ending, Taking care of WWX, Give WWX a break, Canon Divergence, Disturbing Themes, Changing Perspectives, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Grief/Mourning, Temporary Character Death, Getting Together, Redemption, Sibling Bonding, Marriage, Marriage Proposal, Brotherly Bonding, Brotherly Love, Brother-Sister Relationships, Parent-Child Relationship, Sad and Sweet, Tragedy, BAMF WWX, BAMF JC, BAMF JYL, BAMF WQ, Slow Burn, Slow Build, Everyone Needs A Hug, WIP)

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4. Hello!

I’m looking for a modern au fic where Wei Ying comes back as Mo Xuanyu and is married to Lan Zhan. I think Lan Zhan had married Mo Xuanyu to help him get away from his family but they didn’t actually have a relationship so Wei Ying comes in and tries to pretend that he knows what’s going on and pretends to be Mo Xuanyu but Lan Zhan immediately knows something is up. I think I remember a scene where Lan Xichen was against the marriage but sees how happy Wei Ying is making Lan Zhan and is okay with it? I think Lan Zhan might have been a professor in it and Wei Ying started taking classes at the university or maybe he started some other kind of hobby thing, I just remember him trying to find ways to fill his time. This has been bothering me that I can’t find it, I’ve been searching all the tags and my own bookmarks, any help is appreciated! @sepaea

FOUND? Write It on My Neck by diamondbruise (E, 23k, WangXian, A/B/O Dynamics, Transmigration, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Fake Marriage, Falling In Love, Jealousy, Happy Ending, Anal Sex, Spanking, usual wangxian cnc elements, Misunderstandings

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5. Hey, I need some help with finding a fic, if possible. All I remember is that Wei YIng time travels back in time and find himself at the Discussion Conference. Before he can do anything, he ascends as a god and can't leave heaven. However, after receiving the prays of friends and family, he escapes heaven and lands back on earth before jumping into Lan Zhan's arms. I also think it was a one-shot. Thank you!

FOUND?🔒Mixed Blessings by mondengel (Not Rated, 1k, WangXian, god AU, Humor)

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6. I really need help finding a fic I read on AO3 years ago, so I'll try listing the important things i remember! Basically, Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze survive, but Cangse gets very injured in her legs after the attack and is unable to walk after that. Wei Ying is haunted by some ghost, and later on it's revealed that to be the future Wei Wuxian. Meng Yao's mother lives, and she becomes a teacher in the Jiang Sect. XY and XXC are both Baoshan Sanren's disciples and they leave the mountain. @subaro

FOUND? Building a home by R95irth (T, 586k, WCZ/CS, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Time Travel Fix-it, Angst with a happy ending, Family fluff)

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7. Hey I'm looking for a fic where wei wuxian gets badly injured I think when wen ning is brought back and like he's paralysed and then eventually dies. So song lan takes a letter to Jin lings one month celebration and everyone realizes how bad they messed up. I remember that a-yuan was crying a lot and calling Lan Wangji father? Anyway wei wuxian dies and the cultivation world over the next 13 years collects pieces of his soul to put it back together and summon him? Thank you for the help @mybestfriendisacinnamonroll

FOUND? I'm pretty sure this is the deleted "When I'm Gone" by qiankun_pouch. The archive link was . I could only find this Google Drive link. / I think 7 may have been deleted. Iirc it involved wwx dying by his own hand and maybe destroying the seal too?

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8. can you help me find a fic? i remember only a specific part; it was a conversation between what i think was a maybe rogue, disciple era wwx and possibly lqr about demons, and how the correct response wasn't to kill them on sight because some people turned into demons when they didn't want to, so it was best to get a feel for the situation before making a judgement, and how wwx was both surprised and also comforted by that response

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9. For a FicFinder: there's a modern AU where WWX gets a text from Wen Qing while he's at dinner with the Jiang family. She's having a family emergency; WWX and his friends and siblings all go across the country to help her re-build her family house. It's short and soft and ends with them building a dock over the local lake. It's NOT the one where WWX is trans and thinks LWJ is dating JYL. (That one's great, just not the story I've lost.) @songscloset

FOUND! the ship sways but the heart is steady by taizi (T, 9k, JC & WWX, WangXian, Modern AU, Established Relationship, Families of Choice, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Past Child Abuse, Protective JC, Soft WangXian)

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10. Hello!! First time doing this but I'm looking for a fic that I think is JC centric with JC and JL fluff. There was this specific scene where JC found a way to walk/run on water, same with JL, and JC managed to find a way to allow Fairy to join as well. I know wangxian was in it but I don't remember any pairings or other scenes. Hope you guys are well! ^^ @fng095

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11. hi there! I’m looking for a modern au! fic where lz and wy are best friends and were gonna go out to do something but it was storming outside. then they start getting intimate and losing each other’s firsts. oh! and lxc is also in the house. thank you!!!

FOUND? blue matter by verseau (E, 5k, WangXian, PWP, Tickling, Loss of Virginity, Bottom WWX)

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12. Hello, I am new here! But I have been trying to find this one fic, that I read a while back and am not sure if it was deleted or not. I think it was a time travel fix-it of sorts. All I remember is that WangXian got together either before or during the war with the Wens and after a battle or on their way to a battle, they are passive through a burnt down village where WWX senses or hears the call of a Fierce Corpse and calls to it. It is severely burnt, like chard black, burnt and it is carrying a bundle. It turns out to be LSZ as a baby. WWX realized that the corpse, a'Yuan's birth mother, was so worried for him that even after her horrific death her Fierce Corpse protected her son.

WWX promises her that he and LWJ would raise him and keep him safe, allowing her to pass on. As they leave WWX says that LSZ feels like he is theirs, and LWJ agrees that he is now theirs. I think it was a WIP or that it got completed not long after I read it originally, but for the life of me, I cannot recall the name or anything outside of this scene. I think it wasn't very nice to JWY/JC, but I could be very wrong about this...

Please help me? Thank you! I also wouldn't mind some nice time travel fix-it fics or even just WangXian getting their sht together much sooner recommendations if you find them. @rhygserene

FOUND? And Time Is But a Paper Moon by sami (M, 139k, WangXian, XiChengQing, Time Travel, Fix-It, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Healing, Mental Health Issues, PTSD, Hurt/Comfort, Depression, BAMF WWX, BAMF JC, BAMF LWJ, BAMF JYL, Getting Together)

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13. Hi! I'm looking for a fic that I read long ago. From what I can remember is that the lan found out that yzy has been abusing wwx and he was sent to cloud recesses so that he can recover. The scene that stuck in my head is that when wwx is taking a walk with lqr, wwx saw a fox and its kits and like a little child, wwx pulled on lqr sleeve for attention. That's all I could remember. I hope you can help me to find it. Thank you in advance! @mayuchi96

FOUND!🔒 The Second Hand Unwinds by trulywicked (E, 56k, WangXian, JYL/JZX, WIP, Time Travel Fix-It, Not JC Friendly, Not Yunmeng Jiang Sect Friendly, Not Jiāng Family Friendly, Not YZY Friendly, Time Travelling LWJ, Protective LWJ, Fluff, Minor Angst, Minor Character Death, JGS is his own warning, Wooing, LWJ is romantic af, Inventor WWX, Genius WWX, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Protective Gusu Lan Sect, Supportive LXC, Good Uncle LQR, WWX Protection Squad) it's locked to the archive so you have to be logged in to read, the scene with WWX tugging on LQR's sleeve happens in chapter 3

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14. Hello! So some years ago I've read a fic that made me experience some bad shit, so I promptly forgot about it, but now my friends are asking to drop the link and I can't find it anymore :( It was post-canon, WWX dies, so LWJ goes mad and massacres almost everyone in CR, then goes to Jingshi and stays there hugging the body (also kills his uncle when he comes there) There's time travel involved, and LWJ helps his past self, teaches him all he knows about WY, after that sorta dies? Pls help! @j-aime-vodker

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15. I'm looking for a modern with magic kind of fic. LWJ is slightly estranged from his fam because he's really into reconstructing the song of clarity (long lost) through a research study with a bunch of students who can't cultivate too well. A-yuan and WWX move into his apt bldg, and LWJ teaches A-yuan how to play qin. WWX plays xiao. LXC is sect leader. It was really touching, I remember a specific scene with LWJ giving A-yuan his childhood qin. Any leads?

FOUND? Hear a song this deeply by so_shhy (T, 87k, WangXian, Modern Cultivation, Kind of academia AU, Music, Kid Fic, Canon-Typical Violence, Action/Adventure, canon-typical JGY behaviour, Original Character(s), Slow Burn, Fluff and Angst, we love us some tragic backstory, Happy Ending, for wangxian at least, [slaps fic] this baby can fit so much plot in it)

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16. Looking for an untamed story.

Wei Wuxian is a YouTuber that bakes and the first chapter is him putting a cupcake in a locker at a train station for a viewer. Lan Zhan is a musician amd is hold a concert with a meal. Wen Chao is meant to be running the Kitchen but Wei Wuxian helps out but doesn’t want Lan Zhan to know die to a misunderstanding in the past.

They get together and create a cooking/baking area plus music room @nikkiwhitecraft

FOUND! i swim in hollow lakes carved from memories by spookykingdomstarlight (T, 154k, WangXian, LXC/JGY, Modern, Coffee Shops & Cafés, Music, Baking, Social Media, Misunderstandings, Consequences of Fake Dating Schemes, Flashbacks, Vlogger WWX, Professional Musician LWJ, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mistakes, Pining, Matchmaking, Romance, Illnesses, Slow Burn, POV Multiple, Second Chances)

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17. Hello! For the fic finder: I've been trying to rediscover a fic where lwj finds out wwx is engaged in sex work during burial mounds era to get by. I specifically recall that it's a chance encounter between the two of them. they run into one another in an inn in yiling, I believe right as wwx is finishing up with a client. he proceeds to bait lwj by asking if he'd like a round. I'm starting to suspect it may have been deleted, but thank you for any help!

FOUND? I Can't Contain These Demons' Hands by flipfloppandas (M, 5k, WangXian, WWX/Other(s), WWX/WC, Rape/Non-Con, Prostitution, Oral Sex, Non-Consensual Oral Sex, non-graphic/implied pedophilia, those tags do not apply to wangxian, Hurt/Comfort, Canon Divergence, at least at the end, Angst with a Happy Ending)

FOUND? Tender by Deastar (E, 20k, WangXian, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Sex Work, (not between the main characters), love in the time of income inequality, Canon Divergence, Hopeful Ending, Gūsū Lán Forehead Ribbon)

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18. Hi I was hoping you could help me find a wangxian fic. All I remember of it - lan wangji is receiving his 33 lashes when wei Wuxian comes to save him ( he didn't die or came back to life can't remember), but due to lan wangji being hurt. Wei wuxian destroys the cultivation world, I also remember Yanli being alive and I think Zixuan. It was on ao3. Sorry if that's not enough info, please could you help

FOUND? the fire and the forest by androids_fighting93 (T, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Not Everyone Dies AU, Resentful Energy, Whump, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, WWX Lives, Suicidal Ideation) is similar to the request but doesn't match exactly (WWX arrives after the whipping is finished and doesn't destroy the cultivation world)

FOUND? An arrow to the heart by IsilmeLasgalen (T, 47k, WangXian, SongXiao, XuanLi, ZhuiYi, LQY/NMJ, XiSang, A-qing/OYZZ, BSSR/LY, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, YLLZ WWX, WWX Lives, BAMF JYL, Protective WWX, Good Parents LWJ and WWX, Married WangXian Have Children, JGS "falls" down the stairs, Bad Parents JFM and YZY, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, JYL Lives, JZX Lives, Protective WN, Implied/Referenced Abuse, POV Multiple, Post-Sunshot Campaign, Cultivation Sect Politics)

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19. Hi! looking for a fic i read awhile ago amd got lost in my history but it was about LWJ And WWX getting married but Jin Guangshan didnt believe their marriage was real so he had jin disciples go to the jingshi on their wedding night to see if they actually do anything so WWX and LWJ proceed to have really loud sex just to spite him @yesibest

FOUND? debt of a knife by iliacquer (E, 13k, WangXian, Fantasy AU, Top LWJ/Bottom WWX, Warlord!LWJ, Forced Marriage, faked dubcon, safe sane consensual noncon kink, gendered language for horny purposes, Mercenary!WWX, Exhibitionism, Voyeurism, But Only a Little Bit, Pain Kink, Consensual Non-Consent)

FOUND?🔒 Set Me Free by jiejieaini (E, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, frankencanon, Fake Marriage, Marriage Proposal, First Kiss, First Time, First Time Bottoming, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Suicidal Thoughts, Illnesses, Chronic Pain, Parenthood, Weddings, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Golden Core Reveal, Angst with a Happy Ending) there's a scene similar to what was described near the end

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20. Thanks for all the hard work you do!!

I'm looking for a fic that has wei wuxian and jin zixuan summoned being summoned and they work together.

FOUND? The Tales of Despereaux by stiltonbasket (T, 51k, WIP, wangxian, canon divergence, WWX summoned by QS, additional warnings in author's note when applicable) If rosethornewrites is right and WWX is summoned by Qin Su then it could also be the chapters 1-23 in "The Tales of Despereaux" by stiltonbasket.

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[maleficore]

Saw someone else do it and I think I've done this before too, but the list has grown since then a bit so here's my current lineup of read dead wips that I'm working on!! :D Minus the stuff that's already posted on AO3 cuz I see no point in doing a synopsis for things that have left my google drive and you can go and read ahah.

Turned out loooooong so lookie under the cut if you're interested in knowing what I'm up to.

Morston Soulmate AU (title tba, multichapter, around 20-30k when finished) - An AU where you can feel all the injuries your soulmate gets, both minor and major ones. There's no soul marks, seeing your soulmate get hurt and connecting the dots is the only way to find out. Has a lot of time skips and focuses more on feelings than events, but starts out pre-canon when John almost gets lynched and works its way towards the end of the canon story. Chapters alternate between Arthur's and John's POV. Canon compliant :)

RDR2 "Modern AU" (title tba, multichapter, long as shit) - I only call it a modern AU for the sake of simplicity... I'm not sure if it counts as one. Set in 1999 and focuses on the case of Arthur Matthews -- a 36 year old adoptive son of the infamous criminal defence lawyer Hosea Matthews, who went missing without a trace for six months and then reappeared miles from his hometown, seemingly unharmed, but also... not quite right. Delusional, confused, suffering from some sort of memory impairment. The story is about Arthur struggling to adapt to being back home in a reality that is apparently foreign to him. Outsider's/John's POV, but not really shippy. It can be read as pre-slash, though.

My Self-Indulgent Jesse/Arthur fic (another title tba lol, it's too early to tell but I'm thinking multichapter? A collection of scenes from 1878 to 1899) - This one is for me and me only, though I will eventually post it 😂 Written in second person, like a reader-insert and can be read as one if someone wants to, but I am including Jesse's backstory and feelings that are way too specific to be immersive for anyone but myself... I'm working real hard to write it in a way that portrays growing up queer in that time somewhat realistically, so it's not always pretty, but I do try to keep it not that depressing. Features: Jesse's early-life backstory, the story of the scar, his first Gay Experience, how his brothers died, the ups and downs of his relationship with Arthur, why they eventually broke up for what felt like last time, how he got arrested (altered RDO storyline bit) and how he got back up with the gang. I'm planning to do a rough rewrite/fix-it of the canon story with him in it too, but that's... an "one day" thing ajsddjfk

Morston Omegaverse (title tba, one shot, around 10-15k probably? I can't keep things short, sorry) - Young-ish and freshly presented Alpha John, "Closeted" Omega Arthur. Ngl this one is smutty as hell... but! I think my take on omegaverse is rather fun (very transgendered) and it's porn WITH not without plot so something for everyone there lol. John's POV again + lotsa feelings, misunderstandings and some angst :) Just the way I like it.

Vandermatthews Daemon AU (had a title but ao3 yeeted my draft and I forgot what it was, oops)- I say Vandermatthews, but it's more of a "curious couple, unruly son" genfic than real slashfic 😅 This is supposed to be the beginning a series of oneshots from different characters' POV. This one is maybe a 1/3 done (needs a serious rewrite tho) and written from Hosea's POV. It's about him and Dutch finding and taking in young Arthur -- a very traumatised child who has undergone intercision and therefore lost his daemon. More of a collection of vignettes from that moment to when they take in John than a real coherent fic tho. The next one is going to be John's POV coming of age thing and we'll see where my brain will go from there. I want to do a separate big ass post about this one later because I have Opinions on the gang members' daemons that I need either challenged or validated...

1907!John/Isaac fic (title tba... a two parter, one set in the epilogue and the second is a RDR1 fix-it) - NOW HEAR ME OUT!!!!!! PUT DOWN THE GODDAMN PITCHFORKS FOR A SECOND PLS This is a plot bunny that Refused To Fucking Die. Isaac is obviously an adult in this (22), they have never met before, and the story begins in the months where Abigail and Jack were gone and John worked alone on Pronghorn ranch. It's not so much a romance (despite the slash) but more two people dealing with different types of grief in Very Unhealthy ways, okay. It's supposed to be a bit iffy because of that and the... 12 years of difference between them in this universe. I'm not trying to make this shit uwu or anything. It's also a bit of a daddy issues vent piece for me and I've been working it for MONTHS because I want to write this one right. This is the the fic I redacted in my last WIP showcase, but now decided that... fuck it. Here you go.

(Doubt anyone has made it this far, but if you did ily.. please lemme know what you think? My ask box is open for questions too... I love talking about the stuff I'm working on even if it's not posted yet ❤)

[icannotreadcursive]

So, since totally cheating on today's OC-tober prompt, I am having some thinky thoughts about my relationship to fanfic AUs and what "AU" even means.

I do not think of myself as someone who writes AUs, and yet I very rarely write things that are canon-compliant. As I just said to a couple friends "I canon diverge HARD and I love me a “what if” but I do not “AU” in the coffee shop etc sense".

And that's the thing, when I say "AU" pretty much exclusively mean a story where the characters exist in a setting different from canon and have done so all along. Not "the world of canon but with some details changed" and not "the world of canon up to a point."

I think I've written one (1) actual AU ever, and I'm more likely to read AUs for Marvel and DC comics stuff which, by their nature, already have about a million canonical AUs anyway, or for media I'm not super familiar with or don't actually like so my interest in the canon setting is low to begin with.

From certain authors I trust, or on friends' recommendations I will read almost any kind of AU, but it's a reasonable generalization to say I just don't like them.

For me, a huge part of a character is the context they exist in, so when you take them out of their canon setting my interest drops a lot. And yes, I do know that some AU fics do a lot of really interesting things with translating a character's circumstances and dynamics from canon to an AU setting, which--for me--exploring that dialogue between the canon circumstances and how they've been rendered in the AU is the entire point of having an AU at all and just about the only thing that makes them worth reading, but too often they feel like dolls with familiar names and faces just grabbed and stuck in a different story entirely where they can't be the same characters I know, and I therefore absolutely do not care about them.

Especially for source media that's sci fi or fantasy where those fantastical elements are so deeply ingrained in the characters' experience and sense of self, I utterly fail to see the appeal of AUs that strip the characters of that context. To me, a lot of the fun of sci fi and fantasy is exploring the impact that the fantastical elements have on characters, so the impulse to do the opposite of that reflects a view of and relation to that media and those characters that is so alien to me I cannot fathom it. I have a similar, if somewhat inverse, issue with a lot of the kinds of AUs that introduce fantastical elements (they tend to feel shoehorned in to me) or switch out one set of fantastical elements for another (there was already magic there to be explored??? was the canon magic not good enough for you???). Overall, most AUs end up making me feel like, why did you bother writing this as fanfic for this media, since you clearly don't actually want to write about this media or its characters as they exist.

I'm not saying y'all who love to write and read those kinds of of stories are wrong, I'm saying I will never understand you.

All this culminates in my moderate frustration with the handling of the Ao3 [Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence] tag. Because it stacks under the general [Alternate Universe] tag, I can't just exclude that tag and free myself of all the coffee shop, modern setting, no powers, vampire, mafia, high school AUs I'm just not interested in without also removing all the "what if things when differently after episode 3?" type stuff I am into.

Cuz, to me, canon divergence isn't AU, it's canon divergence. Those + canon compliance are three different modes of engaging with canon that I think most fanfic people have an innate understanding are different from each other. It bugs me that one gets stacked under another just on the grounds that it's not the third one.

Most of the time when I'm writing fic it's either an exercise in "how would I have handled this story/filled in these gaps" or its me experimenting with how things could have gone, treating canon as a control group. Either way, there's a grounding in the canon setting the absence of which is what, to me, makes an AU an AU.

The way I see it, because my fics have that grounding point, they're simply not AUs no matter how far they end up diverging, since they're still set in the same basic world.

[actual-bill-potts]

🛒 🧐 🦅👀 for the fanfic asks please! And I hope your Monday improves ❤️

🛒What are some common things you incorporate in your fics? Themes, feels, scenes, imagery, etc. Ooh this one made me think. I think that grief and loss are very common motifs; I have written a lot of fic about characters' response to irredeemable loss. Part of that, I believe, is an effort to deal with my own angst re: the passage of time. That theme is something I find very compelling about the Silm, because pretty much every character in the story is doomed forever (or at least they think so).

It's also something that I am fascinated by in Doctor Who: how do you continue to love and go on when everyone around you is dying? It's a very potent metaphor for the human condition, because all of us are doomed to suffer and die, probably sooner than we'd like. What does it look like to create meaning in a world like that? For Finrod (and the eleventh Doctor, blorbo of my late teens), the answer is: there are always new people to love. Maglor would, perhaps, answer: the art we make is worth it. Maedhros might respond: there is no meaning, but I'm gonna live anyway cuz fuck Angband. etc. etc.

Apart from that - I use a lot of dawn/dusk/starlight juxtaposition imagery because, well, I'm writing silm fanfic lol. I think I write a lot of scenes where characters are trying to say something but just can't and end up saying something entirely different/characters are talking at cross-purposes/etc, just because I find that fun and brain-tickling to write.

🧐Do you spend much time researching for your stories? ...yes and no. I spend a ton of time checking timelines, maps etc of First Age Beleriand. And various other details. But other than that I'm not like. too picky about most things? For instance if there's a lot of medical treatment, etc. in my stories I do enough research to make it generally plausible and then kind of elide a lot of details because a) I am writing this for fun and don't have time for thesis-level research and b) it's a fantasy setting anyway so realism is not my #1 priority.

🦅 Do you outline fics or fly by the seat of your pants? Depends on the length of the fic! Oneshots/vignettes I do not outline whatsoever, I get an idea and sit down to write it and whatever comes out is what you get lol. For multi-chapter fics, I do outline but it tends to be pretty rough. For instance, for towers I have a general outline of major events and then I will do a slightly more detailed outline for a chapter or two at a time to make sure I'm including everything I need to for the plot to move along (at least a little lol).

A peculiarity of mine is that I find it very difficult not to write in chronological order, like if "Maedhros and Maglor have a conversation where they say X Y and Z" is in my outline and then something happens later in the fic based on that conversation. I cannot write what happens until I've written the conversation. Really when I'm writing dialogue - and dialogue drives a lot of my fic - I kind of turn my brain off and just try to channel the characters. Sometimes that takes me fun places :)

👀 Tell me about an up and coming wip please! Oooh. ok I have two.

The Athrabeth script! I am writing a movie-style script inspired by the Athrabeth, in an attempt to make it read a little more easily/convey what I think Tolkien was trying to get at to a modern audience. I'm about halfway through currently - it's been much more difficult to write than I expected, lol. There are so many undercurrents in the piece as written that are difficult to get across without having Finrod and Athrabeth just monologue at each other - and I'm trying to make it flow like a conversation rather than competing speeches.

WIP currently entitled "Finrod and babies," an entirely self-indulgent piece of work in which I write Finrod interacting with. many small children. no major plot, just utterly shameless fluff.

Thank you so much!! <3

[vettany2]

Top 10 fanfics I've written for the MarcoAce pairing

10. A Surprise Under The Cherries

post-marriage au and a long distance relationship

This one was a part of a spring challenge (as well as some others on this list) but it was really difficult to come up with a concept for the prompt. As I was writing it, I was thinking "is this even right?" "Should I keep it like this?". In the end it was not as bad I thought but it was no fun writing either.

9. A Wish Come True

high school au

This was better as I had the concept in my head immediately after reading the prompt. Tho I was sad I couldn't make it longer, I felt that if I stretched it a bit more, it would lose it's magic (or what). But it is pretty short according to my standards so I can’t give it a higher position.

8. Special Easter Egg Hunt

modern world au and a confession au

Coming up with this concept was hella difficult but it turned out quite entertaining to write. Can't help, domestic Whitebeard Family is always a pleasure to write. And nervous Marco as well.

7. Unintended Double Date

modern world au and (as the title suggests) unintended double date ft. Lawlu

Coming up with this concept was more fun that writing it. Still, I'm quite pleased with the result. I like the bonding of Marco and Law over their crazy boyfriends.

6. Øtchi

close friends and a modern world au

This was such a weird mood when I was writing this one. Marco and Ace are odd fellas since I can imagine them in almost every scenario. And so it didn't feel wrong for them being close friends. Tho I like the last date part more than the rest of the fic :D

5. It's (Not) Mutual

soulmate au, canon setting

Eventhough this is my top ranked marace fanfic in terms of hits and kudos, I struggled with like a half of the fanfic. I was deep in Soulmate AU rabbithole and wanted to write sth similar. And I think it's apparent from the writing that it's kind of forced. Nevermind.

4. You And Your Damn Freckles Are At Fault!

uni teachers au 

As I accidentally stumbled upon the prompt for this fanfic, I knew this would be a hit. Marco and Ace being teachers just made my heart flutter and when we add Marco's mistaking Ace as a student into the mix, my god, what a funny fanfic. The only thing dragging this fic down is that someone wrote for that prompt before me and I tried too hard to make this fic not as similar as theirs (cuz we dumb and we read it before writing mine).

3. Daily Flowers

modern world + coworkers au

Yet another of my Spring challenge fics. This one is my all time favourite out of them. Since it was linked to spring, I thought, flowers ofc. Since I know many ppl suffer from pollen allergy, I thought, that could be original. Then I thought, maybe I could sprinkle some flower language and the fic basically wrote itself. It was so much fun cuz office romance offers quite a lot of ideas. Hence the fic grabbing the third place. 

2. One Heroical Act Was All It Took

accidental meeting and a modern world au

The concept for this fic was basically me rewriting a dream I had. It was supposed to be very angsty and a bit scary as well which I tink I accomplished. Even if I don’t believe in love at first sight, it fit this fic well and I love this story very dearly. 

1. It All Started With A Bet

hospital au

And here we have the winner. It’s not only my most favourite fic but it’s also my first marace fic ever written. Everything about this fic is just perfect, the use of language, the way I structured the plot, the way I portrayed the characters... I just love this story very much. It has the right amount of angst, but still is more lighthearted than the previous one. I’m sad this fic is not as popular as I’d wish but that’s maybe because of the setting. Hospital and serious injures aren’t exactly fan favourites. Still, if you like marace, give this story a shot.

There were some more fics I had to leave out as I’m not as happy with them but still, if you feel like checking out any of the fics listed here, it will make me happy. If you feel like it, leave a comment as well.

[gryfon-spanish-werewolf]

7. What story/headcanons do you feel the proudest of?

15. What is the fanfic you’ve written that you’re most proud of? 

16. What fanfic tropes do you avoid writing for?

17. What fanfic tropes do you gravitate to writing for? 

20. What feedback makes you the happiest to hear?

21. Is there an idea you’ve always wanted to write, but haven’t yet? 

36. What fanfic of yours has the symbolism you’re proudest of? 

39. What area of writing do you feel strongest in?

Fanfic Writer Asks

7) In terms of headcanons (which I wouldn’t say I make often) I think I’m most proud of how I unabashedly use magic in a lot of my stories. Elsa’s magic, Troll magic, Other-magic - if I think something is neat then I kind of just roll with it!

Elsa’s ice magic, in canon has a LOT of uses, but I like pushing the boundaries. Ice-GPS? Check. Icepack for that burn? Check (though who hasn’t xD). Troll magic used for time travel? Check. Troll magic used for Dream-traversal?? Check. Physical embodiment of a strong emotion via magic? Check. Physical, evil appearance of an emotion incarnate via ice magic and troll magic and the POWER OF LOVE? Where’s my BINGO sheet? Cuz check that too.

15) OOF wow, that’s a hard one. I hate to say it but it MIGHT be one that’s not published and is currently sitting on my GDrive >_>;; I’m really proud of my Frozen!StarWars crossover

But of the ones that are published? Either A Banisher’s Dilemma or Great Knight Annatorias, The Abysswalker. I got to be super nerdy and meta on the second one^^

16) I avoid writing smut, I’ve never really been game for it. I’m always amazed that other people can write it, but I never really want to. I also tend to avoid angst, especially if it’s for no other reason than JUST angst. It has it’s place, but I don’t like using it just to get a reaction. (Some of you are already pointing fingers at Spirit - I know I KNOW xD It was a one off, I swear!)

17) I immediately gravitate towards anything SOFT. I love slice of life, I love characters bonding with each other, I love when they have CONVERSATIONS, especially about hard things that they can work through together! I also love “Firsts’”! First meeting, first hug, first confession, first kiss, first hand-hold, first date, first anniversary, etc etc. I love confessions and conversations. On the flip side I really love established relationships? Whatever they are: familial, friends, romantic or marital. There’s something really nice about a a pair or a group already being together. I have no idea where that all fits under your standard trope lists, but those are mine!

20) I absolutely scream if anyone ever quotes my stuff back to me saying stuff like “I really liked this line/paragraph/part because...” and then says why. I lose my mind. I also love when people say “This made me feel X” because I’m just ever so curious about how writing affects people!

Edit bc I forgot: I’ve had one (1) person make me fan art once as “feedback” for a story and I was on cloud 9 for like, shit, a month?? I still think about that person. I legit hope they are living their best life.

21) I wouldn’t say I “always” wanted to write this since I’m WAY too impatient to wait on ideas most of the time BUT I have had this au sitting in my WIPs folder for nearly 6 YEARS and it’s about how the King and Queen of Arendelle are secretly part of a vampire hunting guild. They kill a vampire that snuck into the castle one night but not before it infects their daughter and heir to the throne, Elsa (who’s like, 6 or 8). Even though they’re oathbound to kill vampires, they can’t kill their daughter. The castle is closed similar to post-Accident Frozen 1.

Jumping to modern times, Anna is a history student exploring the mountains of Norway with her classmate, Hans, and a guide, Kristoff, and they are heading for the ruins of Arendelle castle for a research project. Rumors say that despite wars, invasions, thrill seekers, and treasure hunters, a lot of people that go into that foggy area of the fjord waters and forest end up lost and never found. The few that make it out tell tales of strange chills and the feeling of eyes at their backs. Locals know that the headstones of the last living Royals (who died at sea) are still tended to, though no one knows by whom. Anna gets separated from the group and encounters a sleeping Elsa in the castle before sundown. Afraid for the stranger’s safety (it’s winter, it’s cold, and it’s going to be night soon), Anna attempts to wake Elsa, to no avail. Realizing she’s sort of stuck herself, Anna builds a fire and awaits morning (and her own rescue), unknowing that in the last rays of sunlight her “companion” is about to wake. For the worse.

Unrelated to fanfic, I HAVE always wanted to write a story about a girl named Rain (as such for her birth during a terrible storm) that misfortune is heaped upon by the bucketful, so much so that everyone believes she’s cursed, except for her tutor. I want her name have a double meaning that she both slumps and shines under, since rain may bring destruction, but also growth and healing.

36) A Banisher’s Dilemma, hands down. I did SO MUCH RESEARCH for that fic AND I was in a Bible New Testament class at the same time, so I just SHOVED a whole bunch of Christian history, themes, imagery, and references in there. It’s not the only symbolism however, as I mixed plenty of other global and cultural references in there as well. Hard not to, since Anna is literally jet-setting to a new location nearly every chapter.

39) Surprising maybe no one: light humor! My writing is often funny, mostly because I like to make myself laugh :D If I’m not having fun, than what’s the point!? Most often it’s shown off in my one shots or short fiction, but even re-reading some of my longer chapter fics still has me laughing at the same jokes I wrote many years ago.

If not humor than portraying strong emotions. I’ve received too many (generous and loving <3) comments about how pinpoint accurate or visceral my portrayal of joy or sorrow, grief or fear, or love and happiness are to deny it. And that’s much less of a boast and more a humble acknowledgement of people who have written very thoughtful responses to my work, and it would be irresponsible to imply that their words over the years were false in any way.

Thanks for the ask! These are a lot of really good questions!

[thestuckylibrary]

Group Ask 147

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AO3 Search Tutorial

Please send us an ask stating which group ask and which person you are replying to. Thank you so much in advance!

Anon 1 said:

Hey, i was wondering if you could help me find this fic. it was an au and i think steve was experimented on possibly by tony with extremes or something, and bucky has to take him from an airport to tony so they can help make him better and he has to make sure steve doesn’t get angry i think. thank you!

whitewolfwintersoldier sent in Fix you by Lesserknownhero (oneshot | 8,767 | E)

Anon 2 said:

Hey I've been looking for this fic EVERYWHERE and can't seem to find it: it was a time travel soulmate fic where Shield-Agent!Bucky travels back to the 1940s, is interrogated by Peggy & Howard, catches Steve's USO show, and his soulmate mark (in Steve's handwriting) says sth like 'who's that with Peggy?' (and Steve's was like 'I can't believe I finally get to meet him.')

Anon and eorwyn sent in old situations (new complications) by ChibiSquirt, DrowningByDegrees-Art (DrowningByDegrees) (complete | 21,191 | E) *graphic violence

resurrectionofdawn said:

Thanks so much for all the work you do!! I'm looking for a story where the Soldier keeps trying to apparently attack Steve but in his mind, he's trying to do something to help him. Like the most memorable part is that Steve was in a fight with him and he seemed to be trying to attack Steve with a handkerchief. If this rings any bells I'd sure appreciate the help!

Anon 3 said:

Hey! i’m looking for this fic, i think it was post civil war and nat helped steve plan out assassinations for hydra. i remember the last chapter, steve was living with bucky and steve woke bucky up pointing a gun at him, and then they go out and stargaze even though bucky didn’t want to. sorry it’d not much, thank you so much though! 😊

Anon 4 said:

Hey, I’m looking for a fic where Bucky’s a stripper and Steve’s a cop? It’s a 5+1 fic, and Alexander Pierce is talked about in the first chapter

Anon 5a said:

Hey, I’m looking for a Stucky fic from a little while back. It was a cute Modern Setting AU. Bucky and Steve met through mutual friends and I vaguely recall them going to some park with Natasha and co. around Christmas time and Steve was carrying a camera and snapped a stolen pic of Bucky and basically called it cute and perfect, and it was so damn cute and for the life of me can’t find the damn fic. Any bit of help would be appreciated.

Anon 5b said:

hi! im looking for a sugar daddy fic where steve got bucky fired because he spilled coffee on his divorce papers & they keep meeting and steve sees that bucky’s short on money so he proposes he could be bucky’s sugar daddy. i also remember bucky being a virgin at first.

miraishu, wayward-lives, sergeantbucky-barnes, spinningbear, duelingnebulas and sweetconstance sent in Collar Full of Chemistry by 2bestfriends (complete | 188,111 | E)

Anon 6 said:

hello! I was wondering if anyone here could help me find a fic? I don't quite remember much of it, but I do remember that it involved bucky who worked with the avengers (though they called him winter soldier, cuz they didn't know his name?) and there was this one scene where the avengers were around a table talking about who to set steve up with and ask bucky to help, not knowing that him and steve are together. There's another scene where steve ask bucky why he's helping the avengers set him up

Anon 7 said:

Hi there! I'm looking for a fic where bucky appears in natasha's apartment to "help her" find a partner for steve, post-catws (?), pre-slash. Thanks!

Anon 8 said:

im so sorry i know you have answered something about this fic before but i’ve been searching for a fic where steve goes into bucky’s mind (i believe with sam) and finds himself and bucky in bed (not sexually). and i believe before they go into buck’s mind he says something about how steve “might not like what he finds”. And i think steve has to fight the winter soldier in bucky’s mind. thanks so much!!

Anon sent in In Your Head by sara_holmes (complete | 47,710 | T)

Anon 9 said:

Hi, I wondered if you could help me, I'm searching for a fic where Steve is the descendant of a irish deity, (i think the deity was Badb), Bucky has dragon blood, or something, and it's a serie, where it starts from their childhood. I believe the first chapter is focused on Steve birth and presentation to the deity, not sure anymore. Thank you for all your work

therandomravenclw sent in Tar éis an domhain by LeafontheWinf2 (oneshot | 1,073 | G)

Anon 10 said:

hey, thank you for this blog! i tried looking for a fic in the tags, but no luck. There's this fic where steve develops a Pavlovian response to bucky tying his hair back bc that means he's about to get his dick sucked. do you happen to know what fic that is?

wxnterhxwk said:

Hi there!! I have been looking for this fic about stucky during WW2. It contains the howlies and how they figure out Steve and Bucky are dating because they hear them having sex through a wall. Is there anyway you can help find it? Thanks :)

princessniitza, wayward-lives and Anon sent in Don’t Ask* by AnnaFugazzi (complete | 21,491 | M ) *canonical character death (well, “death”)

Anon 11 said:

what’s that kidfic with tony and he hates bucky but comes over for dinner and hurts one of their kids on accident ?

Anon sent in At The Dinner Table by Movie_Popcorn (complete | 2,550 | not rated)

Anon 12 said:

I have searched for this fic for a while may have read it 2 years back and I normally don't ask for help with finding fics however I am stumped so its about Bucky stuffing some important documents that are meant for Steve by accidentally spilling coffee on them which leads to Steve firing him and then Steve later finds him working at a Starbucks and wants him to rehire I forgot why though? Please help if possible.

miraishu, sergeantbucky-barnes, spinningbear, duelingnebulas and sweetconstance sent in Collar Full of Chemistry by 2bestfriends (complete | 188,111 | E)

Anon 13 said:

Hi, I've tried searching for this on AO3 and the FWB tag here but to no avail. I'm looking for an AU modern fic (no super powers) where Steve and Bucky meet as co-workers in an architecture(?) firm. Bucky remembers hooking up with Steve in some bathroom because he doesn't usually do casual but Steve doesn't remember Bucky. They become friends with benefits. The thing I remember vividly is Bucky introducing himself to Sarah Rogers as "the stress relief".

bennettmp339 and whitewolfbucky sent in Steve Rogers. Cheerfully Slutty. by relenafanel (complete | 20,201 | E)

[callioope]

Questions Meme!

Hello, yes, this HAS in fact been sitting in my drafts for ages and ages. Thank you to both @crazy-fruit and @ruby-red-inky-blue for tagging me and for waiting forever for me to answer (oops)! I’m sorry I took so long, but y’all ask really good questions and I had to think about some of them!

Question Set 1

1. How are you?

Oh, I’m doing alright! Thank you for asking. The earlier part of this year was rather rough, but therapy has been helping. I’ve been rather busy these past few weeks with traveling, and my schedule going forward is rather busy, too, so while I’m excited for those things, I’m also excited for the eventual moment I can just relax.

2. What would you say are your talents?

Writing. Making fancy color-coded spreadsheets. I’ve been told that my super power is getting random (annoying) songs stuck in other people’s heads. Does that count as a talent? 

3. If you had the chance to start your life again, would you take it?

NOPE. No thanks. I like where I am at right now, and I would not want to relive my awkward years. Er, at least, my more awkward, younger years. Cuz I’m totally still awkward. Just less awkward. I hope?

4. Which language would you like to speak instantly? 

HMM. ALL OF THEM. It’s really hard to choose! 

Language fascinates me, and in another life I feel like I would have devoted a lot more time to learning more of them. Unfortunately, I really hated German class in high school because of the teacher’s tendency to put people on the spot -- I think that is sort of inherent in a language class, but I get anxiety speaking in public. 

Anyways, I suppose I’ll answer Turkish to this question, since spouse and I keep saying we’re going to try to learn Turkish via Duolingo. For the record, my HS offered six languages, which was the most I’ve ever heard of an American school offering, and I was always quite happy with my choice of German. (The others were Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, and Latin.) I do wish I had maintained my German better, and I that I had more time to learn Spanish. 

5. Where would you like to be right now?

Honestly? I’m pretty happy when I’m at home. But if I had to answer where “else” would I like to be right now, out of the whole world? Being back on safari in Botswana is a top contender, as are a variety of places in Turkey, and also Munich. 

6. What name would you give yourself?

I’ve always liked my actual name (Elizabeth). I know I go by Liz; one of my HS friends was quite stubborn and I’m a bit stuck with it now, but I don’t mind it. There are worse nicknames that come from Elizabeth. I used to go by Fiona online; I’ve always been fond of that one. 

7. What is something you’re currently learning?

OOF, what a good question. I sorta blanked on this at first, and my first thought was uhhhh learning how to cope with my OCD??? I’m doing exposure therapy right now, ish. Emphasis on the ish. Also mindfulness. Does that really even count? I started a beginner’s knitting project several months ago that I never finished, does that count? (I just need to seam it, that’s what I’m putting off. I have knit plenty of scarves; however, this is my first hat.) I’m sort of teaching myself ukulele although I haven’t really learned any new chords or songs in awhile. I would very much like to take more photography classes with a focus on wildlife photography. That involves buying a new camera and... signing up for classes. 

Question Set 2

1. What is a detail in a piece of art/a text that you like that you really admire?

This was very difficult, at first because it was like looking at a bin full of loose things and just seeing an assortment of color and being overwhelmed by it all, and then because once I did start digging around, I kept finding different ideas and it was too hard too choose.

Character-building: In the A Song of Ice and Fire series, when Arya starts working for the House of Black and White, Martin stops using the name “Arya” as she dons different identities. For example, he uses “Cat” for a bit, among other names. It shows she’s trying to be someone else, but the caveat is that there are still little mannerisms and such that show she hasn’t really left Arya behind (I think maybe she bites her lip or something? I don’t remember specific examples because it’s been over 5 years since I read these books, but I do remember really appreciating the general technique at the time). 

Music: In The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” I love those repeated arpeggios, over and over, building, intensifying, as the white noise comes in and you can just feel the heaviness of desire, of want... (and then I love how it just breaks so suddenly! And I know it wouldn’t have been intended this way because that’s the end of side one, but since I listen to the whole album on spotify, then those bright chords of “Here Comes the Sun” come in and god Abbey Road is the best Beatles album)

Writing: the poetry of Florence + The Machine’s “All This and Heaven Too,” obviously, since literally the title of my blog comes from that. I’d quote that whole song honestly. There’s something that speaks to me about the incapability of language to fully encompass just... everything. I mean, love in specific here, but also just everything. Words are just these little boats we put meaning on and we hope they make it to the other side but everyone takes ‘em a little differently. 

Like, look at this: 

And the words are all escaping, and coming back all damaged And I would put them back in poetry if I only knew how 

And this: 

Words were never so useful So I was screaming out a language that I never knew existed before

Anyways, there’s also something just incredibly soothing about the music, too, and how she sings the song. There’s another line, from Sara Bareilles’ “Miss Simone” that goes “How does she know what a heart sounds like?” which pretty much sums up how I feel about “All This and Heaven Too” (and also many of Sara Bareilles’ song, especially that particular album, but I digress).

Anyways I did have some art examples, but I think I’ve rambled long enough.

2. Is there an idea that you really liked but had to discard because you couldn’t get it to work?

If I really like an idea, I don’t really “discard” it so much as put it on the shelf to attempt later. Out of recent fic ideas, I’ve really struggled with “How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days.” I first thought of this in late spring 2017, and for awhile I couldn’t stop thinking about it, but I was working on Whatever I Do at the time, and wanted to wait before starting another WIP. By the time I got to writing this, the inspiration well had sort of dried up. 

I really like the idea of a fun cat-and-mouse rom-com idea where Jyn and Cassian keep outsmarting each other, with a whole lot of competency kink, some “oh shit we actually work well together!” and maybe some battle couple. And I was really looking forward to both the moment when they both finally let their guards down around each other and the big confrontation when they actually find out each other’s identities. But it involved more mission writing than I was prepared for, and I really struggled with it. I think I need to start over but that involves a lot of working, so it’s unfortunately shelved for now, and I’m working on a “You’ve Got Mail” concept instead.

3. Is there something fandom-related you would like to be able to do (i.e. I’d like to be able to make gif sets but can’t)?

Oh, yes, absolutely! Really anything that’s not writing related, lol. Gif sets, art, etc. But most of all, I have a music video idea for the song “So Close” from Enchanted--like I have a whole story board plotted out in a google doc. But I don’t have any video editing software, don’t even know how you get the scenes for a music video, etc. I have made videos before, but not since high school, and I don’t even have the cheap, basic video editing program I used back then. Sometimes I think I should just attempt make a gif set instead, but there are so many lyrics! and scenes that go with the lyrics! that I don’t know how to consolidate it into that format anyways. 

4. What is a skill you’ve acquired through fandom work?

Hmm, this was tough. I’m going to say HTML. I’m not up-to-date on webdesign at all, but back in my early fandom days, I ran a few fansites. I still sometimes use HTML while leaving comments or to edit posts on dreamwidth or w/e. It’s super basic, but it has helped me at work at a variety of jobs. I take it for granted that people my age should know basic HTML, but a lot of them don’t, and then a lot of people I work with now are older and definitely not tech savvy. 

5. Do you think anyone can learn to create great art, or does it take talent?

Well, I’m going to cheat a little. I do think think that anyone can learn to create great art, but I also think that everyone has a talent at something, and part of learning to create great art is recognizing your skill sets and honing those. If that makes sense? I’ve sort of seen both sides to this. I’ve seen naturally talented people create great things, but I also think that they’re probably cheating themselves if they’re not learning and honing their craft and trying to get better. But I’ve also seen people who started out making things that maybe you wouldn’t call great, but they worked hard over and over again, and looking at their work now, you’d say they were talented without ever knowing the difference. Great art = talent + learning + passion. Did that even answer the question? ...moving on

6. Do you prefer AUs or in-universe? Why?

I prefer to write in-universe, for sure. I find modern AUs more challenging, mostly because--and I feel kinda bad saying this--it’s very difficult for me to tap into Jyn and Cassian’s characters without some kind of tragic background. Their experiences and how they coped with them shape their personalities, and it’s really hard to separate them from those. My WWII was easier because, hey, it’s war, not so different from in-verse. But I initially tried to write Learning Curve in a modern AU and I was just totally bored. Putting it in universe made it more interesting to me, especially having to finagle a happier plot inverse. IDK, it might even be that I generally struggle to make up any conflict in modern AUs that feels interesting.

THAT SAID, lol, I definitely read either. So it’s probably strange for me to be hung up on it because I’ve read nice fluffy modern AUs and found them perfectly engaging.

Tagging: @theputterer, @magalis, @allatariel, @mythologicalmango, @threadsketchier  MY USUAL DISCLAIMER APPLIES: no pressure if you just don’t wanna, AND if anyone sees this and was like “aw hey i wish she’d tagged ME” well guess what, I wish I did too! so go ahead and do it and let me know and then i’ll know to tag you next time, too :-) 

Questions:

When you suffer a setback or a series of setbacks when creating (writing, drawing, knitting, any kind of crafty project thing you work on... even work), what are some strategies you use to cope with that stress and move forward?

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to create/make and what did you learn from it?

What part of a bicycle would you be?

What’s a helpful writing (art/crafting/work) technique you’ve learned?

What’s a piece of art that made you see things differently?

You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?

What was the last board game you played and what did you like or not like about it?

*sorry these came out rather writer heavy!

[safeklancewriters]

Fic Rec #2

Date ending: March 21

Below the cut are the fics chosen by us for our monthly rec! Including a community rec’d fic

You can also check out our rec page HERE for future and now past recs, and use the filters and tags to find something you like

If you have a fic to submit or rec, feel free to! But please read our FAQ first with rules and instructions on doing so <3

Bring him Home by 221bdisneystreet Rating: teen Relationships: Keith/Lance Characters: Lance | Keith | Hunk | Pidge | Shiro | Allura | Lotor Tags: Angst | Hurt/Comfort | Angst with a Happy Ending | of course there's gonna be a happy ending i'm no sadist | klangst | Brainwashing | Blood | Violence | the blood and violence isn't very graphic tho | it's somewhat mild | Post-Season 4 | Canon Divergence | i guess?? idk where this could be in the timeline exactly | just pretend it's after s4 | anyways i hope you all love dying cuz i sure love dying | Minor Injuries Stats:  Words: 1713 Chapters: 1/1 (complete)

Summary: This isn’t Keith. This isn’t the Keith he has fought alongside as a fellow teammate. This isn’t the Keith he used to call his rival and now can consider his friend. This isn’t the Keith he has slowly grown fond of with each passing day, with each passing second. This isn’t him.

But maybe…Keith’s been brainwashed and Lance hopes he can snap him out of it.

if the silence was a song by angstinspace Rating: teen Relationship: Keith/Lance  Characters: Keith | Lance | Pidge | Shiro  Tags: klance | Radio Host AU | Fluff | Mild Angst | mostly it's just really fluffy | broganes | vld halloween gift exchange | Alternate Universe - College/University Stats:  Words:14981 Chapters:1/1 (complete) 

Summary: “It’s … Your show is on so late at night,” Keith tries to explain, as if Lance didn’t know this already. “I guess I was just wondering why that is.”

A crackling silence answers him, and Keith’s stomach sinks. Did Lance hang up? Keith can’t exactly blame him.

But then he hears Lance make a noise––a short huff of breath that might have been either an impatient sigh or a quiet laugh … Keith has no clue.

“That’s the reason you’re calling? To complain about my time slot?”

or, Keith starts anonymously calling Lance's college radio show and develops an unexpected crush.

only fools for you by 221bdisneystreet Rating: Teen Relationship: Keith/Lance  Characters: Keith | Lance Tags: Angst | Hurt/Comfort | Angst with a Happy Ending | the angst is really light tho trust me it's not that bad | it's just sad and soft | Fluff and Angst | First Kiss Stats:  Words:1223 Chapters:1/1 (complete)

Summary: "Keith was a fool. A fool to not restrain himself, a fool to act on his instincts, no matter how powerful they were, a fool to even think that he would love someone like Keith… He was such a goddamn fool."In his own eyes, Keith was stupid, messed up, and a fool.

But in his eyes, Keith was someone he loved.

Take a Seat (Right Beside Me) by cheritsundere Rating: teen Relationships: Keith/Lance | Minor Hunk/Shay  Characters: Keith | Lance | Hunk | Pidge | Shay | Coran | Shiro but only in passing he's not really in the story  Tags: Fluff | Comedy | Vacation  Road Trips | Alternate Universe - Road Trip | Alternate Universe - High School | Alternate Universe - Modern Setting | Keith and Lance become bus buddies | This was my first time writing in years please have mercy | I'm actually pretty proud of it though | SafeKlanceWriters Monthly Challenge | No Smut | Only rated T for language there's actually nothing bad in this Stats:  Words:4656 Chapters:1/1 (complete)

Summary: “You...lost a bet.” Lance repeated, at a loss for words.

“Not like that! I was actually going to watch the rocket launch at home today anyway,” he quickly corrected himself. “My brother and I made a bet though, so I’m seeing it through.”

Well, color Lance curious.

Or, "Keith ends up on a bus trip with the Astronomy Club to go see a rocket launch and Lance needs a bus buddy"

Sand in my Shoes by  Katsudonace Rating: Teen Relationships: Keith/Lance | Shiro/Vacation Characters: Keith | Lance | Shiro  Tags: Keith and Shiro are Siblings | Fluff | Light Angst | Childhood Friends | Childhood Sweethearts | Emotional Hurt/Comfort | ptsd mention | backstory homophobia | it's not in the actual fic though | Alternate Universe - Modern Setting Stats:  Words:5620 Chapters:1/1 (complete)

Summary: When Lance was seven, he had a vacation friend, someone who he used to play with since they'd both be on vacation at the same time, but he hasn't seen him since childhood. Eleven years later, Keith's life isn't going according to plan, so he decides to go with Shiro to their old vacation spot. Fate intervenes, and they meet each other again.

Go home with me (but not really) by ReverseSirens Rating: teen Relationship: Keith/Lance  Characters: Keith | Lance Tags: Fluff | Alternate Universe - Modern Setting | Pre-Slash Stats:  Words:1347 Chapters:1/1 (complete)

Summary: Lance meets Keith when he's on a small holiday with his family. He's a brooding figure stood by a field in the dead of night but Lance doesn't feel scared as he walks towards him.

New Endings by thatreallyshittydude Chapter: 2 - Good Kitty Rating: Teen Relationships: Keith/Lance Characters: Keith | Lance Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence | Black Paladin Lance | yeah you heard me | broganes Stats:  Words:4372 Chapters:2/? (incomplete)

Summary: read the title again. there's your summary, pretty much

Community Rec

I’d travel... by computedwings280 Series: 2/? (incomplete) Rating: teen/general Relationships: Keith/Lance Characters: various members of cast Tags (General): TIme Travel | Established Relationship | Fluff | slight angst Stats:  Words:30,333 Works:2

Summary: A series for works set in my "id travel across time and space for you" fic universe.

[cupkayke]

For the fanfiction questions thing: 1, 3, 6, 11, 17, 21, 25, 27, 36, 40, 41, 46, 50 and 51 (I hope these aren't too many)

 Not too many at all! I like talking about myself lol.

Under a cut because longggggg.

1) What was the first fandom you got involved in?

Oh gosh, definitely Tokyo Mew Mew. I never wrote fanfics for it but I co-owned and then owned an Avidgamers RP site for TMM called MewUSA back in like 2004-2006. Avidgamers was a forum site engine that was pretty damn nice for its time (also FREE, that was a plus) and I spent HOURS creating characters, storylines, and layouts for it. There were TONS of individual in-character boards and I think we may have had up to 100 unique users at one point. The detailed characters/plotlines were BASICALLY fanfiction- I think I did an entire rp with myself between a few of my characters once- and it was a whole lot of fun. Some of the OCs from that site were repurposed into a longrunning rp I have with @liarino on AIM and I am FOREVER grateful that I met them through that site

Fanfic-wise, it was Full Metal Alchemist. I had a horrendous LITERAL self-insert OC fic called ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ that was based on an RP I did with a different friend. Plot? ‘Fangirl of FMA LITERALLY FALLS INTO HER TELEVISION AND WAKES UP IN THE UNIVERSE AND FALLS IN LOVE WITH ALPHONSE’. The end. I never finished it but holy shitballs it got SO MANY REVIEWS. I’m surprised how many people actually enjoyed it- I did get some criticisms but despite the fact that it was so cringe-worthy that I took it down it still got sooooo much positive feedback. I sometimes wonder if people would still be reading it on ff.net if I hadn’t taken it down the last time I overhauled that account. I still have some Ouran oneshots on there that I wrote TEN FUCKING YEARS AGO that still get reviews. Dayum. 

3) What is the best fandom you’ve ever been involved in?

I have to say it’s a tie between the Tokyo Mew Mew fandom circa 2003-2006 and the Ouran fandom from about 2006-2008. My experience with them was limited to RP boards but I had the MOST FUN running MewUSA and a long-running Gaia RP ‘Hosting the Hosts’ because of the warm response to the concepts. The TMM fandom especially was super creative even back in the day- there were so many fan mew mews because the formula was so easy and that was one series that I didn’t mind OCs because the concept was easily applied. In-universe, the creator could have easily made more Mew Mews. So the possibilities were endless. That’s also the fandom I learned the majority of my writing skills from, even if I did get called out a couple times for shitty RPing. I got better and I was so sad when the engine finally kicked the bucket. Aside from the RP sites the TMM fandom had sooooo many fansites dedicated to the show- my other favorite being Neko Tokyo. I think that site might still be up… 

Ouran was limited to that RP I ran but damn I never had one so fun. That group of writers was hysterical and I actually met one of them in person because by sheer coincidence she lived near me. She moved soon after we figured it out but she came back for a convention and we hung out all weekend. Unfortunately I don’t remember her name and I lost her phone number T_T I wonder where she is sometimes. I wonder where a lot of my fan friends from back then are. The problem with early 2000s internet.

Tho I think Boueibu will be my new modern fave fandom.

6) List your OTP from each fandom you’ve been involved in.

 Ohhhh dear. I’ll keep it to ones that I actually ship characters in because a lot of my early fandoms were MYSELF AS AN OC X HOT MALE CHARACTER. OTL. I was a weeb. Most of these are fandoms I’ve rped in rather than written fanfiction for, however.

Tokyo Mew Mew- PuddingxTart. I like to read IchigoxKisshu fanfics sometimes but that ship is highly problematic looking back on it lol

Code Lyoko - THROWBACK. JeremiexAelita. Adorable.

Ouran HSHC - I’m fond of HunnyxHaruhi (as evidenced by my mostly abandoned ff.net account) but basically AnyonexHaruhi is super cute. I think I read a fic once where Haruhi was in a relationship with ALL of the guys and it was actually super interesting. I don’t think I can find it again, tho.

Harry Potter - Drarry.

Walking Dead - CarolxDaryl FTW. and Richonne. I’ve toyed with the idea of writing fanfics for WD but never quite get up to it.

Mass Effect - Shakarian. Fuck yes. Fun fact I have an unfinished smutfic on the mass effect kinkmeme livejournal that I will EVENTUALLY FINISH ONE DAY AND PUBLISH UNDER MY NAME buuuut for now it will remain an anonymous abandoned fic.

Boueibu - …All of them? OTL I can’t pick one ship… tho if you force me… IoRyuu and BeppuMoto OT3.

YOI - I think everyone’s OTP is Victuuri.

11) Who is your current OTP?

Victuuri.

17)  Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite?

Since Boueibu is my current fandom- I immediately was drawn to Enatsu since s1 had a relatively large focus on them but I’ve kind of fallen out of actively shipping them. I like them as a couple and I think they’re def boyfriends material but they’re definitely a comfortable ship. Their personalities are just… drama-free, so their relationship to me just seems like a quiet background relationship. IoRyuu is a little more volatile and I really like ships where there is a lot of between-the-lines interpretation and potential for conflict. Also I just really like the Beppus

21) What was the first fanfic you ever wrote?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. The aformentioned ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ FMA OC Mary Sue Self insert fic. Definitely the first one I ever published on the interwebs. Although I think TECHNICALLY my very first one was a Pokemon story that I was writing for a little kid neighbor of mine back when I was like… 11. I think I had just gotten a computer in my room and I remember typing it up and drawing some cover art for it… it was basically an expanded version of the episode where Meowth and Pikachu were handcuffed together or something… except there were more Pokemon involved and ALL of the characters were friends. Like Brock and Tracey were both with Ash and Misty and all of the Team Rocket people were friends for some reason. Idk I was a weird child.

Ohhh maybe a tie for the FMA fic was a Code Lyoko one I wrote around the same time called ‘Desert Rose’. I can’t remember now which was published first because I deleted them all. Another Mary Sue OC fic but I actually am still kind of proud of how I expanded the Lyoko universe in my head. I came up with new areas to Lyoko and like a central region and how they all connected. Nevermind the fact that the girl with a CAT THAT COULD OPERATE THE COMPUTER was the main character and obviously I shipped her with Odd because YumiUlrich and JeremieAeilita were OTPs. It was weird.

25) What’s your most popular fanfic?

If the story was still up it might have been ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ because that fic still haunts me. Buuut it’s either ‘Naptime’ or ‘Desire’, one of my two Hunny x Haruhi fics from my Ouran days that I left up on ff.net for posterity. I have no desire to go read the cringe and find out which one has more hits but I bet it’s the G-rated ‘Naptime’ cuz ‘Desire’ is a) the first M rated Hunny x Haruhi fic on ff.net EVER and b) really really bad porn written by like, 16-year-old me. Oops. It’s a smidgen OOC on the part of Haruhi if I remember right buuut I actually still stand by the idea that Hunny is not as childlike as he seems.

Oh dear maybe that’s why I like Yumoto so much. Similar character type. OTL

27) What do you hate more: Coming up with titles or writing summaries?

I feel like I’m horrendous at both but lately it’s titles that are giving me trouble. 2 of the 3 Boueibu fics I’ve written had different working titles that got changed the second the story went up to be published. I’m having a brain fart and can’t remember them but both ‘All the Pretty Little Horses’ and ‘Completely’ were titled something really stupid. And your giftfic was ‘?’ until I decided on the central theme lol.

36) What’s your favourite genre to write?

I don’t like reading romance novels but I love writing shippy stuff. Tension, build….smut

40)  What do you struggle the most with in your writing?

Pacing in longer works, definitely. Also just… keeping up with it. I am a horrible procrastinator and if I don’t actually have a deadline with external consequences then I never get anything done. I can’t set my own deadlines because I can always move them. I can’t get my family or friends to set them for me because I know they’ll forgive me if I fail (how horrible lol). I have tons upon tons of unfinished fics from fandoms past sitting somewhere in the depths of my word documents folder and about as many original short stories. I have so many ideas but because I get easily distracted and also because I am now working full time and suffer from typical adult exhaustion I can only put a fraction of them on paper. 

My inner critic is also a fucking bitch. I can’t get her to shut her face long enough to write a sentence sometimes. Again, I have to have a deadline looming before I can put her on mute most times. If I have infinite time, she doesn’t shut up and makes me rewrite a sentence 100 times because it sounds stupid.

41) List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading:

Ahahahaha… I don’t have 5 simultaneously because I can’t just… not finish reading something before moving onto the next one. I don’t also read things that are unfinished unless they sound REALLY interesting because I’m stupid impatient. But I guess for my current fandom (Boueibu) I’ll link 5 fics I read recently that I liked! 

1) Pink Blood - @magiccatprincess (okay actually this is one I’m going to read soon because it looked interesting… so it fits the question lol)

2) tuesdays - @vagarius (because how can I not love something written for me?

3) Liar - BlackJoker77 (A whoooole lot accomplished here in not a lot of words. Also, Yumoto character study/reading between the lines? Yush.)

4) ….. ok I ran out of ideas. I don’t bookmark anything OTL. I’ll come back to this question at another time with an ACTUAL answer.

46) If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend to them and why?

I’m most proud of ‘Completely’ at the moment- I really like how I pulled off Ryuu’s voice and it’s most definitely a scene I wanted to see written… so I’m happy that I was able to provide that scene

50) How did you get into reading and/or writing fanfiction?

It was basically an extention of RPing for the writing portion of it- ‘Nice of Me to Drop In’ was basically a cleaned up RP and when it wasn’t rping it was fan gratification for the other early fics I did. As a kid I used to (and still sometimes do) make up stories in my head when I was about to go to sleep, and a lot of them were episodes of my favorite shows that I wanted to see. So I’d put some of them on paper. And then it moved into the ~romance~ category; I was a hopeless romantic as a teenager and like a lot of teenage girls I was kind of horny so fanfiction was a way to explore my sexuality in the comfort of my own head, basically. I still like me a good smutfic and bonus points if it’s romantic AND smutty. My bf can definitely tell when I’ve been reading something naughty….

51) Rant or Gush about one thing you love or hate in the world of fanfiction! Go!

Okay, Imma do both! And I have 2 things to rant about because I can’t shut up.

Rant: This is more of a thing that I hate about MYSELF reading fanfics, but I hate that I get turned off of fics so quickly because of writing style. When I can push past beginners writing mistakes or mediocre quality writing I can sometimes find gem fics with plots/characterizations I find adorable, but more often than not I click out of fics after just a few sentences because I can’t stand poor writing. And I feel so elitist about it! Fanfics are free, fan-generated content. A lot of fanfics are written by kids or beginner writers. I have to keep reminding myself that not every fanfic author has gone to school for writing. They may not know the conventions of literature. They may not realize that they’re head-hopping in the middle of paragraphs. They may not know the proper way to punctuate dialogue (and I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW until grad school!!!!). If I let mistakes get in the way of content I may miss out on an up and coming writer. And lord knows I was horrendous when I first started. Everyone starts somewhere. I hate that it takes me so long to get out of teacher/writing student mode and truck through some writing that may not technically be the best but their heart is in the right place. 

Rant2: I don’t like how isolated fanfiction can feel sometimes. It seems like people don’t comment on fics as much as they used to, and I see these posts going around on tumblr about how authors LOOOOOVE comments and want more of them but then comments just… don’t appear. It’s not so hard to post one thing you really liked about the story, and even one thing you didn’t like. Comments help authors grow.I also don’t like how it’s so hard to find a beta reader or three to bounce ideas off of and proofread your work.

Gush: I love communities. I love the events fanfic authors put together. I love how when communities get tight-knit how everyone builds each other up and gives one another ideas. I just love fanfiction in general, really

aaaaaand SHEW. That was a lot. BUT DEF NOT TOO MUCH

[thestuckylibrary]

Group Ask 68

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Anon 1 said:

i’m looking for a stucky fic but the only scene i remember is that it was a halloween party, steve and bucky were dressed as hercules characters, and steve kissed darcy’s forehead or something like that and bucky got jealous and freaked on him? does that scene ring a bell from anywhere

Anon 2 said:

What's the story where Bucky’s out dealing with Russian mobsters with Clint and gets caught up in a bank heist where he's on TV. And the press all think he's just some handsome civvie till the robber shoots Bucky’s Harley?

gigglepud, thenavylanguage, popsiclememories, talk-play-love, artinchaos1, dolphinqueen10, time-lord-no-more, kittybrownjs and a bunch of Anons wrote in with Chapter 7 of Dishonor On Your Cow by mandarou (complete | 111,695 | E )

Anon 3 said:

Hi, I read a fic ages ago and the major thing I remember from it is that it was set in the 30s and Bucky pulls Steve into an alley for sex and as they are finishing a policeman shows up and starts questioning them. Thanks!

Anon 4 said:

Omg pls I spent an hour looking for this fic.... steve is touch starved but doesn’t wanna touch bucky bc he’s scared of taking advantage, but he unconsciously grabs buckys right hand at night, Bucky wakes him up from a nightmare one night and Steve admits he can’t sleep without touching bucky and that he doesn’t hold the metal hand bc there’s no pulse and then bucky cuddles steve back to sleep and he’s all shook... pls I looked through the touch starved tag, ptsd tag, nightmare tag, EVERYTHING

dolphinqueen10 wrote in with The Angel From My Nightmare by Nightwing11 (oneshot | 5,980 | T)

Anon 5 said:

I’m looking for a fic where they come across a baby and don’t have a crib so Steve uses the shield as one?? It’s the only detail I can remember :( I’ve checked the kid fic tag and google didn’t see anything familiar! Thank you for all you do ladies!!!

sciencebeam wrote in with chapter 38 of Give Up The Ghost. by Chaneladdict (WIP | 326,827 | E)

klarafatorovaa said:

Hii so there's this fic i read a while ago and i just can't find it now, it was a highschool au in which steve teachs bucky french, i can't remember anything else..:c thanks for answer! <3

idjits-and-balls said:

Hey hey! of course thank you for your blog it's a dream! i've been looking for this fic for two days and i keep coming up short. it's a wrong number au where steve calls sam while on a date from a payphone and launches into an embarrassing rant about how he can't take him back to his place and again later calls him from his bosses home phone cuz he can't tell if his boss is hitting on him

blondekibum, whitewolfwintersoldier, pearlll09, kittybrownjs and Anon wrote in with Slide To Answer by relenafanel (oneshot | 6,326 | T)

asterisktrash and drowning-in-fandoms1 wrote in with Perfectly right wrong number by melonbutterfly (oneshot | 31,942 | T)

wonwoozi-i said:

Hi! A few months ago i read a fic on ao3, it was an au and all i can remember is how steve wanted to everything to be a secret and bucky saying something close to the lines “look at you, you’re fucking shaking. You don’t even believe your own lies” and i can’t find it, if you guys can help me please

asterisktrash and Anon wrote in with After Hours* by OhCaptainMyCaptain *underage (WIP | 310,592 | E)

anxiety-junkie said:

Hello! I'm looking for a vampire!stucky fic I couldn't find using your tags or in ao3. Bucky, Nat and Tony are vamps; Steve catches Tony feeding and I think Bucky becomes kind of obsessed with him. Pierce is head vamp, I think? Eventually Steve gets willingly turned. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Thx!

teenagemutantninjamushroom sent in wipe the blood from your face and your hands by AustinB (complete | 15,735 | E)

emobipolarbear said:

Im sorry to bother you but I’ve been looking for this fic I read where Natasha keeps setting up bucky in bad dates and then he texts Steve to rescue him from them? I don’t know if you’ve read it, it’s a modern au setting

teenagemutantninjamushroom sent in this is not a drive by by plutos (oneshot | 24,453 | NR)