#delia is very much a no strings attached person!

[diamondcitydarlin]

----LOTS OF SPOILERS FOR THE FILM BELOW BE AWARE---

The thing that's driving me kinda CRAZY about the sequel though is how perfectly it sets up a personal arc for Lydia to be intertwined with Beej's. Like I said in my reaction post after seeing the film last night, I feel like Lydia as a character doesn't really get much of an arc or a resolution by the end of the story, as most of the plot is focused on repairing her relationship with her daughter, with Delia, maybe even her ex-husband to a certain extent, and for as much as she's rid of someone actually preying on her (Rory) we have no reason to believe she's found inner peace or really discovered herself or isn't still constantly popping pills to help with the 'gift' of sight she still has to deal with. There's so much about her left unresolved that Tim is either going to have to make another film about or I will have to fanfic about. But again, what's also fascinating is the way the beats of Lydia's story become tangled up with Beej's by the end of this, and also the ambiguous suggestion that there might be some kind of red string of fate linking them together across life and death and centuries (my kingdom for Beej saying "I've crossed oceans of time to find you" in a deep sexy Dracula voice and Lydia being like "plz shut the fuck up" LMAO)

Like, the 'psychic connection'. The thing that makes Lydia able to see and interact with Beej in places other than the house/model in Winter River. At first I think we're led to believe these are genuine hallucinations she's having, but ofc that's debunked when Beej reveals he's aware of these sightings and has been participating in them on purpose. Does this suggest that their first marriage may have been binding in some way that didn't release him from death, but allowed him more range to manifest so long as he was attached to her? That's not really addressed or explained, but I feel like it opens the possibility of being a thing (as so many fanfics have had happen before, I LOVE it tbh)

Also, the parallel of them both having had predatory exes that tricked them into 'selling their souls' (one in a figurative sense, the other literally lmao). I'm honestly shocked more conclusions weren't drawn from that conspicuous parallel in the film itself, because it's VERY interesting. It seems almost to suggest they're both meant to safeguard each other's souls (which is why I'm still bitter we didn't get Lydia defending him from Delores, I think that would've been a nice follow up to Beej saving her from Rory, even if she was just doing it out of a sense of obligation).

And idk, on the whole I feel a lot of Lydia's personal struggle at this point in her life is defined by a need to feel 'normal'. I get how that can seem odd coming from the teen girl that confidently described herself as 'strange and unusual', but this is 30 years later, after several failed relationships, after becoming a mom and struggling with a strained relationship with her daughter because of her oddity, idk, I think it's a good case study on how society forces women to conform lest they be a bad daughter or a bad mom or a bad wife, etc, but I think it's obvious she's just fighting her 'strange and unusual' nature and the more she does that, the more difficult her life will be.

To me, that suggests her path to happiness has actually a lot to do with Beej, or very well could. Who else is going to understand her true nature the way he does? Who else is going to unashamedly encourage her to be balls to the wall weirdo like she REALLY is??? Who else can truly set her free that way??? Like I'm gnawing on wires here yall, if nothing else Tim gave us SO much fanfic material to work with on this one.

[ilovedilfdraco]

Malfoy Manor | D.M

the noseless bitch doesn't exist <3

Part one

Originally Cordelia Windsor and Draco Malfoy had despised each other that was until it was 5th year and most Hogwarts students had gone home for the winter holidays, and like always the infamous Malfoy family hosted their annual Christmas Eve party inviting fabulously wealthy purebloods, the Minister of Magic, family and close friends.

Cordelia knew it was considered a 'great honor' to even be considered for an invitation but she never understood why because it was absolutely boring.

So boring that her and Draco Malfoy made a deal to fuck eachother that one night with no strings attached, he put it as "Something to do to make the time go by."

Now here they are 7th year dates by their sides.

Will their little tradition continue and turn into something more? or will they go back to originally hating eachother and decide to start a new one with someone new?

~

Cordelia had entered the eerie Malfoy Manor with her date by her side and her family walking in-front of her. Pearly white snow was graciously falling from the midnight sky outside.

She was wearing a beautiful black silk dress with her hair curled and resting on her shoulders. Her date was Adrian Pucey former Slytherin quidditch player, he was two years older than her but he was the only one who seemed appealing enough to invite.

This year her mother had forced her to bring someone with her so she could boast all about how her daughter's life is going amazing and how she would be extremely successful in her near future, which made Cordelia extremely pissed, more than words can describe.

This party was pretty much a competition between everyone invited, another reason as to why she hated coming to the same repetitious event.

When the Windsor family and Adrian entered the ballroom her parents dispersed and began to converse with the other guests.

Cordelia sighed and walked over to the white marble bar, her date's hand still holding hers.

"What can I get you?" The hired bartender asked the couple, she was pretty very pretty, probably hired to attract male guests over to the bar area.

"Um-" Cordelia started just before Draco Malfoy rudely interrupted her.

"I'll take a straight bourbon, thanks Mandy." Draco winked at the lady, her cheeks instantly becoming scarlet red.

He looked over to the girl standing next to him and rolled his eyes as he saw who it was, he noticed Adrian Pucey accompanying her and he couldn't help but feel a slight pang in his sternum.

But who was he to feel bothered at the sight of her with someone other then him as he was accompanied by Pansy Parkinson, who was right now probably flirting with someone across the room.

"Really Malfoy? You couldn't wait? I thought daddy taught you to be more politer to your guests," Cordelia sneered, it hadn't even been two minutes since she saw him and he was already starting to get on her nerves.

"You know Delia I can think of many other scenarios where I can use a similar sentence," He smirked knowing how she hated that nickname and him talking about their rarely occurring sex life, Draco grabbed his drink and walked away leaving her flustered.

~

An hour later into the party most people were seated meanwhile the rest were out on the ballroom floor dancing with their significant other to the orchestral music.

Draco was in the corner with pansy, they were clearly having an argument and Cordelia laughed at the sight.

It seems as if the universe was rooting for Cordelia and Draco as she was also having trouble with the person she came with, he told her he was going to get drinks and he never came back which resulted in an upset mother.

What a gentleman.

"Why don't you go see if Draco needs someone, darling?" Her mother said, pointing to Draco who was now storming out of the area.

"No mother, why would I do that?" she rolled her eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me again, and because the both of you seemed really close last year." Her mother continued to pry.

"We were never close." Cordelia scoffed, excusing herself from the table before getting up and walking out of the room, she wasn't about to follow the Malfoy heir she just had to get away from her mother before she was sent to Azkaban for using the Avada curse.

She wandered around the Manor aimlessly trying to pass the time, the thing she hated about life is when you're having so much fucking fun time passes so quickly, but when you're bored out of your mind and nothing seems fun time just decides to go by so fucking slow.

Soon enough she found herself infront of large double doors, curiously opening the doors. When she stepped inside all her vision could decipher was a glistening diamond chandelier and then all of a sudden the room lit up in candles.

A library.

The front of the room had black leather couches facing eachother and a brown wooden coffee table sitting inbetween the black sofas, towards the back there were tall brown wooden book shelves perfectly aligned filled with many many books.

It was like a public library but in a house.

She started walking towards the shelves since she had always loved reading and wanted to see what the Malfoys had collected over the years, her finger tips slightly grazing the spines of each book that rested comfortably in its designated spot.

She could perceive books older than herself and probably older than Dumbledore, romance novels which were most likely never read, she could go on and on.

"What do you think you're doing, Delia," He whispered into her ear, gripping her waist with his pale large veiny hands causing her to slightly jump as he came out of no where.

"Shouldn't you be with the others? I know my father wouldn't be to pleased to hear his guest was snooping around his house." Draco mocked, swiftly turning her around pinning her against the book shelf, she could hear books falling behind her at the impact.

"I wasn't snooping Malfoy, my mother told me to come look for you," She responded, slightly rolling her eyes.

He chuckled, "Why is that?" he asked pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

She swatted his hand away from her face, "I have no idea why Draco."

"You know you have a bad attitude, something I can fix if you let me." He said, slowly backing away from her.

Her cheeks flushed at his choice of words and despite her protests in her mind the thoughts of her and Draco last year fucking came rushing back.

The way he didn't leave a part of her untouched and the way he spoke harshly but caringly at the same time, she has been with plenty of men and none of them could compare to the boy standing infront of her.

He wasn't even doing anything right now besides sitting and flipping pages of a random worn out book and she was beginning to feel her panties getting wet with her arousal.

Why did she ever agree with their little deal? if she never did she wouldn't be in this position or would she?

"Enjoying the view?" He asked looking upwards- seeing her still standing there fiddling with her fingers.

"No I'm not."

"Ouch." He pouted dramatically, putting one hand on his heart acting as if he was hurt.

"What? did I bruise your poor ego?" She asked, taking a seat next to him.

"Oh please, as if I care about your stupid opinion." He rolled his eyes.

"Maybe you're the one with an attitude."

He scoffed before turning his head to look at her, when he did it seemed as if she was the most perfect person he had laid his eyes upon, and she was.

Draco had always had a crush on her from the moment he saw her and he thought she would realize it with the insults he would throw her way.

But she never did. And she probably would never know unless he stopped being a coward and admitted it.

But he couldn't find it in himself to say those four words Cordelia I like you as much as he wanted to.

It was foreign language he had yet to understand.

"Look who's enj-" Before she could finish her sentence he cut her off by smashing his lips onto hers and she happily kissed him back.

His hands came to the sides of her scarlet red cheeks and pulled her closer.

The kiss the two shared was soft and passionate, like he was trying to tell her his feelings through their lips colliding.

Words are meaningless without the actions to prove it.

After what seemed like an eternity of them both stuck in a world of bliss he pulled away, his hands were still resting on her cheeks and his thumb was tracing her lips.

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

Author:

couple of things, first there were problems with my wifi last night so I couldn't finish writing this, second sorry for making you wait for the smut I'm tired and I want it to be good not rushed, third have a good day or night ily <3

Part 2 comes either tomorrow night or the next day

[mermaidsirennikita]

Book Roundup April/May 2019

This spring has been exceptionally difficult and busy for me on both a personal and professional level.  I really haven’t had the time to read as I’d like--so I’m combining April and May.  With that being said, there were some good books within the past couple of months--Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan was DEFINITELY a huge highlight.

Call Me Evie by J.P. Pomare.  2/5.  Kate is held in a remote cabin by Ben--who holds her captive while claiming to protect her from the fallout of something terrible that she did.  The trouble is that Kate can’t remember the night that terrible thing happened.  As she struggles to piece together her memories, what Bill tells her isn’t matching up--and she must reconcile who she is with what she did.  I’m sure that lots of people would love this book, but the pacing was thrown off for me by all of the flashbacks.  It’s not you, it’s me.

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan.  5/5.  Nadya is a Kalyazi cleric, and as such she can commune with--and draw supernatural power from--a pantheon of gods.  She’s spent her life in a monastery; however, a looming threat finally materializes in the form of Tranavian invaders, heretics that send Nadya on the run.  Falling in with Malachiasz, a Tranavian defector, she sets out to end the war she only way she knows how: by killing the Tranavian king.  Meanwhile, Serefin, the heir to the throne, is summoned home from the front--only to discover that he’s in more danger at home than abroad.  This is a wonderfully atmospheric and delightful novel.  Emily never holds back--you get monsters, you get royal politics, you get alcoholic princes and questions of theology.  And there is a romance that I’m absolutely obsessed with, which is always major for me.  I loved this book to death, and there is one bit at the very end that just got at my soul.  I can’t wait for the next installment!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.  3/5.  Kya is a young child when her mother walks out on the family; it isn’t long before her brother and father follow suit, leaving Kya as the borderline-feral Marsh Girl.  At first, she’s dependent on the kindness of strangers.  But gradually--with the help of friends and Tate, a boy who will become her first love--she becomes independent, if never truly accepted by the nearby townspeople.  Her way of life is shattered when a young man shows up dead--and she is accused of murder.  On the plus side, this book was very engaging, and some the descriptions were at times beautiful.  If you’re from the South, some things will indeed ring true.  It’s not perfect, but it is engaging, and a fun if predictable read... until the last third or so, when everything kind of collapses and the book’s flaws are emphasized in a big way.  I really, really disliked how much Owens went in on the “untouched wild beauty” thing with Kya.  It felt very fetishistic.  She’s this beautiful poor white girl living feral in the marsh... learning everything she knows from black people, by the way.  And all the men love her and want to have sex with her.  I’m honestly just torn about this one; I feel like I would have given it a lower rating if not for how much I did enjoy the first chunk.

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang.  4/5.  Khai is accomplished and handsome; however, he’s never had a girlfriend.  On the autism spectrum, he’s convinced himself that he’s incapable of love.  His mother has other ideas--and while visiting her homeland in Vietnam, she meets Esme.  She offers the single mother a golden opportunity: visit America for the summer and convince Khai to marry her.  If he refuses, she can go home, no strings attached.  It’s too much for Esme to possibly turn down--but making Khai fall in love with her is a much more difficult task than she first imagined.  This wasn’t quite up to par with Hoang’s debut (the delightful Kiss Quotient) but I did really, really like it.  Her trademark humor is there, as is her sensitivity and knack for sweet romance.  Khai and Esme’s story is just kind of lovely.  (And sexy.)  I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed--I wanted more.  But I’d recommend it any day, and can’t wait for Hoang’s next book.

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding.  2/5.  Following the birth of her twins, Morgan and Riley, young mother Lauren is exhausted.  Therefore, few believe her when she says that she saw a woman slip into her hospital room and attempt to replace her babies with strange creatures.  A month later, the boys briefly go missing in the park--and when they’re found, Lauren insists that the things that have been returned to her are not her children.  This may have been a bad fit for me--I love magical realism and changelings, but the overwhelming depressing darkness of this book was just... not even vaguely enjoyable.  And it did help put me off of having children for a looong time, if ever.  I couldn’t focus on the writing quality; it was just so dour.

From Scratch by Tembi Locke.  5/5.  This memoir tracks the first few years following the death of Tembi’s husband, Saro, following a long battle with cancer.  As she visits his Sicilian family each summer with their daughter, she flashes back to the early days of their courtship and marriage--as well as her in-law’s initial struggles over the fact that their Italian chef son married an African-American actress.  “From Scratch” is LOVINGLY written and painfully beautiful.  It made me want to be more open to falling in love, as cheesy as that sounds--what Tembi and Saro shared was clearly worth all of the pain she’d feel after seeing him slowly deteriorate and ultimately losing him... which is saying something.  Locke also has a talent for writing in general, but especially about food.  I appreciated her human examination of the prejudice she faced; it’s really obviously on her to decide whether or not to reconcile with people who treated her with clear racism, but...  She also clearly loves and is loved by her mother-in-law now.  The honest complexity in that relationship is refreshing.  I don’t usually love memoirs, but this one was fantastic.

The Unlikely Adventures of the Chergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal.  4/5.  Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina aren’t estranged, exactly, but they don’t have much in common either.  But after their mother’s death, it’s revealed that she charged them with a journey through their ancestral homeland of India.  With each sister carrying secret struggles, they unite in an attempt to fulfill their mother’s wishes--and come to terms with their relationships with not only her, but each other.  Balli Kaur Jaswal is so good.  And even if I didn’t love this quite as much as Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, it’s still quite good.  She’s a rare author who can blend genuinely funny moments with high drama (that is often socially aware).  There is one subplot that I didn’t super love due to its implications, but otherwise I really enjoyed the book and the sisters.

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev.  3/5.  Trisha Raje is a successful surgeon--who is nonetheless alienated by her blue-blooded family due to her history.  When she meets DJ Caine, a high-profile chef in the running to cook for the prestigious fundraisers supporting her brother’s political campaign, it’s dislike at first sight.  He can’t stand her snobbish bossiness; she finds his assumptions about her frustrating and demeaning.  But even if DJ didn’t need the job, they can’t avoid each other--because Trisha is the only person who can save DJ’s terminally ill sister.  So: Dev says that this is very loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice, but as the title suggests it’s VERY inspired by Pride and Prejudice.  Points for the genders being swapped here--though DJ does stand in part for Darcy, he’s the Lizzie of this story--and Dev does a great job of bringing cultural backgrounds and social issues into the forefront without beating us over the head with it.  But for whatever reason, I never really clicked with Trisha and DJ’s romance, and the Wickham side of this was... not great.  Still, it’s a fun read and it made me very hungry.  Not bad for a day by the pool!