#delighted that anyone reads it tbh

[hannahssimblr]

She’s on the bed, lamp on, curtains still open to the winter scene outside. The lights of Roskilde glitter in the distance. I expect to find her emotional, like in a movie, where the girl throws herself upon the bed sobbing, mopping her face with tissues. Astrid is impassive. She watches me enter her bedroom and says nothing. 

“Are you… alright?”

“There is something wrong with Mia. This is what she does. I’m fine, yes.” Indifferent and cool again, it is obvious she has remembered who she is supposed to be.

“Okay, because to be honest, that was a lot.” Rather intense piano noises float through the house and through the gaps in the door. Mia, beating the keys. 

“It’s not true, by the way, those things she said about me throwing the Matador board. I haven’t done that since I was a child.”

“We’ve all done that at one point, I’d say.” I sit down with her and hold her foot. Those stripy woollen socks are rough in my hand. “You don’t have to be embarrassed about it.”

“I’m not embarrassed. I just said I haven’t done it since I was a child, so I don’t associate myself with it.”

“Oh, right.”

She pauses and looks out the window for a while, eyes glazed with thoughts. “I don’t come home very much anymore because of her,” she says, then. “She’s so insufferable.”

“It’s fairly obvious you two don’t get along.”

“Well, never have.”

“Any reason?”

“No, she just hates me. She’s always resented me for being born. She loved being the youngest, and now she’s furious with me. So much so that she’ll never forgive me for being alive, I’m sure.”

“Ah.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” she says, turning those piercing eyes on me. “You were the youngest once, too. I’m certain you’d never act like this towards your sister.”

“Well, there were different dynamics. It’s not like Ivy stole my place in the family, or whatever. I didn’t get any joy out of being the only child. There was nothing she could take away from me.”

“It must be different with girls.” Mia launches into an especially insane passage of her piece and Astrid purses her lips. A little slice of the version I saw downstairs seeping out. “She’s so annoying. Horrible, jealous, and annoying. I can’t wait to go back to Berlin and get away from her.”

“A couple more days is all,” I say. “You can try your best to be civil, you know? Or just avoid her if it’s that bad.”

“It is that bad. She makes it impossible to be civil, I–” she bunches her fists into her eyes as the music crashes on, distracting from her train of thought. “Could you go down there and tell her to shut up, please?”

I laugh. “In those words?”

“Yes. I don’t care. Just make sure she stops playing so that I’m not tormented by her, even in my private space.”

“You really want that?”

“Yes.”

I hesitate. “It’s a bit awkward, no?”

“You can tell her I said it. I don’t care. Just make her stop. She knows she’s doing it to get to me. It’s one of her sly tricks. If it is you that tells her, she may actually listen.”

I leave and make my way down to the study, where Mia has left the door open. The sounds of the piano pour out into the hallway, rising and falling, tinkling chromatics, music that makes me feel like droplets of water are spilling down my back. An audio sensory feeling I’ve only had before from those special songs in my playlists. It’s nice, whatever it is, so for moments I stand in the door and watch her play. Her hands on the keyboard are fluid, fast. She sees me, but pretends not to. We both wait until she has finished, the last notes ringing out, giving way to quiet.

Still, with her face turned away, she hooks her thick hair behind her ears, chin high and proud. “She’s sent you here to make me stop.”

Awkward now, obviously. “Sorry.”

Mia hacks out a laugh. “She’s always hated when I play.”

“I thought it was very good.”

She looks at me now, guarded eyes searching my face for mocking or insincerity. “Well, it is my job to be good.”

“Yes, well,” I step inside and gently pull the door behind me. “I knew, like, on some level, you’d be good, with your degree and all, but hearing it in person is different.”

Her eyes follow me across the room toward an armchair by the window. “Thank you.”

“What was that song?”

“Liszt.”

“Ah.”

“You like his work?”

“Um,” I sit down, a good view of the keyboard and all its worn ivories. “I liked that. I don’t know his other stuff.”

“You say it like he’s released a series of pop albums.”

“Sorry, I don’t know the right way to talk about it. I just mostly thought that was cool, and kind of mad at the same time.”

“That was Hungarian Rhapsody. They aren’t all like that. I was just feeling a need to get out my frustration.”

“What else has he done?”

She purses her lips, and I know I’ve again said something the wrong way. Turning back to the piano, she plucks out a series of gentle notes while I follow her hands with rapt attention. “This is Liebestraum. Do you recognise it?”

“No.”

“It’s softer.”

The melody is lyrical, dreamy, flows like a heartfelt confession. Makes me feel like I’m longing for something. Reminds me I am pretty much always doing that, and isn’t that it? Life? Always yearning for the things you cannot have. “Jesus, you really are so good.” Mia just nods. “You know that, obviously,” I add. “I just wanted to repeat it.”

While she plays, and the lyrical sound fills the little room. Often, I have thought of the piano as something annoying, a sound that only meant my TV show or game would be interrupted. Something played reluctantly, the subject of a hundred arguments at home, but to listen to it like this is a pleasure. The swelling of sound, unexpected discord, then resolution. After the piece fades into silence like a dream fading to memory, I simply sit. 

“It’s complicated, isn’t it?” I say eventually. “It never really does what you think it’s going to do.”

“That’s why I like the romantics. They were breaking the rules and changing what music was.”

I nod, not knowing exactly what she means, but feeling as if I do. “My sister plays the piano.”

“Ah, yes?”

“Yeah, since she was six, though she’s not able to do all this.”

“You said she is eleven?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, no eleven-year-old can do this. Their hands are too small.”

I let out a small laugh, though Mia doesn’t seem to understand she was being funny. “Yeah,” I say, “well you’re right there. Hopefully, one day, she will.”

“If she works hard.”

“I don’t know about that. She’s pretty lazy.”

“Well, most people don’t want to play piano as kids. It’s a matter of making them do it because you can see the potential. I was serious always, I suppose, but for me it was all I really liked to do. I didn’t have other things I cared so much about.”

“Well, I’d love if she was good enough to play like that. I think I’d just sit and listen all day.”

Mia doesn’t know what to say. My compliments have made her uncomfortable. 

“Hey, so you do concerts on stage, right? That’s your job?”

“Yes.”

“Have you played in Berlin?”

“Not yet. I will be in the summer. I’m playing Rach 2 with the Berlin Phil.”

“Oh.”

A small eye roll, making fun of herself. “Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto, I mean. With the Berlin Philharmonic. They are an orchestra.”

“Ah, so a whole big thing.”

“Yes, I suppose.”

“Do you think if I brought my sister to that, you could talk to her about music and stuff?”

A smile tugs at her lips. “Yes, of course. I could give her a tour of the concert hall. I could let her try the piano and bring her backstage to show her what it is like.”

“You have that kind of power?”

“I am the soloist, Jude. I can do whatever I like.”

“Wow, yes, I mean, that’d be amazing. She would love that so much. That’s really kind of you.”

She shrugs and turns back to the piano, just to look at it instead of having to look at me. Perhaps remembering who I am by association. The boyfriend of the enemy. “If you want, you can tell Astrid I have finished playing. Tell her you told me to shut up, and I did.”

“I’m sorry, Mia. I really didn’t want to have to ask you.”

She flips her hair and stares up at a seascape painting, propped against the wall above the piano. “I’m sure she has told you already her version of things. About how horrible I am.”

“She hasn’t. She really doesn’t talk about that kind of thing with me. All I knew before coming here is that she has two sisters and a nephew.”

“Oh, so she’s still like that.”

“Like what?”

“Completely detached. That’s nice to know.”

I don’t know what to say. 

“You know it’s true what I was saying about her in the kitchen? She’ll tell you I was lying, but I wasn’t. She really did throw the board. She wanted to throw it tonight, but she remembered you were there.”

“It’s fine, really. I don’t care who threw the board.” 

“You don’t think it’s completely childish? That she acts like a twelve-year-old all the time?”

I massage my palm with my thumb. “What is it between you two, anyway? Is this just normal sibling stuff, or is there something else?”

“Something else.”

“Like, I dunno. Did you both like the same boy or something?”

Mia turns to face me, eyes incredulous. “That’s what you think? Sisters are fighting, so it must be something to do with us, men! They couldn’t possibly have anything else to be upset about?”

“I didn’t mean it like that, sorry.”

“It’s because Astrid gets everything she wants. Always has. She was six during our parents’ divorce, and she’s the one that cried the most about it. She learned that if she cried enough, she’d get whatever she wanted, just to make her shut up.”

“Mia, I mean, she was a small child.”

“You know she got her own bedroom? I had to share with Pernille, who was always using the phone to call her friends and her stupid boyfriends as I was trying to sleep, and smoking weed out the window. The smell gave me a headache. I hate that kind of thing. Astrid got her own room and all the toys she wanted. Oh, and this!” She throws her hand toward the piano. “I was the talented one. I worked hardest, and all I ever heard about was how Astrid was drawing such pretty pictures, that frankly, weren’t even that good. Everyone was just pretending. She thinks she’s so wonderful now, but it’s all based on lies. Everyone gave her an opinion of herself that was entirely unwarranted.”

“She’s good, though. You can’t deny that. They’re putting her ceramics in galleries.”

“Confidence and good looks get you everywhere. She knows it. God,” she scoffs, tension in her body as though decades of pent up fury is forcing its way to the surface. “And we worried so much about her, did you know? After that whole thing with the photographer. Do you think she ever apologised for that? No. She didn’t care. She only cares about herself.”

“The photographer?”

“Oh, God, of course you don’t know about that, either. You don’t know about any of it. I assumed she was in a normal relationship with you, seeing as you’re here, but it seems I was wrong. Do you know anything about her?”

I hesitate. “Not about her past.”

“She brought you here without telling you a thing about her? How weird. She’s so weird.”

“Well, in fairness, I was the one that asked to come. I didn’t want to go home for Christmas. She didn’t really have an option but to say yes.”

Rolling her eyes. “Okay, well, of course. The photographer was a man she met when she was seventeen. After the disaster with N–” she freezes. “You know about Nicklas?”

My heart skips. “No.”

“I shouldn’t be telling you this,” she says, before telling me anyway. “He lived nearby. Our mothers are friends. Helle, from today, would come here all the time for coffee and to talk. They were pregnant together, and then Astrid was born, and two weeks later, Nicklas. They grew up together. Helle took him with her to our house and let him play with us, and he and Astrid started school together at once. 

“Then, as they grew up, they would play together all the time. Climbing trees in the garden and things. He would cycle to see her and wait on the doorstep. So many times, I would come home to find him there waiting for her to come outside. I suppose he was her best friend or something.”

“And then?”

“Oh, then she was fourteen, and realised she was pretty. She befriended a group of horrible girls at school, who laughed too loudly at things just to make you feel excluded, and tried to get the attention of boys. Nicklas joined in with those boys, the ones that played football outside of school, just so she would pay attention to him again. It was sad, really. We all felt bad for him because he was so obviously having feelings for her. He was a teenage boy.

“And then one day…” Mia shrugs. “She finally came around. It was like she saw sense for the first time. Or maybe she liked how much he liked her. They dated when they were sixteen. He was so happy. She was happy. She was laughing all the time and holding hands and kissing in front of everybody. Helle and our mom were happy, too, because they’d always secretly wished for it. It was, I suppose, their idea of meant-to-be.”

“Obviously it wasn’t though, seeing as I’m here now.”

Mia shakes her head. “No, obviously not. They were together for a few months. I don’t know, not many. Then one day he broke up with her.”

“Why?”

“Maybe he realised the fantasy was better than the reality, I don’t know. She is not so easy to deal with. I’m sure there came a point where he had enough, and I can’t blame him. It devastated her. Oh, just crying all the time,” she rolls her eyes. “It was terrible, the turmoil. Locked up there in her bedroom all the time, refusing to eat. It was because she always thought she was better than him, and that she was doing him a great favour by being his girlfriend. She could not take it when he was the one to end things. At least that’s what I think about it. Poor little Astrid.”

I shouldn’t know about this. If Astrid had wanted me to know it, she would have told me, and yet I find myself unable to let it go. Like a starving man, grabbing at whatever he can get. Forcing my guilt aside for more. Yet the more I hear, the more my body protests. A sick feeling. Tightness in my chest, palms prickling with sweat. I swallow. “So, she got over it, right?”

“Hm.”

“This was, what, four, five years ago? Enough time to let it go, surely.”

“I haven’t asked her. I hope so, but it did something to her. She’s been strange ever since. Having strange relationships.”

“Like the photographer.”

“Oh, yes, that was the whole point. Him. He was one outcome of this. Astrid, and her need to show Nicklas she didn’t need him by dating all kinds of men. Never single, but always with this strange attitude, so closed off, acting like someone else. We worried. And then, oh, god, then came the holiday with a friend of hers and her parents to France. On the beach, she met this man who told her she could be a model. She believed him. He was twenty-nine, or something. Completely inappropriate. The parents of her school friend had to call our mother, panicked and upset because Astrid hadn’t come back to the hotel one evening. Turns out she was with this man and his friends, drinking, by the way, and–”

“No, hang on,” I say, guts churning, now. “I actually don’t think I can know any more. I don’t want to hear this.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Well, she won’t tell you on her own.”

“I know, it’s… maybe it’s one of those things better left in the past.” I want to stand up and leave. Go outside into the freezing wind and swallow lungfuls of it until I stop feeling so hot, but that’d be a weird thing to do. I’d have to explain myself. I sit, leg jumping as Mia stares at me, squinting her eyes like I’m a passage from a book she cannot decipher.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I think, really. I don’t want to know.”

“I know everything about her, Jude. You can ask me.”

A lurching feeling, like getting sick. “No, no. I want to respect… it’s not right that I know. I don’t want to. It might change things.”

She frowns. After a moment, her interest wanes, and she simply shrugs. “Okay,” she turns back to the piano, and picks another piece to play. 

Beginning // Prev // Next

[yardsards]

i needed to express a sentiment in the creative stylings of @dunmeshiminimumwage

[starflungwaddledee]

[itsgirlcraft]

HES SO PRETTYY AAAAAAAA

Forgotten RQ!Dark Steve design

[enwoso]

BOUND BY THE PAST | alessia russo x child!reader

it’s another long one, 4.1k words of angst and a small bit of fluff in there somewhere🤏🏼. honestly this was fun to write, and i’ve also in the process lost the request so whoever requested this thank you!

but what i will say is, i really wouldn’t wanna mess with alessia tbh.. especially after reading this. girl goes full on mama protection mode.

anyways enough spoilers, enjoy!

grumpy masterlist | psa: this fic is set after a bridge to cross, so i would recommend reading that to find out who harrison is.

the emirates stadium was alive with cheers as the final whistle blew, alessia felt the familiar rush of victory as her teammates surrounded her. the game had been a triumph and the buzz of the crowd still echoed through the stadium.

alessia's gaze scanned the stands briefly, somewhere closer to the bench was alessia's parents and her older brothers along with leah's family all cheering along, them choosing to sit in the stands for once in stead of the comfort of the friends and family box to be able to feel the excitement of the win as the season was coming to an end.

but her focus shifted as she searched for some other faces entirely, you were seated in the box with your dad, harrison. it had all been alessia's idea, she knew her family were coming but if they were seated on other sides of the stadium.

in alessia's mind the plan was foolproof, she had told her family that you were having a going out with harrison, and she had told harrison step by step what to do to not bump into her family.

even leah didn't know about harrison coming to watch the game.

"so tiny isn't coming today?" leah asked as she sat tying her shoelaces clad in a full arsenal tracksuit, her hair in a messy bun.

alessia shook her head as she finished making her pre-match drink, "no harrison's taking her out for the day, it's the only day he could do this week and i think he said something about taking her to the soft play" alessia explained, it hadn't been the only day he could do this week and he definitely didn't mention a soft play.

alessia in her mind knew the plan would work, she kept it this way, not telling anyone as she knew how fragile yeh situation was. she didn't want to ruin the one of the last home games of the season for anyone or at least have to deal with the inevitable confrontation — at not before she had to.

—

"mummy!" alessia froze mid step, the familiar sound of your voice ringing out through the corridor as she tried to make her way to the family area after having been showered post-match. her heart skipping. a mix of delight and apprehension filling her chest.

turning towards the sound, her breath caught the sight of you bouncing down the hall, your tiny hand firmly clasped around harrison's.

harrison followed hesitantly, probably knowing alessia would say something to chastise him about not sticking to the plan. his tall frame towering over the little girl as he let her lead him.

his posture was awkward, as his shoulders were slightly hunched as a white t-shirt adorned his body his long arms filled with tattoos as he looked as if he wanted to shrink himself.

his eyes darted around nervously, scanning the area. he was well aware this wasn't the plan.

"y/n, slow down," he muttered, glancing back towards the way they'd came. he had hoped to avoid running into anyone, let alone alessia's family.

but you were determined, your hair which was in little pigtails bounced as you practically skipped towards the private family area. you coming to a hault in front of your grandparent, your uncles and leah's family who were in there too.

you looking up at your mummy's shocked face with an innocent grin, "i brought daddy to see you, mummy!" you announced proudly looking between both harrison and alessia as if you'd just presented your mum with the greatest gift

harrison cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly under the weight of several pairs of stunned eyes. "hello" he said softly, giving a weak wave.

the room froze, as alessia's parents exchanged wide eyed glances her mum placing a hand over her chest as if steadying herself more than likely knowing what was about to happen. her dad's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as they flickered to alessia awaiting for her to say something.

but instead it was luca who broke the silence.

"what the hell is he doing here?" his voice was sharp and dripping from venom as he already moved forward as if to place himself between harrison and alessia.

"luca." carol warned but it was too late.

harrison instinctively pulled you a little closer, your hand tightening around his. "i'm not- i don't mean to-"

"you didn't mean to what?" gio cut in stepping up beside luca. his tone was cold as his expression was one of pure disbelief. "show up uninvited? drag her into this?" he gestured towards you as you were becoming more and more closed off.

"i wasn't trying to cause trouble," harrison said quickly his voice calm as he glanced down at you who was looking around and at him with confusion, clearly sensing the tension. "she wanted to see her mum, i didn't want to upset her."

"you've already done enough of that," luca snapped his tone still laced with venom.

the comment from luca, seemed to hit a nerve. harrison's expression shifted, his calm demeanour giving way to frustration. he straightened his posture, squaring her shoulders.

"look, i get that you don't like me, i get that i've made mistakes. but im here for y/n now. i'm not going anywhere no matter how much you scowl at me"

luca scoffed, stepping closer, "you think a few months of effort erases everything you've done? you don't deserve to be in her life"

"luca!" alessia's voice was sharp, but harrison didn't back down as her voice blended into the background.

"you think i don't know what i've done?" harrison shot back, his voice rising slightly. "you think i don't live with that every day? i'm not here to make things right with you or anyone else in the room, expect my daughter. that's it."

"your daughter?" gio crossed his arms, his face hard as he continued, "the one you walked out on the moment things got tough?"

"i've owned up to that," harrison snapped, his calm composure was cracking, fast. "and i'm doing everything i can to fix it. you don't have to like me, but you don't get to decide whether i'm in her life"

"what do you not get, you don't get to just show up and demand to be a dad!" lucas's voice was sharp, his frustration boiling over, "that little girl isn't just some box you can check off to feel better about yourself!"

harrison clenched his jaw, his fists curling at his sides, "i'm not trying to feel better about myself. i'm trying to be a father to my daughter and for what it's worth, alessia seems to understand that — something you two clearly don't."

"enough! stop it" alessia's voice raising as it cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. she stepped forward, placing herself between her brothers and harrison.

"mummy?" you voice was trembling as it broke through the shouting, small and wavering. your tiny hands gripping the bottom on alessia's jersey, her big blue eyes wide and shimmering with tears as she glanced between the adults.

harrison's anger drained instantly as his gaze dropped to his daughter opening his mouth to try and fix it as alessia shook her head for him to back down.

alessia immediately crouched down, pulling you into her arms, "baby, it's alright," she whispered, stroking the back of your hair. but your body was tense and your little fists balled up into alessia's jersey as you buried your face into your mummy's neck, desperately looking for any sort of comfort.

alessia turned to look for leah, leah being stood quietly by the door watching the mess unfold, shock slightly radiating on her face as well as a small pang of betrayal as alessia felt she couldn't tell her that you were coming to watch with your dad.

leah had heard the yelling from the corridor as she surged down still buzzing from the win but her smile quickly turned into a frown when she walked into the room.

"le, can you take lovie out. she shouldn't be seeing this.." alessia begged as you clung to your mummy, tears spilled from your small eyes.

leah nodding as she pushed herself off the wall, her heart arching at the sight of your confusion. alessia tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear as she kissed your forehead whispering an 'i love you' before handing you over to leah.

leah shifted you so you rested comfortably on her hip, as she began to turn towards the door, she shot alessia a pointed look. leah's voice dropping to a murmur, "i told you this would happen when they found out."

alessia's jaw tightened, her frustration boiling over, "not now, leah" she snapped her voice sharp as she gritted her teeth together. leah left with you to calm you down as alessia turned to look at the boys who were still arguing.

"you fucking abandoned her, and abandoned that little girl. you don't deserve the right to waltz back into either of their lives like nothings happened.” luca spat back as harrison's jaw tightened as he kept quiet but his mind was definitely ticking away of what to say next.

"and you think showing up here unannounced is the way to do is?" gio added his arms crossed over his chest protectively.

"unannounced?" carol, interjected gently her gaze shifting to alessia, "did you.. know about this?"

all eyes turned to alessia who felt the weight of their stares pressing down on her, as she swallowed hard glancing briefly at harrison before nodding.

"i gave him the tickets," she admitted, "for lovie but i didn't tell anyone cause i didn't want to ruin the day for anyone."

"ruin today?" gio repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief at his sisters actions, "you ruined today the moment you gave him the tickets."

"you think i wanted to ruin today? i'm not here for you?" harrison snapped rising to his feet, his voice was low but sharp, his frame tense as he squared up to gio. "i'm here for my daughter!"

gio stepped forward too, his expression thunderous. "you don't get to act like the hero after disappearing for years. showing up doesn't erase what you did!"

"i never said it did!" harrison's voice rose again, his frustration starting to bubble over. taking another step forward towards gio, his chest puffed out. "but i'm not going to stand here and let you talk to me like i don't care about her. i'm trying to be better-"

"better?" luca barked out a harsh laugh as gio joined in before looking back at harrison with the same thunderous glare.

"alessia doesn't need you, y/n doesn't need you. you don't belong here, mate."

"that's not your call!" harrison shot back, his voice dangerously loud now. he took another step closer his fists clenched at his sides.

"gio stop!" alessia's voice rang out as she begged the two to stop, even now luca was trying to get gio to back down as he reached out to grab his shoulder but it was just shrugged off by the younger russo brother.

"you don't get to decide what's best for her," harrison continued, his voice trembling with restrained anger. "she's my daughter"

"don't you dare say that word like it means something to you." gio hissed stepping closer to harrison, his voice venomous. "you're nothing but a selfish coward who runs away when things get tough!"

harrison's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides, "say that again," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

"i said, you're a coward," gio spat, his eyes blazing as he stowed even closer.

the words barely hung in the air before gio swung, his knuckles catching harrison square on the cheekbone which would definitely turn blue by the morning.

harrison staggering back as his expression snapped from shock to fury in a instant. and without hesitation he lunged forward his first slamming into gio's jaw with a satisfying crack.

"you want to say that again?" harrison snarled, his chest heaving as gio was the one to stumbled this time.

gio wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, glaring daggers at harrison. "you think that scares me?" he hissed already moving towards him again.

"enough!" mario barked from across the room, but neither of them seemed to hear.

luca rushed forward, shoving harrison back hard enough to create some space, "seriously knock it off!

alessia took the chance to dart herself between them, he hands trembling as she pushed against harrison's chest. "stop it! both of you!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.

her plea was just loud enough to pierce through the tension, as harrison's fists slowly uncurled and gio rubbed his jaw breathing heavily as he halted st him.

alessia turned to her dad, her face flushed and tight with anger, "they're done," she said firmly, her voice trembling with finality as she glanced between them, "aren't you?"

gio muttered something under his breath turning away while harrison stood rigid. the fire in his eyes gradually dimming. but alessia didn't move, staying firmly in place until both men retreated.

"this isn't helping anyone, and i'm not letting, either of you turn this into a war zone-" alessia shouted her voice firm as both boys hands were red with fury and there faces right with frustration.

"i'm not trying to fight, i just want to be there for my daughter" harrison squeaked out his voice low and strained.

“you don't deserve to be here for her!" gio fired back, but alessia spun on him, her eyes blazing with fury.

"gio! enough!" she snapped. "you don't get to decide that. i do. and i've made my decision."

"less-," gio started, but alessia cut him off with a glare.

"no, gio." she said fiercely. "this isn't about you and what you think. this is about lovie. and right now she's down the hallway terrified because of you two"

the silence that followed from alessia's words was deafening and her words must have hit a soft spot as both boys retreated form where they were, moving to be at the side of the room as alessia stayed stood in the middle of the chaos.

"less, we're just trying to look out for you," luca began his voice was calm as he tried to justify his and his brothers actions. "you know we're only trying to protect you and tiny-,"

"protect me?" alessia spun around, her voice sharp and trembling with emotion as her eyes blazed as she stared down her brother. "you think this is protecting me? scaring my daughter? making her cry? how is that helping anyone?"

"less, come on," luca interjected, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "we didn't mean for it to get like this. we just don't trust him, and—"

"and that gives you the right to pick a fight in front of her?" alessia cut him off, her voice rising, her hands clenched at her sides. "she's four, luca! she doesn't understand why her uncles are yelling at her dad. do you have any idea what this is going to do to her?"

"alessia—" gio tried, but she held up a hand, silencing him.

"no, gio. you've done enough damage." she snapped, "all you've done is make everything worse!"

both russo brothers looked visibly chastened, their gazes dropping to the floor. carol stepped forward, her face pale. "alessia, sweetheart, maybe we should all take a moment to cool off—"

"i don't have a moment," alessia said, her voice breaking slightly. "my daughter is crying in the hallway because of all this. i need to go sort out the mess, they've made."

without waiting for a response having heard enough from them, alessia turned on her heel and left the room, her chest heaving as she tried to collect herself.

—

alessia finally found leah after having to take a few minutes herself to let out a shaky sigh. leah was sitting on a bench near the locker room. you cradled in her lap.

your face buried in leah's neck, as your body still trembled slightly from time to time as small hiccups left you. leah's hand rubbing gentle circles on your back as she whispered low and soothing reassurances.

"hey" alessia said softly as she approached the two, her heart breaking at the sight of you being so upset. her body filling with so much mum guilt.

leah glanced up, her expression a mixture of concern and lingering frustration as she shifted you slightly so that alessia could take over. "she's a bit shaken up," leah murmured standing as alessia crouched in front of the two of them.

"thank you" alessia said quietly, her voice filled with genuine emotion as leah nodded lingering for a moment before stepping back to give some space.

"lovie, baby" your mummy whispered, reaching out so gently to stoke the hair out your face as your were sat curled up with your knees to your chest. "it's okay, mummy's here now."

you sniffed, finally lifting your head up out of your knees to look at your mum. your face was red and tear-streaked as your lips trembled. "why was uncle gio and luca so mad at daddy?" you asked so innocently, your voice a little raspy from crying.

alessia's chest tightened, pulling you into her arms holding you tightly as the two of you sat on the floor. alessia's back hitting the bench behind her.

"oh my love" she murmured. "sometimes grown-ups say things they shouldn't when they are upset. but that doesn't mean they don't love you, okay? uncle luca and gio love you very much. they just.. got carried away and shouldn't have acted like that, especially when you were there."

you rubbed your eyes with your fists, your voice trembling as you asked, "am i not going to see daddy again?"

the question hit alessia like a punch to the gut. she pulled back slightly, her hands gently cradling your face as she looked into your wide worried eyes.

"oh baby no," she said firmly, her voice soft but resolute. "that's not going to happen, you'll be able to see your dad again, i promise."

"bu-but uncle gio said he shouldn't be here," you whispered, your tears starting to build up again, "d-does that mean he has to go away?"

alessia swallowed hard, trying to ignore the lump in her throat that was building from your worries as she tried to keep her emotions in check.

"no, baby," your mummy assured you, "uncle gio only said that as he's worried about mummy, not because he doesn't want you to see your daddy. and daddy won't be going anywhere - you'll still get to spend time with him."

"really?" you asked, you voice trembling with hope.

"really" alessia promised as she pulled you into another hug, "you and your dad are creating a special bond and no one is going to take that away from you. not uncle luca, not uncle gio, not anyone."

your small arms tightened around alessia's neck, "i don't want you and daddy to fight" you murmured.

alessia's heart ached at the simple plea, "we aren't going to fight, my love." she said softly, "sometimes grown ups make mistakes, but i promise i'll do everything i can to make sure you don't see that again."

you nodded against your mummy's shoulder, you little fingers clutching the fabric of alessia's hoodie. "okay," you whispered.

leah, who had been standing a few steps away, finally stepped forward again, her expression tender, "hey angel" she said softly, crouching down next to alessia and your level.

"how about we go and get some ice cream? i think we all need a treat after today, huh?"

you lifted you head, your tears starting-streaked face slightly lighting up, "pink one with sprinkles?"

leah smiled, brushing a stray hair from your cheek, "the biggest pink one with loads of sprinkles, as many as you want!"

alessia pressed a kiss to your temple, grateful for leah's presence in that moment. "what do you think, baby? wanna go get some ice cream with lele and mummy?"

you nodded, a faint smile creeping onto your face. alessia stood, holding you close as leah placed a comforting hand on alessia's back.

as they started to pack away there belongings from the changing room, everyone else left seamlessly a good hour ago. a quick redo of your hair and the three of you were ready to go.

as they walked out from the changing room, alessia whispered softly to you, "everything's going to be okay, lovie. i promise."

the three of you only a mere metre from the exit, alessia with her backpack slung on her shoulder and your little one which had left with you this morning when harrison came to get you in her hand as you held the other tightly.

leah chatting and lightening the mood by asking you about your imaginative ice cream order. small gasps and giggles leaving leah's lips.

"can you take lovie?" alessia asked as you held tightly onto your mummy's hand, leah nodding her brow furrowing as to why though. "i'll meet you at my car in five, i have one more thing i have to do before ice cream time!"

alessia's head nodded towards the room where her brother's and harrison were still in, stood in silence mainly giving each other dirty looks. leah nodded smiling as she began to walk out the exit door, continuing to ask you what flavour ice cream you were going to get on this big ice cream you'd made up.

walking into the room the tension was thick — heavier than any moment alessia had ever witnessed between her family and harrison.

it felt like the room was on edge of something much worse than what had already happened. the harsh words, the mistrust, the frustration.

stood looking between the her brothers as gio rested an ice pack on his jaw while harrison rested one on his cheek — the swelling on both of them starting to show slightly.

alessia's arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face a mask of calm resolve but the storm brewing inside her was undeniable.

her brothers stood across from harrison their expressions full of disdain ready for another attack. as for harrison, for his part was still stiff and defensive, clearly feeling the weight of alessia's family's anger but trying to hold his ground.

her gaze locked firmly on her brothers and harrison, as gio opened his mouth to say something, maybe apologise or maybe to carry on the screaming match but you'd never know as before he even had a chance alessia cut him off.

"zip it, you've said quite enough today," she said, her tone sharp and unwavering, "and that goes for all three of you" she added pointing to the three boys before turning her gaze to her brothers.

"you two have crossed the line today. so i'll make it clear, again. in my life, my daughter or my choices are mine to decide — neither of you get to tell me how to handle it. especially when it comes to my daughter."

luca opened his mouth to argue but alessia raised her hand stopping him dead in his tracks, "shut it." she said her voice a low growl that sent a clear message.

"i don't want to hear another peep. not from you, not from you" she pointed to gio who was about to say something too, "or from you" pointing over at harrison.

the room fell healthy silent all them staring at her stunned in disbelief. alessia took a slow, steady breath collecting her thoughts for a moment.

"i get it," she said her voice now steady but there was a fire in her eyes that couldn't be ignored. "you're angry. you're protective. you're all trying to act like the hero and protect me and love. but trust me, i don't need any of you trying to believe you know what's best for me. i've been doing this on my own and i'll continue it that way. and that includes harrison — whether you two like it or not."

she looked directly at harrison, then back to her brothers her eyes fierce with strength she'd been holding back all this time. "i can make my own choices on who's in my daughters life. and if i decide harrison deserves a chance then that's my decision. not yours."

gio's fists clenched as he moved his head as if he were about to say something else but alessia was already ahead of him, again.

"don't you dare," she warned him, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "don't you even think about interrupting me."

her brothers stood there, tight lipped, completely taken aback by the intensity in alessia's voice and the authority in her words.

harrison meanwhile, stood still, ice pack still held to h the side of his face, unsure of what to say, but realised the trust of it all. this wasn't the time for his defence — he had to let alessia take charge.

alessia stepped back, giving them all one last piercing look, "i'm done here. so if you have a scuffle you want to continue, then do it once me, my daughter and my girlfriend are out this building. do not ever bring that type of behaviour around my daughter again, or you'll live to regret it."

the finality in her words echoed through the room. without another word, alessia turned on her heel. her heart pouring as she walked toward the door, he back straight and shoulders square.

she didn't wait for anyone's reaction - this was her moment and she wasn't backing down to any of them. they all had a lot of grovelling to do.

as she reached for the door, she glanced over her shoulder one last time, "bye!" she said coldly, her voice unwavering. "i'll be with my family, where i belong. don't try and talk to me until you've figure out how to respect my choices."

the silence that followed her leaving the room was deafening. luca, gio and harrison all left standing there, two with ice packs held to their faces as the weight of the blondes words sunk in. 

but alessia wasn't looking back anymore, she was done trying to explain and make them see things her way. she had made her choice — you, leah and herself came first.

[fayes-fics]

Textual Encounter

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader, modern AU

Summary: Text fic. Wrong number meet-cute over text.

Warnings: none... this is fluff and humour.

Word Count: 1.4k

Summary: Fic request fill for Anon (HERE). I kept it fun and fluffy, but yeah, I can see a sequel where they sext. Thanks to @colettebronte for the read-through. Enjoy! <3

Y/N: Hey Liz, it’s y/n y/l/n. Kindle Spa gave me your mobile. Said you had moved to another salon. I don’t trust anyone else to wax me tbh. Big date this week, kwim 😉 Can I get an appt? I’ll come to you. Doesn’t matter where. 

BB: Errr, I think you have the wrong number…

Y/N: Not Liz?

BB: Nope, Ben here. 

Y/N: Not a waxer, I presume?

BB: I may have waxed lyrical in my time, may even have lit a few candles. Have not waxed anyone no - my own body or anyone else’s. Yet. But I’m game to try anything once...

Y/N: Lol.

BB: Big date, eh?

Y/N: ….Yeah. Not that it's any of your business, stranger Ben.

BB: Fair. BB: Does it hurt?

Y/N: ??

BB: Getting waxed.

Y/N: Oh. Yeah. Like a motherfucker. But you sorta get used to it, tbh. And it’s so much less itchy than shaving regrowth, especially in sensitive areas… Wait, why am I having this convo with a complete stranger?!

BB: We don’t have to be strangers. BB: I’m Ben, 33, London. BB: I have no strong opinions on hair removal methods.

Y/N: lol. K. I’m y/n, 28, also London. Y/N: I, as you can see, do have some opinions.

BB: Hi y/n 👋 BB: I hope you can find Liz. Or someone else to assist with your hair needs.

Y/N: I would like it stated, for the record, I’m not hairy like a troll. I just like to keep things neat.

BB: The lady doth protest too much…

Y/N: You are cheeky for a stranger.

BB: Hey, I thought we agreed. Not strangers. Me Ben. You hairy troll.

Y/N: BLOCK.

BB: Just typing it doesn't work, you know.

Y/N: You should work at the Apple Genius Bar.

BB: Hmm, possibly. I do look good in blue. Or so I've been told.

Y/N: Always glad to provide career counselling.

BB: ��

4 days later.

BB: How’d your date go?

Y/N: That's odd. I don’t see a Genius Bar appt in my calendar…?

BB: iCal is a lying bastard. BB: I also assume you now can move faster through water.

Y/N: ??

BB: Waxed smooth like a dolphin…?

Y/N: 😆 Y/N: Entirely none of your business, but yes, actually. Well mostly. I leave some. Why am I telling you this?! Y/N: The guy was such a dud tho, I didn't get to show it off 🙁

BB: Please don't stop on my account. This is just delightful.  BB: I apologise on behalf of all men.

Y/N: For what?

BB: Having 4 sisters, I find the safest answer here is usually… everything, of course.  BB: But specifically, your rubbish date.

Y/N: Apology conditionally accepted. Y/N: 4 sisters?! 

BB: Only conditional? What do I gots to do to make it unconditional? BB: Yeah, I know… I’ve got 3 brothers too. My parents were really into each other. 

Y/N: IDK, serve a mean martini? Y/N: Understatement.

BB: That could be arranged. I took an online mixology course during lockdown.  BB: My sister El declared I'm better than Stanley Tucci. Admittedly, that was after 4 espresso martinis… but I'm taking it. She's opinionated but the best one. They are a weird bunch tho 🤔

Y/N: WOAH WOAH WOAH. That's a bold claim.

BB: Well, there’s only one way to dispute it: try one for yourself…

Y/N: Smooth, Genius Bar, smooth.

BB: I do my best 🤷

1 day later.

Y/N: I can't get my AirPods to work.

BB: You do realise I didn’t actually follow your career advice?

Y/N: Urgh. Inconvenient. What use are you then?

BB: As I said. Cocktails. I’ll try my hand at waxing if you want.

Y/N: Best stick to the day job. Which is…?

BB: Graphic design.

Y/N: Oh, that’s quite cool. 

BB: It pays the bills. You?

Y/N: MI-5

BB: Wow, you're a shit spy.

Y/N: It could be an excellent double bluff…

BB:

Y/N: Oh, we’ve graduated to memes now, have we, Genius Bar?

BB: It was called for.

Y/N: I’ll take it. Purely cos it's a Hemsworth.

BB: I would too, tbh.

Y/N: Bi?

BB: For a Hemsworth? Always.

Y/N: Anyone else?

BB: I’ll keep you posted.

Y/N: I'm on the edge of my seat.

3 days later.

BB: Oscar Issac.

Y/N: Good non sequitur evening to you, too, Genius Bar Ben.

BB: For the bi thing.

Y/N: Ahh. Got it. I can respect that.

BB: This is me, btw: www.instagram.com/benbridgerdesign.  BB: Figured you can decide for yourself if I'm a creeper.

Y/N: Appreciated.

3 minutes later.

Y/N: You paint?

BB: I dabble

Y/N: Modesty will only make me like you more.

BB: You like me?! 🥹

Y/N: You didn't mention you were handsome.

BB: There is no way to respond to that without me sounding like a twat.

BB: But thank you 😊

Y/N: This is me: www.instagram.com/ynhandle 

7 minutes later.

BB: Oh, Amalfi is so beautiful, isn't it?

Y/N: Wow. That's a deep cut. How far did you scroll back??

BB: 👀

Y/N: Yeah, it's beautiful. Shame it's tainted for me now. Was there with an ex.

BB: I saw. Very handsome.

Y/N: Are you sure you're not just into men full-stop?

BB: 🤷 BB: You’re very pretty, too.

Y/N: I’d believe it if you didn't mention my “very handsome” ex first…

BB: I call it like I see it. BB: I have had 4 whiskeys, tho, so make of that what you will.

Y/N: On a school night?!

BB: It’s my brother Ant's birthday. This is like non-optional drunk, I’ll have you know.

Y/N: Happy birthday to him. 

BB: He says thanks. He’s also told me to get off my fucking phone. Which is rich. He is texting his wife nonstop.

Y/N: Hah! Safe travels through Whiskeytown, BenBridger 🫡

BB: I kinda miss Genius Bar…. 😞

Y/N: I can't win…

2 days later.

BB: Settle an argument for me.

Y/N: 🍿

BB: Col, younger brother, never stops eating... He claims Katz Deli is overrated. I argue it's touristy but still good. You’ve been. Where do you sit on this matter?

Y/N: You really did go thru my Insta, didn't you?? Y/N: Thanks for the follow, BTW.

BB: It's a compliment, I assure you. BB: Welcome. And same.

Y/N: Not complaining. And yeah, I agree with you, actually.

BB: Hah! Excellent!!

Y/N: Wait… your older brother is Ant, and your younger brother is Col? You’re Ben. So, like ABC?

BB:  … I already warned you my family was weird.

Y/N: You did. You did.

BB: Now, please excuse me while I go gloat.

Y/N: 👍

5 mins later.

BB: Hi. This is Col. You must be the famous y/n. Ben’s in the bogs, and the mug left his phone on the table unlocked, so this is on him.  BB: He like really likes you. Like a lot. Will you go on a date with him pls? 

Y/N: Err, ok, hi Col. Y/N: Umm, I think Ben should be the one to ask me that. Don’t you?

BB: He’s too scared you’ll say no.

Y/N: I won't…

BB: EXCELLENT.

2 minutes later.

BB: I am so SO sorry about that 😬 He’s such a shit. BB: But… do you mean it?

Y/N: Ask me properly…

BB: Would you, y/n, like to go on a date with me? Please?

Y/N: I would be delighted to Ben. 😀

BB: 🙏 BB: Are you free on Thursday? Could I take you to dinner?

Y/N: Sounds wonderful. 

BB: 7pm? Meet at Picadilly Circus? By Brasserie Zedel?

Y/N: I’ll be there 😀

BB: 😀

10 days later.

BB: I think you should know… Liz is an artiste 😮‍💨

Y/N: Stop texting me from my bed, you dork. 😘 Y/N: How do you take your coffee?

BB: I'm like 10 meters away. Why not just ask me?

Y/N: You started this, Genius Bar…

BB: Come back to bed, Mostly Hairless Troll.

Y/N: I asked for that, didn't I? 🤦

Benedict taglist, pt 1: @makaylan @longingintheuniverse @iboopedyournose @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld @broooookiecrisp @queen-of-the-misfit-toys @eleanor-bradstreet @divaanya @musicismyoxygen84 @miindfucked @sorryallonsy @cayt0123 @hottytoddyhistory @fictionalmenloversblog @zinzysstuff @malpalgalz @kinokomoonshine @causeimissu @delehosies @m-rae23 @last-sheep @panhoeofmanyfandoms @kmc1989 @desert-fern @corpseoftrees-queen @magical-spit @bunnyweasley23 @how-many-stars-in-the-sky @sya-skies

[rootspiral]

Agatha all along deep dive: episode 1 part 2

(Wandavision entries: [1][2][3])

(AAA entries: ep1 [1][2][3][4] ep2 [1][2][3][4] ep3 [1][2][3] ep4 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][+1] ep5 [1][2][3][4][5] ep6 [1][2][3] ep7 [1][2][3][4][5][6] ep8 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] ep9 [1][2][3][4][5][6])

Okay, let's keep going through Agatha All Along epsode 1, in which detective Agnes sees Nicky's lock of hair inside her brooch and is stunned into silence for a long ten seconds

she's feeling agonizing heartbreak and cannot even tell why

you know what, she technically is home. she's in her living room as we speak. but every line has multiple readings, so go home... where? to her old self? to her witchy roots? to her coven? to Rio? to Nicky, in the afterlife?

I wonder if all the water puddles are deliberate. do they symbolize mirrors, is she gone through the looking glass? or is water = rio?

the way she has to steel herself before getting into Nicky's room

THE MOON PHASES OVER THE BED. as if she wishes there was a coven looking over him, protecting him

I saw some reactors laughing their asses off at this scene, still hung up on the parody of it all, going "did they make the rabbit into a dead kid backstory? that's HILARIOUS." Sure. So funny.

(they keep associating Nicky with rabbits tho, in the previous scene with Rio there's a blink-and-you-miss-it moment when a plant in the background suddenly turns into Nicky's picture. was señor scratchy named after him?)

why can't they properly light their scenes goddamnit I shouldn't have to use 6 layers to see her face

oh look it's Aubrey Plaza and pizza, two of the sexiest concepts humanity has ever come up with

first of all: open vest and white shirt? that's hot. second of all, the way she's sitting so confidently with her whole chest out, so open, taking deep breaths. she just wants to drink her all up, all of her, her beauty, her sorrow, her goofiness. she's SO damn in love.

what a goober. what a delight. plaid shirt and no makeup, drinking beer and snorting when she laughs, a bit awkward and bashful. what a stud. I would die for her. I would wife her so quickly. I'm gonna say this whit my whole chest, the more femme presenting Agatha is, the more she's wearing a shield and playing a part. this is Agatha raw and defenseless and true, and I want to protect her like she's a precious kitten. (me and Rio both, tbh)

case in point: Agatha is manspreading like some idiot lumberjack, and Rio looks like she has never seen anyone hotter

Agatha: "I have a lead in the case". Rio, with goddamn bedroom eyes: "that's not why I came over."

But then when Agatha looks overwhelmed she immediately course-corrects and encourages her to talk about the case. Love me a boundary-respecting king. Real talk, she's been respecting those boundaries for a long time. And even if she's quite angry at Agatha, she won't unleash all that on her when she's so defenseless.

She pushes a little, and the moment it's too much for Agatha she steps back and regroups. She's being SO gentle.

That's fascinating that her subconscious knows what happened to Billy. Exactly how connected are they?

Whoops, we're leaning in again.

She says yes so openly. When the real Agatha has been running away from Rio and this confrontation for centuries! The real Agatha is SCREAMING in terror, but he body won't listen because it's fallen back into that feeling of domesticity and trust. This is the same body that will always yearn to kiss Rio. The mind that categorically forbids it is shut away for the time being.

Why is Rio trying to wake Agatha up? She could let her stay like this. She could easily make Agnes O'Connor fall in love. The two main reasons why she doesn't are: because she's so fucking angry with her, and she wants them to finally have a mature conversation about Nicky and she needs Agatha to understand that she's hurting too. The second reason is - because she loves her too much. It's honestly just that. She cannot let Agatha live like this, tortured, imprisoned, without agency. She want to have a mature conversation with the real Agatha, she wants to get angry with the real Agatha, most of all she wants Agatha to be okay. Do you see the difference? She's not just in love with her, because being in love is a selfish act, but to love someone is fundamentally selfless. And she will keep loving Agatha no matter if they are together or not. She loves her enough to bend the rules of the universe for her. She just... she loves her.

and this, letting Agatha exist in this form, is a punishment too cruel for Rio to allow

The half smile, the bitterness behind it. An Agatha who doesn't hate her is just a beautiful fantasy, but Rio knows better.

it's Billy! and another mirror! yep, that's a theme.

Ha, the real Sharon was calling him a hooligan. RIP sharon, gone too soon

so intense!!?! even when she's not doing it on purpose, her characters are cheesy and cliched. and it takes a lot of talent to write a bad show too, so kudos to jac schaeffer & co

go to part 3

[beartitled]

ur au inspired me alot so have this writings I made based off of ur evil cipher parents au...

Bill cipher was SUPPOSED to be a normal Euclidean. A normal triangle. Despite his color not being right and he was practically blind in his 2d world.

All he knew about his parents was that his mom was a lovely deep blue, and his father was a wonderous shade of red.

And he was okay with that.

Atleast he could stare at the stars as his mother's voice lulled him to sleep.

.. he swore he saw a group of stars moving… It looked weird, it was a line with a dip down at the back end, and what looked like a trapezoid(he believes that's what trapezoids look like, it was hard to see anyone else in the first place) on the front end.. it was unlike anything he'd ever seen before.

"Ma.. Some stars are moving…" Billy said, his voice a soft mumble.

"Billy, there's nothing there moving… I promise.." Billy's mom said, her voice silky smooth.

Billy hummed in reply, just watching the bundle of stars move in such an odd way.. then there was one that looked like one of the star shaped people he's somewhat seen, but it had a trail coming from the back. The two bundles paused, as if they were staring at him.

It was.. unnerving.

"Ma..?" Billy called quietly. There wasn't any reply. Mom must've left already.

Billy didn't want to bother her. So he just watched the two bundle of stars.. Until they got closer. They weren't stars.

They looks so weird.

He was scared- it was so scary- he suddenly wanted to be normal- to have an eye where it's supposed to be-

One of the giant things reached down and carefully scooped him up-- Billy gasped loudly as he was lifted up-- he could see so much MORE. He could see the two giant things he originally thought were stars.

They were.. 3D. He had thought no such things could exist!.

But if they were here, why did they pick him-- Was it because he could see them?

Billy whined softly, Glancing around nervously for some sort of escape. But there was none.

"Billy?" He heard his mom say, "Billyy? Where are you?"

Billy Desperately wanted to tell his mom he was still here- he just couldn't describe it.

"Mabel what do we do now-?" The first giant said, the one with the line and trapezoid thingy on the front on their forehead. The other had no markings, but he could tell that they were the star shaped bundle of stars.

"Just kill him- like.. like Grunkle Ford said.. to.." The star said.

The trapezoid with a line frowned, Shaking its head.

"I'm not gonna kill him, he's.. so small.."

"Then what?"

".. surely Grunkle Ford wouldn't mind if we take him home?"

Billy didn't understand what they were saying.

"BILLY??" Mom called out, much louder.

"I'm here, Ma." Billy replied. But mom didn't seem to hear him. So he tried saying it louder. "Here, Ma."

Still, nothing. Next thing he knew, he felt so odd, he didn't feel right.

He could move more. Everything wasn't hard to see, he could TURN.

..

"That was just a dream, Bill."

pls enjoy :3

Awwww thank you ❤️ Glad my comic inspired you to create this is so sweet 🥹

I love the atmosphere ✨ You can feel the unease 👀

Also MABEL?????? HOW ARE YOU SO BRUTAL? Don’t kill da baby D:

I know it’s a nightmare and it would be really fitting tbh (I think Bill would be paranoid/have anxiety about Pines now liking him) (if Pines have the memories present, there would be discomfort vibes between them)

But still

Mabel would never 😭 would she? 😭

Oh and 💥 this was Bill’s POV probably huh

Also forgot to mention it in part 3 💥

A person wrote a great short fanfic about how “normal” Bill would meet his parents (with a happy ending :D)

They didn’t want to share it publicly, I respect the decision so not tagging them

But just wanted to say that I really appreciate your fan works fellas 💕

It’s a delight to read your fanfics, makes me happy to know that people like my silly comic so much that they were inspired to create 🥹

[also-a-contradiction]

kitchen phone calls - eddie munson

eddie munson x gn!reader

—> when you get ditched at a party, you know exactly who to call.

notes/warnings: mentions of parties, reader is at a party, reader gets ditched, mention of underage drinking, use of pet names like "sweetheart" and "honey", somewhat proofread, (tbh i haven't seen this show in a while so i hope everything is somewhat accurate to the characters)

-

eddie munson was in the middle of practicing a new song when the telephone rang. not an uncommon occurrence, but considering the late hour, he was somewhat wary.

“hello?” he asked into the phone. the sound of music could be heard playing in the background, but nobody responded. “is anyone there?”

there was a slight annoyance bubbling up inside him, thinking it might be another one of jason’s stupid pranks “carver, I swear to—”

“eddie!” your voice yelled over the phone, almost making him drop it in surprise. “eddie, I’m so glad you picked up." you said, relief evident in your voice.

eddie was instantly delighted, always beyond thrilled when you called. but the slight shakiness of your voice gave him pause. “y/n? are you okay?"

you were quiet for a second, and then cleared your throat. "yeah, yeah, I'm good, eds. I just—well, I’m at tina’s end-of-the-year party. the one I told you about last week?”

eddie remembers it well. tina had invited you and robin, and though you really wanted eddie to come with, high school parties weren’t really his scene. “yeah, ‘course I do, sweetheart.”

“well, my ride home just bailed on me."

"they what?" eddie exclaimed, a quick flash of fury coursing through him at the thought of someone ditching you, especially at a party.

he could hear you sigh. “yep, left for a different party, I guess. I’m so sorry to call you so late, but I don’t really feel all that good asking anybody here for a ride. too much drinking and other activities, if you know what I mean.”

eddie was already stumbling around the kitchen looking for his car keys, not carrying if he was tangling the phone cord. "hey, don't you ever be sorry about calling me, okay? I'm glad you did."

you laughed quietly as you heard him curse about not being able to find his shoes. "I really appreciate it, eddie. I owe you a milkshake, okay?" you promised.

"I'll hold you to it, honey." eddie laughed, not caring about the milkshake debt, but rather the opportunity to spend time with you. "I’m on my way, be there in 5."

-

thanks for reading!!!

[wedriftlikelonelyplanets]

24 for the 2024 fic round up!

24 - favourite fic you read this year

OH GOD there are so many good ones. I unfortunately cannot pick just one because I've ready SO many fics this year. I'm relatively "new" in the world of F1 RPF and I also like...overconsume fic to the max. SO have a few.

remember me love, when i'm reborn by @formula-fun (this fic made me CRYYYYYY)

first bloom by @wolfiemcwolferson (this also made me cry a lot tbh)

Frechheit by @additiva

Sour and Delicious, Secret and Unrepeatable by @officialmood

Dead Heat by @powerful-owl

Made Me Just for You by @toppamplemousse

Learned Behaviour by @1425fivefive (but honestly please read everything by Amelia everything she writes is DELIGHTFUL)

You're Burning Up, I'm Cooling Down and Let's Be Alone Together by @foggieststars

I honestly could keep going, I've read so many incredible things by so many talented people this year, and I could monologue about them forever.

SORRY to anyone if these tags are annoying because you don't follow me but the brilliance must be acknowledged.

[slimewares]

actually still thinking about the idea I had while high the other night about like contagious pregnancy and the idea that it could change anyone's body, regardless of sex, into being able to both be pregnant and get others pregnant (holy fuck this turned out way longer than I expected so, uh putting it under the thing)

[and btw while personally I did have kinda like an alien-ish sex parasite thing in mind, you also could just read it as just a fantastical multiples/rapid pregnancy type thing, tbh do whatever your want :)]

Like, imagine you're at a party or something. You start chatting with this trans girl who's a friend of a friend of yours. Or maybe a friend of a friend of a friend. You're not sure. In any event, being two of only a few trans people at the party, you're naturally drawn together. You think she's really cute and you quickly find that she's into you too. After flirting for a while, she suggests you two duck into a nearby room for some privacy together. You wouldn't usually let things move this fast, but you've been partying for a while and being drunk/high always did make you feel deliciously easy. Although, now that you think about it, you haven't seen her drink or anything all night, but with the way she strokes your thigh and whispers how badly she wants you right now, you don't care.

The second the door to the bedroom closes, she's all over you. In between striping off your clothes and kissing every inch of your skin that's available to her, she tells you just how insatiably horny she's been recently.

"My girlfriend and I broke up a couple weeks ago," she says as she backs you towards the bed, "and with no one to touch me, I've been so horny I could explode."

You smile as she pushes you back on the mattress, legs open and your cunt dripping wet, thrilled to be on display for her. She leans down and kisses you, her tongue easily sliding into your mouth. You both moan as you make out and you gently tug on her shirt, equally eager to get a look at her body. When she does undress, you try to take a moment to take in the beauty of the soft curves of her breasts and hips and thighs. You also notice that she seems a bit bashful about her stomach.

"Sorry, I guess I've been taking the breakup harder than I thought." She says as she places a hand on the slight bulge to her belly. "I have no idea what's been causing me to gain weight as quickly as I have."

You pull her back down on top of you and reassure her that you don't mind at all.

While usually you'd prefer to get a decent amount of foreplay in, especially with how mouthwatering her cock and tits are, you're both so wound up and you're already so wet that she wastes no time in lining herself up with your entrance.

She pushes into you easily. You let moans and sighs fall from your mouth freely as you feel her slide deep inside of you. You shudder slightly as you feel her tip brush against your cervix once she bottoms out.

"Comfortable?" She asks, breath slightly shaky.

You nod. She holds still in you for a moment, allowing you both to adjust to the feeling of the other. She reaches down between the two of you and gently strokes your dick, experimenting with the way it makes you twitch around her. She laughs to herself about something, you don't really catch it, but you gather that she's surprised as to just how hard she is. She shifts the two of you, pushing your legs back and allowing her to slide just a bit farther into you. You smile to yourself as you notice the way that this position allows you two to be close enough that her stomach slightly rubs against yours.

'Cute.' You think.

You can sense just how eager she is and how much she's restraining herself, so you give her the go ahead to start moving. She pulls almost all the way out and then slowly pushes back into you, delighting in the soft moans it pulls from both of you.

She starts pumping in and out of you at a sensual pace, clearly wanting to make it last and enjoying the ease with which she can make you whimper under her, but you sense that something is eating away at her will. A hungry look grows on her face and her hips start driving into you harder and faster. It's not long before she gives in to whatever temptation was nagging at her and she begins to truly pound you into the mattress. You jerk yourself as she fucks you, but you hardly need it. You swear you're seeing stars with the way her cock keeps hitting your cervix with each thrust.

"You like it?" She pants down at you.

"Ah! Fuck! Yeah!" You're barely even able to form a coherent thought.

She smirks cockily and begins sucking a trail of hickies up your neck. The sensation makes you arch up toward her. You feel like you've completely lost control as you frantically stroke yourself.

"Uh, uh, I-" you stutter. "Al- uh, almost!"

With the way she's breathing heavily in your ear and desperately grinding into you, you figure she's about to cum as well.

"Oh, yes, baby!" You moan as you feel yourself reach the edge.

Just as you do, she drives almost painfully deep inside of you and you both cry out as you feel her throbbing cock shoot rope after thick rope of cum into you. You can't help but throw your head back as your combined orgasms overtake you. Her cock pulsing deep within you, coating your insides with her cum, and your cunt squeezing her, milking more out of her and coaxing her cum deeper and deeper.

She pulls out of you and flops down onto the bed beside you. You feel a little sore, but the feeling of her warm spend pooling around the tingling entrance to your womb more than makes up for it. You slowly and absentmindedly rub your cunt, smearing the cum that's beginning to drip out of you all over your dick. In your cross-faded haze, you try to remember if she or your friend mentioned how long she's been on hormones and try to do the mental math regarding sperm count, but you soon decide that that's sober you's problem and, for now, you don't care.

You're about to ask for her number when suddenly she climbs back on top of you, hard as a rock already.

"This position good for round two?"

Not knowing what else to do, you just stupidly nod and let her push her cum back inside of you as she begins fucking you again.

She continues to fuck you all night. Both of you cum several times, and she makes sure that all of her orgasms result in you getting filled.

Things start to blur in your memory at this point, but you wake up in the morning with her number and social media handles already in your phone and an obscene amount of her cum seeping out of your pussy.

Once you get home you jump straight in the shower. You wash yourself as best you can, truly amazed at the amount of cum stuffed inside of you. As you push it out, you can't help but feel turned on. You start to play with your dick. You remember how good it felt to be filled by her. You start feeling a strange, yet not unwelcome, warm thrumming feeling radiating from your cervix and wonder whether any of her sperm have managed to wriggle their way into your womb yet. It's that thought that makes you cum. You ride out your orgasm and try to continue with your shower once you've recovered. But you start to feel a slight cramp coming on.

'Oh, damn, is my period coming back?' You wonder.

You try to ignore it, but it does remind you that there is a very real possibility that her cum did have sperm in it, and while you don't know for sure about her, you know that you are fertile. As you jump out of the shower and dry off, you figure that you should stop by the drug store for some plan b while you're out today. Just in case.

At first everything seems normal. You and the girl chat online every now and again, but unfortunately your schedules don't line up in a way that lets you meet up again any time soon. You think about her often. Really often actually. You find that your libido has gone up like crazy recently, but you don't worry about it too much.

After a couple weeks though, you start to notice some strange things. For one thing you keep feeling nauseous. The first time you figured that you were just hungover from the party, but you just keep feeling sick. And then there's the abdominal cramps. You start to get worried. Eventually you hear about some weird stomach bug that's been going around recently.

You wonder if it's the flu or something more serious, so you figure you should ask the girl you slept with if she's come down with anything. You've both been pretty busy recently, and haven't been talking a lot, so you're completely shocked when you go to her page and see that she's announced that she's going to be a mom. Her post doesn't have a lot of details, but she seems incredibly excited. Trying to figure this out, you remember that she and her ex-girlfriend are still mutuals, so you go to her page to see if she's posted anything about this. You see that her ex had made a similar post announcing that she was pregnant.

You figure maybe they got back together and got pregnant. For a moment, you're a little hurt. While you weren't exactly going steady with this girl, to think that she'd get back with her ex and decide to start a family without telling you... wait a minute. Her post saying that she just found out that she's having a kid is from just a few days ago, but her ex's post is from almost a month ago. Did she really get into a new relationship and get her new partner pregnant that soon after her ex did? That would be a pretty big coincidence. Then again, as you scroll through your timeline, you see that quite a few people you know or at least follow are announcing their pregnancies.

You decide that this is all too weird. You send a message to the girl saying that you'd like to talk over a few things when she's free, and go to bed for the night.

That night you're roused from your dreams by more abdominal cramps. A particularly strange rolling pain pulls you into wakefulness.

"Ah!" You hiss. "The fuck?"

The cramp begins to melt away into that same strange, warm feeling deep in your womb. In fact, your whole body is tingling, the epicenter of the sensation seeming to be your dick. The throbbing of your tdick is undeniable, you can't help but shove your hand into your boxers and start rubbing yourself.

But something's off. You feel harder, bigger even. You must be mistaken, you've been on testosterone long enough that you didn't think you'd be experiencing any further bottom growth, and especially not out of the blue. You turn over in your bed to turn the light on.

Oh wow.

As you look down to inspect your dick, you discover that you actually can't see it. Obscuring what would usually be a clear line of sight to your crotch is a small, but undeniable bump in your abdomen.

"Wha-" You gasp aloud. "H-how?"

You place a hand on your stomach, but immediately pull it back when a strange fluttering sensation responds to your touch.

This doesn't make any sense. This doesn't make any sense! You took the emergency contraceptive, you can't be pregnant! And even if you were, you wouldn't be this far along already, right? Not overnight. Right?

Your mind is racing. But louder than your thoughts, the pulse of arousal radiating all over your body grows greater and greater until you feel like you can't think at all. The twitch in your boxers can no longer be ignored.

You sit up a bit, while your stomach has grown, you can still see past it with relative ease. You pull down your boxers.

Oh wow.

Your dick is big. Not just tdick big, although you certainly had no complaints about your size before. But now, your dick has somehow become not only quite a bit longer, but thicker too. And as you wrap your fingers around it, sighing at the way it throbs at your touch, you also think it might be... leaking? You begin to stroke up and down your dick and see that, yes, beads of wetness are dripping from the tip.

Questions still flood your mind, but you can't help but focus all of your attention on this miracle between your legs. You wrap your hand around your dick and without hesitation, you begin fucking up into your fist with an animalistic need.

Your eyes roll back in your head at the familiar, yet new sensation. You twist your hand, squeeze yourself, every experimental touch feels like heaven. It doesn't take you very long before the feeling overwhelms you and, panting like a dog, you cum hard. And as you feel a warm wetness splash across your round belly, you realize that you didn't just have an orgasm, you truly came. You look back down at yourself, the thick white liquid still dripping from the tip of your dick confirms it.

You lie back. and stare at the ceiling. Somehow, you're pregnant, or at the very least, having something stirring in your womb. And not only are you that, but you somehow also have a dick that can ejaculate. You should be confused, you should be panicking. But you're not. The warm thrumming of your womb resonates throughout your body and leaves you in a state of total euphoria. You are at peace. You are happy, and something deep within you tells you that you want to share this happiness and the stirring in your loins tells you that you are not completely satisfied.

Just then you get a notification on your phone. It's the girl.

"it's been a while, how are you feeling?" She messages. "there's another party im going to soon and theres lots of cute guys and girls who i think we should meet :)"

You look down at your phone and smile.

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

Hi lovely, how are you? Is it possible i request something with immense amounts of ✨fluff✨(with any character you feel like writing for because I love everyone tbh)? Like, i need it these past two weeks were absolutely terrible and now i can barely breathe because it feels like im being stabbed in my left side every inhale/movement. Anyway I hope you're doing great 🩷🩷🩷🩷

I apologize that it had taken me so long but still hope this makes your day even a little bit better.

The library

“And this is the library”, Helion muttered under his breath. If only his friends would see him now. He was a mess. Had been. Ever since you walked through the door of the sanctuary, seeking a safe place to stay now that Autumn had been filled with unease and rebellious anger. Yes, he had servants that usually showed every guest around. But there was something about you. And he had been so utterly lonely. Stuck between these white walls.

You let out a gasp as you stepped in. The high shelves hugged everyone's wall. Lush greenery fell from the arrangements in the middle. It felt as if you had stepped into a dream. “You said you liked books during our lunch yesterday”, Helion gently guided you deeper into the room, “So, I thought you would like to see it”. You shook your head slightly, “This is.. magical. I don’t think I have words to describe it”.

A sense of pride bloomed deep within Helion’s chest, “I’ve never let anyone into my private library before”. You turned to face him quickly, “This isn’t the library your court is known for?”, the lord simply shook his head as you gapped at him. you had head stories. You knew that the high lord took pride in his collection but you didn’t know he had a part of that tucked somewhere away just for him. “Why would you take me here?”, you asked only afterward realizing how silly and almost rude the question sounded.

Yes, he had been nothing but kind to you. Yes, he had gone out of his way to ensure that you were safe and comfortable. But he was the high lord and you were just an ordinary from a foreign court. “I won’t be able to repay you for…”, you breathed out and something so sad washed over the high lord’s face. “Do you think I’m doing all this to get something out of you?”, he asked quietly. He was known for his reputation. The flirting. The passion he carried into his relationships. But through the weeks with him, you hadn’t caught a single sign that would lead you to believe that he wasn’t genuine with you.

“I apologize if I came across as desperate”, Helion frowned slightly. “Oh, no! Mother above, I would never think that”, you breathed out, a wave of fear washing over you. “It’s just… bad experience from the past. Autumn isn’t the sweetest of places”, you admitted. Helion nodded in agreement, “It just felt like light calling to light when I saw you”, he breathed out.

“Made me realize that I do not have people close to me, people I like spending time with”, your eyes softened at his words as you reached out for his hand. “I loved getting to know you, Helion. You’ve shown me nothing but kindness”, you smiled up at him. He mirrored your face before turning to the little table, “I picked these for you”, he pulled out a couple of well-loved copies, “Thought you might want to read them and we could talk about them. But only if you want of course”, he said and you could swear his cheeks pinked ever so slightly.

You bit your lip, “Are these by any chance your favorite?”, you asked brushing your fingers over the cracked spines. “Yeah, I’m almost certain that one of them is missing a page or two”, you both churched slightly at his confirmation.

“Well, then I would be delighted to read them”, your eyes met his once more, and the happiness that radiated from Helion was impossible to miss. But he quickly arranged his emotions, opting for a nod. “Maybe after I am back from my work trip we could meet here”, he muttered. You stepped closer, standing on your tippy toes as you pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek, “Yeah, I’ll be looking forward to it”, you breathed, feeling your cheeks heating.

[toxicstarboy]

I Miss Your Warm Hands

Warning(s): toxic! male reader, reader is a cheater, reader was (is) a player, manipulation, toxicity, mention of harsh past for reader, mention of sexual abuse, and tbh Felix deserves way better.

no summary because i just don’t want to and because i want you guys to read it with “suspense” 😈

The blonde male sits on the couch. He didn’t want to go upstairs. Especially when he can hear the loud moans and whimpers from down where he sat. Felix couldn’t find the courage in his body to stand up to yell, cry, or scream at his beloved. He knew that it was mostly his fear for the future between the two. Plus, Felix also knew that M/n would do or say something to ease his mind.

Felix didn’t know what to do, but he would just have to wait until his boyfriend was done with whoever was in their bed. His eyes were leaking tears as he thought about the unknown man or woman in his bed with his lover. ‘How could he do this?’ He questions himself. Felix sniffles as he wipes his nose, but his eyes slightly widen when he hears the footsteps coming down the stairs.

Felix keeps his gaze in front of him. He tried to tune out how M/n and whoever he was with were talking at the front door. How could M/n act like he wasn’t there? Felix was so confused, frustrated, and overall sad. He stays seated as he heard the soft sound of his lover kissing and saying goodbye to his side piece. Felix grabs the wine bottle in front of him and opens it. He takes a long and delightful drink. He holds onto the bottle as he burps softly. The cushion on the couch next to him reforming when M/n sat on it.

“Sweetheart?” M/n whispers as he stares at Felix. Felix’s eyes firing more tears as he brings the bottle back up. He takes a large swig. Felix turns his head to M/n, “…Wh..How could you do that?” Felix asks as the tears go down his face. M/n sighs and looks down. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” M/n says, clearly trying to play the clueless act. Felix scoffs, “You’re cheating on me, and all you can do it ask what I’m talking about?” Felix slightly shouts. He sets the bottle down on the coffee table and stands up.

M/n stands up as well and immediately grabs Felix’s hands. All for Felix to snatch them away. “I didn’t cheat on you. I’d never cheat on you.” M/n says as he shakes his head. “Why would I cheat on you? I love you too much to do that!” M/n says as he tries to keep his voice down. Felix laughs dryly as he pushes onto M/n’s chest harshly. He knew it would have no impact on M/n, but he wanted to cause him some sort of pain. Felix sobs softly, “You’re such a liar. You never loved me. How can I trust what you say when you just fucked someone else?” Felix yells at M/n.

Felix obviously shorter than him, so looking up at him was his only choice. But Felix didn’t want to look at the man before him. He was disgusted, but, for some reason, he didn’t know why he didn’t hate M/n. Even after he heard and knew of M/n’s secret affairs. M/n clicks his tongue and steps forward gripping Felix’s wrists. M/n putting his face in front of Felix’s, looking straight into his eyes. “I really do love you. I..We can get over this.” M/n whispers.

Felix looks at M/n in disbelief. “We? We will do nothing. You are such a fool, an idiot of all things.” Felix states as he glares at M/n. M/n takes a deep breath, “Yeah, you’re right, but you make me that way sweetheart. You make me fall too deep. I turn into a fool whenever I think, hear, and or see you. I could never love anyone like I do you..” M/n said as his hands rest on Felix’s waist. “You’ll just have to trust me. She seduced me. It wasn’t my fault, you know that.” M/n runs his thumb along Felix’s hips.

M/n looks away as his eyes water. The manipulation in his eyes, but Felix looked over that. Felix listened to the sweet words M/n spoke. His gaze looking at M/n’s “innocent” facade. Felix didn’t know what to believe. And M/n knew one last thing to say to push Felix over the edge. “I know I’m not the best, but I’m trying to be. You don’t deserve what I do to you. I love you way too much. I’m trying to put the past to the past, but you know it’s hard for me. I don’t like making you feel this way.” M/n’s words powerful. The look on his face and his words making Felix sniffle.

Felix knew there was a chance that M/n was just speaking what he wanted to hear. But Felix also knew of M/n’s past. Being sexually abused by his family for years had impacted M/n hugely. It turned M/n into a player. A player who used people’s bodies because it brought him pleasure. Felix brings his hands up and sobs into them. M/n was a victim, a victim of only knowing sexual love. Felix’s conscious slowly forgiving him as he thought about it. Felix couldn’t hold this against M/n.

M/n steps forward and hugs Felix tightly. “I’ll love you forever, even if you hate me.” M/n mutters. M/n kisses Felix’s forehead, “let me show you my love sweetheart.” M/n mumbles against Felix’s skin. M/n’s lips kissing Felix’s cheek, neck, and collarbone. M/n moves his lips against Felix before he kisses him passionately. Felix giving in and kissing him back just as intense. M/n smirked against Felix’s lips. M/n knew that he had Felix where he wanted him. He would continue to do as he pleased knowing Felix would come back. Felix could never resist M/n, and M/n couldn’t leave Felix or his desires behind.

Hoped y’all enjoyed it! I really went deep with this one. And I didn’t really know what brought up this idea. If you guys liked it please request something, and by something, I mean ANYTHINGGGG!!

🎧

[myokk]

My January Reading List

This year I really want to get back into the habit of devouring good books and reading like crazy again!♥️♥️♥️ Normally every year, I read at least 30 books, and tbh I’m quite sad I didn’t read as much last year🥲 I ALSO want to highlight some of the amazing fics I’m reading as well bc there is so much talent out there😭♥️

FICS:

When We’re Older by @writing-intheundercroft 🫶🫶🫶 this is the first fic I’ve had the pleasure of reading in this fandom and IT IS SO SO SO INCREDIBLE !!! The way she’s written Sebastian is just spot-on and I’m afraid that Theo has stolen my heart♥️ I’m the slowest reader when I leave comments, so I haven’t quite finished yet but I’m savoring every last chapter that’s left to me🫶

The Call of the Void by @sloanesallow ANOTHER delightful fic !!! I find myself smiling SO much at their banter & how she’s characterized Sebastián. And SIOBHAN. SLOANE. AAÑDLCKJDJFKSKD I LOVE HER!!!!! The writing is just SO good & I love how all of the scenes in-between game events are fleshed out and imagined🫶

ALL OF @jackalope-patronus oneshots and writing🫠🫠🫠 delicious amazing writing and she just GETS IT !!!! Her way of writing beautiful scenes and emotions is just *chef’s kiss* I’m also such a sucker for things being peripd accurate (my main fandom is pride and prejudice/jane austen) & she fills that void in my heart♥️

@diamjem just started posting her writing here, but I already love it so much🥹🥹🥹 the sweetest romance/fluff/pining and I was smiling SO MUCH as I read it♥️♥️♥️

Untouchable by PhantomFish on AO3. I LOVE Tomione (I just love moral greyness and manipulation🤭) & this was like a hidden gem I just happened to stumble upon. I LOVE her characterizations of everyone and the whole premise and writing is SO GOOD🫠 I also love horror & this fic does NOT shy away from the visceral, which I love !!! It gives me confidence that my own fic with Eloise bc I also don’t shy away from the horror in it or sanitize what happens. This fic really makes my brain buzz with trying to figure out where it’s going and I love thst♥️

BOOKS:

I only read The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry this month. He is my favorite author for a reason!!!!! I genuinely don’t think I could recommend this book to anyone I don’t actually talk with regularly (😆) BUT I am completely blown away by him and his writing. Within a few paragraphs he manages to perfectly convey a person and how they are, and all of the characters of this book are moving into my mind for a while. Alkgjdjsjfjsjdhfjdjshs I have gone on so many rants about his writing and how amazing he is, Lonesome Dove is my favorite novel for a reason, and I’m sure when I finish the last few chapters of The Last Picture Show, it will be up there among my favorite books too, I think♥️

Ok that’s all♥️♥️♥️ I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALLLLLLLLLLLLL OF THESE AMAZING CREATORS AND THEIR WORKS!!!♥️♥️♥️

[odessastone]

NEW LIFEWEAVER AND SYMMETRA LORE BITS FROM "REBUILDING RUINS"

So I got my copy of Heroes Ascendant today and THERE WERE SO MANY GOOD LITTLE MOMENTS IN THIS STORY I MUST gush I MUST

So here are some new bits of Symmetra and Lifeweaver lore that we got! I bolded my personal favorite ones. 😚

(spoilers!)

Satya and Niran "grew up together" as friends, so they were friends in childhood too, not just at a teen or university age.

Apparently when Satya would get overstimulated and need recovery time, Niran would keep people away from their room and tell them she was sick so she didn't have to face anyone 😭

He also used to hang out and watch her practice her dancing for hours on end, without ever getting tired of it.

Satya considered (possibly still considers) Niran her closest friend.

Niran is late to everything (CALLED this one). He's even late for their meeting LOL

"He looked good. Satya almost wished he didn't." Bits like this are going to feed my Symweaver ass for YEARS

Satya is (still) extremely hurt by Niran leaving all those years ago, and perceives it as him having left her, not just Vishkar. She still misses him dearly, even though they've been apart for eleven years.

Speaking of which, being apart for eleven years means Niran was twenty when he left the Academy. For all you fellow fic authors out there 😊

Satya's autism is stated, full-out, no dancing around it or talking about being on "the spectrum". They flat out say "her autism" in a sentence. Cool!

One of Niran's first questions upon reconnecting with Satya is if Vishkar is mistreating her, if she needs help. Of course she denies this, but...

Niran can read Satya's emotions without her saying them, and even while thinking she's hiding them 😭 Several times throughout the story she's surprised because he cuts right through her stoic bullshit and gets right to how she feels about something.

The Architech Academy was really overwhelming for Satya, and it sounds like they made no effort to accommodate her needs. Unsurprising, considering they didn't accommodate Niran's, either.

Vishkar fiercely discouraged her from stimming, instilling in her a fear of looking "immature, or distracted, or rude, or strange".

She gave a speech at graduation, then had to spend a full week in bed afterward to recover from all the stress. And there was no Niran to guard her by then ☹

Even now, she finds many things about Vishkar overstimulating and uncomfortable, such as her uniform's fabric, and her living quarters.

Satya called Niran "Bua" way back when, possibly the first person to use the nickname for him. Partway through the story the narration (from Satya's POV) actually switches to calling him that, which is cute.

The Arcology seems to have uh, basically no real protection against attacks... Null Sector just shows up on a train and starts blasting lol. This is something I address in my fic The Light You Deserve, so it was kinda funny to see that I was right in predicting that.

She feels comfortable enough around Niran by the end to stim around him without realizing it (apparently she taps her fingers together and twirls her hands in circles, I guess kind of like flapping). She immediately stops and is embarrassed when he points it out, but Niran encourages her instead. She then uncertainly stims in front of him, growing more relaxed and confident as she lets herself do so (this had to be my favorite part of the story).

Toward the end they double down on Satya's belief that she can change Vishkar from the inside (girl....) but then at the VERY end, Niran suggests she look more into the founder of Vishkar and his ideals, and then says that "The Arcology will be delighted to have you". SHE MIGHT DEFECT TO THE ARCOLOGY IN CANON AND BE WITH NIRAN HHHHH AAAA sorry this was supposed to be an unbiased list I'm cool I'm cool

AAAAAA I'M NOT COOL I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

THIS WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE WANTED IN A STORY BETWEEN THEM okay minus the random Null Sector attack tbh that was weird

Anyway the very last line says that Satya now has "whenever she needed it, a friend to return to". So they're definitely gonna interact more going forward!!

[monstrousproductions]

I haven't posted anything for a while and don't have much podcast related news to share so I guess it's time forrrrrr....

✨Impromptu Book Club!✨

What's been on your bedside table lately? Anything good? Anything deliciously dreadful? I've been very firm in sticking to my new year's resolution not to buy any new books, which has had the delightful side effect of really increasing the amount I've been using my local library. Having fun isn't hard when you have your library card! Now, onto the books 😍

Currently Reading:

Rules for Perfect Murders (I think the American ed is Eight Perfect Murders? Much better title tbh) by Peter Swanson (audiobook performed by Graham Halstead). A bookseller at a shop specialising in crime fiction learns that someone is killing people according to a list he made of perfect murders in fiction, posted on the shop's blog some years ago. I started this like "oh I know what's happening here" and then Peter Swanson reached out of my phone and held my face in his hands and grinned and said "oh you do, do you?" Having an absolute hoot, do recommend.

I'm also reading The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty, as a direct result of my new year's resolution. I bought the first in the series, City of Brass, years ago and never read it. Picked it up last month and spent almost all of it thinking, "Wow, I wish this was better. I'm definitely not going to read the rest, but I do want to see how it ends." And then EVERYTHING kicked off in the last few chapters, and I immediately put a hold on for Kingdom of Copper at the library.

Recently Finished:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (audiobook performed by Hugh Fraser) - The one where everyone gets invited to an island and popped off one by one. Got genuinely spooked listening to this at night, and had to turn it off 😅 As always with Christie, I had good fun being told how it all happened but didn't care in the least about anyone involved.

Emma by Jane Austen (audiobook by Juliet Stevenson) - I've listened to this over and over, and it's perfect every single time. By far my favourite Austen, and especially my favourite Austen heroine, not in a "she did nothing wrong" way but rather a "she absolutely did lots wrong and isn't that delicious" way.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher - A fantastic wee novella that wastes no time getting stuck into the story and the world around it. A retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher, now with added mushrooms. Having read Mexican Gothic recently, it'd be impossible not to draw comparisons. While both were fun, I think there was quite a bit more skill on show here.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton (audiobook performed by Adjoa Andoh) - I love Adjoa Andoh with the power of a thousand suns, even when she is reading me a relatively boring story. A post-apocalyptic murder mystery, this should have been right up my street. But it lacked oomph, and I never had this on without having something more interesting to do while I listened.

Binned Off:

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (audiobook performed by Ramón de Ocampo) - Started strong, and I was having a good time, but for a relationship with such huge stakes on paper, I never felt them while I was listening. It felt like every obstacle was very quickly overcome, and I found I didn't really care one way or the other. Eventually I turned it off and just... never went back.

That's it for me - how about yous lot? Let me know what you've been reading the last wee while! 📚✨