#enjoy this 21k chapter lol

[ssreeder]

Chapters: 9/? Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Aang/Katara (Avatar), others to be tagged later - Relationship Characters: Sokka (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Jet (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Kyoshi Warriors (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Jee (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Bato (Avatar), A bunch of OCs, Long Feng, Joo Dee (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Mai (Avatar), Ty Lee (Avatar), Ozai (Avatar), General Fong (Avatar) Additional Tags: Violence, Blood and Injury, War, Minor Character Death, Rape/Non-con Elements, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Attempted Sexual Assault, Major Character Injury, Amputation, Implied/Referenced Suicide, possible major character death, themes similar to the first two books, Sexism, Racism (like has already been written in first two books), dark themes, Human Trafficking, Slavery, Just a lot of dark war-like themes, there will be a battle, Torture, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Injury Recovery, Healing, Underage Sex, Underage Drinking, Animal Death, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Warnings each chapter, Hopefully some healing for Zuko finally, no promises, but that’s the goal, Reunions, hopefully a happy ending, Sokka gets some healing too, Non-Consensual Drug Use Series: Part 3 of Leaving It All Behind Summary:

-This is the last book of the series LIAB, please go read the other two books before this, or you will be very confused-

Zuko has been taken by the Earth Kingdom army to who-knows-where, and Sokka is determined to get him back.

But he can’t do it alone.

With Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors by his side, Sokka is headed to Ba Sing Se to find Katara and Aang so they can go rescue his fire bender.

Things aren’t as easy as he had hoped. Corruption, lies, and unknown horrors await them inside the city’s walls. None of this is helping Sokka’s mental well-being.

Hakoda and his men face a problem of their own as Azula approaches with the intentions of making it rain fire.

Sokka and Zuko will both find themselves having to reintegrate back into a life they thought they left behind, with people they hardly remember. It isn’t easy for anyone, especially when they don’t recognize the person standing in front of them.

[misc-obeyme]

Thought I was odd for liking Barbatos, I was wrong. Thank you. New follower.

Hello there, my friend!! Welcome to the blog~

Truly you have found the home a fellow Barbatos enjoyer and if that makes me odd, then I don't want to be normal lol.

I have written posts that I can only describe as essays detailing exactly why I love that demon butler. Not to mention my 21k word multi chapter fic about him slkdfaklsjfd. He's my favorite forever. I love being able to share that with people who appreciate him, too!

I hope you find some Barb content here to enjoy!

[hairstevington]

Welcome to my blog!

For those who are new (hiii <3), I’m Frenchie, and I figured I'm official enough now to have an introduction post, so here's some basic info, FAQ, and a Masterlist of my content so far!

I reblog exclusively Stranger Things content here, although surprisingly I DO have other interests :o

I have an Ao3 account under this same username, if that's your thing!

I keep my writing and this blog PG-13 (with language/drug use and mild sexual content), so if you're looking for explicit stuff I am not the writer for you!

Favorite ship is Any Character x Peace and Happiness (also I love writing Steddie and Lumax has my whole heart)

Every time I get a comment, like, reblog, or feedback of any kind, my heart grows three sizes. Seriously, I'm so honored when people enjoy what I write!

Always looking for new internet friends!

~~~~~~~~~~

Masterlist:

Note: WIP's are "we can be heroes," “the hardest part is who we are,” and “every city’s got a graveyard." Ficlets won't be linked here but I will have them all tagged under "dailydrabble"

Stranger Things (follows the general canon of the show):

"Back to the Future (Hawkins Edition)" - (OC travels back in time and lives through the canon show, season 4 fix-it, 132K words) this one is my fav you guys go read it on Ao3 here

“i’m counting the days to the rapture” - (all canon characters who died on the show reunite, 40K words) found here and on Ao3

“Every city’s got a graveyard” - (Buffy x Stranger Things crossover) - still in its early stages but the first chapter can be found here!

Eddie Munson x Steve Harrington:

“songs that voices never share” - (alternate canon Steve goes deaf after season 3 and meets Eddie, who can sign, 70K words) found here and on Ao3

"we can be heroes" - (Part 2 of the Deaf Steve AU, season 4 rewrite/fix-it in Eddie's POV) found here

“I wanna cut to the feeling” (modern day AU enemies to lovers slow burn feat Rockstar!Eddie and Hairstylist!Steve, 79K words) - Chapter 1-5 found here, the rest found on Ao3!

“I can’t tune you out” - (Rockstar!Eddie/Musician!Steve fake dating enemies to lovers slow burn, 113K words) found here and on Ao3

"Freaky Friday (Steddie's Version)" - (enemies to lovers body swap shenanigans, 36K words) found here and on Ao3

"flowers and ink" - (tattoo artist x flower shop modern day au, 21K words) found here and on Ao3

"Stranger Therapy" - (first date at couples counseling with Dr. Murray, 13K words) found here and on Ao3

“the hardest part is who we are” - (group therapy fic! Enemies to friends to lovers, sorta, lots of angst and dark humor) found here

“Eddie Munson vs the World” - (very camp, in the style of Scott Pilgrim, 20k words) found here

“Call me when you get this” - (one shot, friends to lovers told through voicemails, 3K words) found here and on Ao3

“That ‘90s Fic” (post-canon cute fic for the Valentine’s Day fic exchange 2023! 5.5K words) found here and on Ao3

“Daisies” (requested one shot of Eddie giving his best friend Steve flowers for Valentine’s Day) - found here on Tumblr and here on Ao3

"mysterious ways" - (Steddie week 2023, Kas!Eddie/Steve post canon season 4, 12K words) found here and on Ao3

“The Marriage of Bigfoot and Mothman” found here and on Ao3

"Do I wanna know?" - (modern day AU fluffy one shot) found here and on Ao3

STWG April Fools Day Swap (one shot where Steddie saves a wounded bunny) found here

“Like real people do” - (one shot written for the STWG’s Hozier collection, 1K words) found here

"Well, this is new" found here. The follow-up, "A Different Kind of Nervous," is only on Ao3 (idk why lol). Part 3, “Hands,” found here. Ao3 links for part one, two, and three

Robin Buckley x Nancy Wheeler:

“No Way” (featuring one of my fav lines I've ever written) found here, Ao3 link here

“Best Friends” (another tumblr exclusive!) found here

“I wanted her to look at me” (aka Robin liked Nancy instead of Tammy Thompson) found here, Ao3 link here

The Fruity Four (Robin/Nancy/Steve/Eddie):

“Barb is alive!” (AU request) here, Ao3 link here

"Teleplatonic" (Robin can read Steve's mind, no romance just Stobin) here, Ao3 link here

“Who looks like the better kisser?” - (very short and sweet) found here, Ao3 link here

“This is gonna be fun” (aka the two couples decide to be each other's beards) found here, Ao3 link here

"Steve is NOT Straight" (feat platonic Stobin baybeee) here, Ao3 link here

Misc Content (not fic related):

Steve Harrington (Taylor’s Version) - collab with the Tumblr bestie! Found here

Chaotic Stranger Things Headcanons (part one, part two, part three)

Songs that I associate with the characters

Steeba

Steve Harrington as a cat AU (shitpost collab with my Tumblr bestie, truly a treat and v chaotic, you'll love it)

Cover art for my fic “I can’t tune you out” done by my Tumblr bestie 🥰

How the characters would react to you coming out

Random hair opinions

I still might write this essay on S4 costuming lol

Robin/Nancy parallel with Steve (lowkey sad but also go Ronance) found here

Ronance evidence - found here

My Maya Hawke concert experience!

Byler x Scott Pilgrim meme - found here

Joe Quinn moments - First late night appearance and the falling blooper

List of confirmed JQ improvised moments

Very valid question

Stancy x Taylor Swift (Midnight Rain) found here

Quick Steddie headcanon

Steve is simply A Dad (and I love him)

Theory about season 5, Eddie, and inconsistencies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inbox is always open for questions, concerns, feedback, hot takes, requests, or literally whatever as long as you're not weird about it.

Love youuuuuu

[bisexualshakespeare]

fic writer asks

I saw these questions by @ficwip and decided to just answer all of them rather than waiting to be asked

30 questions below the cut!

What’s something new that you tried in a fic this year? How did it turn out and would you do it again? Uhh I wrote a lot of smut? 😅 oh I have a fic that is just a sex scene? it was part of a series so the lead in was technically there and also I was about to start my period and was very horny. I loooove a long lead in to the sex. Lightning Strike, and kind of Nymph Butter too, has like a couple horny paragraphs and then sex. I don't know if I would do it again but it wasn't really planned? so I guess we'll see what happens!

How many fics did you work on this year? (They don’t have to be finished or published!) it looks like 25??? wild

What’s something you learned about yourself as a writer? I think I have a better grasp of how I intuitively write and I learned that it's NOT a thing I need to train myself out of. It's okay if I write non chronologically or in dialogue only for the first draft, because following the way my brain works will lead me into the most energetic path and I can circle back and add description or transitions later. I think I'm better at description than I think I am but it just doesn't come as quickly.

What piece of media inspired you the most? I mean I published 5 Willow fics in less than two months and started several more so I feel like I have to say Willow!

What fandom(s) did you write for this year? Willow, Ted Lasso, Haven, a couple other one off fandom filks

What ship(s) captured your heart? Airk/Elora/Graydon I am such a sucker for ot3s

What character(s) captured your heart? THRAXUS BOORMAN MY LOVE

Did you write for a new fandom or ship this year? Yeah I watched Willow in i think April and enjoyed nothing else as much

What fic meant the most to you to write? Finishing Multivocal was soooooo wow. Like it is The longest thing I've ever finished and it really brought writing back into my daily life as something to look forward too rather than something to feel guilty for not doing? I wrote it for like three years. This year I made some edits and added some scenes that made me feel really good about taking my time. I really wrote the fic I wanted to see (except i mean i would've preferred them to fuck but other than that lol)

What fic made you feel the happiest to work on? Eckleberry Pie was so fun. It was really stream of consciousness. I just had no worries about what other people would think cause I literally was like no one is gonna read this but @lowkeyed1 so I can do whatever stupid shit I want 😂

What fic was the most satisfying to finish writing? I think Apple Candy. I didn't realize how it was going to end until I got there. I kinda sped through the end of the chapter cause it was already going up after the October collection was closed and I wanted to get it done, so I was just kinda awkwardly figuring out what we were gonna leave on and then I wrote that Graydon was loved and I was like 'oh. yeah. that's what this was about!'

What fic was the most difficult to write? Did you finish it? All of them were difficult. If we're including fics I didn't finish then probably every ted lasso fic I tried to write and couldn't. I was planning on writing a series from Jamie's perspective, I tried to write a fantasy AU, I tried to write PWP, just so much did not work and then I left the fandom.

What fic was the easiest to write? I think I wrote Lightning Strike in like an hour lol

What were your shortest and longest fics this year? If we're ignoring filks and Multivocal, which started posting last year, then the shortest would be Bridges at 670 words and the longest would be my as yet unposted Cyrano AU at 21K.

Rec a fic you wrote or posted in 2023 I mean I have to go with Eckleberry Pie and the rest of the Harvest Festival series right?! Or if you don't want a bunch of smut then In The Middle is a filk about yelling at creators, so that's a mood

What were your go-to writing songs? I got really into these "immersive writing session" videos where someone buys the rights to a bunch of instrumental music and puts it together to fit a vibe. I listened a lot to traveling through a medieval fantasy world but it gets darker the longer you write What were your go-to writing snacks? tiny bottles of wine cocktails from the grocery store

What was the hardest fic to title? I guess Lightning Strike? I almost always name fics after phrases I use in the fic and in the Harvest Fest series I wanted them to be named after food cause I knew the last one was going to be called Apple Candy, but Lightning Strike didn't have any time for food cause it was just fuckin so I had to find something that felt like it fit but was different. It was a change in perspective, Elora instead of Graydon, so once I decided I wasn't mad about the title not fitting the theme.

Share your favorite opening line Okay I actually wanna use a filk for this cause I love the first verse of What You Believe: How on earth could I be calm When inside my chest's a ticking bomb? The nicest guys can be deceiving Lift you up, then leave you bleeding It's a goddamn tragedy like Misérables

Share your favorite ending line As the moon rose on the final day of the Harvest Festival, Graydon knew, with the utmost certainty, he was loved.

Share your favorite piece of dialogue From Apple Candy:

“So what am I gonna do while you and Airk are together? Sit in my room twiddling my thumbs?” She scoffed and dropped her hands from his shoulders. “I kinda thought you would do things that I don’t like, like studying your languages or practicing the flute.” “Yeah or sleeping with Boorman.” Elora groaned and rolled her eyes. It was kinda cute though. Knowing she was in love with him made it better. He ran a thumb over her hip. “Hey so, Airk left us your bedroom for a few hours. What do you think he’s doing, knowing what we’re supposed to be doing?” Elora’s eyes narrowed. “He better be twiddling his damn thumbs.”

Share an excerpt from your favorite scene From Multivocal, a scene between Duke and Audrey I added right before posting and was much needed:

“I think it could work." She pressed. "The three of us.” “Oh you’re not even gonna ask me? I could have other offers. I’m a very well liked guy.” “As I can see by the gigantic mess all your friends left.” “Hey I don’t mind a mess,” he held her eyes, “as long as I’m not the only one trying to clean up.” She stepped closer. “You’re not.” Audrey put a hand on his chest. She had almost done the same thing several months ago, when she thought the only option was giving him his family trouble again. But then she’d wrapped her hand around his neck instead and pulled him in for their first kiss since Colorado.

Share the final version of a sentence or paragraph you struggled with. What about it was challenging? Are you happy with how it turned out?

this is so hard. I feel like I forget what I used to struggle with cause I'm so focus on what i'm currently struggling with 😅

I had a really hard time writing Nymph Butter because it was this mix of humor and smut and sincerity and I wanted to have like real moments of connection between Graydon and Elora without it being so serious that it killed the sexy mood. The whole fic was a big balancing act there.

“Can you stop talking about Airk? He has nothing to do with us.” “Of course he does!” She shouted, hitting the ground in frustration. “I thought I loved him, but what if I was just using him to get over you? Like you're using Boorman to get over me.” “First of all, Boorman likes being used. Don't you, pal?” Boorman’s moan came from behind him, along with the sound of his hand sliding with help from the nymph butter.

I'm pretty happy with how it came out. I was very meh when I first posted it, but on a reread I think it holds up. Since my new main ship is an ot3 I'm sure I'll have many more chances to work on this mixture of sex and relationship negotiation.

What’s something that surprised you while you were working on a fic? Did it change the story?

I think I was surprised in Apple Candy that Boorman got a little jealous of Graydon and Elora. Boorman was always supportive of them but when I was writing the morning after, I started thinking in Boorman's voice and I felt that little twinge of sensitivity that he has and how he runs away from his emotions and I was like hmm okay I'll follow that. The overall story was the same but I think it added a little weight to the Graydon/Elora relationship negotiation that came after.

What did you use to write? (e.g. writing programs, paper & pen, etc.) a combination of GDrive, LibreOffice, OneNote, and a physical notebook.

If you had to choose one, what was THE most satisfying writing moment of your year? Probably in August when I first started writing Cryano AU. I hadn't written anything the whole month and then in the last week and a half I wrote like 5k

Did you do anything special to celebrate finishing a fic?

No but I should! I need to think of a good finished project ritual. I think I usually just text a friend and sigh and watch youtube videos and wait to get a comment.

How did you recharge between fics?

I...don't? Should I have a recharge ritual too?

If this were an awards show, who would you thank?

🥺 I would like to thank my IRL friend Lee for beta-ing Multivocal for me. I would like to thank lowkeyed for leading the way in the scary world of rare pairs. Thanks to everyone on the Revolorilution server for encouraging my ideas. Everyone at Voiceteam for encouraging my filks, especially klb! And of course I thank everyone who commented and gave a kudos on my fics! I love you all so much! It's been a great year of writing! Thank you 😭

What’s something that you want to write in 2024?

I want to write all of the willow season 2 fic ideas. I am manifesting an announcement of the show coming back and I want to make sure I get all my thoughts out before that happens. I'm definitely excited about the possibility and would like to have trust in the writers, BUT I put off all my ted lasso ideas until season 3 and now they're all dead to me so gotta grab my joy while I can!

[krethes]

Chapter 4: Week Nine: Green Olive

Written for my @mixed-up-writer-fest fic with @theresthesnitch and uh yeah, like 21k? Enjoy. LOL

Read Chapter 1 or Continue with Chapter 4, excerpt below

[...] [Remus] wants his mum, desperately, suddenly. Wants her cool hands and her honeyed tea and her Muggle cure-all: vaporub. He wants her to stroke his hair and tell him it'll all be okay, that he's going to be just fine and sing him to sleep. But she doesn't even know this is happening to him, he realizes as he cries as silently as he knows how, like he did as a first year behind the drawn hangings of his four-poster bed, hot, fat tears coursing down his cheeks because just like then, what's happening to his body is not fair. It's not fair and there's nothing he can do to stop it, and it's not even the end. It'll come back, and even when it's over, he'll have a real living baby—babies—that need him and then what? Then he'll have to ditch them around the full moon? What kind of father is he? Who would want him for a dad?

But unlike in first year, James and Sirius are now very attuned to his emotional state. He must smell sour, Remus thinks, when he sees two pairs of feet: one pale, one socked in the doorway of the bathroom. "'Lo," Remus whimpers, unable to muster up anything more than that. 

James drops down first, a glass of water in his hands. When Remus tries to apologize for waking them—he could have at least closed the door!—James just waves him off. "Hush, sweetheart," he murmurs, Transfiguring a cotton swab into a straw with the barest flick of his wand. 

While Remus drinks, the water beautifully cool and soothing and sort of gingery, Sirius crouches in front of him and presses a soft, folded-up damp washcloth against his forehead. He smooths back Remus's sweaty curls and takes the tie from his own hair to put Remus's mop in a jaunty little bun. "Beautiful," Sirius whispers.

Remus, who doubtlessly has some level of bile on his chin, scoffs weakly at him. "Lying sod."

"Hear that, Prongs? He's enough life in him to sling insults, that's great news."

Remus pouts and leans into James's waiting arms. "I'm having your babies and you want to make jokes?" he whines, and sure, he might be playing it up a little because he can, but it's not like Sirius doesn't deserve it. 

James takes pity on him and thumps Sirius in the arm. Hah. "Don't kick the man while he's down, Padfoot." He kisses Remus's sweaty brow and helps him into an upright-enough position to get all the vomit in the toilet when the next wave of nausea crests over him. "He's a bad man what did this to you," James whispers conspiratorially, rubbing Remus's back. 

"The worst," Remus hiccups, nose running most attractively. 

[cosette141]

Begin Again (OUAT fanfic) | Chapter 4

Fandom: Once Upon A Time

Pairing: Captain Swan

Words: 8k (this chapter) | 21k total (so far)

Summary: (s2 "Manhattan" divergence) No one breaks a deal with Rumplestiltskin, and Emma finds herself facing the wrath of the Dark One. What if Neal didn't come back for Emma in NYC, but instead, Hook showed up to kill Rumplestiltskin early? No one has ever saved Emma before, and Hook has never been able to save anyone at all. It's time for them both to tell a different story. Together. CS

Read this chapter (chp 4) on AO3

Chapter 1: AO3 | tumblr

Chapter 2: AO3 | tumblr

Chapter 3: AO3 | tumblr

a/n:

This chapter is like 8k words long lol. We're dipping into the plot of s2B here :)

So you're all on the right track with the plot, we're arriving back in Storybrooke when Snow and David still think that Regina is not working with her mother, and is as concerned about Cora as they are. But as just a little reminder, when Hook left for New York, he'd been 'allied' with Cora and Regina while they searched for Gold's dagger. He found them a map in the library, and they betrayed him and knocked him out (famous Captain Floor moment there).

So, in this divergence, Emma would never have gotten a text about Snow and David looking for the dagger before Cora. There is also no "Cora kills Snow's friend" making Snow want to kill her as well.

Hope you enjoy! :)

~cosette141

Chapter Four

The moment Hook left his cabin, he shut his eyes. His legs felt numb. Hook leaned his back to the wall and ran his hand over his face.

Baelfire?

Baelfire was Emma's past love?

"Have you ever even been in love?"

"Maybe I was… once."

She had been speaking of Baelfire?

He could hardly wrap his head around it.

Hook knew that Baelfire had managed to escape Neverland some time before he had himself, but how he'd gotten to this world, he had no idea. Hook had heard of many realms in his time, but he's never even heard of this "Land Without Magic" until Cora had mentioned it. And to think of Bae as a grown man, physically Hook's own age by now felt beyond comprehension.

But for him to have found Emma of all people?

And what he did to her—

Hook took a slow breath to steady himself, fury consuming him almost as completely as his contempt for Rumplestiltskin.

Bae's reasons be damned; how do you leave Emma Swan?

It was something that Hook was beginning to realize was impossible.

And for him to send her back to his father with a flimsy lie, at the demon's mercy—or lack thereof?

Hook's fist shook with rage.

Bloody hell, they were both cowards.

Hook shut his eyes, trying to remind himself that she was alive, she was safe.

He took a shuddering breath, his eyes on the door to his own cabin.

Not to mention the fact that he was Henry's father.

Briefly, Hook recalled the several instances over the past day, of similarities between Henry and young Bae, from appearance to nuisances to the fact that they were both bloody naturals when it came to sailing.

Henry's father was Baelfire?!

Hook's chest suddenly constricted.

Milah.

Henry was Milah's grandson.

He couldn't breathe.

What in the realms are the odds of such a thing?

But nothing—not even the news about Baelfire—shocked him more than what seemed to be happening between himself and Emma.

He remembered the beanstalk suddenly, when he'd nearly fallen victim to the tripwire. When Emma had grabbed him.

Back then, she was a beautiful curiosity, and he'd been intrigued by her. He would have been thrilled if her grabbing him had meant what he'd thought it had meant that day. But then, the moment his arms wrapped around her, she fought him instantly, like it was an innate reflex.

And when she woke up in his bed today, he knew instantly she had no recollection of how she'd gotten there. She'd bloody panicked, and he'd only grabbed her to prevent her from falling.

But even before she recalled what had led her here, she'd let him grab her.

She didn't fight him.

If anything, it seemed to calm her.

Emma Swan, who's natural state was consistently readying herself for a fight.

Hook's eyes shut suddenly, his mind again flashing back to the beanstalk.

"What are you doing?"

"I… I can't…"

"You're just going to leave me here?"

"I can't take the chance that I'm wrong about you."

For the life of him, he could not figure out why she'd chosen to leave him there. And it shocked him how much it had hurt. He was used to people not trusting him, but that day… Emma… had been different.

He'd actually been telling the truth for once. He would have much preferred to have traveled with Emma and her company than Cora. And he had certainly been looking forward to getting to know Emma much better.

He knew that Emma could read the truth in his eyes at that moment.

She'd heard his lies; she knew what they looked and sounded like.

She knew he was telling the truth, and still couldn't trust it.

It had plagued him for weeks.

But finally, he understood.

For Baelfire to betray her trust in such a way, to hurt her in such a way…

To gain the rare trust of, and then leave someone who had already been abandoned?

Emma's trust had shattered to something far beyond repair.

Hook's eyes opened.

And yet…

Back in the apartment, and just now…

She gave it to him.

She trusted him.

Him.

Hook felt himself smile.

Something had certainly changed between them. It breathed life into him.

His eyes found the cabin door, feeling an indescribable urge to return to her.

The last time he'd felt something similar was with Milah.

But, with a hitch in his chest, he's never quite felt it like this.

This…

His eyes shut, the pull in his chest so strong, so sure, it almost scared him.

"You went with the demon to protect me?"

He smiled faintly.

He didn't know how he managed it, knew for sure he didn't deserve it, but it was now clear that Emma didn't just trust him.

She cared for him.

No one's cared for him in centuries.

He's never let anyone come close, not since Liam, not since Milah.

He pushed away everyone who made it within arm's reach.

But he knew, from the moment he had held her in that room…

He's already let her in.

Even now, the moment subsided, the desire to hold her, to protect her, to be near her… hasn't changed.

And with a smile at his lips, he realized he didn't want it to.

-.-.-.-.-.-.

Storybrooke.

Hook, with the aid of Henry, had once again docked the Jolly Roger where he had the last time he'd arrived here.

While Emma had still been unconscious, Hook had ensured his hook was clean, and now had it reattached, for trying to dock a ship—trying to do bloody anything—with one hand was a feat.

Instructing Henry on finishing securing the ship, Hook finally, gratefully, succumbed to the desire to return to Emma's side.

When he returned to his cabin, Emma was sitting up in his bed, her hand on the wall to steady herself. She was swaying a bit, in a way that had nothing to do with the waves under the floorboards. Her face was still pale, and it only made the bruising on her face look even darker.

That wasn't the only bruising that stood out on her now, however.

There was black and blue in a very, too-specific pattern around her throat, and with horrible pain in his chest, Hook realized the demon had his hands around her throat.

He'd bloody strangled her.

Hook felt rage build within him, again feeling the regret of not getting to her sooner.

He's dead, he reminded himself firmly.

"Swan?" he asked, approaching her, his voice laced with the concern he couldn't help feeling. "Are you all right, love?"

Emma managed to blink open her eyes after a second, the knuckles on her hand white from how tightly she was holding onto the wall to keep herself from falling back to the pillows. "Yeah, I think so," she managed, her other hand tenderly wrapped around herself.

"Can you stand?" he asked, brows creased, hand hovering over her.

Her eyes shut as if in preparation, and she gave a short nod, only to wince when it hurt.

And to Hook's utter astonishment, Emma tentatively held her free arm out to him.

He was frozen in shock for a moment.

"Don't think I'm taking my eyes off you for a second."

Emma Swan, shutting her eyes in his presence, asking him for help.

He felt a warmth spread in his chest.

It would never cease to amaze him that he's managed to gain so much of her trust.

And he was more than honored to have it.

He detached his hook in case he'd need to support her with both arms, slipping it into his jacket pocket, and took her by the forearm, holding her tightly but gently. She stood slowly, relying heavily on him, her wince growing—Hook knew firsthand how much standing with broken ribs hurt—and she made it to her feet, one hand still holding tightly to the wall, and her other holding tightly to him. She was more than unsteady—the natural sway of the ship not helping—and her eyes were still screwed shut.

He tightened his hold around her, his right arm wrapped around her waist, her left hand holding his left forearm tightly. She was so close to him now, he could feel her every breath. The scent of her hair, something flowery and sweet, her face inches from his. "I've got you," he found himself whispering, frozen there with her in his arms. And perhaps the words were spoken to them both, like something between a wish and a realization to himself.

Emma's head turned, her eyes opening to meet his, as if she seemed to realize how close she was to him as well.

And it was there that time felt like it froze for a second, like it had more than once after she'd woken. The air was tight with something almost… unsaid.

And then, Emma's hold on his arm only tightened, and he felt her relax, the movement so subtle he only felt it through touch. Emma slowly let go of the wall, transferring her full trust to him, using her hand instead to tenderly wrap around her middle with a wince.

They took a step, and Hook felt her stumble, her eyes shutting with a grimace.

"All right, Swan?" asked Hook quickly, his hold on her tightening more.

Little footsteps suddenly grew nearer, and Henry came back in the cabin. "All set," said Henry, stopping when he saw the tight wince on Emma's face. "Mom?" he asked shakily.

"I'm okay, kid," she said, though she didn't open her eyes to say it, and her grip only tightened on Hook's arm.

"Don't worry," said Henry, brows creasing even more. "Dr. Whale can help. I tried to call Grandma and Grandpa but your phone died," he said, pulling out a black box that made Hook's brow hitch in puzzlement. "But the hospital is only a few minutes walk from here," Henry rushed out nervously, clearly just as worried as Hook at the amount of pain Emma was in.

Emma groaned. "Dr. Frankenstein, really?" She opened her eyes, blinking a few times. "I really don't think I—" She tried straightening, as if to prove her point, but her eyes screwed shut again, her weight falling into him.

"Aye, I think you do, love," said Hook softly, brows creased, catching her easily. "Humor us, would you?"

Emma's eyes opened through a wince. "Damn concussion," she muttered under her breath. "Fine."

Despite his concern for her, Hook felt himself chuckle a little. "That's the spirit, Swan."

And without giving her warning, he shifted her a little in his arms, and slowly, carefully, swept her off her feet, pulling her to his chest.

Emma's eyes opened, and he felt her surprise, every one of her muscles growing taut. "What are you—"

"Carrying you," he said simply, adjusting her in his arms, smiling at the familiarity of the feeling of her in his arms now, suddenly wanting to do this one day when he doesn't have to.

She met his eyes, something unsure in her eyes, an innocence there that she usually hides away. "Hook," she whispered, voice small. "You really don't ha—"

"It's not a worry, Swan. I've carried rum barrels heavier than you." he said with a wink. Something more genuine slipped into his eyes. "I… want to," he said softly.

Emma held his gaze, that uncertainty tensing her muscles with discomfort. And it was a sort of discomfort that wasn't a distrust, it was that this sort of gesture was something new to her.

"Try something new, darling."

And it struck Hook how little chivalry, or even simply kindness that Emma must have been shown in her life.

"Love has been all too rare in your life, hasn't it?"

Hook swallowed, wanting desperately to change that fact.

And slowly, Emma seemed to let go of her discomfort, as if her muscles relaxed one-by-one.

And she let her weight settle into his arms, as carefully as someone dipping a toe to test water.

But, finally, she smiled, something small and soft.

And Hook smiled back.

-.-.-.-.-.

Emma tight in his arms, Hook followed Henry's directions, and carried Emma from his ship to the healer's location on foot. Hook had managed to remember it was coined a hospital, and they were lucky the town was small. They were there in less than ten minutes. His own healing ribs twinged with every step, but he didn't care. Ensuring that Emma wasn't in more pain made his own worth it.

Emma's eyes were shut as they went, her face drawn into a tight wince, and Hook's chest clenched, realizing every movement exacerbated her injuries. He found himself again whispering reassurances to her as they went, trying to be as gentle as he could. Sometimes she'd open her eyes through her wince, eyes meeting his again, as if she perhaps thought what she was experiencing wasn't real. But every time, he'd give her a little smile, and she returned it, relaxing that much more into his arms. With every step, it felt like it was becoming more and more comfortable, more and more… right, to be holding her like this.

Bloody hell, he didn't ever want to let her go.

They entered the building, and Henry again led him through. Every person they passed gave him a look of shock, and wariness that Hook no longer held proudly. Hook had developed quite the distaste for the hospital, but he had to admit; their medical care seemed to be far more advanced than what he was used to, aside from magical cures.

The only thing that seemed to be keeping him from being thrown out was Emma in his arms, and her boy leading him through. Somewhere along the way, Emma'd either consciously or unconsciously grabbed the material of his vest in a fist as if to alleviate her pain, just like she had last night, her knuckles white. It both touched him and made his chest pang with the desire to heal her pain.

"We need Dr. Whale," said Henry to nearly everyone he walked past. By the time the man himself walked out of a room and into their path, he stopped short, lifting a sharp brow.

"Hook," he said flatly, looking disinterestedly from Emma in his arms back to Hook's face. "Shoot someone else?"

Something hurt inside him. Clenched tight and hurt.

He hadn't thought of Belle, honestly hadn't bothered to. She had been a means to an end and he didn't care who needed to suffer along his path to revenge.

But his eyes falling to Emma, his chest tightened.

He suddenly hated himself more than he ever has before.

Shaking away the guilt creeping up his spine, Hook dismissed the man's words. "She's been hurt," he said through clenched teeth.

"It was Mr. Gold," said Henry, brows creased, and Whale turned his gaze to Henry. "Captain Hook saved her."

The suspicion Whale had been looking at Hook with faded at Henry's words.

Surprise filled its place.

And it was becoming more and more painful to realize how horribly people thought of him.

But hell, he gave them every reason to.

Whale gestured to an open room, and Hook carried Emma to the bed. Very carefully, Hook laid Emma down. She gasped a little as she was moved, and Hook felt his own breath catch. Emma's eyes were screwed shut as he laid her against the pillow, and she slowly let go of her grip on Hook's vest.

He pulled away, swallowing at his own reluctance to move away from her.

But before he could, Emma's hand grabbed Hook's wrist.

Hook's heart stopped.

Her eyes were still screwed shut with pain, and her knuckles were still white on her grip on him. But Hook had a feeling that her grabbing him had nothing to do with alleviating pain.

Emma's eyes cracked open, finding him, a bit of that desperate fear from the apartment coloring her eyes.

"Don't leave."

Hook swallowed.

And, slowly, carefully, he gently tugged a little at her fingers' vice grip on his wrist until her fingers loosened a little. And then, he slipped his wrist through her fingers, offering his hand instead. Her fingers naturally interlocked with his, holding him just as tightly.

And this… it felt so much more than her just feeling safe with him.

The sheer feeling that shot through his body was something so intimate, so… pure.

The last time he'd offered her his hand, she'd left him on the beanstalk.

But this time, as he lifted his eyes back to hers, the fearful uncertainty in her eyes faded, replaced with complete, unadulterated trust.

"Gold did this?" said Whale, stealing Hook's attention. The doctor had stepped closer, examining the gash at Emma's forehead. He went to touch her, and Hook nearly moved to stop him out of protective reflex. But he forced himself to allow it, and Whale pressed gently around the wound. Emma hissed sharply, a gasp escaping her, and Hook felt his chest tighten at the sound of her pain. Her hand squeezed his harder, and without thinking, his thumb brushed over the back of her hand. Whale winced a little himself, then lightened his touch. The doctor's tenderness was surprising, considering his disposition, as well as Hook's experience with the man, who hadn't bothered to use any sort of gentleness with him. Though, Hook had to admit, he's never exactly done anything to deserve kindness from anyone.

Over the next while, Whale examined her, asking her what he called 'concussion questions', assessing her injuries, and bandaging the gash at her forehead. Emma refused the hospital 'gown', and Hook didn't blame her. The bloody things were hideous. Hook remained at Emma's side, and to Hook's utter shock, Emma's hand never left his.

"Well," said Whale, leaning back. "The bastard gave you a pretty nasty concussion." he said. "And some broken or cracked ribs, at that." Lowering the papers, he said, "Sad to say we can't give you anything for the pain; not with that concussion."

"Great," muttered Emma, laying her head back down.

"But she's all right?" Hook found himself asking.

"Nothing dangerous, no," said Whale. With a disinterested sigh, he said, "You'll be fine, Miss. Swan. Just rest is all you can do, really."

Emma nodded through a wince, and Whale left them alone.

"Are you feeling better?"

Hook and Emma turned to see Henry walking back into the room, and Hook realized he hadn't noticed that the lad had left the room.

Emma looked at him, giving him a tired, "Hey, kid." Sighing, she said, "I'll be okay."

Emma's pain seemed to subside as time passed, most likely from the fact that she wasn't being moved anymore. The lines of pain had receded marginally from her face, and Hook was only grateful that her injuries weren't life-threatening.

But suddenly the door to her room burst open.

Startled, Hook released Emma's hand, heart pounding, moving to block her from an prospective enemy as his hand shot for the hook that was still in his pocket.

But it wasn't an enemy.

Snow White ran inside, and Hook felt himself relax a little. Her eyes were wide and worried, and she was panting as if she'd been running for some time.

When she saw Emma, they widened even more. "Emma!" she breathed. "Henry called us, he said you were—" Her eyes suddenly found the bruises on Emma's face and throat, as well as the bandaging on her head, courtesy of one of the nurses. Snow's hand covered her mouth, tears springing to her eyes.

It was only then that Snow noticed Hook, and she froze. "Hook—" she breathed, startled.

Afraid.

Hook felt himself go rigid, realizing the last, less-than-pleasant encounter he'd had with the Queen…

…and her husband.

The prince, whom Hook had knocked out with a metal bar he found at the town guard station.

This should be interesting.

But Snow suddenly looked from Hook to Emma and back, eyes growing even more wary, and—

Bloody hell.

With a coldness, Hook realized she thought he was responsible for Emma's condition.

But before he could say anything, the door opened again, and the prince rushed inside.

His eyes immediately found Emma injured on the bed, and just as much pain colored his eyes. "Emma—" he breathed, but he saw Snow's face, who was still staring fearfully at Hook.

The prince turned.

His face changed in an instant.

"Hook!" he roared, launching himself toward Hook.

"I didn—" began Hook, but before he could get the words out, David struck him hard across the jaw, sending Hook crashing into the wall.

Pain radiated from his jaw, and Hook caught himself on the wall, but not before David's hand slammed to his chest, pinning him painfully hard to it. The prince's other hand reared back to strike him again. "What the hell did you do to her?!"

"Hook!" cried Emma.

Hook could see her trying to get up, Snow rushing to push her back to the pillows, but Hook held his hand toward Emma, gasping, "Swan, it's all ri—" David shoved him again, cutting off his words, snarling, "Don't talk to her!"

David shoved Hook even harder into the wall, making him cringe, but he forced himself not to retaliate. He could not attack Emma's father. He turned his head away in an attempt to roll with whatever blow would come from David.

But suddenly, Henry ran in between the two men, standing firmly in front of Hook, hands out in front of him. "Stop!" he cried.

Hook and David froze, both sets of eyes darting to the boy between them.

"Henry," began David warningly, eyes snapping back angrily to Hook's.

"Captain Hook didn't hurt my mom!" exclaimed Henry.

David hesitated, his eyes falling back to Henry. "What?"

"Captain Hook didn't hurt her," said Henry, out of breath. Swallowing, he said, "Mr. Gold did."

Shock fell over David's face.

His fist lowered to his side, but his hand still pinned Hook to the wall. Turning to Emma, David breathed, "Gold did this to you?"

Snow had her hand gently on Emma's shoulder, trying to keep her against the pillows. Emma's face was pulled into a harsh grimace, no doubt in pain from trying to get up, but she stopped fighting her mother, seeing David's fist lowered. Something haunted slipping into Emma's eyes, and slowly, she nodded.

Snow let out a little gasp, and David's eyes shut briefly with barely-contained rage. "I told him to keep you safe, and he—" he hissed, voice nearly cracking from fury.

"Emma," said Snow wetly, looking at her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," said Emma. "Some broken bones and a concussion, nothing I haven't had before," she muttered, only making her parents and Hook feel a sharp sadness at the truth of her words.

With a shaking breath, David opened his eyes, meeting Hook's again. "If… if it was Gold who…" His eyes narrowed. "Then what the hell are you doing here?" he demanded.

Hook opened his mouth to reply, but Henry beat him to it.

Voice still firm with something that touched Hook to the core, Henry said, "Captain Hook saved her."

More shock flooded David's eyes. "He what?"

"Mr. Gold…" said Henry, voice shaking over the name. "He… he got mad at her, and… and he st-started…" He couldn't voice it, and Hook saw Emma flinch. Hook nearly did himself. "I ran to find help and I found Captain Hook. And then he…" His voice hesitated. "He stopped Mr. Gold. He saved her."

The shock from Emma's parents was palpable.

Brows creased, Henry went on, "M-Mom couldn't…" His voice caught. He sniffed. "Captain Hook carried her to the Jolly Roger and he brought us home."

Absolute silence followed Henry's words.

David's eyes slowly dragged from Henry to Hook. Settled there. Utter disbelief colored his eyes. "You saved her?" he breathed.

Swallowing, Hook said heavily, "Aye."

Slowly, David released his grip on Hook's chest. He took a step back, and Hook straightened, rubbing at the throbbing in his jaw.

Snow's eyes were misty as she looked at Emma. Her hand hovered by Emma's cheek, but she looked afraid to touch her. "Emma," she whispered in a pained voice. "Why on earth did Gold do this to you?"

Emma's eyes dropped from hers, more pain slipping into the hazel.

Snow's face fell. "Emma, you didn't."

Emma shut her eyes.

"Emma," breathed Snow.

"What?" asked David.

"I made a mistake," whispered Emma brokenly.

And as if pulled by an invisible force, Hook approached her again, barely restraining himself from touching her. Didn't need her father striking him again. But it didn't stop him from standing over her protectively. "No, love, you didn't." Eyes hard, he met her mother's eyes. "Baelfire is the one who made the mistake. And many of them, at that." His own fist clenched at his side with the knowledge of what he'd done to Emma.

"Wait," said David, brows shooting up. He looked from Snow to Emma. "Snow told me that…" He looked to Henry, seeming unsure.

"I told Henry," said Emma softly.

"Emma," said Snow, voice pained. "You risked your life to avoid seeing Henry's father again?" she asked in disbelief.

Hook saw Emma's fingers clutch the edge of the blanket. "You don't understand," she whispered, voice barely above a whisper.

But Emma's mother seemed oblivious to her daughter's pain. "It's just that you of all people know what it's like to—"

Emma's eyes screwed shut, and Hook felt fury grow.

And before he could stop himself, he said haughtily, "After pinning his crime on her and leaving her alone, with child, in a brig, I think you can understand Emma's aversion to seeing Baelfire again."

Snow's jaw dropped.

David looked like he'd been punched.

"He what?" breathed David.

Emma's fingers clutched the blanket tighter.

And for a moment, Hook realized with his own shock that Emma hadn't told her parents what happened between her and Baelfire.

Emma hadn't told anyone what had happened.

But she told him.

"Emma—" gasped Snow, looking horrified. "I—I had no idea—you never told me that," she breathed hollowly.

"You never asked." said Emma almost inaudibly.

And, the movement so small Hook nearly missed it, he saw Emma's eyes flick to him.

Snow's eyes welled with tears, and one fell down her cheek. "I didn't," she agreed brokenly. "Emma, I'm so sorry."

Taking a breath, Emma said, "It's fine." She attempted a smile that looked entirely faked.

David looked like he was tearing himself from the shock of the new information. "So… you let him get away?" he asked, gently prompting the rest of the story.

Nodding, Emma said, "Gold… he found out I lied. And he…" Her voice caught, and Hook's chest hurt. Her eyes suddenly found Hook. "I couldn't, um…" She swallowed, fingers tightening on the blanket.

Another slight silence spread, and no one had trouble hearing the words Emma didn't say.

"Where's Gold now?" asked Snow, stricken.

"Dead." said Hook firmly.

"Dead?" echoed Snow with shock. "But… I thought he couldn't be killed!"

David suddenly looked wary, eyes flicking to Hook, and added, "I thought whoever killed a Dark One becomes a Dark One."

Both Emma's parents suddenly looked at Hook with a new sort of fear.

And Hook was beginning to truly hate eliciting it from everyone.

"Not if you kill them in a world without magic," muttered Hook. "He's dead and so is his power."

"Wait," said Snow, looking from Emma to Hook. "Gold is really gone?"

Emma nodded.

Snow, as well as David, both seemed just as relieved with that information as Hook was himself.

"Wait so… if he's dead and the Darkness didn't transfer to anyone else… does that mean there's no more Dark One?" said Snow after a moment. "Like… ever?"

Hook blinked.

He'd never actually thought much past killing Rumplestiltskin. He'd spent his centuries looking for a way to kill the Crocodile without damning himself to such a curse, but he never realized that doing so would rid the realms of the most evil presence to ever live.

"Yeah," said Henry suddenly, looking at Hook with a big grin. "That sorta makes you a hero!"

Hook froze.

Hero.

His eyes found Emma's, and she smiled, like she agreed.

But David, however, scoffed.

And David was approaching him again, suspicion in his eyes. "His intentions were never to save the world from the Dark One," he said lowly. "It was to get your revenge."

The word revenge, for some reason, made Hook flinch.

"Saving Emma aligned with your interests," said David, eyes narrowing even more. "That does not make you a hero. You're still a pirate who only cares about himself."

A muscle tensed in Hook's jaw, the words striking him somewhere that hurt.

"So," continued David, stepping even closer to him, "consider me letting you go as a very small token of gratitude that you happened to conveniently save Emma." Hook's entire body lit with anger. "Now that your little crusade is over," David went on, making Hook bristle, "you can get back on your ship and wreck havoc or whatever the hell you have planned for the rest of your life. But if I catch you doing it here, I will have no problem throwing your ass in a cell to rot, pirate."

Hook felt every muscle in his body coiled tight.

And David stared him down, as if waiting for him to leave.

He felt his eyes fall to Emma, who was looking at her father in shock, stunned to silence. Her eyes tore from his to find Hook's. And there was something like fear in her eyes. And Hook could have sworn he saw her hand flinch toward his direction.

"Don't leave."

Hook felt the same fear in Emma's eyes suddenly coil somewhere deep inside his chest.

Because he didn't want to.

But before he could tell the prince he wasn't going bloody anywhere, the door opened again, rather forcefully, revealing Regina.

Hook felt himself move to Emma's side in an instant, hand again reaching for his hook. Emma tensed herself, and this time her hand did move toward him, whether consciously or unconsciously.

The last time Hook had seen Regina, he'd been allied with her and Cora in the search for the Crocodile's dagger. He'd decoded the map in a slightly incorrect way, attempting to buy himself some leverage if he needed it. But what he hadn't expected was for them to bloody betray him, knocking him out before giving him the location of the Crocodile, this 'New York City'.

Hook was only lucky that the Crocodile's blood globe device was still displaying his son's location in his shop.

However… it seemed that Regina wasn't here to cause trouble.

The moment Regina saw Henry, a smile broke out on her face. "Henry!"

At everyone's hesitation, Henry smiled sheepishly. "I… kinda called her, too," he said with a shaky grin.

Regina hugged him, and after a second, Henry hugged her back.

Hook still didn't quite understand the story explaining why Regina of all people had raised Emma's son, but he filed the questions away for later.

And was he bloody hoping there would be a later.

"Thank god you're all right," said Regina to Henry. "You said you were at the hospital and I was worried sick—" But she lifted her gaze to the room, seeing Emma, and the rest of them. "Oh, my gosh," she said, with concern that was clearly forced. "What happened?"

"She… got hurt," said Henry. "Can you heal her?"

Regina hesitated, looking like she'd rather do anything else.

But at Henry's innocent hope, she forced a smile. "Of… course I can," she said with artificial brightness. She looked up to see Hook, her brows shooting up. "Hook," she said with surprise.

Hook felt himself freeze, realizing something he should have realized earlier. But his entire attention had been on Emma from the moment he killed the Crocodile to now.

He killed Rumplestiltskin.

The Dark One was no more.

When Cora finds that dagger, and it would only be a matter of time before she figures out the map herself…

She'll be finding a powerless scrap of metal.

And a Cora that didn't get what she wanted…

Hook felt himself swallow hard.

He'd been at her mercy before, her hand inside his chest, fingers curled around his own heart. She was not one to lose, and she's about to realize she just has.

Bloody hell, they were all in danger.

"Regina," greeted Hook emotionlessly, offering nothing more.

Regina's gaze lingered on him, suspicion only growing. Then, to Emma, she said, "I heard you went to New York with Henry and Gold."

"Yeah." said Emma shortly, breaking Hook from the daze. "But now we're back." She didn't elaborate, and Regina looked slightly irritated.

"Where's Gold?" said Regina, her tone sounding innocent enough, but Hook caught the level of interest underlying it.

"He's—" began Snow hesitantly.

"Still in New York with his son," said Hook smoothly. Emma's eyes flicked to Hook at the lie, and he met her gaze, trying to convey the need for her to follow his lead.

At this point, delaying Cora's wrath was the best he could do.

Hook's heart pounded.

"Oh," said Regina, brows raised. "So he did find his son, then."

Emma's eyes were still on Hook's, confusion in them, but since it was bloody Emma, she instantly read Hook's tension.

"Yeah," said Emma slowly, eyes back on Regina. Swallowing, she said, "I got… hurt though, and… Henry and I came home." Eyes unwavering, she said, "My part of the deal was done."

Regina didn't quite seem to buy every part of the story. "How did you get hurt, Miss. Swan?" she asked slowly.

"New York is a dangerous place," said Emma flatly.

Regina's lips pursed. "As I've heard." She clearly didn't fully buy it. But Henry gave her an expectant look, and with a shake of her head, Regina's sunny disposition was back, and she said, "Well, just lay still for a moment, Miss. Swan." She moved toward the bed, hands out, a purple glow emanating from them. But Hook grabbed her wrist, looking her hard in the eye. "Do anything other than heal her, you'll be sorry."

Regina's brows narrowed a little at the threat. But she forced that smile. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Hook had a feeling that was what most of her dreams were about.

Hook released her, and they watched as Regina waved a hand over Emma, and slowly, the bruises, cuts and too-pale color of her skin began to return to normal.

And in seconds, Emma was beautifully healed.

Regina stepped back, and Emma let out a breath in relief, pushing herself up. She touched her forehead, smiling when she didn't feel the gash. Emma looked at Hook, this time without any sort of pain in her face, and Hook felt a smile grace his lips in return.

Seeing Emma healed released a sort of agony that had been in his own veins.

"Thank god," said Emma, smiling more, making everyone return it. To Regina, she said genuinely, "Thanks."

"Thank Henry." said Regina with that fake smile, and everyone in the room knew just how true that was.

Henry gave Regina a hug. "Thanks, Mom."

The use of Mom made Regina light up, seeming like the reluctant task of helping her enemy was suddenly worth it. She hugged Henry back. "Anything for you, Henry." Pulling back, she said, "Want to go to lunch with me? You can tell me all about New York!"

Henry hesitated. "I, um… can we do that later? I kinda want to be with Emma right now," he mumbled.

Regina looked like the words caused her physical pain, but she swallowed it, rising. "Of… of course." Forced a smile. "Miss. Swan has been through a lot, it would seem."

Henry nodded with that crease in his brow, but smiled a little at Regina. "Thanks for understanding, Mom."

The Mom got Regina again, making her fake smile real. She nodded. A slight awkward silence grew, then, "I… guess I'll leave you to your reunion, then."

She moved to go, and then Snow said, "Oh—Regina."

"Yes?" she said tightly.

"Any word on your mother?"

Regina hesitated for half a second, then, "Ah… no, not yet. But I'll let you know if I do."

Snow nodded, and Regina forced one more smile and left.

Another slight silence, then David seemed to realize Hook was still in the room.

"Hook," he began, eyes narrowing. "I thought I told you to—"

"Afraid we have bigger problems, mate," said Hook, a sense of foreboding growing in his chest.

"I am not your mate," growled David.

"What?" asked Emma, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "And why'd we lie about Gold?"

"Regina is aligned with her mother," said Hook, watching Snow's brows hitch up.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "She told me—"

"Before I left for New York," Hook cut her off, "I was aiding them." he admitted.

"Of course you were," muttered David.

Hook ignored him. "They were looking for the Crocodile's dagger."

"The what?" asked Snow, brows kneading.

"Rumplestiltskin had a dagger, it was the source of all his power," said Hook. "Whoever were to wield it would be able to control the Dark One, or kill him with it, and assume the power as their own."

Snow swallowed hard. "That would have been a disaster," she whispered. "But he's dead, so…"

"The dagger will have lost all its power," said Hook.

"So we're fine," said Snow slowly. "...Right?"

Emma suddenly caught the gravity of it. She rose to her feet, standing beside Hook. "No… we're not. Cora's about to realize she's not going to get what she wanted."

Fear darkened Snow's eyes in horror.

"She murdered an entire village as a tactic," said Hook, nearly shivering at the memory of witnessing it. "Her fury knows no bounds. And…"

He shut his eyes.

He could never get a bloody break.

But there was a chance he could buy them some time, could do something good.

And that was becoming more and more enticing the longer Emma was near.

And if he could do something to protect her…

Sighing something weary, he said, "When Cora knows of the Crocodile's fate, she'll know it was at my hands. Or, rather, hook." Taking a breath, spilling the words before his heart could interfere, he said, "She'll want to start with me, I presume. I can draw her out, keep her away from you, give you enough time to—"

"No," said Emma immediately, and Hook felt himself freeze at the sheer desperate way she said the word.

"Don't leave."

Both pleas held the same fear, the same rawness, and for a moment it stole his breath.

"No," she repeated, this time softer, but no less desperate. Facing her parents, Emma said firmly, "We'll defeat Cora together. Hook is one of us."

Hook froze.

She was on his side, in every bloody context of the word.

She was healed, she was reunited with her family.

She didn't need him anymore.

She wanted him.

For a moment, Hook couldn't find his voice.

Snow's gaze suddenly flitted between Emma and Hook, back and forth, multiple times. A curiosity slowly dawned in her eyes.

David, however, had his gaze locked only on Hook.

"No." he said firmly, crossing his arms.

"David—" began Emma.

"We can't trust him," said David firmly. "After everything he's done? All of a sudden Hook wants to play a hero?" David glared at Hook. "He's probably going to go off and ally with Cora for all we know—"

"He's not." said Emma just as firmly, and the sheer trust she had in him, growing by the minute, still astounded him.

"Hook bludgeoned me with a crowbar two days ago, Emma," snapped David, eyes glowering at Hook, and Hook could still see the bruise over the man's eye. "He is not one of us and never will be."

Hook winced, and Emma hesitated, looking at him. "You hit him with a crowbar?"

"He took my hook." muttered Hook. But looking her parents in the eye, Hook said firmly, "I am not allied with Cora. I only ever allied with her in order to get my revenge. I am no more a fan of the witch than any of you. And as the prince concluded," he said, words slipping frustratedly through clenched teeth, "my purpose has been met." However inadvertently. "I have no reason to ally with her."

"So, what is your purpose now, pirate?" demanded David.

The way he spoke the word almost made Hook flinch.

Yet, he had an answer to that.

She was standing right beside him.

"Emma," said Snow, gaze wary. "I don't know…"

"You can trust him," said Emma firmly. And taking a breath, Emma said heavily, "Because I do."

Hook felt himself nearly gape at the words.

He'd had the feeling she trusted him, but to hear the words out loud?

In an attempt to defend him?

"Try something new, darling."

She looked at him then, such confidence in her eyes.

She didn't regret the words; she bloody meant them and they made her smile.

"It's called trust."

Henry stepped up suddenly, saying, "I trust him, too."

Hook blinked.

He had never once felt as touched in his life as he did right here, right now.

After a long moment, Snow let out a breath, saying, "Okay. If you trust him, Emma… so do we." To Hook, she said, "You saved her, and you got her back home to us. We owe you a chance." It wasn't trust in him, but… it was close enough.

Hook's eyes turned to David, who was still glaring at him. Hook already knew he wasn't getting trust from the prince. At the very least, it seemed the prince saw the logic in a united front. Finally, he said, "Fine. We'll defeat Cora together."

"But how?"

Everyone looked at Henry. His voice was small.

"Even my mom—even Regina isn't as powerful as Cora," said Henry, brows creased. "I don't think anyone is."

"Henry's right. Regina is terrified of the woman," said Snow, worry furrowing her own brows. Looking at Emma, she said, "You and I got lucky in the Enchanted Forest, but… but to defeat Cora? Is there even a way?"

Hook felt his chest tighten at their dwindling odds. "I've spent my fair share of time with Cora," he said, reluctance coloring the words. "I've yet to see a weakness. When I first met her it was when Regina tasked me to kill her. Cora spared my life in exchange for my help."

"Regina asked you to kill her own mother?" breathed Emma.

"Aye," he said, his own brows furrowing at his less than pleasant past. "Regina enchanted my hook to take a heart, and I tried to take Cora's. Bloody woman didn't have one."

For the first time, David ignored his distaste for Hook to ask, "What?"

"Cora doesn't keep it in her body," said Hook. "She coined it safer to keep it elsewhere."

"That's it."

All heads turned to Snow.

"What's it?" asked Emma.

"Cora's heart," said Snow with a grin.

"You… you want to crush Cora's heart? Kill her?" asked David, brows raising.

"I don't want to crush it," said Snow, smile growing. "You know what Cora did with Aurora's heart in the Enchanted Forest." Hook felt himself tense, the same type of guilt slipping through him at what he did to Belle, recalling that he'd taken the princess' heart. "She controlled her just by holding it!" said Snow.

Emma perked up. She smiled. "We can control Cora if we find her heart."

"Think about it!" said Snow. "We don't have to kill her if we can control her and make her do the right thing." Shaking her head a little, she said, "It's not the most ethic thing but… but it's better than killing her."

A little silence grew at her words. Hook had to admit; if they could find the woman's heart, it wasn't a bad plan.

"Then we best find it before she finds the Crocodile's powerless dagger," said Hook heavily.

David glared at Hook, but sighed. "Then let's go."

Emma's parents headed out of the room, Henry behind them, but Hook found himself looking at Emma.

She was already looking at him.

That unsaid tension was back, flickering in the air.

"Thank you," she said softly, nervously. "For… helping us." And even softer, "And… for everything."

Hook felt a warmth touch him.

She was healed.

She could walk away.

Yet, she's still…

Here.

He may have saved her, but she'd saved him right back.

However, before he could find words to respond, to put his own gratitude into words, she said abruptly, "We should go."

Hook blinked, pulling himself from the rush of feeling. "Aye," he managed softly.

They both headed out of the room together, that unsaid tension following them.

And it didn't escape Hook's notice just how closely Emma was hovering beside him with every step.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"They said Gold's with his son in New York."

Cora didn't turn at Regina's voice, yet smiled something cold and distant; she hardly felt emotions. "For now, he is. But he will be back," she said, inspecting the mechanism of the clock tower. Hook had thought he was clever, steering them in the wrong direction. But she was no fool, and it only took a day more of inspecting that map to locate what she was looking for. The dagger was here, somewhere. "There's no magic out there," continued Cora. "Gold will be back. With his son or without his son, power is everything to him." "You… you think that?"

Cora turned to see Regina, a slight frown on her face.

So emotional, that girl.

Turning away, eyes back on her search for the dagger, Cora said, "Gold has proven it many times over."

"What if…" Regina hesitated, an uncertainty she rarely showed in front of anyone. "What if it were me?"

"What if what were you, darling?" murmured Cora, squinting as she saw a part of the mechanism that didn't look quite like it should be there.

"If it was me, over power," said Regina softly. "What would you choose?"

But Cora smiled, because there it was.

The Dark One dagger.

She reached, pulling it free from the hand of the clock. Smiling at the dagger, she said, "Well, darling, I don't have to choose. I have both of you."

But she paused.

Because the dagger…

…was blank.

She turned it over, and then back.

Blank.

Where it should say Rumplestiltskin, and soon, Cora, it was blank.

It was the dagger, the real thing. She could feel the lingering dark magic inside it, like a residue.

"Is that it?" breathed Regina.

But even as she held it, Cora knew it was only tainted with dark magic.

There was none tethered to it anymore.

"What?" asked Regina.

But Cora curled her fingers, flames erupting from her palm, dissolving the dagger that should have withstood anything into ash that fell to her feet.

The Dark One no longer existed.

Which meant, she would never gain more power.

Dark magic boiled under her skin, knowing exactly who was responsible.

And who was going to suffer for it.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Hook."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

tag list: @teamhook @jrob64 @kmomof4 @justanother-unluckysoul @klynn-stormz @stahlop @ilovemesomekillianjones @hookmecaptain @fleurdepetite @snowbellewells @jadehowlettthewolf @jonesfandomfanatic @pirateprincessofpizza @anmylica

[hawkland]

My (mostly) Destiel Recs, Round-up #6

Well, between working like crazy on my DCBB fic and GISH and injuring my neck last month I haven’t kept up with my rec posts, so this one is going to be LONG and have a LOT and I’m going to try to break it up into sections, from oldies but goodies (some things I found on very old rec lists) to smutty delights to just tasty little bits of fluff, hopefully there’s something or everyone here. Most of these are not super-long, largely in the 10-25k range, though there are a few beyond that. With all the stuff I’ve had going on I haven’t wanted to lose sleep diving into 100k epics (especially when I’m writing my own right now, lol.)

“Oldies” but Goodies:  Here are two great fics written some time way back when but that still definitely slap.

Theodicy by manic_intent (11k) - Probably the most brilliant Godstiel fic I’ve read to date. One of Cas’s first acts as the new god is to make a new archangel. Dean isn’t exactly on board with having his soul re-sculpted into wings he hates on sight (especially as they seem magnetically drawn to Cas), but he isn’t exactly given a choice. He, Sam and Bobby struggle with how to handle their former friend suddenly becoming a vindictive deity - trying to make plans to kill him if they must, which is pretty hard when it seems like Cas is always one step ahead of him. Can Dean hold on to enough of his humanity to provide a conscience to Cas and try to steer him toward good acts instead of destruction? This is one that I can’t say has a perfectly happy ending, but it’s a hopeful and imperfect one that’s just right for how the story plays out. 

My Eyes Are An Ocean by entanglednow (10k) - Season 5 AU where Dean averts the apocalypse through a spell that “powers up” all the angels and he sees Cas’s true form - before being rendered blind. Dean tries to adjust to his blindness, Cas tries to deal with his guilt, and it’s just a lovely little read with an ending that’s... *chef’s kiss*

Lots more recs below the cut:

More great reads from some of my favorite authors I’ve recced before:

The Cabin on the Lake by DeanRH (21k) - This may be my new favorite DeanRH fic...at least for the moment. The year is 2152, Sam and Dean are long gone to Heaven, while Cas - stuck somewhere between mortal and angel - remains on Earth keeping vigil, keeping up the hunt, assuming he’ll never see either Winchester ever again. But when he starts hearing things, and imagining Dean visiting him as an angel himself, he starts losing grip on what is and isn’t real, and whether he can trust anything he sees or believes to be the truth. This is one hell of a psychological rollercoaster that kept me guessing right along with Cas until the very end. It also has some super-creepy horror elements, a novel “monster of the week”, and the hot-as-sin smut scenes I always expect from this author.

X Marks the Scot by DeanRH (15.9k) A fun little romp through history in one of this author’s great not-quite-au fics. Crowley sends Dean and Sam back in history to the Scottish Highlands to stop a monster, and while there they meet a blue-eyed clan chief who makes Dean weak in the knees. There’s something familiar about him, too. a very clever au that ties back to canon for an unexpected fix-it. Also, Cas in a kilt. Enough said.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon by DeanRH (12k) - Sweet and slightly angsty AU. What if Dean was a gardener in ancient Babylon when a strange dignitary came to warn that the tower under construction was to be destroyed by angels? Lush, romantic and sexy with some wonderful tie-ins to canon characterizations (of Dean, Sam, John and of course Cas).

sufficient for thee by angelfishofthelord (21k) - This is a beautiful Cas angst-fest and character study that reimagines how angel grace works, particularly in regards to healing others. It covers the whole of Cas’s arc from Season 4 through a post-series fix-it, is absolutely stunning and features some great world-building in regards to the angels. (One important TW: those with cutting/self-harm issues may wish to skip or at least proceed with caution). I love that I can always count on angelfishofthelord when I need a good dose of Cas!whump and pain.

And laugh at gilded butterflies by ireallydidthistomyself (13k) - another great Dadstiel fic from this author featuring one of my favorite angsty subjects! I don’t know how I missed reading this one before. An AU where Cas is raising (baby)Jack on his own until the angels find the two of them and prepare to seal Jack away in the Ma’lak box. Cas begs them to let him go with Jack, so at least Jack won’t be alone for eternity. Meanwhile Dean is frantically trying to find what happened to Cas, and he gets some unexpected help from Crowley.  It’s sad and sweet and all the characterizations are great. A+ Crowley use here, too.

what stays (and what fades away) by dothraki_shieldmaiden (64k) - a fabulous read with some great art, too, that started me reading a bunch of fic from this author. Cas goes missing, and when he’s found he seems deep under a spell. When they finally manage to awaken him, he doesn’t remember anything of this life with Dean, Sam and Cas in the bunker. The last thing he knew he was a nurse living with his wonderful husband, Dean, and their two adopted children, Jack and Claire. What I loved about this one was the clever twist as to who was behind Cas’s curse and also how well-developed his AU world/existence was. I’m not generally keen on mundane aus or the one-dimensional way a lot of djinn dream fics tend to go for them, but this one managed to capture a believable version of Dean and Cas living a “normal” life without monsters without making it sugary/too-sweet. 

before knowing remembers by dothraki_shieldmaiden (14k) Post 15x04, a wonderful fic that plays with some meta topics in a clever way. Dean and Sam are happy - they have free will and they’ve won against Chuck, even if they suffered some big losses along the way (including Jack). But Dean can’t help but think he’s forgetting something...or rather, someone. Yet every time he thinks he remembers, the name and face of that someone slips from his mind. 

weights on my ankles by dothraki_shieldmaiden (9k) Post-15x03 where Cas ends up going back to the Gas ‘n Sip and working with Nora after leaving the bunker. A bitter sweet divorce-arc AU and what I love the most is how it ends - not perfect, not tragic, just very real and believable. 

15x18 and Post-canon fix-it fics:

Orbital Velocity Around a Celestial Body by LeverDrift (26k) - An angsty but lovely fix-it fic, one where it gets worse for a while before it gets better. Dean pulls Cas from the Empty, where he’d been living in a fantasy world with a dream!Dean who was giving him everything real!Dean is certain he can’t. Dean has to struggle with wondering if Cas would have been better off with dream!Dean instead of him. This is one that will break your heart before putting it back together again as Dean struggles with his self-worth issues.

so good at crashing in by Wintertree (36k) - Another post-finale fix-it where Cas is back, the world is saved, and things are still...not as easy as it should be for either Dean nor Cas. Monsters are gone, there’s no more hunting to be done, and Cas wants to move out of the bunker somewhere closer to Claire, to move on with a proper human life. Dean thinks he can move there with Cas and stay as “best friends”, even to the extent that Cas encourages him to go out and have sex with others/women. (And wants to hear about it after the fact!) But can Dean figure out what he really wants, and what Cas wants as well? A refreshingly unique take on what a post-series life could have looked like for them.

Delicious smut:

Empty by squirrelofcelestialintent (43k) - Every day this fandom makes me rethink my previous squicks and DNWs in fanfic. Here I find myself enjoying quite a bit more dom/sub elements than I normally ever would! I think because I was absolutely drawn in by the breathtaking first chapter, capturing beautifully the emotions of Cas returning from the Empty in Season 13 if he and Dean had confessed their feelings right then and there. But Dean’s self-worth is all fucked up, he feels there’s no way he can be good enough for Cas, especially when his sexual desires run a little bit...let’s just say outside the vanilla and he’s struggling with shame over doing sex work when he was younger. This was HOT and POOR SAM really gets stuck in the middle of, well, hearing more about his brother’s sex life than he ever needed to.

He's My Mate by Hatsonhamburgers (22k) - This fic manages the delightful combination of humor and extreme hotness perfectly. Dean and Cas catch each other in some questionable masturbation situations. This leads Cas to decide he needs to buy Dean some proper sex toys. He’s just helping his best friend out, right? Sure. As I said, hysterical AND hot as hell. 

Generals by nanoochka (9k) - Cas/Dean, Cas/Balthazar/Dean, implied past-Cas/Balthazar. An old LJ fic I found on an ancient rec list that is just scorching hot and a brilliant character study of Cas and Dean. Balthazar decides to invite himself in when he catches Dean and Cas engaging in some frisky business, and it turns into a bit of a power-play between the two soldiers of Heaven. Cas gets DP’ed and it’s all...well. It’s fucking good, read it.

The One With The Preening by HolyFuckingHell (5.5k) Can I do a rec post without including some wing!kink/wing!grooming in it? No, I can’t. (I also really enjoyed some of the other fics in this author’s series including The One With Dean's Horny Movies).

A Single Point of Light by Destina (2.4k) - This is a gorgeous Cas/Dean/Benny Purgatory short! A delicious balance of the two each caring for and caring about Dean in their own, protective ways, definitely a delight for any fans of this threesome.

Short and sweet, fluff to angst:

Snugglebird by almaasi (5.3k) - So, so soft and sweet and snuggly, just like the title. Dean’s things are disappearing from the bunker...and so, suddenly, has Cas. What’s going on? I do love my nesting!Cas fics, so...yeah. If you need a smile this is a good one to read :)

And Cleanse Me From My Sin by thisisapaige (1.6k) - another one for my beloveds who also enjoy wing grooming and sweet Dean-taking-care-of-Cas fluff.

Needle and Thread by Misachan (4k) - Season 5 wing!fic hurt/comfort. Cas’s wings are badly injured, Dean doesn’t quite know what he’s doing, but he’s stitched up Sam and himself enough times. He can do this. If you love caretaker!Dean and vulnerable!Cas don’t overlook this little gem.

Deceptive Preludes by sp8ce (2.7k) - One of those stories that delves into some of the difficulties Cas might have after coming back from the Empty a second time, especially in regards to accepting what’s real or not, understanding Dean, and how both of their communication issues can add to their struggles. Painful but hopeful for the future, felt very believable as I read it.

[benvskylo]

Historical AUs- 1900’s

I LOVE history, so I love a good historical AU. Doesn’t even really matter the time period or the location, I just love them. (If you know of any good ones, send them my way)

These all take place in the 1900’s, ranging from the 10’s up to the 80’s.

Includes title(with link), rating, chapter and word count, more specific time period, and an intro. My favorites have a 🦋!

Days to Remember Rated E/ 15 chapters, 43k words/ 10’s/ Aboard the Titanic, Ben is headed back home after years of being estranged from his parents. Rey is being brought to America to marry a rich man. (I posted about this one a few weeks ago but it deserves to be posted again. It’s not strictly a movie rewrite, but it does follow a similar Jack/Rose dynamic. This is in my top 10 favorite fics)🦋

The Scales of Judgement Rated E/ 11 chapters, 55k words/ WW2/ Rey, assistant to famed archeologist Han Solo, finds herself a little in over her head when, while on a dig in Egypt, the war spreads south and brings with it a specialized group of German soldiers who happen to be looking for the same thing as her crew. (Guys. It’s an Indiana Jones AU. I need more of those in my life. Or just archeologist AUs in general)

what if the storm ends Rated E/ 12 chapters, 62k words/ Post-WW2/ During the war, Rey was sent to live with the Solos out in the countryside. After the fighting was over, she became an author in London and wrote about her adventures there, but a tragedy brings her back to the farm. (This is tied for my number one favorite fic. Just a warning tho, and this also in the tags, but the tragedy is that Ben’s wife died. So like he was in a happy marriage before. She’s mentioned a few times. This is 90% angst but it hurts SO GOOD)🦋

Patch Rated M/ 15 chapters, 21k words/ 80’s/ When 19 year old figure skater Ben first meets Rey, she needs some work but it seems like she’s the best option, out of the few he has, for a new partner. Can they make it? (honestly this intro makes it sound dumb but I promise it’s not. Also it’s like Olympic level competitive skating in 80’s Russia. I know literally nothing about skating so I was a little lost but I still enjoyed it lol)

Though There’ll Be Rain and Darkness Too Rated M/ 13 chapters, 37k words/ WW2/ Rey meets Ben, an American Air Force pilot stationed at the nearby base in a little town outside of London (I literally finished this a half hour before making this post. Read it in one day lol)🦋

The Lost Princess Rated M/ 22 chapters, 22k words/ 20’s/ When Rey is found on the streets of London, she doesn’t remember anything but her name. A hypnotist, Dr. Snoke, helps her to regain her memories. Months later, she announces to the public that she is actually Anastasia Romanov. (This is NOT based off the 1997 animated movie ‘Anastasia’ or it’s corresponding musical. However, if anyone is aware of such a fic, PLEASE send it my way cause that movie is one of my favorites)

One for Hoping Rated M/ 6 chapters, 17k words/ WW2*/ After receiving a crippling injury during the war, soldier Ben Solo was treated in a hospital by a nurse. Now the war is over and he’s come back to that same hospital to look for her. (*this isn’t actually based on any specific war, but it personally gave me WW2 vibes. I should mention a possible TW: Ben’s injury causes him to lose one of his limbs. This is one of my comfort fics btw)🦋

If you’re looking for a specific fic genre or trope, check out my masterlist and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, check out this post for more info on the types of fics I read and making a request!

[larryatendoftheday]

I posted 2,879 times in 2021

82 posts created (3%)

2797 posts reblogged (97%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 34.1 posts.

I added 941 tags in 2021

#lt - 248 posts

#hs - 215 posts

#to read - 125 posts

#fan art - 85 posts

#lol - 66 posts

#inspo - 64 posts

#fetus - 37 posts

#writing advice - 36 posts

#louis live - 33 posts

#flashing tw - 32 posts

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#one time i left a gc and blocked my friend on all communxiation formats for like a full 36 hours because i lost it over some rando thing

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Fics by @larryatendoftheday​

🎇🤰 You Wouldn't Believe the Dream I Just Had About You & Me

21k | Explicit  

After a back-to-school bash and a few too many drinks, Harry finds himself pregnant from a one-night stand he doesn’t remember. His best friend Louis is the only one who knows about the baby. Together they try to find the father of Harry’s baby, but they keep looking in all the wrong places.

Or the slowburn, friends to lovers, mpreg, college au you’ve always wanted. Featuring side Ziam and Clifford.

🎇🌱 Simple Gifts

6k | Teen

After the world as Louis knows it falls apart, he focuses on surviving. Then one day he meets someone who doesn't follow any of the rules.

A fic where Louis realizes the end of the world doesn't mean you stop living.

🎇🧜‍♂️ What the Water Gave Me

29k | Mature

When a mermaid crawls out of the sea and into Harry’s life, it changes everything. Suddenly he has a secret, and it’s a precarious balance between two worlds.

🎇🤝 You Can See it with the Lights Out

8.5k | Mature

In a universe where you know as soon as you meet your soulmate, Harry’s been shaking hands his whole career, waiting for the one. 

Or canon compliant pining, angst, misunderstandings, and fluff.

🎇👬 There Will Always Be This

1.3k | Mature

Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, Louis decides to turn off the news and take care of Harry.

Or, some tender established-relationship love in quarantine.

🎇🎅 Santa's Lap

4k | Teen

Louis is a grown man, and he will absolutely not go see Santa with his siblings. And even if he gives in, he definitely won’t enjoy it. Right?

A Christmas story about unexpected gifts, featuring Harry as a mall Santa and Louis as a great big brother.

Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing! 

39 notes • Posted 2021-01-25 05:57:48 GMT

#4

In defense of Harry Styles' not being cis

I present to you:

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

COULD A MERE MAN DO THAT?

Your honor, I rest my case

54 notes • Posted 2021-06-19 21:43:22 GMT

#3

Fics were my life vest in 2020. I read so many amazing stories, but these are a few that really stood out. Thank you to all the amazing creators in our fandom. You made 2020 bearable. <3

Stranger Stars by shaylea @sunshineandhisrainbows

This fic is one of my favorite fics ever. The story follows non-famous ot5 on an African safari and an epic journey of the heart. The description of the world is breathtaking and absorbing. The slow burn of an immediate connection is perfectly tantalizing and bittersweet. I don’t think I can even properly express how much I loved this. It’s over 200k words so you can and will get lost in it.

Ever Since I Tried Your Way by @flowercrownfemme​

Harry leaves his bride and his life behind on his wedding day, and when Louis offers him a ride and a place to stay on his farm, it’s fate. The tender, breathless, aching joy of embracing your real self is so beautifully articulated in this fic. Farmer Louis and gender exploring Harry are amazing together in their cozy little world. Baby animals are the cherry on top.

This World’s Ashes by @sunshineandthemoonlight​

The writing in this is lyrical and powerful. Readers are transported into a post-apocalyptic world where Harry and his dog are surviving just fine until he encounters another human and invites him to sleep the night in his shelter. He starts to want more than just survival. I betaed this fic, and I waited for every chapter with baited breath. It was only posted a few days before the new year, but it’s been a big and bright part of my 2020.

Lemon Eyes by @turnyourankle​

My bookmark comment really says it all: “Sweet like tooth rot. Diverse non penetrative sex. Verse a/o” So if you love well-written non-penetrative and verse sexy times in fics, this is for you. If you want gentle Louis with a reputation and virgin Harry, this is also for you. I can’t get over these pining, lovely cuties.

Give A Little Sing to The Singles by ladylonderry @londonderrytea​

Buckle in for a hilarious ride with this one. Harry is the new guy in a boring office job, but just being around his coworker Louis is absolutely worth the drudgery. This fic also features a whole cast of familiar and wonderful characters. It’s a real gem.

Let’s Talk About Making Love by istajmaal 

I found this fic again in 2020, and I still love it. Niall makes Harry dial a phone sex line and gets bossed around a little bit by Louis. Harry maybe calls back…a lot. The dynamic of kink discovery is really well written, but so is the way their relationship evolves and deepens. Sweet, sexy, and absolutely satisfying. 

Honorary mention to a similar fic where Harry is the phone sex operator: Take Our Bodies Higher by @littlelouishiccups​

Knocked Me Sideways by @ferryboatpeak​

Even if you normally don’t read other pairings than Larry, give this one a shot. I am absolutely obsessed with this verse where Jack Lowden has a life-changing one night stand with Harry. This non-famous au with mpreg Harry is so unlike anything else, in a good way. The story is told from Jack’s perspective, and his emotionally stunted but well-intentioned narrative made my heart flutter, break, and soar.

My English Love Affair by @isthatyoularry​

This is a fandom classic apparently, but I had never read it! Famous/non famous au where Louis sleeps with the indie rockstar Harry Styles more than a few times and maybe gets a song written about him, but it’s no big deal. The characters really pull you in and the mixture of sweet, sexy, funny, and angsty is just right.

Have a Nice Trip by @kingsofeverything​

This funny, sexy, and adorable short fic follows roommates trying shrooms in quarantine and maybe being a bit more candid than planned. I’ve read this at least five times. It never fails to make me smile.

And my favorite of my own fics from this year…

Simple Gifts by me! @larryatendoftheday​

I have a soft spot for this sweet, short fic about finding meaning and joy in unusual times. It was born out of the anxiety of 2020, and I think I will probably always be proud of it. Check it out if you want something gentle and hopeful.

Happy New Year!  Now go read! ❤

138 notes • Posted 2021-01-02 13:10:15 GMT

#2

Just Your Jinx

by @larryatendoftheday

10k words | Harry/Louis | Teen and Up

Harry Styles may or may not have accidentally jinxed his extremely fit new neighbor, and it's not so easy to make things right.

Featuring witch Harry, mind-reading Mitch, stress baking, and a series of entertaining events.

~~~

Harry grabs a basket and a couple bags of chips from the first endcap. That will be his apology gift, he figures. Like, “Oh I’m so sorry I accidentally jinxed you, but I fixed it! Have some chips!” Yeah, he is going to need more than chips.

He groans and scrubs at his face with his free hand. God he really fucked up this time. Right there in the middle of the aisle is a big bin of stuffed animals. Maybe he can bury himself in there and just—

“Good evening.”

Harry whirls around searching for the source of the voice. At the end of the aisle is an employee peering at him over a cart of boxes. “Hi,” Harry manages to say.

“How can I help you, tonight?” the man asks.

Harry laughs wryly. “Not sure you can.” Not sure there’s any good way out of jinxing your cute new neighbor.

The worker hums in response but doesn’t keep moving. Harry shuffles his feet and glances at the shelves, wishing he would stop looking at him. Would sour candies help with the apology? No, probably not.

“Yeah, probably not.”

Read it now on AO3.

154 notes • Posted 2021-10-30 03:16:07 GMT

#1

You Can See It with the Lights Out

8500 words | Mature | Soulmates AU

Written by @larryatendoftheday​

Editor @sunshineandthemoonlight​

Support and ideas @justthegirljada

In a universe where you know as soon as you meet your soulmate, Harry’s been shaking hands his whole career, waiting for the one.

Eleanor laughs as she blows out her smoke. “Sorry, forgot you hate smoking.” He must have cringed, damn it. She grinds her fag out on the bottom of her shoe. “Unless it’s Louis, of course.”

Harry laughs self-consciously. “Yeah, maybe.” Probably. Definitely, if he’s honest. His brain swirls for a minute, groping for the reason, for why that might be, before he closes his eyes and lets himself focus on the rocking of the swing instead.

When he opens his eyes again, Eleanor is looking at him with the tiniest knowing smirk. Logically, he knows that she can’t see much in the night, but somehow he feels exposed. She leans back and pushes their swing higher. “You know… when I met my soulmate, I didn’t realize right away.”

Written for @sweetsubharry​ through @secretlarryvalentine​! I was working right until the end to put the final touches on this. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did making it!! ❤💞

205 notes • Posted 2021-03-01 01:12:50 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[galadrieljones]

Year End Writer’s Roundup 2020

Thank you for the tags @thevikingwoman @luzial and @a-shakespearean-in-paris. I got tagged in two different versions of this, so I tried to combine them. 

AO3 name: galadrieljones

Fandoms: Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us, The Walking Dead, Dragon Age: Inquisition

Number of fics: This year, I worked on six total fics for fandom: four chapter wips, plus two one-shots.

Word count for the year (published/unpublished): I won’t count my unpublished words lol. That would be hard, as they’re spread all over, like in my notes on my phone, on my old computer, every which where. But published word count is:

~122,000

I wrote a lot of words this year, though not as much as last year. That said, I wrote for more fandoms this year! Last year, I wrote only for RDR2. This year, I was a little more...distractible lol.

Magnolia (Daryl Dixon x Beth Greene, TWD) - 20k 

As You Were (Joel Miller x OC, TLoU) - 47k

The Lily Farm (Arthur Morgan x Mary Beth Gaskill, RDR2) - 30k

That he may hold  (Arthur Morgan x Albert Mason, RDR2) - 21k

“Grand Junction Wine” (Joel & Ellie, TLoU, one-shot) - 1200

“A Festive Sort of Place” (Lavellan x Abelas, DAI, one-shot) - 550

Fic I spent the most time on: Probably As You Were. That was my main project all summer, until Beth Greene and Daryl Dixon.

Fic I Spent the Least Time On: The Lily Farm, sadly. Well, both of my RDR2 fics, but in relation to its length and scope, The Lily Farm got the least amount of love this year. As a story it is extremely ambitious. It was never supposed to get this big!! Finishing it would be a massive feat for me.

Favorite thing I wrote: My favorite thing I’ve ever written at any moment is usually the thing I’m writing RIGHT NOW, which is Magnolia. My favorite part of (published) Magnolia so far is probably Chapter 6: “Bullseye”, as Daryl realizes that he is in love with Beth, and it is solidified via the fact that she is just like extremely good at scavenging supplies from post-apocalyptic Target. I mean, it’s more than that, but it seems to me that love can become real in weird, little ways that seem inconsequential until they’re not. I wrote the little Target bit as a way to almost kill time several chapters back when they were escaping Atlanta, and I was excited to give it so much value. I mean, the chapter title itself, “Bullseye,” is a nod to Target, as well as to Noah’s observation that Daryl must be in love with Beth, which is a straight up “bullseye" in and of itself, and also the fact that Daryl is fletching arrows for a great deal of the chapter. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, because I got to dig into Daryl with a lot of might.

Favorite Thing I Read: Winter in the Blood by James Welch. It’s a beautiful book.

Writing Goals For Next Year: I know better than to set any sort of longterm goals for myself. My values as a writer are just too chimeric. Though it would be nice to finish The Lily Farm and That he may hold. The latter is much, much closer than the former. I’d also like to just keep writing Magnolia and shipping Bethyl with all my might. The Walking Dead will be back in exactly two months and I am READY. Just more canon for me to fix, as far as I'm concerned. And honestly this probably sounds insane given where I was at a couple months ago, but I literally can’t wait to write Negan, rofl. In fact I can’t wait so much that I put a sneak peak of good ol’ Negan right toward the end of Part 2 >:)

Fic I want to rewrite/expand on: I would like to expand Magnolia and As You Were. The Lily Farm and That he may hold are in kill instinct territory. No more expanding. Only finishing. 

Share a bit of a WIP or story idea you’re working on: 

"You gonna be okay?"

“I'll be fine," said Noah. "You go on up there. Give this to Daryl for me." He handed Beth the dandelion.

She twirled it in her fingers, brought it to her nose. "These things always smelled like feet to me."

"Yeah, me, too," said Noah.

Tags! I don’t know who has done this already, so I’m sorry if you’ve already been tagged. No pressure, only if you’d like: @idrelle @shallow-gravy @midnightprelude @justaconsequence @commonevilmastermind @heysales @salexectria @darylbeth @ocean-in-my-rebel-soul @redinkofshame @roguelioness @buttsonthebeach

[lululawrence]

Hey! I'm the nonnie who asked about the Zouis and Lilo fics! :) thank you so much for answering, it'd be so great if you could rec some of the fics you have saved, I'd appreciate that! I actually can't quite remember the name of the Zouis fic I've read recently, it was about Zayn moving back to Louis because he broke up with his boyfriend and needed some comfort from his best friend. There doesn't really happen anything between them romantically, it's just hinting at it. Thanks again!! :)

yay!! i’m glad you came! gotta love rare pairs hehe

so it sounds like the one you read is the one that i’ve got at the top of this month’s fic list! wasn’t it amazing?? i loved it so much! @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed was the author of it (driving down a one way road (to something better) by we_are_the_same for those who want to look it up, i highly recommend it) and i thoroughly enjoyed it, so i’m glad you did too!

okay so i’m going to do the rec by pairing, the first one will be zouis and then i’ll do lilo. my one caveat is that i haven’t read all of these, BUT the ones i haven’t are now on my to read list since i’ve found them lollll i’m actually really really excited for some of these lilo ones i haven’t read.

i also wanted to give a shout out to @missytearex as well as her side blog @1drarepairfics! she’s on hiatus right now, but her tagging system is AMAZING and it’s because of her that i found most of these that i haven’t had the chance to read yet. if you have already read most of what i rec OR work your way through this list, then defo give her blogs a try and see what you can find there! okay! 

here we go, let’s have some fun!

Zouis

Unplanned Circumstances by @haztobegood / haztobegood (9k, Secret Agent Zayn, MPreg Louis, One Night Stand, Part 1! I can’t wait for part 2 lollll, written for @wallsficfest)

When We Hold On (To the Past) by @louandhazaf / YesIsAWorld (4k, Fallen Angels, I haven’t read this one yet but Nic is amazing and thus I’m reccing all her Zouis fics hehe, written for @wordplayfics)

Fistiana by @louandhazaf / YesIsAWorld (2k, Undercover Bare Knuckle Boxing, she also tagged this homoeroticism and who isn’t here for that??)

sort of like that disney movie the 13th year by kingsoftheimpossible (2k, mermaids!!!, that’s legit all i know about this one, @londonfoginacup recced it though so you know it’s good hehe)

I Wanna Dance With Somebody by @fallinglikethis / FallingLikeThis (3k, DJ Zayn, Groomsman Louis, I think, lollll I haven’t read this one either but Tabby’s fics are incredible always)

Make Up Your Heart by @fallinglikethis​ / FallingLikeThis (4k, Canon Compliant, ANGST, sad Louis, Reconciliation, promise it’s a happy ending hehe)

Sugar, Yes Please by @fallinglikethis​ / FallingLikeThis (3k, Fake Relationship, Craigslist, Wedding AU)

Tin Roof Series by @uhohmorshedios / yeah_alright (300, this is a two part series that was written for @wordplayfics and it’s so short but I LOVE IT SO MUCH, she packs so much into those words)

Lilo

Those Hometown Lights by @louandhazaf​ / YesIsAWorld (3k, friends to lovers, Skype Sex, written for Wankfest, this was so good omg)

I Got the Recipe (And It’s Called Black Magic) by @fallinglikethis​ / FallingLikeThis (10k, Famous/Non-Famous, magic, Pop Star Liam, sad Louis, this fic sounds so amazing lolll)

all pressed up in black and white by @mybfhas27tattoos / HazHas4Nips (15k, friends to lovers, lawyer Liam, journalist Louis, this was one of those fics written for @1drarepairfest that I meant to read and never got to, but now I have remembered I defo need to)

emergence (or, the process of coming into view) by @alakeeffectgirl / Lake (beyond_belief) (27k, written for @onedirectionbigbang round 2, Space Fic, Future Fic, Liam is a botanist on the space station, I’m not sure what Louis does haha, This is another one of those fics where I’m like how... did I miss this?)

Smile Again by @mistresscurvy / mistresscurvy (17k, Holidays, Fake Relationship, Misunderstandings, is there really anything else you need? lol)

i’m never gonna fall (but i’m never hard to catch) by @lovedyouless / carissima (5k, Accidental relationship, everything you need to know is the first line from the summary: TFLN: we were supposed to fuck one time, but ended up fucking for 2 years)

don’t you hear me howling by @foxesmouth / theamazingpeterparker (orphan_account) (14k, Childhood Friends, University, Werewolf Louis, Human Liam, I’M SOLD dunno about you lol)

Second Time’s the Charm by sunshineflying (21k, written for @1dbigbang round 3, University, based on the YouTube “Strangers Kissing” video, I’m so excited because I love that video and so many fics that came from it have been great)

Which One Of Us Is Caving by @apayneinthearse / wasp (19k, Boss Liam, Snarky Assistant Louis, this was described as SLOW BURN and I am here for that hehe)

And that’s it! I do also have two honorable mentions to finish with, though hehe @louandhazaf did a “kisses” challenge and every chapter posted is a different kind of kiss with loads of pairings, and there are Zouis as well as Lilo in there! That’s titled And Let Me Kiss You and they are short and sweet and I highly recommend them. I also did some Drabbles for Harry's Birthday Drive 2019 and one was Zouis, so if you’re interested you can check that out too :D

I hope you like these and that there’s some new ones you hadn’t seen before! Happy reading!

[jacobblackredemptionblog]

all of your posts on jacob are super valid. I was wondering if you had any good fic recommendations? I'm especially privy to fix-it fics or do-over fics

hey :) thanks! i should preface this list by admitting that a lot of the jacob/bella fics i have read and loved were BEFORE i had an ao3 account, so i had no way of keeping track of them. alas, i have never been able to find some of the best ones i remember. also i can be hella picky with my fics, especially for this pairing because 75% of them are 1) ooc to the extreme, 2) edward-bashing, or 3) written by a twelve year old. ALSO a lot of these are bella-centric, which can be good, but it’s really difficult to find any works with a well-written jacob (which is uhhhh my intention). the following is a list of well-rated fics i have read and enjoyed:

The Definition of Want by audreyii_fic (56k, E) is a must-read for all fans of Jacob/Bella. It’s the most popular of the fics on this list, and for good reason: it’s well-written, super smutty, and sweet. Warning for graphic sex (but we’re all adults here) (i hope). The author has several other drabbles & shorts of equal relevance.

Sway, Wolf Voodoo, and Tea by AvaJune (17k, E) is also a good one. Premise: Edward is unconsciously mind-washing Bella via his magic vampire powers. A lil dub-con of forcing Bella to drink magic tea, which made me go “mmm??” but still a good story.

Whether the Weather Be Grey by runningsissors (13k, T) is a lil angsty piece about Bella realizing Edward isn’t what she wants. She comes home and runs into Jake. Really well-written. This author has a few other excellent shorts (I recommend Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day and We’ll Dress You Up Like You’re Good and New).

ok now here are a lot that i have not read, but i scoured the web and they’re all completed with good reviews (let me know if you read any of these and enjoy them, cause then i will too lol):

Return to Sender by grrlinterrupted (35k, E): “Jake fell in love with his friend Bella the summer he was thirteen. Five years later, she's back, and ready for far more than friendship, but each is waiting for the other to make the first move. No monsters, no magic, just fluff.”

Better Now by orphan_account (sad days, I hate orphan accounts) (101k, E) I’m pretty sure this is a famous one? I’ve never read it, oh well. “Charlie got Bella the professional help she needed when Edward took off. Now Edward's back - and she's different. AU New Moon - after Volterra - and Eclipse. Mostly in-character, Edward's not villainized.”

Over the Moon by Flaming Maple (76k, M): “Almost home, and almost about to discover Alice, Bella looks up, instead of away. Her future unfolds in a remarkably different way—this time, with Jacob. The vampires, however, whose paths have crossed hers before, are not done with her yet. Bella’s first year at college is more challenging than she ever expected.” Warning: Major Character Death (don’t worry, it’s not Jacob or Bella)

Living/Breathing by sadbrowngirlpoetry (51k, T): “Bella asks Jacob to leave Forks with her — he accepts. Only the web of the supernatural she has caught herself into is not easy to escape. A re-write of New Moon, beginning on page 286 in Chapter 12: "Intruder".”

Daybreak by VivaJayne (109k, M): “I risked a quick glance at Jacob's face. His eyes were boring into mine, indecision and longing written on his face. How could you?”

The Natural Path by MarieCarro (17k, T): “Bella hesitates at the cliff just before she's about to jump when her hallucinatory Edward tells her to move on. He tells her to be happy and she wonders what he means with that. Just then, Jake appears, looking scared when he sees Bella stand by the edge. Bella wonders if she's supposed to move on and be happy with Jake.”

Full Moon by lucy quinn fabray (21k, T): “A New Moon rewrite from Jacob's POV. Edward leaves Bella and she spirals into a deep depression. Jacob offers her happiness and undying loyalty. But things get complicated shortly thereafter...”

Youth Knows No Pain by HalcyonSeasons (6k, T, but it’s a trilogy so it adds up to 25k): “Bella and Jacob drive off together on spring break. No parents, no Sam Uley, nothing. Will their friendship survive? Will it grow stronger? Here is my take on a particular scene in New Moon. "Maybe we should just get out of here. Just leave. Just you and me. We can get away from Sam and everything, even it's just for a little while."”

this is by no means a comprehensive list, or even a good one. i wish i’d read more fanfic in this fandom. also, now that i’m thinking about it, the lack of good jacob fic is making me want to frickin write!

[blainesebastian]

Get to know your author: 10,12,13 and 15

thank you sweetie!  xox

10) write in silence or with background noise? with people or alone?

always alone but sometimes when i have dialogue that pops into my head, i’ll stop what i’m doing and write out a scene with someone around me. but that never turns out as well as when i’m alone. i usually write with background music, like i have instrumental playlists--but I’ve been writing seblaine in silence recently and it’s been working for me. so i might keep doing that until it i need more inspiration lol 

12) your weaknesses as an author

i love providing imagery, which could be a strength but depending on the reader, they might not want a large piece of writing having a lot of description. some people like digging into dialogue and that’s just not who i am lol i love taking the time to map scenes out and provide as much imagery as possible--like i said, this could probably go both ways depending what kind of reader you are. 

13) your strengths as an author

writing a lot in a short amount of time (i wrote that seblaine chapter fic of 21k in two days). i also usually don’t have trouble with mass edits either. now i’m not saying that everything i write is gold and i still have to do general edits, but i’ve been pretty lucky with being able to crank fic out when i want / need to. 

15) why did you start writing?

i don’t remember why i started writing, that was probably back in 2010(?) maybe even earlier. i feel like i’ve always been very emotionally invested in TV and characters so I started writing self-inserts into fanfic before I adopted other characters. I’m a big day dreamer so I picture a lot of canon self-inserts and canon divergence anyways so why not put it into fic for anyone else to enjoy? Besides, once I started, I built little fic families with other writers and that’s something priceless. 

get to know your author! 

[ghostyprince]

@ej81199 Hey I absolutely love fanfics where Shane and Ryan have some sort of miscommunication. Like there’s one where Ryan unconsciously kisses Shane and Shane then believes they’re in a relationship. Could you maybe write one where there’s some miscommunication or suggest ones you know of? Thanks!

I love that fic a lot, I re-read it again yesterday, so good timing haha. Whoo boy, I had this longer fic idea in my head for a while, I’m just not very good at writing longer stuff, or more like I’m afraid to do so lol. But maybe one day I’ll definitely write that. Maybe when the boys will be finally back consistently and I’ll be more inspired. It’s basically miscommunication with pining, and honestly, I’m pretty sure it’s been done in the fandom, I rarely read very long stuff, but I might want to get it out of my system. I just need to work out some plot points and ACTUALLY write it etc. As for recs I have these perhaps, most of this I’ve read and can tell you they’re amazing:  (Some of them are more like pining, hope that’s okay! And they’re all finished pieces because that’s all I read. Also if anyone has anything else to add, please do!!)

title: play me like a love song by sky_somedays rating: T word count: 9.9k chapters: 1/1 summary: Wikipedia articles aren’t valid research sources. -s Sent from my iPhone“When he torpedoes you on Rate My Professor you’re gonna deserve it,” TJ informs him.Or: Shane is Ryan’s beleaguered history TA. Ryan won’t stop suggesting insane theories.

I love this one, if you’re into teacher!Shane it’s a BIG hit.

title: So He Won’t Break by drunkkenobi rating: E word count: 40k chapters: 7/7 summary: Shane breaks his ankle and needs help so Ryan offers to stay with him. Lots of hurt/comfort with a side of broken ankle related hijinks and a nice helping of mutual pining.

This is probably my favorite multi-chaptered fic in the fandom. More like pining/slow-burn but so so good and sweet.

title: Maybe, Kinda by babbyspanch rating: G word count: 2.3k chapters: 1/1 summary: Ryan is having a tough day. Okay, tough week. Alright it’s been a tough few months but he’s got it handled okay? He’s handed over the editing of Unsolved to a team and now… well he’s still distracted, but he’s trying. But, Shane just makes it really hard to focus.

This is adorable and I love it a lot. They have tagged miscommunication also, so.

title: Technicolor (the dream’s fading away) by Amuse_me rating: T word count: 1.3k chapters: 1/1 summary: “Did you just realise that the fancy restaurant I took you out to was a date?” Shane’s voice was incredulous, but thankfully contained a hint of mirth in it. “I- uh- shit, dude!” “I wore a tie for you.”

Again, super cute stuff, have miscommunication tagged.

title: Finders Keepers by blacktofade rating: M word count: 2.8k chapters: 1/1 summary: Ryan wakes with a hangover and an empty bed, and only one of them he expects.

Honestly you should check everything out by blacktofade because they’re a fucking amazing writer, this fic is no exception.

title: Bed-warm Hands and the Ghost of Elvis by MiraclesofPaul rating: T word count: 21k chapters: 1/1 summary: They get used to sharing a bed while filming the show. Ryan’s just trying not to let his feelings get in the way.So Ryan tells himself he’s going to ride out whatever it is they’ve fallen into, but he’ll bow out gracefully when the time comes. He can just enjoy the now.

This fic!!! The writing style, the characterization, absolutely everything. Bunch of miscommunication on top of that, I’m pretty sure you’ll love this!

title: what’s the point of this again? by touchinghearts rating: T word count: 9.3k chapters: 1/1 summary: When Ryan invites Shane back for a holiday week to meet his family during a big reunion, it doesn’t even occur to Shane that it could be a big deal.

I suppose this could fit here too to an extent?

title: friends with benefits by abovetheruins rating: E ? word count: 1k part of the collection called all the fresh starts

I think this fits here too, and I honestly won’t ever shut up about how much I adore everything abovetheruins writes and you should check them all out.

And basically this is all I have, I hope I could help!

[jaymendell]

Every Road Will Lead You Home

so!! the finale was posted today, which means i can now officially start freaking out about writing the full version lol. 

i'm gonna be taking advantage of NaNo to do this, which means i’ll probably only post a couple of stories during the month of november, but if i finish early (doubtful, but possible), i can take advantage of the time to get more content out there!

obviously, i wanna thank everyone for the encouragement and well-wishes so far, feedback is truly the best motivator! it makes me so happy to know that people enjoy my work and want to see more of it. 

so, with that in mind, there’s something i want your opinions on!

current plan is to stick all 31 finished stories in an anthology, and one of the major things that needs to be addressed is bonus content!! obviously there’s gonna be at least 30k more words than what the series has right now (around 21k), so there’s going to be a lot more story, but i also want to put in some cool exclusive shit! i already have at least one of those things planned out, but i wanna put in around four in total, so that leaves three open slots. 

is there anything from this universe that you guys want to see expanded? different povs, alternate universes (i have a role-reversal au in my head that is begging to be let out), or even your own favorite tale that didn’t get featured? please let me know!

i don’t necessarily want to flood my tumblr with updates, so would y’all be more interested in seeing that from my twitter? lemme know what the preference on that is. obviously, big/long updates will go on tumblr, but little things that occur to me while writing would probably be better on twitter. if people have a specific tale they're excited for, i might be persuaded to post an excerpt from the chapter! (๑ゝڡ◕๑)

again, thanks so much for the love that the series has gotten so far. it truly makes me so happy, and i can only hope that y’all continue to enjoy as we move on in the process. stay tuned! <3

(my ko-fi)

[boosolmates]

Okay....let’s play pretend

pretend its actually Sunday and I’m not late af

okay?

Okay.

Remember that fic rec I promised 2k years ago? No? I don’t blame you. I forgot too. But here, here I have some fics that I believe if you ship Verkwan you just gotta read. Why? 

you just gotta.

so, without further a-do

these are some of my favorite SVT fics with Verkwan in no particular order at all btw.

Welcome to Seventeen *

AO3

Greysoo

Synopsis: In which all the members of Seventeen work under Seventeen magazine.

Notes: Okay I’m literally a sucker for Office/Work AUs and this is a perfect example of my tastes. I tend to read funny, cracky, light and fluffy stuff (sorry if you’re looking for angst lmao). This story has the pairings kind og take a back seat there are moments and stuff you have to kinda squint to see them all but Verkwna is the main couple. If you wanna laugh and you enjoy Meanie then I say check it out! Warning it’s 13 chapters but I don’t believe it’s done and author-nim hasn’t updated in awhile….(hence the one asterisk)

And They Told Me Office Jobs Were Boring***

AO3

By Achilleus

Synopsis:"When I accepted this position," Seungcheol hisses, "I figured it would be easy. I would just have to review some articles, correct some spelling errors, maybe conduct an interview or two...but instead, I get this." He gestures aimlessly with his hand to absolutely nothing, but Junhui more or less understands what he's getting at.

OR: Seungcheol is Jeonghan's bitch (for forever, bitch), Seungkwan and Hansol are broken up (and never ever getting back together, like ever), Junhui is attempting to woo Minghao via horoscopes, Soonyoung and Seokmin have a bet going on (with both their cash money and bodies at stake), and something's going on with Wonwoo and Mingyu but no one knows what. At least that's how the story starts...it gets a bit messy later on.

Notes: Easily one of my favorites omg I love it so much!! Like I said I love office aus and it’s like Welcome to Seventeen with a bit more drama and all of my favorite ships it’s just starting and it seems very promising! It makes me smile/laugh like a complete dork and I can’t wait to find out what happened between Seungkwan and Vernon….

Show Me Your Fallen In Love Face ***

AO3

By Unfunny

Synopsis: Seungkwan likes the regular. Somewhere, Jihoon is sighing. (or, the AU where Seventeen are uni students on summer break and half of them work in a pizza joint)

Notes: I LOVE THIS FIC! Omg it’s one of my favorites honestly! 21K of pure pinning and really cute Verkwan. I love fics where the mutual feelings just kind of make them a thing and they naturally fall in love. Call me cheesy, I live for this kind of stuff.

All I’m Asking For **

AO3

By Unfunny

Synopsis: Hansol is so, so screwed.

Notes: This little one-shot continuation of Show Me Your Fallen In Love Face (sorta) one of my favorite Verkwan fics was too great! I loved the additional members and the way they write the crew is so realistic and funny (contrary to the name). I recommend if you want fluffy established relationship Verkwan; read this.

Candy Canes and Lipstick Stains

AFF

By RomanosCheese

Synopsis: “I bet you’d look dead sexy in a miniskirt, though.”

“Hansol, the only one who's going to be anything remotely ‘dead’ in the near future is you!”

Notes: This is smut but with like a hecka lot of plot. It’s a slow burn but tbvh the smut is A1. I love how the author wrote it naturally. It felt like a couple making love not like most smuts (they're all good tho lol) but the way they act seems so intimate...so real….aaahhhhh Plus this fic is why I have a thing for Seungkwan in tight girl clothes and Vernon have an Oppa kink jsjsjsjssj

Found in Translation***

AO3

By Naegahosh

Synopsis: Let's be real here, airports are the most cliché place ever for a break up. But it happens. Yet so does a start of something, and that's when the beauty of cliché kicks in.

Notes: OKAY! This author did such a great job! They had to have watched tens of thousands of those rom-com flicks because this fic is so movie-esque. Plus it’s incredibly romantiiiiiicccccc! Ugh I was squealing the whole time reading! Definitely if you want a really cute rom com with Meanie thrown in I promise you won’t be disappointed!

you in your high-tops any day**

AO3 AO3

By Brightlight

Synopsis: “Can’t we just be like, friends who exclusively hook up with each other? Isn’t that a thing?” Seungkwan asks.

Hansol nods. “That sounds like it should definitely be a thing.”

“Okay. Then we’re that,” Seungkwan decides, raising his popsicle up to knock against Hansol’s at their decision. A cheers, of sorts.

++

Hansol and Seungkwan are very certain that they're not dating, but no one else they know is.

Notes: More natural couple-y stuff lmao like that literally my favorite way for Verkwan to get together. That mutual feeling and crushing and pining till they finally do something...it’s beautiful. Read this if you want chill casual domestic stuff.

In the Eye of the Beholder*******

AO3

By Woozifi

Synopsis: Vernon is a half-demon, and a lifetime of prejudice and watching people avoid him for his frightening appearance has made him alone and friendless for most of his life. Seungkwan is a breath of fresh air, willing to approach him when no one else will—maybe because he's just that nice of a person, probably because he is completely, totally blind.

Notes: O KA Y. I am not okay after reading this. First off, Woozifi is my favorite artist and their writing style is beautiful. I love the way they write the crew and the stories they create. Like the world they created was so unique and without having to explain a lot I was able to envision it. A bit angsty and it holds a very meaningful moral at the end of the day. I could go on and on about how amazing this fic is, but you'll know after you read it tbvh. Okay, I’m being a little biased but it's seriously a masterpiece of over 30k words! GO READ IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YA! (added Soonseok, Jicheol?)  

it’s in the stars **

AO3

By boo98 (butter)

Synopsis: Seungkwan has two older sisters, which he likes to use as an excuse for being an absolutely awful romantic.

Notes: Okay unpopular opinion; I don’t really like soulmate AUs. Nothing’s wrong with them, just not my cup of tea. However, this story was too sweet, too cute and fluffy for me NOT to enjoy. I love how they wrote the characters! (some side! Soonseok and another couple I wont ruin the surprise read it ;0)