#fanfic: mine

[owiil]

A future where Stiles and Derek live in a mountain town that’s not Beacon Hills (Derek has long since admitted the fact that he enjoys having nature to run around in, more so now that he can achieve a full shift), and Derek owns a bar that tends to attract a lot of the supernatural type. It’s just called Hale, and isn’t intended to be for supernatural folk, but when they start coming, Derek makes sure the message is clear that it’s neutral ground.

At some point Derek and Stiles get into a petty argument. They have an agreement that they never walk out on each other angry, but Derek’s already an hour late picking up the kegs and leaves when Stiles storms off to the bathroom to piss.

Given that Stiles is really, very adamant about not walking away angry, Derek shouldn’t be at all surprised that Stiles comes charging into the bar two hours later (Derek will find out that the Jeep had a flat tire and Stiles walked), shouting, “Fuck you, Derek Hale, that was not okay,” as he stomps up to the bar, sweating a little in the summer night heat, shirt sticking to him. Everybody’s staring--regulars recognize Stiles as the local Sheriff who never comes to the bar (Stiles likes to give Derek his space, and he has been to the bar, just not when patrons are there--besides, if things get out of hand at Hale well... Derek's more than got it covered) and are wondering if their bar tender is about to be arrested.

Stiles stops in front of the bar, snarls, “I am fucking livid, so you’re going to give me your keys so I can drive home. But first I want to hear you say you love me.”

Derek, to everyone’s still mounting surprise, fishes his keys out of his pocket, hands them over while nodding, and sighs an irritated, “I love you, Stiles.”

“I fucking love you too,” is more spit and rage than any kind of endearment or warmth. Then the Sheriff is snatching away Derek’s keys and stalking back across the bar, shoving through the front door violently enough the frame rattles.

[itkeepsyouaround]

TITLE: clutched my life & wish it kept (dearest love, i’m not done yet)

[1/4]: the injury of finally knowing you

SUMMARY: In the end, all roads lead to you. Pairing: Gaz x Death!Reader, Price x Death!Reader Word Count: 1k

WARNING: no beta, no proofread, first time doing a reader fic. reader is death, but tf141 are kinda into it?

A/N: dipping my writing skills into this fandom for the first time. have a ton of ideas for one-shots and series, but this one popped into my head and i had to get it out.

Death was a stranger.

One that Gaz had no intention of meeting anytime soon. There were several almosts. He almost got blown to shit in Piccadilly. He almost gets riddled with bullets. Hell, he almost chokes on a hotdog laughing too hard at a joke. The cigarettes were a slow building almost, but he put in an effort to quit. Delay things a bit longer. Compared to his teammates, Gaz was the hardest for you to track down. He’s impatient to a degree, wants justice a little too much at times. Played with the idea of throwing out the rules of engagement a time or two and handling shit. Yet he had alluded you at every turn.

It takes a helicopter and some rope for Kyle Garrick to get a glimpse of you.

“Sergeant!” 

Nik’s voice barely registers. It’s a whisper in the wind compared to the vehicles that whip past his head and narrowly miss cracking him in the skull. Nik calling out to him is a memory in the back of his mind that ends up scraping on the gravel and dirt the moment he slams against the ground briefly. He loses his rifle and probably a bit of blood in the fall, but he doesn’t lose his bearings. Not completely anyway. At least that’s his hope, as his blurry vision clears and his eyes lock onto the unbelievable.

He sees Death itself.

He sees you.

Gaz sees your face in each passing car and truck he narrowly misses. It’s not hard to notice someone beautiful like you amongst the men currently trying to kill him. He swears time slows, his eyes finding yours in every direction he looks. You’re oblivious to the chaos around you, hair whipping around from the wind. No one seems to take notice of you. Only him. He wonders if it’s intentional or some sort of sign that his time is coming. He wonders a hundred other thoughts in the brief moment he has before voices begin to yell over comms. 

“Captain, Gaz fell out!”

“Say again?!”

“The sergeant! He’s gone!” 

Not yet.

Gaz heard the voice in his head as he reached for his pistol. Only that voice in his head wasn’t his. Neither was it the voices of his teammates. It was yours. Soft as a feather, the words glided through his mind. Gentle. Hell, it was a little encouraging. Your lips didn’t move when you spoke, your eyes still tracking him with growing interest. You smile. You fucking smile and it’s so damn stunning that Gaz nearly drops his pistol. It was a moment, barely a beat, before the truck you were in zoomed past his head. He dodged, head on a swivel, as he tried to find you again to no avail. Adrenaline began to kick in, sending Gaz fully back into the action.

“I’m not dead, Nik! I’m hanging from a bloody rope!” 

He hears your laugh in his head at his words. Amused was what you were. Even if he couldn’t see you, he knew. Your face isn’t anywhere to be seen by the time he finally takes aim at his attackers. Death was not claiming him that day. If anything, you were going to have to watch him make the comeback of a century. 

And what a goddamn comeback it was.

Gaz waited until they touched ground and were well on their way towards medical before he brought you up to Price. The frenzy around him, the sight of you watching, then disappearing from his sight. Hearing your voice in his head, feeling the echoes of you long after you were gone. There was death and then there was Death… and Capital-D-You-Death was not real. You couldn’t be real. Surely he had to have cracked his head a little too hard back there, right?

“Sounds like her,” Price huffed out, “Always needed a front row seat, that one.”

Gaz half-wondered if Price also had his shit rocked during the fight. Maybe the good captain took a tumble himself. There was no way he heard those words correctly.

“Sir?” he asked, unsure of what else to say. 

“She comes for us all in the end, but you can spot her in the close calls.”

Price brought his gaze down to meet Gaz’s. Ocean eyes kept steady, holding the sergeant’s confused look with absolute certainty.

“Try not to let her visit too often, yeah?”

“I’ll try my best, Cap’.”

Price watched as the medic came into view and ushered Gaz into another room to get him checked over. His hand fished into his pocket for a cigar, bringing it to his lips once he retrieved it. He moved towards his other pocket for his lighter, but found himself pausing. Though there was no other in the room with him, Price knew he wasn’t alone. There was no mistaking the sensation that came over him. Your touch to his cheek, warm and familiar.

He knew your touch well.

“You can’t have him,” Price warned you, gravel in his voice. The words dripped with authority. “You can’t have any of ‘em.”

Price felt the pressure at his back. Light, but just as warm. Like a lover leaning in to embrace him from behind. As macabre as it was, Price found his eyelids falling closed at the at feeling, tipping back his head with a soft sigh. A release that brought ease to his shoulders. It had been too long since he felt something so intimate. What the hell does it say about him? That these days he could only find such solace with Death itself? 

“You can’t have me either, sweetheart.” 

Though he could not see you, Price felt your fingertips brush over the hair along his jaw. He held still, hands resisting the urge to reach out. To try and touch in return. To feel you. It wasn’t until he felt the warmth dissipate that he moved again. You left. Left him cold. Alone. At least until the next time you decided to visit. Price knew you had his number. It was only a matter of time. One bad day. One wrong move. He’d go down fighting, then find you waiting for him. He made peace with that long ago.

Until then, he’d make sure you kept your distance from him and his.

[kittyoncescribbled]

Summary: Zoro is scared, which... doesn't happen a lot;

Word count: 483;

Rating/Content Warnings: PG-13; AFAB reader;

Author’s note: This is just a small blurb based on these prompts. I'm still getting back in my groove when it comes to writing, so a fluffy short blurb felt amazing to write. If you enjoy reading, please like/reblog. Or send me your feedback! That's always appreciated (feedback on my lil header would also be amazing);

Request by: @gingernut1314.

“You scare me, you know”.

You looked up at Zoro, brows furring in confusion. You were lying in bed together, a mess of tangled limbs and the scent of alcohol still thick in the air. Zoro had your head pushed flushed to his chest, his fingers lightly tangled in your hair and his fingertips massaging your scalp while your nails traced lazy abstract patterns on his honeyed skin. Your breathing was just now falling to a normal pattern, but you could still feel your legs a little shaky.

“What? Roronoa Zoro, how could I scare you?” you asked, genuinely confused. On the scale of danger, you ranked ridiculously low among your strawhat crew; hell, even Chopper had more menace into him with his rumble balls. You were in the crew because A) the crew needed someone to keep the daily tasks like laundry running smoothly and B) Luffy tended to pick his crew mates the same way he’d get stray cats from the streets. You were rescued on a tiny island where a pirate had decided to set base and you, among other young women, were made captive and turned into maids; the less fortunate ones had even worse tasks. Zoro was the one who found you after the fight broke out between the strawhats and the other pirates: you were hidden inside a cabinet, with a knife on your hand and tear stains on your cheeks. If it weren't for Zoro’s reflexes, he would've ended with a nice scar on his face as you jumped out of your hiding place ready to cause at least a little damage on your way out. Robin managed to immobilize you (which, granted, wasn't that hard) and after you calmed down, Luffy heard your story. And in true Luffy fashion, he just… assumed you were joining the crew.

And join the crew you did, as your home island has nothing but bitter memories for you. Your role came naturally to you, as you just wanted to make yourself useful, and honestly, the mess left by the rest of the crew made you go crazy. You were visibly attached to Zoro, who was the first kind person you’d seen in a while; despite Sanji’s efforts, you clearly favored Zoro and gravitated towards him as the planets gravitate around the Sun. It was unconscious, the way you’d always ended up in the same room as him, how you’d always have a smile on your lips upon hearing his voice, how his laundry always smelled stronger of fabric softener, and his room always had fresh flowers on it now. Zoro took his time opening up to your affection and he still wasn’t comfortable in letting anyone in, but you were the one who got to see his soft side.

“Because you’re a weakness. Eventually, people will know that by hurting you, they’ll get to me. And that scares me”.

[peaceheather]

Chapters: 4/4 Fandom: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz & June Claremont-Diaz, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Nora Holleran, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Percy "Pez" Okonjo Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, June Claremont-Diaz, Nora Holleran, Percy "Pez" Okonjo, Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Queen Mary (Red White & Royal Blue) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, POV Alex Claremont-Diaz, Alex Claremont-Diaz Loves Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Loves Alex Claremont-Diaz, Mary is not Queen, Non-Famous Alex Claremont-Diaz, Non-Famous Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Magical Tattoos, Tattoos, References to Aztec Religion & Lore, Kidnapping, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Queen Mary Being an Asshole (Red White & Royal Blue), Even though she's not queen, Alex to the rescue Summary:

Magic is real, and Alex's abuela has been a great teacher his entire life. On the other hand, Henry's grandmother has been a ruthless teacher, his entire life. Henry escaped her clutches, found Alex, and they've been very happy together ever since.

They should have known that Mary would not let Henry go that easily. Mary should have known that Alex wouldn't let her take him without a fight.

(Rated M for language and non-explicit sex in Chapter 4.)

[samynnad102687]

Reblog for a bigger sample size!

[polaris764writing]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47079379/chapters/159244521

Chapter 9 - The Explosive Battle Trials

The Battle Trial begins, but it slowly takes a turn no one expected to have happened.

[maisels]

The Space Between

Show: Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Ship: Zoey/Leif

Rating: Teen

Summary: When Zoey finds unexpected comfort in Leif after her breakup with Max, their carefully maintained professional distance begins to blur. As late nights at SPRQ Point turn into late-night conversations about everything but work, they discover that some spaces are meant to be crossed.

chapter 1

chapter 2

[moodypetrichorlove]

Hello, Hudson & Rex fans!

Wrote something after years! Please read and review. Might be a bit rusty, but well, would love con-crit!

It's an episode tag to 6×12. Charlie's POV in the aftermath of Sarah being held at knifepoint.

[padfootprongslet]

title: like our love ( falling down and over again ) fandom/pairing: once upon a time, emma swan/killian jones rating: explicit in later chapters. chapters: 1/7 summary:

“This entire time?” She asks, thinking back to the nights when she was home and complaining about this hit, complaining about how she couldn’t find this guy. Killian shakes his head, closing his eyes briefly and placing his forehead against hers.. ----- Emma Swan works for White Lights Magic Hunters, a company that hunts magical users who have gone rogue with their powers. When the Dark One is murdered, it's up to her and her team to find the man that did it. So what happens when, once she gets there, the man looking over another body is her husband? And what is she to do next? ---- Or, an AU where Emma and Killian are Mr & Mrs. Smith.

Written for @cssns. Art by the lovely @kmomof4

[thetideseternaltune]

Two Heads (Are Better Than None)

Mac wasn’t sure what had brought Jack to the morgue so early on a Wednesday morning; he didn’t often turn up there without an excuse. Phryne was away and Mac hadn’t had any suspicious bodies lately. In fact, the deaths in Melbourne had been positively boring in Phryne’s absence – a correlation that Mac wasn’t certain she wanted to explore further.

A murder, a missing head, and the start of a friendship. (2.6k)

A/N: For the amazing @transjackrobinsontruther, who wanted Mac and Jack solving a case together. Happy birthday my dear! Enjoy! ❤️❤️❤️

And thank you to @three-seperate-johns and @galadriel1010 for all of their help with this fic! 🥰 And for being the best enablers when I asked if I should put head jokes in here 😈

This fic was partly inspired by this post [AO3]

“Inspector?”

Jack smirked slightly, clearly amused by the surprise in Mac’s voice when he’d knocked on her office door. She wasn’t sure what had brought him to the morgue so early on a Wednesday morning; Jack didn’t often turn up there without an excuse. Most of his and Mac’s interactions were either work-related or facilitated by Phryne, but Phryne was away and Mac hadn’t had any suspicious bodies lately. In fact, the deaths in Melbourne had been positively boring in Phryne’s absence – a correlation that Mac wasn’t certain she wanted to explore further.

“What brings you to the city morgue this morning?” Mac asked, raising her eyebrows curiously. Underneath his teasing smirk, Jack looked rather tired – she could see faint dark circles under his eyes and his suit was unusually rumpled.

“A body was discovered in bushland this morning,” Jack said, leaning against the doorframe. “Minus the head.”

Ah. So it was work-related.

“I wasn’t aware that the coroner’s duties included field work,” Mac teased, smirking when the corner of Jack’s lips turned up briefly.

“I thought you might like to examine the body at the scene,” Jack said, though the way his lip twitched told Mac that he was aware of how flimsy his excuse was.

“And you don’t want to work the case alone,” Mac said, giving him a knowing look.

His face remained impassive, but he didn’t deny it, confirming her suspicion. She wasn’t particularly surprised – he’d spent the better part of the past few years solving murder cases with Phryne’s help; it was surely an adjustment to suddenly be without.

“Careful Phryne doesn’t find out how crucial she is to your investigations,” Mac teased with a sly grin. “You know she’ll never let you forget it.”

Jack blushed but still didn’t speak, looking unusually nervous, and Mac finally decided to take pity on him.

“Well, I suppose an excursion is more exciting than the paperwork I had planned for the morning,” she said, grabbing her jacket and hat. “Lead the way, Inspector.”

<><><>

“Well,” Jack said, glancing at Mac as he started the engine. There was the hint of a smile on his lips. “I must admit – over ten years in the police force and this was a first.”

“Yes, it’s not every day one happens across a headless body,” Mac said dryly, biting back a smile. The scene had been rather sparse on clues; it appeared the body had been dragged into the bush after the murder, and the culprit had taken any means of identifying the victim with them. There were still officers searching for the head, while Hugh – who had looked rather green at the scene – had returned to City South to search the missing persons files in the hopes of identifying their victim, a task made significantly more difficult by the lack of a head.

“You know,” Mac said, “contrary to popular belief, decapitation is not that easy.”

“Hm.” Jack glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips. “You don’t usually hear ‘popular’ and ‘decapitation’ in the same sentence.”

Mac bit back an amused smile. “It’s difficult to sever the spine; even harder to do it cleanly,” she explained. “Beheading a human is a lot easier than beheading most trophy animals, of course, considering the relative lack of musculature in our necks, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Just look at the number of botched beheadings throughout history. It requires a powerful, accurate action and a sharp, heavy blade.”

Jack didn’t take his eyes off the road, but his expression turned contemplative. “So you’re suggesting our killer knew what he was doing?”

“And had the proper tools,” Mac confirmed.

“A guillotine?” Jack glanced at her again curiously.

“Or a spear,” Mac said. “Didn’t you say there was an abattoir not far from where the body was found?”

Jack grimaced slightly. “I suppose a slaughter-man would know how to sever a spine,” he said.

“He’d also have the knowledge and tools to exsanguinate the corpse,” Mac said. “Beheading is extremely bloody business.”

“Well, I know my next stop then,” Jack said with a reluctant sigh. He didn’t sound particularly pleased about it, not that Mac could blame him. She knew that neither of them was particularly squeamish – a useful trait for both policework and doctoring – but Mac knew from personal experience that the sight and smell of that much blood could easily bring a war’s worth of painful memories rushing back, and she had a feeling that Jack knew it too.

“Would you like accompaniment on your visit?” Mac asked, careful to keep her tone neutral, though the look on Jack’s face when he glanced at her told her he knew what she was really asking.

“No, I can manage alone,” he said. He gave her a grateful smile. “But thank you for the offer, Doctor.”

<><><>

“I can cook, you know.”

Jack appeared rather offended at the apparent insinuation, Mac thought, doing her best not to laugh as she set the bag of food down on his desk. She was relieved to see no indications that the trip to the abattoir had triggered any wartime flashbacks.

“So I’ve heard,” she said, unable to hold back an amused smile as she unpacked the bag. “I, however, cannot, so it’s fish and chips or nothing.”

Jack perked up as she set a wrapped parcel of hot food in front of him, inhaling appreciatively as he hurried to clear room on his desk.

“And to what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked, raising an eyebrow curiously as he procured a bottle of whiskey and two glasses from a drawer in his desk. Mac took the proffered glass with a smile that widened when she took a sip of the amber liquid. She could certainly appreciate a man with good taste in whiskey.

“Well, seeing as I’ve apparently accepted Phryne’s role on this case in her absence,” she said, taking a seat opposite him, “I thought you might appreciate the company – and the food.”

Jack’s expression turned amused, and he gave her a pleased smile as he unwrapped their dinner. “Far be it from me to turn down a free meal,” he said, and Mac laughed.

“Yes, I’ve heard that too.”

Jack shrugged sheepishly, but there was a twinkle in his eye as he took a bite of fish. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, until Mac finally spoke again, her tone intentionally innocent.

“So, have you made any headway on this case?”

Jack raised his eyebrows at her choice of words, but he failed to bite back an amused smile as Mac grinned mischievously.

“I did, actually,” he said, taking a sip of his drink.

“Oh?”

“Mm.” He sat forward, his expression turning serious again. “After I dropped you back at the morgue, I drove to the abattoir and talked with the owner. He said one of his workers didn’t show this morning, a man named Peter Dalton.”

Mac raised her eyebrows. “Did you get a description?”

Jack nodded. “It was a perfect match for the body we found.”

“Well, identification of the victim is a good first step,” Mac said. “Anything else?”

Jack nodded again. “We interviewed the workers. A few of them mentioned a fight between the victim and another worker, just two days ago.”

“Any idea what it was about?”

Jack shook his head. “No, but according to the witnesses it was very heated. One of the workers said it would have gotten physical if the owner hadn’t walked in.”

“Sounds like a promising suspect,” Mac mused. “Did you interview him?”

“No,” Jack said. “He’d already left for the day. Collins will bring him in tomorrow for questioning.”

“Good,” Mac said, reaching into her bag and pulling out a folder. “In the meantime, I’ve brought you my report. As expected, the beheading was the cause of death. No poisons in the bloodstream or anything else unusual about the body. I’d like to have a look at the spears at the abattoir though, see if anything matches the victim’s wounds.”

“Of course,” Jack said. His smile thinned and he went quiet, staring down at his whiskey. He suddenly looked very tired again.

“She’s coming back, you know,” Mac said, though there was an edge to her voice. She’d thought Jack had finally rid himself of the fear that Phryne would abandon him, but…

Jack looked up quickly. “I know she is,” he said, seeming genuinely surprised at her statement, and Mac relaxed. He glanced down again, fiddling with his glass for a moment, before lifting his head back up. “Truthfully, I… am no longer accustomed to living alone. It’s been a difficult adjustment,” he admitted.

“Ah,” Mac said, suddenly understanding. She sat back in her chair. “Yes, I would imagine so.”

“And without Jane as well,” Jack said ruefully. “The house feels rather empty, even when we have visitors.” He was quiet for another long moment. “This is also the longest Phryne and I have been apart since England.”

“Mm.” Phryne’s absence was clearly taking a toll on Jack, Mac thought, eyeing him carefully. “No offense, Inspector, but you do look rather tired.”

“I haven’t slept well recently,” Jack sighed, taking another sip of his drink.

“I would’ve thought you’d enjoy having the entire bed to yourself,” Mac teased lightly, pleased when Jack gave her a small smile. She knew all too well what it was like sharing a bed with Phryne – the woman was an octopus, and Mac had awoken countless times to find Phryne draped over her and all of the covers mysteriously on the opposite side of the bed.

“On the contrary, I’ve grown quite used to being used as a human pillow,” Jack said dryly, though the fondness in his eyes betrayed his sincerity.

Mac laughed. “I suppose the body heat makes up for the lack of blankets.”

Jack smiled at that, but he soon went quiet again. He glanced away from Mac, suddenly looking uncharacteristically anxious as he opened his mouth and then closed it again without speaking. Mac raised her eyebrows curiously as she waited for him to speak, and finally Jack looked back up at her.

“When Rosie… moved to her sister’s, it was very painful,” he said softly. “I know now that it was the best thing for us, that our marriage was damaged beyond repair and we were better off apart. And we had been emotionally separated for a long time before that,” he admitted. “But even still, it was difficult to adjust to suddenly being physically alone as well.” He looked down at his desk. “And I can’t help but be reminded of that.”

Mac was suddenly struck by the memory of a work conference not long after she and Rosie had moved in together. She’d only been gone for three nights, but Rosie had been unusually agitated and clingy when Mac returned, and it hadn’t taken long for Mac to figure out why that was.

“I’m not sure if it’s any consolation, Inspector, but you’re not the only one to have that experience,” Mac said.

Jack frowned slightly, looking concerned. “Rosie…?”

Mac nodded. “The first time I was called away for work. And I’ll tell you what I told her,” she said firmly. “It’s a perfectly understandable reaction. But just as I wasn’t gone, Phryne isn’t gone either.”

Jack took a deep breath and then nodded. “Thank you, Doctor,” he said after a moment, giving her a small smile.

“You’re welcome,” Mac said. She grinned slyly. “And look on the bright side – you’ve got another week of eating breakfast without someone stealing your toast.”

Jack chuckled as he relaxed back into his chair, smirking slightly. “And it’s been weeks since I last had to threaten to arrest her.”

Mac snickered. “You know she likes that,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Jack flushed slightly and busied himself by pouring them both another drink, looking a bit sheepish despite his pleased smile.

“They’ll be back before you know it,” Mac assured him.

Jack nodded. “I’m glad they went,” he said. “I think it’s been good for Jane.”

Mac’s expression softened. She’d grown quite fond of Jane in the years since she’d become Phryne’s ward – the girl had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a quick wit, two things that Mac greatly admired. Jane had spent many happy afternoons at their bungalow burying herself in Mac’s extensive book collection and had even accepted Rosie’s offer to teach her to play the piano, though Mac suspected that might have had more to do with the starry-eyed gaze that Jane was prone to when Rosie was around.

“Have you heard from them?” Mac asked.

“Phryne called two nights ago,” Jack said, smiling at the memory. “They’d spent the afternoon walking on the beach and collecting shells. Apparently Anna’s been doing well.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Mac said with relief, returning his smile. With Mac’s help, Phryne had found a discreet boarding house on the coast that housed women like Anna Ross, providing them a sheltered accommodation and medical care while allowing them to maintain some freedom. She’d arranged for Anna to move in, and from what Mac had heard, Anna had settled in well. Phryne had taken Jane to visit for a month during the summer holidays, and it appeared that Jane was enjoying the time spent with her mother.

“And Jane?” Mac asked. “How is she doing?”

“I believe she’s relieved that her mother is safe and well-cared for,” Jack said quietly. “As am I.”

“Yes,” Mac agreed. She chuckled lightly. “I don’t know how many times I’ve told Phryne she doesn’t have to save the world, and yet she never stops trying.”

“No she doesn’t,” Jack agreed, his expression endlessly fond.

Mac laughed again, giving Jack a sly smile. “Well,” she teased, “you and I have certainly got excellent taste in women.”

<><><>

“Evening, Inspector.” Mac accepted a glass of whiskey with a smile as she joined Jack in the parlor. “I’m flattered that my involvement on this case was deserving of a nightcap,” she teased.

Jack smiled as he returned to his spot by the fireplace, leaning against the mantel. “Well, we did solve the case,” he pointed out.

“Yes, I had an inkling,” Mac said, raising an eyebrow. “I received a special delivery this arvo. One head.”

Jack grimaced. “Not the most pleasant of gifts.”

Mac hummed her agreement as she took a sip of whiskey. “But you have someone in custody?” she asked.

Jack nodded. “Grant Alden, the man seen fighting with the victim. Turns out he lied about his alibi. He confessed today after being confronted about it.” Jack’s face darkened. “Mr. Dalton was having an affair with his wife.”

“The oldest reason in the book,” Mac sighed disdainfully. “At least he’s been apprehended.”

“Thanks to your help,” Jack said, giving her a smile.

Mac laughed. “Glad I could be an adequate substitute for Phryne.”

“I had no doubts,” Jack said, his expression entirely sincere. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t trust you.”

Mac smiled, feeling surprisingly touched and suddenly reminded of why Jack Robinson was one of the few men she would be pleased to call a friend. She raised her glass and winked.

“Until our next case, Jack.”

Jack’s smile widened, and he raised his glass as well. “Until then, Mac.”

[owiil]

Stiles wanting Derek. Falling in love with him. Over and over. So hard and deep, but asking for nothing. Just letting it be quiet.

Having bonded during high school, and then falling in love with him during his college years, after Derek eventually makes his way back to Beacon Hills one year to finally knock down the burnt shell of the old family home. Derek didn’t have the intention of staying, but after the house was gone, the plot was just… so painfully empty. So he asked Cora to come back, to so they could make a design that honors their family and stands as a testament to the Hale family, a memory to their loved ones–even though neither of them have any intention of living in the place.

It’s just better than leaving the land blank, like they’re trying to erase the memories.

So it’s then, during the two years of construction, that Stiles starts to fall in love–with what Derek is doing, the way he laughs with his sister and they share new stories, the way he tips at the coffee shop even though there isn’t a tip jar and he does it so much that the coffee shop finally puts a tip jar out because of Derek. He falls in love with the way Derek buys 25 different sample paints at the hardware store, gets frustrated when Cora narrows the options down to all of 11, and then finally, after nearly having a breakdown in the paint section, staring at all 11 swatches, goes with the suggestion of a 9 year old girl who passes with her dad, glimpses at his swatches, and casually says, “That one.”

Stiles falls in love with the fact that Derek never tells anyone outwardly that he prefers lemonade made from fresh lemons, just always insists on making it himself until Stiles finally starts making it fresh as well. Falls in love with how well Derek gets to know Frank at the Yarlo’s family owned hardware shop, where Derek gets everything possible as long as it’s available. Falls in love with the fact that he only goes to Home Depot when he absolutely has to. Falls in love with how Derek and Frank somehow become friends and, every time Derek goes in, it takes him at least forty-five minutes because they get caught up in conversation.

Stiles just, falls in a lot of fucking love with Derek.

But he knows Derek. He knows Derek’s history, knows what’s happened when Derek’s let people into his heart before, and he’s not going to be that person. He’s not going to push. He’s not going to force Derek to make that choice, to risk it all, to feel like he has to say yes to make Stiles happy, or risk their friendship or, hell, just feel uncomfortable because maybe he’s just not ready. Maybe Derek doesn’t want a relationship anymore.

And Stiles is so utterly relieved when Derek doesn’t leave after the house is finished, because he’s gotten used to going to dinner with Derek, and making fresh lemonade, and making fun of movies, and having brunch with Derek and his dad, and going to the arcade with Derek and Scott, and running through the forest up to the house, taking a shower in the second bathroom downstairs, the one between the two lower guest bedrooms, and then having Derek drive him home–but stopping for frozen yogurt first.

It’s some ridiculous amount of time later–something like four years since Derek showed up to tear down the old house–when the whole crew go on a camping trip. Kira’s a fierce wonder-mom, just gave birth not too long ago and the moment baby Mia’s ready for the world they’re going camping, christening the woods with a giggles and bubbly laughter of a new baby.

They’re three days into the trip, it’s night and everybody’s asleep except for Stiles, who’s poking at the fire, letting it die slow because he’s really waiting to make sure Derek gets back from his run—the not-so-secret full wolf transformation one that he likes to go on at night, just himself and the trees and the wild. Derek walks into the dying orange glow wearing a pair of faded sweats he left himself just on the edge of camp, takes a seat next to Stiles, and they watch the last embers fade together.

Stiles never expects Derek to ask, “What do you want?” He doesn’t really expect anybody to ever ask him what he wants. Things are calmer in Beacon Hills, but their life has never been normal, not since high school, and Stiles has been careful to never truly dare to wish for anything. But they’re there, in the middle of the night with a dying fire and the chill that bites in the budding summer. The words are soft and imploring, and in the corner of his eye, in his peripheral vision, Stiles notices that Derek isn’t even looking at him, he’s looking into the fire, like maybe looking at Stiles will be all the pressure necessary to make the question too real, make him not answer it.

He doesn’t look at Derek when he says, “For you to be happy. For everybody to just be happy,” and he’s not expecting that either. But it’s raw honesty, which isn’t hard to give Derek. He’s been in love with Derek for years now. He’ll give the man anything, everything. He’d try that spell in that book Deaton told him never to open again, and make the moon whole every night of the year, even if it cost his heart, if Derek wanted to feel the rush.

In the corner of his eye, Derek nods, places a warm hand on Stiles’ knee, and says, “Thank you.” When they stand, almost hot fingers curl around the back of his neck, and Derek murmurs, “Let’s go to bed.” With a soft tug that’s really more like a pressure, a presence, he directs Stiles to walk with him, to his tent, to his sleeping bag, to lay in his space, and curl a place in his heart.

[korielle-writing-fanfics]

talking about my fanfic

here’s all the majors of characters mentioned

aang • 18 • undecided (religious studies/veterinary medicine)

sokka • 24 • computer science (minor in innovation and design)

katara • 22 • international relations (minor in water tribe studies)

toph • 18 • undecided (currently just doing workshops)

zuko • 24 • history & literature (minor in education)

suki • 22 • women's studies

azula • 20 • business (minor in political science)

ty lee • 20 • dance

mai • 20 • forensic pathology

kailani • 22 • english (minor in women’s studies)

takumi • 24 • culinary arts

on ji • 18 • psychology

yue • 21 • international relations (focus on indigenous & water nation politics) 

[kittyoncescribbled]

Summary: Ace managed to break your walls, but he still has a job to do;

Word count: 873;

Rating/Content Warnings: PG-13, AFAB reader;

Author’s note: Another blurb based on these prompts — it's super nice to get back into writing, and I'm having a blast with writing those at a more relaxed pace ;

Request by: @gingernut1314.

The scorching desert sun had you furrowing your brow, but you couldn’t help but feel the ice-cold grip in your heart; it could be your akuma no mi, but you knew better than that by now.

It was because Ace had just announced that he was leaving.

You felt your lips contorting into a pout but had to bite your tongue so as to not blurt out anything in front of the rest of the crew — they would never let you live this down. You, and Luffy’s brother? Him, “Fire Fist”, and you, “Ice Heart”? That was something straight out of a comedy play or something.

It all started innocently enough: both of you, having such opposing powers, were playing around the desert with your abilities. You were a bit far away from the rest of the crew, so you wouldn’t end up hurting anyone by mistake (that was the excuse; in reality, the two of you didn’t want to risk Nami’s wrath in the case you end up throwing up sand at her or Vivi).

Your laughs echoed through the desert while fire and ice clashed, sand scattered around the air the same way snowflakes would be during a storm. You and Ace practically danced around each other admiring how your opposing elements acted when coming in contact.

Eventually, the both of you lay in the sand side by side, still laughing. The stars blinked upon you, while the moon cast a silver glow on the dunes. Because of your fruits, neither of you was affected by the cold and eventually, Ace started talking about his life with White Beard.

You were new to the pirate life while Ace had been living this life for years now. You listened to him entranced, so focused on his words that you almost missed the way his fingers intertwined with yours and how his thumb drew comforting circles on the back of your hand. You smiled nervously, your eyes scanning Ace’s face uncertain. Ace tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers ever so gentle; touching you like you were something precious, his own treasure.

“Would it be weird if I told you I can't stop thinking about you, even though we met just a few days ago?”

Your heart seemed to stop as butterflies burst in your stomach. You were not known for opening up to people, and Luffy had been the only one who managed to knock down your walls in an annoying little brother-type way, and that happened fast. You were warming up to the rest of the crew but still managed to keep your distance so as to not give a chance to heartbreak.

Ace was breaking your walls so easily and you had no idea why you let him; why did you gave him permission to touch you, run his fingers through your hair, touch your forehead with his and be close enough for you to count the freckles that decorated his face like the stars decorated the dark skies. Your breath got caught in your throat when you felt Ace's lips on yours; the temperature shock was enough to have you startled, but soon enough you had closed your eyes and given yourself to the moment, fingers entangled into Ace's hair and blood rushing on your veins.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

“You can’t leave me, Ace. Please.”

Ace had already left the strawhats behind, the desert a dry vastness before him. He definitely wasn’t expecting anyone to call for his name and that was more than enough to make him stop immediately. Turning around, he saw you still in your disguise to try and blend in with people from Alabasta and a scarf framing your pretty face; a small lock of hair had escaped your scarf and now flew in the wind, stubbornly getting stuck to your glossed-up lips. 

“Please. I have never let anyone come this close before and I don't know why I'm so comfortable around you. But I don't want 

He could see the pain in your eyes and felt the sting in his heartstrings. The thing between the two of you was new, exciting, and something that wasn’t planned; but he had a mission to complete and a job to do, and as much as he would like to stay with you and his brother, he knew he couldn't.

The boy removed his hat and placed it on your head delicately, to then grand fistfuls of sand. The black-haired boy seemed to be lost in his own world, tong caught between his teeth and a wrinkle between his brows in concentration. At the same time, you had your fingers lightly on top of his hat, not sure what exactly Ace was doing that required so much focus, especially now while you were trying to express something so important to you.

Ace sculpted a small miniature of his hat for you, using his hands to mold sand; you clutched the little trinket into your chest, feeling the burn of tears on the corners of your eyes while Ace removed his hat from you and placed it on his head, hiding his rebel curls.

“You keep this one until we see each other again, ok? We will meet again. I promise”.

[peaceheather]

Chapters: 1/4 Fandom: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz & June Claremont-Diaz, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Nora Holleran, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Percy "Pez" Okonjo Characters: Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, June Claremont-Diaz, Nora Holleran, Percy "Pez" Okonjo, Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Queen Mary (Red White & Royal Blue) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, POV Alex Claremont-Diaz, Alex Claremont-Diaz Loves Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor Loves Alex Claremont-Diaz, Mary is not Queen, Non-Famous Alex Claremont-Diaz, Non-Famous Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Magical Tattoos, Tattoos, References to Aztec Religion & Lore, Kidnapping, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Queen Mary Being an Asshole (Red White & Royal Blue), Even though she's not queen, Alex to the rescue Summary:

Magic is real, and Alex's abuela has been a great teacher his entire life. On the other hand, Henry's grandmother has been a ruthless teacher, his entire life. Henry escaped her clutches, found Alex, and they've been very happy together ever since.

They should have known that Mary would not let Henry go that easily. Mary should have known that Alex wouldn't let her take him without a fight.

(Rated M for language and non-explicit sex in Chapter 4. This story is complete.)

[samynnad102687]

Marauderstober

Oct 18th - Marauders, Lily, Regulus, and Harry Trick-or-Treating

1,327 words

Regulus was at his wit’s end with the Marauders, mainly James and Sirius. Some days they will do something that will make Regulus wonder why he loves them. Like today. They were trying to get ready for Halloween. Regulus, Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all taking Harry out trick-or-treating. It was his last Halloween before he started school and would most likely want to go with his friends.

Regulus and Lily were trying to get Harry into his costume and had sent James and Sirius to go and pick up the sweets for Mary to pass out at home. She was already tired from working all day and opted to stay home, even though almost everyone had begged her to come with. They had been gone for an hour already. What the fuck could they possibly be doing at the sweets shop for an hour?

“Maybe we should have sent Remus instead,” Lily said after getting Harry into his ninja costume for the fourth time. He kept taking it off when they turned around.

“Probably. If they come home with more than I said, I’m going to be pissed. Maybe Remus will take something away from Sirius for taking so long.”

“What are you going to take away from James?” Lily asked curiously.

“Not sure yet but I’m sure I’ll think of something by the time they get back with the damn sweets,” Regulus declared before sighing, “Can you please stop taking off your costume, Haz?”

“No. I want Padfoot to put it on me,” Harry whined and Regulus threw his hands up in surrender.

“Sweetie, Sirius isn’t back yet and we are going to be leaving soon. Can you please put it back on?” Lily asked gently but Regulus could see that she was starting to get annoyed too.

“No. Padfoot, Padfoot, Padfoot,” Harry stomped around the room and Lily gave Regulus a defeated look. Regulus was going to kill his brother.

“Ok, Haz. We’ll tell Sirius to help you when he gets back but that might cut into your Trick-or-Treating time,” Regulus said calmly and Harry looked at him in shock. He knows what works on his son.

“No, I want to go Trick-or-Treating. Help, please?” Harry pouted as he picked up the costume and handed it back to Regulus, who was trying very hard to hide his smirk.

“Okay, I’ll help you but you need to keep it on this time. Can you do that for me?” Regulus asked sweetly, bending down to Harry’s level and Harry nodded his head frantically.

“Did you just blackmail our son?” Lily whispered.

“No, I just used the same tactic I use on James to get what I want.” Regulus shrugged as Lily tried and failed to hold back her laughter.

It took another five minutes to get Harry back in his costume and another ten after that for James and Sirius to show back up with the sweets. When they walked into the house, James already had a guilty look on his face. 

“Do I even want to know?” Regulus asked as they handed the sweets to Mary.

“Probably not,” James replied sheepishly.

“Hey Haz, I thought I was going to help you with your costume,” Sirius pouted when he noticed Harry was already dressed.

“Took too long. Cut into Trick-or-Treat time,” Harry responded and Sirius glared at Regulus.

“What?”

“You told him that, didn’t you?” 

“I have no clue what you are talking about,” Regulus declared innocently. “What took you so long anyway?”

“Shop was out of half the sweets I wanted to get.”

“They aren’t for you Sirius,” Lily replied as she shook her head and Regulus turned towards James.

“And what is your excuse?”

“Sirius was driving?” James said innocently but Regulus could see the mischief in his eyes.

“How much did you two idiots eat before you got back home?” Remus asked from behind them and Regulus and Lily had to hide their laughter when the both of them jumped.

“Moony!” Sirius exclaimed. “We didn’t eat any of it.”

“Uh-huh, maybe you two should stay home while Regulus, Lily, Pete, and I take Harry out Trick-or-Treating.”

And the shift in Sirius’ expression was so quick, Regulus thought he would get whiplash from watching it. 

“You can’t do that,” Sirius pouted as he looked at Remus as if he was a child who just got their lollipop taken away instead of a grown-ass adult.

“Did you eat the sweets?”

“Yes,” Sirius said quietly, clearly done with his own dramatics.

“You wouldn’t make me stay home, would you, love?” James asked in a whisper when he came up to Regulus.

“Of course not,” James sighed in relief. “I have something else in mind.”

“But-”

“Besides somebody needs to carry Harry when he gets tired and I don’t plan on doing that,” Regulus said as he patted James on the arm before turning toward the room. “Who’s ready to go Trick-or-Treating?” 

“Me, me, me,” Harry exclaimed as he bounced up and down. 

“Let’s go then,” Regulus declared when he picked up Harry and walked out of the door while everyone else followed.

It started out like any normal walk around the neighborhood. Harry was running ahead with James and Sirius, while Regulus and Lily yelled at them to stay out of the middle of the road. With each house they stopped at, the six adults took turns walking Harry up to the door to get his sweets, and Regulus and Remus had to scold James and Sirius to stop them from stealing Harry’s sweets when he wasn’t looking. 

“I saw that James.”

“Come on, love. It’s Halloween. We’re supposed to eat sweets.”

“But you are not supposed to be stealing the sweets from your son,” Regulus scoffed as he smacked James’ hand like he was a child.

“That’s my sweets, Dad,” Harry pouted after he noticed.

“Sorry, Haz. I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

“You better,” Harry glared at him for a few seconds before it was time for the next house and Peter took him up.

“He gets that from you, you know,” James declared when Harry was far enough away.

“Oh, trust me I know,” Regulus smirked. 

He couldn’t let Harry be more like James. One James was enough. Harry was a mix of James, Regulus, Lily, and Mary. It just depended on the situation to see who came out more.

They were Trick-or-Treating for an hour before Harry started to lose steam and, as predicted, he needed to be carried the rest of the way home. They had already hit every house that had their lights on so it was fine. James was carrying Harry and halfway home he fell asleep on his father’s shoulder. 

“You do know that Lily and I have the first crack at his sweets when we get home,” Regulus said matter-of-factly and Lily snickered while James pouted.

“That’s not fair.”

“You didn’t have to fight with him to get him into his costume five times,” Regulus shrugged. “Besides, you and Sirius took too long at the shops and stole some of his sweets already. It’s totally fair. Don’t you think, Lily?”

“Of course, and then Remus and Peter get the next pick.” James and Sirius both made identical affronted sounds as they put their hands over their hearts in feigned hurt.

“Maybe don’t take so long next time,” Remus shrugged and Peter snickered as he said, “Yeah.”

“Pads, do you hear this? They are ganging up on us.”

“I do, Prongs and it is absolutely appalling,” Sirius said dramatically.

Regulus, Lily, Remus, and Peter all laughed quietly, so as to not wake up Harry, and shook their heads at the dramatics of the best friends. They got home a few minutes later and James got Harry into his pyjamas and into bed while the rest of them went through the sweets. Leaving just enough for Harry. A four-year-old doesn’t need an entire bucket of sweets.

@cazzythefrogking @clementinewoolf @maladaptivewriting @multiimoments @lavenderhaze @literally-the-prettiest-star @thebibutterflyao3 @seiworf @emjayeingray @remusregulusrosekiller @heartsoncover @accuratewhereabouts @belowthestarrs

[polaris764writing]

The Aegis' world is gone. Destroyed from the battle with her and her brother. She now seeks a fresh start in a different world. Izuku Midoriya encounters the Aegis and becomes her driver, changing both of their destinies for the better. However, their world will challenge that destiny and make life difficult for them. Can they overcome the challenges of their past and grow stronger? Or will they encounter an event that will end their adventure prematurely?