#favorite fic friday

[senipsenipsenip]

The Pines family sat at the table, quietly eating their breakfast, when Mabel slammed her hands on the table and shouted “KERMIT THE FROG”.

Dipper leapt forward to right his orange juice glass, gathering nearby napkins to sop up the puddle. “What?”

“Kermit the frog! He plays the banjo!”

“Yyyyes?”

Ford raised his hand. “Who’s Kermit the Frog?”

Stan snapped his head up from his plate. “Who’s Kermit the Frog? The Muppets, Pointdexter, you were around for The Muppet Show. They had a movie and everything.”

Ford frowned. “Muppets.”

“Yeah, they’re a riot! There’s this Bear whose got some great puns and this pig who really know how to throw a punch. You’d love it, they’ve even got a scientist!”

Ford raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you were such a fan of children’s television.”

“Children?!”

Dipper stirred his cereal. “I’m just impressed you remember all that. Yesterday you forgot you were married.”

“That’s because The Muppets are forever!” Mabel exclaimed.

“Wait, Stanley you were married?”

“Yep. Actually, unless I’m forgetting a divorce, I might still be married.”

“You didn’t,” Mabel chirped. “I’d have it on my Romance Chart if you did. You’ve missed a lot of anniversaries.”

“So has he!” Stan argued. “I’m not the only bad husband here!”

Ford spluttered. “Husband?”

Dipper frowned. “I think we’re getting a little too far away from why Mabel screamed Kermit the Frog and knocked my orange juice over.”

Mabel nodded. “Right, so, I was thinking of Mr. McGucket -

“Stanley you have a husband?“

“I was thinking of Mr. McGucket,” Mabel interrupted. “And how he could maybe help around the Shack. And he plays banjo! He could play banjo and people could put money in his lil banjo case like a real musician.”

At the mention of money, Stan leaned forward.

“But like, no one knows banjo music,” Mabel continued. “So I was like, maybe pop hits banjo? But then BOOM! Kermit the Frog! People love that frog. He could play the rainbow song. He’d be a hit!”

“Interesting,” Stan muttered. “Preying on people’s nostalgia to milk them for cash. I love it!”

Ford hummed. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea, Mabel. Activities like playing musical instruments have been proven to help patients with Alzheimers and dementia. Not that Fiddleford’s condition has the same root cause, but it may prove beneficial to memory recovery.”

“Eugh, don’t ruin this for me.”

“If playing an instrument helps with memory loss, maybe Grunkle Stan should learn an instrument,” Dipper suggested.

“Ooo!” Mabel squealed. “What about guitar? Or the piano? OH!” She clutched Stan’s arm with a fervor. “The triangle!”

Ford grimaced. “Maybe not that one.”

“Sorry, kid. I’m not exactly a music guy,” Stan shrugged out of Mabel’s grasp. “Let’s leave that to the professionals.”

Mabel frowned, but let the topic go.

Ford stood from the table. “Well, I happen to be visiting Fiddleford this afternoon. I can broach the topic and see what he thinks.”

Fiddleford, as it turns out, loved the idea. To the surprise of everyone, Fiddleford admitted that he had always wanted to play in a jugband when he was younger, but could never get over his stage fright enough to audition for the local band. Then he went off to college and then…everything else.

“Maybe I zapped away that scared bit enough to play!” he had cackled, knocking at the side of his head with his knuckles.

It was settled. “Fiddlin’ Fridays at the Mystery Shack with Fiddleford McGucket”. Dipper tried to point out the title didn’t make sense since it was a banjo, not a fiddle. Stan argued that “customers are suckers for alliteration”. The set up was just Fiddleford dragging an old rocking chair onto the porch and opening up his banjo case. Mabel had made a large glittery banner, but it was quickly absconded by Fiddleford’s raccoon.

“Tell your wife to give me back my banner!” Mabel had yelled, chasing the raccoon into the bushes.

“Ex-wife,” Fiddleford sighed sadly. “Apparently I was too emotionally available.”

Ford pulled at his hair. “Did everyone get married without telling me?”

“Excuse me?” A voice piped up. Fiddleford and Ford turned to see a little boy standing at the bottom of the porch. He was dressed in hiking clothes that were obviously new. In the distance, a young woman was unstrapping a baby from its seat in an SUV. Obviously city folk coming to the “wilderness” for the first time.

“Are you a real hillbilly?” The boy asked. Suddenly the door slammed open, Mr. Mystery striding through, eyepatch in place.

“Sure is!” Stan grinned. “Our very own genuine hillbilly just waiting to play you a tune! All you gotta do is put some of your mom’s money in his case there.”

The little boy’s eyes widened, turning around to race towards his mother.

“Stanley,” Ford admonished. “Fiddleford isn’t some show monkey to throw money at.”

“During work hours he is.” Stan turned to Fiddleford. “So, did Mabel teach you that song she was so excited about?”

Fiddleford sat frozen, watching the little boy yank at his mothers pants to try and get her attention, the baby beginning to fuss.

“Well…” Fiddleford cleared his throat. “Some good news and bad news fellas.”

Ford furrowed his brows. “What is it?”

“Good news is, my mind ain’t all broken.” Fiddleford hugged his banjo and turned to look up at Ford. “Bad news is I knows it ‘cause I still got stage fright.”

Stan scoffed. “Stage fright? C’mon it’s one kid and a couple o’ city slickers who would probably think you playing three wrong notes and spitting is ‘authentic’.”

“Stanley, be supportive.”

“I am! Look I’ve been at this job forever. All you gotta do is smile and if something goes wrong, you blame a ghost or something. They eat that up.”

Fiddleford shook his head. “But this is music. If’n I mess up music, ‘specially somethin’ they know. Music is real special to people, I can’t spoil it.”

Ford knelt down next to Fiddleford’s chair. “You don’t have to play that song Fiddleford. You don’t have to play at all.”

Fiddleford looked anxiously between Ford and the family. It seemed the little boy had finally gotten his mother’s attention and was excitedly pointing toward the porch.

“I…” Fiddleford shook his head. “I can’t let the little ‘uns down. ‘Specially not those ones.” As he said this, he gestured with his chin towards the other end of the porch where Dipper and Mabel sat bickering in lawn chairs. Mabel had returned from her raccoon chase covered in twigs and holding a surprisingly docile raccoon. Dipper was leaning away from the pair while trying to convince Mabel to stop feeding it gummy worms before it developed a taste for human food and tried breaking into the Shack.

Ford's gaze drifted to the twins. "Alright," he relented. "But you still don't have to play Mabel's song."

Fiddleford bowed his head.

"Yet!" Ford offered. "Not yet. She'll understand I'm sure."

Fiddleford frowned, looking unconvinced.

"Of course not yet!" Stan interjected. "You can't go playing the grand finale right out of the gate! You gotta warm 'em up first, keep 'em wanting more." Stan slapped his hand on Fiddleford's back. "If you give 'em what they want right away, they won't come back! Hold that one off until tomorrow or...uh...next week. Tease it or something."

Stan had started rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand as he spoke, a tell Ford was quick to recognize. It was the same one he did when he would "begrudgingly" let Mabel choose the movie for movie night or let Dipper rope him into another game of Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons. Covering the most vulnerable part of his body while he let his emotions go soft.

Fiddleford seemed to perk up at Stan's words.

"Well," Fiddleford offered. "I do know some proper jugband music. Only, it don't have the same ring to it without a jug."

"We've got a jug!" Mabel cheered from the other side of the porch. It seemed the raccoon argument had reached enough of a truce that the twins were once again paying attention to the concert. "I used to keep pond water in it, it's in the kitchen!" She hopped off of her chair, lugging the racoon along with her like it was a rather expensive lap cat.

Dipper followed her. "Why did you have a jug of pond water?"

"Because, dummy, if I met a frog prince he would need something in the shack to remind him of home."

"Aren't you supposed to turn him into a person though?"

Whatever Mabel's retort was to be was cut off by the door swinging shut.

"There ya go," Stan grumbled. "You're getting your jug. Just in time too." He gestured toward the SUV. The mother was walking toward the Shack, one hand holding the baby, the other gripping tightly to the little boy's hand. The little boy gripped a few dollars in his fist, eyes alight with excitement.

Fiddleford looked frantic. "I can't sing and play the jug at the same time!" He gripped at his hat, pulling it down over his ears.

Ford sighed. "Then don't play the jug."

"It won't be the same!" Fiddleford shook his head. "A jugband without a jug that's...that's like a body with no heartbeat!"

The door swung open and Mabel emerged with an old ceramic jug.

"Here it is!" she exclaimed. "And it only sort of smells like pond scum."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Ford smiled gently. "It seems Fiddleford can't play both simultaneously."

Mabel frowned. "But it's a jugband. It's in the name!"

"How about we wait another day," Ford offered, patting Fiddleford awkwardly on the back. "Maybe someone in town will join you."

"Oh for Pete's sake, give it to me." Stan snatched the jug out Mabel's hand, sniffing at the top and giving a grimace.

Fiddleford stopped pulling at his hat, peeking out from under the brim. "You'll play?"

Stan grunted. "I'm not missing out on good money just because you have a case of the heebie jeebies. Besides, how hard can it be? It's like blowing on the top of a beer...er...I mean soda bottle."

Dipper crossed his arms. "Grunkle Stan, we know what beer is."

"Not from me you don't."

Mabel squealed. "It's happening! Grunkle Stan is learning an instrument!"

"It's not an instrument, Pumpkin. It's dishware."

"It's a scrapbookortunity!"

Mabel dashed into the house once more, leaving Dipper to grin at their Grunkle Stan.

The family was only a few yards away now. Fiddleford looked between Stan, Ford, and Dipper, and straightened up in his seat.

"Alright. Alright!" He clapped his hands together. "Stanley, you get down here with me, otherwise your feet are gonna get mighty sore from standing." He yanked at Stanley's hand until he sat beside the rocking chair with a grumble.

"Now when I tap my foot," Fiddleford instructed. "You blow on the jug. One short note at a time." Fiddleford tapped his foot in demonstration. "You got that?"

Stanley rolled his eyes. "Gee, I don't know. Seems pretty complicated for the guy without a PhD."

Mabel burst through the door, camera clutched in her hands. "Got it!"

"Excuse me?"

The little boy stood on the porch, approaching the banjo case with far more trepidation than before. Eyes darting between the assembly, he dropped a few dollars in the case.

"Is this enough to play a song?"

Fiddleford didn't bother looking at the money. He turned his gaze to Stanley, who shrugged and raised the jug to his lips.

Fiddleford grinned. "You know ‘Boodle Am Shake’?"

The little boy shook his head.

"Well you're about to!" And with that he was off.

By Fiddleford's standards, it wasn't a horribly complicated tune. Ford had heard him pluck out more complex riffs while waiting for the coffee pot in their dorm room to brew. But Fiddleford was smiling. His shoulders had dropped from around his ears, and he was nodding at the little boy to tap his feet along with him. Ford hid his smile behind his hands as he watched Stanley, eyes focused on Fiddleford's bare foot with as much attention as one would give to diffusing a bomb. Next to him, Mabel was snapping pictures of the pair. Dipper stood on his other side, wearing the small smile he tended to get when feeling introspective. Ford laid his hand on Dipper's shoulder, and Dipper leaned into the touch.

The mother was smiling at her little boy, her baby having finally stopped fussing. Maybe it wasn't the grand attraction Mabel had planned, but Ford thought it was worth far more than those few dollars anyway. Nothing could be worth more than his family standing around him, his closest friend singing again.

I know this song, it don't mean a doggone thing. Just do that good old Charleston swing. When you sing...

[epersonae]

five fic friday

let's go with comfort fics today, huh?

nothing could touch it (G, 1411) by @asneakyfox - HOW HAVE I NOT RECOMMENDED THIS BEFORE, a masterpiece of Ed POV immediately after Izzy's death, the subtlety and nuance in such a short piece!

After the Storm (T, 2964) by @oatmilktruther - my note in my existing bookmark says "For when it's hard" and yeah. Modern AU Ed coming out of a depression.

Our Little Secret (M, 5865) by @piratecaptainscaptainpirates - yes, I have a soft spot for this flavor of oblivious mutual pining, and something about how this handles (knee) surgery and recovery was very healing for me personally.

Warmth In a One-Night Bed (T, 2923) by @chaotic-neutral-knitter - just a very tender Ed POV missing scene set at the end of 2x4.

Rinse and Repeat (E, 106K) by @theyellowestmustard - so you need something long to cope? this'll do it; a sweet funny modern AU where they're both hair stylists. I read this originally as it was first posted and maybe I'll go reread it this weekend.

[bluishfrog]

Inspired by "Relationships over the phone (Talking to your significant other all night long)" by Kore_Writes (@korogie)

Fic Art Friday - event tag - event description

[the-golden-comet]

✨Thankful Thursday/Favorite Fiction Friday✨

Hi everyone! This week has been kind of crazy, but I haven’t forgotten. June’s a fantastic month for many different reasons: Pride, end of the fiscal year, for some it’s the end of the school year. But, there are many things to be thankful for.

I will start with, a MASSIVE thank you to @autism-purgatory , who made me fanart of Peter Hart that I am still gushing about and showing to my husband. You took time out of your day to draw my characters and make me smile, and I cannot thank you enough for that. I know how much joy it brings to see your characters come to life, and really inspire people. Thank you, G.J.

HUGE thank you to @thatuselesshuman who made me laugh from this meme about my stories, because it is entirely accurate and hilarious. Another one for my collection ✨

Gigantic thanks to @gioiaalbanoart, @wyked-ao3 and @sunglasses-in-the-bentley , who are reading Peter Hart for a second time (anyone else who is, please let me know too!) To read my works the first time is a gigantic honor; to go through the adventure again is one of the highest praises for an author, next to receiving fanart, fanworks, and fanfiction.

Thank you to this kind stranger, who made me beam all day from this comment. And thank you this community, who has shown so much kindness and support that I wonder why I’ve kept my talents hidden so long. Well, NO MORE. You will get art, you will get stories, you will get support, the best way I know how. I will do my best

Okay, enough gushing. Here are my favorite authors, and my favorite fiction from them:

@autism-purgatory — Loop Of The Hollow

@alinacapellabooks —The Tengu and the Angel

@gioiaalbanoart — Too Far Gone?

@justabigoldnerd — I Am Your Lover (I Am Your Jailor)

@fortunatetragedy — Doom Metal Love Story

@wyked-ao3 — Tuesday event or is it

@poorreputation — Dimples

@sunglasses-in-the-bentley — I Won’t Hurt You

@pippinoftheshire — Sing Me A Lullaby Before I Go

@lychhiker-writes — Snippet Dump

@brigidfromthecelts — The Devil’s Sonata

@dyrewrites — Before Deluca

@froggy-pposto — oblation

@deanwax — Cycle’s End

@far-cry-from-finality — The World’s Not Ending As Long As We’re In It

@theverumproject — The Verum Project

@snugglesquiggle — Hostile Takeover

@zackprincebooks — Dear Heart

@bookish-karina — Your Average Fangirl

@glasshouses-and-stones — The system’s breaking down

@thatuselesshuman — Bloody Hands are Kind

@piscesapplelady35 — As Lethal As Holy Water

@shards-things — Meant To Be

@sic-sempervirens — Taarasthari

@katenewmanwrites — Whispers In The Moonlight

@noblebs — Everything With Teeth

I’m most likely missing a few, but if YOU know of some amazing authors and literature, feel free to add to this list and spread the positivity!

For everyone reading this: Your fiction is fantastic, your stories are inspiring, and you are an amazing writer, artist, and human on this planet. Thank you for everything. 💫

[enjoythesilentworld]

Sunday Snippet

just if for a minute, chapter 7: raindrops ... it's time for a bachelor party 💜

Their friends disperse quickly, most heading off toward the dance floor. Wille and Simon stay near the booth, arms still wrapped around each other.

“Hey,” Simon says, tilting his head up to look at Wille. He has a special, sparkly look in his eye, even more accentuated by the dark eyeliner, and it makes Wille’s stomach flutter.

He smiles back, “Hey,” and fights the urge to pull Simon even closer.

Simon's soft smile never drops, but he does hesitate, gazing up at Wille, eyes searching, until eventually he blurts, “Can I ask you something?”

If Wille hadn’t had a few shots at the hotel, and if he wasn’t already a little distracted by the noise and the lights and the proximity of Simon, that question probably would have scared the shit out of him. But here, now, Wille only feels a distant, far away part of his brain setting off alarm bells. The current, functioning part of his brain can only think Simon, so Wille simply nods.

Simon sets down his still full glass of champagne on the small table, then interlaces his fingers behind Wille’s neck. Wille’s hands find Simon’s waist, because that’s where they’re meant to be.

“Can we forget it all?” Simon asks, so softly that if Wille hadn’t been staring so intensely, he might’ve missed it. “Just for a minute? Just for tonight?”

The alarm bells ring even louder in Wille’s head. No. Dangerous. Turn around, go back now. Except, Wille can’t hear them. All he can hear is pounding bass, all he can see is Simon’s pretty face, occasionally lit up by a passing spotlight. His eyes are almost pleading, begging Wille to just say yes, just this one time.

So, he does. Wille smiles and nods, and feels warmth grow in his chest as Simon nods, too, giggling with relief and somehow looking even more beautiful than he had just a second ago.

Simon pulls away and offers his hand, and Wille takes it, letting himself be pulled into the crowd, because he has no choice and because there’s nowhere else he’d like to be.

[elephantshoetoo]

(Excerpt from The Byler Files, vol. 3, chapter 9: "The Sins of the Father" by ElephantShoe. Posted on AO3.)

💙💛💚

*This is one of those chapters that you could probably read without having read any of the rest of it, and still understand and appreciate what's happening. It kind of stands on its own as almost a complete story.

*And if you'd just like to read the part with Lonnie, it starts about halfway down the chapter. (It's a long chapter.) Be forewarned, it gets pretty aggressively homophobic, because, well, it's Lonnie -- but don't worry. Will does get the last word in.

[jackshiccup]

[taste-thewaste]

Hi Amber!! Happy sequel announcement!!! 🥳🥳 seeing the boys together again got me craving RPF too so:

4. 'God, you're fucking delectable.' For Taynick?

💖💖💖💖💖

hi friend!! happy sequel announcement <3 I'm so happy! Here's prompt 4 for you!

“God, you’re fucking delectable.”  Taylor’s words pierce right through Nick to his center, hit him almost as hard as the fog of arousal that’s clouding his head. Taylor’s face is buried in his thighs, his stubble scraping the sensitive skin there, a mark blooming from where he’s recently sunken his teeth in, and Nick can barely think. The word ‘delectable’, though. It gets through.  “Shut up, I’m not delectable,” he breathes out, tangling his fingers in Taylor’s hair–it’s so long right now, he fucking loves it–and tugging on it.  “You are, Nicky,” Taylor says, voice muffled slightly, and before Nick can protest any further, Taylor’s mouth is on him and he loses all ability to do anything but buck his hips and scream.  After, Nick has collapsed on the pillows behind him, Taylor has wiped the corners of his mouth, the room is silent. Taylor climbs up the bed and tugs Nick closer to him, presses a kiss onto his temple. Nick hums in contentment.  “You’re perfect, exactly as you are,” Taylor says softly, and in his post-orgasm haze, Nick shakes his head subtly.  “Look at you, you muppet. You’re perfect,” Nick says, trying to keep the envy out of his voice. Taylor’s body is chiseled and sculpted and the envy of everybody; Nick is…not. He has always felt this way about his body, has always felt like it never quite measured up. Taylor takes a moment, runs a hand down the length of Nick’s body. “That’s good to know that I’m perfect for you, because you…are perfect for me.” He caresses a thick thigh. “I love your thighs. If the bite marks weren’t indication enough,” Taylor says with a wide grin, moving his hands north. “I love your hips. Your arms. Your pecs. This,” he says gently, running a hand across Nick’s soft tummy. “Everything about you is perfect. I know you haven’t ever felt that way about yourself before, but I’ll be here to remind you.” Nick doesn’t say anything, just pushes his shy smile into Taylor’s shoulder. His smile gets even bigger when he hears Taylor’s final words of praise for his body: “And your ass is fucking incredible. Roll over.”

[themerlinlibrary]

Favourites Friday (Nov 2024) – up to 10k

TML Favourites Friday round-up! November 2024 round 1

What is Favourites Friday? – The Basics

a different theme is announced on Friday each week; FF recs must match the theme of the week

only one FF rec per person per week/theme

FF recs must be unique within that week/theme; no double-posting the same fic for one theme!

no self-recs during regular rounds

only self-recs during self-rec rounds (last Friday of each month)

Theme for week 1: up to 10k!

Tell, Don't Show by Cithara G, 5.2k, Merlin/Arthur Canon Era

Strike of Lightning by helloearthlings T, 4.8k, Merlin/Arthur Soulmate AU

Blemish on a mirror (23rd) by AgapantoBlu Mature, 5.5k, mostly Gen with some Gwen/Arthur Canon Era AU

Strangled by the Red String of Fate by idlestories E, 9.9k, Merlin/Arthur Soulmate AU

burgundy, ivory, gold by stanzas T, 4.2k, Gwaine/Merlin Canon Era

Find Me by Sadistic_Greenbean T, 9.7k, Merlin/Arthur Canon Divergence AU

Everyone Has A Heart That Loves To Lie by TheSchubita T, 4.7k, Gen Canon Era

No Business Like Show Business by lady_ragnell T, 8.5k, Merlin/Arthur Modern AU

Trust Funds by M1ssUnd3rst4nd1ng G, 8.7k, Gen Canon Era (?)

The Watcher of the Wall by Pendragons Dragonlord (PseudoAuthor) T, 6k, Merlin/Arthur Pre-Canon, Canon Era

A masterlist of all round-ups can be found here.

If you want to make sure you never miss a FF rec, or would like to participate and share your own favourites; join us on the Discord TheMerlinLibrary! Happy reading!

About the FF round-up lists:

Recs are listed in the order they were posted on the Discord; the order does not imply any sort of ranking.

The pairing given in this list is the main pairing of each respective fic – please read the tags for any possible minor or side-pairings, as well as any potential warnings or triggers.

Pairings and Eras are given as tagged in each respective fic. (?) signifies that the tags were unclear and I do not know enough about the fic to fill the gaps.

Round-ups are compiled on the weekend of the week after the respective theme of the post (when the new theme has already been anounced), to avoid omitting potentially belated FF recs.

The weekly round-up is not a guarantee! I'm running this alone, so it can only be posted for weeks when I have enough time on my hands to compile a list. If you'd like to help out, feel free to contact me on Tumblr ( @zaharya ) or Discord. Thanks to @ravenwilds for helping me out with these round-ups, and to Chel for making a whole-ass bot to make it easier!

[hippolotamus]

Fuck it Friday 🏖️

Two snippets today because... fuck it, right?

First! from the unnamed Lutalia ficlet (it is not coming as easy as I'd hoped) [pun fully intended because, yeah, it's probably gonna get spicy] prev snippet here

It’s not like Natalia should even get emotionally invested, or worked up over the message. She and Lucy aren’t anything meaningful like partners or girlfriends. Lovers would be a generous description. They’re… something with benefits. Not friends, exactly. More like acquaintances. That term feels awkward as she turns it around in her brain. But saying ‘acquaintances who met through a guy they have in common’ is even moreso. So, yeah, something with benefits.

She chuckles to herself thinking about ever needing to introduce Lucy. Oh, Lucy? She’s nobody really. We just fuck sometimes. Somewhere in the afterlife her grandmother is probably cursing up a storm because Natalia didn’t marry a nice Catholic boy and have a houseful of kids. Sorry, Nana.

Second! From a published work, my baby, whatever may come (your heart I will choose). I heard the song this chapter was named for and I was overwhelmed with gushy emotions. So, from CH 21....

Eddie has been alone long enough to know he doesn’t want to always be that way. There’s a part of him that still equates romantic love with effort and disappointment, but he’s seen enough to know that some people get it right. Christopher is his priority and anyone he would even think to consider would have to feel the same - they’re a packaged deal, can’t have one without the other.

Much like Buck, Eddie has his fair share of women — and men — try to get his attention on calls. Someone might argue he’s missing out on a meet-cute opportunity, but a person who’s throwing themselves to see which firefighter will catch them isn’t what Eddie is looking for. Honestly, he’s not sure what his type is, or if he even really has one. He’s also not sure if it’s a surprise or not when the person he might want is his best friend. Buck, who became part of Eddie and Christopher’s lives so seamlessly Eddie didn’t realize it had happened until he almost lost him.

When Eddie comes home from his 24, it’s… different. It’s good, he thinks, but there’s definitely something new crackling in the air around him. Eddie had arrived at the station yesterday morning, and gone immediately into his usual routine, barely getting changed before the bell went off. He didn’t have time to think about leaving Buck behind. In his bed. Now that he’s home, however, there’s really no choice.

Buck is just walking out of the bedroom — out of Eddie’s bedroom — stretching so just a sliver of skin peeks out above the waistband of his joggers. There are still pillow creases on his cheek, and his hair is adorably sleep-mussed.

When Buck relaxes the stretch, he notices Eddie, giving him a soft smile before he says good morning. A warm, golden glow builds in the center of Eddie’s chest, filling up the usual beige of coming home to a quiet house. Eddie’s hands twitch at his sides, wanting to reach out, to pull Buck close. Just to see. Just to know. What it might feel like if Buck was his. Buck, oblivious to Eddie’s internal struggle, walks past, brushing their shoulders together.

He asks Eddie questions like ‘How was your shift?’ and ‘I was going to make eggs when Christopher wakes up. Want some?’. Buck prepares regular coffee for himself and decaf for Eddie, because he knows Eddie always wants coffee when he comes off a morning shift and the full strength keeps him too jittery for sleep. Nothing has changed and everything has changed. For Eddie anyway. He’s still Buck’s best friend and this is how they are together, how they’ve always been. Eddie is the only one that can see there might be more. He accepts the mug Buck sets down in front of him, and pretends not to notice when Buck’s fingers seem to linger under Eddie’s longer than they probably need to.

It’s easier once Christopher is awake and joins them in the kitchen. Mostly. Sort of. Because he gives Eddie a hug first then shuffles over to give one to Buck, wrapping his arms around Buck’s waist like it’s an everyday thing. Like it could just be that simple that Buck has been here for two nights and that’s just the way it is now.

(…)

Buck beams and gives Christopher a high-five. “Ready for breakfast?”

“Yes!”

“Me, too. Go wash your hands and I’ll start getting it ready.”

Christopher obediently walks toward the bathroom, while Buck washes up in the kitchen sink. Buck makes scrambled eggs and bacon, and Eddie sets the table. Eddie listens to Buck and Christopher tell him about their trip to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium yesterday and how excited they both are to go to the Heal the Bay and Roundhouse aquariums later in the week.

“Dad, there was a kelp forest inside! Did you know kelp can grow two feet in a day?”

Eddie doesn’t have a chance to answer before Buck is telling him some other fact.

“Yeah! And Eddie! There are these starfish called bat stars. If they bump into each other they have like a slow motion arm wrestling fight.”

“And,” Christopher adds, “they can turn their stomachs inside out.”

That information may have been a bit much for breakfast time, but he’s happy to listen. Buck and Christopher continue to banter back and forth, calling out every fact or exhibit they remember between sips of juice and bites of toast.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Eddie asks when he’s finally able to get a word in.

“I thought we could take it a little easier, maybe go to the beach? It would get us out and still let you sleep.” Buck looks at Eddie, his blue eyes bright and hopeful. “Unless you wanted to come with us? I can drive.”

Eddie is tired from his shift, but not so exhausted he’s ready to collapse like some days. And with Buck looking at him like that – Eddie doesn’t know how anyone could possibly expect him to say no.

tagged by @callmenewbie @giddyupbuck @hoodie-buck @wikiangela @daffi-990 @jamespearce9-1-1 @spotsandsocks @eddiebabygirldiaz @exhuastedpigeon @lemonzestywrites thank you loves 😘

no pressure tagging @thewolvesof1998 @steadfastsaturnsrings @weewootruck @malewifediaz mi amor @disasterbuckdiaz @thekristen999 @loserdiaz @heartshapedvows @underwater-ninja-13 @fortheloveofbuddie @eowon @jesuisici33 @watchyourbuck @monsterrae1 @shortsighted-owl @stereopticons @elvensorceress @spagheddiediaz @chaosandwolves @wildlife4life @your-catfish-friend @buddierights @911onabc @the-likesofus @honestlydarkprincess @spaceprincessem @fionaswhvre @barbiediaz @pirrusstuff @messyhairdiaz @gayedmundodiaz @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @evaneds @maygrantgf @buckbuckgoose @statueinthestone and anybody else who wants to share 💖

[a-strange-inkling]

Fic Rec Friday:

Love in a Mist

by @foundtherightwords 🤍

This fic is the perfect example of why we need more historical aus in hellcheer!! OMG!

I just adore this story! A regency, marriage of convenience slow burn that is both agonizing and delightful. It’s so well researched and vivid, written with such love and care. This has a fresh take on both Eddie and Chrissy as characters, they’re both so deliciously complex and flawed, but also sympathetic and endearing. I love how Eddie is demisexual and a virgin and Chrissy has a bit more bite and fire than her usual characterizations.

Eddie is traumatized by his parents abusive relationship and Chrissy is ruined and betrayed by a past love that she can’t move on from. The affection and love is slow between them but so worth the wait and angst. So much gorgeous angst!

There is also a fully published sequel to this story and a current WIP of a companion story told from Eddie’s point of view.

Read it immediately!

[heart-aflame]

A characters watching their own show fic involving multiple different musicals, except the random powerful OC isn't an OC but just Blinky using his powers to see everything to make videos of the musicals and force the characters to watch them all with him.

He's probably very bored, so he includes musicals that aren't even part of Starkid, and is actively in the room with these people.

[bulkyphrase]

Wanda and Steve or Peter and Steve fics? (not slash)

Thanks so much for the request!

I love Wanda & Steve and Peter & Steve! I've got a few of both. The relationship with Steve isn't always the primary focus of the fic, but there are some great moments with him in all of these.

Peter Parker & Steve Rogers

The Rubble of our Tomb by LovableKillerWhale (@team-cap-for-the-win) (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 10,496 words)

Summary: An Avengers battle goes terribly wrong and Spider-man ends up stuck in a collapsing building with Captain America. Nothing brings people closer together than explosions, blood loss and a healthy dose of self-sacrifice, right?

Held Together by Spiderwebs by TunaFishChris (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 17,306 words)

Summary: Steve is not coping well in the twenty-first century. At all. Three months after the Chitauri invasion, he decides he's had enough. But just as he's about to end it all, he runs into the new hero in town.

More below the cut!

Super Duper Side Effects by awesomesockes, whumphoarder (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 16,261 words)

Summary: The downside of an enhanced metabolism is that it renders most drugs completely ineffective. Captain America accepted this long ago as an occupational hazard. But after Peter sustains a serious injury in the line of duty and the doctors have no way to manage the pain, Steve decides to volunteer as a test subject for Bruce and Tony’s experimental super drug. However, the soldier ends up getting a little more than he bargained for. (Alternative title: Original Drug Tester: Steve Rogers)

Big Brother Rogers by detectivemorse (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 777 words)

Summary: Peter "Spiderling" Parker becomes a full-fledged Avenger. But it isn't what he thought it would be.

Other Duties as Assigned by chasingkerouac (@ckerouac) (Gen, General Audiences, 3,291 words)

Summary: Peter wasn’t sure how exactly he ended up playing errand boy for the Black Widow in a department store downtown while she bullied Captain America into a new wardrobe, but if that's where the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man was needed, he wasn't going to leave his SPIDER BRO hanging.

Other Costumes as Assigned by chasingkerouac (@ckerouac) (Gen, General Audiences, 4,968 words)

Summary: It was easy being Peter Parker at school, and Spider-Man out on the job. Being both Peter AND Spider-Man in the same room... that was a little more difficult. Luckily, a certain SPIDER BRO owes him a favor. Well, 'owes' is a strong word. Maybe he can guilt out a favor?

"Spidey On Ice" by Wordsworn (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 14,128 words)

Summary: Peter Parker is at a skating rink for his class field trip...and the Avengers are chaperoning. Looks like it's gonna be One Of Those Days...

Steve Rogers Is (Not) A Good Influence by attackofthezee (noxlunate) (@attackofthezee) (Stucky, Teen And Up Audiences, 4,181 words)

Summary: Steve’s left staring at the kid- Peter, his brain helpfully reminds him. The kid is staring back. “So, you’re, like, Captain America, huh?” Peter asks, and he looks a little starstruck but less so than he did when he’d stared at Tony Stark’s jet taking off. “Uh, yeah.” Steve says, staring hard at a spot just past the kid’s shoulder as he shoves his hands as deep as they can go into the pockets of his jeans. “Call me Steve.” “Cool.” Parker breathes, and Steve tries not to think about just how badly this is going to go.   Aka Steve Rogers' American Tour Of Waiting For His Brainwashed Boyfriend To Come Back And Blowing Up Hydra is interrupted when Tony Stark dumps Peter Parker into his lap.

Wanda Maximoff and Steve Rogers

Down in the Worn Out Place Again by adventurepants (Gen, General Audiences, 2,649 words)

Summary: “You don't look a day over 85, Captain,” Wanda says. Natasha smiles, just barely, and nudges Steve with her elbow. “She makes jokes now.” (Post AoU, stories about friendship.)

Full of Wounds and Still Standing on my Feet by orphan_account (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 7,221 words)

Summary: The five times Steve looked out for Wanda, and one time Wanda decided someone needed to look out for Steve.

and the woman was young again by Mira_Jade (Gen, General Audiences, 3,669 words)

Summary: For Wanda, it was a healing that came with time.

With Magic We Do Fly by Summer_Sunflower (Gen, Not Rated, 2,269 words)

Summary: In Civil War we see Wanda fling Steve into the air with her magic. They must have practiced that, right? Que Wanda throwing Steve against a wall. Many times.

Full of Wounds and Still Standing on my Feet by orphan_account (Gen, Teen And Up Audiences, 7,221 words)

Summary: The five times Steve looked out for Wanda, and one time Wanda decided someone needed to look out for Steve.

Talks over a Hot Chocolate by psy_ched (Gen, General Audiences, 2,916 words)

Summary: Wanda has nightmares, and she gets an advice from an unlikely ally.

[myloveforhergoeson]

surprise! kind of.

his girl friday is now on ao3!

along with the short story collection titled she is love!

[edgeofn1ght]

It's Fic Feature Friday, my dudes. And today's fic is a bit of adorable fluff by destroyedparadise234, 'A (Background) Picture's Worth a Thousand Words' [alternatively titled: Obi-wan’s Hiding Something, and Anakin’s too curious for his own good.)

Anakin yelps as Obi-wan smacks the datapad out of his hand, the device bouncing on the carpeted floor. The two freeze, staring at the datapad then at each other, before bursting into action. They roll off the couch together in a mess of flailing limbs, Anakin hysterically thinking that one of them must at least be using the Force to desperately keep his stupidly small towel secured around his hips in the fray.

It turns into almost a parody of a spar as they wrestle their way towards the datapad. Anakin can’t stop laughing, despite some particularly harsh jabs from Obi-wan as he tries to crawl towards the device like his life depends on it. He’s never seen Obi-wan this disheveled before, and it’s the most entertaining thing that’s happened to him in years.

⇒ Other recs

[iamawolfstarsimp]

Sup bitches

im back and today I'm trying something a little different

Now I know I've written with baby/younger Harry in at least one fic before but I've never written anything with teenage harry cause I'm not a fan of golden trio era obviously lol

But I thought I'd spice it up a bit and try it cause why not (also this idea is amazing or maybe i dont have any others lmao and I don't wanna waste it)

So yeah enjoy

There was never a dull moment in the ancient house of black, always some commotion or excitement going on.

But somehow Sirius always found a way to get bored.

Maybe it was because he was always cooped up here, or maybe the anticipation of the though or idea of being needed for a mission of sorts and then the disappointment when it doesn't happen led to him being almost constantly bored or moody, Remus would take bored over moody any day.

Thankfully, Sirius almost always found Harry to help cure his boredom as Harry usually was also bored out of his mind.

Unfortunately, Sirius almost always found Harry to help cure his boredom as Harry usually was also bored out of his mind.

He swore, those two would tear the house down one day. Sirius with his clever mind full of ideas for pranks and mischief alike and Harry's lean, younger body that could easily climb up onto and crawl into things.

When Remus heard noise coming from Harry's room he headed upstairs to see what the issue was, preparing himself for whatever mess the boy had gotten into.

His surprise must have shown on his face to find Sirius sitting on Harry's hips and squeezing his sides and ribs causing said boy to laugh, eyes shut tight in his mirth.

"Harry's ticklish!" Sirius exclaimed with a grin before returning to torturing helpless Harry. Memories of the times he himself had tickled Harry when he was a baby came flooding back to Remus.

He didn't bring it up but stayed and watched from the sidelines for a bit, silently observing the similarities in Harry and James. The way Harry threw his head back and cackled when someone went for a bad spot, how he snickered if you poked him in the ribs.

Remus soon left them (much to Harry's dismay) not wanting to get too nostalgic.

This started happening more often. Sirius would sigh something along the lines of "I'm bored", smirk and then trot off (quite litterly, he would usually transform into Padfoot), moments later you'd here loud gigging.

Harry didn't mind fooling around with his godfather, he actually enjoyed it alot (as far as Remus knew). But that didn't mean that he didn't crave a little revenge from time to time.

So Remus wasn't surprised when Harry came up to him asking for help.

"Hey, Remus?" Harry asked as he entered. Remus looked up from his book to answer.

"Yes Harry?" He watched as Harry sat down on the opposite chair to talk to him.

"I need some.. assistance."

"What with? Homework?" Remus was always prepared to help with homework, it was a bad habit he'd developed from back when he was at school. Plus becoming a teacher for a short time didn't help either.

"No, not homework." Harry shifted, a little uncomfortable.

"Uhm.. if it's something else, I-I don't think I would be the best-"

"Oh! Oh no! It's nothing like that!" Harry quickly shook his head. Remus sighed in relief.

"Oh okay, good. What can I help you with then?"

"Well, I need some help to get Sirius back for constantly t-tickling me." Harry grinned sheepishly when Remus smirked and nodded in understanding. "You know him the best out of anyone in the house so I thought I'd ask you."

"You came to the right person," A million ideas came to Remus on ways to get him back, some of them things Remus had even done.

"Did Sirius ever tell you that he himself is extremely ticklish?" Harry's jaw dropped and he shook his head.

"Sirius is ticklish?!" Remus let himself grin devilishly.

"Why don't I show you." Remus left his book in his chair as Harry followed him out of the room. "Oh, grab the cloak."

"What for?" Harry asked.

"Just trust me, I know what I'm doing." Harry shrugged and ran up to his room. He returned shortly with the cloak in hand.

He wordlessly put it on and followed Remus into the sitting room where Sirius was sat. Remus felt Harry linger by the door, waiting for a signal to take the cloak off.

"Hi." Remus said, sitting down on the couch nearby to Sirius.

"Hey, Moons." Sirius sighed, letting his head fall onto the back of the chair.

"You okay?" Remus let concern seep into his voice. Sirius shrugged. "You want a hug?"

Sirius nodded and hopped up from his armchair to crawl into Remus' lap and wrap his arms around him.

"Anything on your mind you wanna talk about?" Remus knew not to push Sirius for answers but also knew that Sirius liked to know that people cared enough to ask.

"No, not really.. just feeling a little down today, I don't mean to be a burden." Sirius looked up at him with his classic puppy dog eyes that he has when he's sad. Puppy dog eyes always cause Remus' heart to melt.

Remus kissed his nose and leaned his forehead against Sirius'.

"All better?" Sirius grinned and nodded.

"Yep, the world's problems were all just solved, nothing will ever be wrong again, thanks Moony." Sirius said sarcastically.

"Alright you snarky little sod-" Remus dug into Sirius' belly with one hand the other squeezing his thigh.

"Wahait!! Hold on, n-nohoho!! Remus!" Sirius exclaimed in shock as his arms were grabbed and held above his head

"Harry!" Remus called, using his longer legs to hold onto Sirius' so he couldn't kick.

Harry immediately dropped the cloak and rushed over, sitting down on Sirius' legs.

"Did you two fuckers plan this?" Get me distracted and then jump on me?" Harry laughed and nodded.

"You'll never break me! I have a stronger will than you think I do, even when you're using tortuous methods." Sirius shouted playfully.

"Softly scribble on his lower stomach." Remus instructed.

"NO!" Sirius arched his back, flopping in every direction.

Once Harry grabbed onto Sirius' belly and started lightly tracing, scribbling and scratching Sirius became less wiggly.

"Nooohohoho! I hahate soft tihihickles!" He whined, letting his head fall back onto Remus' shoulder.

"Soft tickles work really well on his stomach area, it drives him up the wall- as you can see." Remus smirked when Sirius hid his face in Remus' neck. "But, harder tickles work well down there as well, including digging, kneeding, raspberries-"

"What's a raspberry?" Harry stopped his tickling to look perplexed. Remus gasped at Sirius and dropped one of his hands that were holding onto Sirius' arms to dig into his exposed armpit.

"You've never showed him what a raspberry is!?" Remus said in surprise. "I'm ashamed of you!"

"I'm sohohohorry, I'm sorry!" Sirius laughed, his wiggling renewed.

"Harry switch spots with me." Sirius groaned as Remus grinned at him and sat on his upper thighs while Harry held onto Sirius' arms.

"Harry do not let go of him or he will hit me, okay?" Harry grinned and nodded. "Sirius, be good."

"I'll try. No guarantees I won't smack the shit out of you." Sirius said.

"Ready, Sirius?"

"Just do it." He mumbled.

"What did you say? Sorry I couldn't hear you, are you ready?"

"Yehes."

"Are you sure?" He teased.

"Yehehess."

"Are you really sure?"

"Mohohoony, stop!"

"Stop what?"

Sirius groaned and looked away. Remus saw his opportunity. He took a deep breath and quickly hiked up Sirius' loose shirt and blew a little below Sirius' naval, a sweet spot on himself.

Sirius went into a laughing fit, immediately trying to curl in on himself. Remus continued to raspberry across his torso to keep him constantly laughing before reluctantly giving him a break.

"That is a raspberry, Harry." Remus said as he and Harry went back to their original spots. "And Sirius' favorite thing, isn't it Sirius?"

"I ha-hate you both." He replied.

"I've barely done anything! Plus, you deserve this for all the times you've tickled me." Harry said indignantly.

"You guys still suhuHUCK!!" Sirius yelped. Harry had just experimentally poked his hips.

"Oh yeah, that's a bad spot." Remus said after see where Harry's hands were.

"Shut up!" Sirius shouted.

"I don't think you wanna be saying that in your position." Remus said up close to his ear, as teasingly as possible.

Meanwhile Harry had started pinching Sirius' hips to see what would get the best reaction. All of the methods he tried got Sirius to positively cackle but squeezing gave the best results.

Remus was still whispering teases in Sirius' ear and along with the hip tickles, Sirius was in hell.

"IT'S SO BAHAHAD!" Sirius knew his face had to be bright red. "P-PLEHEASE STOP!!"

With one final small raspberry to the neck Remus stopped and nodded at Harry to do the same.

"Learned your lesson? You gonna leave Harry alone for a bit?" Remus let go of Sirius wrists, using his arms to hug Sirius instead. Sirius huffed and nodded in response.

Sirius grabbed Harry and pulled him into their little cuddle pile, wrapping him in a hug.

"I'm tired, you two tickled the energy out of me." Sirius sighed. Remus kissed the side of his head.

"You'll live." Harry answered.

"Alright, Mr. Sass king." Sirius poked Harry's belly.

"Noho!" Harry turned onto his stomach to block the pokes. "No tickles!"

"Okay, okay! No tickles. Right, Remus?" Sirius turned to look at him.

Remus nodded from the crook of Sirius' neck. "No tickles."

"Good." Harry answered, letting his head rest on Sirius' chest and his arms return the favor and wrap around Sirius.

"Did you two date at hogwarts?" Harry asked after a few minutes of silence.

"That's a long story." Remus told him.

"I have time.." Harry said.

Sirius and Remus glanced at each other before silently agreeing to tell him. Harry deserved to know.

Sirius started off with how they met on the train station with Remus adding in little bits to the story as they went. By the time they made it to Remus' fourteenth birthday Harry was dozed off.

Sirius rested his head against Harry's, letting his body relax for the first time in a while. Remus kissed Sirius' shoulder once he knew he was asleep.

"Love you Harry, love you Pads.." Was the last thing he thought before drifting off to sleep.

This turned out to be a bit lengthy but finally one of my daydreams comes to life

Hope you liked