#fic tags under the cut

[kamwashere]

all the skeletons you hide (show me yours, i’ll show you mine)

SUMMARY—

A wave of affection and longing almost makes him stagger on his feet. Just seeing him in that suit—looking less than impressive, scratching his butt—makes him realize just how much he missed him. He missed his loud, annoying voice, how easy it seemed for him to read Peter’s mind, and how he never missed their nightly rendezvous on top of rooftops.

“Wade,” he inwardly cringes how his voice catches, “Hi.”

-

Peter, fresh out of his multiversal escapades, gains a new perspective in life. One that includes a certain mouthy mercenary, perhaps?

part two of new york isn't new york without you, love

[allgremlinart]

[ Do NOT be deceived. Zuko's guards ARE on orders to let him in for booty calls. ]

post-canon jetko. Zuko isn't a rail-thin angry refugee anymore. Jet isn't hurting as bad as he did. He even finds himself new purpose after the war - hunting down still-rogue Fire Nation mercenaries and war criminals, housing orphans, and being occasional bounty hunter for hire (he's not as good as June, but he has his ways). And, of course, hitching a ride on the ship taking the Earth King's diplomatic embassy to the Fire Nation. The Avatar may have refused to kill the new Firelord if he steps out of line, but that doesn't mean Jet wouldn't. It's his job to go over there from time to time and remind certain people of this. If he so happens to have almost-civil discussions and intercourse with a head of state when he does so, that's purely incidental, and does not distract him in the slightest.

full pic ;]

[ Jet really DID visit Zuko's chambers with the intention of debriefing with and analyzing him, this time. To see if he could manipulate some more aid out of him, maybe, (Jet could play him like a fiddle, it wasn't hard,) or to wheedle him for lodgings and food for himself, or to see someone that he knew was just as restless as he was, regardless of peacetime, regardless that he shouldn't still feel like that. However, he caught Zuko right after he had a... meeting. With an Earth Kingdom noble. And, well... when you grow up deprived you learn you don't turn down leftovers. Or sloppy seconds, as it were. ]

[snickeringdragon]

sadfrin! my take on him!! a special guy!! definitely not posting this for any suspicious reasons! no fic related reasons! on a totally unrelated note did you know i have an ao3? under the same name as my tumblr??

[space-writes]

friday kiss tag

tagged by @oh-no-another-idea, thank you! the only progress on A Question of Trust that i’ve made lately is uhhh. organising my notes a bit. here’s some drunk kissing from the current draft anyway~

[ID - a purple decorative divider]

They stumbled in the vague direction of the bedroom, shedding clothing along the way. He managed to get his hands mostly everywhere, and Rizeth didn’t make him stop even once, which was a crying shame, really. He took Rizeth’s hand and put it to his throat, over his collar. “No. No,” Rizeth said, shaking his head. He kept on blinking as if that would help; Ashenivir knew from experience it would not. “You are drunk. I am drunk.” He blinked again. “I am drunk. Gods. You did this to me, you wretched boy.” He followed his complaint with a furiously hungry kiss that took them to the bed and very nearly rolled them right off the other side of it. Ashenivir ended up on top of him, his grinding encouraged by a firm hand cupping his ass. He wriggled in place, but the usual result was not forthcoming. “Spank me.” It wasn’t quite a whine, but it was close. “Absolutely not.” “Please, Master—” “I am too drunk to bruise you the way you deserve,” Rizeth said. He was rather more coherent than Ashenivir had expected him to be. Impressive, in the face of fun drinks. He kissed the pout from Ashenivir’s mouth and turned his whine into a moan as his fingers slid lower, teasing. “I am not too drunk to fuck you, though.”

[ID - a purple decorative divider]

no-pressure tagging @viscerawrites @ceph-the-ghost-writer @at-thezenith and @tabswrites

Obedience taglist: @foxboyclit @belovedviolence @thegreatobsesso @notwritinganyflufftoday (ask to be +/-)

[curatoroffiction]

Overprotective (Part 1)

Based off of this post It all came to a head with The Incident™.

You were frustrated, having just left Levi's room. You'd brought him a series that you thought he'd love, it was much more like some of the stuff he used to be into, which had heartbreak and drama, but you'd heard it had a good resolution, even if it was sad. But the second things started turning sour emotionally, he began to panic. And when he asked if you knew what would happen, and you said "I've heard about the ending, but I saved actually knowing it for you", you didn't expect what he did next. He stopped the show and took the DVD out. This started a long fight that you barely understood. Him being upset that you weren't 'taking care of yourself', and you being upset that he was trying to micro-manage what you watched! You even jabbed at him telling him that "Avoiding the sad stuff isn't healthy!" which only made him more upset. You didn't understand why, so you just left. You ran into Asmodeus, who started worrying about the stress you were visibly under. Stress isn't good for one's health. He first asked if you wanted to take a soothing bath with him, which you shrugged off, thinking that would be the end of it. But it wasn't. He kept badgering you to let him help you destress. It started very flirty at first... Until it became desperate. You continued to decline, and he became more worried, which caught Satan's attention. When Satan heard you were stressed out, several stress-related illnesses flashed through his memory and he became very serious trying to give you other options. If anything, their insistence on controlling another aspect of your life was making it worse. You were on the verge of exploding when Belphegor came around. You called out to him, but he turned right around and walked away. You frustratedly chased after him, but when you turned the corner he disappeared behind, he was gone. Instead, you found Mammon. With the shadiest bag of vitamins you've ever seen. No label, just some random supplement in a plastic bag. "You want some vitamins?" The sight would have made you laugh a week ago, but right now, it was just frustrating. "No! I want everyone to stop badgering me! And for Belphegor to stop AVOIDING me!" "Sounds like you could eat. Lemme cook you up something." Mammon was the one who was the best at reaching out. He'd been slyly learning how to cook on the side, so he could get more veggies and fruits into your diet. And the food he's learned to cook was really yummy. Begrudgingly, you accept, and he takes you to the kitchen, also giving Asmo and Satan a covert thumbs up. The two let him take care of you, seeing that your stress instantly began to melt at the idea of food. That is.. Until you got to the kitchen. Mammon begins pulling out veggies and fruit to make you a few dishes, but Beelzebub keeps hovering around to try to control your portions. No matter how much you told him it was insulting, he just couldn't bring himself to stop worrying. Mammon always makes you too much food, seeing as how he keeps trying to pack in the nutrients like they're going to culminate in prolonging your life indefinitely. Once again, you're pissed, and this time with new vigor. You finally storm out of the kitchen and out of the house, only to see Lucifer coming in from the walkway. And he's blinded by how dangerous it is for you to walk around Devildom alone. He tells you as much and you just shout "WELL I HOPE I DIE THEN, BECAUSE IT'D BE BETTER THAN THIS HELLSCAPE" while trying to brush past him in frustration. You didn't even mean the words, but no one had been listening to you and no one was giving you a chance to control anything in your life without supervision. They've been so controlling and so accidentally belittling, making you feel less-than, making you feel like a child in a house without love. Part 2

[yrrtyrrtwhenihrrthrrt]

Remember um. Remember that kinky Comic Goldenheart fic I've been teasing for like a stupid long time that like goes into emotional kink dynamics and shit?

It's finished

[zeebreezin]

So here’s the thing about Vincent Beverley, right. He’s a manipulative, sensation seeking sadistic little bastard with a career built on indoctrination and light torture. Vincent likes his work and the power that comes from being the smiling face of these things, and he loves his Isobel, and his favorite doctor, and if you’d ask the man, he’d say that’s all there really is to him. Vincent considers himself a pretty simple guy.

And honestly he’s not… wrong? But here’s the thing with Vincent Beverley - that’s not the name he was using when he came down to the Neath.

A Sardonic Charlatan took the name Vincent Beverley as part of yet another con - He’d stolen documentation form some poor soul signing into the navy, looking for a couple years at sea away from his debtors. The whole ‘London is in a hole’ thing did mess with his plans slightly, but well, he’s always been one to adapt.

He was never a good person, not really. Opportunistic and dry, willing to use a natural charm to skirt the law. But he wasn’t a monster. Eventually he fell into recruiting people for some new construction, or scientific project, way out on the western edge of the Zee. After that was finished, the Charlatan figured he’d be heading for the surface, cashing out and seeing how much his stories of the mysterious world below would sell for up above.

Because here’s the thing about the Sardonic Charlatan - they didn’t tell him what was going on.

I mean, why would the admiralty tell everyone on Station V about their project? It was a dangerous thing, something on a need to know basis, but of course there were rumours. Rumours and little distant flashes of light. No one really knew how dangerous stars really were, though, when they were trying to build one.

So on the day when the Dawn Machine turned on, when the chosen few were watching aboard the ships, as the rest carried on on Station V… no one really expected what happened. Especially not a Charlatan who was barely invested in the cause to begin with.

It was beautiful, at first. People crowded around railings and docks to catch a glimpse of the distant light. It was almost sunlight, they said, and after so long in the dark, no one could fault people for getting enraptured. But then people weren’t able to look away. And the ships way out by the machine, casting long shadows in the golden glow didn’t seem like they were going to come back. Then of course, people started to change.

Here’s the thing about the Sardonic Charlatan, though - as self serving as he could be, he wasn’t a monster.

When the people you’ve spent months with start to break apart, bleeding light and hymn from every wound, it doesn’t matter if you share their sailor’s comradery or goddamn patriotism, you’re going to do something about it. Perhaps for the first time in his life, the Charlatan grew selfless as chaos reigned in the birth of new law on Station V. He gathered the less affected somewhere dark, somewhere safe, and made a plan. They’d get their own ship, and they’d high tail it for London. They’d have to know what to do - or at the very least, they’d be safe there.

No one noticed as something began to creep into the Charlatan’s blistered lips, a harmonious lilt that wasn’t there days before. He hid his wounds, he tried to do what was right, and he tried to go back into the calm of the dark - he really, truly did.

But here’s the thing about him, and here’s the thing about her. It was already over.

He knew it, but he wouldn’t admit it. She knew, though, the quiet but witty mechanic the Charlatan recruited personally. She accepted the machine quickly - another love melding into one in a single breath. It wasn’t hard, by the time she found him, collapsed and shivering. Trying to swallow down whatever light he could. It was her words, though, that sealed his fate. Even still, the Sardonic Charlatan went out screaming.

The dawnlight wasn’t kind to him - the Sardonic Charlatan had never really believed in anything before, and it burnt through him without restraint. Whatever his name was, whoever he was before the navy, before this job, he’s nothing but embers now. He loves the woman that saved him, so long ago, but some days he can’t remember the first time they truly met. All that matters is that he’s whatever he needs to be to bring more people into the fold, to be remade, happier and far, far brighter.

Because here’s the thing about Vincent Beverley. He’s a pretty simple guy. Anything else is long gone.

Here’s a lil Vincent dialogue test for making it to the bottom of this post lmao!

“That’s just the thing, though, isn’t it? People always seem to think of it the wrong way around! I don’t sell anyone anything, no, not really. I’ll admit it would be easier if I could just offer up a little slice of sunshine to anyone interested n’ be on my way, but… that’ll never really work. Dawnlight’s a powerful, beautiful thing, but there’s nothing like a human touch in this line of work. The secret’s simple: just be whoever they need you to be. A friend, a job prospect, a helping hand, a lover, a bringer of opportunity. The light comes later - and it will come later, don’t you worry. But once you offer sweet, lonely, desperate people just a little kindness? Well, then you’re already halfway there.”

[njessie]

Jack’s been trying to propose for weeks now, but he keeps getting interrupted. No one notices, because everyone thinks they’re engaged anyway. Joke’s secretly egging them all on because he thinks it’s hilarious.

(G, 2,359 words, 5+1, post canon)

1. Proposing at the school almost feels like a full circle moment. Regardless of what happen after, Joke was one of the first people Jack told about his dream. Since then, Joke's done everything possible to make it into a reality and together, they've been able to firmly establish themselves in the community. The school is a little haven for them as much as it is for the kids, a safe place to learn and grow. Not to mention, it's also where they promised to stay together, sealing it with their rings.

They're both in the office, wrapping up for the day. The paperwork has piled up and Jack's in the middle of creating a math curriculum he hopes is easier to understand, especially for the kids that missed out on earlier lessons. He can see Joke is starting to get restless though, sitting for so long. Sure enough, Joke's out of his seat in the next minute, telling Jack they should call Ama and see if she's made anything for dinner.

"Maybe we can get some take out if she hasn't. There's that new noodle stall in the market I want to try," Joke says as he organizes his papers.

Jack grabs his hand, turning Joke so they're facing each other. He rubs his thumb softly over the ring and smiles at Joke's puzzled look. The moment feels so right.

"Wait, Joke, I—"

The door to the office bursts open and Toi Ting rushes in, talking a mile a minute.

"P'Jaaack, P'Joke, what's taking so long! Let's go home already, I'm hungry and there's a new noodle stall in the market. Ama won't mind if we get noodles, right?"

Joke smiles at him before he lets go and moves towards Toi Ting. He has a gentle hand on her shoulder as they walk towards the door, discussing noodle options. It's only been a second but Toi Ting has somehow already roped him into also buying ice cream. Not that it takes much to convince Joke when it comes to sweets, but it's impressive how quickly she did it.

Jack didn't even manage to get the words out, so he's a little exasperated, but if anyone's allowed to interrupt them it's Toi Ting. She deserves all the attention they can give her, so he grabs his phone and keys from the table and follows them out the door.

2. Hoy is the first to crash through the gate, as usual. Jack was halfway to his knee, question at the tip of his tongue, Joke waiting with a small smile on his face. They both startle and look towards the entrance, where Tattoo and Aran are walking in behind Hoy with bags of clinking bottles.

“We’re here for dinner and brought drinks! Why are you crouching like that, P’Jack? Are you practicing lunges? I want to workout with you too!”

Jack pinches the bridge of his nose and wonders if Hoy’s voice has always been this loud. The proposal is obviously off the table, again. Joke has already moved towards the kitchen to help Ama bring food in. His grin is wide and there’s a glean in his eyes as he passes by, giving Jack’s hand a quick squeeze. Jack thinks he might be missing something, but he’s soon swept up. Tattoo has complaints about the assistant Jack hired to help him and Aran thinks he might be ready to lead a knitting class. Hoy’s still going on about lunges and fitness plans, regardless of anyone listening.

He sits at the table and closes his eyes for a moment, but Jack can’t bring himself to be too annoyed. His house is full and Joke’s a warm, solid presence next to him, nudging him to put more food on Toi Ting's plate.

He figures proposing can wait another day.

3. They're tucked into a small corner of the bar, sitting close together on a sofa. It's not often they get the chance to go out like this, so Jack's savouring the moment. Joke looks so lovely under the dimmed lights. He's smiling in that way he only ever does for Jack, small and secret, like there's no one else in the world he'd rather be looking at. Jack loves the way they're huddled together, warm where their legs are touching, turned towards each other in conversation. Jack didn't think he would be able to love anyone as much as he loves Joke. There's something about him that Jack's always felt drawn to, since they first met at this exact bar. There's an easiness to their conversations, a trust that took time to build but has since solidified, a warmth to the way they fit into each other's lives.

Joke's resting his head on the back of the sofa, turned fully the side so they can see each other while they speak. Their drinks lay forgotten as they lose themselves in conversation. Jack idly plays with Joke's hand, running his fingers over his knuckles, his palm, his ring. He's not sure if Joke's noticed how often he's been doing that lately, but given how many times he's tried and failed to propose, it's always on his mind. Jack gears up for it again, thinking he's safe from interrupting friends or daughter in this little bubble they're in. He thinks Joke might be expecting it too, if his soft expression is anything to go by. But of course, nothing in his life seems to come easy, and it's at that moment the music changes tempo, from soft jazz to something more upbeat.

There's a crowd of people coming in through the door, the makeshift dance floor filling up. He looks over and sure enough, there's Rosé at the centre of it, surrounded by friends and, inexplicably, Nang. Jack notices two of her bodyguards at the bar, carefully watching the crowd. Rosé spots them as she twirls around, squinting at them before she smiles wide. She's definitely already wine drunk.

"My friends!" Rosé nudges the woman next to her. "Look at my lovely friends! Isn't Jack handsome? You know, I used to be in love with him." Her voice breaks a little at the end, somewhere between a laugh and sob.

Jack's sure she tried to whisper the last part. He hopes. Joke is laughing next to him but shifts over slightly when Rosé starts to walk towards them and that just won't do. Jack moves back into his space and they share a look. He knows Joke still feels a little awkward around Rosé, but given Jack was two seconds away from proposing, he doesn't feel like putting any distance between them. He doesn't care if anyone thinks they're sitting too close, he just needs to feel Joke beside him.

4. Joke has spent most of the day in the kitchen with Ama, learning a new recipe. Jack's noticed he gets into a state of single-minded focus when he's doing something he loves, especially when it's hands-on. He works at recipes until they're perfect, has learned enough about mixing drinks that there's new ones on the menu at the bar, and scribbles away at his sketchbooks almost every day.

Today's no different. Ama taught Joke the basic technique and has since gone upstairs to rest, but Joke's determined to get the recipe right. Jack has a rare day off, so he brings a chair to the kitchen and pretends to read while he watches Joke work. His movements are precise and skilled and once everything is in the pot and cooking, he steps back and stretches. Jack comes up behind him and wraps his arms around Joke's waist, rests his head on his shoulder.

"Tired?" Jack asks.

"A little. But I think I've gotten the recipe right. It should be ready in 15 minutes. Do you want to go call Ama? She must be hungry by now too."

Jack hums into the back of his neck. Jack loves how much Joke cares, especially for Ama. He's always thinking of everyone around him, so much so that Jack worries he doesn't think about himself enough. He wants to be able to do that for Joke too, to find a good balance in caring for each other. They're definitely getting there in their own relationship and Jack is so excited to spend his life trying. He spins Joke around, grabs his left hand, and gets down on his knee.

Joke's smile slowly gets bigger, until it lights up his whole face. Jack smiles up at him, clears his throat and—

Ama chooses that exact moment to walk in.

"Jack, why are you kneeling on the floor like that? It's dirty, your pants will get stained. Get up, come on, get up quickly."

Ama's waving at him impatiently and he stares back at her, disbelieving. Joke pulls him up by the hand he's still holding, laughing at his plight. He stands and groans, rests his head on Joke's shoulder again. Joke pats his back for a second, before pushing him back for some space to turn back towards the stove.

5. Jack knows Joke is tired. It's been a long day at the school, but it turns out Joke is excellent at handling sponsors and managing staff. He doesn't love it, there's too much paperwork and Joke prefers the work at the bar but he also loves Jack and wants to help out as much as he can. So Jack knows Joke is likely halfway asleep, but he figures if there's anywhere he won't be interrupted it's late at night, safely tucked in bed.

Joke's curled into Jack's side, as he often is. Jack runs a gentle hand through his hair and steels himself up for it. He doesn't think Joke will say no, but he's worked this up in his head so much at this point.

"Joke. I know it hasn't been that long, and we've been through a lot together, but I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. I want us to take the next step together. Let's get married."

Jack lets out a breath and waits, knowing Joke sometimes needs a minute. He continues to run gentle fingers in his hair, waiting a moment, then two. But Joke still hasn't said anything, and that's unusual.

"Joke?" Jack looks down at him and Joke is...asleep. Jack stares at him for a second, convinced he's tricking him. But Joke's breathing is even and relaxed and Jack can't help but laugh a little at the absurdity of it all. He shifts onto his side and hugs Joke closer, presses a soft kiss to his forehead.

There's always tomorrow.

+1.

It's a rare evening they're having dinner alone. Usually, there's a host of random friends and family joining them, eager for Ama's cooking, often the only meal they get with warm invitation. If no one else, it's them and Ama or Toi Ting, but today Ama has gone to bed early and Toi Ting is studying with Tattoo. Joke arranges the table full of small dishes, plates of vegetables and fish and chive dumplings he's spent the afternoon making.

Jack feels like he's going to burst with the question. It's been weeks and there's always something, or rather, someone, getting in the way. If he doesn't get to ask soon he might just drag Joke to the courthouse and elope. Joke piles his plate high with food, saying something about a new recipe and I think you'll like this Jack, and yeah, Jack's not waiting anymore.

"Joke. Let's get married."

Joke freezes, the sauce from the vegetables he was about to add to Jack's plate dripping on the table. He stares at Jack for a minute before his face splits into a huge smile, and Jack's so happy he feels his heart might burst.

"Yeah. Yeah, okay, let's get married."

They both move at the same time, pulling each other into a tight hug, swaying with laughter and joy. They stay like that for a while, breathing each other in, foreheads touching. Joke is the first to pull back and his eyes are shining and Jack loves him, so much.

"Hoy is going to be so happy he won the bet," Joke laughs.

BONUS: It's hot and crowded in the house, just another evening everyone has joined them for dinner. Hoy, Tattoo, Aran, and Toi Ting fill in the extra chairs at the table, replacing their usual calm dinner with banter and quick-fire conversations. Jack feels like he hasn't stopped smiling since he proposed and he wants everyone to know, wants to share the love and joy. He's holding Joke's hand under the table, playing with the ring on his left hand. He clears his throat, not that it helps in quieting anyone down.

"So, Joke and I are getting married."

Everyone looks over at that. They all stare at him, but it's not the reaction he's expecting. They’re looking at him like he's grown a second head.

"Well obviously. We've known that for months." Aran rolls his eyes so hard Jack's surprised he hasn't given himself a headache.

"What, no. I just proposed yesterday, what do you mean!" Jack says.

"I just proposed yesterday!" Tattoo mocks, "yeah okay, whatever P'Jack."

Jack splutters, looks over at Joke for support but Joke's silently laughing and Jack knows he's lost. He looks to Ama, but she's frowning at him.

"What do you mean you just proposed," Ama says. "Joke's been wearing your ring for months, are you telling me you've been making him wait for months?"

"The ring was a promise! Not a proposal! I mean obviously I was always going to propose, eventually, at some point, but—"

Ama’s shaking her head at him and Joke's doubled over in laughter now and Jack realizes explaining it is making everything worse.

"Sorry Ama."

He concedes to losing this one, but Joke's hand is warm in his, his laughter vibrant, and his ring is on his finger. He's sitting at a table with people he loves knowing he'll be spending the rest of his life with Joke. So really, it's not a loss at all.

[metalbvcky]

Bloom!Verse Masterlist

It's been three years since the birth of this enormous series. I never thought a oneshot (which became eight chapters) could lead me to such character development and world building, but here we are. And I'm still writing, the muse hasn't died, and I'm not nearly finished (or ever will be). The lore is ✨ infinite ✨ So I thought I'd make an updated masterpost— in chronological order (as it's been written in reverse)— for the new year. Aster should be finished by the late spring and then I'll likely start the wedding fic 😉 I still have dozens of ideas for this series, it's insane. In fact, I have a poly fic in the works, I just need to continue and finish it 😋

🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷

Shelves of Aster - 96k (WIP)

Tags: Alternative Universe - Bookstore, Sugar Daddy, Meet Cute, First Meetings, Age Difference, Falling In Love, Healthy Relationships, Experienced Dom/Inexperienced Sub Snippet: Their eyes lock the second Steve pulls back slightly. They gaze at each other for what feels like forever, as if a magical force is drawing them in, closer, and closer until neither of them can ignore the tension surrounding them. Steve’s breath puffs against Bucky’s lips when he speaks, “Can I kiss you?”

Peach and Lemon Blossoms - 1k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Office Sex, Implied Top Steve/Bottom Bucky, PWP Snippet: Bucky has always fantasized about office sex, and always found the risk to be a bit thrilling. He made sure to lock the door before he came inside, so there wasn’t a chance of anyone walking in on them, though there was still a possibility someone could knock.

Rose Blue - 60k, 8 chapters (complete)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, 24/7 D/S relationship dynamic, Kinky Husbands In Love, a whole bunch of smut tags Snippet: Steve smiles at Bucky before he reaches across the dresser, to the dedicated spot where they keep their accessories and things. Draped around a velvet bust is a sterling silver choker, the petite chain link gleaming in the soft lamplight. Beside the bust is a ring boat containing a wedding band that matches the one attached to the choker’s oval pendant, curved downward. Blue accent roses decorate the gold tinted sides, a crystal stone shining in the center with leaves tucked throughout.

Dreams of Poppy Fields (3 times Bucky pretended to be asleep and 1 time Steve caught him) - 4.8k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Fluffy and Smut, Light Angst, Possessive Steve Snipppet: Steve kneels down to pry the trowel out of Bucky’s hand from where he’d been tending to the garden. He slides Bucky’s stained gardening gloves off and tosses them aside, out of Dum-E’s reach. It isn’t the first time he’s had to carry Bucky to bed, and it surely won’t be the last, so Steve sees no problem in picking him up.

A Mug Filled with Pink Irises - 2.3k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Kitchen Sex Snippet: Steve crosses his legs, fixated on Bucky’s exposed collar bone from the low-cut neckline. Peppering kisses to his husband’s neck, not to mention sucking on the most sensitive spots, has always been his favorite part about foreplay.

Dark Dahlias at the Annual Potts/Romanov Costume Party - 6.5k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Halloween, Humor, House Party, Domestic Fluff, Pepper Potts/Natasha Romanov Snippet: “Give me your best sexual pick-up line,” Bucky says, one-hundred percent intending to use it on Steve, if Nat doesn’t beat him to it. Clint leans against the counter, scratching his head in thought. Dressed as Fred Jones is truly uncanny for this particular moment. “I’m peanut butter. You’re jelly. Let’s have sex?”

Wild Amaranth Desires - 5.1k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Roleplay, Cages, Leashes, Blink and you'll miss it mention of a threesome Snippet: Bassy music thrums through the walls, the sound rushing in and around the small, closed-off area. A few multi-colored lights gently strobe in the background, occasionally highlighting over the cage that sits in the middle of the room.

Amaryllis in Baskets - 1.3k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, PWP, Dirty Talk, Cooking Snippet: Now here they are, Steve finishing up lunch while Bucky sits at the breakfast table with the warm, afternoon sun slipping through the curtains.

His Precious Primrose - 4.1k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Christmas, PWP, Aftercare Snippet: Steve takes the steps one at a time, his cotton, calf-length robe grazing the railing. Once at the bottom, he strolls through the hallway and into the kitchen, passing the dining room while on his way. He walks slowly, with no rush at all, when a gift wrapped up in front of the lit fireplace slips into the corner of his vision.

Identical Mauve Carnations - 3.6k (oneshot)

Tags: Established Relationship, Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Dream Sequence, Wet Dream, Self-cest, Bucky/Bucky, Winter Soldier Bucky Snippet: “It’s been a while since I’ve been with a pretty thing like you,” James purrs, reaching up to brush a metal knuckle over Bucky’s cheek. “Think you can handle being with me?”

🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷🥀🌷

Because I know not everyone reads threesomes, I've listed the rest under the cut (and this post is long enough) 😉

Cattails In the Rogers-Barnes Household (A Scavenger Hunt for Lube, 5 +1) - 12k, 2 chapters (complete)

Tags: Married Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Threesomes, Pre-Poly, Dom Loki, Switch Loki Snippet: Loki vaults themself forward and successfully closes the door without alerting anyone. They scan the room slowly, spotting every little detail. The desk is rather tidy, however, the sitting area is the polar opposite. Magazines are scattered across the floor, throw pillows shoved to the side, and overall just in a disarray. What really catches their eye is the pair of leather cuffs poking out between the cushions, along with a thin strap for a blindfold.

A Toy to Share, Restrained by Coriander - 6.7k (oneshot)

Tags: Threesomes, Pre-Poly, BDSM scene Snippet: Loki pushes off of the wall from where they’d been leaning, arms no longer crossed, and takes a couple of long, determined steps. Bucky cranes his neck up due to Loki’s height, just an odd number of inches taller than him. Both of their gazes are locked in on each other, eyes unmoving while Loki curves a single finger under Bucky’s jaw.

Strangled by Thoughts of Poison Ivy (Bucky Rogers-Barnes and the No Good, Very Bad Week) - 9.2k (oneshot)

Tags: Pre-Poly, Scene Gone Wrong, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst Snippet: Steve doesn't think, he just reacts, his body moving on its own as he scrambles to loosen the straps holding Bucky in before he hurts himself. The second they loosen even a fraction, Bucky breaks free, scrambling rapidly backward off of the bench, his back slamming into the wall behind them. Steve tries to catch him but Bucky pulls his arm away, and god, it feels like a stab to the heart to watch Bucky curl on himself like a wounded animal.

Honeysuckles Growing on the Window Sill - 22k, 5 chapters (complete)

Tags: Threesomes, Feelings Realization, Friends to Lovers, Relationship Discussions, Fluff and Smut Snippet: Steve’s face turns serious, absolute fondness written in his expression. “Without a doubt in my mind. You were so beautiful for me,” he says, voice turning soft as he tucks a loose strand of Loki’s hair behind their ear. “I really like you, Loki. We like you.”

Lobelias in the Meeting Room - 4k (oneshot)

Tags: Threesomes, Polyamory, Light Angst, Fluff and Smut Snippet: Loki follows Steve with their eyes, holding their gaze until Steve comes to a stop near them, leaning against his desk with his arms crossed. They regard Bucky with a soft look before capturing his lips, inhaling through their nose as arousal swells in their stomach.

A Threatening Snakeroot (Hidden in the Crowd) - 7.1k (oneshot)

Tags: Threesomes, Polyamory, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Sex Club Snippet: As Bucky is led down the hallway, taking an immediate right, Loki directs him over to the side of the bar. There’s a square pedestal off to the side, which was added the same day Bucky received his pillow. A sign on the left of it read, ‘Pet on Display,’ while on the right it said, ‘ Display Only - Do Not Touch.’ It was a nice little spot to watch people come and go, and was close enough to the bar that Val could help keep an eye out for him if Loki and Steve weren't nearby.

Succulent Strawberries, Dangling from the Branches - 1.6k (oneshot)

Tags: Threesomes, Polyamory, Fluff and Smut, Domestic, Bookstores Snippet: The warmth of Steve’s breath causes a shiver to travel through Bucky’s back. He lets out a whine upon the slender hand urging him back inside, his legs going into autopilot mode as his doms tower over him. The door shuts with an audible click, followed by the window shades rolling down and blocking the evening sunlight.

The First Sprouts of Spring - 1.6k (oneshot-- recently switched to complete since my brain had other ideas back in 2021)

Tags: Threesomes, Polyamory, Fluff and Smut, Cuddling & Snuggling Snippet: As Steve steps onto the porch for a few pieces of wood, Loki strolls over to the closet and takes out some blankets. They return to find Steve rearranging the furniture, pushing the two couches together, creating a square hollow. They promptly hand the stack of blankets to Steve at his instruction, then head back to check up on Bucky.

[kateis-cakeis]

Thinking about the structure of the Old Religion.

From what we know there's the Nine which refers to the High Priestesses of the Triple Goddess - powerful sorcerers who obtained immortality (unless killed by some form of magic), and performed important rituals of the Old Religion.

It is unknown if there was a High Priest equivalent, but Gaius in S1Ep13 does tell Merlin that "the High Priests have the power to mirror life and death". This suggests that perhaps there were High Priests of the Triple Goddess, and that they also had a Nine.

There's the Bendrui, women who failed to become part of the Nine. Just like those who eventually became High Priestesses of the Triple Goddess, they were chosen at birth for the priesthood - taken from their families and raised as initiates of the Old Religion. Despite their failure, Bendrui are practiced in potent magic, and appear to have above average gifts.

There's the Bloodguard, warrior priests who swore to protect the High Priestesses. They, like the High Priestesses, were the only people to ever set eyes upon the staff carved from the Rowan tree that grows at the very heart of the Isle of the Blessed.

It could be suggested that like the Bendrui, the Bloodguard could have been failed High Priests, but there is no evidence (other than the existence of the Bendrui, and the mention of High Priests) to truly suggest this.

It is also unknown if the Bloodguard served the Triple Goddess. It is possible that the priests served various different gods of the Old Religion, but due to their relation to the Nine specifically, it is likely these warrior priests served the Triple Goddess.

There's the Catha, which contains priests. (Alator is referred to being "of the Catha, warrior and priest", he also says "I'm a Catha priest").

It is unknown if they served the Triple Goddess, or a different god of the Old Religion (and we know they are priests of the Old Religion because Morgana says, "He's a Catha...priest of the Old Religion.").

They have their own language, however, suggesting that they are a unique culture, and perhaps even an ethnic group. (This is further supported by Alator saying Catha are trained from birth to master all physical pain, it is also said that they guard their ancient knowledge - which leans towards them being a people rather than just initiates of the Old Religion)

There's the Disir, the highest court of the Old Religion, made up of three women chosen at birth to be trained as seers and soothsayers. They are the mouthpiece of the Triple Goddess, and interpret her word. As Gaius says, "When they sat in judgement, their word was final". They pass on the runemark, which is both judgement and fate - it contains a person's guilt, as well as the path the gods have chosen for them.

There's the Druids, a peaceful people who worship the Old Religion and often possess magic. It's a part of their beliefs to help people in need of care, and therefore, those who weren't born a Druid can find a home amongst them (Morgana is one such example).

Moreover, the Druids look for children with the gift of telepathy to serve as apprentices (perhaps to keep them safe? perhaps to encourage their magic in childhood?). The Druids also have a tattoo of a triskelion somewhere on their body, perhaps as a part of a ritual (to indicate someone has become a Druid?).

While the Druids have an intimate knowledge of prophecy and destiny, especially regarding Emrys and the Once and Future King, they do not appear to be priests or priestesses in any form. Just like the Catha, they have their own language (called the Druid tongue and Druidic Runes by Gaius), therefore, it is possible that they too are a unique culture and/or an ethnic group.

There's the Isle of the Blessed, a sacred location of the Old Religion, said to be the centre of it, and the focus of its power - it is also where the power of the ancients can still be felt after the Great Purge. Artifacts such as the Rowan staff, the Cup of Life, and the Horn of Cathbhadh were kept there under the care of the High Priestesses. Furthermore, Morgana's healing bracelet was forged on Isle - suggesting that its power allowed for the creation of powerful artifacts (this is further supported by the Rowan staff which was carved from the tree that grows there).

In a deleted scene for S4Ep1, Morgause says when she was first brought to the Isle, the hallways were teeming with women - High Priestesses. Although it is said often within the fandom, canon never establishes if the initiates were trained on the Isle. This deleted scene, however, heavily suggests it.

There's the Caerlanrigh, a sacred spring within the Grove of Brineved. There, the Disir reside within a cave, where the spring feeds into an ancient pool - in which the Disir divine from. The old ways are at their strongest there, and it's at the very centre of their powers (whether Gaius meant the old ways or the Disir here is unclear).

There's the Cauldron of Arianrhod, a sacred site of the Old Religion. The lake contains the power of the White Goddess, who can be summoned to heal those affected by the Teine Diaga ritual. However, if such a person is tricked into entering the cauldron, their soul would be lost forever.

There's the Crystal Cave, said to be the birthplace of magic. It is filled to the brim with scrying crystals that show the past, present, and future. Taliesin used the cave as the source of his prophecies for the kings of old. And as much as the crystals can be controlled, they can force visions upon powerful sorcerers too.

The cave can also hold spirits within it, seen with both Balinor and Taliesin.

While this may have been the case for Merlin alone, the cave can restore a person's magic.

There are celebrations important to the Old Religion too, such as:

Samhain, a time of year where the people feel closest to the spirits of their ancestors, in which they celebrate their passing.

During Samhain it was traditional for the High Priestesses to gather on the Isle of the Blessed and perform a blood sacrifice to release the Dorocha. This was done on the stroke of midnight, when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest.

Since the Dorocha do not roam free in the world throughout the series, it is suggested that a second blood sacrifice was done by the High Priestesses - perhaps before the night was through - to close the veil once more.

In Camelot, a feast is held as part of the celebrations. (This suggests that while the Old Religion and its practices were abandoned during and after the Purge, the heart of the religion and its holidays were never replaced).

Beltane, a time of year where the High Priestesses would gather at the Great Stones of Nemeton and summon the spirits of their ancestors with the Horn of Cathbhadh. It opens the door to the Spirit World and allows the person who blew the horn to see and speak with their ancestor of choice.

In Camelot a feast is held as part of the celebrations (which much like Samhain seems indicate that the Old Religion has been around for so long that it cannot be removed from society entirely - that the people clung onto some traditions, including the royal family).

There's the Gods of the Old Religion, the Triple Goddess, the White Goddess, and Nemaine. It could be implied that the White Goddess, and the Earth Mother Nemaine are part of the Triple Goddess, but it is just as likely for them to be separate gods.

If so, the Triple Goddess is heavily associated with the Nine, destiny and fate, and the immortality of certain sorcerers. Perhaps she is also associated with the balance of the world, due to the power over life and death being tied to the High Priestesses and supposed High Priests.

The White Goddess, however, appears to be associated with one's soul and healing. It was only her power that could heal and retain Gwen's soul after Teine Diaga ritual.

The Earth Mother Nemaine is related to Gean Canach, as it is said her tears forged the creature. The book Gaius reads from has more information, and from what can be deciphered, it says that Nemaine first wept at the slaughter of war, resulting in the Gean Canach crawling out of the Earth's belly (there is more written on the page, but it is impossible to tell what it says). This suggests that Nemaine lives within the Earth's core, and that she is indeed associated with nature and living beings as her name implies.

Furthermore, since she wept at the slaughter of war, she is perhaps the god of life itself, but not of the entire cycle. And due to the Gean Canach's abilities, to devour and drain a sorcerer of their magic, it is likely that this war's slaughter was brought about by magic.

It is possible that The Earth Mother Nemaine could be related to the Pool of Nemhain. Despite having different spellings in the show (the subtitles), they have extremely similar pronunciations (even if it is a bit different). Perhaps they are unrelated, but if they are one and the same, it could be suggested that the Earth Mother is connected to death as well as life, due to the pool being the last of the Five Gateways to the Spirit World. (This contradicts what is analysed in the above paragraph, but this post is meant to speculate multiple possibilities.)

Honourable mentions:

It could be suggested that the Quest Ritual was once part of the Old Religion. It includes the heir to the throne of Camelot transcending their body in order to receive a vision of a quest. This quest is meant to prove their worth to the people, and their worthiness of the throne. The heir prepares themself by cleansing their body and dressing in white robes. They spend an entire night kneeling on the floor, barefoot, with their eyes closed.

Due to how Arthur reacts in the morning when Uther pulls him out of it, and how sacred the entire process appears to be, it is as if the heir is actually gifted with a vision of a quest. This is supported by his reaction, as he looks dazed when relays what he has seen. Therefore, it seems as if the ritual includes some form of magic due to the preparation, and if so, then it's likely it was a practice of the Old Religion (specifically for the heirs of Camelot? Due to Camelot's association with the very heart of magic?)

It has been around for hundreds of years, so it is not outside the realm of possibility that the Quest Ritual is so old that the general consensus has forgotten its ties to the Old Religion, or much like Samhain and Beltane, it is perhaps so baked into society that it couldn't be abandoned.

--

In S1Ep13, Merlin says that the "Old Religion died out centuries ago". Even in Series 1 this is far from true, but later seasons make this remark seem entirely ignorant. If anything, this sentiment comes from a post-Purge society, where the structures of the Old Religion no longer exist. Perhaps it is even propaganda that Uther pushed forward as people became more fearful over the years, turning away from the old ways despite once practicing such beliefs (and for the people of Camelot, still practicing some of those beliefs).

It is possible this was a retcon but if so then it's directly retconned in S1Ep13 when it's revealed that Nimueh is a High Priestess.

Anyhow, in response to Merlin's ignorance, Kilgharrah says, "The Old Religion is the magic of the Earth itself. It is the essence which binds all things together. It will last long beyond the time of men".

This shows that the Old Religion doesn't just refer to the religion and the gods, but rather it is the very magic that makes up the fabric of the world, and as Balinor says in S2Ep13 it's either a part of you or it isn't. This suggests that it is indeed not just a religion, but the very world, the Earth, magic.

He also goes on to say that Merlin must "find those who still serve it", which shows that Uther very much didn't succeed in eradicating the structure of the Old Religion entirely, at least at that point in the show. And perhaps that anyone could serve it, even after the very structure collapsed.

All this is to say that the Old Religion is extremely pagan. The structure itself is vague perhaps because Old Religion is personal, it is vague. The differences between the High Priestesses, the Catha, and the Druids make this clear. Following the Old Religion's beliefs, traditions, and holidays is personal and spiritual because it varies, because there is no wrong way. Because there are no set rules or a real structure at all. The High Priestesses had power, yes, but this seems to come directly from the Triple Goddess herself, rather than a societal standing.

Nimueh was at court, and she was Uther's friend, but she was also very quickly thrown from the court after Ygraine died. And yes, the High Priestesses went to war with the Ancient Kings, but that appears to be a difference in factions, rather than let's say the Christian church and its power over the centuries.

Therefore, I propose that the Old Religion as a religion was loose in its structure, that it never died out like Merlin said (which does seem to be a post-Purge sentiment), but instead simply changed and evolved, and continued to exist even after the Purge, with its holidays in Camelot, and with the Druids and their practices/beliefs.

-----

Overall, the information we have on the structure of the Old Religion is vague and patchy. This was perhaps intentional so the writers could work around existing canon to introduce new concepts without being constricted by their past worldbuilding. But that's getting into the Intentional Fallacy, so I'll leave that there.

It appears that the High Priestesses had the most power in society, due to their past wars with the Ancient Kings, and their sheer power and knowledge. Not to mention their artifacts and control over creatures like the Fomorroh.

But there are different beliefs and structures to the Old Religion, like with the Catha and the Druids, suggesting that there are multiple ways to worship and follow the Old Religion.

The many sacred sites show that there are different powers and sources to the Old Religion that have different purposes. Like how the path to the Cauldron of Arianrhod was lined with banners for pilgrims, not to necessarily summon the White Goddess, but to visit the site. Or how the Isle of the Blessed is a powerful religious site, while the Crystal Cave is a fairly legendary and unknown place that few ever get to see.

In conclusion, the Old Religion is vast and has many facets to it. There is some structure, but it doesn't seem entirely necessary in order to follow the Old Religion. And in reality, it is inherent to the Earth, it is magic itself.

[kamwashere]

Read Chapter Four

SUMMARY—

A wave of affection and longing almost makes him stagger on his feet. Just seeing him in that suit—looking less than impressive, scratching his butt—makes him realize just how much he missed him. He missed his loud, annoying voice, how easy it seemed for him to read Peter’s mind, and how he never missed their nightly rendezvous on top of rooftops.

“Wade,” he inwardly cringes at how his voice catches, “Hi.”

Peter, fresh out of his multiversal escapades, gains a new perspective in life. One that includes a certain mouthy mercenary, perhaps?

TAGS—

OTHER LINKS—

entire work: all the skeleton you hide (show me yours, i’ll show you mine)

part two of new york isn’t new york without you

previous work: my heart is wild (and my bones are steel)

[spiderpupware]

[space-writes]

ROYGBIV tag

tagged by @winterandwords, thank you! these are all from A Question of Trust, because I’ve got Boys™ brainrot again <3

📝 Search your story for the colours of the rainbow and post the excerpts.

[ID - a purple decorative divider]

Red

Her eyes glinted—not dried blood but y’haerrphis. Fanatic red. The colour of whip-cracks and high devotional hymns. Magic coiled on the back of his tongue; there was no Matron here to bring the lash down for any unseemly male outburst, and the last Watch patrol he’d seen had been two streets up.

Orange

Darkness wrapped them, the burnt orange flicker of a streetlamp outside catching all Rizeth’s perfect edges, setting his eyes ablaze.

Yellow

She had yellow daisies braided into her hair today, matching the sunny colour of her light shawl.

Green

Lord Stillgleam, elegant in a sea-green skirt and drapes of golden chain, stood with his hip cocked and one eyebrow raised behind his fan. He snapped it shut.

Blue

She took a pen from a cunning slot in the book’s spine, and tapped the end. A faint hum of magic lit the patterns along the wood, and she began to write in neat curls of deep blue Elvish. “I have trouble speaking my feelings,” she said, flicking a glance at him. Her eyes were as blue as her ink. “It caused some difficulties with Sir for a while, so now I write them down for him.”

Indigo

“I didn’t think you liked such sweet things, Master,” Ashenivir said, examining the silver plate of confections curiously. Fruit, in a dozen varieties, sugar-dusted and half-dipped in chocolate. “I like you, do I not?” Rizeth said. That pretty, delicate stain of indigo spread once more across Ashenivir’s face.

Violet

“Rise,” he said. Ashenivir got smoothly to his feet, keeping his arms folded behind his back. The muscles of his legs flexed, slim and strong, as well-kept as the leather in Rizeth’s hands. “Arms out behind your back, parallel—very good, Ra’soltha.” “Are you to bind me, Master? Those are long cuffs for doing that.” “Arms higher,” Rizeth said. He’d get his answer soon enough. He turned Ashenivir so he could see their reflections in the mirror as he slid the long sleeves onto his arms and laced them to fit snugly from mid-bicep to wrist. The rich russet leather paired excellently with his deep violet skin—a fact Ashenivir was all too clearly admiring alongside his Master.

[ID - a purple decorative divider]

no-pressure tagging @talesofsorrowandofruin @olliexwrites @willtheweaver and @aalinaaaaaa

Obedience taglist: @foxboyclit @belovedviolence @thegreatobsesso (ask to be +/-)

[emsleyanbluejay]

“tagging your work appropriately” includes tagging your reader inserts as reader inserts i shouldn’t have to block a hundred different variations of “[character] x reader” to even have a chance of filtering it out

[willowser]

my heart's aflame, my body's strained (but, god, i like it)—

werewolf!bakugou x f!reader

ao3 | playlist

tags: nsfw, smut (18+), modern au (no quirks), continuous talk of death and grief and loss, talk of dead body/corpse, possessive behavior, some violence, *rough sex, **attempted sexual assault, *bakugou is actually so animalistic in this one please understand, heavy angst, ungodly amounts of mutual pining, time-skip, i leaned a bit into the southern gothic theme. (tags subject to change)

...coming soon !

*bakugou is — quite literally — a bit feral in this. i've decided to forgo a dubcon tag, but i want to warn that at one point reader is a bit resistant to him and he does not listen. it's a very much consensual situation and is meant to be taken as the reader being a bit nervous or surprised maybe, but not unwilling or uncomfortable.

**there is, however, a very specific scene in which the reader is forced into an interaction beyond their control and is touched and handled in a way that's without their consent, and not wanted or welcomed at all. it doesn't come from bakugou, it's not very long or graphic, and there's no penetration, but just be advised.

[kittenclifford]

We Could Be Anything

My contribution to the 5sos Friends to Lovers Fest 2024 hosted by Hazel @5sos-fic-fest !

Muke/Explicit/14k words/College AU

Summary: It’s become a habit now, a routine, almost normal for Luke to find himself outside of his dorm room, on the wrong side of the door, in the middle of the night on a weeknight. It was the third time this week (and it was only Wednesday) that Luke had been sexiled from his own dorm room by his roommate Calum. But he had to admit, Luke didn't mind being exiled nearly as much as he let on, because it meant that he got to spend time on the floor above. With Michael.

OR: college AU where Luke's sexile from his dorm room leads him to Michael's room instead; from the floor to the bed, from friends to lovers

You can read it here on AO3!