#for some reason I can't tag e-wills?

[solarmorrigan]

Written for Day 3 of @steddie-week

Prompt: Mutual Pining | Rated: E | Additional Tags: Modern AU, Masturbation, Sexual Fantasy, Hypothetical Top!Eddie/Bottom!Steve

-

Need more trope reversal with gay!Steve and still-thinks-he's-straight!Eddie obliviously pining after each other

Like, Eddie isn't into guys, but it's fine that Steve is. It's cool! Eddie is super supportive! He even helps vet Steve's dates. And whatever anyone (coughRobincough) says, he is not overly invested in Steve's love life. Sure, he might judge potential partners a little harshly, but it's for one of his best friends! Steve is great, and he deserves the best; it's not Eddie's fault so many guys fail to live up to standards.

Meanwhile, Steve is quietly dying, because he's been into Eddie since forever, but Eddie is straight, and he has to sit there and listen to Eddie extol his virtues and talk about how he deserves someone great while not being romantically interested in him whatsoever. But Steve also never claimed he isn't pathetic, so he'll take what he can get; maybe dating a guy who Eddie deems worthy will be almost as good as getting to be with Eddie himself?

Anyway, that train wreck is happening, and it all sort of comes to a head one night when Steve comes home to their shared apartment from yet another date, visibly frustrated and a bit disappointed, and Eddie isn't one to say I Told You So (much), but he had told Steve so. He'd said he hadn't liked the look of the guy's profile picture; Eddie has a sense about these things.

But still, he asks, "Bad date?"

Steve shrugs. "It wasn't- terrible."

"Oh, high praise."

"Well, it wasn't!" Steve gives a little laugh. "I mean, he was... nice."

"He bored you, didn't he?" Eddie can't help himself. "I told you he would be boring, who uses a picture of themselves in a suit for their profile on a dating app?"

"He wasn't boring, he was just- nice," Steve hedges. "A little too nice."

Eddie raises his brows. "Like... suspiciously nice?"

"No, not- we just weren't compatible," Steve says, still frustratingly vague.

Eddie is silent, staring at Steve, willing him to go on.

"In bed," Steve finally elaborates with a sigh. "The sex sucked, man."

"Ah." Eddie nods sagely. And then, because - okay, not because he's overly invested in Steve's love life, thank you very much, but because he's a good friend, right? And a good ally. And - yes, fine, he's also a little curious, sue him, but because of all of that, he asks, "You don't like 'em nice?"

Steve snorts. "I'm not saying I like people to be mean, it's just - I mean, it's kinda hot, you know? Having a guy who can push me around a little - take over so I don't have to think. Like, people just kind of assume I want to be in charge, that I'm gonna take over and-" Steve shakes his head, "I dunno, that's just not really what I'm into."

Eddie nods; this is definitely important information that he needs to have, obviously, if he's going to help Steve find The Perfect Guy. And he can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to give Steve exactly what he wants - he would be so pretty, pressed into the mattress, clutching at the sheets, scrambling for purchase, for a way to channel the pleasure as he gets fucked. Who wouldn't want that?

Like, objectively. Objectively, Steve is an attractive guy, anyone can see that, so objectively he'd probably look hot while getting railed within an inch of his life. That's just science. Surely any guy who also likes guys would be into that.

Eddie realizes he's maybe been silent for too long. "So you're a pillow princess, huh?" he teases, trying to will away the image he's got in his head of Steve begging for some guy's cock, faster, harder-

"Fuck off." Steve gives Eddie a shove, but he's laughing a little. "I am not. I'm definitely not opposed to doing some work to get what I want."

The Steve in Eddie's head that for some reason won't go away shifts from arching his back while on his hands and knees to sitting in some probably undeserving guy's lap, riding him like a fucking pro, head thrown back in ecstasy, and Eddie very much needs to go now, needs to go address the completely unavoidable boner that's come up because they're talking about sex. That's just what happens sometimes. Unavoidably. Totally normal.

"Well, I'll keep that in mind. While we're hunting for your dream guy, I mean," Eddie says quickly, levering himself up off the couch and making for his bedroom as quickly as he can without being suspicious. "Sorry the date was a dud. We'll find your man, though, Stevie, despair not!"

He barely catches a glimpse of the odd look Steve is shooting him before he shuts his bedroom door. He can't think too much on it, because his brain is busy with other things - things like initiating the most confusing jerk-off session of Eddie's life.

But they were just talking about Steve and his preferences in bed, alright? It doesn't have to mean anything that Eddie's suddenly imagining it's his lap that Steve could be bouncing in, whining and crying out as Eddie thrusts up into him, hitting him just right. It doesn't have to mean anything that he imagines putting Steve on his back, imagines Steve's legs wrapped around his waist, imagines holding Steve's hips so hard he leaves finger-shaped bruises, imagines fucking Steve until he's sobbing and still begging for more, because Eddie understands what Steve needs, Eddie can give him what he wants--

It doesn't have to mean anything that Eddie comes harder into the slick clutch of his fist, imagining it's Steve's tight ass, than he has in ages.

It doesn't have to mean anything, but Eddie gets the feeling that maybe it does.

And shit, he may have to do some self reflection.

(Meanwhile, if Steve retires to his own room to have some private time with his favorite toy, fucking himself like he wishes Eddie would, shoving his own fingers in his mouth to keep from calling out his name, that's his business. And if he didn't admit to Eddie that the biggest reason the date had sucked had simply been because the date wasn't him, well - that's Steve's business, too.)

[sundrop-writes]

Okay but Emily or JJ kinks headcanons?

Okay, nothing fancy or over-edited, right off the top of my head:

(Reader is intended to gender neutral - let me know if I flubbed anywhere, and there is mentions of Will x JJ. I'm not gonna list the kinks like I would for a typical fic because this is basically just a big list of kinks lmao. Don't click through if you're uncomfortable with mentions of BDSM and anal.)

Emily would have a Mommy kink.

But she would also have a Mistress kink? Or she would love being called M'am. She would love a title. She loves it when you call her by a title that nobody else can call her.

I feel like Emily would be the type of person who would love BDSM as a lifestyle - she would love casual dominance and being called by her title being closed doors even if you're not engaged in a sexual act. She would be obsessed with having a partner who is willing to strip naked and wait, sitting pretty for her when she comes home.

She would also love collaring for that reason - because she would love the idea of owning you. (She would also definitely get you a pet tag with her name on it, or something that says 'property of Emily'.) And she would get you some kind of necklace with the letter E on it to wear casually in public so people subtly know that you're hers when you're not wearing your collar.

She loves the idea of owning you, not just because she sees you as property, but because she understands under the BDSM lifestyle, she takes care of you fully - making sure that you eat, drink enough water, take care of your health, and she will fully assume that role because taking care of you means that she gets to come home to a willing fuckhole that she can use however she wants, and she will take care of your body because she loves you and loves that body - as much as she will punish you and fuck you senseless when you both need that too.

She has a strap and she loves to use it on you. She also definitely loves to fuck you in the ass - with lots and lots of lube. She loves fucking all your holes, including your throat. (Because she owns them.)

I feel like Emily would have a pain kink. She definitely loves delivering pain and seeing you squirm (as long as you're into it) - she loves spanking and seeing the results; seeing how you can barely walk or sit down properly days after. And she might use a tool like a paddle or a flogger, but she loves a good ole fashioned hand spanking, because she loves feeling the glow on her palm of the skin to skin collisions.

She is also obsessed with rules. It's one of the reasons that she loves BDSM. She will make so many rules for you - when you can cum, when you can and can't touch yourself, when you can use your toys, what specific consequences you get if you break the rules.

She will also make rules for when you're supposed to eat and that you're supposed to eat healthy, and how much water you're supposed to drink in a day - because she demands that your (slutty) body belongs to her, and you have to take care of it if you want her to touch you.

Emily is a hard dom in my opinion - I don't think she would sub for anyone. She loves being in charge, and she is looking for a pet that she can fuck senseless and take care of - that's what she wants out of a relationship.

As for JJ?

JJ is a lot softer.

I think JJ is a switch. I think JJ could be a sub to the right person (and that person is not Will - in that relationship, she walks him like a dog. Henry was conceived by Will begging to nut and JJ giving him permission) - anyway, JJ could be a sub, but it would have to be to a really bossy, demanding person (like Emily) - otherwise she is dominant and bossy and in control.

JJ probably also has a Mommy kink. It's probably not something she would ask to be called - but she would love it if it slipped out of your mouth by accident, and she would be sooo turned on by you calling her that.

I feel like JJ would have a thing for pet names - she would call you baby, honey, sweetie, sweet pea, etc. she would call you so many different pet names, and if she found one that really made you shy or turned you on, then she would press on with that one and call you that all the time. She loves getting a reaction out of you.

She loves soft sex and making love. She is the type of person to kiss all over your body and body worship you with her mouth - definitely into heavy, heavy verbal praise. Again, she loves getting a reaction out of you, and if she sees that verbal praise makes you shrink back in shyness or makes you moan extra hard, then she will pour it on even thicker - tell you how perfect you are, how beautiful you are, how gorgeous you look while you're cumming.

She also loves teasing. She loves to see your reaction when your body slowly winds up - when you're becoming more turned on, when your muscles are tensing and your hips are surging forward toward her touch, silently begging for more. In this same vein, she also does enjoy orgasm denial (but not to a severe degree) - because she loves to wind you up and see how whiny and desperate you get when she pulls back her touch right before you cum. She does love to hear you beg for her and say her name when you beg to cum - but she is the type of person to only deny you once (maybe twice) before letting you cum.

Aaaaand what else ? JJ is super touchy imo. So I feel like she would love running her hands all over your body during sex, and she would need cuddles after sex. She loves skin on skin touching when it's simple and gentle on top of mindblowing orgasms (and giving you orgasms).

(That's all I've got for now).

[beloved-child-of-the-house]

what are thee best drarry fics to read in this day and age? I've not read any for a few years and I don't know what's good 🤔

what an incredibly flattering question! i do not know what your tastes run to, but here are a few of my recentish favorites in no particular order. i think these are all m or e, as that tends to be what i go for. they're also properly adults, well out of hogwarts, and the stories are sort of mid length, over 10K, under 100K. make sure you read the tags!

Necro-romance by @thehoneybeet coming in hot!!!! i feel like this is a very very profoundly drarry story. we are fucked up in some of the same ways so let's do weird sex about it. dark, weird, very tender. incredible atmosphere. loved it!!!

In Every Universe by @skeptiquewrites this is like an AU hopping fic where draco is on the run for Reasons, and harry is chasing him. not with state violence in his heart. please come home. EXQUISITE worldbuilding, one of my favorite things about Tee's fics. This fic is so fun and there are also some really heartwrenching moments that i won't even come close to spoiling. god i love it it's so fucking good

Anatomy of a Wolf Heart this fic is orphaned but i actually do know the author very well (and love him with all my heart). this is an amazing draco. he's dealing with some significant trauma on top of what he went through in canon. all i'm gonna say is werewolf draco cinematic universe my beloved. i love this harry, too. compulsively doing the right thing even as it fucks his whole life up. yum.

Home Truths another @skeptiquewrites fic bc Tee's writing got me WEAK. i rlly love the ensemble here!!! harry and draco are both amazing characters whom i adore, but they are also surrounded by other characters who feel so real and so lived in. wonderful worldbuilding as per usual w this author. and. harry is a pro athlete at the peak of his career so uh. he do be inhabiting his physical form. it's sexy okay. damn. Tee has a talent for capturing Draco's drama and prissiness without making him feel like a caricature. i found this story genuinely inspiring for lots of reasons, and i can't say enough good things about it.

Preserving Lemons by @saintgarbanzo (this one is locked to the archive, so you'll need to be logged in to read it) god i love this story!!! food as a love language? gender magic? fucking YES PLEASE. it's nice to see them get out of the typical Stately Homes backdrop (i enjoy that too, but. well i'm not going to go off on a tangent about it now. variety is the spice of life!). lots of sensuality here and a heaping dollop of straight up fucking. i just love this depiction of them. i love draco's offers of vulnerability and harry's diving in face first. LOVE.

A Gift of True Esteem by ME! i am big enough to acknowledge that i write fucking good fic okay!!! hogwarts professors, chronic illness, historiography, gratuitous use of patronuses, fun world building in general. harry has been self-isolating a little bit. burying himself in his work. he has to let himself feel things again. joy, love, pleasure. draco makes him want to.

Names for a House this is also by me bc it's my fuckn list and i do what i want!!! harry is raising teddy lupin after andromeda gets sick (don't worry i do not kill off any old ladies in this fic). harry is also the wizarding world's first novelist. teddy lupin is a budding werewolf about to go off to hogwarts, and harry is not sure how to do right by him. FORTUNATELY harry's erstwhile nemesis and current cursebreaker is also a werewolf and teddy's cousin, and he's more than willing to help out.

[hemlocksandfoxgloves]

WIP Tag Game

rules: you will be given a word. then you share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that starts with each letter of your word!

tagged by @honestlydarkprincess and @thiamsxbitch

my words are BLEED and FERGALICIOUS (obviously this will be from can't help myself (red looks beautiful on you)

B-“Back so soon, little wolf?” Theo’s raspy voice breaks through the sinking silence of the cold basement with some bite. His voice was hoarse as if he had spent his day screaming for hours on end. Always screaming, never sleeping, hoping Liam would hear his howls and come back to him. He’s been good, waiting for him each time, never leaving.

L—Liam came back to him. It was less and less these days, leaving a terrible ache inside of Theo. He missed the beta something awful and would do anything for his attention again—just for him to look at him. It was like he was scared of what he might find or do.

E— HE didn’t know anymore. He just wanted. He could feel his hands shaking at his sides, too scared to move for he might not be able to stop. He didn’t want to stop. And that made him angry.

E— HE couldn’t give in this time. The sound of his voice had him wanting to move closer, to touch him. His only mistake was coming here, setting off a ricochet of consequences. He knew he couldn’t stay away for too long. He was addicted and he needed more.

D— Did that make him a monster?

F— Fuck it!

E— Theo leans into his touch —Eager and hopeful— breathing in lungfuls of the werewolf. It’s been so long since he could breathe him in like this, so close he can practically taste him on his tongue. He tasted like the sun. When Theo instinctively reaches for him, Liam pushes him back, straddling his hips. He pins Theo’s arms above his head, the metal bars cold and unforgiving against his skin. Theo’s breath hitches, a smirk stretching his face as he feels claws leave crimson scratches on his wrists.

R— Regardless, his only reaction is a quick pause at seeing the chimera. He looked small behind the bars; willing. The door remained open and unlocked, but Theo stayed. He wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t trust himself when he felt this primal urge inside of him, telling him to tear Theo’s clothes off of him. He wanted to touch him, bite him, feel the blood on his fingernails as he sliced into his skin. He wanted to watch his claws rake down his back, blood flowing behind. He wanted to lick up the crimson and listen to the beautiful noises coming out of his chimera.

G— “Oh my God will you calm down before I actually give you a reason to freak out.”

“You’re about to inject something in me that might possibly kill me. What about this should not be a little concerning?”

“The part where you trust me.”

A— As if he was counting down to the days when Liam would leave him for good, nothing but a pile of rust; forgotten.

L— Liam doesn’t respond; he’s quiet. He’s surprised to find Theo sitting in the cage like he has done something wrong.

I— It was only wishful thinking to expect him to resist a gourmet meal laid out for him. He wouldn’t just walk away when he was starving.

C—“Come on, little beta,” he never stops, his voice dripping with mischief. He wanted Liam to react. “You’ve thought about it, haven’t you? You’re here, I’m here. Let me help you. I know what you need.” Liam’s eyes flick over to him. “I can give you what she never could.”

I— In two strides, he was at the cage, shoving the door open and slamming Theo against the bars. It’s the closest he’s been to him in a long time.

O— “Of course not,” his gaze drapes over Liam, “but I know what you want. I can make it better for you.” He gasps as he feels Liam’s hand tighten around his wrists.

U— Unlike Liam, who can’t decide on which emotion he’s supposed to be feeling. Was it possible to feel everything all at once? Theo is supposed to be the collected one of the two, but here in front of Liam, he is the exact opposite.

S— “Stop lying to me!” Liam seethes. “I know you want this. I can smell it all over you.” His nose glides across Theo’s cheek as he leans in, eyes closing and breathing in his scent. When his eyes open, they’re shining an electric amber. “But it’s so wrong, Theo.” His thumbnail is stroking along the pulse in the chimera’s neck, his claw elongating across so lovingly. “We shouldn’t…”

your word is BEAUTIFUL

@fruchtfliege @aristarr @ksbbb @wolfboy88 @akirasstories @blue-hair-and-angels @chasing-chimeras @opheliathiams @mmoosen

[just-my-latest-hyperfixation]

Morning after

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles, day 10

Prompt: First time

Rated: E

CW: Alcohol; Dirty talk; Sexually explicit language; Nudity; One slight mention of BDSM

Tags: Established relationship; Tongue fucking (referenced); Service mouth Steve Harrington; ADHD disaster Eddie Munson; Idiots in love

Eddie wakes to sunlight tickling his nose, limbs heavy with the warm weight of sleep - the kind induced by alcohol and exhaustion.

Memories of last night's gig trickle into his mind. The packed location. Strobing lights, bodies moving to their music. Steve beaming up at him from the front row, deliciously disheveled, eyes sparkling with adoration.

It's funny. A year ago, he was hiding from an angry mob in a dilapidated boat house. Now, one interdimensional war, a near-death experience, and a lot of hush money later, not only is Corroded Coffin finally taking off. He also got himself a hot sweetheart of a boyfriend who loves tagging along to his shows and gets ridiculously turned on by his stage performance. Life is finally looking good for Eddie Munson. 

Until he turns and finds himself at the receiving end of a death glare that would even have Vecna quake in his non-existent boots. 

Eddie yelps and tries to jump to his feet, but last night's leather pants are bunched around his ankles for some reason, so he ends up face-first on the carpet, naked ass exposed to the cool morning air. 

"Ow, son of a- Stevie?" he mutters. "Everything okay?" 

Steve is still in the chair next to the bed. He's still glaring. 

"Oh, wow," he says while Eddie scrambles to his knees and tries to inconspicuously shrug out of the pants. Why do these motherfuckers have to be so tight? "You actually need to ask after what you did?" 

Eddie blinks. His nose is stinging from where it hit the carpet. 

Steve huffs and snaps his magazine shut. Eddie has a sneaking suspicion he picked it up purely for dramatic effect. 

"So you don't even remember, huh?" 

"I, erm …" Eddie says, desperately rifling through his brain for a shred of a clue. "I'm sorry, I don't-"

Steve throws the magazine. It hits the carpet with a less-than-impressive flop but it's the gesture that counts, Eddie guesses. 

"I can't believe you," Steve seethes. The chair topples as he jumps up.

"Wait, wait, wait," Eddie holds out one imploring hand. Steve stops halfway to the door and regards him with a wary look. "Lemme just …" 

He screws his eyes shut, wills himself to pull images from the blur that is his memory. 

Getting crushed in a full-body hug the moment they got off stage, Steve's arms and warmth and scent all around him. 

Celebrating the successful gig, the lingering touches and looks and smiles.

Loading the equipment into the cars, saying goodnight to the guys. 

Getting slammed against the side of the van, Steve's hands under his shirt, against the curve of his ass. Steve's tongue licking over his lips, warm and wet and eager. 

"Woah, big boy. Maybe ask before you shove that tongue down my throat?" 

Steve's smug smile as he leaned closer, voice husky and low. 

"Let's get you home… and I'll shove it somewhere else." 

Throwing himself into the car, because hoooly shit! They've tried a lot of stuff in the months they've been together, all of it great, all of it mind-blowing in fact. Eddie’s had plenty of opportunity to witness that skilled tongue at work, but this? This was gonna be a first.

He remembers nearly vibrating out of his own skin on the way home, remembers grinning like a maniac as they pulled into the driveway, Steve's hand sliding up his thigh. 

Remembers tumbling into the bedroom in a flurry of limbs and moans and kisses, toppling onto the bed, hands tearing at clothes, teeth scraping over skin …

… only then, it gets decidedly more fuzzy. 

"Um, I-" he mutters. "We were … You were gonna … and I-" 

"You fell asleep, you fucking asshat!" Steve blurts. His face is doing that thing where he loses control of his bottom lip and it gets all pouty and quivery. An adorable, flustered blush is creeping out of his shirt collar and up his jaw. "You fucking fell asleep while I was about to- Jesus Christ, I don't believe this. This has never- why are you laughing?" 

"Baby," Eddie wheezes, and by some miracle manages to stagger to his feet and shuck off his pants. "Stevie. Darling. Light of my life. You realize that this is our first fight?" 

Steve scowls at him. "Maybe. So?" 

Eddie can't help it, he breaks into laughter - full-blown, body-wrecking guffaws. "And it's because you didn't get to eat me out? Oh my God, I can't- only you, sweetheart!" 

"Fuck off," Steve grouses, but he doesn’t pull away when Eddie reaches for his hands, and the corners of his mouth are twitching the tiniest bit. The blush has reached his cheekbones. "Do you have any- I was down there, all ready to go and you started snoring! Nobody has ever fucking fallen asleep on me!" 

He's looking positively mortified now, one hand freeing itself from Eddie’s grip to run through his hair, eyes wide and confused - like a scolded puppy that doesn't understand what it did wrong. 

"Aw, honey," Eddie coos, cradles Steve's face in one hand, slots their bodies closer. He's still very much naked from the waist down and he can pinpoint the exact moment this dawns on Steve. The way he licks his lips. "I'm sorry. That gig was a lot, and I guess I just … crashed? You just make me feel so warm and safe and cared for." 

Steve hums reluctantly, but his chest swells with the praise and he doesn't protest when Eddie slots himself into his arms, starts to slowly undo his belt buckle. 

"How about you take revenge on me now? We've got all day, so … you can go for however long you want. I won't complain, and if I do … you know where we keep the gag, huh?" 

Steve's pupils blow wide.

The rest of the morning passes in a haze, but sleep has nothing to do with it. 

All my holiday drabbles

[aziraphales-library]

Hi! I was wondering if you had recs for something longer that has a lot of exploration of queer themes? Love your blog!

Hello. We have #long fic and #queer themes tags you can check out. Here are some that have both...

The End is Where We Start From by tiresius (E)

“Aziraphale, hello. It’s er, been a long time.” “Yes, dreadfully long. You look different.” He immediately coloured in evident embarrassment. “I mean, of course you look different, as do I of course, I didn’t mean bad different, that is to say…” Something inside of Crowley, something that had been in a deep freeze for several eons, was starting to thaw. It was letting little bits and pieces of familiarity break loose to float back into their rightful places in his soul. One of those pieces, those round, blue eyes, suddenly snapped into place, and he felt a corresponding wave of long-forgotten feeling wash through him. Aziraphale is anxious. Make Aziraphale happy. “Yeah,” he interrupted. “D’you wanna… get a coffee or something?” *** Crowley and Aziraphale meet by chance on the street. They've met before, in their youth, in a different life. Some difficult things have happened since then. Will they be able to find their way back to each other and to themselves? A Good Omens human AU.

Orbit by altsernative (M)

"It was like they were in orbit with each other. Locked into their paths. Circling each other. Coming so close for golden snatches of time, then dragged away again. Again, and again, and again." Literature instructor Aziraphale and Astronomy instructor Crowley have been best friends for eight years whilst teaching at Agnes Nutter College, a subsidiary of Cambridge. If they ever wanted something more than that, well, they certainly hadn’t said anything. Just as they start to come to terms with their feelings for one another, Aziraphale is promoted to department head and out of Crowley’s life as part of the college's strict non-fraternisation policy. Neither is willing to give the other up, and with the help of a few familiar faces, a pub called Taddy’s that only plays four specific types of songs, Tracy, an enthusiastic B&B owner/community queer icon, and a hidden garden everyone seems to have forgotten about, they risk everything to try and find their way back into each other's lives once more.

An Absence of Stars by mllekurtz (E)

A.Z. Fell is a famous (well, in his circle) Soho bookseller whose selection of volumes is the epitome of respectable (and boring) literature. One of his favourite authors is the renowned science writer A.J. Crowley, whose books on astronomy have popularized the subject — and also sell very well. Mr Fell is overjoyed when Dr Crowley accepts his invitation to do a signing of his new book in the bookshop, but their first conversation is a disaster: for some reason, Crowley does not share Fell’s distaste for romantic literature and acts very cold when the bookseller berates the author of one of the most popular romance series of the moment, Madame Ashtoreth. Little does Fell know that his favourite writer and the one he hates with a passion are the same person…

I Knew I Loved You by AppleSeeds (E)

In September 1999, when his family gets connected to the internet, prospective Marine Biology student Crowley discovers an online forum where he can actually talk to people who share his passion for saving the whales. He begins corresponding with a kind stranger he knows only as Ocean_Angel, and is incredibly excited when the opportunity arises to meet this mysterious person in real life. As their friendship develops, Crowley shares things with Angel that he can't talk about with anyone else, and Angel's insights help him to explore and embrace his own identity. As Crowley works towards finding a place in this world where he feels like he really belongs, he realises that a big part of the answer to that question might actually be right in front of him. What if where he belongs is with Angel?

secondhand smoke by PaintedVanilla (T)

you're second hand smoke, second hand smoke i breathe you in, but, honey, i don't know what you're doing to me mon chéri the year is 1990, and anthony crowley is looking for a church in london that might be tolerable. the one he winds up attending isn't exactly such, but he decides to stick around for one reason. said reason happens to own a bookshop that crowley begins to frequent, much to the surprise and delight of anathema device and newton pulsifer, who seem quite convinced that crowley could use something else to focus on besides gardening, their campaigns, and visits to tadfield.

Sit Tight, Take Hold by nieded (E)

The summer of 2022, Ezira Phale is a rookie Formula 1 driver out to prove he's one of the best racecar drivers in the world, but everything gets turned upside down when he falls in love with his real-life idol, AJ Crowley. Or: The one where Crowley does not go too fast for Aziraphale. _____ This story uses a multi-media format with CSS and HTML. It's best read using the workskin so please make sure that you are enabling user workskins. If you do not want to use the workskin, I will also be posting a .pdf of each chapter and a final .pdf once everything is posted! I’m not so cool as to know how to do podcasts, manips, and videos, but this will feature scripts, news articles, text messages, tumblr, and race programming! So strap in and put your seatbelt on! This is going to be one fast ride of romance, competition, and over-indulgence.

- Mod D

[my-castles-crumbling]

New Fic Recs!

Hi guys! I wanna start posting fics recs every once in a while that are newer- that either were just posted or haven't gotten the love they deserve! I'll do my best to tag the authors if I know them/if they have a tumblr! Here are some for today! (Authors, if you want me to remove you/your work for any reason, please lmk!) NSFW fics below the cut!

Edit: I just focused on completed works here, but I'm more than willing to recommend incomplete works if you guys want!

If You Stayed - Jegulus - rated G - 5k by @t1oui

After leaving his family for good, Regulus Black moves in with James Potter, who agrees to give him a place to stay as long as he looks after James's six-year-old son, Harry. Even though they haven't talked about it, Regulus knows that he'll have to leave when Harry goes back to school, no matter how much he wishes this wasn't the case. Between spending time with Harry and Luna, the weird girl who lives up the street, and the more-than-friendly feelings he's starting to have for James, the summer can only end badly. Right?

Funnel Cakes and Peanut Butter Fudge - Wolfstar ft. Background Jegulus - Rated T - 5.5k by @onehundredflamingos

Sirius grinned at him. “I came for the Rocky road fudge,” he whispered back, and the man gasped in mock offense. “Good thing, because I think I bought the last of the peanut butter fudge.” Sirius let out a startled laugh, amused by the fact that he had suggested something to Sirius only to yank it right back from beneath him. “Oh, I would have been wildly disappointed if you had managed to sway my fudge preferences.” “I would’ve gladly shared, if I had managed to sway you,” he said with a smirk. “Alas, I’ll have to eat it all myself.” “A tragedy, I’m sure,” Sirius replied. The other man shrugged. “Suddenly feels a bit like one.” Or Sirius wins more than he bargains for when he meets Remus at a carnival fundraiser, ft a very much already-in-love Jegulus

So Kiss Me - Jegulus - Rated T - 3.7k by lairyfights

Regulus Black is in love with James Potter and he'd bet his entire inheritance, if he still had one, that James does not feel the same way. It's lucky that his parents suck and the inheritance is no longer something he can gamble

Let Me Put My Lips to Something - Wolfstar - Rated E - 2.3k by si11iestg00se

remus can't help it---the moon makes him possessive. he wants to mark his territory.

here's to my baby - Wolfstar - Rated E - 3.2k by @emlovessid

“It’s our last night at Hogwarts, our last hurrah, you don’t want to spend it down here with our friends?” Remus asks, a hand coming up to toy with Sirius’ hair. Stretching up on his toes, Sirius’ lips brush Remus’ ear as he whispers, “It’s our last night at Hogwarts, and I’d much rather spend it with you fucking me into your mattress.”

All amazing fics! Hope you guys enjoy!

[cottoncandyafterdark]

Kunikida SFW Alphabet

Character(s): Doppo Kunikida (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Tags: SFW, fluff, alphabet meme, headcanons

Warnings: None

Notes: Originally posted on ao3 here; uses an a different SFW alphabet template than I usually use as this was the first one I ever did

A = Admiration (what do they absolutely adore about you?)

We all know Kunikida has a lot of criteria for the ideal partner, and you might not necessarily fit all of them, but he will love you for any of those traits you do have.

B = Body (what is their favorite part of your body?)

He'd probably say your eyes or something nice and romantic like that but in his heart of hearts, Kunikida is a leg man through and through

C = Cuddling (how do they like to cuddle?)

He's pretty low-key about cuddling; usually he prefers to just sit with you with his arm around your shoulders, holding you close. He also likes to hold you while falling asleep, and prefers to be the big spoon.

D = Dates (what does their ideal date with you look like?)

Something traditional and romantic. Dinner at a nice restaurant, followed by a walk through a park. He'd rather it not be too crowded, if that's at all possible to achieve, so he can just focus on you and on making the night as enjoyable for both of you as possible.

E = Emotions (how do they express emotion around you?)

He has a tendency to not show strong emotions unless they're negative. He'll definitely let you know if he's angry, one way or another, but it takes a bit more work to coax a smile or laugh out of him. It comes a little easier than normal around you, though.

F = Family (do they want one? If they do, when?)

Kunikida has multiple pages dedicated to the topic in his ideals notebook.

He'd like to have exactly two children- he doesn't mind whether they're adopted or biologically related to him-, preferably by his mid-to-late 20s. He knows he doesn't have any control over the gender of his children, but having one girl and one boy would be ideal. He has a shortlist of acceptable baby names, and will not deviate from it. He will let you pick what name from the list to give your child(ren), though.

G = Gifts (how do they feel about gift giving? What are their habits when it comes to this?

Kunikida isn't a spontaneous gift-giver- he'll get you gifts at Christmas, on your birthday, Valentine's, etc. but not really outside of those occasions. He might give you flowers if you're going on a date, but that's about it. He just prefers other ways of showing his love for you.

He does try to make sure those gifts he does give you are good, though. He pays attention to things you want but can't or don't get for whatever reason throughout the year and you can bet you'll be getting some of those things for Christmas or your birthday.

H = Holding Hands (when/how do they like to hold hands?)

Hand-holding is one of the few acts of affection Kunikida is willing to do in public. He likes holding your hand a lot, because it feels nice, and it has practical benefits as well. It's a simple way of showing affection and displaying that the two of you are together, plus it's harder for the two of you to get separated. The way he sees it, there's no real reason not to hold hands.

I = Injury (how would they act if you got hurt?)

He'd be very concerned, of course. If it was a life-threatening injury he would take you to Yosano, but he'd rather not subject you to that, so if it's serious but not immediately life-threatening, though he would take you to the hospital and, once you were home, would make sure you were resting and recovering properly. Expect a lot of scolding along the lines of "don't do that, you'll tear your stitches". It might be annoying but it's just because he cares (and he's probably right, anyways).

J = Jealousy (do they get jealous?)

He doesn't get jealous, exactly, because he trusts that you'll just turn down anyone who's flirting with you, but he does get irritated and intervene if they persist. Not because he's worried they'll take you away from him or something but because they have the nerve to keep bothering you after you've rejected them and he does not stand for people being so rude to you.

K = Kisses (how do they like to kiss you?)

I hope you like sweet, gentle kisses because Kunikida sure does. That'll likely be how he greets you every day when he gets home from work. You can also expect a quick peck on the lips whenever he leaves. Or whenever the mood strikes him, really. He's also a fan of neck kisses when things get a little steamier- but that's a discussion for a different time.

L = Love (how do they show you they love you?)

Kunikida is surprisingly big on physical affection- only when you're alone in private and have been together for a respectable amount of time, of course, but still. You'll get plenty of gentle kisses and quiet moments sitting together with his arm around your shoulders.

He'll also tell you he loves you plenty- again, once you've been together long enough that he feels it's appropriate. After he says it the first time, though, and you return the sentiment, he gets much more comfortable saying it often.

M = Memory (favorite memory together?)

Any time that you comforted him. His job can really take a toll on him, and when you try to make him feel better it really lets him know that you care about him. Remembering all those little moments makes him feel very loved.

N = Nightmare (what is their worst fear?)

There's two potential scenarios that he worries about: the first is that he'll get killed on a job and leave you alone without even getting to say goodbye. The second is that you'll be attacked and hurt or even killed by the Port Mafia or one of Agency's other enemies. He's well aware that both are very real possibilities, too, and will do everything in his power to ensure neither one comes true.

O = Oddity (what is one quirk they have?)

Well, it's Kunikida. You're going to have to get used to his scheduling and notebooks pretty quick. He doesn't do spontaneous- all your dates and stuff are going to have to be planned in advance pretty much down to the minute.

P = Pet Names (what do they like to call you?)

Your name, mostly. Pet names just aren't his thing, really. If he's in a particularly romantic mood, he might let a few slip, like "my love", "darling", "dear", stuff like that.

Q = Quality Time (how do they like to spend time with you?)

He likes to cook with you. Even if you're not a very good cook, hell, even if he isn't, you will learn together and it'll be so worth it when you two finally get it right.

Outside of that, he's happy just to sit and talk with you. You can tell each other about how your day went, any books you've read or TV you've watched, anything, really, so long as you can hold a conversation.

R = Rhythm (what song reminds you of them?)

Kunikida seems like a fan of what I like to call Dad Music- American rock from the 70s and 80s. He doesn't understand the lyrics, since they're in English, but he doesn't mind that- if anything it just makes it easier to listen to it while he works or focuses on something else. So you'll probably end up associating that type of music with him. (Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top stands out in particular though, for hopefully obvious reasons.)

S = Secrets (how open are they with you?)

Kunikida doesn't want to keep secrets from you, he really doesn't. But it's kind of inevitable in his line of work, especially if you aren't with the ADA yourself. He can't always let you know exactly what he's been doing, either because it's classified or, more personally, because it's dangerous and he doesn't want you to worry about him. Outside of those work-related matters, though, he tries to be as open as possible. Communication is the key to a good relationship, after all.

T = Time (how long did it take you to get together?)

It took A While, mostly because it took a pretty long time for Kunikida to figure out that not only did he have feelings for you, but you returned those feelings. Once he figured that out, though (possibly with some "help"- read, relentless teasing- from Dazai), he didn't waste a lot of time in asking you out.

U = Upset (how do they act when you’re upset?)

Kunikida isn't the most comforting person by nature. He'll try to get you away from whatever's making you upset first and then stay with you as you calm down. He might not say anything, but if you need him to hold you or something like that he will.

If you're upset at him, though, it's a slightly different story. Arguments with him are pretty rare, but they can easily get very heated when they do happen, and he'll probably need to leave you alone for a few minutes to calm down. Once he's calm, though, he'll come back and try to talk it out.

V = Vaunt (what are they proud of? Do they like to show you off?)

He doesn't exactly show you off, he feels like that would be immature, but make no mistake, he is proud of you and your relationship. If you make any kind of major advancement in your life, like getting a promotion, he will be so proud of you.

W = Warrior (how do they feel about you fighting? Would they fight for you, beside you, etc?)

This probably depends on your circumstances a little- if you're with the ADA or have otherwise shown him you're capable of fighting, he'd presumably know you're more than capable of holding your own and do what he could to back you up in a fight.

If you aren't a good fighter, though, he would do whatever he had to in order to keep you out of a fight. He doesn't want you getting hurt and you can bet he'd fuss at you a lot if you Leeroy Jenkins'd into a fight anyways.

X = X-Ray (how well are they able to read you?)

Kunikida is not great at reading people, though it might come easier with someone he's very close to like you. Still, you'll have to be upfront with him about how you're feeling. He'll be able to tell if you're really upset about something but might not be sure what you're upset about; just tell him and he'll try to help. (He isn't super comforting by nature, either, but he'll try.)

Y = Yes (how would they propose to you?)

After you had been dating for a few years, he would take you on a date- most likely what was described in the 'D' section, dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a walk through a park. This wouldn't be the first time you've gone on such a date, but you would be able to tell right away from how he's acting that something is different about this time.

He would propose at the park. He'd wait until no one is around- he doesn't want you to feel pressured by a public proposal- before dropping to one knee and popping the question. He'd be nervous as all hell, but of course that would disappear as soon as you said yes.

He'd start planning the wedding pretty much immediately, if he hadn't started already. He'd want your input on everything, of course, but unless you decided to really take charge he'd definitely be the most in charge of planning.

Z = Zen (what makes them feel calm?)

Getting to go home and sit or lie down next to you. If he's had a particularly frustrating day he'll vent to you about it too but you don't even have to say anything, just your presence is enough.

[somereaderinblue]

Today is day 2 of Trigun Fanfiction Appreciation Week & with it, another rec list.

Gen AUs

Geranium Dreams by the_13th_battalion, rated T

Tangled AU where Vash is Rapunzel, WW is Flint & Conrad is Mother Gothel. Oh! And we can't forget the MVP: Kuroneko as Pascal!

promise of an ending by Altered_Karma, rated T

Although it does take elements from Tangled (re: locked in the tower!) it doesn't follow the movie's storyline. Instead, the author adds magical elements that don't involve long hair & another form of conflict. There's even fanart for this on twt.

Daylight (You Got Me Cursing The Daylight) by Sblurg, rated E

A Violet Evergarden AU we never asked for but absolutely needed. Full of angst & hurt/comfort that gives its inspo a run for its money.

Otherworldly by WarriorNun, rated M

Pacific Rim AU with its own dashes of worldbuilding & despite the apocalyptic setting it implies, has its share of comedic & slice-of-life moments.

The Courtship of Nicholas D Wolfwood by @screamingshark, rated M

Another fic I want to absolutely devour. A Modern AU where Plants are Mers. The author does a wonderful job of writing their courting rituals & culture in gen as well as plot twists & cliffhangers that drive you nuts. You can find fanart for it on their acc & some @poibeansart.

And Still Have Wings (with which to fly) by @alpha-hydra, rated E

Shape of Water AU where WW goes from fugitive/con-artist/former assassin to janitor & upon meeting Vash, is willing to go back to being a fugitive again if it means freedom. There's also fanart.

Show the symbol on your chest by @somereaderinblue, rated G

For a tiny bit of self-promotion a Superhero AU, more specifically a Teen Titans AU where Meryl is Robin, Milly is Starfire, WW is Beast Boy, Livio/Razlo is Cyborg & Vash is Raven. No knowledge of TT is necessary.

Tesla fics

cross my heart and hope to die by beelzebby666 & Lightning Rod by @needle-noggins, rated M

Both these fics explore the fact that Tristamp Elendira has Tesla's eye. They were done during Trigun Body Horror Week so heed the tags.

Happy by Plumerias_of_BlueMaroon, rated M

A heartbreaking Tesla POV. We know how this story goes, we know how it ends. We're simply seeing this story through her eyes & it's no less tragic. As someone who's studied child development, having to read this child look at how so many treat her & wonder 'What did I do wrong?' brings another level of hurt.

There Are Differences Between Our Hearts by Marley_Millions, rated T

Another Tesla POV fic where she expresses her frustrations to her sisters, the only ones who always listen to her through it all.

Run Red River (Run Home and Back Again) by PSIDontKnow, rated T

Tesla tears reality asunder for one simple reason: to find a universe where she is loved instead of martyred.

chrysanthemum by schrodingers__cat, rated T

The humans took many things from Tesla. Her autonomy, her body, her freedom, the concept of love, happiness & acceptance that didn't come with hurting. The only thing she wants back is her chance to be an older sister.

the half-extinguished light by reclamation, rated T

I accidentally discovered this fic while checking out their pfp & became intrigued by the Frankenstein concept. After reading it, I can't help but wonder who the true monster is. Is it Tesla/Vash? Is it Nai, who will soon become Millions Knives? Or maybe even Rem & Conrad, who were accomplices.

trouble comes in threes by @corgiss, rated T

TIME FOR SOME TESLA LIVES AUS! Here, we have them being NML's weird desert cryptids disaster siblings. There's also this fanart.

Sun, Moon, and Stars by @wendywhite13, rated T

Another Tesla Lives AU where Rem puts her foot down on day 1, causing a domino effect. This world is kinder, but it's still full of social & political challenges the family has to navigate through together.

Purple Hyacinth AU by @somereaderinblue, rated T & G

My own Age-Reversal + Role Swap AU where Tesla lives because in this world, she was born last while Vash was born first.

VW fics

sex shop/mortician by @sascake, rated E & M

As the title implies, Vash owns a sex shop, WW is a mortician & they have kids. It's always interesting to see Vash with jobs other than a baker or florist in a modern AU.

Eye to Eye by severalspoons, rated T

Reminder that for all his goofiness, Vash is the most perceptive character in-universe. Despite this, he chooses to love someone with a mask just as ironclad as his own.

Tomas Fried Rice by InkedEntropy, rated G

VW cook fried rice together, and then Vash cooks it alone.

My Body's Moving Into Retrograde by Sacramental_Wine, rated E.

Vash never hesitates to give his love & body, WW makes him receive it for once.

The Wall by Dezace, rated T

Canon-divergence wherein Knives captures Vash the Stampede decades before canon, allowing him to meet WW before he became the Punisher.

upon broken wings by maxxstrom, rated E

If I had a nickel for everytime I found a VW fic where they met as EoM captives, I'd have two nickels. Not a lot, but it's happened twice. Unlike the prev fic, this is a world where Vash stayed with Knives, never becoming the Stampede. However, this means he meets a WW who's yet to hit cynicism rock-bottom. Vash becomes WW's saint & he in turn becomes Vash's salvation.

And that's all I have for day 2. Hope you enjoy the fics & leave a kudo/comment for the respective author, have it be on AO3 or Tumblr. I wish all my fellow Trigun fans/artists/writers a good time!

[omar-rudeberg]

Hi Lili! I just wanted to say that I love your fics and I've re-read them multiple times each and they still feel just as special in a re-read as they do the first time around. Inside is no exception. It was so beautiful, loving, but heartbreaking and devastating at the same time (I even shed a tear – or five). It really feels like you just get Wilmon, you know?

And it got me wondering how you think their first time having sex once they're back together (for good now) would happen post episode 6. Like in terms of their feelings and would it be rushed or slow, etc. I'm just really curious about your thoughts on the matter :)

Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and thoughts (even in tags) with us 💜

hello my beautiful beautiful human bean what a love letter you've left me ?! hearing you like and are moved by and go back to my silly little words? wild. astounding. unbelievable. thank you for reading & thank you for coming here to tell me. ahhh 'get' wilmon !! is there any greater accomplishment !! i sure hope you keep feeling this way !!

i've been pondering your second question for so long and i've landed somewhere i hope you agree with...

(fuck me this got more detailed than i bargained for, here have a read more whoopsie daisy)

i have this gut feeling that the first time they have sex post-canon (wild that we can now call it that !!) is ... weird. different. i don't know i can't really explain it, but why i think so is that their intimacy has always been this like, almost homing beacon for their relationship you know? it's been a northern star, a sturdy monolith of everything they feel and need from the other that they can't put into words, a balm that soothes any rough edges that arise from the many many incompatibilities of their individual existences.

it's been tender and exploratory, sweet and gripping, urgent and learnèd and all-encompassing, but it's never been ... slow? it's never been particuarly awkward. they've never had time, really, because with the exception of maybe the fish scene, every time they've had sex has been either a hello or a desperate goodbye.

all this to say that i think the first time they find to have sex post-s6 - and for some reason i picture them in simon's room when they finally get there? can't explain it - i think they fall back into this pattern of urgency and desperation and desire, but then something stops this in it's tracks. honestly i have this vision so clear of like... one of them unable to get it up the first time they want to fuck post-canon hahaha and again i can't explain it but it's true !! in my head it's wille, maybe, and it's something akin to the way - have you ever had that thing happen where you get sick right as you take leave from work to go on a holiday or something? like your body realises you don't have to be switched on for weeks and decides to give you a head cold? something akin to that. wilhelm's adrenaline has run its course and his body's not working the way it did before, it's taking a break, now. finally.

so to finally finally answer your question i think they'll want it to be fast, and suave, and smooth and sexy and dirty and similar to like ep3, but they'll be forced instead into awkward. into slow. into soothing. i picture like, lots of kissing, slow deep kissing, and nuzzling, and grinding (lord, so much grinding), and breaths fanning hot over goose-pimpled skin. i picture them slowly talking, whispering, realising they have it now - t i m e - they have time, now. they don't even have to fuck (the whole shebang) tonight if they don't want to (they do, oh they do want to but they talk about how they don't have to). they spend a lot of time not fucking anyway, just being close and naked and together. i picture them both working wille over so slowly - so gently - finding out together what places on his body react to being kissed, what has his belly pulling tight and having his dick interested, finally. i picture simon being brought to the edge once - twice, maybe - before wilhelm's finally in any state to fuck him, and then god save simon when wilhelm actually does enter him he's so hard and so sensitive and so just as;dkfjas;ldkfj;lsad

okay fuck literally everything i'm so sorry and/or you're welcome? is this what you bargained for? asd;lfj;lsadkjf

(if you made it this far go to my request for prompts next please i think i've put you in the right mindset)

[dangerpronebuddie]

❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯📢📢👏👏👏#claiming that T is the best thing to ever happen to B is erasing E#who- btw- is a main character outside of B and has his own storylines that don't get near the praise B does#i agree. if they went with E and T like they originally planned the feelings about it would be incredibly different#they'd hate E because he's not completely devoted to B#they hate him anyway for wanting to find happiness#the same thing Bs doing#but B can do it for some reason and E can't#because apparently E only exists for B📢📢📢💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏 So so so so tired of this trend in buddie fandom 😬 love your tags. Keep saying it! Louder!

Hi darling! It really is irritating that so many reduce such a brilliant character to being just the love interest. As someone who identifies a lot with him, it's really frustrating to see that people will diminish him so easily. I've said it before and I'll say it a hundred times more: these characters exist, first and foremost, as their own separate stories. I love Buck, I love Eddie. On their own. I do not ship them simply because I want to see them make out. I think the traits they possess balance each other well. This is six years of love we've seen develop, while witnessing them grow as individuals. Buck finding someone who will stay and Eddie finding someone he's willing to stay with makes for a brilliant pairing. But it takes time for them to realize they have that with each other, and I'm willing to wait.

I do not mind them being with other characters. I have absolutely nothing against those who ship BT. It's like pineapple on pizza- you like it or you don't.

What I mind is people going to the lengths they have been over it all. Because T is a man, he's somehow perfect?? I won't get into why I hate that idea, I feel like I've been on my high horse all day lol. But I will say again that it infuriates me that the fandom would've called for Eddie's head on a stick if he had been the one to be with Tommy. It's okay for Buck to be in relationship after relationship, but it's not okay for Eddie to want that too? It's not okay for this man who lost the woman he loved to want to find that magic again? Buck can physically hurt his best friend in a fit of petty jealousy and we just move on? If Eddie had done anything slightly like that, the fandom would go insane. (I'm not condoning it, btw, that scene was reminiscent of dv and I'm glad Maddie bit Buck's head off about it. It still makes me ill). All I'm saying is the double standard between Buck and Eddie in this fandom is honestly disturbing.

Ship whatever you want. I'm not gonna attack anyone for it. But don't reduce one of the most beautiful stories to ever exist to the rank of disposable love interest.

[kandisheek]

FIC REC WEEK 12 – OTHER MARVEL SHIPS

CLINT/BUCKY

I Hate Running by copperbadge

Pairing: Bucky/Clint Rating: T Words: 916 Tags: Running, Flirting, Murder Strut

Summary: Clint and Bucky go running. This was a potential mistake.

Reasons why I love it: This fic is so goddamn funny, it cracks me up every single time. Poor Bucky and his moonshine crackpot serum, he never stood a chance. There are so many fantastic lines in this that I can't possibly quote them all, so I hope you go and check this one out, because it's amazing!

Trainwreck Through A Rear Window by flawedamythyst

Pairing: Bucky/Clint Rating: T Words: 9,840 Tags: No Powers, PTSD, Deaf Clint

Summary: Through Clint's big main window, you could see straight across the street and into the apartment opposite, where a man was standing, staring at Clint as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. When he caught Clint's eye, he just shook his head slowly. -- The guy in the apartment opposite spends way too much time watching Clint make a fool of himself, which wouldn't matter as much if he weren't also smoking hot.

Reasons why I love it: They're so fucking cute, ugh, I can't. Clint The Trainwreck Barton is just the best, I laughed my ass off multiple times. And everyone rooting for him and Bucky from the sidelines is just adorable. The way they finally meet is perfect too. This fic is amazing, and I hope you give it a shot, if you haven't already!

crack the whip, shape-shift and trick by shatteredhourglass

Pairing: Bucky/Clint Rating: T Words: 2,347 Tags: Trans Clint, Protective Bucky, Chest Binding

Summary: “Remember when Tony sat you and Steve and Thor down and started that god-awful PowerPoint Presentation about queer people?” Bucky snorts. “Did he think that they just fuckin’ appeared out of nowhere after the war? Honestly. I nearly shot his computer. Steve liked it.” -- A request from Tumblr for some trans Clint

Reasons why I love it: I would pay good money to see that presentation Tony whipped up. I love Bucky's reaction to Clint's gender identity, and the fluff that follows is pure gold. This fic is lovely, and I hope you give it a shot for yourself!

Maybe If You're Good by circ_bamboo

Pairing: Bucky/Clint Rating: E Words: 3,984 Tags: PWP, Wall Sex, Banter

Summary: "So, we share an ex." Bucky seriously thought about grabbing one of the knives on the counter and stabbing Clint for trying to talk to him before coffee, but he'd promised Steve he wouldn't do that and promised Tony that he wouldn't get any more blood on surfaces that didn't clean easily. (And then there is snark and wallsex.)

Reasons why I love it: Honestly, when Clint flexes, I dare anyone to keep their concentration. This fic is so much fun – Clint and Bucky sassing each other and Bucky teasing the fuck out of Clint is great. And on top of that, the smut is hot as hell. I love this fic to bits, and I bet you will too!

Got Me Lyin' (for your love) by Kangofu_CB

Pairing: Bucky/Clint Rating: T Words: 4,266 Tags: Meet-Cute, Veteran Bucky, Deaf Clint

Summary: Clint advertises himself as a ‘semi-acceptable to totally inappropriate boyfriend for all your family holiday, family dinner, corporate Christmas party, and other fake-dating needs’. It's surprisingly lucrative, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and he is always very clear with his ‘dates’ exactly what he is and isn't willing to do, and anything physical beyond some hand-holding or maybe a light peck on the mouth is completely off the table. So when Natasha asks him for a favor - to help out one of her friends with his own special brand of help, Clint readily agrees. But James 'Bucky' Barnes is nothing like Clint's other clients.

Reasons why I love it: Clint falling head over heels for Bucky's murder strut, we love to see it. I can totally see Clint offering services like this, and I love that bit with Todd in the beginning there. This fic is super funny and sweet, so I hope you check it out for yourself!

Synchronicity by AvaKelly

Pairing: Bucky/Clint Rating: M Words: 7,346 Tags: Avengers Tower, Bed Sharing, Clint Needs a Hug

Summary: James ends up berating himself internally while the meals get ready. He can't stomach any food right now, so he leans onto the counter with his coffee while everyone else eats. That's when Clint stumbles in, eyes half closed and hair in disarray. He's wearing one of James' hoodies, the one Tony's given him as a joke, that says Cyborg on the front and Murderous Kitten on the back, but is surprisingly soft. OR: the one where Clint falls asleep everywhere and James takes it upon himself to carry him to bed.

Reasons why I love it: This one is just beautiful. Bucky slipping so effortlessly into his role as the one who takes care of Clint, giving him everything he needs – I could read that all day. The story beats that touch on their trauma are heart-breaking, but it just makes the fluff that follows all the sweeter. I love this fic, and I highly recommend that you check it out for yourself!

[amaraangelicus]

WIP game ♡

rules: you will be given a word. share one sentence / excerpt from your wip(s) that start with each letter of that word.

Tagged by @paprikadotmp4

Word: WRITE

W- From ‘On the Edge of Holiness’ ch3

WinterBones

“Whaddya mean, Buck?” Steve asked, feeling his heart sink to somewhere around his stomach.

“You're gonna be upset,” Bucky responded, still calmly as though he wasn't confirming all of Steve's fears. “You can't act on it. Got it?”

“Buck….”

“You are not allowed to try to ruin this for me!” Bucky snapped. “It won't work, and it'll just piss me off. Understand?” Steve jerked at the sudden flare of anger, but it did relax him some. If Bucky was this willing to defend what he wanted, then maybe it would be alright.

“Okay, Buck. I won’t try to stop you.” Bucky relaxed with a slight smile, darting in for a hug that was over almost before Steve had registered he was being hugged. He followed Bucky into the house with a bemused smile.

R- from my as yet unnamed Halloween fic

WinterBones

‘Rumlow, the Asset has left containment. We’re hoping it’s heading to you.’

“What the fuck do you mean ‘the Asset has left containment’? The Asset was in cryostorage! What the fuck did you dipshits screw up now?!”

‘There’s a video clip in your email, sir.’ Brock grumbled to himself as he cued up the attachment, but quickly fell silent in shock as he watched the perfectly functional cryostorage tank explode open from the inside. He’d verified that tank when they’d put the Asset into cryosleep, and from the image it looked like it was working just as well when the clip started as when he’d left it.

“What the fuck is that?” he demanded, feeling almost hysterical at the sight of the icy apparition that he could barely see his Soldier in even before it was shrouded with fog.

‘We don’t know, sir. Something’s happened to the Asset.’

“You fucking think?”

I- from my as yet untitled IronSoldier fill

Tony Stark/ Bucky Barnes/ Jason Todd

‘I'm glad you guys are learning to work together.’ Oracle’s voice was painfully neutral, and Jason knew that no matter what she said she didn't approve of him being around Tim. It was understandable. He'd tried to clip the little bird's wings once, and there wasn't any real reason to think he wouldn't do it again. It was a good bit of why he avoided all the bats as much as he could. They said they wanted him around, but they were always afraid he would fall back into the violence of the early days of his return to Gotham. Honestly Tim was the one who talked to him the most, and he only called when he needed help. Tim trusted him to get the job done at least. It was more than he got from anyone else.

T- from ‘Blame it on the Pollen’ ch2

Dick Grayson/ Jason Todd/ Tim Drake

Tim woke slowly, luxuriating in the unusual warmth surrounding him. Gentle hands were stroking lightly across his torso, making him smile. He was pulled up against a warm body that he thought he would recognize even if he were dead.

"Dickie, that tickles," he murmured, too content to actually try to move away.

"Tickles, huh?" Dick murmured into his ear. His hands slid softly to settle on Tim's stomach, and then over to take Tim's hands in his, letting Tim thread their fingers together. Tim gasped as more hands slid up his sides to pluck gently at his nipples, l his eyes to see Jason smirking wickedly at him. He leaned forwards as far as he could to press his lips to that smirk, enjoying the way Jason immediately softened to kiss him. The Red Hood may be harsh and violent, but Jason was so… soft. Gentle. Tim could hardly believe they were the same person. It was hard for him to believe that his Robin would kill, despite the logic of his arguments. Though, given how annoyed Robin had been at the revolving door policy at Blackgate and Arkham, maybe it shouldn't be so surprising.

E- from working title ‘MultiRobin’ DC/ Leverage/ Criminal Minds crossover

No ship

Elliot shook his head fondly as he listened to Parker and Hardison squabbling amicably over whatever it was that they'd found. He wasn't sure what it was, didn't think they knew either, but they were both interested. That was rare enough that he was headed up to look. The building was completely empty anyway and he was bored. He walked through the door and his heart almost stopped.

“Hardison, Parker, get out of there!” He rushed to the zeta tube the other two were standing inside. Harrison looked up from his tablet, taking in the panicked expression on his friend's face.

“Elliot, it's alright. I've almost got it.”

“It's all- It's not all right! Get the hell out of that thing, now!” Parker dropped from the ceiling of the tube, looking at Elliot curiously. Elliot had almost reached the door to drag them out when it activated. “Damnit Hardison!”

Elliot approached the zeta tube cautiously, eying the control panel wistfully. Surely they'd removed his zeta access by now. It has been almost two decades since he'd last had contact with anyone from the hero world. It would be beyond careless for them to have left his access, and if there was one thing Batman wasn't, it was careless. He stepped into the zeta, putting his hand on the pad automatically.

‘Welcome, Honeybadger. Destination?’ He reached out with his other hand to tap the screen, looking for where his friends had been sent as he tried to find his voice through the rush of emotion. He sighed. 

“Watchtower.”

‘You are cleared for Watchtower access.’

Tagging @gyokujyn @thepiper0fhameln @illogicalkat with the word COMFY

[the-s1lly-corner]

Fluff Alphabet!

Decided to cave in and do a fluff alphabet! I couldn't find one specific list that I liked in it's entirety so this is going to be an amalgamation of several as well as some (hopefully) unique prompts! Alphabet under the cut, but first, some basic rules and stuff so this doesn't get too too chaotic

Same basic rules that apply to my main posts will apply here; some characters are blacklisted (off3nderman and jul1us the dressmaker) as well as limiting characters that are originally minors in source (personal boundary, I don't feel comfortable writing romantic stuff for them, not that I will condemn others for it!!) and of course please don't rush or pressure me to finish your request- it can get demotivating :(

For a request with one character you can request up to 10 letters, with two-three characters you are limited to 5 letters! Anymore than that gets 3, just to help keep the post from getting too terribly long and cluttered. Max number of characters is 5

I'm not sure how long imma be doing this, probably for a while since I love alphabet stuff so!!

A- ATTRACTION (What they look for in a partner/find desirable, their type)

B- BONDING (What activities do they do with their partner?)

C- CUDDLING (How do they feel about it? Who's big/little spoon?)

D- DATES (What does a romantic night look like for them? Do you stay in or go out?)

E- EMOTION (How emotional are they in the relationship? Do they wear their heart on their sleeve or pick up a cool and collected mask?)

F- FAMILY (Do they want children? If so how many?)

G- GIFT GIVING (What gifts do they bring to their partner? What gifts do they like receiving?)

H- HARSH (How often do you two get into arguments or misunderstandings? Who tries to patch things up first?)

I- INJURY (How do they cope when their partner gets hurt? Are they able to care for their partner? Or if the roles were reversed, would they want their partner to take care of them?)

J- JEALOUSY (How jealous do they get? How do they handle it?)

K- KISSES (Their favorite place and way to kiss you, and their favorite place to be kissed)

L- LOVE LANGUAGE (How they show their love)

M- MARRIAGE (Do they wanna get married or are they content with a long term relationship? Marriage isn't the end all be all, after all)

N- NO (What are their deal breakers? What can and will break the relationship apart?)

O- ODDITY (What are their quirks or habits?)

P- PET NAMES (What do they call you? What do they like to be called?)

Q- QUESTION (Curiosity! What common questions do they ask you?)

R- RISK (How far are they willing to go for you?)

S- SHH (What/How many secrets do they hold?)

T- TUNES (Your song! What song do you guys associate with the relationship?)

U- UPSET (What is it like when one of you are upset? How do you cheer the other up?)

V- VALENTINE (How is the holiday spent?)

W- WARRIOR (How they feel about you working alongside them in their work/fighting)

X- X-RAY (How well can they read you?)

Y- YEARN (How do they cope with separation, if they struggle at all?)

Z- ZZZZ (What's it like to share a bed with them?)

Tags below in tags aren't really all the characters I do but a majority I can confidently write, if I can't do a character for whatever reason I'll let you know!

[saltiestcoconut]

E, N, O, P, S, X, Z for vrains? 👀

Gosh thank you nonny for all these!!! ^^ let's goooooooooo vrains

E — Have you added anything cracky/ hilarious to your fandom? If so, what?

Hmmm other than my tags where I spazz out? There's that one fic where Ai poses as a writing A.I and writes smutty pm fics /wheeze and then a few more crack fics I haven't published dm for access :p (I am kidding tho do come talk to me if you wish)

N — Name three things you wish you saw more or in your main fandom (or a fandom of choice).

1. Silly Ryoken I love silly Ryoken give me more please!

2. Fem!aiyu

3. Textpost memes I don't care if there's a billion vrains textpost memes I love them so much give me more please!

O — Choose a song at random. Which ship or character does it remind you of?

I hit shuffle and better off this way by a day to remember came up

In general: Ryoken

In delusion: I can make this song be about s3 Ai @ Yu I can!!!

P — Invent a random AU for any fandom

Invent a random au huh . . . I'm not that creative but I have been thinking about a potential dark fairy tale aiyu au so let's start there

Hmmm how about an au involving dreams and parallel dimensions? I've recently played through dream mirrors lore in MD solo mode and I'm lowkey obsessed with them (as I was when they first came out) and a Yusaku who rules over a kingdom of light (maybe not rules over but close enough) dreams about a kingdom cloaked in shadow and darkness and for some reason the ruler of the darkness seems very interested in him . . . Eventually coming to a point where Yusaku can't tell where he's supposed to belong in the shadows with ai? Or in the light with kusanagi? (Damn I just realized this probably isn't as dark as I wanted it to be but oh well I'm uncreative anyways ^^)

S — Show us an example of your personal headcon

Oh! I answered this already but eh have another one

I like to think that Yusaku has a drive to be heroic but to be interested in people (boys) they gotta save him in some shape way or form and also have a similar background as him (similar enough to understand his pain)

X — A trope which you are almost certain to love in any fandom.

I am such a sucker for someone who's willing to go to extremes for their beloved ones just a character who's extremely loyal to those they love I love that trope so much you have no idea qkdksjd

Z — Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go!

I've been thinking about how to me decode talker and firewall dragon look better when paired with yusaku instead of playmaker but their "evolved" forms darkfluid and accesscode talker match playmaker much better mostly because of darkfluids green on black design and accesscodes yellow on black sharp design (oh look there's purple on there too it seems like pm can't escape being paired with purple I wonder why . . . )

Also on the topic of monster cards I think it's neat how salamangreat is written in kanji just like how flames name is written!! It's very cute and if my memory serves me right there's just not a lot of vrains archetypes which do that (of course I could be wrong but I'll have to rewatch vrains to be certain) also fun fact "true" salamangreat monsters have kanji but salamangreat of fire is written purely in katakana possibly as a nod to its origins as an @ignister monster

Wait I just realized if this is what the question is asking? Oh well accept it please I love the card game as much as the anime so it's certainly fan-related 😂😂😂

[wolfie-dragon-rider]

How To Replace A Leg

Last week, @e--wills posted THIS answer to a question about how other riders would react to losing a limb, adding that she’d love to read a fic about Astrid losing a limb. I liked the idea a lot as well, so I wrote this. I hope you like it. 

Summary: Hiccup was not the only one to lose a leg in in the battle against the Red Death. Astrid doesn't let a wooden leg slow her dow,n getting right back to training no matter what. Meanwhile, Hiccup struggles with his own pain. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on when their own legs fail. 

Genre: Hurt/comfort, angst, friendship, Hiccstrid Length: 5323 words Warnings: Some gore, and mild swearing

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Hiccup winced as he took another step with the prosthetic leg. Still a dozen steps to go until he reached the bottom of the stairs of the Great Hall. It had been weeks since the battle, so why did it still hurt so much? A broken limb would have healed by now, and his leg certainly looked healed. Well, if you ignored the fact that about one third was missing, it looked healed.

He gently took another step, swearing softly when a blast of pain raced up from his… stump. Short distances weren't so bad. It would barely hurt. Just the constant ache he always felt. But after a long day of walking and running, or at least attempting to run without stumbling and falling, it felt like his leg was on fire. It made him almost wish for winter to arrive already, just so he could scoop up some snow to cool down the flame that wasn't there.

"Hiccup!" A voice called from behind him, and he swung around, immediately regretting his decision when he lost his balance on the narrow steps.

"Hey Astrid!" he said as he swung his arms around, trying desperately not to fall in front of his… Crush? Girlfriend? He honestly wasn't quite sure. She ran down the steps and grabbed his hand to steady him, and he sighed in relief.

"Thanks. H-How are you today?" he said when he caught his breath, cursing himself for stuttering.

"It's been fine. People keep bothering me, asking if I'm okay, I hate that. Like, why wouldn't I be okay?!" Astrid said loudly as she grabbed his arm to steady him when he took another step.

Hiccup desperately tried to keep his eyes on his own feet, or foot, and not glance at the reason people were worried about Astrid. It was hard, as it was right there.

The peg leg sticking out from under her skirt. The brown oak that was her new right leg was a stark contrast to the gray iron of his left leg.

"Yeah, you're doing great! I, uh, I wish I was doing as well as you," he said, blushing. She giggled as she helped him down the stairs, and he wondered if she thought he was weak. How couldn't she? They had suffered the same injury, yet she was dealing with it much better than he was. She was already running around, training, fighting, all without breaking a sweat. While he could barely walk down some stairs without wanting to lie down because of the pain.

Sure, she wasn't as graceful as she used to be. With her knee gone, she was forced to move a bit odd in order to not have the peg leg scrape on the ground, and she was clearly still getting used to the balance.

But she didn't look like she was struggling. Hiccup couldn't even imagine having to help her down the stairs, even though she lost a bigger part of her leg than he did.

"You will! I had more time to train, remember? You slept a month away, so of course you're not quite as agile! Besides, you're still way better on Toothless than I am on Stormfly," Astrid said as they reached the bottom of the stairs, and Hiccup tried not to let the pain show.

He knew she was right. She hadn't spent a month in a coma. She had stayed conscious, biting through the pain and refusing to give in. She had fought and won.

But Hiccup couldn't help feeling a tinge of jealousy. Before he had met Toothless, Astrid was everything he wanted to be. He wanted to be strong like her, stoic like her, agile like her. And even though befriending Toothless and defeating the Red Death had given him a new, almost heroic status in the village, she was still the better Viking.

"Thanks. I, uh, I guess you're right," he said, unsure of what else to say. Even though he didn't need to look down to walk on flat surfaces, he didn't lift his eyes from his feet. It had only been two weeks since she kissed him, and they hadn't had many chances to talk since then. Should he give her a kiss? Ask her if he could kiss her? Give her a compliment? Were they girlfriend and boyfriend now? Or had it been just a one time thing?

Astrid suddenly moved in front of him, before bending down so her face was in his line of sight. Then, she rose again, and he couldn't help but let his face be drawn up with her.

"Hiccup, you're thinking too much, I can see it! How about you come and train with me for a bit? I'm gonna do some axe throwing in the forest," she asked, keeping her gaze fixed on his, and he couldn't look away. He nearly snorted when he realized she was already doing her old training routine.

Of course she was. He wasn't even really surprised. Astrid couldn't let anyone else overtake her at anything, least of all physical activity.

He wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to join her. He would like to spend more time with her, but his leg felt like it was burning off, and he wanted nothing more than to get a block of ice from his cellar and put it on the stump. Plus, he'd just embarrass herself. She'd run and jump through the forest, while he'd trip over roots and drop the heavy axe.

Like she dropped her axe that day.

The thought came without warning, and his eyes flashed down again, to her wooden leg where her axe had fallen.

"I don't, no, I mean I, uh, I…" he stuttered as he forced his eyes up again and stared over her shoulder, hoping she hadn't noticed.

Of course she had. And now she probably thought he doubted her axe throwing abilities or thought she was weak or something like that.

It was quite the opposite, but how could he explain that? She was so incredibly strong, how could he ever live up to that? Sure, he could fly decently, even with his new leg. But surely soon she'd wonder why he was doing so much worse than she was at everything else.

A warble interrupted his thoughts and stuttering, as his eyes were drawn to Toothless and Stormfly entering the square, playfully batting at each other.

"I, uh, I should go for a flight on Toothless. We haven't flown today, and he gets moody if we don't," Hiccup said, grateful for the excuse.

"Oh. Okay. I'll see you later then," Astrid said, and he thought he saw a flash of hurt on her face. But then she turned around, pivoting gracefully on her wooden leg, and called out to Stormfly.

"Come on, girl! Let's go train!" Stormfly squawked one last time at Toothless before following Astrid when she ran towards the edge of the village. Hiccup couldn't help but stare at her strange, yet somehow powerful new run, moving her wooden leg in a half-circle so it wouldn't hit the ground, instead of bending the knee like he would do.

Toothless warbled as he nudged Hiccup's arm, and when Hiccup looked at him he snorted and pointed his head in the direction of the forest, like he was saying "Why don't you make a move on her already?"

"It's not that easy, bud. Maybe… Maybe when I can run," he softly told the dragon, before climbing into the saddle. At least the cold air would cool his stump during flight. And maybe he could train a bit by himself later.

Astrid may be the best Viking on the island, but Hiccup would very much like to be number two.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Astrid cursed when her axe flew past the tree again. She should be able to hit her target easily! Stormfly squawking happily as she fetched the weapon only made her angrier.

Damn leg. Damn lack of a knee. Damn Red Death.

Damn her own stupidity.

She grunted a thanks to Stormfly when her axe was returned, before preparing herself for another throw. Astrid was surprised by how much harder it was. Running, jumping, ducking, she had expected those to be hard.

Not standing still and throwing an axe.

But it was. She had never paid attention to how she threw before. Now she noticed that she would automatically lean back, bending her right knee for extra momentum. But now she couldn't bend her knee. She had to awkwardly plug the peg leg behind her, dragging it back as she lowered her torso. Or just abandon the leaning part altogether.

But even that was surprisingly hard. Ten years of practice with a functioning leg seemed to have burned the move into her brain. And now she had to force herself to keep standing straight as she moved her right arm back.

Astrid nearly lost her balance when the peg left shifted in a patch of mud, and she swore again. At least no one was here to see her pathetic display. Well, Stormfly was here, but she didn't seem to care. Astrid was beginning to see why Hiccup liked dragons so much. They didn't care about you screwing up a few times.

Focusing very hard on keeping her legs straight, Astrid prepared to throw.

"YAARGH!" she screamed, unleashing her frustrations. The axe left her hand, spinning wildly… before landing in the grass, at least a foot away from the tree. Stormfly chirped happily, running over again and pulling the blade from the muddy ground.

Damn her lack of strength. Damn her lack of momentum. Damn her leg. Damn everything.

"One more try. Just stay calm," she mumbled, taking her axe from Stormfly. Focusing on the target, she lowered her body and moved the axe over her shoulder. But then she lost her balance and stumbled. Astrid braced herself to hit the ground hard, but then something pulled her back up. She looked to her left to see Stormfly lifting her up, holding her by her shoulder guard.

"Thanks, girl," she mumbled, shaken from the unexpected fall. It didn't make sense, she did the same move she had done a million times. She bend her right knee, lowered her body, and moved the axe over her-

Astrid looked down, and sighed when she saw the peg leg. Of course. No knee to bend anymore.

It was so easy to forget somehow. For all the trouble it caused her, the wooden leg didn't feel real. Whenever she wasn't looking at it, it still felt like she had a knee, and an ankle, and a foot.

Like she had a real leg.

She could even move the nonexistent knee and ankle. She'd close her eyes, lift her lower leg, and it would feel like she had lifted it. But then she'd look down and see a wooden leg that was still firmly on the ground. She could even feel the ground under her lost foot, even if the ground didn't conform to what she saw.

Somehow she had managed to learn the new movements she needed to run or jump, but it didn't feel smooth yet. It was like she was using an unbalanced axe or misshapen shield. And even when she moved her peg leg in a weird half-circle shape, it still felt like she was lifting her knee.

Stormfly crooned sadly, pushing her beak into Astrid's arm.

"I'm okay, girl. It's fine. It doesn't even hurt," she whispered. It was true. It didn't hurt. Maybe that was what freaked her out the most. Everyone had told her she should expect horrible phantom pains. Apparently everybody who lost a limb got them, no getting around it.

But they didn't come.

Hiccup got them, she could see that. He tried to hide it, but he was a terrible liar and actor. The way he had gritted his teeth as she helped him down the stairs this morning told her he was in a lot of pain.

And she just… wasn't. There was no pain, no itch, no discomfort. She just felt the original leg, like before. But this wooden stick didn't fit with that. It didn't belong there, even if the real part was gone.

Astrid looked down again, and lifted her lower right leg. It felt like the leg was up in the air, even if the stick remained stubbornly on the ground. She could see a muscle clenching in her thigh, but apparently it wasn't attached to anything anymore.

Except maybe her crazy brain.

She tore her eyes away, feeling sick, and decided to stop training for today. She was getting nowhere. It felt weak, though. Usually she'd train for hours and hours, not stopping until she mastered it. But maybe she just didn't want to master this new leg.

Astrid wanted her old leg back.

"Come on, Stormfly. Let's go for a flight," she said. Still holding her axe in her right hand, she put the other on Stormfly's horns, and pulled herself up and over. Her right leg swung over, and she tried to find the leverage to pull her left foot into the stirrup. Instinctively, she pushed her right knee against the dragon, twisting her right foot so it would hook under Stormfly's belly. Then she jumped with her left leg as she pulled herself up with her left hand.

Astrid realized her mistake a moment after jumping, and she couldn't stop herself from slipping. Thinking fast, she threw her axe away to free her hand, and tried to grab one of the horns. But in that moment Stormfly turned her head around to see what was going on, and Astrid grabbed nothing but air.

With a scream, she fell to the ground. Her left leg could not support her weight, and she fell backward, her head hitting the ground hard enough that she didn't hear the cracking sound when her right leg hit a sharp rock.

"Damn. Damn this leg. Damn everything," she groaned as Stormfly squawked loudly, turning around to examine her.

"I'm okay, girl. I'm not hurt," she said, before trying to pull herself back to her feet. When she put the peg leg on the ground, it suddenly buckled with a crack, making Astrid fall to her knee. Stormfly screeched loudly in panic.

Astrid cursed when she looked down and saw that the thick oaken leg had nearly broken in two. The lower half hang on by just a sliver of wood acting like a sort of hinge.

It almost looked like she had a knee again. The thought made her giggle, and suddenly she couldn't stop laughing hysterically. Stormfly crooned worriedly, poking her with her beak and putting her head under her arms.

"Astrid? Are you okay?" the voice made her freeze, even in her hysterical state. Her head flipped around to see Hiccup standing behind her, Toothless beside him.

"H-Hiccup! What are you doing here?" she managed to ask, trying to hide her broken leg as she jumped up to her left foot.

"We were flying when we heard Stormfly, and she sounded distressed. What happened?" he asked softly. Astrid nearly started laughing again when she remembered her stupidity. Gods, what was happening to her?

"Nothing, I just fell," she said, hoping he'd go home now and not see how terrible she was with her leg.

"Astrid…" Hiccup said as he walked up to her, a flash of pain appearing on his face each time he took a step with his left leg.

"That doesn't look like nothing. Now what happened? Did something go wrong during training? Did you drop your-" Hiccup stopped very suddenly, both of them realizing at the same time he mentioned it.

They hadn't talked about what happened yet. Hiccup hadn't been there when she lost her leg. He had shot down the Red Death, and was trying to escape the firestorm. At the same time, the explosion's shockwave had reached her. She hadn't expected it. She had been running forward, hoping to help Hiccup in some way, when all of a sudden she was pushed back by an enormous blast of hot air.

Astrid wasn't quite sure how it happened, but at some point while she fell she must have thrown her axe up in the air. She did remember the immense pain she felt when it came down, though. Slicing right through her skirt and leggings like it was nothing, before cutting through the flesh underneath.

The healers couldn't do anything but cauterize and stitch up. They found her, barely conscious. Apparently she had been trying to push the leg back where it belonged, even though it was completely torn off. Astrid didn't remember that at all. Her mother said she must have been in shock.

The next hours or days were a blur, as the pain was too bad to sleep, but couldn't stay fully conscious either. When everything was clear again she was in her bed on Berk, a wooden stick attached to her thigh. And she wanted nothing more than for things to go back to the way they were.

"Astrid?" Hiccup asked again when she didn't respond, and she was flung back to the present.

"I just fell. I… I wanted to mount Stormfly, and I… I thought I was stable, but I wasn't," she said, avoiding his gaze as he leaned on her dragon. Hiccup smiled.

"That's okay. I have trouble getting on Toothless sometimes too. It's hard getting the… you-know… in the stirrup just right," he said warmly, and she couldn't help but frown. Hiccup had a much more complicated saddle, designed to work with his prosthetic. But at least he still had knees he could use.

"It's not the same," she snapped, immediately regretting her harsh tone. Hiccup looked hurt, taking a step back.

"It's just… It's hard to do things without… without a knee or ankle. You don't have to change the way you move," she clarified, and Hiccup sighed before nodding.

"Do you need help? I can get you a new… you-know… from the smithy," he offered, and she was grateful he didn't push or argue with her.

"That's not… I've got a spare… at home. I'll ride on Stormfly," she said, turning back to her dragon. But she found it impossible to put the ruined leg over the saddle. Knowing Hiccup was still watching her, she swallowed her pride and turned back to her boyfriend.

"Can you give me a boost?" she asked in a soft voice, wondering if he'd laugh at her. But he just smiled and walked forward. Toothless put his head under her, keeping her steady as she put her left foot on Hiccup's cupped hands. Then, the two boys pushed her up together, and she used the momentum to swing her foot into Stormfly's stirrup.

"Thanks," she said, looking at the horn in front of her instead of Hiccup.

"You're welcome. And… Astrid… You don't have to do this alone, you know? I… I can help," he said, and she nodded.

"I know. But I'm good. Come on, girl," she said, still avoiding his gaze when Stormfly shot into the air. What did Hiccup think of her now? Did he think she was weak? Stupid? Gods, he was so much stronger than her, so much more in control. He just swallowed the pain and accepted his prosthetic, while she ignored hers.

It was only when she was nearly home that she realized she had forgotten her axe. She cursed loudly, making Stormfly croon worriedly. The weapon still lay there in the clearing where she had thrown it. But she didn't want to go back to get it. What if Hiccup was still there?

"It's okay, girl. I just forgot my axe," she said, stroking the horn in front of her. Stormfly suddenly veered around, and Astrid couldn't stop a yelp.

"No, we'll just go home! I don't want to see Hiccup right now," she said, pulling on the dragon's head. Stormfly reluctantly obeyed, though she cawed in a surprised tone, like she was asking why.

"It's… I don't want him to see me like this. Maybe… Maybe when I can throw an axe," she sighed as they landed at her house.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Okay, you can do this. It's easy. Just knock on the door and say what you practiced," Hiccup told himself, pacing in front of the Hofferson house. Toothless rolled his eyes before shoving Hiccup toward the door, clearly sick of his rider's nervous behavior.

"Alright, I'm going. No need to push me!" Hiccup muttered, walking toward the door, using Astrid's axe as a makeshift cane to lean on, while holding the other package in his right hand behind his back.

"Here we go. I can do this. It's just Astrid. She won't kill me, probably. What if she does? She doesn't like it when people touch her weapons. Maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe I should put the axe back in the forest and pretend I didn't take it. This is crazy! And what if she doesn't like the gift? She probably won't, she practiced so hard with her-" Hiccup rambled to himself, before being suddenly interrupted when Toothless shoved him against the door. The dragon punched the door himself twice more for good measure, before drawing back to glare at Hiccup.

"Don't look at me like that. I was just… planning. Covering all possibilities. And you-" Hiccup told Toothless before being interrupted again.

"Hiccup? What are you doing here? Why were you hitting the door that hard?" Astrid asked, and he pivoted around on his prosthetic, thankfully managing to keep his balance this time.

"Oh, uh, hi Astrid, hi Astrid! I was just, uhm, I was just passing by when Toothless…" he glanced around at the dragon, who was now staring at him with big adorable eyes. Stupid dragon. How could he stay angry at him when he looked so cute? And with eyes like that, why would Astrid ever believe the Night Fury would be so mischievous?

Toothless was way too clever for his own good.

"Is that my axe?" Astrid tore Hiccup from his staring contest, and he turned back to her, blushing when he realized he was caught.

"Uh, yeah. You, uh, you left it in the forest yesterday, after… you know, and I figured you'd probably need it for training today. So I took it. And here it is," he awkwardly said as he presented the axe to her. Astrid frowned, before stepping out on her spare peg leg and taking the axe from him.

She examined it for a while, swinging it back and forth and feeling the edge. Hiccup felt sweat dripping down his back as he awaited her verdict. Had he damaged it? He had sharpened it in the forge last night, maybe she didn't like that? What if-

His frantic thoughts were interrupted when she turned to him. Hiccup feared the worst, when suddenly she smiled brightly and said "Thanks! And you sharpened it as well! You didn't have to!"

"Oh, uh… you're welcome. And it was no big deal, I was in the forge anyway…" he said, unsure of how to approach the other reason he was here. The wrapped gift was hidden behind his back for now, but how could he explain it to her?

Astrid suddenly grinned, and he wondered if she knew all about it. Had she been spying on him? No, of course not, she wouldn't spy on him. She was too busy for that! But maybe she had seen something when passing by the forge. Or Gobber had told her!

"Is there something else?" she asked in a playful voice, and he was frozen in place. Oh gods, what was he supposed to say now? He had practiced this, but why couldn't he remember the words? Oh Thor, he was keeping her waiting, but he couldn't give it to her now, his hands were too sweaty and she'd think it was stupid and-

"Oof" Hiccup exclaimed when Toothless' tail suddenly hit his arm, making him drop the heavy package. He turned around to glare at the dragon. Toothless was curled up, licking under his armpit and looking like he wasn't aware at all of what happened.

Sneaky bastard.

"Hiccup? You okay?" Astrid tentatively asked, and he remembered she was still there. And there was no way she hadn't seen it now.

"Uhm, I made something for you, and I hope you like it, and that it fits, and… Oh gods… Maybe it's better if we go inside," Hiccup managed to say, desperately hoping no one was watching him screw this up.

"Okay, sure," Astrid said, and he managed to smile before picking up the gift and following her inside. Toothless ran around the house to Stormfly's stable, satisfied that his work was done.

"My parents are fishing, so we're alone. So what is it?" she said. Hiccup tried to keep his breathing under control while he put the package on the table.

"It's, uhm, well, it's…" he stuttered, feeling the blood fill his cheeks and making him blush bright red. Suddenly Astrid put her hands on his shoulders.

"Breathe, Hiccup. Relax. I'm not gonna punch you or anything," she said, looking him straight in the eye.

"You won't?" he said without thinking, and she laughed.

"I can control my violent tendencies, if I want to," Astrid said, before gesturing at the package. "Can I open it?"

"S-S-S-" Hiccup started to stutter, before forcing himself to close his eyes and take a few deep breaths. He could do this. He had faced the Red Death, he could face his crush. Thankfully Astrid didn't push, just kept her hands on his shoulders and breathed with him.

"Sure. It's yours now," he eventually said, and she smiled. His breathing was much calmer now, and his muscles weren't all clamped up. His stomach was still filled with butterflies, though. But the gift was there now, and he couldn't stop her from opening it.

She eagerly tore at the ropes, grabbing a small dagger from her remaining boot to cut a stubborn knot, and Hiccup's eyes were drawn to her wooden leg. It looked identical to the one she wore yesterday. Did she like that design? He should have asked her first.

"It's… Oh…" For the first time he could remember, Astrid was speechless when the cloth fell back to reveal a shining prosthetic leg. It was shaped like a normal leg, with screws allowing the knee and ankle to turn.

"Y-You said yesterday that you missed having a knee, and an ankle. So I build this. It's hollow, and there are gears and springs and pulleys inside that will raise the knee and move the ankle if you lift it," he explained. Astrid remained silent, staring at the leg before slowly reaching out and running her fingers over it.

"I, uhm, I used Gobber's measurements of your leg to build this, I hope it fits. It should, I think. It's probably a lot heavier than you're used to, but I figured that you could handle it, you're so strong after all, and-"

"It's amazing," Astrid interrupted his rambling, and he froze. She actually liked it?

"You… You're not angry?" he asked, and she laughed again before suddenly turning towards him.

"Hiccup… Look, I know Berk hasn't been very… accepting of your inventions, but things are different now. I think your inventions are amazing, and you should be more proud of them," she said, and he blushed, before looking down at his feet.

"Thanks," he managed to whisper, and he saw her smile in the edge of his vision.

"Now, I'm gonna try this on," she said, and he smiled as well, before turning away when she reached under her skirt.

"You can turn around now," she said after a minute, and he couldn't help but feel pride when he saw the leg was the perfect length.

"Does it… Does it fit? I can make it tighter or looser," he asked, trying not to look at her skirt too much, and instead focusing on her metal foot standing much steadier than her old peg.

"It's perfect. It feels like… me! I have a knee again! Look at it!" she said happily, raising her leg, and the knee joint turned. The ankle turned along with it, moving the entire leg in a sort of 'Z'-shape, with her foot and upper leg parallel to each other.

"It's heavy, but that's good. The old one felt too light," she continued, and he nodded.

"I, uh, I figured that as well. Like, it broke so easily, so I thought that you'd probably want something that's more durable. You don't want it breaking in battle! It's bronze, so it's sturdy, but doesn't rust like copper or iron would. So you can slide through mud with it, or stay out in the rain," he said as she took a few tentative steps. On her third step she slipped, and he ran forward to catch her.

"Looks like you're helping me now," she said, and he nodded.

"Yeah, now we're even, right? You have to start over, so your head start is gone," Hiccup joked, and she smiled, before glancing at his leg.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, making him sigh. Part of him wanted to lie, but what was the point? She knew, and she was the only one who might understand what he felt.

"It does. It burns. It's always… It's like there's a flame in the… stump, and it never goes out. Sometimes it's more intense than others, but it always hurts," he admitted, and Astrid guided him over to the chairs, leaning heavily on him.

"That sucks. Maybe Gothi has something for that. She gives my mom a potion for her back pain, so maybe that'll help," she suggested, and he nodded as he sat down. He hated the idea of going to Gothi for help, but she was right that it was necessary.

"Does yours hurt?" he asked, glad that they were finally able to talk about it.

"It doesn't. But it… it always feels like it's still there. Like I have a knee and foot and then I look down and… they're gone. That's why I'm so happy with this new leg, it matches what I'm feeling! So thank you!" she said, before leaning over and pulling him into a hug.

"I, uh, I have more ideas for it. I thought about adding a spring in the heel to allow you to jump higher. You might be able to store supplies in the hollow leg. And maybe add some spikes to do damage when you kick an enemy," he said, and she giggled.

"I think I need to get used to the simple version first, but those sound great! You should be proud of yourself," she said, and he felt warm all over.

"Thank you too. For… For not giving up on me," he said when she pulled back. She smiled brightly, before suddenly lifting her arm and punching him hard.

"Ow! What was that for?!" he shouted, and she giggled.

"That was for almost being too nervous to give this to me!" Astrid said, and before he could process it she put her lips on his.

Hiccup was too shocked for the first few seconds to respond, but then he tried moving a little, tilting his head so their noses weren't rubbing against each other.

Finally she pulled back, and the panicky part of his brain, silent during the kiss, was firing up again. Did she like it? Could he do it again? What if his breath was bad? Was his face sweaty?

"And that was for being the boyfriend with the best gifts," she said, putting her hands on his shoulders again. He was her boyfriend? Astrid called him her boyfriend! Oh gods, don't freak out. Don't freak out! Stay cool! Apparently she liked it!

He managed to not pass out, instead producing a goofy grin. She pulled him up out of the chair, and they leaned on each other as they walked to the door.

"So… wanna throw axes with me today? You're going to have to support me while I get used to this," she said, and he couldn't help but nod. There were worse fates than supporting Astrid Hofferson. Especially when she supported him as well.