#gah why is writing long posts so hard

[louroth]

Hello hello everybody! It is time for another months progress, and I am so excited to share with you, all the things I have gotten my grimy little gremlin hands on. First off, what we are all here for; writing. I have been on fire, to be honest! Last month I churned through the last of the first batch of erotica stories (there's 6 (!!!) of them on my patreon already) and set them up for publishing along with two more unseen ones- I'm still going over the logistics of where to publish for the best revenue (I know this sounds boring, but I have to make an income somehow, and hopefully find another audience as a smut writer on other platforms 💀 I love writing it so why not!), and I am making headway, learning the ins and outs of self publishing. On patreon, there are also two Q&A's that are written in a bit more fictional manner, in character: a more fun way than just writing answers straight up and down. I have enjoyed those so much! There's a bunch of other stuff I haven't even mentioned- honestly, I have to say, I'm really proud of my output on Patreon even though I have been really anxious about writing full time. It's going great! I have to thank my new friends and support-network on discord; you make this all worth it. I cannot express how fun it is to shoot the shit with you in vc, gaming together, or seeing your shenanigans in gen or your in depth theories (thanks for the brainworms!) or memes or staring longingly at the fanfic channel or drooling over your art (ouro related or not) or... Gah. You are just amazing people, and I will waste no opportunity in saying so. Thank you forever and ever and ever an-

When it comes to OUROBOROS, I am happy to announce that the next chapter is damn near done! I was halted because of the discovery that dashingdon is no longer supported by it's creator, and have been working on the twine version ever since, earlier than I expected- it's tough work, but I am so excited to make this an actual game made entirely by myself, and not submitting to a company that quite frankly leaves a bitter aftertaste. It is taking long to make because I want to make it mobile compatible from the start, which there isn't a lot of resources for. But I'm doing my best! The plan is that I will be posting the next chapter for Patreons in the coming month, and then treat you to a full twine release here on tumblr. I haven't made any rewrites when porting the twine build, but I would like to do that too... so we will see; this plan is not set in stone. I will just have to see how it evolves over the next month. Yes, beta-readers is still on the schedule, just holding off a little while while I wrap my head around this new coding landscape.

Other than that, I have been working on the set aesthetic for ouro, which has been really hard, a lot harder than I expected. You all know I am no wizard when it comes to graphic design, but I want to at least develop a set palette and imagery and portraits that is cohesive to the story. The work is ongoing, and I don't have much to say about it- even though it is taking a lot of my brain power. I'm hoping I can come to some kind of set and in depth conclusion that I am happy with before the twine release, because I want the game to feel like a treat to open up and play; a world to get lost in.

That's it! If you want to see weekly and more in depth dev-logs, you know where to go. I hope you have an amazing day or night, and we will see each other soon. xx

[ratfuzz]

poly kyle x reader x stan headcanons [part 1]

a/n: gah, i wanted to make one post at first, but then i forgot half of what i wanted to write and this already has been sitting in my drafts for too long, so yeah, posting it now (i actually remember some but i don't know how to write it properly). i will try to post more next week!! also i get a bit silly in some of the parts, sorry for that (they're not sorry guys)

when your relationship only started kyle kind of felt left out even if you and stan spent your time mostly with him, but that's because poly relationships is something new to him. it was hard for kyle to get over his jealousy.

it got better later on!! it was long and hard way of acceptance of his own feelings (not like you and stan didn't have your own troubles with it). well he wasn't alone on it.

it took y'all a several months to understand each other's feelings and what each of you wants in this relationship.

kyle even read some books about poly relationships (don't laugh at him, he just wants you all to feel good and loved)

stan was much more cool about this relationship tho.

he's not good with words but he always was there for you two, comforting by hugs and pats mostly or just by sitting with you.

well, generally it's pretty sweet relationship, even though not as balanced as it could be.

kyle would defend your relationship like his life depends on it. any polyphobic bitch should look out if they don't want their teeth kicked in the head.

stan is pretty defensive about it too but he wouldn't get too physical

if two of you want to have a day just with one partner, then it's a fucking fight. (but stan and kyle mostly rely on you here actually)

group hugs yippieee!! sometimes you all just stay hugging for some time not even talking and then understand that you're holding each other for like an hour or two

if you're sleeping together, then most likely stan will be almost always in the middle, because he's the most touch starved bitch out of you all. but you switch places sometimes, either just because "why not?" or because one of you is feeling down and that would make them feel better or safe

if you happen to be in the middle, kyle would totally bury his head in your neck

...but stan will most likely turn you so you face him and kyle will have nothing to do but continue what he was doing just with your back now (kyle is so angry at stan for doing shit like this, lol)

because stan often has nightmares he might cling to you or kyle, also his nightmares are another reason why he sleeps between you two most of the times, he just might fall on the floor otherwise.

kyle and stan like to hug and kiss you from both sides a lot

while hugging stan loves putting his head on your chest, so he could listen to your heartbeat and kyle loves to put his chin on your head

if you're making out with stan and kyle is sitting somewhere beside you two, he's going to wither you with a look

he does like the view, but he just wants to do the same with each of you (so it kind of turns into series of kissing often)

if one of you starts to feel left out y'all will try to find something that you three can do together (game night!! game night and lots of cuddling!!!!)

a/n: yes, that's all i got rn, shush (saying this lovingly)

[steddieunderdogfics]

This week’s writer spotlight feature is: MISSBERRYCAKE! They have six fics posted to AO3 in the Stranger Things fandom and five of them posted to the Steddie tag!

Our anonymous nominator recommends the following works by Missberrycake:

When the Sun is High (I'll Meet You in the Woods)

An Act of Grace

If I Loved You Less.

Blackbird

The Wonder

"I'm nominating missberrycake for a spotlight because I've loved a number of her works that I think have been underappreciated. Her pieces can be quite melancholy, but I think are really lovely and always leave me feeling content. She writes dialogue and characters in a very believable and layered way. I first came across her after her most popular fic, though I think she's done some fabulous ones since!" -- anonymous

Below the cut, Missberrycake answered some questions about their writing process and some of their recommended work!

Why do you write Steddie?

Ooh, I have a long and storied past with shipping and, while I've been a Stranger Things fan since the start, I hadn't really picked up any shipping threads until S4. I think Steve and Eddie have a great mix of that jock and loser dynamic and enemies to lovers vibe that works really well - but also the ending to S4 was really ripe for some good angst storytelling. A little reminiscent of Stucky or Reddie.

What’s your favorite trope to READ?

Hm. I'm not sure. I am a sucker for time travel, but I don't think I've red too much of that. Probably slow-burn - I just love being frustrated!

What’s your favorite trope to WRITE?

Well … according to my most used tags on Ao3, it's AUs and Time Travel, and Friends to Lovers shows up there as well, which all sound right. I know that I'm enjoying a book or show or whatever when I think, I need to write and AU of this!

What’s your favorite Steddie fic?

Ahh! That's too hard - I have a lot of bookmarks for fics I love! It’ probably a battle between Lovesick in Loch Nora by red0aktree and standing up the dead by heartofwinterfell. The first is so gah, you know? So romcon. The latter, I love the concept. Even though it's Max-led, Eddie is fabulously done in that fic, for sure.

Is there a trope you’re excited to explore in a future work but haven’t yet?

Not really - ideas tend to swoop in when I'm not actively thinking about it. I have had a niggling little thought about a folklore esque cryptic came back wrong story, something creepy, you know. But we'll see!

What is your writing process like?

Overly organised! I'm a planner, so I need to know what the ending is before I start - I will generally map out acts and scenes and character arcs before I write the first sentence, which I think helps me immensely so that I don't have to do so many edits later.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I'm sure I must do, but I don't know about them. I guess - I'll tend to write all my dialogue in a scene first as a but of a template and then fill in the gaps.

Do you prefer posting when you’ve finished writing or on a schedule?

Oh, when I've finished for sure. The only time I've ever abandoned a fix was when I posted as I was going on a schedule and it really killed the enjoyment of it for me - too much pressure on timing and the lack if ability to go back and fiddle with things.

Which fic are you most proud of?

I'll stick to my Steddie fics, so it would have to be An Act of Grace, for the Bigbang. I adore that fic, honestly, and worked really hard on it. I think it came out almost exactly how I wanted it and I was so excited when posting finally arrived!

How did you get the idea for An Act of Grace?

It was two things, really - firstly I had watched ‘Howards End’ with Joseph Quinn in and fully needed to see Eddie in the similar time period, I could not get it out of my head - the idea of a servant Eddie and aristocratic Steve came to me pretty quickly after that and was too perfect. Also, though, I wanted to do something with a distinctly English vibe to it (I am English!) - I sometimes feel a bit at sea writing USAmerican characters and settings, so something more familiar I though might work better for me.

When writing When the Sun is High (I’ll Meet You In the Woods), what was something you didn’t expect?

For it to be so popular, actually! Particularly as it was being posted. It's my most popular Steddie fic by a country mile and I'm really fond of it - trying to get a version of Steve and Eddie who had a history to work with canon was a fun challenge.

What inspired If I Loved You Less?

Well, its an Emma AU, so Emma! I was watching the most recent film adaption and NEEDED to write it, but I also loved Clueless growing up, so putting a modern twist on it made the most sense to me. The placement of characters in that story was very fun!

What was your favorite part to write from Blackbird?

The tree decorating scene, for sure. I love that part of Christmas myself, so I had a great time adding in little bits and pieces from people I know and traditions they have.

How do/did you feel writing When the Sun is High (I’ll Meet You In the Woods)?

Gosh, it feels like it was so long ago! I was just excited to get something out into fandom, I think, and to become part of the community.

What was the most difficult part of writing The Wonder?

Ooh, probably knowing that it wasn't going to do very well? 😄 I completely love that little fic, so to kind of keep it contained to just Eddie and Wayne - even mostly Wayne - was tricky. Sometimes less is more!

Do you have a favorite scene and/or line from any of your fics?

Hm. In the epilogue of An Act of Grace, Claudia gives a little speech about Steddie. I think I like that a lot for the way it kind of sums everything up so nicely. A bit of a snapshot of them as characters.

Do you have any upcoming projects or fics you’d like to share/promote?

Nope! I've taken a bit of a break from writing at the moment, buy I've been at it for 13 years, so I'm sure I'll be back at it in the future.

Outside of these questions, Is there anything YOU would like to add?

Just to say thank you to whoever submitted my name! It's made my month, probably!

Thank you to our author, Missberrycake, and our anonymous nominator! See more of Missberrycake's works featured on our page throughout the day!

Writer’s Spotlight is every Wednesday! Want to nominate an author? You can nominate them here!

[evaslytherpuff]

Tell me about Sebastian and Ember! They are so cute together 🥰 I’d like to know number

14, 22, 31, and 43

Please 🩷

(The way I choked when I saw that picture of Sebastian and then it got worse when I saw Embers🤭🫣)

Their fanfic is taking so long to write. lol. I’m working on multiple fics at a time. I’m hoping to have something posted, for any character, soon!😅

Sebastian and Ember are basically Fire meets Gasoline. Their relationship is pretty explosive but then again, Sebastian did always love to play with fire.😏❤️

14. Who kills the spiders? They both kill the creepy crawlers. lol. Ember is competitive, she might even turn it into a game and see who can kill the most or have the most dramatic kill. They love showing off for each other.❤️

22. Who goes all out for Valentine's Day? Sebastian is the one to go all out for Valentine’s Day! He’s lost Ember before and he’s afraid of losing her again. He will do anything in his power to keep her by his side and loves to see her light up with happiness, literally, Ember’s scar glows whenever she feels extremely strong emotions. He would get her favorite candy and lots of flowers and want to spend the night with her wrapped in his arms. Although he’s willing to go all out for her, Ember is always reassuring him that he doesn’t need to and that she’s happy and just loves being with him.❤️

31. Who is more affectionate? I’d say they are equally affectionate. Whenever Sebastian studies he studies hard! I headcanon that he wears glasses and Ember will often find him in the Undercroft, so exhausted from studying too long, passed out with his glasses still on and drooling on the desk. She will gently wake him up and take him to the RoR to rest with him and make sure he gets proper sleep and holds him through the night. Sebastian knows that Ember is pretty intense as well. She’s head girl for Hufflepuff house, their Seeker, she takes on a lot with her classes, and has to deal with reigning in her ancient magic. Although she’s always smiling and doing her best to be kind, Sebastian knows how stressed she really is, she hides how overwhelmed she gets. He enjoys giving her lots of massages to help her relax and unwind. They could spend the whole day cuddled in bed together, showering each other in attention.❤️

43. Who wins the stuffed animals at the carnival for the other one? Ooo! That’s tough. lol. They like to win them for each other. Sebastian will win owl stuffed animals for Ember because she loves owls. Her Pygmy owl Trinket is afraid of the stuffed animals though because they are usually bigger than him.😂

Vivian: “Why is Trinket hiding in the hood of your robe?”

Ember: “Because of the new stuffed animal Sebastian won for me at the fair.”

Vivian: “Gah! It’s staring into my soul!”

Ember: “Hush! It’s adorable!”

The stuffed owl in question. lol.😂

Ember is always trying to win the biggest prize! She’s the one to get the giant teddy bears and give them to Sebastian. So maybe he wins the most but she wins the biggest. Ominis has been caught sleeping on a few of Sebastian’s bears. lol.

Seb: “No! You drooled on my panda bear, Ominis!”

Omi: “They have taken over our dorm! Where else am I supposed to sleep?!”

Seb: “Your bed!”

Omi: “They are on there too!”

I also headcanon that my OTP’s would all be besties with one another.😍❤️

Thank you for asking about them! I adore talking about their relationship!🥹 Btw, I love those pictures of them too!🤭 I’ll share the pics here as well. And An Ember bonus!🤗❤️

[chuuyascumsock]

Hi There! I hope youre havin a great day and i wanted to ask you who you’re favorite chuuya-verse chuuyas are?

Mine personally would definitely have to be vampires and mob boss chuuya because

GAH-DAYMmm

Like imagine him (vampire!chuuya) coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist while lightly swaying to soft music playin on his ancient gramophone.he rests his chin on your shoulder and slowly starts kissing it until he’s at your neck.he feels the bite marks he gave you when you first allowed him to feed on you and it reminds him that you really are his….

(A small mob boss!chuuya one now) And also like imagine some asshat insults you at a bar after you turned him down,the very same bar your mob boss boyfriend owns and he just fuckin decks them no questions asked just decks them.and no one does anything ofc because there nooo way they’re gettin on chuuya nakahara’s bad side! And after what feels like an eternity he gets up off the floor,ordering the mans body to be dealt with. He then looks to you,his expression softening so much that no one would be able to recognize him as the man who just decked a guy to almost-death. He removes his bloody gloves and brings a hand to your face before asking you if your okay and then just whisks you back home to relax,unwind and forget about that entire experience.he holds you close as a random slasher is playing on the tv and you both just fall asleep right there on your couch all snuggled up.

Also ik this is pretty mellow in comparison to the asks and hcs you generally get on this blog but i wanted to give you at least something🥲

Please remember to drink water and take care and slay!(in a way that doesnt subtract from the population preferably 🫡)

This long post made my writer 😼 THROB ( that probably makes no sense at all but if you get it, you get it— if you don’t, you don’t 😩).

That’s so kind of you to ask my favorite Nakahara-verse Chuuyas btw, made me giggle and blush a little 🤭

I have the most specific AU— but reincarnated lovers AU has me drooling and creaming in the most fluff way possible. Like, I love the idea of reincarnated lovers over hundreds of years who continue to find one another, but their love is never at the right time. The angst is what makes my metaphorical reader cock hard.

It works so well too considering Arahabaki existing, so I just take that and run wild with the idea of him possessing multiple versions of Chuuya through decades, centuries, and even millennia. I think too much about the concept sometimes and wonder why I don’t write it. But I know I wouldn’t be able to execute it the way I want, which is why I wait for someone else to have the same idea as me and write it lmao.

But onto Vampire and Mob boss Chuuya— YES, YES, YES, Y E S.

I absolutely crave an old Victorian style vampire fic with Chuuya. UGH, I want him to suck me dry like a go-gurt so bad. I imagine him to be so sweet too and ask for permission to feed from you even if you tell him he doesn’t have to ask because he cares. GRR I need that vamp dick FR. Also the amount of marking that goes on during the schlip and schlide (s e x) is wild.

And Mob Boss Chuuya who only has a soft spot for you just has me rolling in bed and kicking my feet giddily. Cause the way he’d let absolute hell loose if anything happened to you. Also if anyone had the audacity to even look at you wrong he’d immediately fuck them up. ANON YOU’RE MAKING ME UGH— YOU’RE MAKING MY BRAIN SQUIRT WITH THESE IDEAS 😭

Also, thank you, keep yourself hydrated and well fed ❤️

[kardia-library-official]

20 Questions for Fic Writers:

(Tagged by @aashiyancha! :D Posting here instead of on the main blog tho, because I want it in with all my other fic-adjacent thoughts.)

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

10! Which doesn't feel like many to me, buuuut...

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

...317,249! 8D

3. What fandoms do you write for?

For the longest time, it was just RF, but I have some stories for something else waiting in the wings because the brainrot just got to be too much. >_>; I also used to write a lot of original fiction (that's how I started writing actually), and hope to do so again whenever I feel like it. ^_^

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Behold:

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes! Mostly just because I get excited and have no chill. But also because you can't leave kudos on comments, and I want people to know I read and appreciate them. <3

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

This was kind of a hard question, because the way I generally roll is that the bulk of the fic is angsty and the ending is kind of bittersweet or hopefully ambiguous. But I think it's actually Afternoon Lullaby. Which had an outwardly mostly breezy ending, but at the end of the day it's like... "Your love is doomed, and you will grieve him for many times longer than he'll even live." But the love is there and it is real! Which might only make it worse! Gah!

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Honestly, probably Four Seasons Casebook. Mostly just because it ends with hints at things being... Too happy... >_>; (I don't consider this a spoiler because fellow Lucasheads already know what's up. :P)

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Everyone has been really chill and nice! The real hotheads in this fandom are all busy on reddit trying to wish Cecil into the cornfield or whatever, I think.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

...Define smut, ha. >_>; I do write sex scenes, but I don't really do PWP, and I'm pretty vague/non-graphic about intercourse proper. But I love getting all horny and lingering about making out and foreplay, people's kinks, etc. I guess it can be best described as a "whole meal of appetizers" approach. Weird sexual tapas bar! Woo!

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Does combining different games from the same series count? I feel like it doesn't.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No, and I would be genuinely surprised if this happened.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but I hereby give permission to anyone who would like to take a crack at it!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, and I'm honestly not sure how that works! (Or maybe I'm just a control freak?)

14. What’s your all time favourite ship?

Of the ones I've written, I'm ride or die for Lucas/Terry, and have accepted that it's kind of my Thing.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I don't tend to have a lot of things going at once, because I have a one-track mind and don't multitask well. I'm currently only working on one thing, and am halfway through the initial writing phase! But I have two longfics in the queue after that, and I gotta admit, I'm kinda "how will these EVER be DONE!?" about them, because there are two, and they are long. But I've written two longfics before, and they got wrote, so I'm sure these will too!

16. What are your writing strengths?

I have an eye for detail, and a lot of visual imagination.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

My fics are long and tedious and bogged down by details and tangents. But I see that as inextricable from my strengths, so there isn't really any fixing it. I'm just a certain kind of writer!

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Knock yourselves out! I unfortunately only know one language, at the moment so I can't play right now. :(

19. First fandom you wrote for?

RF! I actually dabbled a little waaaaaay back in the day, and it's still floating around out there probably, but I haven't interacted with it in years and can't vouch for it.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

Probably Four Seasons Casebook. Something about that one really came together! I also have a lot of affection for All the Night Gardens, mostly because it was just so fun to be cringe and free and in my feelings while I basically chewed on the walls pecking away at it for over a year.

I tag @twilightscribbles, @wordspastsaturn, @tinylantern, and @nullnomore! But no pressure! And feel free to do it even if I didn't tag you!

[i-aint-nothin-but-a-nasty-dog]

Happy Cursed Event!

thank you @naughtystiel for hosting this and happy 28th birthday!!; I didn't write this with the intention for posting but it fits right in so I thought I'd share this wretched little thing @youmakemewishicoulddisappear and I wrote at 4 in the morning :) is this cursed enough for you?

1089 words, can be read below the cut or here on ao3

rating: Explicit

tags: Crack, a/b/o, non-traditional a/b/o, dom/sub undertones, dom!cas/sub!Dean, blow jobs, bad dirty talk, riding, shameless smut, crack filth, office au, office sex, overuse of ~ symbol, satire, not serious, daddy kink

absolute cringefest travel at your own risk but it's a fun cringefest I assure you

have fun! 🥰

The Boss’ Omega

Dean was the only omega at the office. Castiel was the most powerful alpha there was. He was the boss.

“I need to see you in my office.” Castiel said in a gruff voice.

Dean followed his sexy boss to his office, trembling at the scent of Castiel's pheromones. He had no choice, really, but to follow the orders. Castiel’s alpha nature was too overwhelming to ignore. So, with his tail between his legs, he walked through the door, looking at the ground.

His tail was the most sensitive part of him, and all the alphas in the building loved to tease him for it, coming up behind him to pull it, touch it. No matter how many times he snarled, “Don’t fucking touch my tail,” they ignored the whimpering omega.

Once in his office, Dean took a seat across from his boss’ desk, impatiently waiting for the other man to speak. He was shaking in his seat, his eyes, which change color depending on his mood, were a dull gray-blue, showing just how anxious he was for this talk. Though, the dark colors hid the pink around his irises. He was attracted to this alpha.

“Dean,” The alpha began, “Do you know why I called you in here?”

“N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-no…” He stuttered out.

“Gah, you’re so pathetic. Just a whiny little omega who can’t even speak properly. You can’t speak or do your job well, can you?”

“N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-no sir, I can’t. I can never do anything right. I’m not like the other guys. I’m not big or strong. You probably think I’m ugly, too.” He sighed and looked away. 

“You’re right. I called you in here because your performance has been lacking.”

“W-w-what d-d-do you m-mean?”

“I mean,” He started darkly, “I need you to change your performance. Do you think I need to punish you? I think I should…”

“A-a-a-a-a-alpha please…how are you going to punish me?”

“You can start by coming over here and kneeling before me.”

Dean trembled but obeyed the alpha’s orders, wobbling on his feet and stumbling over to where the alpha was sitting with his legs spread in his chair, thick cock already tenting his slacks. Dean licked his lips and knelt in front of him between his feet, looking up at his alpha with glossy, doe eyes.

“Take me out.” He ordered.

Dean gulped hard and went to work. He reached forward and unbuttoned the man’s pants, slowly tugging the zipper down to reveal his long, hard, thick. veiny cock. It sprung out and tapped Dean in the nose, earning a surprised gasp from the trembling omega. He let out a soft whine at the sheer size and girth of his cock. The alpha let out a rumbling groan at his cock finally being free and exposed to the cold air of the office. 

Dean gripped that cock tight and raised it from the perdition of not being touched. 

“Suck it.” The alpha snarled, gripping onto his omega’s hair, pulling harshly. 

Dean whimpered at the order before cautiously taking Castiel’s cock into his mouth, his eyes watering from the stretch of wrapping his lips around the entire girth of it. Castiel got impatient and shoved the omega’s head down, savoring how he gagged around the cock 

“A-a-a-alpha please i can’t take it that hard~ You need to be gentle…”

“You will either choke on my cock or you don’t get it at all and we can be done here. Your choice~.”

“Ngh alpha~”

“Do it or else, little omega.”

Dean moaned aloud and went back to sucking that huge cock. He lapped at the head, making his way down the shaft to where the alpha’s knot was steadily growing. The omega lapped happily at the swollen knot, appreciating the loud groan he earned from his alpha when he did.

“Oh, such a good little slutty omega for me, aren’t you. You’ve wanted to be in this position for a while, haven’t you? I could smell your slick a mile away, always so strong when i’m near. I know you have, little omega, always such a filthy whore for me, huh? Can smell it even now, wanna see how tight that little ass is for me.”

“Oh~ Alpha please~”

“Get up here.”

Dean knew what he wanted and quickly stood to shake his pants and boxers off, sitting himself in the alpha’s lap and slammed himself down to the alpha’s knot, both moaning in unison.

“Oh~ alpha, your cock feels so good.”

“So wet for me, little omega, so tight on my cock. You feel so good on my knot.”

Dean started slamming himself down frantically, riding his cock like his performance depended on it, which it did. 

“So good for me, gonna knot you, fill you with my alpha sperm.”

“Please, alpha, want your alpha sperm, only yours. Never wanted anyone else’s, oh–alpha im–”

“Good omega, cover me in your omega sperm~”

They climaxed in unison, Dean whining with a high voice and Castiel groaning lowly. Dean fell limp on his alpha, satisfied and taking in the smell of his alpha’s pheromones, the scent intoxicating.

“How’s that for work ethic improvement?” Dean asked coyly.

“Not bad.” Castiel grumbles, clearing his throat, embarrassed of how good that felt.

“Good enough.” Dean grunted in reply, slumping further against his alpha.

Then suddenly Gabriel busted in the room with a stack of papers in his hand, ready to throw them on his boss’ desk, planning to stay and chat for a moment. But, no. Instead, he was met with the sight of his boss and coworker, both covered obscenely in each other’s sperm.

“Oh cool I’ll leave you two to it, but lock the door next time.” He left as quickly as he had come in.

“That was your first lesson: no more doing stupid shit like forgetting to lock the door. Next time you do, I’m firing you for real. Dick or no dick.”

“N-next time?”

“Keep talking like that and there won’t be a next time”

“S-sorry.”

“Get out.”

“W-w-w-wha?”

“I said get out. What did I just say about talking like that to me?”

“No! Please! I’ll do anything! Daddy–”

“...What did you call me?”

“D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-daddy?” He gulped nervously.

“Nevermind. Stay.”

“Yes, daddy alpha.”

“Good boy.” He placed a kiss on his omega’s head, Sighing happily. They relaxed in one another’s arms, enjoying the other’s company. Work could wait, they’re paid a salary anyway. 

Boss makes a dollar, worker makes a dime, that’s why they fucked on company time.

[revenantghost]

[20 Question Fic Writer Game]

Tagged by @faindri and @pancake-breakfast!

How many works do you have on AO3?

18! Most are poetry collections, so a lot of smaller stories in one anthology.

What is your AO3 word count?

75,144

What fandoms do you write for?

Trigun is my main squeeze atm (and biggest in general, I have four projects for it which is double anything else--and the highest wordcount, too), but I've written for KinnPorsche, Sabikui Bisco, Danny Phantom, Vampire In The Garden, Sasaki to Miyano, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Goncharov (yeah... yeah), The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Signalis, Omori, Lycoris Recoil, and The Executioner and Her Way of Life

What are your top five fics by kudos?

No idea and I ain't looking! Trad publishing has me extremely scarred from some nasty comparison wars, so I have kudo and view counts blocked on ALL fics, including mine. From my kudos emails, though, Hallowboned has to be my top fic for sure. Last time I was paying attention most of my other fics didn't pass into triple digits by a long shot

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do!!! I adore comments, and I love chatting with folks, it really keeps me motivated and chugging along. I am... very behind on replying to the comments on my last chapter rn because I feel so awful and guilty about having to quit writing

What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Uh... I don't write a ton of narrative fics, and I do love me some tragic poetry, but I guess the angstiest collection might be my Signalis one, Observable System Transcendence? But my Omori poem and the Trined Soul collection might be contenders, too

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I mean, Trembling Hands is a Trimax fix-it fic, so? Though the Sasaki and Miyano collection, Effortless Dreams, is definitely the most tooth-rotting fluff I've ever slapped onto the page

Do you get hate on fics?

Oh yeah, I've had my poetry called pretentious and also not good enough to be poetry lol. It's been a hot minute since that's happened, people are just jerks sometimes

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I used to! Porn with plot, my beloved. It would be interesting to explore in poetry format, but we'll see if I have the time who wants to commission some poetry porn from me lmao

Do you write crossovers?

Nah, not my cuppa

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yeah, many moons ago

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but that is one of the coolest things fandom does. Loving a thing so much you spend the time to painstakingly transform that art into something you can read and share in another language, bro??? Translators are amazing

Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

I've worked pretty closely with artists a loooong time ago, but I've only written fics where I'm the sole writer. I have used other writers' ideas and outlines (with their permission, of course), but that's the closest

What's your all-time favourite ship?

I DON'T KNOW?!?! Shipping has never really been my main focus of media typically, but when one digs its teeth into me I go rabid in a completely feral but different way each time.

What's a WIP you'd like to finish but doubt you ever will?

))): All of them

Life feels kinda... really dire atm, it's hard to see ever writing again. However! God I want to finish Hallowboned SO BADLY!!! I have so many chapters written for it that I haven't even posted!!!!! Y'all haven't met Livio yet!!!!!! GAH 3:

What are your writing strengths?

Uh... ??? I'll be real, I've got no idea. I feel like I write so weirdly atm, it's hard for me to analyze in that kinda way

What are your writing weaknesses?

I tend to get really excited/into things and flit around and forget to explain or describe things sometimes. Thank god for having been well-trained to edit my own work. Not that I catch it all, but I try!!!

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I think it'd really cool, but I'd need a native speaker on hand to make sure I don't fuck it up in my own fic

First fandom you wrote for?

I think my first piece of written fanwork was a Danny Phantom Quizilla thing lmao, I'm old. I don't remember what it was about, just that it was ANGSTY

Favourite fic you've ever written?

Ah?!?! Honestly, each project is so different and written from such a different place, I've got no idea. I'm proudest of Observable System Transcendence being my longest, most consistent project (outside of my Smaugust collection, which isn't a fan project), Hallowboned being the first thing that really inspired me in ages--and the most indulgent one lol. But each collection and fic and poem comes from such a different place, and it's hard to pull them apart and pick???

Tagging:

Whoever wants to hop in! :3

[burinazar]

what motivates you artistically? :3

well right now blelaf mainly. no ok hang on. alright. so.

when i was really young i had this feeling like if we could all just understand one another, if there was a perfect way to beam your thoughts and feelings into someone's head, it would fix almost everything re conflicts and human suffering. (naive obviously but this was what i thought lol.) when i started to be aware of what it was to read good books and look at good art it felt like in some ways the closest we could come to fully articulating an idea, a moment, a feeling, and placing it in its entirety into someone's mind. relatedly, uh, bad stories/art that didn't seem to respect their audience pissed me off at the squandered opportunity (sorry the snobbery came out sorry) and made me think, dammit, the audience and types of people evoked within this deserve better and i'm gonna try. with the combo of these two things it was like ..okay i'm going to start writing and drawing. it was all about stories ideas concepts. oh and also i really liked rodents and wanted to draw them as often as possible lol. i drew so fucking many rodents. gah. these concepts were no joke deeply linked for me because as a child i genuinely felt like the bad rap rodents get from people unthinkingly condemning them via stereotypes was a symptom of a societal lack of empathy and consideration. (possibly terry pratchett's fault)

(could not locate early rat art at this moment but here's relevant scribbling. i was nine i think.)

 tl;dr plunging themes and concepts i find interesting; communicating them to other people. (sometimes the concept is admittedly not highbrow. sometimes it is very silly. sometimes it is 'hey ! it would be hot if this happened to b*laf'.) it can be hard to reconcile the desire to 'communicate' via art/writing with some of my work just not having much of an audience or even feeling like i don't want to share it for various reasons lol, but in those cases i frame it to myself as, the effort of presenting the idea was enjoyable in and of itself, an act of personal communication between me and the subject or content of the work even if the thing itself will never be shown to another soul : v anyway fanwork can be a neat way to do that because it's like shared muses or canvases where what you see in them or love about them is already partially pre-communicated to people and you can hit the ground running on evoking emotions, concepts and narratives using the shared frame of reference, as well as skewing and transforming said frame as needed. btw i found another drawing of me and the sages that i didnt use in the other post so here it is

there have been many periods of my life when i was making more original work, though. (i'm sure i've said this many times now but before the sages i had a very comparable attachment to a couple of my OCs.) i also had a pretty terrible experience with fandom around middle school that sort of drove me away from heavily engaging for a long time; i was still in fandoms but basically never shared my writing outside of like PMs and servers. that's part of why my current abyss bullshit is so precious to me and also why i can get protective over it; it pretty much singlehandedly brought me back to the Blessings and Curses of being directly engaged in sharing a lot of fan content publicly. (man for a person who doesnt like bondrewd i do quote him a lot unfortunately.)

so anyway. yes. uhh sorry that was really long. i sort of just like blogging haha thank you very much for the ask! < 3

[geodetojoy]

For the ask game!

-If money weren’t an issue and you didn’t have to worry about work/paying rent/surviving capitalist hellscape what would you do with your life?

-What’s your favorite fic you’ve ever read and why?

-If you go back and relive one memory, which one would it be?

Ooo hello anon!!

Also this gets a bit personal near the end, especially in 3, which I guess is the point, but be warned!!!

1. I gave an answer for this a bit ago, I rb’d mysti’s post (I’m assuming you’re referencing that, I could be wrong)

But I’ll summarize anyway lmao

First, I’d run away. No exact place in mind, just away from where I am now. The only fragments of my past id bring with me are my cats, maybe one irl friend, and my online friends. Everything else, I’d leave behind.

I wanna give my cats the kind of life they deserve, bc right now they live in a basement with quite literally no access to the sun and it fucking breaks my heart.

I’d live somewhere pretty far out from society, likely near some forest, and I’d surround myself with plants and animals. I’d just love to be in a place with little to no light pollution and beautiful scenery. Not only would I love to live it, but I’d love to paint it too.

I’d focus on art more than anything. I’d finish WIPs, I’d have a studio in my house, I’d write, I’d study game design and make games, and so so much more.

I’d catch up on all of the videos and movies and music I need to see/hear

I’d let myself focus even more on my hyperfixations and throw myself into them entirely

And on top of that, I wouldn’t be afraid to accommodate anything for myself. I’d get rid of everything that causes sensory issues, I’d let myself stim constantly, etc. I just wouldn’t be afraid to be me.

(I think there were a few more things that I’m forgetting lmao so if you wanna dig for my last post feel free)

2. This is. The hardest fucking question I’ve ever gotten. How could you anon /j

There’s no way I could give just one answer so you get a list

1. Ok I can’t find a title bc I read this fucking ages ago but I loved it so fucking much it was a Pokémon fic where Ash and his greninja reunited and they had like telepathy, and it threw in a little bit of amourshipping as well which I used to be a huge sucker for. It’s mainly in this list bc of how well I can/could remember it; I would literally recite it to myself any night I couldn’t sleep bc a. I knew it so well and b. I wasn’t allowed on my phone after a certain time. It was also one of the first fanfics I ever read!

OK OK WAIT I FOUND IT ITS CALLED RETURN OF GRENINJA: UNITED BY ALEXANDRIA PRIME ON FANFICTION.NET

2. You Belong To Me by Smytherines!!!! I fucking love Spies Are Forever so fucking much and this fic kills me every time. Let my boys be happy!!!! Let them be soft!!!! Gah it’s just so beautiful and the art in it is fucking incredible!!! I could talk about it forever

3. Burning flames or paradise? Series by Insomnia!!!!!

Gah I love me some Smalletho!!! My boys just need to have a normal fucking conversation for once!!!

I’m also loving all of the new character additions and all of the relationships- I LOVE GEMS CHARACTER IN IT SMMM DUDE

4. To cradle love in open palms by svnnybee!!!!

The first Scarian fic I ever read and GOD is it a good one

Feat. scar being a big dumb boss and Grian being a little mischievous mole (but not for long bc he falls HARD for the guy he’s trying to spy on)

It’s just soooo fucking precious and sweet and I love them ok?

5. There is nothing more artistic than loving someone by Froggiestarrock!!!

Another Scarian one lmao but college au this time!!! Makes me cry every fucking time I read it dude it’s sooo good and we love some well-written disability rep for scar!!!! And aroace mumbo!!!!!

6. Take it all (even though I have nothing left) by Emojiconuser_456!!!

My absolute FAVORITE Qsmp fic

Charlie centric!!! My fav boy

I just looooove the way this is written and I loooove Charlie’s backstory and I loooove the way the slimes/magmas are written it’s all so beautiful and the WORLD BUILDING oh my god.

7. And how could I make this list without mentioning my writer friends!!!!

First we have eowynarchives with your lucky charm!!! A beautifully written treebark fic with wanderer Martyn and wizard ren!!!! I am in love with how it’s going so far it’s such a good story!!!!!

8. And continuing on we have my dearest soul-bound mother CharBeloved :DDDDD

They’ve written tons of stuff but my fav is Missing Memories, which is being rewritten with a new title of Found but Lost!!! It’s a really interesting genloss story with ciphers/puzzles (which I adore) and it’s got some fuckin crazy lore and I love it

9. Not a fic, but an author whose work I adore soooooo dearly!!! Quillandinktwink!!!! They also write spies stuff, curtwen specifically, and I could read all of their work until the end of eternity and never get tired of it. My fav of theirs right now is and you can savor every word which is a silly little confession story bc of silly little curt mega and his silly little hobby of journaling :)

10 ok I am cutting it here but the Ashamed series by TheBananaOwenSlippedOn (omg spies again who could have guessed) is an incredibly written au about Owen’s past (autistic Owen my beloved) and it’s soooooo painfully tragic and it makes me so fucking sad to think about the implications /ref

There’s so so many more that I didn’t include but I just genuinely can’t pick a favorite I just love fanfiction dude

3. Oooo another hard one!!!

I don’t wanna get too sad and depressing lmao but I don’t have too many good memories tbh?? Like I’ve had good experiences, I know I have, I just usually remember the bad ones, or smth happens that ruins what was once a good memory :/

And there’s tons of stuff that I’d love to go back and change, even if just a little bit, but that’s not the question LMAO

But I’ve got some in mind! And you’re getting another list deal with it /lh

1. My first ever dnd session!!! One part specifically that I’m SUPER fucking proud of-

So our party was kidnapped and imprisoned on a boat, and after we broke out we had to fight the crew. My character was a Druid, and she knew the spell Create or Destroy Water. So what I did was destroy the water in the sea surrounding one side of the boat so that the boat would fall backwards, sending everyone on board soaring in that direction :DDDD

My dm also played into this reaaaaaaly well and said that the lanterns lining the walls fell too and set the whole boat aflame it was fuckin AWESOME

2. My first time(s) talking to my moots!!!!! Mads, char, mysti, and now royal, if any of u see this, y’all have been the fuckin best part of my life and ily all so much I’m so glad to have met you :) <333333

3. The day I got two of my four (now one of my two, we have two away) kitties!!! I used to write about this every time we got a narrative writing assignment in school lmaoo so I’ll do a shortened version of that here >:)

So at my public library one summer, they were holding an event called Cat-urday where they brought a bunch of kitties from the local humane society for people to adopt! We went in, just having moved to a new house, planning to get two cats. I would get to pick one and my brother would get to pick another. I wandered around for a bit until one caught my eye. She was a mixed breed, almost resembling a tabby cat but with a white face, stomach, and boots, she was a few weeks old, and she had sprained her wrist trying to reach out of her cage. I picked her up to see if she would like me, and she practically melted into my chest.

Then, when we brought her home, she made my bed her temporary nest until she was fully nursed to health <33333

In summary, I fucking love my cats

(Btw I still have her, her name is snickers and she is so very dear to me :))) )

4. The day my mom discovered that I’m probably autistic

(I’m self diagnosed, that’s the only reason it’s worded like that)

While not necessarily something I remember fondly, it was an extreme fucking relief to hear that, a, someone else saw it too which really fucking helped with imposter syndrome, and b, I didn’t have to hide it anymore bc I thought that everyone I knew was veeeeeery ableist. Don’t get me wrong she’s still not great about it but just her knowing has made things a lot easier

5. Not one in specific, but I’d like to go back to a good time I had with my dad before I cut contact with him. Back when I thought he was a good person. Just so I could remember what it’s like for a lil bit

Edit: 6. I’d go back to the first time I watched spies are forever :))))))) GOD I fucking love that musical

This got….. incredibly long, sorry anon LMAOOOO

[fastcardotmp3]

hi! me again! composing this as i'm reading the post you linked (thank you!! and pls forgive any insane rambling as i've just finished writing all my midterm report cards and my brain is much l m f a o)

when i thought of them breaking up, i wouldn't have guessed it would be steve to initiate it! this bit specifically was so interesting:

"It's not just one thing, it's bigger than them just like the world, and it's Steve, ultimately, who decides he's scared enough of all the big upheavals that he can't be attached to Eddie like that right now, trapped in a tiny apartment together with nowhere for all the complexity to go.

Steve says he can't take care of himself while he's waiting for the other shoe to drop on Eddie's end of things, and so he walks away before Eddie can."

we are in eddie's head so thoroughly that i think it's easy to maybe brush aside how steve must be feeling throughout the entirety of this? poor steve always choosing the most difficult (but lovely) people to love, and always putting them first until he can't anymore!! that fear of being hurt or left behind is So Real and I actually could read 160k of meta from steve's POV solely so i can see his reaction to finding out eddie has run off. MOVING ON!

do they live apart during this time? i imagine if that were the case that it might have been difficult, having lived on top of one another for so long. also difficult for the ladies as well, considering they are all very much entangled.

"It's Eddie who says, I don't think I ever really grasped what it was like for you when I ran. I don't think I ever really apologized. I'm sorry.

It's Eddie who lays it all out on the table and makes it clear, I don't need you to fix me anymore, I just like holding your hand."

TO ME, this is so important!!!!! how lovely for steve to hear something like this, to maybe be validated and reassured in a way he probably hasn't been in a while.

the idea of it not being earth-shattering every time, of giving themselves breathing room...ugh. i just love it!! talk about dynamic.

tysm for tolerating me!! once my brain is no longer mush i will be crawling back to talk wasteland with you because i love an apocalyptic take so fucking muuuuuuuuuch and i need to know more.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🥹💚💚💚💚💚💚

first of all when i tell you i have thought about writing about the chapters when Eddie runs away from Steve's POV one trillion and one times only to not do it because it would be a ton of work and approximately 3 people would end up reading it fjkadslfj...... but trust that it lives in my brain that fic...... it lives......

SECOND of all!!! it's so important to me that it's steve who creates that boundary! as much as he loves Eddie, the guy put him through so much and he only really let himself feel it for a very short period of time! they are all about the give and take to me and finding the balance within each other for what that means! that's why in META i gave him that chance to say I need to be mad at you about this, because they both needed to realize that Steve had been going through it too GAH

which is why, in the unwritten parts of it that exist only in my head, they definitely do live separately while they're broken up. it takes months for them to find their footing and they genuinely aren't sure for a minute that they'll work it out, so yeah, they live apart in all the ways they can while still being intrinsically linked and you know what? i think it's good for them. hard! but good.

because like i said in that other post, it gives them a chance to realize that the things they've thought for a while were necessary about sticking together aren't something they need for survival anymore. the closeness isn't keeping them alive, it's just something they want. figuring out that distinction is a big deal and they deserve the chance to discover it!

i am not simply tolerating you dude i am thriving i am living i am grateful for your thoughtful thoughts! i wish you luck on your post midterms life and when you want to talk about wasteland i am here because....... that is also my baby omg

<3 < 3 <3

[simplykorra]

Hey! So i just wanted to say i think you are a phenomenal writer. Ive been a fan since reading the “Seeking balance” series years ago. I had never read such an accurate personal description of disability in a fic before! As a fellow disabled, warrior nun obsessed gay, i was THRILLED to see you now writing for avatrice!! Thank you, all the positive, realistic disability rep makes my days 😊🌈⚔️

Aw thank you! I'm so happy to hear you've followed me for that long, gah seeking balance feels like another lifetime ago.

Honestly though, this is so sweet and the fact that I haven't written a disability centric story in every fandom is a small miracle because believe me I've thought of at least one for every fandom.

I think Ava and her past in WN is a big part of why I relate to her so much. I just love that her disability didn't make her some broody, dark/evil person. She lived with it, it was hard, but it never changed her heart.

Stopping myself now before this turns into another post of me gushing about how much i love Ava lol

Thank you <3

[taleasnewastime]

do you read books like beach read and ACOTAR? if yes, what was the best book (in your opinion) that you've read last year? your fav genre? #1 book bf? (u could ignore these questions btw.) i myself am a fellow reader too, and that's why I was so (pleasantly) surprised that beach read and feyre came up in your newly posted yoongi fic ( it was so goodddd, and gosh was yoongi the most adorable and patient and understanding, loved him and the story so much). anyways, this is just a long-winded way of me saying 'hi i happened read the books u read and liked them' lmao. have a nice day.

I LOVE this ask! Honestly I could talk for hours about books, so I apologise for the ramble that’s about to happen.

Yes I have read ACOTAR (#2 is the best) and I have read Beach Read - it’s the only romance book on my favourites list.

Best book I read last year? Gah I read so many good ones. I read Beartown by Fredrik Backman which was sad but great, I also loved Once Upon A Broken Heart (haven’t picked up book 2 yet because I’ve heard book 3 comes out in Sept and I hate waiting to read series, just want to read all at once) but my favourite book of the year was possibly Hail Project Mary by Andy Weir because I had no idea what it was about and it was so clever and unexpected and funny but also sad and just all the emotions.

Generally I mostly read romance books, though they actually rarely make it to my top books. But they’re just so easy and soft and a great escape from the world. Fave book bf is hard. I mean everyone loves Rhysand, right? Jacks from Once Upon A Broken Heart is also great, though I don’t know what happens to him after book 1 … he may turn out to be a dick. I also love all of the men Emily Henry writes because they feel realistic with flaws and faults, but still dreamy.

I would link my Goodreads profile but I follow friends on there and don’t know how I feel about it … I could be persuaded though …

Tell me the answers of these questions for you too!! I honestly love it and am always up for book talk. What’s your favourite book? What type of books and tropes do you gravitate to? What’s your most anticipated book you’ve not read yet?

[earth4angels]

Hey I just wanted to drop by to say that you have nothing to be worried about regarding writing and posting the second part of To Love.

I know I’m just the local weirdo who pops in your ask box with story ideas and theories and you probably think I’m annoying and strange but I just wanted to say that you are an amazing writer, hands down one of the best writers in the Jace fandom in particular like you just have such an amazing grasp on his character. You have been working so hard and stressing and it’s because you really care about your characters and your writing and you want to make your fans happy.

I get why you’ve been stressed about the anons who are freaking out about To Love chapter 3. But I just wanted to give some words of encouragement. At the end of th day, it is your story and you know and understand Jacaerys better than a lot of people in this fandom.

Your story is yours and yes you get requests and feedback but please just follow your instincts and trust yourself and write the story that you want.

To help your stress about the anons freaking out about Jace and his girlfriends and potential drama and bumps in college, just try to turn it into a positive: you have so many fans that are so invested in this story that you posted about a week ago like that is huge accomplishment that you should be proud of.

Yes some of the anons are kind of rude, pushy, demanding and stressful but try turn that into a positive as well: they freaking out and worried because they really care about your story and the world and lore that you have created from scratch. They want to see Jace and his girlfriend be happy because you have created and woven such a beautiful relationship in a few thousand words. Like we just got a small window, a peak, a glimpse into this established relationship which was built off of a years-long bond. You are a masterful writer who implied so much history and lore and love between not only the couple but their families as well.

Like your fans want to see more of this amazing couple that you have established and they are so worried because with your story, they care and love it so much. Like a few anons were talking about calling out of work or pretending to be sick at work to read it.

Overall, please don’t be worried. You writing is fantastic and everyone is dying to read what you have planned to write next. Also, please don’t feel bad about the 9,000-10,000 word count. You did not get carried away and everyone loves long fanfictions, especially when it comes to one shots. You clearly worked your ass off on this and stress and worry because care so much about your work, your magnum opus if you will

You got this ❤️Just try to turn every criticism into a positive because you are amazing and deserve all the praise you have been getting. Please try not to doubt yourself. I bet if you posted To Love, Chapter 2 right after the episode, your fans will be so happy.

But most importantly, I think you will be happy when you finally post it and see everyone lose their minds and you get to see all the positive feedback! Trust me

IM GETTING TO THIS SO LATE BUT I PROMISE I HAVE AO MANY ASKS !! i love u so much my angel , ure literally a light in my life 🤍🐇 this meant the entire world to me you don’t know how much im smiling and kicking my feet at this — you’re kind and adorable and i love when you come on my asks with new things like it’s just so sweet!!

your words of encouragement is everything bc i use all the feedback now to push me to write more, to deliver something beautiful for you all, ill work hard to not disappoint, i love you so much ill keep saying it again and again.

i wish i can pin this for my own sake to encourage me every day when i’m overthinking something.. (i’ve been on a writers block for three days now)

gah you don’t know how much i needed this 🤍🐇💭

[dietraumerei]

Weekly Writing and Reading Update

Hello, I am making caponata and have actually chopped all nine thousand vegetables that go into it, I am READY. And also about to get some wine, while I listen to sixties rock and admire the sun, and basically live my best West Coast dream life <3

(I did probably too many chores this weekend and my body kinda hurts, but they are DONE and most of the house is together and someday I will have a weekend of just JOY!) Writing Gah, finally back in the groove! I'm not writing, like, thousands of words a week but I'm not sure I'll be doing that again anytime soon, especially with the summer and just...stuff. But I am writing again and it feels good!

Swords and Ploughshares; Signs and Sigils Got a new chapter this week!

Untitled Intense Pain Kink/HC story: I don't want to post this til it's done because there is a LOT but I think it's...2/3rds done? Maybe 3/4s?

Like a Garden In The Spring I'm working on the next chapter, definitely hoping to have it posted this week!

Reading

I am finally at the heart of Master of the Senate -- the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. I will be honest that parts of this book kind of dragged but now I get why it won a Pulitzer; Caro's recitation of the conditions of Jim Crow and especially of Emmett Till's murder is unrelentingly horrific and somehow...immediate. He writes so clearly. (He is also sensitive but unsparing when talking about Johnson's own racism, and his compassion but also thirst for power and how all that came together so that a man who definitely used the hard r in private and public was also...LBJ.) In contrast to Caro, I also finished The Sea Runners; I've loved Ivan Doig's writing for years and I cannot believe it took me this long to read this. It's written beautifully, sentences curling back on themselves. Doig is so clever about it, but not in an irritating way -- he's just celebrating language and writing a gorgeous book. It's broadly a survival story, but mostly it is a love song to Coastal Northwest and the landscape and I think it is the best book I've read this year.

[sylvana-the-tsarina]

The Centuries Old Boyfriend

Let’s get right into it, shall we? 

I was recently reading this book that I was quite looking forward to when I first heard of its release. When I finally managed to borrow it (KU ftw) I started reading, got interested, and then DNFed when the love interest showed up. 

There are multiple different ways a love interest is introduced. Depending on the author, a love interest can be introduced as a character in their own right (these ones are awesome) or as the mc’s love interest. The second one but in urban fantasy has its very very distinct way of introducing the love interest. 

Y’know, the mc noticing how good-looking the guy is. How mysterious. How powerful. How attractive. (How incredibly annoying and smug, but that’s me, not the mc). And then trying to be cool and composed around the guy, and failing in painfully second-hand embarrassment inducing ways.

And the cherry on top is that our mc is a normal human and her love interest is very Not Human and Perfect and Has Lived For Centuries. 

Raise your hand if a book came to mind when I said that. 

Now, I’m kind of primed to dislike these love interests because a. I’m a repulsed ace b. I despise second-hand embarrassment and c. I value dignity. 

And I feel like I’ve finally hit my limit of tolerating the centuries old boyfriend trope. 

I think I’ve finally figured out why I dislike it so much, so let me explain in a good old-fashioned point by point list. 

First off, I feel severely put off by any romance where the two characters are not on completely equal grounds in terms of the power dynamic. If it’s an employer-employee, mentor and apprentice, or even if it’s two individuals where one holds the power in how their interactions go, I will stop reading because I feel so frustrated by these.

(I know it’s possible for there to be healthy relationships from these but what I’m talking about is generally and not about the exceptions, okay?)

Then there are the relationships were the characters are physically on equal grounds (rank, magic level, etc) but one character has the upper hand in the relationship just because of how smug and flirtatious he is while the other repeatedly gets flustered to the point of finding it difficult to talk. 

This is what the Centuries Old Boyfriend does. He’s Perfect, isn’t he? And our dear protagonist here is only human. 

That’s my second point. 

Most of the books I’ve read with this trope do a decent job of explaining why he’s so enamoured with this particular human, but the question of “He’s lived for so long and has been single all this time; why did he end up with her? What’s special about her?” has been left unanswered at times too. 

Surprising as it may sound, I don’t always despise the COB (unless he’s an insufferable flirt). Sometimes he’s actually decent. So, at times, I wonder if she really deserves to end up with him when he’s, to be quite honest, leagues above her in terms of... a lot, actually. He’s not human, he’s lived for incredibly long so he’s probably got really strong magic, and likely he has a high rank in his society, too.  Why end up with the protagonist, then? It seems kind of an unfair relationship. 

Thirdly, I don’t like this trope because it’s always the Centuries Old Boyfriend. It’s pretty much always a Him while She gets to be the pathetic human, and tropes like these which play at gender stereotypes in this way- let’s just say I’m tired of it. Understatement, but I’ll leave it there. 

(Side observation here, but books with the COB are almost always written by a female author, which I found interesting. Do females generally like the idea of a mysterious powerful mate? Or is it that male authors just don’t really care as much about romance? I don’t know, but it’s an interesting difference to note.) 

And Finally, I don’t like this trope because it always introduces the COB as a love interest first, character second, and that’s a whole other ramble that I shall leave for another day. 

What would I like to see instead of a COB? Love interests who have a balance of power between the two, who are characters first, who are just another friend of the protagonist before becoming something more. I want to see romances that are comfortable and progress naturally across time. I want to see romances that start as friendships. I want to see a romance were the guy gets just as (if not more) flustered than the girl.  Is that too much to ask for? I dunno. But I’m going to very determinedly hunt through books to find authors who write what I want to read (and myself write what I want to read) so it’s not like I’ve given up on books lol.

So, those were my thoughts on the COB and my opinions of him. It is a shortened version so that I could keep paragraphs concise and to the point, which means I might have left out important details and nuances, so if something about this bothers you then toss me an ask and I’ll answer.

Anyway, have a good day!