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drinkpisser · 5 days ago

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HOW IT CAME TO BE, CHAPTER 7 !! ☆

once again, it's been quite a while (＞Д＜),, so once again I am apologising for that D:🫶

this chapter is maybe a little smaller and less packed than I'd hoped for it to be BUT I kinda like how it turned out :D

so do enjoy if ur giving it a read and thank u if u do !!! <3

READ THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER HERE:

begin chapter 7 under the cut !!

CHAPTER 7: TELEVISION BODIES/BATTLES IN THE DARK

Lola had gotten so restless that they'd resorted to gnawing on the bars of their enclosure to fulfil their void of boredom. They don't speak much, Gerard had observed. They don't speak at all. Yet it seems as though he can completely understand what they're thinking simply by taking a glance at them. Sometimes entire sentences enter his mind without Lola even moving their lips- maybe it's just one of those things. A Lola Thing.

"Lola," Gee started, "If-"

Without warning, the door slammed open, itself in fear of the hierarchy of the ship, shoving poor Lola onto the cold, harsh floor.

"Hey!" Gerard yelled, "Watch out, you're gonna hurt 'em!".

Showing no remorse, the guard essentially drags Gee out by the hair, Lola struggles to follow along behind, tripping on their fuzzily grazed knees.

Gerard had allowed the guards to shove him around the hallways once again to familiarise himself, slowly recollecting fragments lost of his memory. As though he was unlocking the rest of a map in a video game, he'd soon come to realise that he was on the bottom deck of the mothership. If memory had served him right, a sinking intuition informs him that there are emergency "lifeboats" stocked up in a lower centre beneath the ship- emergency UFOs. If he and Lola could male it to the end of the corridor, they'd be all set for a vital escape plan.

Although hesitant, Lola turns to Gerard for closure. G, despite being shackled by the harsh eyes around him, points straight ahead.

They realise.

Lola waits for a moment, causing everyone to come to an ultimate standstill:

"I like talking with my mind. But what I like more is using it as a weapon."

Gerard, listening, stares in amazement.

Despite Lola barely moving a muscle, beams of light emerge from the swollen brains of the guards- before exploding, that is! Psychedelically tinted shades of blood splatter the walls, looking more like a child's playroom than a murder scene. Each day you learn something new in this world; for example, the giant teddy bear you watched quardrouple in size is also a fuzzy killing machine.

"Hm. Artsy." Gerard comments as he nods, folding his arms and taking a step back, smirking. This, of course, is to mask the utter horror he is once again experiencing. Act casual. It's not the only strange occurrence you've ever endured. Intuitively noticing the loot left behind from the guards, he takes a pistol and some ammo.

Unfortunately, any sort of self defense is bound to boomerang back when you're totally outnumbered- almost instantaneously, the emergency sirens screech "LOCKDOWN", and guards come rushing down both ends of the hall.

In a frenzy of adrenaline, Lola pulls G onto their back. If you thought "piggy-back ride", you'd be correct. Lola bolts it as fast as their legs can waddle them, Gerard peeking above their fluffy head and covering for them. What he had failed to realise, however, is that these guns do not shoot regular bullets- oh no, they shoot radioactive laser beams. Standard.

An enemy rapidly approaches. Gerard shoots. From the force of the ammunition, he falls over with a puny shriek. Standard.

Lola speeds back for him, dragging his shocked body across the slippery floors as he desperately shoots at the guards. Eventually, they just about make it into the centre holding the emergency UFOs. Without a moment's rest, they climb aboard the nearest mini-ship, pressing any buttons that screamed "departure" to their frantic eyes. Only, that caused a plethora of problems that could only be anticipated-

they drop.

Losing temporary control, the ship swerves and sways through the atmosphere, zipping across the galaxy into unknown territory. Gerard and Lola are slammed into every corner of the room as if they're in some crude, circular pinball machine. Owch. Just imagine the bruises from that.

Once Gerard manages to grab hold of the wheel, the UFO stabilises, allowing the duo to release a much needed sigh of relief; that is until the next problem of "how the fucking hell do we get back home" surfaces. But not yet, I'll give them a break.

Maybe.

Remember the crazed button-pressing from earlier? Well, Sat-Navs are all the rage in UFOs. To make matters even greater, they're only being taken to a completely inconspicuous planet.

"Do you know where this is taking us?" Lola communicates.

"Eh- uhh- it says we're on route to... I can't even pronounce that." Gerard struggles.

The two continue to speculate, searching around the interface of the ship. Where they will wind up could only be predicted by a psychic, it seemed. Only the future is able to show what's in store, and they just had to be buckled in tight for the long run.

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

Meanwhile, back home, it appears all that anyone yearns to do is to put every upcoming event in place ahead of time- before it whisks them away into the unknown too.

Ray paces around his room in unease, every now and then brushing his foot against the various scrunched up tinfoil hats discarded on the carpet. Tapping his bitten fingernails against his overcrowded notebook, on the verge of eruption from everything shoved in it, you'd assume he'd adopted a maximalist taste from everything crammed into a single page. However, the glum truth was that he'd gotten so worked up by Gerard's second dissapearance in a row that he had now turned into a self-entitled detective. You'd think G had kicked it with the way he changed so suddenly. He'd be his most chirpy in his dreams, where everything was okay and nothing ever happened at summer camp. Where everyone got along. No aliens, no hurt, no absence- and certainly no manslaughter.

Something Ray would often reminisce about with a melancholic, yet teary smile was the time where he and Gerard went on a hike together, in which the golden hour shined, bouncing off of the mountain like a glass prism. It was silent, comfortably so. All they needed was the presence of eachother to conquer their small journey and tick it off of their scribbled bucketlist for the season.

"Yknow," Gerard says, "I used to get butterflies when I first spoke to ya'", he looks down, smiling into his hoodie. It's true! He thought Ray was the coolest ever! (And he's right).

Ray's eyes glisten in pleasant surprise.

"Really?" he responds, taken aback.

"Mhm- and after a while I noticed I wasn't trying to shoo 'em off anymore. Like I accepted something within me, dunno what." Gee confesses.

"Brains are just wierd like that I guess," Ray giggles, thinking nothing of it.

The two are drawn to the outstanding warmth of the sun, temporary blinding them to the point where anything indoors would look greenish (you know the feeling, surely). Ray sits down at a reasonably flat area of the hill's peak, slightly hunching over into a ball as the sun gradually simmers away. Gee sits by him, occasionally looking over at his fascinated face. Shuffling sideways, he rests his disheveled head of hair on his shoulder with a slight sense of nervousness at the idea Ray wouldn't like it. But it was okay.

They just sat together.

No absence. No hurt. No madness- only for a minute or two, but it had never felt more comforting.

If only a good memory could last a lifetime.

#brits4gerardway

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avelera · 5 months ago

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I saw the IWTV finale early thanks to a kind soul sharing it with me!

A few (spoiler-y) thoughts:

Really interesting how they reimagined and framed the ending of this take on IWTV with Louis and Lestat mourning Claudia together. It feels like Justice For Claudia in many ways, it feels like a fitting homage to the origins of Claudia's character (the dead of Anne Rice's daughter from leukemia as a child), and in general was just a really interesting way to sort of give this closure the book never did and also use it to realistically allow them both to push forward past their toxic and abuse past into a somewhat plausible healed future.

It was also a decent reminder, to me, that these are vampires. These characters live forever. I would not condone Louis/Lestat in real life because life is too short to keep going back to an abusive ex. But these guys are vampires. Do not do as they do. But genuinely 70 years, a human lifetime, is realistically long enough to say, "Hey, we're new people now, we've learned and suffered a lot, we lost our daughter and it was fucked up. Maybe all we have is each other." And make peace with each other on that front.

BUT NOW I'M WONDERING HOW WE GET ROCKSTAR LESTAT - ok because Louis kind of got Lestat's book motivation for becoming a rockstar? The "Fuck you, come find me," to all the other vampires. Lestat I believe only speculates that as Louis' motivation, but they made it canon (or I could be wrong).

But that was Lestat's motivation for HIS book, making Louis and the others come find him. Since that's been solved with Louis coming to find him (lovely little homage to the IWTV movie with him playing the harpsichord) now I'm wondering if Louis is the one who encourages Lestat to become a rockstar and write down his book.

Thing is, it's not totally contradicted by the book. (SPOILERS) TVL does end with a beat where Louis and Lestat reunite and Louis is kind of his groupie for a bit. Moving that up so Louis is part of Lestat's rise is actually a really lovely touch, it gives them a bit more time together before shit goes down, and I could totally see this version of Louis as Lestat's agent since he's shown to have that business acumen.

Now that Daniel is a vampire (OMG OMG OMG MORE ON THAT IN A SECOND) the risk is no longer so bad for him to come interview Lestat and I'm sure he's salivating to do so and Louis would definitely invite Vampire Daniel to do the interview for Lestat's book, since there's no fear for his safety (or at least, not as much) anymore. And Daniel would jump at the chance. It would be a fabulous framing device, Rockstar Lestat with his agent, Louis, inviting Daniel to interview Lestat for his next book AND it means we get Daniel's snark throughout Lestat's story.

OK SO DANIEL BEING A VAMPIRE. Definitely leaves the door open for past AND present Devil's Minion WITH THE ADDED BONUS of Daniel not going insane after he's turned (likely owed to not being turned while still a drug addled young man so, hey, if there was past Devil's Minion where Armand said no, kudos to him for reading the situation correctly that vampirism would drive young Daniel insane but not Old Man Daniel).

I was SLIGHTLY, SLIGHTLY bummed to see Daniel as a vampire without getting to see the whole Daniel/Armand situation but only slightly. There wasn't enough room in the season, it would have been a distraction, and IMO we can now save it properly for its place in either TVL or QOTD, which I bet are going to be Seasons 3-4 or as many as 3-6 if we stick to 2 seasons per book.

A take on Devil's Minion where past and present Devil's Minion are intertwined would be AMAZING and I've got my fingers crossed that's how they do it. Maybe interweave a bit of Vampire Armand.

I don't think/know if we're going to get a full Vampire Armand season BUT I do believe the show is going to pivot its POV lens to say, hey, everyone's got a point of view, everyone's got a reason. At some point, we're going to get more of Armand's POV and why he did what he did because I imagine his version will be different from Louis', just as Lestat's is, that's the whole basis of the show. And in there maybe we'll get some past Daniel/Armand.

Ok this already got away from me but ANYWAY, those are my thoughts for now.

#READ THE BOOKS TOO THEY'RE GOOD #iwtv #iwtv spoilers #spoilers #devil's minion #loustat

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lady-iskra · 2 months ago

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How I entered the ship, and what I see in Zutara

I want to focus more on the positive things regarding A:TLA and Zutara, so I thought, why not writing down, how I entered the MSS Zutara? Well, here it goes:

I already felt a chemistry in The Crossroads of Destiny, but my ship started during The Southern Raiders. Zuko realized that he wronged Katara the most, and I totally understand why she still couldn’t forgive him while the others already did (tbh, I think they forgave him too early. While the field trip-episodes were excellent, the pacing in between those was still too fast, IMO, along with the comet countdown).

Anyway, Zuko asks how he can make it up to Katara and helps her find closure by accompanying her, only getting involved when necessary—like when he made the wrong guy tell them about Yon Rha, just as Katara was about to give up.

Other than that, he stood aside, asked if she is ready, told her to find some rest—for me, it seemed as if he wasn’t only concerned to receive her forgiveness, but also caring about her as a person.

Plus, his line towards Sokka got me thinking: "Your sister. She hates me! And I don't know why, but I do care what she thinks of me." I mean... you could interpret it as him being at least a little interested in her, even if he doesn’t realize it...

Katara opened up to Zuko during their journey by telling him the whole story of her biggest trauma. Something she hasn’t done with anyone on screen, and showed that she already felt completely understood by him. For me, it felt like a much deeper bond she already shared with Zuko in a short time as the ones she shared with the others from the Gaang. And, finally: she received her closure in her own way with his help; and forgave him. And, I mean, that deep look after the tight embrace... hello???

On top came that this is literally the only episode when it is about Katara alone: Not Katara helping anyone or fighting for women’s rights—after she gave so much, it was the one episode only about her and her trauma alone. And who gave her the chance to do all this, bc he understood what she truly needs: Zuko.

Funny, this coincidence... This is such a typical element of Enemies-to-Lover’s. Is anyone familiar with the "A court of thorns and roses"-series by Sarah J. Maas? This happens there as well ACOTAR spoilers following, I haven’t figured out how to hide spoilers; if there is a way, pls let me know, thanks: Turns out the former enemy-guy understood the protagonist deeply, more as her soon-ex-fiancé ever could; and with his help, she got healed from her trauma. The former enemy is the one who really listens to her, who sees her as an equal, and she starts to trust him deeply, more than anyone else. End of ACOTAR spoilers

So, yeah, that is how my ship started, and the following episodes tightened it. It was also the other way around, Katara who comforted Zuko in the most understanding way, given him strength to face his uncle and ask him for forgiveness, agreeing without hesitation of supporting him in a fight against Azula. And last but not least: Their last interaction together is saving each other's lives in the most epic way.

Long story short: They showed me a deep understanding of each other, they shared their deepest trauma or worries with the other one, and their friendship grew with every episode. And especially bc of this deep understanding, I truly believe that their relationship would be a healthy one. Would they fight now and then, like every couple? Of course, and it would get heated and passionate, for sure. But since most fights in relationships stem from a lack of understanding, I think it would happen rarely. Because they know, they can tell each other everything.

My intuition when it comes to a growing romance is mostly correct, and the Zutara-situation is so Enemies-to-lovers coded that nobody would’ve been surprised if they ended up together. I realize that not many episodes were left to build up a romance, but most Zutara shippers, like me, would’ve been pleased with a slight hint, and maybe a kiss out of adrenaline and relief after the last Agni Kai on top.

#zutara #zuko x katara #zuko #katara #zutarastan #enemies to lovers #pro zutara

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bourbon-ontherocks · 8 months ago

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20 questions for writers

I was tagged by @pia-writes-things (ty!!! ❤️)

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

46!

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

703,271. Which is, um, a lot.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Good Girls (formerly), HPI (formerly), and l'Art du Crime. There's also a random bit for les Combattantes, and one GG fic has a shared universe with Graceland. I'm very mono-fandom lol.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Take A Dip

It's All Coming Back To Me

It Hurts When I See You Struggle

Love And War

We're Living In A Powder Keg And Giving Off Sparks

Unsurprisingly, these are all GG fics, although I don't think my kudos ranking is accurate because most of these were impacted by the great kudos-bombing gate from 2020 so it's hard to tell what's actually my most kudo-ed fic.

5. Do you respond to comments?

Absolutely. My secret goal is to keep the conversation going back and forth for the longest possible time because I love the opportunity for a good ramble about my writing 😈

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

I wanna say Ad vitam æternam (L'art du crime)? I mean, it's literally an MCD fic, so, not that merry... Also if I remember correctly, Always lost in the sea (HPI) doesn't end on a very hopeful note either.

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

I don't know? All of them? None? I generally tend to go for happy open endings with that extra bit of bittersweet so I really couldn't tell. But hey, maybe the ending to that thing I'm currently writing actually is the happiest of it all, because oh boy, things do get cheesy at some point 🥺

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No at all! Unless you count that one person who commented on several chapters of whichever long GG fic I wrote just to point blank hate on Beth character lol

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

Of course I do (in English only), I like my porn toxic and desperate and angsty with just the right amount of power play and mutual hatred. Basically, I write hatefuck 😂

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

Not really, no... I've tried a couple of times, but I think I'm better at/more interested in mimicking existing interactions than inventing a dynamic between characters who never met canonically (and also, boy the kind of SETUP you need to justify some characters crossing paths... it's just too much work). I'm more of a cameo/easter egg kind of writer, so once in a while I'll allow a character from another fandom to pop up in a fic and say hi, but it's really a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of encounter.

I guess my craziest attempt would be that Crazy Ex-Girlfriend / Good Girls crossover that I never finished though, cause like, super different moods?

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of but I don't really attempt to know

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! By myself lol. I once posted a fic in two languages before acknowledging it was a hell of an additional work 😭

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

Kinda? We never finished nor even posted it but at some point we shared a quite unhinged co-writing story with @whiskeyjack and @00gangfriend00 and it was a lot of fun 🥰

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

You... you guys have that? You don't just live by your Ship of the Moment just to instantly forget about it and hop on the Next Ship when it shows up? I'm sorry but I don't think I have one of those.

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

What a trap question!!! 😂

It's All Coming Back To Me, obviously. Look, I really really want to finish it, not even for me at this point, but for the 120-something people who subscribed to it, for the faithful readers who still leave me comments every now and then hoping for closure. I know how it ends. I have it partially written. I just don't seem to know how to write for Good Girls anymore, and getting my head back into it feels like such an insurmountable load of work, I just- I'm trying, ok?

But like, if someone's interested in helping, or even writing that ending based on my notes (and getting full and proper credits for it obvi), just let me know! I'm really open to it 🥲

16. What are your writing strengths?

Probably dialogues? I've been told many times that my dialogues feel very close to the original, and the thing is, I write about TV shows and I have a very good ear so I think I catch quite easily the actors' voices and tones and mannerisms in my head, so every time I write down a line, I play it several times in my mind with the character's voice to determine whether they would say it like that or not. Looks like it's not working so bad.

Also I *think* I'm not too bad at stream-of-consciousness inner monologues. At least it's one of my favourite things to write so there's that.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Action scenes (that includes sex lol). Filling the gaps between the important parts. Descriptions. Setting up the scene.

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

Like, featuring two different languages inside the same fic, or writing in different languages? I'm not sure I've ever really written the first one? I guess I find it a bit clunky, occasionally I've written scenes that included a character whose native language wasn't the one of the fic, and I'd give them a line or two if that's relevant to the plot (for instance, if characters are lost somewhere in another country, I can add a line/dialogue in another language for comedic effect. Or it can be a way for a character to whisper something for themselves), but the logistics are quite nightmarish, you gotta either assume your audience knows the second language, or translate the lines in the author's note, or have another character translate it in a way that doesn't sound too articifial, that's really really tedious haha

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Good Girls.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

You think I know that? Out of FOURTY-SIX??? Lol. Get out.

Tagging: @sdktrs12 @joeyjoeylee if you're around @riosnecktattoo @humanbra @hemerae-ramblings @sothischickshe @asteraceae-blue

#tagging games #writing #my fic #fanfic

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ojamayellow · 3 months ago

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man I know a lot of people was disappointed with how Earthspark S2A batch ended but was I the only one who thought it'd make sense for Starscream to be Starscream, despite it all?

I adore his relationship with Hashtag but it wasnt very long, like...a day? (Though personally I headcanon there was some downtime, like, months before the shard stealing, even if S2 made it seem Immediate with that opener)

they bonded over being used by others but Starscream, in many, most, (not sure about all, haven't watched every TFormer cartoon in existence YET), is selfish and cares about mostly himself, and will do what it takes to achieve his goals.

I can see that...Earthspark's S2 decision being very confusing for someone who started it as their first TFormer show. Like I would've felt out of the loop if I didn't know the characters history from other canons.

And I do think Hashtag calling Starscream "worse than Megatron" was very bad, it should've been delivered by someone else or not said at all. And that S2 A felt rushed and stiff and "oh Chaos Terrans were born bad so they'll only be bad also Megatron former DECEPTICON LEADER is our friend he changed so it's fine" fiasco bugged me.

So, I'm not avoiding my own criticisms here.

But I do also blame Paramount for these batches being spread so...unusually which also gives further worries and anxieties in the plot. The cliffhangers and then waiting ages to see what happens next. While still in the same season. Very annoying. I feel like we need closure as Starscream fans to see how he'll do further on, whether he'll make amends or continue being nasty.

One thing I did notice about him in S2A, he was calmer (but not without getting annoyed) and, I wouldn't say totally nice but, nicer than expected to the Decepticons? I'm aware him towards Spitfire was manipulation (a classic Starscream trait), but I think what he was doing would have been the opposite of how Megatron ruled, judging by Starscream's words in S1. So, they didn't ENTIRELY /throw away his character/ in my opinion. But again, it's an issue of having to wait for Paramount's dumbass schedule to see if my opinion upholds.

#kit.txt #earthspark #transformers Earthspark #Earthspark spoilers #I won't promote my AMV with twisted lyrics here but I interpreted my feelings and Starscream's actions with that AMV and people liked it so #I hope people like this post or at least won't start a fight with me I'm just speaking. Hello #Yes I'm aware of writer changes also #I swear I've made a post like this before but I can't find it!!

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buckevantommy · 2 years ago

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totally completely fine

ok. i'm not a fan of australian tv or movies bc they're always overdramatised or too darkly themed or comedic in a way i don't gel with bc i'd rather watch american comedies (not sitcoms, they need to die a firey death). plus i've never really liked the aussie accent, i've found it weirdly unsettling hearing characters speak with aussie voices and maybe that's bc being an aussie myself and wanting to use tv and movies as an escape so having that stark reminder of my own reality means it's harder to suspend and enjoy a different one for a spell. or maybe it's the fact that i, like a great deal of non-americans, have grown up watching american tv so now any non-american accent just sits weird in my brain.

but that's why i need to express my love for this show.

everything from the casting (diverse faces and bodies) and the actors chemistry to the setting and set design, cinematography and soundtrack, and of course the plot and characters themselves. It's so well done. It's a heartfelt dramedy that makes you care keeps you interested in wanting to know how things progress and ultimately turn out. the various relationship dynamics are full of ups and downs and it feels real in that messy way life is.

the premise: vivian is a young mess of an adult who lost her parents in a car crash that she was also in when she was a kid. she's the youngest of 3 siblings who were raised by their grandfather who dies and leaves viv his cliffside beach house. the twist: the house backs onto a picturesque ocean cliff where people go to commit suicide. the grandfather used to try and stop them, and now it's up to viv to try and do the same.

intense stuff so far. but this show is hopeful, it's not super dark even though it does deal with strained relationships and mental health and suicide attempts/ideation. the characters are distinct and the way their lives entwine don't distract from their individual journeys; viv is the main character but enough screentime is given to every supporting character that they all feel like main characters in their own right which is how it should be because that's how life is.

more good news is it's short: only 6 episodes at just under an hour each (it doesn't mince screentime) so i binged it all yesterday when i wasn't feeling great and just. wow. i haven't found anything mentioning a second season but if they did more i'd watch it - but the thing is it ends with both closure and the potential for more exploration of the characters, so it feels like a realistic open ending and works as a single season story.

i don't know if it's available overseas because it was created by and aired here by Stan (which is like our homemade Netflix) but i hope if you guys are interested you'll find a way to watch.

bonus thing for me: seeing this story play out in my home (settings and details) was actually grounding in a way i didn't expect. like i mentioned above, most of us grow up on american tv and maybe some uk stuff and while that's good for an escape it can actually be jarring to get back into our real world. but (with good quality programming like this show) i realise aussie productions can make it a lot easier to connect with the physical world around me (not the digital world), to not feel so alone, and to know that it's worth finding productions from your homeland and they don't hinder the escape of fiction in fact they can aid in grounding it in a believable way.

anyway. just one aussie who doesn't really like aussie-made stuff telling folks to give this show a go because i was pleasantly surprised.

youtube

(note: if anyone has any questions or concerns about triggering content please message me or reply to this post and i'll fill you in on stuff it does or doesn't feature)

#totally completely fine #watchnotes #aussie tv #.txt #my only criticism is the title music is offputting atonal noise that reminds me of the white lotus title music. it does my head in #though to be fair it suits the darker themes of TCF and the swirling deadly rock-based wave footage #queer characters #diverse characters #storytelling #mental health #there's some behind the scenes interviews on youtube if you want to check those out but they do have spoilers so #tv recs #Youtube

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galvanizedfriend · 1 year ago

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⭐️ for Gasoline and Spin! (two of my favs)

Gasoline is something that I started writing for a different fandom, about a billion years ago, and for some reason it suddenly gave me Klaroline vibes. I love a good musicians AU, so there's also that, and the idea of exploring a very messy side of Caroline and that relationship was something that enjoyed a lot. They're both extremely screwed up in the head in that setting, but Klaus fakes it better, while Caroline soldiers on by being extremely focused and disciplined, but she didn't get the clean cut she wishes she did, and it shows how much that affects her. I was originally going to write it as a long multi-chap, had the whole thing planned out. It was a bit of an ensemble story, where other characters would get their own development and so on, but I totally lost my mojo and then posted it as a one shot only, because I really liked that first chapter and I felt it worked anyway. But then @definedareasofuncertainty (she's behind everything, always lol) asked me to write a sequel and I decided to give it to her a birthday gift (I'm such a lame friend tbh 🥲), and so I had to include smut, because she's always calling me names for my fade to blacks 🥲

I like the open ending tbh, the idea that they can face the fact neither of them is completely happy and they have all this resentment for each other, but that there is no easy fix because they simply want different things from life. I was very particular about how I thought Klaus would be the ~~~softer part in this finale, because that's what he's like when he's with Caroline. He understands her needs, allows her to rage and scream, and always leaves the ball in her court. She's the one who makes the important moves. And so in that moment, he's just giving her what she needs, which is a closure of sorts and a promise that, maybe, further down the road, they'll finally be on the same page. It's all about timing and how bittersweet and heartbreaking it can be.

As for Spin - honestly, I love Spin. 😂 If I had to rec one of my fics to people, Spin would probably be top 3. I draw a lot of inspiration from my obsession of the day, and this was when I was watching The Politician like a mad person. The whole high school lovers to rivals had me by the throat (even though on the show it's actually very sad and depressing, in spire of the general insanity).

Again, it's an opportunity to have Klaus be a major little shit while also being a sucker for Caroline. I just think this story has so many aspects of them that I love. The bickering, the rivalry, the bitterness. The occasional betrayal. Klaus looking at Caroline like the sun shines out of her eyes, believing in her when everyone else just sort of roll their eyes. The Steroline relationship that is phony and convenient but lacking in everything. Klaus being propelled into impulsive, erratic behavior because of his family. The two of them finding a measure of comfort and understanding in each other, which is the last thing they could've expected.

I don't know, man, I just love them in this. 😂 Maybe it's just me, but I feel like it's a very well-rounded fic that adapts their dynamic well into a high school AU. I wish I could write more fics like that tbh.

#yokan answers #anon #ask game

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hotdyke-hardstyle · 2 years ago

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I played HI3 when it first came out and then genshin and now HSR and if it's okay, I'd like to rank them a litte, because I have SO many feelings right now.

HI3 is literally the baby, she isn't the firstborn but she is and will forever be the most iconic. It's like a whole saga about love and lesbians and the power that those two things can accomplish. HI3 has some not so great lore in the earlier days--especially when hoyo was really just trying to get out there, and some of their writing decisions don't sit well with me, but HI3 is very clearly a heavy labor of love for the company and with how part 1 ends, you feel some level of closure--which is very rare for these types of games.

I would rank HI3's story a solid 9/10, graphics are 8.9/10 and gameplay is a 5/10(My phone is small and my thumbs are clumsy 😭 it was a challenge)

Genshin. Is certainly there.

In the spirit of fairness, I will say that genshin allowed more people to get into Honkai Impact. On the other hand, genshin's initial release and a year or two after were its strongest, but that game is incredibly boring. While it does look pretty, everything feels empty and unappealing. Paimon is a huge deterrent as she is speaking for you essentially, and it drags the game into a repetitive and annoying sandbox.

This is 100% subjective and is based on my personal feelings, obvi, but my word, I just can't imagine playing genshin again.

I'd give the graphics an 7.9/10. Very pretty but the size of the world is not working in their favor. Story is a 2/10. A very strong opening but QUICKLY falls off and struggles to pick back up. Gameplay 3/10. Again, the game feels incredibly repetitive without any real reward. It's a time sink and the only reason to come back is either because you've already put x amount of hours in or because your favorite character might be in the newest update. Sorry for being a mean lesbian but none of the genshin characters are interesting or appealing enough to be heavily invested in it.

And the newest baby, Star Rail.

NO SPOILERS

Just initial thoughts. Very very fun, influenced by how new it is, but the way it's introduced feels a lot like Honkai Impact 3rd, which I love. Since this is a Honkai game i feel like im more likely to enjoy it and that's due to familiar faces and setting.

Story 8/10 I really like it but I haven't gotten very far. Graphics 9/10. It's a Honkai game, I will say that my laptop had some performance issues with some scenes which is a little sad but I can live with playing on a lower setting. Gameplay 10/10 I LOVE IT SO MUCH LIKE TURN BASED GAMES ARE SO MUCH FUN AND HSR DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB HERE LIKE I LITERALLY DO NOT CARE HOW LONG I SPEND PLAYING THIS GAME BECAUSE THE COMBAT FEELS SO FAIR FUN AND BALANCED IT'S AMAZING.

HI3 has an captain mc who does not exist like they functionally are not real outside of the login screen.

Genshin has an MC but your personality, voice, and thoughts are all dictated by other people and you have little to no real input or say in the game. I HATE games that do that they are so boring. Paimon might as well be the MC for how little you do outside of slashing and climbing.

Star Rails MCs have a bigger air of mystery than Gen's and have more personality as well. Your companions don't speak for you, and MC has voice acting. Games like these typically tend to make the MC loved by all (which is another one of Genshin's problems) but in HSR you can at least understand why people might want to hang around the MC.

All in all, I feel like HSR is the game that deserves to follow the success of HI3. It's real fun and more focused. I enjoy the characters I met and the gameplay is absolutely steller.

Hope you have fun once you get to play!

anon. ANON. I love this so much! also same hat! i've also played hi3, genshin and star rail from release!

I totally agree about hi3 being a labour of love and about it giving a level of closure that I didn't particularly expect. I also agree that it begins quite confused because it was supposed to be a ggz sequel and then it wasn't and then they brought some lore over from ggz but also retconned some stuff... hi3 hasn't always been pretty lore-wise but overall I am super happy with it <3 I know what you mean about playing it on mobile though, once I got a laptop that could handle the game I had a lot more fun lol

I also agree with your thoughts about genshin - it's super pretty, it had a strong start and I genuinely enjoyed the story at the beginning, but I have also dropped off and may only return if there are big story developments. I agree that it's stunted by the mc being silent or a self-insert character, for me I would prefer to play as an actual character with established lore and opinions etc. there's also not enough lesbianism for me and I haven't been really grasped by a character besides with aesthetics? whereas i'm super interested in the lore of pretty much all of the honkai cast.

I also much prefer the way that hi3 deals with story progression and the character development of the cast through new battlesuits. I think I saw someone mention this somewhere but you can literally see bronya, for instance, age from 14 at the beginning of the story into a fully-grown adult by apho part 2. I think sticking with a consistent and slightly smaller cast allows them to really develop the characters in a way they can't do as well in genshin. I think the idea that you meet a new batch of characters for each nation is a good one, and it's really nice to play events and see older characters again, but it doesn't allow for the same level of detail that hi3 loves to dump on people.

thank you for no spoilers on the star rail part too! I will be opening it right after answering this~ super excited by how much you seem to like it because that's probably a sign that I will also like it 👀 I was kinda put off when I saw the mcs for star rail, but hopefully they're like you said and have more of a functional role in the story overall!

I really liked reading this ask it was very fun and we have a lot of the same opinions! i'm glad you like star rail so far and I endorse your rankings as absolutely correct with no flaws 😇

#these are just our opinions so if anyone wants to fight me about genshin please don't 💞 it's just not my fave mhy game #thank you anon!!! i will always welcome a mean lesbian in my inbox 💞#ask #answered #anonymous #anon

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cornus27florida · 2 years ago

Text

Dogyssey if being part of Gwen's dream

Warning and Disclaimer: This post is totally just prediction or theory or headcannon (??sorry I am myself got confused), or could be saying as 'over-active' imagination - which likely won't be true or it might could be become true in some degree but not all - I am alright with whatever actually for the outcome. My goal is simply to share it to more people, these thoughts hidden away in discord server on fast-pass spoiler which I know people tend to avoid - so I feel as it not really spoiler content, I like to have more people to know it. ALSO I thought to make it fanfiction-styled, but I realized now I am so lost in touches with it as IRL I am speaking too formally to the point it kinda 'clinical' and not beautiful flowy art of literature - so I think it's best to be myself currently, tell exactly what I have in mind except some fixations (like grammars) if needed + CPC Ss to help me covey what I had in mind. Without further ado, here the post is! Dream!Gwen!!

-> Also the idea of Dogyssey could become part of Gwen's dream because Frederick's Dogyssey copy book is in her bed desk - and it's not a surprise for LambCat bringing upon small detail to become bigger later on + Gwendolyn need closures to everything that happened.. and I want to see Furryderick again ;-; XD sahbbddjnds I am not a furry I promise, is just Fred's dream of Dogyssey is wholesome

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

Dream!Gwen that carrying the shattered-not-yet healed Humpty Dumpty got desserted in an unknown island. She have similar experience with Jack that deserted in the Braided island [P.S: This could also give setting in Gwen's dream if her mother's diary been read to her - but with the very limited time space in CPC's final season - I somehow didn't think that Aurelia will really read from the very start]

So I think Dogyssey will be read to sleeping Gwen, resulting to Dream!Gwen realizing she got stranded in unknown island that she learnt named 'Ithaca' (I take the real Odyssey version, and as it prediction - it could be turn out different than the Canon which LambCat has in store for us) In the middle of the island, there's a cozy homey-looking hut which dream!Gwen knocked the door off. She found out that inside the hut, there's a lovely couple with dog ears and dog tails that open the door- that really look like herself and Frederick.

Both of the hut owners somehow looks like 'few years older' version of herself and Frederick -> basically Gwen dream is skipped to the epilogue part of Dogyssey, similar to me that sometimes skipping book to epilogue part. We have Gwen in the epilogue part of the Dogyssey, unlike Freddie's dream.

Gwen's “suitors” might turn up in Dogyssey - like Leopold or Beckett -> but as dream!Gwen skipped to the ‘happily-ever-after’ ending part, both of them likely won’t shown especially with Gwen never thought of those two like that romantically - and Beckett is actually for Maria, while Leopold for Jamie.

I think Gwen unaware about both Leopold and Beckett is fancies her - the one that know and aware is Frederick that used to think both of them as his 'love rivals' Also what in my head focused to help Gwen find her own closure in the epilogue part of “Dogyssey - which means all the suitors already left out and Dogyssey already returned to his lover (in Homer version of the Odyssey, is to return to his wife instead - and they're already have a grown son - but this detail changes as it in CPC universe, as the MC literally a dog instead a human) after 'dog' years facing various obstacle in his boat journey Hence understably that the Dogyssey and his angel of Fortune which dream!Gwen meets has slightly older appearance than what Frederick dreams on (which same age as they're currently-16/17) - the story now on future timepiece. Also my own take for Frederick question in this panel below : because the MC, Dogyssey, loves and trusts his lover - the angel of the fortune - so much. He believing that her feelings to him remains unchanged, and she'll waiting for him endlessly - which totally a truth, with IRL The Odyssey have the wife Penelope is believing faithfully that Odyssey still alive while keeping her wits to fend off her suitors.

Dream!Gwen becomes so surprised with the revelations of people that lives in the hut - even blurted out 'Frederick!' in the face of 'furryderick'. The MC become so confused with the exclaim and telling Gwen that his name is Dogyssey, then he introducing his lover the angel of Fortune (is weird that I simply named her.. Angel?) - with obliviousness that Angel and his guest has same appearance [also the obliviousness IMHO totally make sense as episode ‘The Dream part 1” we have totally same appearance as Prez and behaving the same, but not recognizing Gwen at all and introducing as ‘the Mad hatter’] - except one holding shattered Humpty Dumpty while one has furry features such as having dog ears and tail.

Dogyssey letting Gwen to take a seat to sit down inside their humble hut, while he helping Angel to prepare the pleasantries for their guest in the kitchen. The floofy warms interaction between Dogyssey and Angel makes Gwen unawarely began to start sobbing, as those two is what exactly that Gwen dreams on as her 'happily-ever-after' with Frederick (remember in the crystal room that what Gwen wanted the most selfishly is to skip to her happily-ever-after without facing the 'hurts painful feeling' of confronting Frederick honestly about her shattered perspective at their first meeting+first ep of final season as the panel below).

Her sobbings make Dogyssey and Angel alarmed - and hurriedly comes surrounding dream!Gwen and comforting her. Between her hiccups due to crying, dream!Gwen asking the two something along these lines : “How- How are you two - could so be in love with each other? I - I want that too.. Have my happily-ever-after .. b-but.. I am afraid it is not possible to me.. He never loves me.. Nobody loves me..”

Dogyssey and Angel calming her down (with warm tea and handkerchief ~ likely?) then begin telling their love story as the tale of the Dogyssey. Dogyssey could return back to Angel because they are trusting each other so much, in the way that Dogyssey turns the 'monsters' that he meets to become his friends (showing the monsters look like CPC members which kinda surprising Gwen) while Angel holding the Ithaca island from her suitors that want her in marriage - everyday as she awaiting for the return of her lover while believing he still alive and not dead in the journey.

Angel and Dogyssey can't give definite answer to dream!Gwen, but their answer that enforcing Gwen to believe that Frederick will come and he indeed truly loves her is warming her soul - and both of them wishing the best good lucks for dream!Gwen especially about Frederick. It also could be added in this scene, Gwen telling that she just want to skip to her happily-ever-after - but both Angel and Dogyssey exclaimed to Gwen softly that happily-ever-after ending isn't given - it's earned (through the following steps that also could means as hardships, like facing the 'painful feelings') = so Gwen still need to faces her feelings including the one that makes her hurt, but they assured that it Will be okay as vital part of relationship is honest communication. Angel and Dogyssey then softly gone as the Dogyssey book been finished to read, leaving Gwen and the Humpty Dumpty to preparing for her next dream sequence.

The end~ totally not fanfiction styled and more of the mesh mass of the mashed potatoes there ><

-----------------------------------------------------------------Here the summary as image of the original version of Dogyssey, which IRL The Odyssey wrote by Homer

Also final P.S.: Dogyssey definetely different than the IRL the Odyssey - IDK how 'abridged' actually will become but it seems from Frederick's dream - the monsters that Dogyssey confronts is simplified than the Odyssey (like there's no Calpyso) as these following image of SSs making points:

Dogysseys monster count is much shorter than the Odyssey, and I think the 'mermaid' in Leelathea's reading is to potraying Calypso - that trying to get Odyssey's heart.

#cursed princess club #one of my own headcannon that I wish could come true #as Gwen really need closures while it'll so interesting to have her got 'reverse' dream in one of Freddie's dream

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vancouverkitchenrenovation · 2 years ago

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How to Estimate the Cost of a Kitchen Remodel

The cost of a full-scale kitchen remodel varies widely. From $30,000 to $82,000, the total cost of the project is not insignificant. The layout of the kitchen, labor costs, and average cost per square foot are all factors to consider when estimating the total cost. Whether you want to completely remodel the kitchen or simply make a few minor changes, this guide can help you determine a budget for your new kitchen.

Cost of a full-scale kitchen remodel can range from $30,000 to $80,000

The cost of a full-scale kitchen remodel depends on the layout and style of the room. Wood cabinets are less expensive than high-end appliances, while quartz countertops are more expensive than granite. The cost of a new countertop can be about 30% of the total cost. You should research local rebates, open box sales, and manufacturer’s rebates. Installation and labor costs can add up to 35% of the cost of a kitchen remodel. Installation and labor costs vary depending on the type of features you want to include and where you live.

Choosing a contractor is an important step in the renovation process. A good contractor will recommend the best options based on your budget and property. Once you’ve found a contractor, you can start looking for materials to replace your existing kitchen. Listed below are some materials to consider when building a new kitchen. If you want to build a new kitchen from scratch, the price could triple.

The cost of a full-scale kitchen remodel will vary greatly, but the average costs are between $20,000 and $50,000 for a medium-sized kitchen. The costs will depend on the scope of the project, the type of materials you choose, and the amount of work you’d like to do. For example, if you want to completely redo your kitchen, it will cost more than replacing just the cabinets and appliances. Likewise, if you’d like to do something special to the space, you should set aside between ten and twenty percent of your budget in case you run into any unexpected costs.

A full-scale kitchen remodel can cost between $30,000 and $80,000. The cost is determined by the size of the room and design of the kitchen, the quality of materials used, and any floor plan modifications. A full-scale kitchen remodel can add up to eighty percent to ninety percent to the value of your home. So if you plan to sell your house, a new kitchen can increase its value and add $16,000 to twenty thousand dollars to its value.

Impact of layout on cost

The impact of kitchen layout on the cost of the remodeling project can be difficult to calculate. There are a variety of variables that can affect the price, and it can be difficult to find an average. In order to get an accurate estimate, you should be aware of your preferences and the layout of your kitchen. Also, you should take into account your home situation, which will make the price of your kitchen remodel differ from other parts of your home.

The impact of kitchen layout on the cost of the remodel is largely dependent on the changes you make to the kitchen’s shape and size. If you have an outdated kitchen, changing it to a more efficient configuration could add to the cost of the remodel. You may also have to add new wiring and plumbing to make room for new appliances. You may also want to replace outdated appliances, cabinets, and countertops. This is considered a facelift.

The impact of layout on the cost of a kitchen remodel depends on the layout. There are three general layout options: horseshoe, L-shape, and one-wall. The one-wall layout is typically appropriate for small spaces, with all fixtures and appliances on a single wall. The L-shaped layout makes use of unused corner space and provides the option to add additional cabinetry and a dining area. A horseshoe layout has three walls of cabinets and gives the kitchen a sense of closure.

The impact of trim work on the cost of a kitchen remodel depends on the amount of work that you want done. The basic to moderate level of trim work is not very costly. Expensive trim work, like custom millwork, increases the cost of the project. But, if you want to make major changes to the kitchen, then you’ll have to shell out more money. You’ll also have to replace countertops, which adds personality to your new kitchen.

Average cost per square foot

The average cost per square foot of a kitchen remodel varies greatly, but can be as low as $12,000 and as high as $90,000, depending on the size and scope of the project. A kitchen with 100 square feet and less may cost anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000. A full kitchen remodel can run anywhere from $75,000 to $150,000. However, this price range can be difficult to keep within your budget if you have a small kitchen.

Custom appliances are typically the most expensive, but can save up to 10% on the overall cost. They also require more structural changes, which can increase the total cost. A custom countertop can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the material and total measures needed. For larger budgets, quality materials may be worth the extra cost. If the existing layout is okay, you can stick with it and save money on the materials.

Major remodeling projects can be expensive, but they can help increase your home’s resale value. However, if you’re not selling soon, spending tens of thousands on a kitchen remodel might reduce your profit. If you’re planning to sell, you might want to focus on mid-range renovations instead of major ones. Investing in a high-quality kitchen remodel can increase your home’s value in the future.

When remodeling your kitchen, you should know what you want, what your budget is, and who you’re working with. Knowing your limitations and hiring a professional may be the best way to ensure that you get the results you want and can afford. In the end, the average cost per square foot of a kitchen remodel project is about $900. So, make sure you have some cash on hand to invest. With a little planning, you can save yourself a lot of money while transforming your kitchen.

Labor costs

One of the biggest expenses of a kitchen remodel is the labor. A small kitchen remodel can easily cost up to $15,000, and a complete stripping and re-flooring can easily cost an additional $10,000 or more. To keep the labor costs down, hiring a professional designer is a smart option. These services will ensure the quality of the finished product. A kitchen designer can usually charge around $100 per hour. Regardless of the type of design you choose, you should factor in their cost into your budget.

As a general rule of thumb, a kitchen remodel costs about $100 to $250 per square foot. This figure can go up to $60,000 for a full kitchen makeover. However, your total costs are likely to be much lower than this, if you choose cheaper manufactured products. In any case, it is best to have an accurate estimate before starting any work. The best way to save money on your kitchen remodel is to find a company that can complete the project for a fraction of the original cost.

While kitchen remodeling is a fun project, it’s easy to spend too much money on it. To avoid overspending, experts recommend getting an idea of the expenses before starting the project. Then, you’ll be able to plan a budget accordingly. Depending on the scope of your project, you may decide to tackle some of the work yourself or seek the help of a contractor. This way, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about how much you want to spend on the kitchen remodel.

Interior painting is a common way to spruce up a kitchen without spending a fortune. The job requires stripping the cabinets and removing appliances and outlet covers. On average, it costs about $800 to $1,500 to paint a kitchen. Building permits are expensive, and they can add another $1,000 to the cost of a kitchen remodel. You should ask your contractor to take care of these, as well as obtaining a permit.

Materials costs

When completing a kitchen remodel, it is important to understand how much each item or component will cost. For example, if you plan to replace your cabinets and appliances, you will have to pay for additional materials. Additionally, adjusting the existing framework and footprint of your kitchen will add another 10 to 15% to the total project cost. Moreover, design and permit filing fees may add another 10 to 15% to the cost of your project. You should design the layout of your kitchen before you start construction. Keep in mind that there are various shapes and sizes of kitchens, and you will need to keep these factors in mind.

The NKBA estimates that a contractor will mark up materials by 10 to 20 percent, which means that homeowners can save a significant amount of money by purchasing their own materials and finishing projects. Moreover, you can cut the labor cost by doing some tasks yourself. By doing this, you will save money on time, travel expenses, and labor. Furthermore, if you have some construction knowledge, you can do some of the work yourself and save big money.

You can also save money by choosing an affordable backsplash material. Stainless steel and ceramic tiles can make a huge difference in the appearance of your kitchen, but they can also increase the cost of your remodel. While you can purchase inexpensive tiles that look similar to granite, you can also use these materials on other areas of your kitchen. Lastly, if you want to add value to your home, you can also use tile or natural stones.

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The kitchen is often the heart of the home, so it makes sense that it would play such an integral role in your house’s overall look and feel. It’s also a space that people spend a significant amount of time in, so it must look its absolute best. That’s why Vancouver Kitchen Renovation is proud to offer Kitchen Design and Renovations in Vancouver, BC. We believe that a well-designed kitchen can transform the way you live, and we’re committed to helping you create the perfect space for yourself and your family. Whether you’re interested in updating your existing kitchen or building a brand new one, we can help you achieve your dream kitchen. We’ll listen carefully to your ideas and preferences, and together we’ll figure out which options will work best for you. Once we’ve determined what you’d like to see in your new kitchen, we’ll put together a detailed proposal outlining everything we propose, including a breakdown of the estimated budget and timeline. If you decide to move forward with our proposal, we’ll begin working immediately to bring your vision to life.

We understand that to be successful is to stay ahead of the curve. That means staying current with the latest technology and design trends. We always want to improve our products or services without breaking the bank. That’s why we stay connected to the latest technologies of NKBA, National Kitchen and Bath Association. In addition, at Vancouver Kitchen renovation, our primary focus is providing sustainable kitchen design and renovation packages, and we believe in sustainable living. Sustainable living is a way of life in harmony with nature. It is a lifestyle which focuses on the preservation of our environment. Sustainable living is a philosophy emphasizing respect for the environment and concern for its well-being. This means we should take care of the planet and treat it as if it were our home. We should try to preserve what we have and protect it from destruction. If we do this, we will enjoy the benefits of the earth’s resources for many generations. Whether you’re planning a major remodel or adding finishing touches to your current kitchen, we’d love to discuss your project. Book your showroom consultation online.

Main Areas of Service in British Columbia:

Vancouver

North Vancouver

West Vancouver

Burnaby

Coquitlam

Squamish

Whistler

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do when I’m planning a kitchen remodel?

There are many choices, no matter if you’re renovating an existing space, or building a dream kitchen.

Before you start, take some time to look online for inspiration. Look for photos of kitchens that inspire you. Take down ideas for design. Then sit down with a pen and paper and figure out exactly where you’d like to put each element.

Now think about how to improve on these spaces. What can you do to improve these spaces? What would you change? Ask someone who is an expert in your field to help you get creative.

Once you’ve figured out what you want to accomplish, it’s time to start. Start with the basics. Remove all extra clutter. Dispose of appliances you aren’t using often. Replace worn-out fixtures by newer versions

Next, you need to find areas in your kitchen where storage is limited. This is where storage or countertops are not possible. These are the places you should maximize. They could become wine cellars or pantries.

Lighting is important. Is there an area that could be lit brighter? Perhaps a wall sconce would help brighten up a dark corner.

After you’ve made your improvements list, it’s time to implement them!

Do not worry if your knowledge isn’t perfect at first. Just keep working until you’ve got it all figured out. And remember, no project will be complete unless you enjoy using it daily.

How do I calculate my budget for kitchen renovations?

The following guidelines will help you to determine your budget.

You should first estimate the cost to complete your remodel. These include countertops and appliances, cabinets, paints, tile, lighting fixtures, plumbing, hardware, as well as miscellaneous items.

Calculate the average cost of labor for your region. Add this number to your budget.

Add up all labor and materials costs to finish your project. Divide that number with the square footage of your kitchen. That gives you the estimated cost per square foot.

Subtract any savings you anticipate from doing some work yourself or buying materials at a discount.

To cover unanticipated costs, include a contingency amount of 10-20%.

These are only estimates. Talk to a professional contractor for a more precise estimate on your kitchen remodeling budget.

These guidelines will help to create a budget plan for your kitchen renovation. Your actual costs can vary depending upon the materials you select, the scope of the project, and other factors.

Should I move out during the kitchen remodel?

If you enjoy eating takeout, it doesn’t mean that you have to move. If you have children or pets, it might be a good idea to stay at a relative’s house or friend’s house while the renovation is underway. This will ensure that your kids are safe and don’t get in the way. You’ll be able to keep your sanity intact if you don’t have to deal with construction noises and dust every day. Get a written estimate from the contractor if you are planning to move. So you can plan your move around them.

What is the most costly part of a kitchen renovation?

This question is not definitive as the costs of kitchen remodels can vary widely depending on what project they are. However, some experts estimate that the average cost of a high-end kitchen remodel can range from $40,000 to $100,000 or more. So, planning a major kitchen overhaul, you could be looking at a hefty price tag. Often, your custom cabinetry is the most expensive part of your kitchen remodel if you’re not making any structural changes.

Your custom cabinets compromise 25-35% of the total cost. Flooring, countertops, and appliances are all high-ticket items. You might need to prioritize which parts of your kitchen you would like to replace if you have a limited budget. However, it’s possible to create a luxurious kitchen on a budget with some careful planning.

That said, there are ways to keep costs down. One option is to focus on cosmetic changes rather than major structural renovations. One example is to refinish cabinets, or install new countertops, instead of replacing the entire kitchen. You might also consider doing the work yourself if you are looking to save money on labor costs.

No matter your budget, there are ways to make your kitchen remodel more affordable. It is possible to create the kitchen you desire without spending a fortune.

What makes a kitchen backsplash timeless?

A subway tile backsplash will always be timeless. A full-height backsplash is recommended for kitchens. This would be the countertop being used as a backsplash that extends to the bottom of the upper cabinets. This creates a feeling of a bigger kitchen.

Statistics

“We decided to strip and refinish our kitchen cabinets during a heat wave with 90-plus-degree temperatures and 90 percent humidity in a house with no air conditioning. (familyhandyman.com)

Experts also recommend setting aside 20 percent of your budget for surprises, including unpleasant demolition discoveries. One is water damage, the electricity that is not up to code, or other budget-spiking gotchas. (hgtv.com)

Followed by cabinet cost, labour, and appliance costs consume 20 percent each of your budget. (hgtv.com)

In large firms, the commission charged by the GC ranges from 15 to 25 percent of the total job cost. (thespruce.com)

It’s a fantastic thing about most home improvement projects: no matter the job. It often seems like the last 20% is the most difficult. (familyhandyman.com)

External Links

familyhandyman.com

Family Handyman

Create an Open, Craftsman-Style Kitchen (DIY)

thespruce.com

Open Floor Plan History, Pros, and Cons

Get Kitchen Remodeling Estimates by Professionals

homeadvisor.com

Learn how much it costs to Remodel a Kitchen – Compose: SEO.

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Increase Home Value? – HomeAdvisor

houzz.com

The Habitatilist – Project Photos & Reviews – South Orange, NJ US

The Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements for a Craftsman Kitchen

How To

Here are 8 steps to kitchen remodeling for beginners:

This is how to begin a DFY Project for Beginners.

Remodeling your kitchen involves three steps. First, choose whether to replace or complete an entire remodel. The second is to decide which kitchen design suits your lifestyle the best. Third, you can decide whether to hire professionals for the job or DIY it.

The next step in the process is to decide on what kind of kitchen design you want. Do you want a traditional kitchen with cabinets, countertops, and appliances? Maybe you prefer sleek modern designs and less storage. You might be interested in adding a large island to your kitchen or a breakfast bar. After you have chosen a layout and finished material, you will need to hire a professional contractor for the job.

Many homeowners feel overwhelmed by all the decisions that must be made before starting a kitchen remodel. There are many easy ways to start.

Decide if You Want to Renovate or Replace – The first step is to determine whether you want to complete a kitchen renovation or replace some of the appliances and fixtures. You’ll need to calculate the cost of demolition and new cabinets, countertops and flooring if you intend to renovate the space.

How to Determine Your Budget – Before you start thinking about how much money you can spend on your kitchen renovation, you need to calculate what you can afford. This covers everything from labor and supplies costs to what you can afford.

You can choose your layout – Now that you know how much money you are able to spend, you can decide where to place your new kitchen. There are many options for layouts such as open concept, peninsula and galley, U shape, L-shape and corner. Each has its pros and cons, so choosing the one that best fits your needs is essential.

Choose Your Materials – Now it’s time to choose your materials. This includes everything from countertops and cabinets to flooring, lighting, and lighting. There are many options. It is important that you research and choose the best material for your requirements.

Hire professionals – After you have chosen your materials, you will need to find a professional that specializes in kitchen construction. Good contractors will ensure that everything runs smoothly, starting with design and ending with installation. They’ll also provide follow-up services, so you never have to worry about any problems during the process.

Enjoy! You’ve reached the final phase of the kitchen remodel. Enjoy! You won’t mind spending hours in your new kitchen cooking delicious meals if you love it. If you aren’t sure about the layout of your new kitchen, don’t be afraid to take some time to experience it. This will help you decide if the remodel was worthwhile.

The post How to Estimate the Cost of a Kitchen Remodel first appeared on Vancouver Kitchen Renovation.

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cinderella-ish · 7 months ago

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Ok, finally getting around to my Momiji headcanons/hot takes!

Probably my closest thing to a hot take for Momiji is that it was GOOD for Momiji's development that his romantic and family situations were left unresolved. I wrote about this a little in my Momiji & Kyo friendship posts.

Basically, I see Momiji as an enneagram 7. At the start of the series, he compulsively seeks pleasure and uses it to distract himself from his pain. He does the same for Tohru, distracting her when she's sad, and even manipulating her into going along with his plans.

But then, the beach arc happens, and Momiji is confronted with the reality that his actions have a real, tangible effect on the people he cares about. He's faced with a situation that he can't just smile and distract his way through. And he chooses not to manipulate Tohru when he realizes she loves Kyo. He instead makes the very mature decision to let her go as a potential romantic partner, and to keep giving Kyo pushes toward her.

So, I think seeing Momiji allowing himself to be sad and complain was a great way to show his development. It's a hard step that I think would've opened the door for deeper and truer happiness in his future.

So, some headcanons! (I explore a bunch of these in Bloom Within Us!)

I think Momiji is well-liked at school, and (much like Yuki) he ends up with several admirers of all genders. However, unlike Yuki, Momiji is not particularly mysterious, so no fan club or anything forms since he's so easy to just... talk to.

Momiji always struck me as sort of the gossip of the Zodiac. His enhanced hearing (never confirmed, but rabbits do have those ears!) and his general curiosity, lack of supervision, and good relationships with most of the cursed Sohmas makes him someone I can imagine knowing alllll the family dirt. He seems to be on good terms with everyone but Akito (who I think comes around when Momiji runs into her at the hospital) and Hiro (though it's probably mostly bluster from Hiro). Kureno is sort of a question mark - Momiji, like the other Zodiacs, has been forbidden from going to visit Kureno, but Kureno seems friendly enough with him the one time they interact (though Momiji doesn't totally seem to trust him).

Momiji seems especially close with Haru and Kyo, each in different ways, as well as with Kagura and Rin later on, but he doesn't seem particularly close with Yuki. I imagine Momiji would remain close with both Haru and Kyo, and wouldn't ever grow especially close with Yuki, but would get along quite well with Machi. I think Momiji's skill at reading people and Machi's fondness for chaos would bring them (and Haru, of course) quite close after Yuki graduates.

I like to think Momiji would still see Kyo as a bit of a big brother/confidant. I imagine that Kyo is first the person Momiji tells about his eventual partner when he starts to think they're his forever person, and Kyo's opinion would be especially important to him when he's ready to take big steps with that person. And with Tohru being so important to him, I think he'd take his forever partner to come visit them at the first opportunity. While he'd be eager for Kyo's opinion of them (and he trusts Kyo to be honest), it would also be very important that they get along with Tohru (though he knows she'll be happy for him no matter what, he knows she'd never say an unkind word about his partner even if she had her doubts).

I know a lot of people think Momiji would resent Kyo, or need some time away from Kyo and Tohru, but I actually think that Kyo and Tohru getting together would be a bit healing for Momiji. It would give him a sort of closure, and he'd have confirmation that he made the right decision to not pursue Tohru romantically. And I think Kyo would forever know he owes a lot of his happiness to Momiji.

I think Momiji probably went to university in Germany, and probably got an MBA (or the equivalent). He would've had to make the choice to pursue business instead of music while he was still in high school, so my theory is that at some point after the curse breaks (but still during his second year), his father approaches him about taking over his company so he can "adopt" Momiji, therefore allowing Momiji to live with his family again without arousing the suspicions of his mother. Momiji would've accepted immediately, because having his family was always what he wanted most. His father would probably be immensely permissive out of guilt once Momiji rejoined his family, and Momiji would've effectively still had to parent himself. He probably would've stayed close with Hatori and continued to have dinner with him regularly. And I think he would've continued to play violin, even if just for himself, or possibly in a community orchestra.

I suspect that part of the reason Momiji's father reacted so strongly to his mother's attempted suicide was because it followed so closely after Kyo's mother's suicide. I think Momiji would've been aware of their parallels from a young age, and the fact that they both lost their mothers (albeit in very different ways) is probably why Momiji became so attached to Kyo in the first place.

Since Momiji seems close to both Hatori and Shigure, I actually think he'd have a good relationship with Ayame as well (especially since Ayame apparently made most of his clothes). I can see him going to Ayame for certain kinds of advice, and love the idea of Momiji, Ayame, and Ritsu hanging out as adults (and Momiji seems reasonably close with Ritsu). I think both Ayame and Momiji would be important for Ritsu in building his confidence and figuring out how he actually wants to dress (I never liked how boring Ritsu's style became once he cut his hair short).

In Another, I struggled with the fact that Momiji is gone from home a lot, and that he leaves Mina with people who aren't her other parent, but here's how I've come to imagine that. If Momiji meets his partner in Germany, and they're German, it's possible they would come with him when he travels for work. And maybe Mina just likes staying with her cousins, since she seems to be close with them.

Momiji probably would've wanted to give Mina a sibling, so I imagine she has at least one younger sibling (the wiki says this is the case, but I don't remember reading it in Another). It probably makes him very happy to see his children grow up close, like he and Momo didn't get to do.

I think Momiji would be sure to give his child(ren) a lot of agency, and would respect their choices even when he personally struggles with them. I love the fact that Mina loves baseball, so I like to think Momiji did, too. Maybe his father would take him to games, maybe even before the curse broke (made possible by having a corporate box, of course, where Momiji wouldn't be at risk of transforming).

In Bloom Within Us, I named Momiji's father "Haruki," with his mother calling him "Har'i." My thinking was that Momiji gave Hatori his nickname (Ha'ri) as yet another way to try and feel closer to his mother. I also named his mother "Wilhelmina," thinking that she probably would go by "Mina" in Japan due to difficulty pronouncing the first part of her name, and that would be the inspiration for his daughter's name.

Since Momiji ends up with Hiroshi in Bloom Within Us, I think Momiji would stay in Japan in that universe, especially since Hiroshi staying in Japan for university is a huge part of his arc and something that's important to Momiji (just that Hiroshi speaks up for what he wants, not that he stays in Japan specifically). I actually think they'd make a fantastic couple, but I don't see it happening outside of that universe. 😭

And yes, I see Momiji as bi or pan. He probably wouldn't care much about the label. And I seriously hope he kept at least some of his flamboyant personal style after his growth spurt and into adulthood. I like to imagine him wearing brightly-colored suits, ties, and pocket squares in his role as CEO, and taking advantage of the "eccentric genius" stereotype of western CEOs.

And because I've been working on some Momiji/Hiroshi smut (their chapters are coming up!), here are some NSFW headcanons below the cut!

First and foremost, I think Momiji would see sex as a form of play. I can see him being open to exploring most of the more common kinks, although I also think he'd be pretty quick to recognize the ones that he doesn't enjoy or has no interest in exploring. For Momiji, I think novelty and variety would be key.

Due to his good communication and people-reading skills, and his proximity to a doctor, I think Momiji would be very up front in communicating with his partner about sex: boundaries, safe sex, desires, etc... I think when it comes to the physical side of his relationship, Momiji would want a partner who makes him feel like a desirable man.

I have a hard time seeing him with someone who isn't open to exploring themselves and for that reason, I struggle to see him with a partner who's straight. I have a much easier time seeing him happy in a M/M relationship, but I think, if he were to be with a woman, she would probably be bi or pan as well and open to questioning assumptions about gender roles, both in the bedroom and outside of it.

So, when I say I think Momiji would want a partner who makes him feel like a desirable man, I don't think that necessarily means someone who makes him feel masculine. I think Momiji would resist being put into any boxes, so a partner who pushes their assumptions about gender roles onto him in any way would be a poor fit. Momiji seems quite comfortable with himself as a young man with several feminine qualities, and I just can't see him becoming self-conscious about that later in life. If a potential partner made assumptions about him and his wants because he had some feminine traits, though, I think that would be a hard no for him. And likewise, if a partner expected him to act like a stereotypical "man," I think he would hate that, too.

And to me, as a bi or pan person (I'm fine with either term; bi is what I usually choose because it's the first term that helped me understand myself), I've always found it easier to have that kind of relationship with a partner (of any gender) who isn't straight. When I've dated straight men, it's taken a lot of hand-holding and education to get them on the same page as me regarding how I see myself as both nonbinary and a woman (which is probably a topic for another post), and what that means in the context of our relationship.

I do think Momiji and his eventual partner would have an extremely active sex life. Even if he hadn't been the rabbit of the Zodiac (and "fuck like rabbits" is a phrase for a reason!), he's just so physically affectionate that I think that must be part of any romantic relationship he has.

I actually think Momiji would've likely done some exploring at his international school. His physically affectionate nature and lack of supervision make me think he might've gotten physical with some of his German school peers (I imagine his school was also an all boys' school). He talks about "getting away with" things because of his perceived youth, and I just can't help but imagine him and a classmate getting caught by a teacher or other adult, and him using his perceived youth to deflect suspicion. Anyway, for this reason, I think Momiji mainly talks dirty in German.

Now, specifically with Hiroshi (which, again, is a pairing I don't think would happen outside of Bloom Within Us), I've written Hiroshi as someone who finds decision-making and speaking up for himself to be very stressful. I see them as having a bit of a sunshine/sunshine dynamic, but with Momiji as more confident, spontaneous, forward, and secure in his own likes/dislikes/boundaries, while Hiroshi is a bit more passive, anxious, sarcastic, and still figuring himself and his likes/dislikes/boundaries out to a degree. I think Hiroshi would also be more of a planner/prepper. I can see Hiroshi saying he's up for whatever Momiji's up for, but then discovering he actually has some pretty strong preferences he wasn't aware of, and I think Momiji would be the first to notice and stop the action if that ever happened.

I see them both as vers, with Momiji as extremely vers (gotta have variety!) and Hiroshi having a preference to bottom. I think, in either situation, Momiji would be more likely to maintain control of the action - "bottoming from the top" when he does eventually bottom. Due to his diet, his general spontaneity, and some other factors, I think Momiji would still end up topping most of the time.

I think Hiroshi would also have a very strong desire for Momiji to take on more of a Dom role than he's initially comfortable with. Specifically, I think he'd love it when Momiji tells him what to do, and he'd want Momiji to be a bit rough with him, which I think Momiji would struggle with a great deal. I don't think Hiroshi would push this, but Momiji would have a hard time letting go of it, and would eventually go to Ayame for some advice. I think Ayame's preferences would be quite similar to Hiroshi's in this case, and he might help Momiji to understand what's so appealing about rough sex/being dominated, and how it's actually a very beautiful expression of trust when done with clearly communicated boundaries and safe practices. I can see Momiji coming to appreciate that Hiroshi trusts him enough to give him complete control, and eventually growing to love taking on that role for Hiroshi, especially since it's so hard for Hiroshi to ask for what he wants in the first place.

I think Hiroshi would struggle for a while with feeling like he's "lucky" Momiji chose him, sort of putting Momiji on a pedestal and wondering if he's "good enough"/deserving of Momiji as a partner, but Momiji would shut that down very quickly. Momiji seems like the kind of person who would love hard and completely, and he'd understand that he and his partner would need to see each other as equals to have a truly mutual relationship. He won't tolerate someone fawning or feeling like they have to prove themselves to him any more than he'd tolerate someone treating him like he was beneath them.

So those are my Momiji headcanons! Hope you enjoyed!

For the Fruits Basket asks: 2, 3, 19, and 18/20 for Momiji!

Oh, yay! I'm so glad you asked! (ask game here)

2. This might be the hardest question of all, because all the characters are so richly developed and I genuinely like (almost) all of them! I have a certain soft spot for Yuki and Momiji, of course, as the characters I relate to the most, and a similar soft spot for Ayame and Arisa, because I relate to them in a way as well, though to a lesser degree.

I've been writing a lot of Kyo, Saki, and (weirdly) Hiroshi, so I feel really attached to them right now. I mean, Kyo is a character whose happiness genuinely healed me. Saki's unapologetic weirdness is just the best (and uhhh my friend group in high school had a few people who shared several traits with Saki, so I was bound to like her). And Hiroshi and Yusuke are literally the best part of every scene they're in. (Especially Hiroshi in Cinderella-ish. Seriously, his narration is top tier!)

And Machi and Kakeru have a special place in my heart, too, partly because of their roles in Yuki's development, but also because of the ways I relate to each of them. And, of course, Tohru. I mean, there's so much to say about her, but her deep, deep empathy and the richness of her arc and development are just gorgeous.

I do keep coming back to Yuki and Momiji, though. They're central to two of the scenes that I found most surprisingly powerful; Yuki when he tells Kakeru "that isn't what I want!" and Momiji in his speech to Akito, when he says "a happiness might exist for me!" Outside of the major plot points of the series (which are nearly all centered around Tohru and Kyo), these two moments are, I think, some of the most satisfying developments for any of the characters, period.

(Oops, that turned into an essay 😅)

3. If we're sticking to named characters, I think Katsuya is the only choice. I know Takaya couldn't develop every single character in the series, but Katsuya is one whose development would have enriched not only him, but Kyoko, Tohru, and Grandpa Honda as well.

I think that the Katsuya-Kyoko relationship can be read as problematic and even predatory exactly as written. It reads as romanticized because it's told from Kyoko's point of view. But Katsuya himself remains kind of an enigma, and it's just really hard to like him when we don't even know what made him think pursuing a middle schooler was okay.

19. Oh gosh. You're going to get a few long answers, I fear. 😅

I have several favorite fanworks! Off the top of my head:

Ripples, by @proseprincess

So, canon divergent AUs are probably my favorite type of fic, and I especially love fics where one canon event changes, and everything that follows changes due to something like a butterfly effect. In this two-part series, Tohru never met Kureno in the park, which changes everything that came after in a big way. I love that this tackles some massive changes to canon, yet they all feel grounded in the world and characters we all know. The second installment is incomplete, but still very worth the read IMO, not only because part 1 ends with a massive cliffhanger, but because it's just so inventive and unlike anything else I've read. Maybe my very favorite fanwork.

I'll be Standing There By You, by Eboni_A

This is a beautiful, devastating AU told from Yuki's point of view where he finds out in the final weeks of her life that Tohru has terminal cancer. We see Yuki drop everything to come and support Kyo and be with Tohru in her final weeks, we see Tohru die, and we see Kyo and Yuki (and everyone else) try to keep going afterward. It's heartbreaking yet hopeful, and the author made relatively recent comments about a potential sequel! Fingers crossed!

Inertia, by miss_coverly @lesbian-kyoru

This is another canon divergent AU where Kyo and Tohru become friends with benefits before the curse breaks. It's honestly shocking how beautiful this work is. The prose is gorgeous, the angst is dialed all the way up, the sexual tension is dialed even higher, the characterization is crystal clear, it's honestly a masterclass in POV, the sex is sexy, and I could go on and on. I never thought a blowjob scene would make me cry, yet it did.

The Pursuit of Repeating History, by RiddleAfar @mistergrass

So, when I first started reading fanfiction, I stuck strictly with canon-compliant works. Then, I dipped my toes into canon divergence AUs like those above, but I heavily resisted reading anything with alternative pairings.

Then, I got curious about that one really popular Yuki/Kyo soulmates AU fic, and gave it a read. By the end of the first chapter, I couldn't put it down. And when I was finished reading, I knew I had to check out everything else by that author, which is how I ended up reading The Pursuit of Repeating History.

This story honestly showed me the power of fanfiction. The author legit crafted lore for the Fruits Basket universe. And the "lore" chapters (I think they're referred to as "intermissions") are each beautifully-told stories in their own right. But the author also grappled with how the curse might work, and I think they did an incredible job. I'm actually rereading this beast right now!

We'll Work it Out Together, by inheritanceofgeek @mrsmarymorstan

Okay, I'm a sucker for anything with lots of Hiroshi and Yusuke, and this story is probably the most Hiroshi-and-Yusuke-focused story on Ao3. (Probably worth mentioning the author's sideblog, @2d-iendfrays which is an absolute treasure!) In it, Kyo figures out he's asexual, then figures out he's demisexual, all with the help of his two wholesome buds.

Like almost all the authors on this list, inheritanceofgeek has some other really fantastic works that are worth checking out, from sexual humor to Yuki/Machi smut to a touching piece about new parenthood.

How Can I Thank You, by SharkFairy77

Another brilliant Yuki/Kyo piece, in which Yuki hosts Kakeru and Komaki for dinner (at the apartment he shares with Kyo), and at the last minute, Kakeru asks if Machi can come. (Machi is Yuki's ex in this universe)

The piece starts with dinner prep, and then dinner, and the character writing is just incredibly spot on. I loved the arc of the story through the dinner, and the way Kyo and Machi come to an understanding.

But then, we get into some A+ YukiKyo smut.

I'll Be Here, by Blanche2023 @biancanekoyokai

(Full disclosure - I beta read this work!)

This is a very sweet and sad piece about Kyo's first few days in Kazuma's care after his mother's death. Blanche's characterization is outstanding, and she handles tricky things (like writing a young Akito who's also performing head-of-the-family duties) in a really clever way.

I don't think there's enough pre-canon fic out there, nor enough gen fic, and this piece is just beautiful.

Escaping the future, by Modzy78

I really love the way Modzy78 thinks about the Fruits Basket universe, and her take on the canon-divergence of "what if Tohru never confessed to Kyo" is inventive, suspenseful, fluffy, and just such a fun read! I also really love her other canon divergent AU Cursing the Cursed. And Modzy78 is honestly a superhero for the fandom.

The Talk, by Geoduck @drgeoduck

Honestly, Geoduck has a ton of works you should read, but I'll mention this one because it's probably the funniest thing I've ever read. And then it somehow gets even funnier!

The Ones Who Walk Away From Sohma House, also by Geoduck

If you're a fan of Ursula K. Leguin (my very favorite author!), then you are probably familiar with her famous short story, The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, and this short fic is an absolute must-read.

no one is lost, by emphasis

Momiji bumps into Ritsu in a gay bar. Not a pairing I ever imagined, but an excellent fic that puts Momiji in the position of "elder queer" to Ritsu. (Honestly, I wish there were more Momiji-as-elder-queer fics!)

Some other favorites:

The Night We Met, by pettyimperfections

Hold On, by Danyu

Heart Strain, by Kitty0430

I think about you all the time, by lucybeee @riceballcatfb (incomplete)

Making Nice, by Itsalreadyhalloweenright @riza-rin-rose (incomplete)

What's a White Lie Between Friends (& My Family)? by AnxietyAvocado

My Hands on You is Just a Fantasy, by unscheduledmakeouts

This Air is Blessed, by KyoDoodles

Please, Let Her Live, by @goldfishoflove

And that isn't even touching the dozens of phenomenal Yukeru fics! Just a small selection of Yukeru favorites:

fit back in, by @luftballons99

woebegone, by a-bigail @yunsoh

The Other Side of Paradise, by reconquer @yukisohmasmokesweed

If I Ever Feel Better, also by reconquer

if i do anything i regret tonight, no i didn't, by sacrificialParsnip (another fic where Momiji is an elder queer!)

i wanna be dyed with your colors, by halfhope

Like Fireworks in the Night Sky, by Princely_Hairdos (incomplete, currently being updated!)

President Perfect, by draebelle

tongue tied, by b_o_i (note: heed the warnings!)

And if you're familiar with OnigiriCat4Ever's canon continuation series, Always and Forever, some of my favorite works from that series include My Brother, Truth and Consequences, You Don't Understand, I Want to Understand, and all of their smut (collected in a separate series called Tohru and Kyo's Amorous Adventures, plus one explicit Hajime/Mutsuki fic).

And, of course, I'm really proud of my longfic, Bloom Within Us, and wrote it because it's the sort of thing I'd want to read. It's currently in progress, and I took a break from writing due to a family emergency, but I'm back at it and hope to start regular posting within a month.

uhhhh so I think I'll have to make my Momiji headcanons another post (hopefully tomorrow) because this got long! 😅 Thank you again for asking!

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contemplativepancakes · 3 years ago

Text

sunsets for somebody else

Daphne runs into her long lost husband arguing with another man in the grocery store. Things start to take a turn when she realizes they're married.

The bottle of bleach drops from Daphne’s hand into her cart, landing with a sloshing thud as she takes in the scene in front of her, frozen in her tracks. Emmanuel is standing right in front of her, arguing with another man about cleaning supplies.

Wearing a beige trench coat for some inexplicable reason—it’s almost 90 degrees outside—Emmanuel listens to a man who’s explaining in minute detail how to clean an oven. They’re both wearing wedding rings, and Daphne’s heart swells for a moment before she realizes it’s a different ring from the one she gave Emmanuel all those years ago.

“Dean, I don’t think this is safe for Jack. This is going to create noxious fumes,” Emmanuel says, squinting at the ingredients of the cleaner apparently-Dean had thrust at him.

Dean pinches the bridge of his nose, and Daphne squeezes the handle of her shopping cart harder, feeling faint. It’s not every day you come across your long lost husband at the Stop N’ Shop.

“I think the kid can take some fumes,” Dean says, plucking the bottle out of Emmanuel’s hands and putting it in the cart. “We wouldn’t even have to worry about this if someone didn’t let the pizza fall onto the bottom of the oven.”

“The directions said to put it directly on the middle rack!” Emmanuel protests, and Dean rubs a hand down Emmanuel’s back in a familiar way that makes Daphne’s stomach roil.

She’s not jealous, she’s not. She was just helping Emmanuel when she found him, after all. Their marriage was simply one of…convenience for Emmanuel. It’s not like he had a birth certificate with him, or a social security number. What did Daphne get out of all this? Well. Daphne looks at his cheek bones wistfully, her gaze dipping down to his strong forearms his trench coat is rolled up to reveal.

Dean rolls his eyes fondly, and then he tugs Emmanuel into his side, kissing him on the temple. Daphne jerks her stare away for a moment before returning it, noticing now that their wedding rings match.

“Emmanuel?” she chokes out, against her better judgment.

For a long second, she doesn’t think Emmanuel heard her, but he turns around. “Daphne?”

Daphne nods, her words forsaking her. She doesn’t miss the way Dean clutches possessively at Emmanuel’s hip.

“I…thought you were dead,” she finally says. “I filed a missing person report.”

Dean squints at her, before something like recognition passes over her face, and now that she thinks about it, Daphne recognizes him, too. He’s the one who showed up right before everything went to shit. Horror stories of Stockholm syndrome flash through her mind.

“Emmanuel, are you…happy?” she settles on.

Emmanuel gives her a smile, leaning harder into Dean. “I am.”

“Good. That’s. Good,” she says, a strangled look on her face, she’s sure. “Would you want to catch up some time?” she asks before she fully registers what’s coming out of her mouth.

Emmanuel gives her a warm smile. “I’d love that.”

As they set up a time to get coffee, Daphne tries to ignore the glare Dean levels at her throughout the whole conversation. He insists that their meeting be tomorrow, since apparently they won’t be in the area for long. Daphne tries to ignore the warning bells in her mind that tell her she’s about to get murdered and takes solace in the fact that at least they’re meeting in a public place.

Besides, even if Emmanuel’s husband is a serial killer, surely Emmanuel won’t let him murder her, right?

The next day, Daphne hems and haws as she debates what to wear. Whatever this is, it’s the exact opposite of a date, anyway. She knocks on the door of her foster child, Alex, to wake them up before she goes into the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. Really, she’s just doing it for herself. She’s allowed to want to look nice!

When she finally deems herself as ready as she’s going to get, she goes back to Alex’s room to make sure they’re actually up. To her pleasant surprise, they’re sitting on the edge of their bed putting on their socks and almost ready. “Excited for school today?” she asks.

Alex makes a face at her. “Never,” they say, but their voice at least has the edge of a smile to it.

They’ve come a long way since they were first placed with her, and even though Daphne knows she shouldn’t be getting overly attached, she can’t help it. She walks down the steps and into the kitchen, deliberating for a moment on breakfast before putting frozen waffles into the toaster. If she’s about to get murdered while Alex is at school, she can at least make sure the last thing she made for them wasn’t cereal.

Alex tromps down the steps, dragging their bookbag behind them, and Daphne hides her smile behind her glass of orange juice. Alex lights up at the sight of the waffles, disturbingly easy to please, as always. They inhale them, as teenagers do, before putting their dishes in the sink. Daphne cracks open her laptop as they wait for the bus, attempting to get some of her work done for the day since she’ll be taking a break later for the coffee. She really hopes her boss doesn’t try and call her while she’s out.

Or, maybe she does. She’s not sure she’s prepared for the level of awkwardness that she’s about to go through, but maybe it won’t be as bad as she thinks. She really wants to know what Emmanuel has been up to for all of this time. She’s still…embarrassingly hung up on him, and it would be nice to get some closure.

The bus pulling up in front of the house jerks her out of her thoughts, and she gives Alex a wave before they race off to get on. She watches them settle into a seat with one of their friends, and smiles at the fact that they even have friends now.

In the end, Daphne doesn’t manage to get much work done before she clambers into her car and drives to the coffee shop they agreed on. She doesn’t really think she needs caffeine with the way her leg is bouncing already.

Emmanuel and Dean are already there when she walks in, Emmanuel with a cup of black coffee he’s dumping sugar packets into and Dean with something with whipped cream and chocolate syrup drizzled on top. She gives them a tentative wave before ordering hot chocolate for herself, settling herself delicately in the seat across from them.

“So,” Dean says. “You were Cas’s wife?”

She squints. “Cas?”

Emmanuel speaks up. “After I regained my memories, I remembered that was my name.”

“Oh.” Smiling weakly, she tries to reconcile that. “You have them all back now?”

Emman—Cas nods.

“Just forgot about me, though?” she tries to ask lightly, but it comes out a little garbled.

“You took advantage of him!” Dean explodes from the other side of the table, making Daphne flinch. “Who the fuck finds someone naked with no memories and marries them?”

“Dean,” Cas chastises, his arm shifting like he’s putting his hand on Dean’s thigh under the table.

“I was helping him,” Daphne says hotly. “Would you have just wanted me to leave him there?”

Cutting Dean off before he can say anything else, Cas looks at Daphne and smiles in a way that makes her heart flutter. “I’m very grateful. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I’m sorry I didn’t reach out to let you know I was alright.”

Dean crosses his arms over his chest and leans back in his chair, taking a sip of his sugar monstrosity. He comes away with a whipped cream mustache, and it’s hard not to laugh as he wipes it away in total seriousness.

“So,” Daphne says. “You two have a kid? Jack?”

Scowling, which seems to be Dean’s automatic reflex, he exchanges a glance with Cas before softening. “Yeah, we have a kid. He’s four.”

Daphne thinks maybe Dean should have been a little bit more concerned about the fumes of cleaning chemicals if they have a four year old, but she keeps her judgments to herself. Cas beams. “He’s very bright.”

Returning the smile tentatively, Daphne asks, “How long have you two been married?”

“It’s almost our one year anniversary,” Dean says gruffly.

Daphne tries not to let it affect her, even if that’s more time than she ever got with Cas. “Practically newly weds, then!”

“It’s been an adventure; that’s certain,” Cas says, smiling serenely even as Dean elbows his ribs. “Tell us about you, Daphne. What have you been doing?”

Daphne shrugs a shoulder. “Oh, not too much.” Mourning the man I pulled out of the woods and saved and married, she doesn’t say. She knows Emmanuel never felt the same way about her that she did him. “I got approved to be a foster parent, so I’ve had a few kids come through.”

“Helping people has always been your calling,” Cas says softly.

Daphne takes a few minutes to gush about Alex, and her previous kids before them, before she notices Dean’s not actively glaring at her anymore.

“That’s…nice,” he begrudges when she finishes.

“What do you do, Dean?”

Looking like he just dropped something on his foot, he stammers before he hastily says, “I work construction.”

Daphne squints at him. She has the feeling he’s lying to her, but she has no idea why he would be.

“And what about you, Cas?”

“Oh, I mostly just take care of Jack.”

“You’re a stay at home dad?” she asks, the thought making her stomach twist into knots and heat rise to her face.

“Of a sorts,” Cas agrees.

God, they’re making it impossible to carry on a conversation with them. Daphne keeps a smile pasted to her face. “What do you two do for fun?”

“I’m convinced Dean thinks fun is superfluous,” Cas confides, even as Dean splutters at him. “But I like to drag him to thrift stores with me. Dean likes to bake, also.”

“I work on cars, too,” Dean says, and Daphne can feel his desperation to maintain his facade.

She tries not to quirk a smile at his discomfort. They chat for a while longer, Dean getting increasingly dodgy about the questions she asks before she finally excuses herself to go to the bathroom. She shuts the door behind her and looks down at the dank floor. Is she getting what she wanted out of this? She has no idea what she even imagined happening when she asked to catch up. Emmanuel running away with her? Maybe in her wildest fantasies. Taking a deep breath to ground herself, she looks in the mirror and checks her makeup, rubbing at her under eye circles before walking back out of the bathroom.

Cas is at the counter ordering another drink, for Dean, by the sound of the sugar content, and she walks over to him. Hesitating before she bites the bullet, she asks, “You’re not…like, being held against your will, right? That Dean seems,” she pauses, “interesting.”

Cas laughs warmly, putting a hand over Daphne’s. “No, nothing like that. This is a choice of my own free will, believe it or not. Dean is much more caring than he lets on.”

Well, Daphne’s not sure she believes it, but. At least he’s happy, and in the end, that’s all she’s ever wanted for him.

#supernatural #destiel #castiel #outsider pov #daphne allen #the born again identity #contemplative writing

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asylumwise · 2 years ago

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I've just started watching the rerun and I think I'm gonna cry??? The brainrot is real. Gonna just liveblog in this post so I can reread my train of thought later. So, for your entertainment: my rundown of the KPWT

(edit: added skit titles for clarity)

That intro is just... ✨cinematic masterpiece✨

But can you image how it must have felt for them? Standing there in their swag outfits just waiting for the screens to rise while that thriller music is making your heart race and you hear a whole arena screaming?

They all look so fucking proud of eachother during the introductions 😍

Them welcoming us in different languages is also verrrrry... 🥵

I know live translating/subtitling is a noble art but was there no way to prepare the scripted parts in advance?

(TayTimeTem skit)

Love this first song, had it in my spotify playlist since watching the live stream 😂 I'm also getting really good at singing in phonetic Thai

Having not read the original novel, I was never really into the TayTimeTem-thing, but omg this show makes me wish we had 20 eps so they could have explored that storyline thoroughly as well. Especially Us would have given us everything

(Jeff solo)

I can't begin to explain the way "Why don't you stay" pulls on my heartstrings. For me, it's up there in my top 5 of most beautiful songs ever (with Harry Styles' Sign of the Times & Pink Floyd's Wish you were here, for example). It breaks my heart to hear how Jeff's still a little hoarse after his covid infection 😭 there were definitely some flat notes there that wouldn't have been there otherwise

(Slot Machine performance)

Wish I could see a live performance of Slot Machine one day, looks like they're amazing live. I've been listening to them on Spotify and I really love their music!

Pretty sure that Mile's more showing off and having a good time than actually playing and I love that for him. He's so fucking precious.

Jeff. Look at you. Jeff. Gorgeous rockstar. You were born to stand on such big stages. Jeff. Please conquer the world. I wanna see you live one day. Love you Jeff

My mouth fell open the first time I heard him hit those notes in Lost Stars - he's a fucking talent and I'm sure he can be the next big thing in rock. It's quite hard to explain to people in the real world how much I love him 🤣

(VegasPete skit)

Bible YES. Do it to me. Props to the music and choreography team. And the scene setting 👌 also A+ on the BibleBuild acting.

(Nodt solo)

OMG the Big sequence 😭😭 I don't know who came up with it but Nodt is killing it. You can almost touch the pain on his face. I also love it how the crowd goes wild when he confirms Big was in love with Kinn.

(Us & Build duo)

Having just been to Tomorrowland, that amount of EDM and laserlights is really triggering 🤣 But omg their dancing looks so much fun

(Anita & Barcode stuff)

YES MOM. Having Anita dance to Doja Cat makes no sense at all (not for her character nor for her amount of screentime) but I'm so here for it. Might be the pansexual in me speaking.

And BAM suddenly we understand why everybody's always hyping up Barcode. That kid is gonna be BIG. He's a totally different person when he's on stage doing his thing - hard to imagine the cute and shy kid he is rest of the time.

Love how Anita/Namphueng is like 'let me put a coat over you' while he's already wearing like, 5 layers

'My older son is handsome, my younger son is sweet' - 'isn't my mom handsome?' WE WERE ROBBED

I know it's controversial but I love that little grain of KimChay closure they've given us. I liked how they ended in the series: Kim realising that he has a lot of groveling to do and Chay taking agency - but not ending together, giving Chay space and time. He's 19 - I like to imagine he takes a few years to grow up and learn to be himself before they collide again, and take it from there.

(Jeff solo WDYS english version)

THERE IT IS. I was waiting (after having watched the clips on youtube for daaaaays). This is devastatingly beautiful for me (again, for reason I can't explain myself). It's not even the fact that it's in English - by now I've become so used to the Thai version that the sounds are wrong. But omg the scenery and setting. The piano, the build-up, the choir and Jeff just releasing it. I honestly don't know why this man isn't world wide famous yet (yes I will die on this hill). It will take a long time before I'm over this.

(KinnPorsche beach skit)

Honestly the beach bar part is one I liked less. Even if we have KinnPorsche being adorable and MileApo going 60% tiddies again. Mile has an amazing and soothing voice tho. And his fingers while playing guitar are 🥵

At first I thought the places on the those wooden signs might be clues to future stops of the world tour, but 'Iceland' is on them and although that would be awesome, I don't see it happening anytime soon 😅

(Minor family skit)

It will never not be funny to me how they give us a Minor family montage with the melancholic music and sad Vegas moments and then have Bible flying over the stage half naked to Imagine Dragons' Believer.

And that's not even mentioning what comes next.

Ta entering on skateboard is such a Macau thing. But I have conflicting feelings about the outfit - but only because I thought Macau was like 15 and that makes my tingly feelings very inappropriate.

Ex is the finest daddy to ever daddy (or more like, ultimate zaddy). Do you think this is just a regular friday night in the Minor family household?

Just, what was the train of thought behind this act? What was the process? Who came up with the idea "the minor family is hot, let's put them in leather and harnesses". I have questions.

Ex has a very peculiar accent, lots of rolling r's.

(Sailor Moon skit)

Oooh this is the part I missed during the livestream! I know what's coming tho and I have even more questions.

But Perth is clearly living his best life so good for him.

I should have watched Sailor Moon as a kid.

So much respect for them doing that skit in high heels. And omg their legs? How are they so elegant??

Tong, you absolute king. MVP.

The state of Perth's wig is atrocious.

(Justice Bao skit - had to look that up)

Next part. I love how Apo is hanging there literally going 'This was all Mile's idea and I'm just going along for the right because I (platonically) love that bastard'.

(Bodyguard/Magic Mike skit)

Wait you're telling me there was a poledance and it wasn't Bible doing it?

As someone who often comes into contact with high-end events & awardshows in their professional life, I'm really impressed with the production value of this show 😳

That bodyguard/Magic Mike part. How did the people on the front row SURVIVE???? 🥵🥵🥵

I've been using the 🥵 emoji a lot.

(Pond intermezzo)

Oh those clips 😊 little babies <3

I want that t-shirt. What was the deal with the merch again? When is it open for international orders?

(Cast speeches)

Hello I'm in love with Perth's Australian accent. Hello Perth baby sending love from Belgium!

Even though I only understand half of what they're saying (due to the slow subtitles), I'm so fucking touched by all of them. Love how they're all getting emotional the longer it takes. I'm really enthralled by these sixteen (16) men. How they clearly like and love eachother and lean on eachother. How they all express their gratitude to everyone and especially P'Pond. I love that man so much for what he did for them. And us ofcourse!

STOP IT BUILD I'M GONNA CRY WITH YOU

Apo's speech I'm - 😪 And omg Bible?? Who ever made these babies feel bad? Imma smack a bitch.

I feel like the translator just gave up halfway Mile's speech. Fair enough 😂 he's giving off real "I do what I waunt" vibes, mr. one-of-the-CEOs-of-BOC. But oh the 'family' part 😭

(Cumulus)

Aaah the long awaited Cumulus. They're really good musicians and what they're lacking in the vocal department, they're more than making up in fun.

Thai pop/rock music has some absolute bangers. These are alle going in my spotifiy playlist.

Yeah I'm gonna need about 200 high quality photo's of Jeff and Barcode singing together with the latters foot on Jeff's knee.

I hope they're saying sorry to those background singers for being such a bundle of chaos

(Finale)

THAT TRAILER I don't know what to say guys, this movie can actually only disappoint after the expectations that trailer raised.

I want to go clubbing with these guys so bad. Or even better, go to Tomorrowland (biggest and best EDM festival in the world) with them. I'll secure a spot on the bill for Ta, he's doing better than 50% of the dj's I've heard there.

Their dancing is... sorry sweating and dirty thoughts only

How is this WHOLE cast so exceptionally beautiful?

However much I love this and however much fun they seem to be having, they also look dead on their feet. But who wouldn't be after this marathon of a show?

Ooooh the famed Macarana remix! This is actually... really good? I want this in clubs this summer! (not that this mom of two is doing a lot of clubbing nowadays)

Wow Ta is actually a really good dj

(the end)

Bye boys, love you. So happy I got to see this show in full and with complete concentration. Thank you for giving it your all!

I don't think this full show is going to be the one that's going on tour, it'll probably a much smaller version. I'm very curious about what it's gonna be tho and if it's coming to Europe (to an easily accessible city), I'll sure as hell go see it!

The show's over and I have 6 minutes to spare so that's me rewinding tot 01:58:00 for Jeff's WDYS on piano kthxbye

#kinnporsche #kinnporsche the series #kinnporsche the series laforte #kinnporsche world tour #kinnporsche the series world tour #kpwt #kpwt rerun #mile phakphum #apo nattawin #jeff satur #barcode tinnasit #be on cloud #slot machine #bible sumettikul #build jakapan #why don't you stay

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beyondspaceandstars · 4 years ago

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While You Sleep

Chapter 4

Relationship: Bucky Barnes x Reader Warnings: angst, mention of violence, slow burn Summary: Soulmate!AU - Throughout life, you’re given glimpses of your soulmate through dreams. As you sleep, memories flash in your mind showing you the life your soulmate has lived. Everyone around you raves about how their soulmate reads great books or volunteers in their spare time. But you can’t relate as your dreams end up being more like nightmares. Through initial images of death and violence, you come to learn your soulmate is the Winter Soldier.

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Hope was surprisingly actually kept alive as suddenly you were seeing the blonde-haired super soldier every morning. Sometimes even in the afternoon. While his order never changed -- quite the man with a plan as he certainly liked to stick to a routine -- he became much more talkative.

It started out as the littlest things. Steve would bid you a good morning or ask you about some breaking news he saw the other day. You entertained the chit-chat quite well in between orders. Steve had practically taken over the seat at the bar, the same one you had offered him that one nerve-wracking day.

Wondering what he would ask you about each day certainly helped to keep your mind off things. Granted, it didn’t totally block out the fact you were speaking to your soulmate’s best friend, but the conversations mixed with that tinge of hope sure did keep thought about the nightmares at bay.

Nothing was exactly progressing or regressing with the nightmares. They were at a sort of standstill in your mind. They were filled with violence but still were of older times, decades ago. The emotions, though, were not letting up. If you didn’t wake up with vivid imagery of knives being flung and guns being loaded, you sure did wake up with a roller coaster of feelings rushing through you.

But what was felt from your soulmate didn’t exactly align with what the nightmares told. The small glimpses of Bucky’s eyes as the Winter Soldier wasn’t filled with… anger, sadness, regret. They were just… eyes. They held little to nothing outside of stoic determination. If lines were getting crossed, you weren’t sure. You still walked around feeling like a freakshow on display despite the fact no one, especially your coworker who had seen you initially crash and burn, ever asked you about the soulmate “dreams.”

Well, that was until Steve started getting more comfortable at the coffee shop.

One afternoon, he had apparently decided to get bold. He was lounging at the little bar area and you could feel his eyes watching you clean up some syrup bottles.

Steve broke the silence, asking you something that he typically always did: “How are you?”

You shrugged with your back still facing him. “I’m doing okay, Steve. How are you?”

“No,” he let out an awkward cough. Your brows furrowed as you turned to him, abandoning your task. “How are you?” He asked with such a pointed look that your heart sank.

You fumbled with the rag you were still holding, trying to look anywhere but at Steve -- but his demanding presence didn’t allow for it.

“If I’m being honest, not much is getting better,” you admitted. “I still see things, sure, but it's really about the feelings I get. They are so strong but I don’t know how. The dreams are like old memories or something, I’m not sure anymore.”

Steve nodded then looked down at his lukewarm coffee. You didn’t know how he didn’t get tired of that stuff, but you were past thinking he actually came in for the coffee anymore.

“Thought they would’ve lightened up by now,” Steve eventually said. Your eyes shot to him. Every other word out of this man’s mouth seemed to stun you. You were nearly convinced he knew everything.

You wanted to tread on this, but carefully.

“Why…” you sighed. “Why do you say that?”

“Hmm?” Steve hummed as if he didn’t hear your question. Your eyes narrowed in confusion.

“I asked, why do you say that?”

He looked away, this time at the lines of syrup bottles behind you. He seemed lost in thought, his eyes shining with concern. Maybe he just needed that push and you wanted him to confirm… something, anything.

Steve snapped back to you suddenly. “Just thought since it’s been a few weeks it’d be better.”

You looked to the ceiling, taking a deep breath. “Steve, do you-,”

You were abruptly cut off by Steve getting up and placing his empty coffee mug on the counter. “Thanks for the coffee.” That was his final parting words for the day before he walked out of the shop, leaving you standing there confused and annoyed.

But this wasn’t going to be over. Especially not after you went home that night, settled into bed, and gave into the nightmares. While still past memories, they were only a few years old. And featured Steve. Flashed of a bruised, tragic-looking Captain America played out quickly. The feelings washing over you were those of strong love but even stronger regret. Everything pounded in you as the nightmares played, coming in a weird kaleidoscope of clips. The hurt you felt was overwhelming. But there was also just so much… Worry. Fear. Your soulmate was afraid. Afraid of what exactly, you didn’t know, but he was consumed.

You woke up in the early morning hours, heart pounding, feeling raw from that nightmare. Everything felt powerful like the final straw was snapped in you. You needed stuff to lessen and, supposedly, that could come with actually meeting your soulmate. You didn’t know the logistics of it all, people had been so vague as they preferred to fawn over and treasure the initial dreams, but there were ideas out there about how once soulmates formally met they created new shared dreams. Together, through the connection. These could be just as bad or they could be just as good as the original telepath. No matter the fact, you needed something. You were begging for this pull to loosen. The world was setting you up with this man and you had to see about it. Maybe get some kind of closure, at least. You were exhausted from playing it safe with Steve. Everything from his dumbass vague phrases to his hovering gaze gave you your answers.

You were once again a woman on a mission, but this time you couldn’t hide behind a coffee counter and brewing espresso.

You called out of work but showed up at opening time. Your coworker stared at you in surprise when the bell rang but you just gave her a wave and made yourself comfortable at a table right by the door. You sat very still, staring at the glass door, watching the patrons.

A glance at the clock told you Steve was late for his usual coffee run but you weren’t giving in. If he had any inkling about your confusion he would show, be the confident man he could be and face you.

Thankfully, you were correct. It was mid-morning by the time Steve strolled in, definitely not surprised to see you patiently waiting. Your eyes locked immediately as he gave a defiant sigh. But he didn’t bypass you for the counter. Instead, after you gave a single nod, he sat at the table, directly across from you.

“Good morning,” Steve greeted you but he lacked that award-winning smile he always gave with it.

“Good morning,” you said, suddenly feeling iffy under his gaze. You had to practically shake yourself out of it to get back on track. You weren’t backing out, not after what you had felt last night. This would consume you after so many years. Your soulmate was going to consume you if you didn’t man up. “I think we need to talk.”

Steve nodded. “I agree.”

You sighed, a bit relieved. He possibly did know, your suspicions were confirmed. “These nightmares I have - they’re about-,”

“Bucky,” Steve answered so simply, you were almost jealous by how the name rolled off his tongue with ease. That was your soulmate and you could barely talk about him. But that was ending, you reminded yourself. Right now, you were taking steps. Life had become a whirlwind but maybe you needed it.

“Yes,” you confirmed. “Everything I see it’s from his days as… you know what.”

“The Winter Soldier.”

You groaned in annoyance with yourself. “I’m sorry, this is just so weird for me,” you said. “I just learned the other day him and I are… And it’s a lot. Everything is a lot. I see and feel so much in the nightmares that I needed to make progress or something but, truthfully, I don’t know how to go about any of this.”

Steve nodded, his eyes looking very sympathetic. He leaned forward, his arms now resting on the surface. You shifted in your seat, staring down at the wood patterns of the table. Steve didn’t seem to mind the lack of eye contact, though, as he began.

“I’ve known about you for a while,” Steve admitted. “When Bucky began getting back to himself he would talk about you every now and then. I-I don’t know when he realized it but he’d tell me bits of what he thought you looked like, where you went to school, the coffee shop you were always in… And, well, it didn’t take long for me to realize it was you he was seeing in dreams. But he doesn’t know that I see you nearly every day,” Steve let out a light chuckle, almost in disbelief of himself. “And he certainly doesn’t know the dreams he’s relaying to you. I don’t think he’s ever thought about it, honestly.”

Your heart jumped knowing your soulmate actually knew about you. Saw you. Got the loveliest dreams about you. It made you feel pretty good, really. You were glad you were giving him something light, relaxing, after everything he had seen. Maybe that was a fair trade. As long as your soulmate was okay.

“He doesn’t know I see all those… Things?” You asked, your voice dropping a bit timidly.

Steve sighed, shaking his head. “If I had to guess, it would have something to do with the fact that he’s remembering everything,” he said. “Everything he had done, the people and violence… All that comes back to him. He’s said he remembers it all. That’s probably the feelings you’re getting with the nightmares - him handling the aftermath.”

Your heart dropped at that. You lifted your gaze to meet Steve’s, seeing he was wearing a similar mix of sadness and worry. It was still strange to feel this ache when you were awake.

But you understood, at least, as much as you could. It sounded like there was some healing going on, with everything coming in waves. Did you like that you had to suffer because of it? No. But that was your soulmate and a deep part of you wanted to just take all that pain away for him personally.

“It’s not fair he has to deal with all this,” you said.

Steve agreed, “It’s not.”

“But I want to help,” you spoke with such sudden determination. Steve gave you a confused look. “Would he… Would he want to meet me?”

That look of surprise on him suddenly morphed into some form of relief, with a bit of a smirk playing on Steve’s lips.

“I think I could arrange that.”

“R-Really?” Your hands were practically shaking at this point but Steve seemed too cool and collected, almost proud of the situation he was concocting.

“If I’m being honest, he mentions something about you nearly every other day.”

Your jaw went slack, now making you the surprised one. “But you knew who I was. Why didn’t you just tell him?”

“Would you have honestly been comfortable if I just sent him in here?”

Well, he had you there. You sighed, shaking your head, sinking a bit in your seat.

“Yeah, he wouldn’t either,” Steve mumbled. “But it’ll be okay. I’ll figure out something.”

You nodded, maybe a bit too eager. “Thank you.”

Steve gave a small smile then averted his gaze to the table as if debating what to say next. You thought the conversation had wrapped up nicely but there was another thing you didn’t expect to hear about.

“You know,” Steve began, “back in the day, Buck never had any dreams and while now we know why,” he motioned towards you. You blushed. “We had just figured he didn’t have a soulmate or something. Like the world had just happened to screw up…” His voice trailed, letting out a brief sigh. “I can’t imagine his relief when he got the first images of you.”

Your heart swelled. It took everything in you not to choke out sobs. The feeling of hope and… love suddenly wash over you. It was such a distant feeling but it was all coming. Slowly, it was becoming an acquaintance.

“Do you have a soulmate, Steve?”

He nodded. “I did.” You frowned at the past-tense use of the word. “But that time has come and gone. I’m more than happy to help Bucky get his.”

The lovely feelings crept back, stronger than ever. Just the thought of being in the same area as your soulmate was making it bloom even more.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Bucky Barnes Series Taglist:

@reichelhache @bella-bear03 @rvgrsbrns @thebadassbitchqueen @libraries-and-coffee @adoringanakin @heartbeats-wildly @japzalileo @aayaissaa @takemedancingmaine @bahama-mama-llama @ella_italian

#bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction #mcu #mcu fic #marvel fanfiction #marvel #avengers #the winter soldier #fanfic #fanfiction #bucky barnes angst #bucky barnes fluff #slow burn #soulmate au #writing*#fluff #angst

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