#her favourite sandwich and now mine

[babeluda]

I wrote a... fan-recipe? Truly no self control here if we're at the point where a fictional sandwich can take over my brain. Anyway thank you Aabria Iyengar for mashing together my grandmother's favourite summer starter of melon & cured ham and the revelation that was Austrian Tafelspitz marrow on toast.

Check out the winter-summer sandwich rendered by the Messrs. Callum magic cookbots' hivemind here:

Marrow-Melon Marvel

[stormbornwitch]

When I was a child, I was often left in the care of my Nanna. It is from her that I learnt many of the pieces of what she would call "little magic".

At her side, I learned how to sew and make little finger puppets and 'dollies'. We walked through the park, and she pointed out the plants and trees and their properties. With her, I made my first lavender filled bag to help me sleep. She would spoil me with peanut butter and butter sandwiches (which my mother was staunchly against), and then showed me how to feed the house spirit (a bowl filled with crusts of bread and milk poured over the top with a bit of honey drizzled over it).

She also told me stories - so many fairytales and folktales that would horrify parents if told to their children nowadays. But it was only when I was older and in school that I realised the stories she told me were different from the ones my friends had been told... mine were darker and full of old truths and lessons I still remember to this day.

-

One of my favourite tales was of a little girl with honey blond hair and blue eyes whose name started with a V (I can't for the life of me remember her name). Her father was a merchant, and her mother was kind. Their little family of three were quite happy until the little girl's mother got sick. The merchant hired healers and priests to help his wife, but all failed to help the little girl's mother, her sickness worsening with each passing day. Soon, it was clear that her mother was dying, and the little girl's father refused to leave his wife's bedside, leaving the little girl to fetch water from the well, light the fires, cook meals for her family and care for the home.

One day, her mother called the little girl to her bedside and asked her husband to step outside of the room for a moment. The little girl approached her mother's bedside with trepedation. Reaching under the bed, the mother pulled out a strange little cloth doll with no face. The doll was made from a scrap of her mother's favourite dress, with her mother's hair ribbons binding it into the shape of a doll.

"Here, my child. She will protect you when I am gone. All you must do is feed the doll a drop of your blood and tell it your problem, and it will be fixed."

The little girl did not understand but took the doll from her mother. "But how will I feed her a drop of my blood if she has no mouth?"

The little girl's mother smiled, and for a moment, she didn't look sick anymore.

"Promise me, my beautiful daughter, that you will keep her with you, for she will act in my stead once I am gone."

The little girl did not understand her mother's words but promised again to keep the doll with her at all times.

The mother suddenly surged forward and tightly clasped her daughter’s hands in her own. "No one can know you have her, not even your father. Let no one see her. Keep her hidden on your person at all times unless you have need of her."

The little girl, now afraid at her mother's vehement pleas, nodded frantically to show she acquiesced and would do as she was bid.

Her mother, seeing the little girl's compliance, collapsed back into her bed and dismissed the little girl, bidding she tell her father he could return.

Her mother died that night; her father distraught at the loss of his beloved wife.

Though it was not long after the little girl's mother was buried, that her father remarried once more.

The little girl's new mother was a widow with no children of her own, and the little girl's father told her "She will make a good mother for you, my child" But she was not a good mother.

For you see, any time the little girl's father was home, the woman would treat the little girl kindly, but as soon as her father was gone, her stepmother would turn cruel and demand the little girl do all of the housework and chores. If little girl refused, her stepmother threatened to beat her, and told the little girl she would go to bed without supper if the work was not done. Since her father was away, and there was nothing the little girl could do, she did as she was bid; completing the work until her hands were cracked and bleeding with sores. However, despite the little girl's efforts, her stepmother was still unsatisfied with the little girl's work, locking her outside the house overnight.

Cold and exhausted, the little girl crept into the storeroom and laid down on the floor.

It was then that the little girl remembered her promise and the little doll she had kept secret in a pocket inside her dress. Carefully, pulling out the strange little doll, the little girl remembered her mother's words.

"Though you have no face, I will feed you a drop of my blood." And so the little girl dabbed one of her bleeding fingers against where the dolls mouth would be if it had one. "Please help me, little doll, for my stepmother is a cruel woman, and I can not possibly do all that she has bid of me."

It was then the little girl heard a voice inside her head, "Sleep, my child, and I will complete all that has been asked of you."

With a small smile of relief, the little girl went to sleep, and when she awoke, it was to find all of the chores her stepmother had requested, completed.

Surely, with all of the work done, her stepmother would let the little girl inside. So she tucked the doll back into the inner pocket of her dress and left the storeroom. But upon seeing the jobs miraculously done overnight, the stepmother's face turned ugly.

"I suppose since you've done all that was asked, you can come inside to break your fast."

The little girl meekly entered the home and ate the cold porridge she was given without comment. But as soon as she was done eating, her stepmother gave her another list of jobs to do, even more than the day before.

And so the little girl worked all day until her feet were sore and her hands were cracked and bleeding. But her stepmother remained unsatisfied, as all of the chores were not completed. Resigned, the little girl crept back into the storeroom for the night.

With bloodied hands, the little girl pulled out the doll from her hiding place and dabbed a drop of her blood where the doll's mouth would be.

"Please, little doll, I need your help once more. I can not do all that is asked of me, and my hands are blistered and sore."

Again, the little girl heard the doll's voice inside her head, "Sleep little one and all will be well, I will show you where the healing herbs dwell."

With a smile, the little girl went to sleep on the storeroom floor, and when she awoke, she found that once again, all of the jobs her stepmother had told her to complete were done.

Again, when the little girl went up to the house and knocked on the door, her stepmother seemed furious the jobs were done. With gritted teeth, she bid, "I suppose since you've done all that was asked, you can come inside to break your fast."

And so the little girl ate the cold porridge placed afore her as her stepmother once more listed more outlandish jobs for the young girl to complete.

And so the years went by, the little girl growing into a beautiful and capable young woman. Her hands and body were strong from all of the work she would complete each day, and thanks to her mother's blessing, she knew and harvested all manner of healing herbs and edible plants from the nearby forest.

But every time her father was home from his business trips, he would always comment "You are becoming so beautiful my darling daughter, just like your mother" These comments would make her stepmother scowl and her face turn ugly with rage. So, as each year passed, V became more beautiful, and her stepmother became more hideous in her hatred.

In her hatred, V's stepmother began sending her into the forest for ridiculous errands. V knew that her stepmother probably intended for her to get eaten by wolves, or worse, by the witch that supposedly lived in the wood. But thanks to her mother's blessing and a sharp thorn kept in the pocket of her dress, V was always able to fetch whatever her stepmother requested from the wood and return home safely.

One night, V's stepmother came to the storeroom door where V was sleeping on the floor. "Get up at once. Your lazyness has allowed the hearth to go out, and not even coals remain to light a fire. You must go to the witch of the wood and ask her for a coal"

"But stepmother," V cried out in vain. "The witch if the wood eats people! Surely she will not give me a coal!"

V's stepmother sneared down her long nose at her. "Go afore it is too dark to see the way."

And so V set off into the forest until not even the light of the moon could guide her steps. It was then that the quiet whispers of her mother's doll began to give directions through the dark wood.

Soon, V emerged into a strange clearing. In its centre, a wooden hut sat on top of tall wooden posts that looked almost like chickens feet. At the base of the hut was a small garden with all manner of plants growing. And surrounding the garden was a fence that seemed to be made of bones. Thankfully, as V approached the hut, she could see a warm light coming from within. This must be the home of the witch of the wood.

Following the fence of bone, V reached the garden gate. On either side of the gate were skulls set atop large bones. Small candles inside the skulls seemed to light as if by magic as soon as V touched the gate.

"Why are you here, child?" A voice called out from the hut. There in the doorway stood an old woman, her back bent from many years of hard work and her long grey hair gleaming in the moonlight.

V plucked up her courage and called out, "My stepmother sent me to find the witch of the wood to ask for a coal."

At her response, the old woman barked out a laugh that sounded more like the cawing of a crow than a human laugh. "And what will I get in return? I will not give you a coal for free."

Again, V plucked up her courage and responded, "I will work for it. I promise I'm a hard worker, you can see from my hands." At this V raised her hands for the old woman to inspect.

Seeing the calloses from many years of hard work, the old woman nodded. "Very well, you will work for me for a day and a night, and you will receive a coal from my hearth that will never go out."

With that, the old woman turned around and began to walk up to the hut. As she walked, she began to list the chores she wanted V to perform. "You will clean the house and yard, wash the laundry, and cook us two meals; breakfast and supper. You will go into the storeroom and separate rotten grains from sound grains and gather and store seeds from the garden."

After years of dealing with her stepmother's ever expanding list of demands, this old woman's jobs seemed almost easy by comparison.

"First, let's see your skills as a cook. Go to the garden and fetch us something for supper"

And so into the witch's garden, V went, gathering edible and medicinal plants until she had enough to make a hearty soup, which would helpfully ease some of the old woman's pain.

The old woman nodded at V's selection and led her up the ladder into the hut. On one side of the hut was a large stone hearth, and at its heart, five large coals gleamed as they cradled the base of a large iron pot.

"Take the pot to the stream and fill it halfway with water. Then return to make your soup." The old woman bid.

It took all of V's strength to lift the large iron pot from the hearth and carry it carefully down the ladder so as not to scorch the wood. Down the garden path, V carried the pot past the bone gate and back into the forest. Thankfully, her mother's blessing whispered directions, and V was able to quickly locate the nearby stream and fill the pot halfway.

Returning to the hut, V began chopping herbs and vegetables and throwing them in the pot. Soon the hearty supper was bubbling away in the pot and ready to be served.

The old woman passed V two wooden bowls and a large wooden ladle.

"You want two bowls of soup?" V asked the old woman.

"No, the other is for you, child." The old woman barked before hitting V with the large spoon. Doing quickly as she was bid, V ladled out two portions of the soup; one for her and one for the old witch.

With the soup placed in front of her, the old woman quickly ate her supper seemingly ravenous. V ate her portion much slower, not used to having supper anymore, though she was happy to refill the old woman's bowl with more soup when she was bid to.

With supper eaten, V gathered their bowls, spoons, and knife into the now empty iron pot and carried it down the ladder, through the garden gate and down to the stream to wash.

Upon her return, she found a pallet bed had been made up.

"That is for you," the old woman muttered as she walked over to her own bed tucked into the wall of the hut.

"But how will I get all of the jobs done if I sleep here?" V asked.

The old woman turned back to her with a strange smile on her face. "I'm sure a hard-working young woman such as yourself can find a way."

With that, the old woman climbed into bed, leaving V to climb into the pallet bed. When she heard the snores of the old woman, V pulled out her mother's doll from the secret pocket of her dress. "Please, little doll, I need your help once more. I can not do all that is asked of me, and my hands are blistered and sore."

Again, the little girl heard the doll's voice inside her head, "Sleep little one, the jobs will be done upon the rising of the sun."

With a smile on her face, V fell asleep, assured that her mother's blessing would help her once more.

When she awoke, V saw that the old woman was already awake and was staring into the hearth as she sipped on a strong smelling tea. "I see you were quite busy while you slept." The old woman said with a crooked smile and a gesture to the iron pot full of hot porrige.

"Are there other jobs you need me to complete?"

"You will eat this porridge and carry one of these coals to your stepmother's house. Then you will return here."

Once more, V did as she was bid.

Upon finishing her porridge, the old woman gave V a fox skull. Using large iron tongs, the old woman reached into the hearth and removed one of the hold glowing coals and placed it in the jaws of the fox.

"Take this to your stepmother's house to light her hearth and then return here."

And so V carried the skull, down the ladder, through the garden, out the gate and through the forest until she reached the edge where her father's house stood.

V knocked on the door, and her stepmother quickly opened the door, a look of shock and horror gracing her features.

No sooner had her stepmother opened the door, and then the coal had begun to glow brighter and brighter. Within moments, her stepmother's dress and the doorframe of the house began to smoke, and soon, both were burning merrily until naught but ashes remained.

Once more, V did as she was bid.

She returned to the witch in the wood and learned all that she could.

-

As a kid, I loved this version of the Baba Yaga tale, and now as an adult I love how these stories were the avenues for or my Nanna to pass on examples of small magic and witchcraft.

This is also probably why I've never had an issue with blood based magic when so many other witches do have an issue with it.

[mullermilkshake]

Twelve days of fluffmas

On the twelfth day of fluffmas, my true love gave to me...

Yakuza!Kento getting his Christmas wish.

Tags: Yakuza AU, Fem!reader, first meeting, unexpected and fate driven, spilt coffee,

"Coffee please. Thank you."

Kento's favourite part of the Christmas market stalls that lined the street were any that involved coffee. That and the type that served toasted sandwiches with his favourite bread.

Hot steaming coffee on his morning walk through the snow, icy breeze nipping at his cheeks, warmed coffee cup stopping his fingers from freezing and-

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Spilt coffee. All over his suit and coat.

Kento turned around slowly, padding his pockets for anything to wipe it up with before it stained and seeped through enough to burn him.

"That guy barged past me- but I should have seen where I was going..." it was you.

You who did not know he existed. You who had no clue how much Kento had watched you off in the background never getting the courage to speak with you. And here you were, right in front of him all glassy eyed because of a cup of coffee on his coat.

"I'm such a klutz..." your voice trailed off when you made eye contact and your head dipped down before you looked around for napkins. "I know someone who's really good at cleaning expensive suits, which I'm sure yours is- shit, I can have this cleaned."

Kento stood there speechless that you were stood there fussing over him and pulling napkins out to dab his coat. Instinctively, Kento drew his hand up to stop you and ended up cupping your napkin filled hand in his.

"Please, don't worry. It's only coffee," it was then he realised what he'd done, because your eyes widened and looked right up at his. "Sorry."

"No, it's alright," tucking a strand of hair away from your face, Kento noticed the blush in your cheeks. "I wasn't looking where I was going, it's totally my fault. Here-"

He watched you pull out a little note book and scribbled down on it. "Here's my home phone, call me and let me know what the bill is... and here's the address of the laundromat. She's a good friend of mine and she'll take care of you."

Not five minutes and you'd already given him your number and- Kento's eyes widened a fraction before he reined it in. Mei Mei was a prolific money launderer and everyone in the Yakuza world knew who she was.

So how did you know her? Were you aware of what she did behind closed doors? This coincidence begged the question as to how Kento never saw any link to Mei Mei whenever he saw you on the network cameras.

Perhaps he was slipping, it was true that he'd become burned out this close to the new year.

Kento never mentioned it, there was no need to. "Thank you, but I won't burden you with any bill for this. It's just coffee."

"I just feel so terrible, I'd be pissed if I got coffee all down me."

He realised just how cool he was being. No way in hell did he ever think he would react to you meeting by accident like this. Though now he was thinking about it, Kento felt himself shift uncomfortably and noticed he'd just been staring at you.

"Uh, it's really no bother."

By the relief splashed across your face, you were intent on leaving shortly and took one step backwards.

Yet you didn't lead the conversation that way. "I insist, really. But I'd like to buy you another coffee," your eyes paid him attention closely. "Or maybe lunch if you're not in any rush? I feel awful, it's such a beautiful suit."

A lunch invitation and compliment? Did you not know what sort of life he was leading, or what people he affiliated himself with- who you were being affiliated with? You should have known the moment you laid eyes on him. Most people suspected.

Yet you showed no signs of distress.

"Please?"

And now you were practically begging him to go with you. Kento contemplated all the times he'd talk down to himself for not pursuing you and how much of a bumbling idiot he would have been. There was nothing bumbling in the slightest.

Just long drawn breaths and pauses he used to figure out what to say though it flowed off of his tongue naturally like a waterfall into a lagoon.

"Alright, but I'll buy lunch."

You smiled sweetly and nodded. "Then I'll buy the coffee."

"It's a deal."

Kento let you lead through the stalls though it was really a chance to soak you in and let the realisation in that he'd just had his first conversation with you. A conversation he had agonised for months over.

"I know a really nice stall. It's off the beaten track a little, but I promise that it's great. It's only ever here at Christmas," once the stalls had dispersed along the street, you pulled back and matched his pace.

"If you recommend it, I'm sure I'll enjoy it," Kento was never a fan of group meals of crowded places to sit down and eat in.

A stall where he could sit off to the side was perfect. Especially uninterrupted time with you. Kento could not believe his luck.

"It has some of the best fried chicken I've ever tasted but if you prefer something different, the stall next door serves raw fish which just melts in your mouth..."

You stopped right in your tracks and watched Kento as he turned. "I'm talking too much. I apologise... I'm talking to a stranger with so much familiarity. I hope that didn't make you uncomfortable," you bowed like Kento did not enjoy it.

"Not at all," he was quick to reassure you. "I admire enthusiasm. I never would have known where the best fried chicken was if you hadn't told me."

Kento took the information on board. Ino was partial to fried chicken every now and then.

He listened to that sweet little chuckle leave your lips. "That's good, otherwise I would have been a weirdo that talks too much and spills coffee on people."

"You're no weirdo..." You never heard him say that and carried on walking. For a moment, Kento watched you leave with a quickness in his breath.

Some would say he made a Christmas wish. But in reality, it was fate. A thing he never believed in until now.

And all it took was a little coffee spilled on his coat.

I was going to wait much longer for Kento and reader to meet, but it's Christmas and I'm feeling all fuzzy inside. THEY MET AT LAST.

Me rn writing this stuff.

[stvharrngton]

a lesson in romantics; lesson four

summary: a multi-part series where reader is the new art teacher at hawkins high and the history teacher, mr. harrington, takes a shine to the new girl. mutual pining ensues on their road to love 🥀

a/n: aaaaand we're back!! i'm so sorry it took me so long to update this but i'm hoping to go back to weekly updates now <3

characters: steve harrington x fem!reader, mentions of robin and nancy

word count: 1.3k

warnings: none, steve is dorky af

taglist: @inkluvs @dukesmebby @sweetbabygirlsworld @kennedy-brooke @gvf23 @nix-rose

series taglist: @pbs-theundeadmaggot @alana4610 @onceuponaoneshot

SERIES MASTERLIST

HAWKINS HIGH, NOVEMBER 1922

Steve burst through the door of the teachers lounge, coffee cup and brown paper bag in hand. He came up behind you like a whirlwind, hair swept away by the wind, a cute red sweater fitted to his body.

“I snagged an extra muffin from our favourite bakery,” he started, unable to help that smile that painted his features, “and it’s got your name written all over it.”

You couldn’t help but giggle at him, he drew out those last few words as if he was trying to make a joke, but he was oh so serious. Steve’s smile grew wider as you laughed, the kind of smile that reached his eyes. And you didn’t even want to think about how he called it our favourite bakery.

“Oh yeah?” you asked, the promise of a free sweet treat sparking your interest, “Your place or mine?”

You meant classroom. You definitely meant the classroom.

“Mine? At lunch?” he said, eyes all hopeful.

“Sure,” you nodded, “sounds good.”

Steve’s eyes lit up at the prospect of having lunch with you, alone, in his classroom. Sporting a toothy grin as he began to retreat back towards the door now.

“It’s a date,” he stated, eyes wide as soon as he realised what he said, in front of everyone and Robin no less, “not a date, I mean, shit— shoot!” Steve stuttered, nervously stumbling over his words, “I’ll see you at lunch.”

Robin immediately looked in your direction as Steve left, doing her best to hide a snigger that was threatening to spill out into a full blown laugh at her friend’s expense. 

~

Lunch time soon rolled around as you made your way over to Steve’s classroom, lunch bag and fresh hot coffee in hand. You peaked your head into the room before clearing your throat as you stepped in.

“Is that offer for a free muffin still on the table, Mr. H?” you asked, a coy smile on your face.

The sandwich that was in his hand found its way back to the desk, a chuckle rumbling in Steve’s chest as he waved you in, “For you it is,” he scrambled to clear a place on his desk next to him, pulling a chair up, “come on, sit.”

You took your place next to him, pulling your own sandwich out. You ate in silence for a moment, neither awkward or uncomfortable. Steve spoke next, pointing a finger out to your side of the table, “What’d you bring?”

“A BLT,” you said confidently, “what about you?”

Steve nodded, an impressed look on his face. One that turned to minor embarrassment when he was about to reveal his own choice, “A PB and J.” Steve muttered.

You chuckled softly, one that made Steve’s cheeks light up pink, “That’s cute,” you said softly, fluttering your lashes as your teeth sunk into your bottom lip, trying to prevent any more laughs from spilling out.

“Oh, come on,” Steve defended, “it’s a solid choice! You can’t mock a man’s choice of sandwich in his own classroom.” 

“Sorry,” you said with a giggle. 

You didn’t realise as you went back to your own sandwich, but Steve looked at you now, really looked at you. With that sappy, love sick puppy dog look on his face, the kind of look he only sported when he was in too deep, way too deep.

Chin in the palm of his hand, eyes all soft as he realised that maybe Robin and Nancy were right. 

Shit. Robin and Nancy were right.

The sound of your voice broke him from his trance, your brows pinched together as he failed to answer whatever question you had for him. You looked at him puzzled, ready to ask him if he was alright when Steve piped up with a murmur that resembled a ‘hmm?’, a sheepish look on his face.

“I said,” you began, cheeks slowly heating up at you realise you may have just caught Steve staring at you, “what’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?”

“Just one?” a jovial tone finding its way to Steve’s voice, “Okay, so it was Sophomore year and I took this girl to a pool party that one of the kids on my

block was having and I had picked up this brand new white pair of swim shorts—,”

You purse your lips to hide the laughter that was ready to spill out, already seeing where this story was going, “and so we were in the pool having fun right, and when I got out I didn’t realise the entire thing turned see-through.”

Unable to hold it in any longer, you burst out laughing but Steve was still talking between his own bouts of laughter, “And you could see everything! And I mean everything.”

Your laughter was intoxicating, like music to Steve’s ears, the cutest laugh he’d ever heard by far. He was far too caught up in the happy sound to notice that you’d been clutching onto his arm whilst doubled over in laughter. He soon caught on, eyes soft as he gingerly placed his hand over yours, both of your giggles soon fading out.

“Easy there, tiger,” Steve hushed, as he stroked his thumb over the back of your hand. You stared at each other for what felt like an age, a lump swallowed in your throat, Steve’s gaze hopeful and yearning. You didn’t know if you saw it, but you swore his eyes flitted down to your lips for a second, or maybe you were just being hopeful, “What about you? What’s your worst ever date?”

Steve’s voice was low and quiet, a tone that sent a shiver down your spine as you attempted to compose yourself to answer. 

“It was my first year of college and my first date with my ex. He took me to the movies and it was all going perfectly well, bought myself a cute new dress, the works, right?” You reasoned, “We went to get snacks and he got a large Coke and on our way to the theatre he slipped on something wet on the floor–”

“No,” Steve exclaimed, hand slapping over his mouth, “don’t tell me–”

“Yep,” you sighed with a chuckle, “thing went up in the air and landed right on me, all over my dress! It was like something out of a cartoon,” you felt your cheeks heat up from just thinking of the memory, “the date itself wasn’t even bad but it was so mortifying.”

You both glanced at the clock simultaneously, the noise of kids chattering and hollering outside of Steve’s classroom told you that lunch would soon be coming to an end. You sighed as you dusted the crumbs from Steve’s desk, packing away your trash ready to go back to your own afternoon classes.

“No way have we been in here an hour already,” he sighed, dusting off his slacks, “well, thanks for the company, don’t forget your muffin.” Steve spoke casually, as if he wasn’t still thinking about the way you clutched at his bicep, or how soft your hand felt beneath his, or how he really wanted to kiss you.

You nodded as you took the brown bag from him, thanking him again for the free sweet treat. You went to let yourself out of his classroom as he spoke again, spinning on your heel as your hand was still clutching the door knob.

“I’m having a grading party at my place this weekend,” he began, fingers scratching at the scruff decorating his jaw, “we don’t get much grading done but I’d love it if you came along.”

He’d love it. The simple word, the implication that Steve would be miserable at his own party lest you be there, oh, how it made you swoon. You answered with a resounding yes, telling him you wouldn’t miss it as you skittered out into the hall with a small wave and a very big smile on your face.

What Steve wanted to do was ask you on a real date, just you and him, a real, proper date where he would go all out to impress you. Maybe a nice dinner or a picnic in the park, not rushed sandwiches during your lunch hour in his classroom.

But this was a start, right?

[darlingofvalyria]

₊˚ପ⊹ the masterlist ✿ ❀ ❁

┊ ┊. ➶ ˚ The big book of fics contain works from HOTD, TLK & possibly more ewan mitchell related characters. | check pinned post for more info— current wips, requesting etiquette, etc. | formatted descending; newest work at the bottom | AO3 | dividers by @/saradika & @/cafekitsune┊ ➶ ｡˚ 　　°

The Sister's Hot Best Friend Trope

❛ MODERN AU!AEMOND ❜ ONGOING— fluff, angst, smut (5/7?) = Helaena has a brilliant idea for her sad sack of a brother, and it involves her hot best friend.

On My One Good Knee

❛ MODERN AU!AEMOND ❜ COMING SOON— fluff, angst, smut (0/10) = Your boss makes a snap decision to prevent deportation. Now you're back in his hometown for his father's birthday with you on his arm. And did I mention they think you're his fiancé?

In Hightower Green

❛ JACAERYS ❜ ONGOING— angst, smut, fluff (5/7?)= The life and lies of the secondborn daughter of Viserys I, twin to Aegon II, and Queen Consort and wife to King Jacaerys Velaryon.

Kinktober 2023

❛ MULTIPLE CHARACTERS ❜ ONGOING— smut (2/6)= Sexy, smutty, fluffy, to angsty. Welcome to Kinktober '23. Warning. Contains fics ranging from monsterfucking to kidnapping. Readers discretion is advised.

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ Aemond Targaryen ❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

HOW I 'ACTUALLY' MET YOUR MOTHER | fluff = Aegon spills the real way Aemond met you to your children.

THE BLACK STAG | dark, smut = What does obsession and possession bleed? Features Dark!Aemond.

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ Aegon Targaryen II ❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

YOURS, NOT TRULY | angst = You have fallen in love with your husband who views your marriage as nothing more than a duty.

LEMON CAKE TO MY TEA | fluff, smut = Jealousy and marriage advices sandwich your fresh marriage with the firstborn son of the King.

OH, JEEPERS! | smut, angst = As lovers, you and Aegon were great. As exes, you and him might be the actual worst.

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ Daemon Targaryen ❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

A DALLIANCE OF DRAGONS | smut, angst = When your husband betrays you, you turn to your uncle for help.

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ Rhaenyra ❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

HER FAVOURITE | smut = Your future queen rewards you for all your hard work.

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ Osferth ❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

GHOST BRIDE | smut, fluff = Sanctuary comes with the price of a lonely, ghost bride. And addictively warm fun.

- ͙۪۪̥˚┊❛ Multiple ❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

DAEMYRA (Daemon + Rhaenyra)

➵ PUNISHMENT | smut = You are Daemon's punishment, and Rhaenyra couldn't be happier.

╰┈➤ ❝ DISCLAIMER: i don't own these characters but these stories are mine. Please don't repost/copy without my permission. This includes feeding them to AI. I consider this an insidious act and I bite. Comments, reblogs, & likes are not mandatory but very much appreciated! Tell me how you feel! ❞┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ ☁️

[malkaleh]

Superlatives of my Stories: 2024 Edition

I stole this meme from @petralemaitre once again.

Leitmotif of the year: :increases the judaism and the biracial and the abuse survivor and the OT3+ headcanons: Namárië

My best story of this year: Objectively (probably?) It’s The History Of Man (Rewritten By Women) - four women of The West Wing on trauma, sisterhood and power (or not). I wrote it like, you can tell I was having some feelings but I think the Zoey section in particular is my favourite. An extract:

Zoey knows it’s not the 19th century or the 18th but it also is. The media dissects her outfits, but not the men who stripped her bare and bruised. They sigh over the impact on her father, on issues, on politics but not the way her nightmares haunt her. 

My favorite and/or truest story of this year: It is Gold Cages. Without a doubt. I had actually been thinking of the flip side of ‘the villain is gentle only with you/would burn the world for you’ (a trope I am in whole hearted support of) when…you don’t want that. When sometimes, silk and ‘safety’ is worse than violence because you are a precious thing, a treasure but not a person. Or ‘Sauron is incredibly genuinely in love with Celebrimbor, Celeborn, Galadriel, Elrond and Finrod’ An extract:

There is light and high beauty forever beyond the reach of the grasping choking shadows and Miriel has always felt it - perhaps never more than when she is with Elendil. Pharazon is small beneath it and while Elendil names her Luthien she thinks of Beren. They will endure. For all of them he simply makes a chamber - a mix of all that is beautiful from each of them. Dark blue and silver stars, white and golden flowers, blue flowers and birches and moss. Jewels and light and birds. His fingers through Celebrimbors hair, an arm about his little nightingale, the other about the waist of his silver prince, his golden fair queen laying across his chest and Mairon thinks, this I will have. All this and more I will have. He thinks of it in a thousand ways.

Story of mine most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion: Hi Those Who Walk In Starlight or the ‘In return for peace Adar asks for a night each with Celebrimbor (who lives here), Elrond, Galadriel and Gil-Galad’ fic that may have been a little bit Scheherazade inspired and also I saw a fic summary (I could not read it for trauma reasons but it’s by Archraven) and went !!!!! An extract:

He cannot but want - cannot but brush a hand across Gil-Galads hair, let himself run his fingers across Celebrimbors shoulders, wrap a possessive touch through Elronds curls and Galadriels golden strands. It is impossible to resist and why should he not indulge in beauty, in this feast of shining kindness offered to him.

Story with the single sexiest moment:

Most "Holy crap, that's wrong, even for you" story: Hi would you like to read about Danny from TWW getting kidnapped + his sandwich related commentary + unfortunately one of his kidnappers is Into Him? (Because I had seen a couple of ‘CJ gets kidnapped stories’ and I wanted to like, flip it and also some Girl Saves Boy Content. An Extract:

The other really stupid thing is that the sandwich was mediocre at best and somehow that’s the thing he gets stuck on, midway through having the shit kicked out of him. Like he was shot and now he’s being tortured and the sandwich wasn’t even hospital cafeteria quality.

Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: Me writing Those Who Walk In Starlight and going ‘!!!!!’ about Adar in various ways.

Hardest story to write: It’s funny because while there were times I found it very hard to like, write none of the stories were actually hard to write if that makes any sense?

Biggest disappointment: End of year complete loss of joy in OT3 verse (Tudors) because I got a really long comment about how it was historically inaccurate dreck with a quote ‘idealogical agenda’ and listen, I am aware I should not be so upset but it was a really awful spot that they hit for a number of reasons and I cannot face writing it again. Maybe in the future but for now it’s not on AO3.

Biggest surprise: ME WRITING TOLKIEN FIC WHAT IN THE FUCK. (I would still say I largely do not read or really write Tolkien fic in terms of book based stuff (or movies for different reasons) because it’s not my cake for various reasons but uh TROP I will (and there will be book stuff because I’m me). I blame the cast ;). Like somehow, that happened. Also now I am attached to a bunch more characters (thank you Charlies) and also apparently uncorrupted!Mairon AUs and Celeborn/Galadriel/Mairon (Sauron/Annatar) in general like. (Also absolutely Celebrimbor/Mairon (Sauron/Annatar) beside this. And I have a Gil-Galad/Elendil/Miriel thing now.

Most unintentionally telling story: I think at this point all my stories are telling *g* I just kind of go with it.

Best title: The Talking Horses, The Singing Lions & The Golden Queens or ‘Lil Attempts To Write A Horse And His Boy Fix It because CLIVE I HAVE NOTES’

Story I haven't yet written, but intend to: Hi my version of the uncorrupted!Mairon AU.

Tagging (if you want to): @verecunda @nocompromise-noregrets @shes-a-voodoo-child @conundrumoftime @damnyoubishop @lemurious and anyone else who wants to consider yourself tagged

[queerdraws]

⚔️👒 Zolu Playlist 👒⚔️

28 songs Full tracklist, selected lyrics, n writeup below cut

(Contains: The Happy Fits, PUFFY, Illuminati Hotties, Paramore, The Shins, The Orion Experience, Best Coast, Utada Hikaru, etc) (+a couple songs absorbed from ao's zolu playlist)

1. The Shins - Simple Song Mixed POV, Zoro being recruited by Luffy. ... You sure must be strong And you feel like an ocean being warmed by the Sun // My life in an upturned boat Marooned on a cliff You brought me a great big flood And you gave me a lift // I know that things can really get rough When you go it alone Don't go thinking you gotta be tough To bleed like a stone Could be there's nothing else in our lives so critical As this little hole?

2. Slow Pulp - Cramps Zoro POV, vibing with being a pirate, actually. realizing he's a lot like Luffy / they have a lot in common. Wants to protect his crew. Part of a family now. But also specifically drawn to Luffy, drawn along with Luffy. Has a nice confident, grungy, fighty vibe. ... Be a better lover, I know that I'm a runner Oh no, I think I've become her There's nothing better than being the protector Out of a routine, the only one I've ever seen I wanna be a foolproof machine There's nothing better, wanna be like Heather I'll take anything That you wanna give But I want everything Everything

3. PUFFY - Friends Forever Mixed POV, perfectly in sync. friends forever. big adventuring vibe. facing the world together. slight nod to whiskey peak. sidenote: it's really annoying to find this song on youtube without scooby doo noises playing over it (official music videos my beloathed...) the "pokemon and their trainers" (...gijinkas) video is the best one for my region at least. ... Just when I thought I had to make it alone You were right there by my side Making a stand holding my hand the way you do There to remind me of a "me and you" When I'm with you all my fear disappears Like if I reach, I touch the sky You've got my back, pick up my slack when I can't see But nothing picks me up like knowing we'll be Friends forever Face whatever Friends forever Yay! we're never gonna be apart You and me, we are so oddly the same The way we think, the way we play Right from the start, so off the charts, about this thing But we didn't know at first that we were making Friends forever Bound together Friends forever Yeah! We'll always be there Oh yes, there also can be times that get rough And all that can be said is "sorry" That we were wrong and said some meaningless stuff And we'll go on together, through any nasty weather Yeah

4. Illuminati Hotties - Sandwich Sharer Luffy POV - flippant & happy vibe. but also visceral, grungy, fighty. kissing. sharing food. "you thought i was bleeding but that's just my spit!!". ... Restarted kissing You said "I'm dreaming" I couldn't stop from laughing Cause it's the realest thing I ever did Taking our clothes off Painting on rooftops Sit back on shingles in the shade, I bare my teeth at future fake outs we had coming Drooling tomato sauce, to make it look legit You thought i was bleeding but that's just my spit Sandwich sharer Unprepared for What comes after this Take the big half I will bite back What you won't finish Until we're finished

5. The Happy Fits - Sailing Zoro POV oops catching feelings for a friend ... My body's achin' My ship's left the shore Your eyes are waiting My knees on the floor And it's been so long Since I had a friend And it's been so long Why can't we just pretend? And I feel your laughter Your warm, open stare And I'm chasing after Somethin' that isn't there

6. The Pillow Queens - Favourite idk just vibes "tell me i'm your favorite" + "i'm being so normal" ... i’ve got no reason to be feeling like you’re mine for the next four seasons let it die, let it die i can’t help hoping that you think i’m really nice want some brief hand holding on the sly, on the sly hey you can say it, i’m your favourite hey you can say it, i’m your favourite

7. The Beths - Warm Blood Luffy POV - Zoro is warm and good feelings. Not "you make me feel protected", but "you are a raincoat". Feels very Luffy. "you really get me" ... Nothing makes me feel like this Nothing makes me feel like this Nothing but you Nothing but you My head is hanging from the roof I'm floating all about the room Because of you Because of you I wanna bask in the rays of the way I feel right now (Ooh oooh) I wanna bask in the rays of the way I feel right now (Ooh warming up my blood) You are a raincoat, you are a zeppelin flight You are a bonfire burning a three dog night You are an isle of calm on a stormy sea You really get, you really get You really get me I wanna be here when you call Pick up the phone and I would fall in love with you In love with you

8. MONKEY MAJIK - Around the World Mixed POV. During timeskip. Counting down the days until we can see eachother again. We'll change the world, make it better, we're training to make that happen. sidenote: the mixed eng/jpn version of this song is my favorite and the one i'm referring to here ... Every night I look to the skies And wonder what we did Always a naive point of view that breaks us in the end If I could find the meaning of it all I’d take the chance Maybe in time We’ll walk the mile and change it if we can It’s now and always (How did we get this far,did we get this far now) Always (We’re making a brand new start, just a brand new start now) Always (Nothing will hold me down, never hold me down now) Always (Wave goodbye to me!) Around the world 新しいことに(with the power to) Around the world 踏み出す力で(step forward to something new) Around the world 世界は変わる(I'll change the world) But don’t run away ’cause if it’s not OK! I’ll change that world Into something better honey!

9. Natalie Holmes - Hideout Zoro POV, Luffy brings light to all those around him, reawakens ppls dreams and leads his crew in to a beautiful inspiring new life :') ... Under the stars, out in the elements If there's no room, there are no elephants When you speak the waves are radiant You've got a face that softens every muscle in my body I’ve never needed all these things to feel whole Something familiar in the love that you provide (And now) I’ve got an empty hideout cause I don't need to hide now The wind can blow out the candle, cause I'm certain I can't fall You've got a face that softens All of the glass I’ve trodden Now I’ve got an empty hideout I don’t need to hide now I don’t need to Something in your love makes everything light up We don’t say a word although we want to Your heart was on the line now suddenly it’s mine There’s something in your love Something in your love Something in your love, in you love

10. Daft Punk - Digital Love just vibes. dreaming. dancing together. having fun. ... Last night I had a dream about you In this dream I'm dancing right beside you And it looked like everyone was having fun The kind of feeling I've waited so long Don't stop, come a little closer As we jam the rhythm gets stronger There's nothing wrong with just a little little fun We were dancing all night long The time is right to put my arms around you You're feeling right, you wrap your arms around too But suddenly I feel the shining sun Before I knew it this dream was all gone Ooh, I don't know what to do About this dream and you I wish this dream comes true Ooh, I don't know what to do About this dream and you We'll make this dream come true Why don't you play the game? Why don't you play the game?

11. Mitski - Stay Soft Mostly just like the bridge "open up your heart like the gates of helllll". But feels more like Zoro POV (thirsty). And touches a little the communication issues these two have ... Fury, pure and silver You grip it tight inside Like a knife, it glints in your eye It's why I've arrived, your sex god Here to take you where You need to go, to where the dark remembers you Open up your heart Like the gates of Hell // I am facedown on my bed Still not quite awake yet Thinking of you, I tuck my hand under my weight Just tell me what you want to do Tell me what you want to burn away 'Cause I could be your stoker

12. Air Traffic Controller - You Know Me Mixed POV. You know me! Perfectly in tune. ... You know me You know everything about me now My heart is in your hands, and you know you could break it But wouldn't you rather make me sing like this? You know me I try to find some good in everything Since you came along, somehow this got easy 'Cause all you wanna do is please me, my love This could be a roller coaster But we're gonna make the most of it Whether on top, or we're going down, you know me You know me (I know you) And how I get when I'm uncomfortable If I'm too hot, or cold Tired, bored, or hungry I'm fine when you're around me, boy And you know me I've never been on time for anything I do apologize, I know it's such a bother I promise to try harder for you, girl, oh I will

13. The Orion Experience - Honeysuckle Kisses Luffy POV. Desires filed away in a very Luffy way "All I want is all my wishes, and I've love to have your honeysuckle kisses". Romance as an afterthought to the great big adventure. ... They say we're crazy, completely insane I don't give a damn, I think we're fascinating We keep it moving and riding this train They can stop and stare But I don't care Oh, they just can't see who we are You and I, yeah We belong to the stars No matter how they try They won't tear us apart All I want is all my wishes And I'd love to have your honeysuckle kisses All I need to fulfill my bliss is Is your honeysuckle, honeysuckle kisses That's what I want

14. The Happy Fits - Around and Around Zoro POV, Pre-relationship, unsure about what's happening due to poor communication. Things are coming to a boiling point. And also "I could see the world with you" - be by your side forever, go on adventures. Do you want that? Do I? Will you have me? ... I don't know what I'm seeing, when the world keeps spinning around my eyes I think I lost my meaning Just another day to survive And I can't keep thinking about it, keep thinking about it Can't be still anymore No, there's nothing so simple about it, nothing simple about it Can't be still anymore I can't be still anymore I can't be still anymore I'll go 'round and around Go 'round and around with you No, don't slow me down No, don't slow me down, will you? And I could see the world with you And I could see the world with you

15. Paramore - Proof Mixed POV, during timeskip. They're apart. Missing eachother. Believe in you, ride or die. So strong! They'll meet up again, even stronger than before. ... It's really hard I can't cry in your arms 'cause you're not here It's not your fault, and if it was, I wouldn't care My heart is bigger than the distance in between us I know it 'cause I feel it beating So strong, it'll knock you down So strong, so strong Over here I can count the miles away from where I wanna be I bet your skin is warm and that you're smiling Yeah, that's what I always loved the most about you So strong, come and knock me down Hey! Baby, if I'm half the man I say I am If I'm a woman with no fear just like I claim I am Then I'll believe in what you say There's nothing left for you to do The only proof that I need is you

16. Utada Hikaru - Chikai (aka zolu "wedding" song. Primarily Zoro POV, making oaths, matching rings, liking someone so much it makes you feel uncool, waaaaaaauughhhhghgh😭) ... I don’t know about fate But this time I have to accept that it exists // Today is a day without lies It's a perfect day for making an eternal vow Don't need pretty flowers or witnesses Let’s wear rings of the same color // What I say now isn't borrowed words It’s not a promise, it’s an oath I can’t go back to being a liar Let’s wear rings the color of the morning sun Let’s dance with our hearts pounding Let’s celebrate being alive in this moment // Kiss me once, kiss me twice Give yourself to me Let’s listen to sound of the sun rising, side by side Let’s swear to live our lives together

17. Best Coast - When I'm with You Mixed POV ... The world is lazy But you and me We're just crazy So, when I'm with you, I have fun Yeah, when I'm with you, I have fun // I hate sleeping alone

18. Gerard Way - No Shows Pre-relationship. Not wanting to be tied down, but also being drawn in to it anyway, idk. ... Been weeks I been living And your smiles are giving me All types of treble Weak knees I been given And those nights are making me Star-struck and metal Stay free, don't go 'Cause we don't need no Try to be living as your vice And can you be my type? 'Cause we need to be given a good life And can I be your type of metal? Stay free, don't go 'Cause we don't need no shows

19. VUKOVI - Colour Me In Mixed POV - Follow you anywhere, die for you, we're one together (you're mine you're mine you're mine!) ... All I am And even more I'll give it to you Couldn't count All the ways That I'd die for you We are one We are whole And I'll go with you Breathing out, breathing in And I loved you again // Where you go, oh, I'll follow Through our bodies in the dark We want it and it's perfect With you in my arms Where you go, oh, I'll follow Through our bodies in the dark You're mine You're mine You're mine Mine

20. Opus Orange - It's What I Do Mixed POV - just vibes. I feel like it describes them but can't explain it ... every time you look for me you know i think i might disappear every time i look for you i know the bright lights interfere ‘cause i’m not the kind that’s so easy to find when you’re looking for me you’re not the kind with the salt water eyes at the bottom of the sea so take my hand we are the blind leading the blind no i don’t have a plan so let’s go where the sea meets the sky now we're gonna float away everything i want to say to you gets washed away downstream everything i want to give to you is a shade of blue or green i’m not the kind to draw straight lines in the desert sand you’re not the kind with peace of mind and a gun in your hand

21. Illuminati Hotties - Toasting Primarily Luffy POV. Just vibes. Short and sweet, flippant and reckless. They cause descruction and just laugh it off, and move on. ... Toasting a Pop-Tart And thinking of you There's a lot I'd rather do Instead I'm biting my lip And I'm biting yours too 'Til the blood tastes like chocolate goo Our bodies Are twirling The kitchen is burning When we both choke down the ashes You mention you're bored I guess I could've toasted more

22. The Happy Fits - Sweet Things Mixed POV after the end of their journey, pirate king and worlds greatests swordsman continue sailing together forever ... So tell me three things, three words that you know about me I'll say, I'll say "won't you come with me, baby?" Nothing lasts forever It's only now or never Tell me sweet things, sweet things that you know about me I'll say, I'll say "won't you bury me, baby? Underneath our loving forever" Don't you take me, take me all the way and then erase me I could be the one if you stay here Underneath our loving forever So take me home Well you say that nothing matters Well you said that nothing mattered except when I'm here with you Does it feel right? (Does it feel right?)

23. The Black Keys - Go Narrator POV - The two boys growing old sailing together ... There comes a time, two hearts of gold Leave together, run forever on the open road They gotta go oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh They gotta go oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh In the winter time, when the day is long You're halfway there, the field is bare And the fire is gone Are you all alone? Are you feeling cold? Find your flame, call her name, and hit the road

24. PUFFY - Love so Pure Mixed POV - love so sure. two people perfectly suited for eachother from the start. mutual trust. soulmates. :) ... I was his from the momentthe we first met From our solo to duet, it took no time Call it fate Or just two hearts magnetized But I never felt so high Since he's been all mine We've got a love so pure, yes a love so sure The kind of love you hold so tight We've got a love so pure, yes a Love so sure The kind of love that lasts a girl for life! With a kiss I can't resist on turn away All I want is him to stay, it's paradise With out a word Nothing heard me say so much With a look or silent touch I know we'll bе all right

25. Tegan and Sara - BWU Mixed POV - don't need to follow conventions to prove their love. ... I love you I don't need a ring to Prove that you're worthy You're under my skin It's easy I don't need a lock to Prove that you trust me I walk the walk To be with you Just to be with you Oh, to be with you Just to be with you Save your first and last dance for me I don't need a white wedding Save your first and last born for me We don't need a white wedding All the girls I loved before Told me they signed up for more Save your first and last chance for me 'Cause I don't want a white wedding

26. IRONTOM - Partners Just what it says on the tin. They're partners. lol ... Partners, we're partners We're partners, we're partners

27. Ashley Eriksson - Arguably Mixed POV - idk, vibes ... Sometimes I wish I was talkin' to you 'Cause you know everybody that I do You would hear my story, and you would agree We are always right on, you and me And you can always count on my company On and on and on, endlessly We're all loving creatures of the same decree But we've got one up on them don't we? Don't we? Arguably, don't we?

28. Animal Collective - The Purple Bottle Luffy POV. Frantic. Explosive big feelings. Can't stop talking --about Zoro to other people, and to Zoro about anything (sometimes i'm talkitive and you're not talkitive, I know...). And idk, the vibes. "purple" as a metaphor for sensuality, feels playful and lovely. But the end of this song really drags on so it's at the end of the playlist lol. ... I've gotta big big big heart beat, yeah! I think you are the sweetest thing I wear a coat of feelings and they are loud I've been having good days Think we are the right age to start our own peculiar ways? With good friendly homes // Sometimes you're quiet and sometimes I'm quiet, (Hallelujah!) Sometimes I'm talkative and sometimes you're not talkative, I know // And my dear dear dear Khalana I talk too much about you Their ears are getting tired of me singing all the night through Lets just talk together You and me and me and you And if there's nothing much to say Well, silence is a bore. // Can I tell you that you are the purple in me? Can I call you just to hear you would you care? When I saw you put your purple finger on me There's a feeling in your bottle Found your bottle, found your heart Gives a feeling from your bottled little part

------

Aaaand that's all of it! Thanks for reading :)

[alumikyo]

The Fear of the Past

Yandere! Barry Allen x reader

Chapter 1

The bustling city of Central City woke up to another ordinary morning. Among the crowd, Barry Allen, the enigmatic speedster known as the Flash, made his way to the small café he frequented before work. His eyes scanned the room until they settled on a particular worker. She was [Y/N], a gentle soul who went about her daily tasks with grace, oblivious to the intense gaze fixed upon her.

Barry's eyes fixated on [Y/N] as she gracefully moved behind the counter, unaware of the hidden depths of his affection. Every day, he visited the café, fueled not only by the need for his favourite sandwich but by the burning desire to be near [Y/N]. The sweet scent of her presence, her delicate gestures, and the softness of her voice intoxicated him like a drug.

Today, Barry felt a surge of courage, his heart pounding with the intensity of his emotions. He couldn't bear the thought of letting [Y/N] slip away without knowing the depths of his love. He approached the counter with shaky steps, his voice barely a whisper.

"Good morning, [Y/N]," Barry stammered, his voice trembling with a mixture of nervousness and longing. "I... um, wanted to tell you something. Something important."

[Y/N] glanced up from her task, the brightness of her smile dimming ever so slightly as she caught a glimpse of the intensity in Barry's gaze. A sense of unease fluttered in her chest, but she maintained her polite demeanour.

"Sure, Barry. What's on your mind?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible above the bustling café.

Barry took a deep breath, his words spilling out in a rush. "I've... I've been coming here for a long time, you know? And every time I see you, my heart races. You're so perfect, so beautiful. I can't help but be drawn to you, [Y/N]."

[Y/N]'s eyes widened, a flicker of concern crossing her face. She took a step back, instinctively creating a bit of distance between them. "Barry, I appreciate your kind words, but... I think you're misunderstanding our relationship. We're friends, right? Just acquaintances."

Barry's eyes darkened, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "No, [Y/N], it's more than that. Can't you see? I've watched you from afar, admired you silently. But now, I can't hold it in any longer. I need you, [Y/N]. You have to be mine."

[Y/N]'s expression shifted from concern to genuine fear as she took another step back, her voice trembling. "Barry, you're scaring me..."

A twisted smile spread across Barry's face, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "Oh, [Y/N], you'll learn to love me. I'll make sure of it. No one else can have you. We're meant to be together, forever."

[Y/N]'s heart raced with fear as she darted a glance towards the exit, contemplating her escape from this unsettling encounter. The look of distress on her face finally pierced through Barry's infatuated haze. He saw the fear in her eyes, the way her body tensed, and realized the gravity of his actions.

Barry's voice cracked as he desperately tried to regain his composure. "Wait, [Y/N], I... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I let my emotions get the best of me. Please, forgive me."

[Y/N] hesitated, her hand resting on the door handle, ready to make her escape. She noticed the genuine remorse in Barry's eyes, the remorse of a man who had lost control and now regretted his actions. Her mind raced with a flood of memories. In that moment of panic, a vivid flashback of the first time she had encountered Barry at the café resurfaced, offering a glimpse into the innocent beginnings of their relationship.

In the flashback, [Y/N] stood behind the counter, preparing Barry's regular breakfast sandwich. He would enter the café with a slight awkwardness, a nervousness that hinted at vulnerability. Their initial encounters were filled with light-hearted conversations about their favorite movies, hobbies, and even occasional jokes that made [Y/N] laugh.

Barry, though slightly peculiar, had always displayed a sense of kindness and an endearing quirkiness that had drawn [Y/N] closer. They had slowly built a friendship over countless mornings, their shared moments creating an illusion of familiarity.

"I'm telling you, [Y/N], time travel is mind-boggling! Imagine being able to go back and change things, fix mistakes," Barry had said one morning, his eyes shining with excitement.

[Y/N] had giggled, finding his enthusiasm contagious. "Barry, that's like something out of a sci-fi movie! But it would be incredible to witness historical events firsthand."

Their conversations had always been lighthearted, tinged with Barry's idiosyncrasies. He was slightly awkward, yet endearing in his own way. And in those innocent moments, [Y/N] had seen no trace of the darkness that now consumed him.

As [Y/N] snapped back to reality, fear and confusion washed over her. [Y/N] mustered up the courage to face Barry, her eyes meeting his as she assessed his sincerity. She sensed his genuine remorse and recognized that his intentions might have been driven by misguided emotions rather than ill intent. Despite her initial fear, she found it in her heart to forgive him.

"It's... It's okay, Barry," she responded, her voice trembling slightly. "I forgive you. I just felt a bit... overwhelmed, that's all. Let's just move past this, alright?"

Barry's heart skipped a beat as [Y/N] forgave him. Deep down, he knew he had pushed the boundaries, intentionally letting his infatuation get the best of him. But he couldn't help but feel a twisted satisfaction at how easily [Y/N] forgave him. It was as if she was always ready to put others' needs before her own, including his.

The next day, [Y/N] couldn't shake off the fear that had taken root in her heart. She entered the café with caution, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Barry's presence. Every customer became a potential threat, and she was on high alert.

When the time neared for Barry's usual entrance, [Y/N] swiftly retreated to the backroom, leaving someone else to handle her job until he left. She couldn't risk encountering him again, not after the darkness that had consumed him.

As [Y/N] took refuge in the safety of the backroom, her pulse gradually slowed, and she dared to hope that perhaps Barry would finally let her be. Little did she know that his calm demeanor concealed a storm of rage and obsession brewing within him. Doubts began to creep into his mind. He realized that his emotional outburst had made him suspicious in [Y/N]'s eyes, potentially damaging his chances of winning her over. Panic surged through him as he frantically contemplated what to do next.

In a moment of desperation, an idea struck Barry. What if he could go back and change the events that had unfolded just moments ago? It had worked before when he tried to save his mother, so why not now? After all, how much could the timeline change when he was only going back a day or two?

With a surge of determination, Barry quickly retreated to the café's washroom. Within the confined space, he shed his suit in a flash of lightning, moving too quickly for anyone to notice. He sprinted with unparalleled speed, initiating the time-travel process.

As Barry reached the desired point in the past, he found himself facing his past self, the version of him who was about to reveal his emotions to [Y/N]. Without wasting a second, Barry explained the situation, emphasizing the need to maintain composure.

"Hey Barry... uh, hey me... or, um... hey, past Barry?... Me from the past?" he stumbled over his words, his explanation oozing with confusion and awkwardness. "You see, it's a total brain-bender. Don’t- DO NOT reveal your feelings just yet. I mean, it's like tampering with the space-time continuum, and trust me, it's bad. I totally messed up, and now I've, like, zoomed back to sort things out. Look- it's super complicated, but you gotta keep a lid on it."

The Barry from the past blinked, trying to decipher the jumble of words his future self had thrown at him. His brow furrowed with a mix of bewilderment and comprehension as he grasped the weight of the situation. Gratitude seeped into his voice as he said, "I... I get it. Thanks…?"

With their awkward conversation behind them, both Barrys shared a brief moment of nerdy camaraderie, united by the complexity of their predicament. They understood the need for careful manipulation of their own actions to ensure the desired outcome with [Y/N].

Returning to the present, Barry found himself standing in front of [Y/N] once again, who continued preparing his sandwich without a hint of fear in her eyes. It was a sign that his intervention had successfully changed the past, erasing the effects of his emotional outburst.

Relief washed over Barry as he observed [Y/N]'s calmness, reassured that he still had a chance to manipulate her emotions and gain her trust. The darkness within him surged, fueled by the satisfaction of his successful alteration.

With a composed smile, Barry approached [Y/N], his voice filled with false gratitude. "Thank you, [Y/N]," he said, masking his true intentions. "I really appreciate your understanding. It means a lot to me."

Deep down, he relished the power he held over her, knowing that he could continue his manipulative pursuit without consequences. Barry was determined to exploit [Y/N]'s forgiving nature, using it to establish a connection that extended far beyond friendship. Little did she know the twisted depths of his obsession concealed beneath his charming facade.

As [Y/N] turned to attend to the next customer, Barry's gaze followed her, his mind already plotting their next encounter. He couldn't wait to be by her side once again, basking in her forgiving nature and slowly tightening his grip around her fragile heart. His voice, when he spoke, held an eerie calmness, belying the storm of emotions swirling within him. "It seems she still needs time," he muttered to himself. "I must be patient, make her trust me again."

As Barry continued with his routine, his mind raced with thoughts of his recent actions. He chastised himself for being too hasty, for scaring [Y/N] with his intense emotions. He should have taken a more measured approach, slowly luring her into his web of obsession. But there was no turning back now. He had to devise a plan that would make her depend on him, erasing the memory of his unsettling behavior.

Days turned into weeks, and Barry meticulously carried out his plan, carefully orchestrating the staged attack on the café. His panic and self-doubt transformed into a cold determination. He knew this was the perfect opportunity to portray himself as [Y/N]'s savior, to establish a sense of reliance and gratitude.

[calbeloved]

Trans Kaiser fic that didn't quite work out is officialy done!! It's just a little short one shot about apple slices and a boy missing his dad... full fic under the cut too :3

He likes apples, but only when his dad makes them. He cuts them into thin slices and leaves the skin on. “The vitamins are right under it,” he explained one day; “And those make you strong.” He doesn't doubt that. Dad is big, way bigger than anyone else and he can pick up and sometimes throw him up high into the air. (Even when Mom is angry and they argue over it when he's supposed to be asleep. When they argue over him.) He wants to be exactly like that one day.

Mom always cuts them too thick and cuts the skin off. “I read in this one book that said little kids like you shouldn't eat those yet. And you're my little baby, no?” And then she messes up his hair and kisses his forehead even as he whines in protest- but he'll eat those slices too, even if he complains.

But.

Dad is away today. Has been, for a couple of days now.

Usually, Mom wakes him up and they both go into the kitchen where Dad is cooking breakfast; something with a weird name that he can't say right yet. (It always makes Dad smile though, so he never stops trying.)

Today is not like that. Dad is away, again. Mom has to cook more often nowadays, so maybe that's why she looks so stressed.

He looks at her for a long moment before returning his gaze to the TV. Licks his lips and takes another bite of the sandwich, setting it back down on the plate after.

He chews first before speaking. Manners. “When is Dad coming home?”

Mom doesn't answer. She stares at her phone instead, her eyebrows furrowed. Her forehead is resting on her hands and she's breathing loudly, so loud that he can hear it over the cartoon playing.

“Mom?”

She straightens up suddenly, wide eyes staring right at him, nose scrunched up. “What do you-” And then she falls silent, angry voice and a start of a sentence in a language he can't understand disappearing. Her lips tremble slightly, but a smile appears on them nonetheless. “Sorry, baby girl. Mommy hasn't slept well. What were you asking?”

“Um,” he shifts on the couch slightly. “When is Dad coming back?”

Mom's smile falters. She swallows and there's a pause, and then she huffs out a laugh.

“What, is mom not enough for you now?” She stands up from her chair and sits down on the sofa next to him. “I thought we were having fun today! Don't tell me you want to play superheros again.”

He does. Dad always hums this one song under his breath and throws him up into the air and says he's flying. And when Mom isn't looking, they can turn on TV and watch real superheros. It's fun. Dad doesn't even turn it off when they fight, not like Mom does.

“I want to play with you,” he says instead, because he does.

Mom presses a kiss to the top of his head. She smiles at him and stands up. “Okay. We'll play. But first, you have to eat your breakfast. You're still growing, Andréia!”

He nods in response, a smile of his own growing on his face. Grabbing the sandwich again, he directs his gaze at the TV, and away from his Mother. He doesn't catch the way her smile fades the second he looks away.

They play with dolls after he finishes eating and gets dressed. The dress he has on is light, a perfect fit for the hot weather today. It's yellow, the same colour as his favourite doll's hair.

In the bowl sitting next to them is a mixture of fruits; grapes, apples and oranges. They're not cut quite how he likes them, but he hasn't complained. He doesn't want to make Mom feel bad. Cutting things with a knife is hard, something he still can't do even when Dad is helping him.

“Andréia?”

His gaze goes back to Mom, focusing on her again.

“Are you tired?”

He doesn't answer. Instead, he gets a grape out of the bowl and pops it into his mouth. Shakes his head.

Mom smiles softly, placing Laya on the floor. He stares at the doll; at how her orange hair tangles and unnaturally forms a weird shape. It doesn't look good. Maybe he should cut it. But Mom will get angry if he ruins another toy again…

“It's okay if you are. You can still take a nap, you know. It's not just for little girls.”

He doesn't want a nap. He wants…

His hand finds the bowl again. This time, he grabs an apple slice. It's wrong. He eats it anyway.

He wants his apple slices cut right. He wants to play superheros again. He wants Dad.

“When is Dad coming home?” He asks so quietly that he can barely hear himself. Mom stares at him for a long moment.

“...Soon. You know he has work, baby.”

He looks away, thinking. Soon. When is soon?

“...Can we watch his movie, then?”

The movies Dad plays in are always different, and he himself always looks different. Not like... himself. Mom says he's dressing up like other actors who are afraid to do scary stuff, like jumping from a high building on set. He thinks it's stupid. Dad is cool and should have his own movies made specifically about him. And their family, too.

But above all, he has a favourite movie Dad is in, one where he can instantly recognise if it's him or another actor on the screen. ‘Dad's’ movie.

“Of course, honey,” Mom says weakly and smiles. “Bring your fruit with you.”

He will. He has to get big and strong somehow, if he wants to be like Dad.

[trohpi]

pandorcas microfic [cross-posted on ao3]

@marauders-rarepair-fics • june 7: go • 851 words

“Mama, why is Mummy sick?” A small voice asks over the sound of retching. Dorcas, who had been putting all her attention on Pandora, whips around in surprise. Standing in the bathroom doorway is their daughter, Luna. She has the cutest little furrow in her brow as she watches the scene before her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Dorcas opens her mouth to answer right when Pandora lurches forward again, gagging into the toilet. She quickly focuses back on her wife, smoothing her hair away from her sweaty forehead.

“Not now, love,” Dorcas says distractedly. “Go and finish your breakfast.”

“Is she dying?” Luna asks innocently. Dorcas falters while Pandora, still hunched over the toilet, begins to shake with laughter.

Following the untimely demise of the pet puffskein Luna had received for her third birthday, they had tentatively attempted to explain the concept of death. Being only four, she still doesn’t quite understand it, but the conversation had sparked a natural curiosity that led to her favourite question to ask: Is so-and-so dying?

“No, Mummy is fine,” She says hesitantly after a moment. Pandora starts to laugh even harder, though that is quickly cut short by a groan as her face goes a sickly green.

“Alright, darling?” Dorcas murmurs, gently tucking a stray blonde curl behind her ear. The other woman hums and closes her eyes, leaning her head into her touch.

“Don’t know how you managed this shite for nine months,” Pandora says in a hush, mindful of the little ears in the room.

“Luckily, I had you to keep me sane.”

“Keep you sane for what?” Luna asks, and Dorcas shoots Pandora a conflicted look. They still haven’t told her of the pregnancy, mostly because they can never find the right time. But really, is there ever a right time to tell someone they’re about to get a little sibling? Dorcas isn’t sure.

Sensing her wife’s hesitance, Pandora hums. “Go on, Doe. You can tell her.”

“Tell me what?” Luna asks, her curiosity seemingly never-ending. Dorcas huffs out a fond laugh at the barrage of questions and relaxes.

“C’mere, love,” she says, beckoning her daughter. Luna obediently crawls into her lap, sitting so she is sandwiched between her mothers.

Dorcas smoothes a hand over Luna’s blonde braids, a colour she specifically requested to ‘match with Mummy.’ “You know how before you were born, you were in my tummy?”

“Uh-huh. And your tummy was big and round, like in the picture on the fireplace,” she nods solemnly and Dorcas chuckles.

“That’s right. Well, right now, Mummy has a baby growing in her tummy, just like when you were growing in mine.”

Luna giggles. “Stop lying, Mama. Her tummy isn’t big and round at all.”

“You’re right, you’re so smart,” Pandora says, turning to smack a tired kiss on the top of her head. “That’s because the baby is very small right now. It’s too small to see from the outside.”

Luna leans over to look at her mother’s flat stomach in suspicion.

“There’s really a baby in there?”

“Mhm, and you’re going to have a new little brother or sister.”

“Really? Like Harry and Neela?” she asks, thinking of her friend and his two year old sister.

“Exactly like Harry and Neela.”

She is quiet for a moment as she processes with a small frown. “…If you are sick, then is the baby sick too?

Dorcas hugs her just a bit tighter at that, her heart aching. Luna really is one of the most considerate and thoughtful children she’s ever met, no matter how biassed she may be.

“No, love, don’t worry. The baby isn’t sick and neither is Mummy, she’s just a bit poorly because of the baby.”

“The baby is making her throw up?” Luna frowns, shuffling on her lap. “That’s not very nice. I don’t like this baby.”

Dorcas hides a smile in her daughter’s hair while Pandora stifles a giggle.

“The baby isn’t doing it on purpose, Luna. It happens to everyone with a baby in their tummy.”

Luna seems to think about this for a second before her eyes widen in horror. She whips around to face Dorcas urgently. “Did I make you throw up when I was in your tummy, Mama?”

“Only just a bit,” she lies reassuringly. In truth, her morning sickness had been absolutely atrocious the entire pregnancy. She vividly remembers being unable to keep anything down except crackers and, oddly enough, Dirigible Plums. The toll it took on her is partly the reason that Pandora volunteered to carry their second child, and she couldn’t be more grateful for the wonder that is her wife.

Luna deflates in relief. “Good.”

“Go finish your breakfast, little miss,” she laughs softly. Pandora groans at the mention of food and Dorcas sends her an apologetic look.

“Okay,” Luna sighs, crawling out of her lap. She turns to them before she leaves and says earnestly, “I’m happy you’re not dying, Mummy.”

Pandora lets out a half-hysterical laugh and says, “I’m happy I’m not dying, either. Now, please go so Mummy can throw up in peace.”

[sword-symphonia]

non persona post?? My word she's gone mad (SPIRITFARER REVIEW WAOW!!!!) (Very long, I'm sorry) (But not really)

This review discusses themes of death, loss and terminal illness, as well as containing language. I swear a fair bit. Sorry, I typed everything as I thought of it, bad words 'n all.

Good afternoon,(it is 9PM in Ireland) fellas! Welcome to: SPIRITFARER- REVIEWED BY A TEENAGE GIRL WHO IS VERY NORMAL ABOUT HER INTERESTS!! Move over, IGN- it's the weird little guy in the corner (me)'s time to shine! I simply word-vomited this so unfortunately this review is very unprofessionally worded- however, I have faith it will be a fun read. I hope. Also, it's mostly spoiler free! ...I hope! I'm sorry!

So! Hi. I'm Luca. I have crippling thanatophobia. What's that? A phobia of death. And what's Spiritfarer about? Oh, baby. You aren't gonna fuckin' believe this! And, would you believe it, this game... actually helped me with that fear!

Currently, I'm only nine hours in, but. Well basically the damage is irreparable and I fear I shall never be the same again. Now, luckily, I have not cried. Yet. But I will! Oh, BABY I will!!! I have gotten five spirits so far (I'm coming for you, Gustav/threat) and have already had my first trip through the Everdoor. I wasn't ready. Come back, my dear. Please.

Spiritfarer is a game I've wanted to play for quite a long time, so to have been able to buy it about a month ago was one of the most exciting parts of my year so far. No, really! I was HYPED! HELL YEAH, THIS HAS BEEN ON MY WISHLIST FOR AGES! That kind of feeling. And then I started playing, and... hooooly shit. Guys. Dudes. Bros. What the hell. The VISUALS. WOW. W-O-W WOW!!! HOLY BALLS!!!

Look at this. Witness it with your eyes.

Bloody breathtakin'. I'm in tears. The game is absolutely chock-full of colourful (and not so colourful) locations, characters, landscapes... god, I'm so unwell about the visuals. And the ANIMATION!! AUGH! Every character has unique animations that just... oh they illustrate their characters so well. Augh...

Atul is nearly always happy, bouncy and smiley in his animations- a reflection of who he is!! One of his happiness perks is playing joyful music! He is literally just a guy! And Alice! Alice is a kindly old lady, and this is reflected in her design and personality- one of her animations involves dusting herself off, and I just think it gives the perfect image of a sweet elderly woman simply making herself more presentable. Also, she calls you dearie. What if I started bawling? What if I threw myself on the ground roaring and wailing?

Another favourite of mine is Astrid. She's also a kindly old lady- but with sass. Alice is an absolute sweetheart, but Astrid? Astrid won't say no to a cheeky bit of gossip now and then...but shh don't tell anyone gossip is bad shhh HEY WANNA KNOW ASTRID'S NICKNAME FOR STELLA??? Munchkin. What the hell. I love that nickname. Wish I had an adoptive granny that would call me Munchkin. Astrid, my most dearest darling, how I adore you. AND she's pro worker's rights- damn, what a woman. Also, her eating animation is funny. Absolutely DECIMATES a sandwich, so she does.

Tragically I will shut my yap about the characters now as there are quite a few of them and unfortunately I cannot put anyone through that (but know that Gustav and Daria also make me insane), so let's move on, eh? Who fancies a bitta tunes? I sure as hell know I do! LISTEN TO THAT! RAAAAAGHHH!!!! The music isn't a massive part of the game, per se- but it doesn't have to be! The music, of course, adds a pleasant ambience as you play- but it's not in your face! It's a nice, calm, beautifully composed soundtrack, with a special, unique little tune for every minigame. While I have no musical bone in my body personally, I am something of a- how do you say eloquently- whore for a good soundtrack. I love music, I love creativity!! Hooray!!

I actually don't have much to say on the music, but know that I do love it! But, I really really really want to talk about the themes of Spiritfarer... like, really bad.

Okay, so... I'm actually going to get into personal territory here, and it's going to get a bit heavy. If you'd prefer to skip over that, then please, by all means, feel free to skip down until you see red text.

So, there's another reason this game is so dear to me. And that reason is the fact that Spiritfarer actually helps me to process my own grief. While it didn't come out until four years after the loss of my older brother... it helps. And if nine-year-old me had had Spiritfarer at that age, I feel like she would have been able to cope better. I was unlucky- my brother passed away at 1AM, while I was asleep. To this day, I regret not being able to say goodbye... but Spiritfarer illustrates this in a poignant way- sometimes, we won't be able to say goodbye, wether due to extraordinary circumstances or simply... not realising how little time you really have left with someone. This brings me to the spirit I actually look forward to the least- not for any fault of his character, but simply what he symbolises to me.

I find myself dreading meeting Stanley later on in the game. Stanley, the youngest spirit you can meet within the game, is a lovely little boy of eight, taking on the appearance of a little mushroom creature. Nothing is wrong with Stanley, but... it's important to remember that every spirit is... well, a spirit. Someone who's died. And given Stanley is only a small child, it hits that bit closer to home. He is younger than my brother was upon his death, but he was still a child. While it isn't specified what illness it was that Stanley died from, I still see a lot of my brother in him. Spiritfarer does help me and bring me comfort, but at the same time, I'm not sure I'm ready to meet a character so close to my own experiences. The fact Stanley always seems so chipper and smiley despite his difficulties... does not help. Bit too similar, you know?

My relationship with Stanley is an odd one. I don't dislike him- absolutely not, far from it- I dislike the fact his character, a little boy, has to exist. I dislike that children like him exist in real life, and the fact I've met so many of them. It's a hard truth to swallow, and not one I'm fully prepared to deal with.

OVERALL:

I think this game can be enjoyed by everyone, even if you've never experienced grief. It's a beautiful story, and its gorgeous visual charm and cozy mechanics have something for everyone. You can fish, mine, cook, craft, and basically everything in between! Also, there is a hug button. You can hug people. Game of the decade. I love hugs! It's so... god. I just... really like the hug button, man. Oh, and did I mention you can play co-op?! If you have a friend you'd like to play with, they can join the fun as Daffodil, Stella's beloved pet cat! Look at him, isn't he gorgeous!!

So, would I reccomend Spiritfarer? Short answer:

Yes.

Long answer: Yes, absolutely. It's an absolutely wonderful cozy game, with tons to do. There's no voice acting, but I don't think this game needs it- it tells an absolutely wonderful tale without it. Each character has a distinct personality and quirks- Summer is vegan and will adjust her diet as such, while Atul will quite literally eat anything you throw at him. Giovanni is brash, confident, and enjoys the finer things in life, whereas Astrid likes things plain and simple. And Daria? Daria just really likes fruit.

If you have an interest in Spiritfarer, I highly encourage you to check it out. It's available on a number of platforms (Playstation, Steam, even on mobile- although that's through Netflix, and also not very good. In my opinion, anyway.) I highly, highly, highly reccomend it to all cosy gams enjoyers, or even just people who like games in general. There's even little bits of platforming here and there, if you're into that! Do you yearn for the mines? How about becoming a woodcutter? Or maybe you just really like smelting. Well, excellent news- you can do all those things in Spiritfarer! The gameplay, music, visuals and most importantly of all, the story, make this game a highly worthwhile purchase in the long run. Chances are, if you like Stardew Valley, you'll like Spiritfarer.

Thunder Lotus Games has shattered my soul in ways I may never recover from- however, I am not upset about it. God, I bloody love Spiritfarer. This review took two and a half hours to type, I shit you not. God bless.

[centrally-unplanned]

Here is my Comiket haul, for those who may care!

Arranged on the apartment chabudai for maximum weeb vibes. I won't go through all of them, just note a few to showcase the diversity of things that were on offer. If there is one someone wants a deep dive on, let me know, happy to take photos!

First up, the centerfold star - A Bocchi/Shimo-Kitazawa Fan Celebration doujin in the shape of a vinyl record:

Its extremely adorable, these guys went all in. It comes in an album case with "tracks", the vinyl-shaped doujin has an A side and a B side with totally different content when flipped, and when you are reading it the text slowly rotates page by page as if you are "playing" the disc.

Some of it is the circle's thoughts on Bocchi, but more is about their love for the part of Tokyo that Bocchi takes place in, Shimo-Kitazawa, with sections on show-accurate locations and favourite cafes and stores. They even included a map with all of the spots they recommend you visit in the area!

This one is to me the most "magic of doujin": we all have favourite parts of our cities, and if we sat down could maybe make a map like this. But why would we do that? Who would care? The joint power of a locally-set anime & Comiket, however, makes that personal map into a piece of art people want to own. This piece is pure creativity & passion, and its very special for that - a symbol of doujinshi.

Also one of their members spoke fluent English and aggressively upsold foreigners at the event ^_^ Successfully so! Good job.

For something a little less high concept, this tiny artbook of Rin from Laid-Back Camp as Ghibli characters is adorable:

A smol kiki, too cute. And look at her as Nausicaa! Full blue and ready to kick ass.

Its like 5 pages and each page is a gem, great buy.

This next one is a genre of book I really love - the photography/anime composite book focusing on scene locations, starring our girl Haruhi Suzumiya:

I appreciate how much fun this one has with its concept, lots of cute drawings on the margins; and the photographs are not all Haruhi related, instead it is just the author's own journey put through a Haruhi lens. This book is another great example of how "transformative" these works are, breaking the bounds of their source material.

"Hey, its me!"

Okay, now for some extreme Ash-brand doujin - Flowers for Yamada-san, a history doujin about Hiroyoshi Yamada, also known by the name Koji Kawamoto, a manga & magazine editor who played an instrumental part of the lolicon boom of the 1980's:

He passed away this year, and so this doujin is a memorial to him, an accounting of his influence and role in early manga, a wider discussion of the lolicon boom in general, and its own creative work; sandwiched between essays are comic depictions of moments of his career done in a mimicry the classic loli/bishoujo early 80's style:

This will of course take some time to read - I am excited to dig into it. As I have mentioned before, I am toying with the idea of a deeper research project on the "lolicon boom"; its, for understandable reasons, extremely neglected in western discourse of the history of anime & manga. But that moral aversion doesn't change how instrumental this period was, so I think a lot of good work could be done documenting and explaining its place. This book was an amazing find to stumble upon, and the creators are extremely well-researched on this period.

Anyway this is probably long enough lol. I did find some ero-doujin as well of course, though very few - as I mentioned, Comiket was a warzone, and I did not 'prep' for that side of things. I laughed at the idea of people doing days of research to prep of their porn buying adventure - I was the fool, they the wise, you absolutely need to do that if that is your goal. It wasn't really mine but I respect it now for sure - and I actually found the Comiket experience sort of liberating on that front, I "get it" now in a way I didn't before.

This is of course a tiny sliver of the book buys from Japan - hopefully I can make a few posts about the rest soon.

[teddybeartoji]

mickey baby i hope you're doing so so well!! i'm here to be nosy in your inbox don't mind me!!!

what is miwa's favourite summer activity to do!! what are you and the silliest boy of all time (affectionate) getting up to!!

do you have any pinterest pins of how you imagine mihime to be like? i'm such a sucker for a princess/knight combo and i love the dynamic you've written in your selfship stat post

what is miromi's first date like? i'm giggling a little at the image of the two of you in the grocery store cleaning up your messes

sending allllll the kissies mwah mwah mwah

HII AGAINNN:3333333333 I NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT THESE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN DRIVING ME WILDDDDD LIKE OH MY GODDDD I LOVE THEM ALL SO FUCKING MUCH<33333333333

MIWA SUMMER ACTIVITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my god he loooves loves loves going to the beach!!!!!!!!!! i try not to complain over it being so fucking warm just bc i know he'll tease me for it lmao he'll wiggle his eyebrows at me and wink while flexing his biceps bc he thinks the mere idea of him being all sweaty and glorious in the sun is enough to join him every single time he wants to go (he is right) i think it's also very important to mention that he does a "slow motion" run every time we're there😭😭😭 baywatch style... (iwaizumi will throw a ball at his head)

oh and yes the other boys are always there too lmao i don't mind it though they're all so funny we get to bully oiks together:333333 during the car ride i'm always sandwiched between him and mattsun.. and oh my god they both take up so much space it's fucking ridiculous i'm just elbowing them for the entirety of the ride lmao ++ we actually go on little roadtrips all together a lot as well!!!!!!!

ANYWAY back on the beach they OBVIOUSLY play volleyball lmao ok so in the post i did say that the au would be where i play volleyball too buuuut in the original one i'm just some guy WHich means that oikawa gets to teach me . sighhhhhhh...... stands behind me and hold my hand together as he shows me how to receive a ball omfg he is very annoying (very hot) whispers into my ear and tries to play cool but if he's taking too long he's gonna be hit by another rogue ball hahsgdhgsahgdahgdhga he's actually such a fucking dork ro i love him so much

but yeah we hang out on the beach like a looot a lot we play ball and we go swimming. oh which reminds me that he's definitely a bit scared of cold water lmao so i have to drag him in every single time aaand i get to tease him too by splashing him mwahahahaha AAAND then we always go and buy smth good to eat after we're all done aand we both usually end up falling asleep on the car ride back home,, with my head on his shoulder and his head on mine it's pretty cute yes we do actually have a few pics like that too bc the other boys are sometimes okay with us being adorable:3333333333333333333

MIHIME ROYALTY AU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i think i will make a proper moodboard for us too now actually bc ooh my godddd i know the second row middle one isn't necessarily a knight/princess thing but it's so perfect for the bratty lil royalty that is my utahime🤭🤭🤭 BUT WAHHHH i love her so dearly she's a little clumsy and gets flustered so easily but still tries to act so tough it's sooooo fucking cute ohhh my goddddd

MIROMI FIRST DATE!!!!!!!!!!!! asghdhgdhgasghdghas the meet-ugly is so funny i love it,, after many times of bumping into each other he's the one to finally ask for my number!!!!!!!!! i think he's the type to blurt things out sometimes not in a bad way but he just want to get it out, he hates it when he starts to overthink anything even a little so he just goes for it. and that's exactly what happened here too. he was still in his suit, buying groceries for the night straight after work while i was there buying ramen lmao and so first we just saw each other in an isle and we made eye-contact and then looked away bc well . look the whole thing is a bit comedic at this point lmao

we somewhat try to avoid each other just for the sake of not making any more messes but in doing so we fail to check behind us and so we end up backing into each other anyway😭😭😭 and that's when he's just like fuck it . so he just apologizes while loosening his tie (😵‍💫) and is like "would you like to go and grab dinner with me?" and he catches me so off guard but he doesn't take it back either and he's so like . HOT? hsdahgghadghasga he's funny and handsome at the same time it takes me a second to really realize what he's asking of me but then i agree anyway bc why the fuck not yk? aaaaand so our first date takes place at like 9pm at some random fast food place where we stuff our faces with some noodles while getting to know each other. the connection is really good btw. like there isn't a single moment where it's awkward or anything we're constantly talking and laughing and we keep on sitting there even after we're done eating too. it feels very comfortable<3333 he compliments my smile and i tease him for being a lawyer lmao telling him that he's very Fancy but he obviously doesn't take it into heart and he just offers to show me his office some day to kind of prove me wrong hehehhee we exchange numbers and we keep in touch by sending each other pics of our cats and yeah it goes veeery very smoothly from there on out!!!!!

AANYWAYYYYY I LOOOOOVE THEM SOOO FUCKING MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! we're all silly together hehehhee oikawa my loserboyfriend and utahime my princess and hiromi my normal guy hgasghdghasghdahs WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN RO TALKING ABT THEM MADE ME SOOO SO FUCKING HAPPY!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN FIVE MINUTES THE SUN WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOU SO PLEASE LMK WHEN IT ARRIVES:3333333333333

[keaalu]

WIP - ‘Kestrel Kestrel’

So apparently “WIP Wednesday” is a thing? Like I need any excuses to dump incomplete ficbits on the internet.

----

Still feeling sore and muzzy, with 55 lurking quietly next to her, monitoring her vital signs, she’d only been human again for thirty seven minutes but Kate was already on her third plate of sandwiches, crunching her way through Spacehawk’s entire stock of crispy snacks. 101 looked alarmed by how quickly his inventory was dropping but wasn’t hesitating at bringing more when she looked at him in a specific way.

“Growing a whole new skeleton really takes it out of you,” she said, accepting the offering when the zeroid trundled over pushing yet another packet of crisps towards her.

“That’s our last pack of those,” 101 informed her, trying but not quite able to keep all the reproach from his tone. “So if you need anything else you’ll need to pick something different. Like broccoli.”

“Sorry, hon.” She suspected it had probably been Hiro’s favourites she’d been happily munching her way through, if the zeroid’s manner was anything to go by. “I’ll send some more up on your next supply run.”

He chirped an acknowledgement and seemed mollified, for the moment.

“I guess it must have felt a bit like this when you got your body back after Zelda turned you into a cube, huh?” she wondered.

“Oh I don’t think my experience was anywhere near as bad as yours, ma’am,” he demurred. “Mine was more like… maybe just a very unflattering new set of clothes.”

Kate patted him on the head, anyway. “I bet it still sucked. And at least you weren’t a were-cube,” she joked, and winced.

“And it didn’t involve a trash compactor,” he agreed, and gave her fingers a bump. “Would you like a coffee? I just heard it finish brewing.”

“That would be amazing. Thank you.”

He squeaked another little nonverbal agreement, and rolled away to get it. (She wondered if she could get away with asking for more sandwiches when he came back.)

“Tea? Oh, yes please,” she heard Hiro say, and looked up to find the lieutenant in the doorway.

“I ate all your chips, so I think I’m in trouble with your little space husband,” Kate apologised, holding the open pack out to him. Even that small action made her shoulders ache. Perhaps she ought to forego more sandwiches in favour of sleeping for a few days.

Hiro smiled and took a single crisp, but otherwise waved her off. “I once told him I particularly liked these, so now he always buys far too many, then pretends they were on offer. Then we have to somehow store four cases of them.” He settled on the floor next to her, cross legged, and nibbled the snack. “I try not to eat them too quickly, because then he panics that we are running out and buys more.” A little sigh. “There are certain nuances to human behaviour that zeroids don’t quite get, yet, and striking a balance between foods we enjoy and sensible nutritional choices appears to be one of them.”

“Well, you have plenty of ‘sensible nutritional choices’ in the form of broccoli, apparently.”

“And why do you think we have plenty of that?” Hiro gave her an arch look, then relented and took another crisp.

“Yeah, I get it.” Kate chuckled, tiredly. “So do you have an update for me?”

“I do. Not much of one, yet, but we wanted to ensure you were kept in the loop.” He held out the tablet for her.

Kate stared at the confusing mosaic of… biopsy images? “What am I looking at?”

He tapped the first image and it enlarged to a graphical representation genetic data. “Initially, when you arrived and we took a skin sample?” At her nod, he went on; “We thought that Zelda must have done something structurally to alter your DNA, but when we analysed it, it was all still human. We could not explain it. How could you be human, but categorically not human, at the same time? So we did a visual scan of your blood sample, instead. And we found… this.” He touched the screen and brought up a new image.

It was some sort of microscopy of a blood film. Kate could recognise red blood cells easily. The irregular, blobby purplish masses were probably white blood cells.

She had no idea what the scattering of angular black flecks were, though.

She felt a set of cold fingers draw up the back of her neck. “The hell are those.”

“We are still working on our analysis, but they look like very small machines of some sort. They have proved hard to extract to get under the electron microscope. Kiljoy is still working on it.”

---

“The black dots.” She let out a breath in a very long exhale. “Can you remove them?”

Hiro’s silence was all she needed to know.

“We will remove them,” he hastily added. “I just don’t know how quickly we can do it, yet.”

“Can you block them?”

“I don’t know.”

“So what you mean is, I could turn back into a bird at literally any moment. Including at the worst possible time. Like… at the controls of an aircraft.”

He took her hand and squeezed her fingers, briefly. “I’m sorry, Kate.”

The two zeroids had both converged on her as well, leaning comfortingly against her.

“It’s okay, guys.” She forced a smile. “I know it’s not your fault. I just… oh, man. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”

[books-and-catears]

oh sweet summer child you can't just ask something like that and not think I would appear here.

The most effed up thing Nives has ever done is gaslighting Lucifer into believing that there's no skeleton in his room. That the "skeleton holding the column" near the fireplace is probably either his imaginary friend or his old tired eyes acting funny. She even showed him pictures (perfectly edited already) where it didn't appear. Not only that but everyone at the Hol joined in, denying the existence of this "skeleton". To this day he still looks at it with doubt. No one has told him the truth. His brothers forgot about it and despite Nives still remembering everything, she keeps taunting him.

This ofc before lesson 16. After that things only escalated. She tried to kill Belphegor and managed to punch Diavolo... more than once.

About the future, who knows! Murder is always a possibility!

Her darkest intrusive thoughts are mostly about killing Belphegor. Belphegor is no longer allowed near Nives alone cause the last time they happened to sit next to each other at dinner she kept thinking about how easy it would have been to kill him with the fork and Lucifer could read that on her face.

But hey! They are intrusive thoughts! She wouldn't do that Ꮚ⁠˘⁠ ⁠ꈊ⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠Ꮚ ...

right? Ꮚ ʘ ⁠ꈊ ʘ Ꮚ

Oh my my if it isn't my absolute FAVOURITE MC OF ALL TIME! And if course, I was absolutely waiting for you to show up here!

Shio: Skeleton in his room you say? *Checks his room in wallpapers* I mean is it really gaslighting if you're telling him the the truth? I mean there's nothing there, Lucifer.

Lucifer: Seriously, you too??

Nives: See what did I tell ya? Noone from Purgatory Hall could see it either and now Shio agrees too!

Satan: *joining in* I think Lucifer might be haunted. But what can haunt a demon like Lucifer?

Nives: Diavolo's Paperwork.

MC: Mammon's credit card bills?

Mammon: Oi mine is not nearly as bad as Asmo's shopping sprees!

Solomon: The Anti-Lucifer league?

Belphie: Solomon wanting a pact.

Levi: A distinct lack of Ruri Chan in his life!

Asmo: Those dreadful wrinkles on his forehead?

Beel: Maybe he's hungry? *Offers hand eaten sandwich*

Nives and Shio: Awww Beel~

*******

As for wanting to kill Belphie. Oof. Nives, girl, I relate SO DAMN HARD. Nives is sitting at the table contemplating murder with a fork? Shio is right next to you with a knife.

We're having tender BEEF STEAK from the murder cow, tonight!

Nives is forever gonna be so badass and cool. I will forever adore her. Also I just imagine Nives being super petty because she can't get him directly.

Imagine during Christmas.

Belphie: Nives, you gave me a sack of coal.

Nives: Yes cause that's what Santa would give brats like you on Earth.

Shio: Here's mine.

Belphie: It's a box of matches?

Shio: Yes so you can use the coal and matches to set your tail on fire!

Nives and Shio: *highfives*

[dansnaturepictures]

10/06/2023-Arrival in Cemaes, Anglesy for a week away and journey 

Pictures taken in this set: 1 and 2. Creamy sky scene and view at the cottage. 3. Fuchsia at the cottage. 4. Blackbird seen from the cottage tonight, a species I was determined to photograph this trip as it was one I had in mind as a good to try and photograph in England, Scotland and Wales this year after photographing this species on the Scotland trip in April and having taken a few in home areas this year already. A unique thing to challenge myself to in what will go down as a key feature of my year and something I am excited by visiting both Scotland and Wales the first time I’ve been to both in a year. It was great to get the Blackbird quick. 5. Jackdaw on a chimney another I enjoyed from the cottage. 6, 9 and 10. Views on a walk at the sea tonight, a lovely place where we did visit briefly when last in Anglesey in 2021. 7. Kidney vetch and thrift, two stunning coastal flowers I loved seeing tonight. 8. Some exquisite English stonecrop on the rocks, a pretty flower I saw in Anglesey last time so this was nice. 

I was very pleased that we spotted some Manx Shearwaters including a large group far out to sea here, a stone’s throw from Cemlyn where we saw them in 2021 it was one we hoped to see this week so was good to get early and add this one of my favourite birds to my year. It was another favourite of mine that was the other key bird of the walk as I was delighted to spot a gorgeous Black Guillemot out to sea, one I’ve had a top year for featuring on both the Scotland and Wales trips now and one I’ve come to find evocative of Anglesey after how many we saw last time so this was great. House Martins flying and going under a roof and heard chirping well one alongside Swallow I saw well on the journey/earlier in the day, pipping Oystercatchers seen well key coastal birds, Collared Dove on rocks a quirky sight, young Starling on a rock, Mallards in the bay a unique place to see them, Sandwich Tern and possible Common Tern, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed and Herring Gulls fighting over chip paper were other highlights tonight. Bird’s-foot trefoil, broad-leaved and white clover seen well and red valerian were other nice flowers to see. Red Kite, Raven, butterflies including Brimstone and Speckled Wood I believe on a hot and bright journey and my first honeysuckle and common toadflax of the year were other highlights of things seen on the journey with Woodpigeon and House Sparrow good to see at home before leaving.