#it feels like something i'd find in a bookstore and then have as a comfort read classic forever

[clarythericebot]

Oh my gosh I love it??? A romance built upon a fascinating world that could be the host of wilder or more adventurous stories, but that's not what this one is necessarily trying to do??? Lily vacillating between this society's and her own world's idea of love??? The built in sense of tragedy of being displaced, of never finding home again, but with the aim of the plot having the protagonist find a love to create a home with??? I would most definitely read!

I already love the idea of Lily. I'm getting Fanny-Price-treated-better vibes, though I could definitely be wrong—my speculation here is that the scholar she's been living with isn't necessarily forcing her to get married, but considering he has kids, she feels like she should take the responsibility to move out in a socially-acceptable way (though I'm curious if there is a possibility for her to do that as a single, or if the world is too dangerous for her to go at it alone or if it would be looked upon as the height of scandal).

All of the love interests are fascinating to me! The potential for their character arcs and Lily's are all so interesting. I can imagine the scholar learning to see and love Lily for who she is rather than a science experiment, the warrior pushing himself to grow for her sake, the explorer becoming steadier and more introspective, and the artist deciding to be a safe refuge for her no matter what it takes. I'm so curious how you'd juggle them all—if this is going to end up like some kind of love pentagon, or if it's the tradition of the world to have a kind of merry-go-round of suitors, or something.

The merry-go-round thing actually sounds kinda fun. Imagine if the society pressures bachelors, especially young ones, to be continuously courting at least a few girls until they pick one. A society concerned with survival would be very pro-marriage and would exert social pressure to maximize the chances of its citizens settling down and building families. So maybe all women, including Lily, are guaranteed to have at least a few choices of suitors (regardless of if the suitors intend to pursue seriously or not).

The matchmaker person also sounds super compelling to me, by the way! It sounds like the beginning of a sweet friendship. (Then again, it would be pretty hilarious if the person Lily hired to find her a match is hostile to her for some reason. Think childhood enemies reunited.)

Possibility you might want to consider: Combine the explorer and artist? He could be someone who used to go on far-off adventures, but has recently been horribly injured to the point that he's unsure he'll ever be able to do so again (and the loss of that so-valued strength must be a blow both to his social status and his own sense of self). But maybe in the meantime he rediscovers an old love of painting, and connects with Lily that way. The envy potential toward the warrior also sounds super fun to me—he might have once been able to match him in strength, but now all he has is his old stories and this shared art and the hope it'd be enough. (Though I guess this idea only works if you wanted to streamline the love interests!)

Right now, I feel like the ideal structure for this story is serialized fiction, or a Little Woman- or manga-esque novel (though I guess that's just serialized fiction put together 😛). Little mini-adventures Lily has with her love interests, friends, and family to build up a tapestry of a world and a romance.

Very much up to you, of course! I'd love to hear more and to read this story if you write it^^

Ages ago, I talked about a portal fantasy idea I had, titled Lily Between Worlds. The premise was that a girl fell into a portal fantasy world, but didn't fall into any adventures. She just had to settle into ordinary life there and wait for a portal to open up to take her home. Except no portal ever showed up, and it's not likely one ever will. She's getting older, and the family she's staying with can't support her forever. So she has to consider settling down--namely, marriage. Which is a huge deal because starting an adult life here means she's giving up on any chance of going home. Plus trying to find someone to marry when you're literally from different worlds is difficult.

It never moved much beyond that initial premise, because I couldn't develop the world or the characters. But it's been coming to mind again, and I have some ideas for worldbuilding that would offer some more detailed plot possibilities, and I want to talk about it before I lose it completely.

The first breakthrough came with the idea that I could adapt an idea from my Lost Library universe as the basis of the worldbuilding. Centuries ago, some calamity caused large hunks of land to break off and float in the sky. This broke up societies and left the people on these landmasses isolated from each other for a long time, and they're only recently coming back into contact with each other. It's useful for Lily's story, because we can say the calamity that fractured their world also opened up fissures to other worlds, and some people here are aware that people sometimes fall through from our Earth.

The other key idea is that this world is dangerous. The calamity that broke the world also caused a population explosion of various chimera-ish beasts, many of which attack humans. Society is built around the fact that we need to be able to protect people from these beasts. Women and children need to be protected, because the monsters go after the weak. Men are expendable and need to defend women and children--but women also need battle skills because it's dumb not to know how to defend yourself. There is also a lot of competition over resources--I'm not sure what, but maybe one of them is the same energy that caused the fracturing and can be used to power technologies. Things have settled down in recent centuries and they've come to a level of civilization (I'm thinking Regency-ish) where you can have classes and trades not totally devoted to survival--but those survival skills are still highly valuable.

Lily is not adventurous. She's a very quiet artistic type who heard about all the dangers of this world and decided she was never going to step outside alone. She's spent the last few years in the household of a scholar who's fascinated with Earth. He's got a few kids several years younger than her, and she settled in among the children, focusing on learning the language and the basics of this world. But now she's come of age and has to enter the adult world. Even though she's been in this world for years, we still get the portal fantasy sense of discovery because she's learning all the details of the culture surrounding courtship and adult responsibilities. This is a domestic fantasy, focused on the interpersonal relationships and the culture of this specific place. No world-changing quests, just characters interacting. At most, a few monster attacks to liven things up.

The story would focus on Lily's attempt to find a husband. She works with a young matchmaker-in-training (who thinks she's from some distant floating island rather than another world) to find good candidates. It's tough because Lily has no family ties here and outsiders are suspect. She's got a lot of the feminine skills this society values, but has zero combat ability--a major handicap when a good wife has to be able to protect the children from monsters. This world values beauty, social status, and strength. Lily's got the first and needs a husband who can provide the other two (and is willing to overlook her lack).

We can use the suitors to explore different facets of this world and Lily's personality. A good partner needs to be similar enough that they can connect, but different enough to draw Lily out of her comfort zone; he needs to draw out her good qualities without reinforcing her flaws. She could interact with a lot of different men, but four types are coming to the forefront as potential husband material.

The scholar: A young man who works with the scholar who houses Lily. Fascinated by Earth, knows Lily's true history. He and Lily casually get along, but don't quite gel. (He treats her a bit like a science experiment, for one thing). He doesn't have much strength to protect Lily, but he's got a decent status (enough that his family would want him to marry better than Lily). He would be the safe choice, allowing Lily to more-or-less remain the same woman she is now.

The warrior: An ideal catch by this world's standards. Very high status, excellent combat ability. Already has several heroic achievements. Socially awkward enough to need the help of a matchmaker to attract a wife. He and Lily share almost no interests, but her dynamic with him would force her to confront her own prejudices about this world--just because he's a fighter, it doesn't mean he's brainless or has no feelings. Could really draw Lily outside her comfort zone, but maybe too much so.

The explorer: A man who has spent the last several years exploring far-flung floating isles and has only recently returned home--to a lot of rumors and distrust. He's got strength, but almost no status; he's scandalous to this neighborhood. Lily likes his travel stories, and he believes her tale of being from another world--he's seen portals before. They get along well enough, but he's as adventurous as Lily is cautious. He says he wants to settle down, but he's not the type to be happy with an ordinary life. A life with him would be either a life here under the cloud of scandal, or a life of dangerous travel. But he would draw out Lily's adventurous side and introduce her (and us) to more details of this world.

The artist: A man who's working on some project for a high-status person in the neighborhood. He and Lily connect most on a personal level, sharing a love of art. He's got a middling sort of status, and is a weakling. Perhaps he's disabled from some monster attack; it would explain why he'd been allowed to take up a sedentary (and frivolous) trade (though if that's the case and she *doesn't* choose him, it could look like we're reinforcing this society's idea that he doesn't deserve to marry). He would be sort of like the male version of Lily; they would connect very easily, but he wouldn't push her to grow.

At the moment, the explorer is most compelling as endgame, though I can see potential in the warrior and artist as well. The interactions with all four can shape her character. There'd also be subplots of other monster attacks and political/social conflicts happening in the background of this courtship.

I'd probably have to end the story with Lily and her chosen guy teaming up to defeat some kind of dangerous beast--showing that Lily has developed the courage to face this world's dangers and has found a partner capable of facing them with her.

If anyone's read all that--decent ideas, or too many holes? Interesting or the dullest thing you've ever heard? I'm treating this as a worldbuilding game for the moment, so you can play along if you like.

[coff33andb00ks]

55 + george because i can’t stop thinking about him

"Stay there. I'm on my way."

driver + number = drabble <3

thank you for this darling George definitely needs more fics 😌

warnings: drunken fuckboy behaviors, not proofread, part of my upcoming mafia au universe

suggested listening: The Devil is a Gentleman by Merci Raines

You're not quite sure how you let Charles talk you into coming along to the party, but here you are, still nursing the drink you got when you first arrived. You've danced, enjoyed some chatter with other people. The music's getting louder and the party goers are getting rowdier but you know Charles will take you home.

You just have to find him.

Couples are making out out in the open. Making your way through the room, you gasp as bodies crash into you, wincing when your drink spills down your front.

"Hey doll what's your hurry?" a voice slurs, and you shudder at the feel of a hand grabbing at you.

Charles. Charles. Where the hell is Charles? You wrench away and push through into the next room, pausing long enough to set your empty glass down. The room is relatively empty, save for a handful of couples dancing too close for your comfort. No sign of Charles.

"C'mon, doll, we got some good stuff that'll help you relax." It's the same drunken voice and you immediately look for an exit. Either up the stairs or out the door, and you don't like the idea of being outside and even more vulnerable.

Upstairs it is, and through the first door that doesn't lead into a bedroom. You're grateful it's a bathroom and lock the door behind you, leaning against the door as you try to figure out what to do next.

"Doll where you at?"

Pulling your phone from your purse, you try calling Charles ten times, each one ringing until voicemail picks up and after the fifth slightly panicked message you don't bother.

Fucking Charles. When I see him again I'm punching him right in his stupid adorable face.

You scroll through your contacts, mentally crossing off each one - you don't think the florist will come pick you up - and stop at the most recent addition.

George R.

Tall, so very British, you met him in the bookstore last week, both reaching for the same book. You'd joked that he was picking up Pride and Prejudice for his girlfriend, he'd told you no, just replacing a dogeared copy. Somehow that had led to a discussion of the classics, and he'd smoothly offered to exchange numbers.

"Perhaps we can meet and discuss more favorites?"

"I'd like that."

This wasn't a favorite. This was an emergency. And you remember that he seemed like the type a stranded woman could call in case of emergency.

He answers on the second ring.

"Hi. It's..." You barely get your name out, tensing when there's a banging on the other side of the door.

"Of course." He pauses. "What's wrong?"

Later you'll ask him how he knows something wrong but the drunken asshole is still banging on the door. So you tell him what's wrong, and don't think twice when he asks if you're at the Stroll estate.

"Stay there. I'm on my way."

The phone beeps and you blink, staring at the screen as the banging ends. Pushing away from the door, you set your phone down and wash your hands, feeling them shake as the doorknob rattles. You're certain he'll give up, but he doesn't, continuing to call out–

"C'mon doll playin' hard to get just makes me want you more."

–and rattle the door.

Until, suddenly, he stops. Your eyes widen when you hear what definitely sounds like a fist meeting a face, followed by thud of a body hitting the floor.

Then, gently, a knock.

"It's George." He sounds so calm. As though he regularly goes out in the middle of the night and punches drunk guys out.

When you unlock the door and open it, he's there. Looking as though he just left some swanky dinner party in his suit and tie.

His expression is concerned, and when you glance at the crumpled figure on the floor behind him he shifts to block your gaze. "Did he hurt you?"

You shake your head. "No, he... He didn't touch me."

"You're sure?" he asks, searching your face. When you nod, he seems satisfied. "Let's get you home then."

Grabbing your phone, you let him guide you from the bathroom, glancing back at the man on the floor. "Did you–"

"He would have passed out soon, my dear. Absolutely sloshed." George has a gentle grip on your arm, ushering you down the stairs and out the front door, seemingly unconcerned by the surroundings. A car is waiting at the base of the wide front steps, still running and driver's door open. He opens the passenger door for you and you sink into expensive leather.

"Thank you," you say once he's behind the wheel and driving away from the house.

"It's no trouble at all," he assures you.

"I don't usually do this." You don't know why but you feel like you have to explain yourself. "Parties and all that. I just came because my friend–"

George snorts.

"Invited me along," you finish lamely.

"The Stroll family isn't a safe, my dear," he advises after a moment. "I'm not sure how closely connected your friend is with them, but if you care for your safety you'll stay away in future."

"Was that guy one of them?" you ask softly.

"No, I don't think so."

The rest of the ride is quiet, and when he parks in front of your house he gets out to walk you to the door. And suddenly he's the affable man you met in the bookstore, asking to meet tomorrow for lunch. His lips are soft against your cheek in the seconds before you go inside, and you're smiling as you close the door.

It's not until you hear his car drive off that you realize he hadn't asked you your address.

[natsgrave]

TO BE LOVED IS TO BE KNOWN | wanda maximoff

i don't wanna look at anything else now that i saw you. i don't wanna think of anything else now that i thought of you. i've been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night, and now i see daylight, i only see daylight. i do not give permission for my work to be copied or translated on other sites. plagiarism is a crime! masterlist whispers of heartache m.list

AU

In the heart of a bustling city, amidst the clamor of everyday life, there was a small bookstore called "Whispering Pages." This quaint shop, with its creaky wooden floors and shelves overflowing with books, was a sanctuary for those seeking solace and understanding in the pages of stories. It was here that two souls, Y/N and Wanda, found each other and began a journey that would teach them the true meaning of love.

Wanda was a quiet, introspective woman with a penchant for losing herself in the worlds crafted by her favorite authors. Her days were spent managing the bookstore, and her nights were filled with the comfort of a good book. She was content in her solitude, finding companionship in the characters and stories she cherished.

Y/N, on the other hand, was a vibrant, outgoing woman with a zest for life that was contagious. A journalist by profession, she was always on the move, chasing stories and capturing moments. Despite her busy lifestyle, she had a deep appreciation for literature and often found herself wandering into "Whispering Pages" to escape the chaos of the outside world.

One rainy afternoon, as Wanda was engrossed in organizing a new shipment of books, Y/N entered the store, shaking off the droplets of rain from her coat. She walked to the counter, where Wanda was carefully arranging a display of classic novels.

"Excuse me," Y/N said, her voice warm and friendly. "Do you have any recommendations for a good read on a rainy day?"

Wanda looked up, momentarily startled by the sudden interruption. She saw a woman with kind eyes and an inviting smile, and despite her usual reserved nature, she found herself wanting to engage.

"Well," she began, her voice soft but steady, "it depends on what you're in the mood for. Do you have a particular genre in mind?"

Y/N leaned against the counter, considering her question. "I think I'm in the mood for something introspective, something that makes you reflect on life and love."

A smile tugged at the corners of Wanda's lips. "I think I have just the thing." She walked over to a nearby shelf, selecting a book with a worn cover and handing it to Y/N. "This is one of my favorites. It's a beautiful exploration of what it means to truly know and be known by another person."

Y/N took the book from her, their fingers brushing briefly. She glanced at the title and nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Wanda. This looks perfect."

Over the following months, Y/N became a regular visitor to the bookstore. Each visit brought with it a new conversation, a deeper connection. They discussed books, life, and their own hopes and dreams. Wanda found herself opening up to Y/N in a way she had never done with anyone before, and Y/N, in turn, shared parts of herself that she usually kept hidden.

One evening, as the sun began to set and the bookstore was bathed in a golden glow, Y/N approached Wanda with a sense of purpose. "Wanda, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

Wanda hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. She had grown accustomed to their conversations, to the way Y/N made her feel seen and understood.

She nodded, a shy smile spreading across her face. "I'd like that very much."

They walked to a nearby café, their conversation flowing as naturally as the evening breeze. As they sat across from each other, Y/N reached for Wanda's hand. "You know, Wanda, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to love someone. I used to believe that love was about grand gestures and passionate declarations, but you've shown me that it's about something much deeper."

Wanda squeezed her hand gently, her eyes meeting Y/N's. "What do you mean?"

"To love someone is to truly know them," Y/N said softly. "It's about understanding their fears, their dreams, their quirks. It's about seeing them for who they really are and accepting them wholeheartedly. And Wanda, you've made me realize that I've never known anyone the way I know you." She added, "You have a way of speaking that is uniquely on your own, a melody that dances in the air and lingers long after the words have faded. Your voice, soft and melodious, carries a warmth that can soothe even the most troubled soul. When you speaks, it's as if each word is carefully chosen, imbued with meaning and intention. Whether you're sharing a grand idea or simply recounting on your day, there's a sincerity in your tone that draws me in." Y/N started. "Your laughter is like a burst of sunlight breaking through the clouds on a gloomy day. It's infectious, a sound that bubbles up from deep within you and spills out in a cascade of joy. I love the way your eyes light up when you laughs, how they crinkle at the corners and sparkle with mirth. It's in those moments, when you're lost in laughter, that I see the purest, most unguarded version of you—a sight that never fails to make my heart swell with affection."

Tears welled up in Wanda's eyes as she listened to Y/N's words.

"One of the things I adore most about you, Wanda, is your kindness. It's not always in grand gestures, though you're certainly capable of those, but in the little things you do every day. I've seen you comfort a stranger who looked lost, offer a smile to someone who seemed down, and take the time to listen to a friend in need. Your empathy knows no bounds, and it's in these small acts of kindness that your true beauty shines." Y/N continued to ramble, "You also have this habit of tucking your hair behind your ear when you're deep in thought, a gesture so simple yet so endearing. I've watched you do it countless times, each instance a reminder of how intimately familiar I've become with your little quirks. And when you're excited about something, your whole face lights up." She stopped for a moment before gazing at Wanda's eyes, "But perhaps what I love most about you is your unwavering authenticity. You are unapologetically yourself, never trying to be anything other than who you are. It's a rare and precious quality, one that draws people and makes them feel comfortable in your presence. You have a way of making the people around you feel seen and valued, of creating a space where we can be our true self without fear of judgment."

"Y/N, I've always been afraid of letting people in, of being truly known. But with you, it feels different. It feels right." Wanda stated, tears in her eyes.

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling with emotion. "Wanda, you are the most incredible person I've ever met. And I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you even better, loving you for all that you are."

It's the small things, the details that might go unnoticed by others, that have woven Wanda into the fabric of Y/N's love for her. She is the embodiment of everything Y/N cherish, a constant source of joy and inspiration. To love Wanda is to know her, truly and deeply, and Y/N count herself incredibly fortunate to share this journey with Wanda.

Years passed, and "Whispering Pages" became more than just a bookstore; it became a testament to their love. Wanda and Y/N built a life together, filled with the understanding and acceptance that comes from truly knowing and being known by another person.

In every glance, every touch, every word, Y/N find new reasons to fall in love with Wanda all over again. She is her muse, her confidante, her greatest adventure. And as long as there are new things to discover about Wanda, Y/N know that her love for Wanda will only continue to grow, blossoming like the flowers she so adores, forever and always.

In the end, they realized that love wasn't about perfection or always having the right words. It was about being present, listening, and cherishing each other's hearts. And as they stood together, surrounded by the books that had brought them together, they knew that their love was a story worth telling, one that would endure for generations to come.

[lots-of-sun]

A/n: Somehow I always end up writing about people walking LOL. Also a lot of my fic titles come from song lyrics!

Tamao Serizawa x Fem!Reader

SO KISS ME

Working at a bookstore always had its interesting experiences, especially when I'm usually the only person on shift everyday. Despite still being in high school, I was always rostered on, I guess being in senior year was bound to have it's downsides. The boss was always so picky about who worked here, not that it really mattered as long as you were competent. But over the two years I'd been employed here, I seem to be the only one who stuck. Not that my boss was ever mean or harsh, just didn't accept lazy or disrespectful staff. That's how I always ended up on the same schedule every week. Not that I minded, consistency was oddly relaxing, not having to worry about what to do next, always knowing.

The shop is small, yet packed with book shelves and a single table seating area right at the front of the main floor, across from the counter. I'd always loved the vintage and cozy vibe this building had, tucked away on a back street, like a little treasure that you'd only be able to find if you looked hard enough or stumbled across by accident.

One thing that kept me around this job for so long, was the people. With every face that stepped through that entrance came a new story, a new corner of the world I'd never learned about, a new adventure. The odd sense of home I got from the regulars who frequented for the newest reads or even the classics, always put a smile on my face. Though there was someone who stopped by often, despite never buying anything.

Tamao Serizawa had slipped into my life fairly nonchalantly, so much so that I don't entirely remember ever meeting him in the first place. Though I do recall the first time I'd seen him, walking past the open doors of the bookstore about a year and a half ago. He'd been surrounded by his group of friends, laughing along with them. He hadn't noticed me back then, but that changed a few months later.

I had easily forgotten about seeing him, I saw almost a hundred faces a day, even if it was just from people watching when the store was dead. It was a Monday afternoon when he'd entered the shop with his usual gang, I'd been adding pricing labels to newly arrived books from behind the counter near the door. They all wore classic school boy uniforms, yet they all seemed to be tweaked differently, defining them to being individual. They'd piled in near the entrance and brushed off my offer for assistance, though a pair of eyes seemed to linger on me. Even after they had looked around and left without purchasing anything, I couldn't shake the feeling of having someone watching me. Though I tried to brush it off as nonchalantly as I could.

That was until they began to come in more frequently, sometimes it was the whole group and other times it was only two or three of them but Tamao was always amongst them. Soon, they'd started spending most afternoons in the small seating area near the front of the store, never reading but always talking, plotting things I'd only eavesdropped on when I got bored. It became apparent to me pretty quickly that they were a part of one of the neighboring gang schools, though I didn't judge, there was no point, not when I didn't know them. After their first few rendezvous, they began including me in conversations, some were incredibly trivial, the kind of chats you'd have with friends. And others were serious, asking for advice and even if I didn't know how to answer, I tried my best.

On most weekends, Serizawa came in alone. Browsing the visual novel section, making small talk and asking for recommendations. He was always more engaged and at ease when he was alone, like he had more time to think without someone talking in his ear all the time. It's something I found comfort in, getting to see two separate sides to the same person. I wonder if he was like this with his friends, if he was actually always this calm and I just overlooked it when he was surrounded by others. But I definitely grew attracted to this side of him and eventually began to watch him more often, even if it was brief glances in his direction.

Today was no different than any other, heading straight to work after my final class of the day, changing out of my uniform in the stores bathroom and relieving my co-worker from their shift. I head out to the main floor and take a seat on the wooden stool behind the counter. My eyes scan the open notebook that sits next to the cash register, going over the list of responsibilities I have to complete before closing the store for the night.

Then the entrance bell rings and I don't even need to look up to know who it is, I'd heard them before they even made it to the door. The familiar sound of chatter and heavy shoes against the hardwood floors makes me smile. I raise my head to see exactly the people I'd expected.

"Hey guys, finally decide to indulge yourselves in literature?" I joke, knowing the answer is a resounding no. I take in all of their appearances, looking how they always do, save for a few extra bruises. My eyes linger on Serizawa for a split second, his gaze already fixed on me by the time I look towards him.

"Not today, but maybe one of these days" Tokio speaks up first, over the chorus of greetings I received.

"I could use a good book" Tokaji mumbles, already heading over to the seating area with Tsutsumoto.

"Serizawa's definitely trying to indulge in something else" The Mikami brothers whisper to each other, snickering at their own teasing words. They earn a slap on the back of the head by the man himself, the same hand retracting to run through his short hair.

"Don't mind them, monkeys haven't had their banana today" Serizawa's voice is thick as he lunges towards the brothers who scurry away to join everyone else at the table. He turns back to me, giving a small smile. "Yellow suits you" He adds softly, referring to the crew neck sweater I wore, before turning to join the others.

I smile at his words, feeling my heart leap in my chest. My eyes follow him to where he sits, it's kind of odd seeing him so outwardly different when he is around his friends, knowing there's a whole other side to him. I need to stop staring before any of them notice, even worse if it's Tamao himself. I busy myself with the duties of the checklist that's been taunting me since I sat down, but don't miss the feeling of someone watching me.

I hadn't even noticed how late it had gotten until I come out from the back room and it's getting dark outside. Tamao and his gang had left not too long ago, having said their goodbyes before disappearing down the street, while I continued to pack up for the night.

I let out a sigh of relief, happy to be finally heading home. I double check that I've locked the doors properly before turning to start my walk home, maybe I'll catch a taxi instead, I'm tired tonight. But as I turn to my left, there he is. Tamao Serizawa, standing under a yellowed street lamp with a half finished cigarette hanging from his lips, which he exhales the smoke through his nose. He's facing me, watching me like he usually does. Except this isn't usual, he's never here when I close the store, not that I've noticed at least. But overall, he seems to have been waiting for me. He flicks the cigarette to the pavement and puts it out with his foot, clearing his throat as he takes a few slow steps towards me.

"Serizawa? Is everything okay?" I ask, a slight concern filling my voice. Blame it on the overthinking, but I jump to the conclusion he might need support, whether it be emotionally or physically. Though as he lets out a calm chuckle, I think he might want something else.

"I hope so" He responds shortly, a smirk ghosting his lips as he stops when he's close enough to talk more gently. "Sorry to make you worry, I just thought I could walk you home." He clears his throat, "It can get... lonely"

I sort of blink at him as I purse my lips, trying to hold back a smile at his reasoning. It was clearly an excuse but I let it slide, barely. I notice the way the corner of his lips quirk up and his eyes squint, obviously being aware of how blatant his defense is. Now we're both standing here, staring at each other in the dim light of the side walk, clearly trying not to laugh. He tries to break his expression but ends up falling into a deeper grin.

"Yep" I squeak out, closing my eyes as my voice cracks with a rising laugh. "It can, how thoughtful of y... you" My slight pause comes from the lurch of my body as I try my hardest not to laugh at the expression he's making, he looks like he's trying to hold in a sneeze and I probably don't look much different.

We both let out a small snicker at each other, which devolves into a chuckle and a laugh. It feels like I'm melting into this moment and the implications of why he'd want to walk me home has my heart racing. We try to compose ourselves, a small giggle here and there. He looks down at his shoes before back up, seemingly regained his previous demeanor, despite the curl of a smile on his lips.

"Let's go, it's late as is" He tries to be serious and I let him, let him be who he wants to be. I nod in agreement with him and as I begin to walk, he follows.

It's not long before we're in my neighborhood, I'd always lived close to where I worked, not wanting to have to take the packed trains everyday. We'd walked in near silence the whole way here. It didn't bother me though, if anything it was sort of endearing, not feeling like I have to talk all the time. Serizawa is the first to break the silence as we near my house.

"I don't want to mess this up" His voice is vulnerable, it almost shocks me into freezing but I match his slowing steps and look towards him. I open my mouth to speak, ask if somethings going on but he cuts me off before I can.

"You mean a lot to me, more than I thought you would. You were always beautiful to me and I couldn't stop myself from coming back to you, even when I wasn't sure. But now I am sure, I know how I feel and I don't want you to slip away without ever telling you." His voice is the calm, soft tone it always was when we were alone together and my heart leaps to my throat at the realization of what he's trying to say.

"Serizawa, are y-"

"I like you a lot and if you are willing, I'd love to take you out" He speaks again before I can finish my sentence. He seems so assured in what he's saying. A smile is now growing on my lips as I go to respond, to tell him I'd love to.

"Tama-" And once again, before I can say any more he interrupts, this time sounding slightly more nervous and he holds an unreadable expression. He brings his hand up to run his fingers through his hair.

"I understand if you don't feel the same way but I needed to at least tell you, I wouldn't be able to let you go if I didn't say anything" He concludes sincerely and this time he finally looks towards me. I can't help but grin and the heat that's rushes to my cheeks tells me I'm blushing. He looks unsure, like he thinks I might just start laughing at him.

"You know what I love about you?" I start, a small laugh escaping my lips. "How you let me finish my sentences" It's like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders as he mirrors my smile, giving a small chuckle. It's my turn to cut him off as he opens his mouth to say something.

"And, I love when you come around and the way you run your hand through your hair when you're nervous" My grin widens as he looks away slightly, seemingly surprised I'd noticed his anxious habit. I place my hand on his arm softly, "And I'd love to go out with you"

His smile widens and his expression is something I've never seen him have before, it's a mixture of relief and adoration. The way his eyes are trained on mine in the soft glow of the street lamps, it has my heart pounding. I let myself relax, relieved that my feelings weren't one sided.

"Then it's settled, let's date?" He asks, sounding like he's double checking that's what I really meant.

I can't help but grin wider, shaking my head softly in disbelief. Pushing the gate to my house and holding it open with my body, I face out into the street to look at him, I nod reassuring.

"Yeah, let's date, unless you've already changed your mind" I tease him softly and I watch as he rolls his eyes sarcastically. It feels odd how easily we seems to fit in with each other, feeling closer and more confident.

"I could kiss you right now" He says those words like it's the most natural thing to say in this moment and maybe it is, but I still feel my face burn in a deeper blush. He lets out a chuckle and stuffs his hands in his pockets, preparing to leave. But I don't want him to go, not yet at least.

"Then do it" I take a step closer to him, hearing the gate squeak softly as it moves with me.

He looks up towards me now that I'm standing on the small step that leads to the gate, his eyes shine with something I can't quite recognize. He takes a step forwards as well and I lean down slightly so I can reach his face. One of his hands withdraws from his pocket, raising to rest on the curve of my waist and my hand moves to cradle his jaw. Our lips connect in a soft but quick kiss, one that leaves me wanting more. His lips are cold but inviting and I don't want this to end. As I pull back gently, I feel his hand leave my side and mine retracts back to tuck under the warmth of my crew neck.

"Goodnight, Tamao" I whisper, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to his cheek.

I enter the front area of my house and begin to close the gate as he steps out of view behind the solid fence of my property, not before hearing a small 'night' come from him. As I approach my front door, the hum of a tv playing fills my ears. Though as I step up on the front step that leads to the threshold of the building, I turn back to look over the top of the fence, watching the back of Tamao's body get further and further away.

"Yes!" It's soft but I still hear it and watch as Serizawa pumps his fist in the air like he's won a great victory. The sight makes me cover my mouth to hold in a small laugh. I finally look away and I find myself still grinning. I don't want the way my heart lurches for him to stop and something tells me it won't ever, something tells me he'll keep my heart safe.

[miss-choco-chips]

HI! :> It's nice evening to send random asks! Please tell me where each of the people you ship Kuroko (KnB) with would take Kuroko on a date? And where would Kuroko woult take himself on a date) :>

hi dear!!! Its so nice to hear from you! I haven't checked my ask box in like... a year lmao and just checked it now and saw your message!! Destiny, i tell you!

Well, I ship Kuroko with basically everyone, but I'll answer about the big ones.

answer under the cut cause it got big

Kagami: I feel like Kagami would be either be really chill, since they've been friends for so long, that he'd take Kuroko somewhere they already hang out at (ex, Maji burger and then their favoirte streetcourt), OR he gets all self conscious because he wants it to be perfect so he prepares something homemade and they watch movies at his place (where the GoM can't spy on them). Thats if they are in japan. I love fics where they live in America togheter, and over there, I think he'd take Kuroko to an amusement park or to see one of his favorite spots. They are best friends, before they are partners.

Aomine: Maji, streetcourt and then home to make out, in that order, if he's the one to plan it. If he makes the mistake (or miraculous decision) of letting Momoi know they have a date, she'll insist he 'treats her tetsu-kun right', so he'll give it a bit more thought and take Kuroko to a nice cafe, where Kuroko can read one of his books while Aomine browses through his magazines. Peaceful and comfortable, like the twin souls they are like when alone togheter. They don't need to do anything special for it to feel special.

Akashi:... he's over the top, okay? He'll pick Kuroko up in a luxurious car, take him to a 5 star restaurant and then take him to a nice walk in a rose garden or something (and if there's no rose garden in the city, he'll have one built specficially for that). He'll kiss him under the stars, and sappy after all that, he'll allow Kuroko to take HIM to an ice-cream parlor. They end the night speaking about everything and nothing over some vainilla and strawberry ice cream. And sometimes, when Kuroko insists on doing something silly and unexpected (the only person who can still surprise Akashi), like racing through the park or smearing ice cream on akashi's nose, he feels like the young boy he still is but was never allowed to act like.

Kise: After recovering from the near happines-induced heart attack after Kuroko said yes, Kise would go ape-shit planning the perfect date. He's not confident he'll get a second one if he messes this up (he would, but kuroko wont ever admit as much), so he overcompensates by interviewing the people closest to kuroko to help him come up with something perfect. In the end, he decides on a quiet picnic alone togheter, in an open field where Nigou can run to his heart's content while they talk, away from fangirls and cameras. He's a perfect gentleman, walking Kuroko home to his door, and is so surprised by Kuroko's unexpected goodbye kiss that he ALMOST forgets to immediately text him a text begging for a second date. He doesn't, and the positive reply leaves him smiling for hours.

Thats my main ships... But I basically ship Kuroko with everyone lmao so *shrugs*

And as to where Kuroko would take himself... I'd say he'll probably go to his favorite bookstore, get something nice to eat, and find a streetcourt so he can relax, eat and read, and then watch someone play ball or play himself if the urge strikes. Nothing too crazy, in my opinion

If you have any other ideas, id love to read them!

[absolutebl]

hello!!

i honestly think this is a really weird question to ask; but, in your opinion—what age group people should watch bl dramas?

i'm a teen atm who just reads bl fanfics, but lately i've been getting a bunch of bl drama fmvs on my recommendations on yt😭 and it kinda makes me feel tempted to watch the dramas, but i think i'm a bit too young for it, so i'd appreciate if you could tell me what age i should prolly start watching at :D

thank you in advance, i hope you have a good day/night!!

Hum, good question. I'm not sure. I started reading pretty racy stuff very young, so I don't think I'm the best judge.

But there are certainly BLs that if you read fanfic already, just have lite romances and a bit of smooching. So 13 maybe?

I wouldn't necessarily "recommend it," because I can't make that choice for you. You know yourself much better than I do. But there is certainly BL I would classify as YA in a section of a "bookstore," if that helps?

I think you'll want to try to develop a critical eye to the media you are watching/consuming in order to understand some of the messaging it's doing and the cultural leanings it has. Than you'll be fine. If you've waded into this blog, that's a start. It's all I do.

In other words:

BL is not produced in a bubble it's saying lots of other stuff beyond the romance and smooches.

So is all music, books, art.

Please just remember this stuff is for entertainment, not life guidance, and you'll be fine.

That said, since you're a teen, there are certainly many BLs that are very racy and high heat. And some that represent highly toxic relationships. These might be best avoided for now.

If you read BL fanfic or soft yaoi manga then I do have some rec lists that might work for you (stuck at the bottom) but they weren't written with teens in mind. So if you don't feel like your ready, don't watch it, and if you find yourself at all uncomfortable with the show (and I cannot emphasize this enough) STOP watching it.

Please always feel comfortable stopping a piece of media if you feel at all unsafe or uncomfortable or just don't like it.

There is always something else out there you'll like more.

Some quick "YA style" BLs off the top of my head:

My Love Mix Up (either Japan - VIki or Thailand - YT)

My School President (Thailand - YT)

Light On Me (Korea - Viki)

Seven Days (Japan - grey)

I Cannot Reach You (Japan - Netflix)

Wish You (Korea - Netflix)

Semantic Error (Korea - Viki)

Our Dating Sim (Korea - Viki)

Takara-kun and Amagi-kun (Japan - Viki)

Restart After Come Back Home (?)

Cherry Magic (Japan - Crunchroll)

Ingredients (Thailand - YT)

He’s Coming to Me (Thailand YT)

Gameboys (The Philippines - Netflix)

Old Fashion Cupcake (Japan - Viki)

About Youth (Taiwan - Viki)

I think it's no accident most of these are from Korea or Japan (mostly on Viki.)

Korea, in general, is going to be largely better for your age bracket, they specialize in soft BL with lower heat levels (with very few exceptions).

Japan can veer heavily in the opposite direction, so come ask me again if you find one not on this list and you're not sure, I can warn you.

Thai stuff is easier to find but it's all over the place and can get super super sexy.

Taiwan tends to go more adult content.

If you're confined mostly to YT because of your age, than you're mostly asking about Thai stuff. Drop me another Ask and I'll draw you up a specific list of YA Thai BL on YT but that might take me a bit of research.

[slushiepizza]

I just read your 'The Pursuit of Catharsis' and I'M NOT OK BUT IN A GOOD WAY!!!

And because I'm a sucker for angst... I wanna twist the knife in Guy's heart a bit more ❤️

Imagine if Guy - with his name now in the spotlight, his career at its peak and yet he's so miserable to the point of suicidal because of the cheating, of the scandal and the divorce - saw Honey on a random street on night.

Looking just as perfect as the day he lost them.

Looking like they're untouched by time.

Because after losing Guy and working themselves up to be the best version of themselves, to have the healthiest mental and emotional health in their lives, Honey becomes someone else's...

Treasure.

YES, IT'S EXACTLY WHO YOU THINK HE IS!

ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! GOOD BYE!

link to the fic

Thanks for reading and enjoying the fic!!! I'm using this opportunity to discuss the Divorced!AU lmao

warning : discussions of suicidal behavior, mental health issues, substance abuse

i. honey being treasure

ough..... that's a really sad idea but now I'm more focused on something specific in this scenario. If Honey later became Treasure, there's the implication that they weren't doing as well as they hoped they were because as mentioned by Porter, 'your friends suck'. And they now have a semi-toxic circle of friends.

I like that, I think. That no matter how hard they try and how far they've come since the divorce- there's always the ghost of it that they couldn't get rid of and managed to sneak away into their life.

ii. Guy's misery and cheating

Hm, about Guy being miserable to the point of suicidal...I do think that he was already like that before he cheated and when he and Honey were still married but had problems. That was sort of my take on his reasoning behind why he cheated actually.

He was just someone who couldn't cope with fame while at the same time craving it severely. He spent all of his time working and tried to remedy his lack of effort into maintaining his relationship with Honey with lavish gifts. He struggled with substance abuse- mainly alcohol but sometimes others- because he refused to realize that he had nothing else to live for now that he's at the top.

When he and Honey's fights got really bad, he'd go on a bender. He'd go for one night stands mostly, and they all have traits that are reminiscent of Honey's. They weren't on speaking terms when he missed their anniversary for the sake of going abroad. And Guy has this feeling that whatever they're dealing with- they won't be able to come back from this. He'd imagine the people and sex workers he'd spend the night with was Honey he was laying with, as and under the blur and haze of the stupor he was in, they might as well be. When people found out about him cheating, the world moves on. He's a Hollywood writer, of course it wouldn't be something people blink an eye at. His career wouldn't take a hit at all.

iii. honey's aftermath

After they got divorced, Honey would move away from Dahlia and live in a small town where they can escape Guy's name and fame. They'd heal but they severely missed someone who used to be their best friend.

Life in the small town was idyllic and had the community they needed to heal. Honey started work as a cargo truck driver, finding comfort in long winding roads in between states. They don't quite care about the cities or fame or success anymore- it's sullied by how things used to be and how Guy turned out.

At a local bookstore new, freshly packaged books was displayed front and center- and it had Guy's name on it. It stated that it was a bestseller and that it's from "American Horror Sensation, Guy". They shrug and tried to feel glad that he got what he wanted. Oh well. The two of them were different people now from the college kids that shared a home, unrecognizable from who they used to be.

They remembered what they used to tell him when he had writer's block and needed the extra push: "Dude! You're good at this. If you ever get published, I'd definitely everything you write."

"Really, everything?"

"Everything. I really do like the way you write."

They buy the copy anyway, unfortunately.

[yaboirezzy]

Some Witch Family HC/Stuff I forgot to post a year ago

Akko

- Her family always protects her, especially Chariot (shocker I know), you a rando? try anything and you'll soon wake up with less teeth than you remember

- Amanda is the instigator to her instigatee, one time she told her that the biggest broom in the house is magical and Akko went hog wild around the house

- Akko: "Yay! Water! *rolls around the water sprinkler*"

Lotte

- Spirits around the house calls her 'lovable little hug bug'

- Got her love for and first nightfall book at her 5th birthday, Charoix searched far and wide to get that book since most bookstores around town didn't have any stock

- Chariot: "Lotte, Barbara, why aren't you two asleep yet?"

Lotte: "... Nightfall"

Chariot: "Alright, finish the chapter and then go to sleep"

Barbara: "But we were just getting to the fun stuff!"

Sucy

- Loves mushrooms way too much, wants to put them in any dish her parents made

- Is the one who pokes fun at the others quite often but still genuinely loves them

- Sucy: "You know I wish you all would take a greater interest in my witchcraft. I mean we're sisters but sometimes it feels like we're just roommates"

Amanda: "Suce, if you don't cut it out with your middle child nonsense, I'M GONNA SHOVE YOUR HEAD RIGHT UP THE-!"

Amanda

- One of the girls who always protect the others from bullies, usually resulting in fights if the situation calls for them

- Pretty strong and agile even when she was still like 5

- Croix: *holds Amanda by her hoodie like a cat while all the orange haired girl could do was do a >:| face*

Chariot: "She broke something again didn't she?"

Croix: "Yes"

Jasminka

- The older child who knows how to make everyone feel better

- 'Snack Queen' knows all the good snacks (and sweets) to the point of making a ranking system

- Jasminka: *casually eats a whole metal plate ala Stitch style* That tasted awful

Croix: "... That was a salvage part young lady..."

Jasminka: "Sucy told me it's edible"

Constanze

- The genius youngest child who always watches Croix's work with interest

- She made her first invention (Proto-Stanbot) at the age of 6, but out of all of her inventions the only one her siblings seemed shocked about is when she upgraded all of their smartphones

- Chariot: "Croix?"

Croix: "Yes dear?"

Chariot: "Why is constanze spinning around on top of your roomba?"

Croix: "That's her toy now, also she's my assistant"

Chariot: "But she's like 6-"

Diana

- None other than the responsible older/eldest child who takes leadership when their parents aren't home

- Can't stand her siblings antics sometimes but understands them and sometimes join in on the fun

- Diana & Amanda: *fiercely fighting over something*

The others: *tries to calm them down*

Lotte: "Sucy don't just stand there, do something!"

Sucy: "No no, I wanna see who wins this one"

Barbara

- Gets anxious around other people who aren't her family

- Reading nightfall with Lotte is her comfort activity

- Barbara: "Meeting new people is scary, I don't know how to give a good first impression"

Amanda: "Well if it was me, I'd hit them first and say 'hey what's up? the name's Amanda!'"

Hannah: 'Okay never ask Amanda for support of any kind'

Hannah

- Has trouble finding out what she wants or likes at times

- She has a middle sister and little sister rivalry going on with Akko, all started when Akko bites her leg when they were sleeping (Akko was dreaming about food)

- Hannah: "Mom! Akko is trying to eat me again!"

[dennydraws]

Sometimes checking local bookstores have some rare finds...

And I was most definitely not expecting to find the FF14 Manga there but I take it XD;; I highly doubt it was intentional but having the price sticker over Asahi's face absolutely killed me lol

But this will be a talk about manga books and not specifically about FF14's manga book which was hilarious by the way XD;;

(Press F for Urianger... well, for Thancred really but ya know...)

It may come as a surprise but I'm not exactly a big manga reader. I think it was primary because manga wasn't as available or popular here when I was growing up and when I started spreading I started feeling too old for it. Now looking back, I was mid 20 I wasn't too old lol But also I was not in a financial position to spend on what I considered luxurious hobby materials. I never looked at manga books as anything but forbidden pricey thing that I could do without... even though looking back I could've learned a lot or enriched my art journey but... when you try to graduate university, freelance and cover for struggling and sick family these things are not something you think to spend on... ANYHOWSIES, I did not intend to share sad artist backstory, more like I wanted to explain my relationship with actual manga books has been an odd one XD;

It wasn't until recently that I started to actually go to bookstores during my lunch break and browse manga books and regular books too. However now they are so many that I get overwhelmed. Now that I have my preferences, I don't feel comfortable just grabbing a book on a whim. I still very much hate the idea of blindly spending on things that may not be of use to me. But even so I began to reach out, grab something, try it, see what I can learn from it. I feel like a teenager dipping toes into something they've always looked from behind the shop window but now they can actually afford it! XD;; I tried to start with books whose anime I deeply enjoyed and maybe look over what's around them - surely there will be something similar!

And then to my surprise I started noticing... Artbooks! Usually the ones I am interested in are on the obscure side? Or at least I've never found any of those I was interested in... ever XD

It has always been a lot more art books available here for WoW or LoL or whatever western-ish game franchise which... while I respect them, I just don't really enjoy their art style. And I did grow up surrounded by boys and a bully big brother whom I've always tried to impress or be "cool enough" to hang out with him (I was never cool enough to hang out with him u_u) and as result I had to deny myself a lot of things I was enjoying but I thought they are embarrassing - a lot of typically girly genres things because he'd mock them and if he mocks them then they were bad and I'd never be "cool enough" if I showed interest in them! Oh noes! Now that post turned into more personal down pour XD;

As years went on and after some reflection and years of existing in a healthy friend circle I started to enjoy the things I always wanted to enjoy growing up. I see them in new light now and I appreciate them with the eyes of a grown up while still kind of connect to this lost childhood spark. It's been really nice.

Plus I'm enjoying reading ...well, normal books, a lot more. Some years ago you wouldn't find me able to sit and read but now I do and quite enjoy it!

I don't know where I was going with this post XD I wanted to share I found the FF14 manga in a local store during my lunch break and it escalated to, I've been slowly buying and reading more manga and artbooks as of this year! It's never too late to reconnect with things you wanted to enjoy but couldn't in the past :D;;

Anyhow! Thank you for reading this silly lil ramble post, dear web traveller! I hope you will have great rest of the day and smooth week ahead!

[hauntedwoman]

tagged by @youngestdaughtersyndrome and @glassangels (thank you <3333)

are you named after anyone ? yes i'm named after my nana !! (my full name is margaret hehe)

2. when was the last time you cried? a couple of weeks ago when i was saying goodbye to my cousin who moved out of state w her boyfriend so he can complete his residency for med school................. partly bc i miss her a lot but also bc i genuinely feel like i am never going to experience healthy romantic love i feel like it wasn't made for me HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

3. do you have kids? does my cat count bc i raised her from a little baby kitten she was so tiny she fit in the palm of my hand :3

4. what sports do you play/have played? i was on a swim team all throughout junior high and high school and sometimes i miss just mindlessly swimming laps and getting lost in the pure muscle memory of it but then i remember getting up at 5am on saturdays to go to meets and i realize i can live without it 5. do you use sarcasm? my favorite show is daria u tell me

6. what's the first thing you notice about someone? usually eyes or clothing. living in a place where it's rare to find other ppl my age that dress "alt" i'm always looking for ppl that have interesting personal style.

7. eye color? not to be some annoying white girl on main but they change depending on what i'm wearing. they're usually either blue or gray or a teal color.

8. scary movies or happy endings? considering nothing in my life has ever worked out the way i want it to i can't relate to happy endings. almost all of my favorite films have heavy horror or psychological thriller aspects

9. any talents? i'm a pretty decent singer. i was trained classically and sang in choirs for like seven years, so i also know how to read music. other than that i think i'm really good at interior decorating or just being able to make things "aesthetically pleasing". i also think i'm a pretty good writer and that i manipulate language in a really unique form that gives way to a really clear voice in my work.

10. where were you born? simferopol, ukraine

11. hobbies? journalling, staring into the void, photographing/exploring abandoned buildings, grieving, making playlists for every emotion i've ever felt, clinging onto a past that everyone else has forgotten about except me, reading books that make me feel like i need a lobotomy, antique shopping, blackberry picking, sunbathing, being a heinous bitch

12. any pets? i have two cats (phantasma and smokey), and then my mom and sister have four dogs between the both of them so i am constantly living in autistic hell (they never stop barking and chewing up my stuff)

13. height? 5'4" (162.5cm) i'm so sorry to expose myself as Tiny i know i give off Tall Energy

14. favorite school subject? overall i'd say english but i've also thoroughly enjoyed a bunch of different courses i've taken in college like stage makeup, medieval and modern theatre, and all of my creative writing courses

15. dream job? i simply do not dream of labor but since i can only get a serotonin rush from buying clothes i don't need it would be pretty swaggy if i could be a published author or if i could work in the music industry somehow, perhaps at a radio station with my own radio show or even making my own music. i also deeply miss my job at the used bookstore i had during the worst summer of my life. something about being surrounded by books all day is so comforting.

tagging: @arunima @symptomofloves @discoidal @diabolicjoy @severrance and anyone else that wants to do this <33

[ivycrowned]

hello! i saw your post about terry pratchett being very comforting even while the world burns and it really spoke to me. (um i saw the post here--ivycrowned/737425041001709568/the-older-i-get-and-the-more-on-fire-the-world) i'm sorry to disturb you, and please feel free to ignore, i wouldn't want to impose, but i was wondering if you'd have any Discworld book recommendation for someone who has never read one. i'm always staring at them in the bookstore, but i always overthink which book to get (because it will be my first) and online articles rank Discworld books differently. i'd be so thankful if you do answer. thank you and have a great day :)

Oh I'm super happy to help with that! In a lot of ways, which Discworld book you read first depends on what you find most interesting! I'll fully admit though, the very first one I read was 'Hogfather' which is neither a stand alone, nor the 'first' in a series. So here are a few reccs for what I think would be good places to start!

Wyrd Sisters -- The start of the Witches series, which is one of my favorites! This is Hamlet in Discworld. There's a particular scene involving Death that actually made me cry with laughter. This book is ALSO the source of something you may have seen in tumblr shitposts -- '"Come hither, fool!' / The fool jangled miserably across the floor'.

Mort -- The first book in the 'Death' series, my beloved series. A young man becomes Death's apprentice. The 'Death' series in general tends to have the theme of a 'Death' who loves humans and wants to be more like them, but fundamentally does not really understand how.

Monstrous Regiment -- This one is a stand alone book! No series attached! A young woman pretends to be a man in order to join the army, so she can find her brother! Only to discover she's not the only one in her regiment pretending to be a man.

Guards! Guards! -- The first book in the 'Night Watch' series, and generally where most people suggest you start. It's about a dragon, and it's a bit of a police procedural! All the Night Watch books are more or less in the police procedural genre. I've only read the first two in this series.

I hope one of these works for you! And good luck on your journey! Discworld is a lot of fun, and has some pretty good audiobooks, and even a couple of film (live action, and animated) adaptations!

(You can find 'Hogfather' in its entirety for free on YouTube last time I checked!)

[starpains]

Trope selection tag game :3

Thanks for tagging me @somethingsteff. This looks fun! I'm doing this in a sort of general way (applicable to all my ships in all fandoms).

🍆 enemies to lovers or friends to lovers - How about enemies to friends to lovers--honestly it's my fave. But if I had to choose from these two I'd probably choose enemies to lovers. I love the idea of overcoming impossible hardships in fiction. I love how authors are able to take some absolutely ridiculous or hopeless situation and write the characters out of it. It takes skill and creativity and it really draws me in. I'm a romantic at heart and the idea that 'love can overcome all' really sings to me.

🍆 coffee shop au or flower shop au - I'm choosing the flower shop AU simply because I think coffee shop AU's been overdone by now. I think I only read one flower shop AU fic in my life, and I'd like to read more. But honestly... out of all modern AUs I'm really into any professional sports AUs and *wink* bookstore/library AUs.

🍆 hurt/comfort or there was only one bed - I like both! But there's something about hurt/comfort that makes my heart melt, especially when it's well-written. The want to comfort is a really big part of loving someone, and I like when it's connected to feelings realization. These two go well together.

🍆 found family or partners in crime - Impossible choice! I like both, but I guess I like found family just a lil bit more. There is something alluring about lost or broken characters that finally find their place with someone. I like my characters going from sad to happy in any story, and found family is a good literary device to achieve that.

🍆 canon compliant or canon divergent - This really depends on the fandom, but for this question I'll stick to star wars. Gimme my fix-its! Canon is so fucking sad that I cannot deal with it. Besides, for any of my sw ships to happen, the story needs to be canon divergent. I'm one of these people who always hate canon ships for some reason, especially when they're heterosexual, because the romance is almost always unsatisfying and gives me zero feels, and so I need a canon divergent fics to destroy canon ships and replace them with my own.

🍆 fluff or angst with a happy ending - I think it ties back to some things I said before - I need my characters sad/broken and then they get healed by love, it's the most satisfying thing to read for me, so yeah angs with a happy ending is an obvious choice here.

🍆 1st person POV or 3rd person POV - It's funny, cause I don't mind 1st person POV in books (especially in my native language), but for fic it takes a lot of time to get used to it when reading... So yeah, 3rd person POV for fanfic for sure.

🍆 soulmates or forbidden love - Nope. I refuse to choose. I LOVE BOTH. Gimme my soulmate identifying marks, better yet--slap them on two enemies and make their love forbidden :D.

🍆 roommates or fake dating - Fake dating is super fun, especially when the two think they're fake dating but no one is fooled because everybody knows they're in love but being idiots about it.

🍆 slow burn or meet-cute - I mean... it can be a meet-cute that ends being a slow burn :D. It's kinda what I'm going for with The Narrative Effect - they met cute but then Anakin drags it out for several long chapters because he's an oblivious idiot :D. But anyway, if I have to choose I'm going for slow burn because I just love when the first kiss comes and I've waited for so long that reding it makes me tingle all over. *dreamy sigh*

🍆 love triangle or polyamorous relationship - Neither. Give me my one-on-ones. I'd be able to deal with love triangle, but polyamorous relationships or threesomes or whatever are always an automatic nope for me

🍆 royalty au or magic au - I don't really like fantasy, so neither of these two would be my first choice, but if I had to, then I'd first read royalty AU.

🍆 high school/college au or neighbours au - Difficult choice between college AU and neighbours AU (I'm not even considering HS AU, because I don't wanna read about kids...). I'm choosing neighbours AU because to me it gives more possibilities to be creative and come up with some really original interactions. I really loved some fics about neighbours who started off on a really wrong foot and then slowly grew feelings.

🍆 mutual pining or idiots to lovers - I gotta agree with Steff here that it's kinda the same thing. I'm choosing mutual pining because I love pining in general. It's usually a huge part of slow burn fics, and since I love slow burn I just gotta go for mutual pining here.

Idk who played, but I haven't seen @starwalkertales post it yet, so that's my choice.

[librarycomic]

I took a long trip last fall to Singapore and Nepal. Here's some of what I read (and reread), plus a few fails, too.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (2nd in the series) and The Penderwicks in Spring (4th in the series) by Jeanne Birdsall.

This series has become a go-to comfort read. My daughter and I originally read this when they were a kid, and I had to dive back into it when I was missing them and my wife. I forgot how brutal The Penderwicks in Spring is, with Batty (the youngest Penderwick sister) overhearing one of her older siblings say something terrible (it involves their mother, who died just after Batty was born) and then failing to communicate with anyone about it for a while. (I reread the third book in the series earlier this year, which is why I skipped it during my trip.)

No Room at the Morgue by Jean-Patrick Manchette

Most of Machette's short crime novels (translated from French) are excellent, and there are a few graphic novel adaptations by cartoonist Jacques Tardi available in English, too. This isn't my favorite of Manchette's novels, but I enjoyed it quite a bit; it involves a down-on-his-luck detective (he's a former policeman) and a beautiful woman. It felt much more like a classic Raymond Chandler story than Manchette's other books.

Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage. by Rob Delaney

The darkest parts of Delaney's autobiographical essays deal with his alcoholism and its consequences, but they still make me laugh out loud. I think I've read this book three or four times now. (This means I'm soon going to have to rewatch his TV series Catastrophe again in its entirety.)

Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks.

After discovering Banks's Culture series in Kathmandu in 1999 -- it's my favorite science fiction series -- I was nostalgic for it during my recent trip to Nepal. I picked up a dusty copy in a used bookstore there, a throwback to the good old days when I had to dig though piles of paperbacks I had never heard of to find something interesting. (Now most books in the stores there are new, in plastic bags, well-organized, and almost as expensive as they'd be here.)

This book (the third in the series) is as good as I remember. It's concerned with war and soldiering and those with a natural talent for both. Rereading it I started to have the sense that I'd hated the ending when I first read it. And I was right, those last few pages suck, but I loved it right up until then. I tell you this only so you can stop reading it if you have that feeling, too.

Fails:

Maigret and the Tramp by Georges Simenon.

I've tried to read several Maigret books, but despite my love for short mysteries I haven't really enjoyed any of them. I forced myself to finish this one. I'm still not sure why they're so popular. (If you know which one of these I should start with, please tell me which that is. I have one more on my shelf, but I'll probably give it away.)

The Dog of the South by Charles Portis.

True Grit is such a great book I thought I'd read Portis's other four novels on my trip. I brought along the Library of America collection that contains them all. But reading this was like reading a well-composed joke that didn't make me laugh; I could see why it would be funny to someone, but I didn't care. I set the book aside for later.

[enchanted-thestory]

Chapter Six: The Book

Marina 

ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉ೃ ✦ ✧ ∗ ❥ ҉

“Okay so you mean to tell me that you went to an abandoned town, found a girl, took her in because is now aware of your family secret and she is living with you in your house in fear that she will reveal everything?” Astro exclaims 

“Yeah that's pretty much it,” I say in response 

“That's not fair I want cool things like that to happen to me too” 

“No, you don't” I sigh “I'm still shocked that Johnny allowed her to stay I was kind of expecting him to turn her away”

“I knew Johnny was a good person on the inside,” Astro says jokingly 

“My brother has always been a good person!” I hit Astro playfully in the head “But I know what you mean maybe he is turning around now that he is getting old” 

Astro nods his head in agreement, he follows it up by saying “I wonder how he will turn out when we get old. We are already nice so does that mean we will get grumpy?” 

“I think I'd rather eat a bucket of boom berries” we both chuckle. 

“I knew I asked you about your sword, how did you end up liking it?” asks Astro 

“I thought it was pretty great. I know it's kinda bad to say this but I'm pretty glad that we fought that demon yesterday. It got me a chance to test it out!” I grab the necklace placed on my neck and just stare at it. I glaze my finger over my mother's handwriting, it's still crazy to me how this is something that is hers. She made these strokes to create my name, this is the way she used to write hearts and it's now engraved in something that is mine. I have never seen any of my mom's things. It's almost as if she never really existed. If it weren't for my cousins then I think I'd probably have no way to imagine her. Thanks to them I have stories in a way she lives through their memories. 

I start to feel my eyes feel heavy. I almost didn't notice it but Astro and I had been sitting in silence for a bit. Astro is one of the few people I can sit in comfortable silence with but I think even him could sense the tension in the air. Before he could say anything, my mouth said to me, “I want to learn more about humans.” 

Both Astro and I have a slightly shocked look on our faces 

“Are you sure?” he asks hesitantly “You never tried to learn from outside of what the triplets have told you” 

“I want to learn more, I'm tired of being left in the dark about this part of me, the triplets could never understand completely how it feels to be part human I thank them for trying but I just want to learn more I mean there's got to be something that I've not been told I want to fill the hole that's been there for my entire life.” I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I didn't even know it was there. I had been so used to being turned away from this but if there was one person who I knew I could trust about this it was Astro. As I expected Astro took my shoulder, looked me in the eyes, and said “Your right you deserve to know and I'm going to help you.” 

“Thank you Astro, I knew I could trust you!” I smile at him, “I think maybe there could be some books about it in the bookstore we talked about last time” 

“The bookstore?” he pauses. “Yeah think that's a good idea” 

“Great it's not much of a walk from here I think it's a five-minute walk” 

“Alright sounds good!” 

We got up from the bench we were sitting on and started heading over to the library. As soon as I get up my stomach takes a swirl. It's clear to me that I might find some things that may not be pleasant, perhaps there was a good reason that so little was revealed to me. On the other hand, I could find something beautiful and new. It's the not knowing that is slightly terrifying for me. I think that I'm old enough, I'm ready for whatever I may find, if I find anything at all. Humans are banned, and it's a huge possibility that human-related books could also be banned! It wouldn't hurt to try and at least try. I snap back to reality to realize that now we have come close enough to where I could see the store in the distance. My feet started to feel heavy almost as if my self-consciousness didn't want to go in. But at this point it's too late to turn back now and I have spent too much time in this weird phase where I have no idea what anything is so I don't care what my self-consciousness says. I am going to this gosh darn store and I am going to like it! I shake my hands almost as if I were shaking the stress out of my body. 

I am now facing the door and I freeze for a bit before Astro opens the door for me. 

“Welcome in!” an older gentleman greets us while at the counter. We wave at him and smile. 

“I have no idea where to look,” I say defeated. 

“Maybe we could try the section titled ‘species’” Astro shrugs and I follow him to the section.

We start scanning the shelves trying to look for anything remotely relating to humans. Astro goes over my shoulder. 

“I found this one!” He holds up a book titled “Human Behaviour”. I almost jumped from excitement. I try to contain my joy as best as I can. 

“Thank you!” I manage to let out, he hands me the book before saying “I'm going to try and hit other shelves to see if I can find anything else you keep looking at this one” 

“Okay, sounds good!” I say

I tried looking over the area I had looked out before to see if I had missed a title; to my luck, I had not. I'm standing there for a while before I look up to my defeat. 

I turn around and bump into someone and drop my book. I let out a quick ‘sorry!’ before bending down to pick it up and I went to pick it up but a hand met mine. I looked up to see that it was the girl, the same girl that I had run into yesterday. I am so caught up in the moment that I almost didn't realize that I still had her hand placed on mine. I let go of the book and she goes ahead and picks it up for me. She looks down at the cover and I feel as if my heart wanted to scream so much that I wanted to rip it off my chest. 

“Human behaviors? Are you interested in learning about humans?” she says 

“Yeah something like that” I chuckle 

“I used to be fascinated about learning about humans, we are so alike yet so different” She hands the book back to me. 

“Is that so?” I say 

“Of course, once you read it you'll understand” She smiles at me and I almost faint, she takes a closer look at me. “Hey, don't I know you?” 

“Me? Perhaps so I'm not sure-” 

“Yeah! You the soldier that saved me yesterday, I never got the chance to thank you formally”

“You don't have to worry about doing that!”

“Of course, I do, if it wasn't for you and your friend I don't know what would've been of me” 

I can't help but zone out while she is talking this is the first time I stand face to face with her properly, slowly I start to notice things about her such as the bow on her head resting there so elegantly almost as if she spends hours in the mirror looking for the perfect place to make it stand out. Her dark long hair pairs with her bow. She is wearing a long flowy blue skirt that moves like the wind when she makes a small move, her dress shirt is tucked under her sweater, and in theory, her outfit would look terrible on anyone else but for some reason, it sits so perfectly on her. 

“You know what? These books are on me, whatever you pick out” I snap back into reality once I realize what she had said. 

“No of course not how could I possibly accept that offer”

“How else am I meant to repay you then?”

“You don't have to repay me, it was my pleasure to save you.” I can feel my face burning up as I realize what I had just said. I've never been so forward. I'm surprised that I am even able to say these things. I've never seen myself as the type to be good with this sort of thing. She smiles at me and looks around before saying

“How about telling me your name?” She smiles

“I’m Marina” I say

“Nice to meet you Marina Im Elle”

Her name had such a nice ring to it it echoes in my mind as soon as she said it. I try my best not to stare but I can’t help myself.

“It was nice to see you again but I must finish my work now I hope we can cross paths again soon ” 

“Likewise,” I say and before I knew it she was gone, is it normal to miss someone as soon as they leave? 

Astro comes around the corner holding two or three books in his hand. 

“Hey I found these in that section over there,” he says

“Thank you Astro I think these will do plenty” 

“Were you talking to someone i think I heard some conversation coming from here” 

I think for a bit before saying “No, I think you were just imagining it” 

He shrugs off, and we go over the counter to pay for our books. 

“Thank you come again,” says the man behind the counter, and just like that I have now the possible key to my past. The sun is setting and the darkness starts to arise. I hate the darkness, it's nothing compared to the day which is filled with fun, lively streets, and lovely creatures. It makes me grateful for the sun because without it things would be gloomy, while Lumidawn is already gloomy as it is. I wonder if the human world is like Lumidawn. 

[sentenceme-leni]

Thursday. Minimum 4 sentences.

---

Belle sipped at her tea, drawing the blanket tighter around her bare legs. Despite the fireplace glowing bright on one end of the room, the cabin was colder than the mansion.

Central heating was a feature she would miss when they returned to the Dark Castle.

"This world has spoiled me," she told Rumple. "It's always warm inside."

"I'll keep you warm," he promised, joining actions to word and threading his arms around her.

Belle giggled, happy to accept the extra body heat under the circumstances. Before the temptation of his touch could distract her, Belle persevered. "But really, Rumple. How many candles would it take to make my library as cozy as the bookstore is here?"

"A hundred and twenty-two," he answered promptly.

Belle turned a skeptical look on him.

"Alright. I am kidding. But why the concern?" He waved a hand in that particular way that meant magic to him. "You can handle it yourself."

Belle was touched by his vote of confidence, but in truth heating spells drained her after a couple of hours. She had never liked to be dependant on Rumple's power for something so mundane, so she'd complemented the magic with thick shawls and an early bedtime in the worst of winter.

Perhaps someone would figure out how to apply some of this world's technology to their land?

"Did we ever meet any inventors back home?"

Rumple glanced at her with curiousity at the non-sequitor, but gave the matter some thought anyway. "Not that I remember," he said with a shake of his head. Then he smirked. "What about your father?"

Belle laughed at the thought.

Ruby had made her watch the movie once, and the next day Belle had sat Rumple in front of his TV set and played the video, just to make sure she wasn't reading too much into it.

Most of it was nonsense, like her father's vocation and jovial mood. She also couldn't remember Gaston with a close friend, though admittedly she hadn't cared to meet anyone important to her former fiancé.

To her surprise, the cartoon residents at the castle had tugged at her memory.

"Well, sweetheart," Rumple had said after listening to her. "You visited so many of the nearby towns, so often, that I'd find it unlikely if you hadn't met a nosy widow with a gaggle of young kids. As for friends who bicker over everything, there was probably a pair in every town!"

Belle saw the sense in his words.

Still the feeling persisted.

Rumpelstiltskin, however, took their conversation down a different path. "Have you changed your mind, then? Do you wish to stay in Storybrooke with all its comforts?"

Belle was quick to shake her head.

The miscommunication on that regard had lasted long enough.

"Of course not," she told Rumple. "After our wedding, we're going back home. You're the only comfort I'll need."

The End

09/05/24

[otakusheep15]

Valentine's Day with the Brothers

Ideal dates with each of the brothers for Valentine's (based on how I'd like to spend the day with them)

Lucifer

All of his work is finished. His brothers are out and away from the house. It's just you and him, alone in his room. A classical record is playing in the background. He made sure it wasn't a cursed one just in case you wouldn't like it. Subtle candles are lit all around the room. You are in his lap while he sits in his chair, the two of you resting after eating a nice meal prepared by him. He would never tell you, but that meal took him hours to perfect. No words are spoken between you. It is quiet and calm. Eventually, you fall asleep, and he lifts you up and places you on the bed, watching you for a moment before joining you. He falls asleep soon after, and it's the best sleep he's had in centuries.

Mammon

Despite the late hour, the city is anything but dark. Bright lights from various store windows, signs, and street lights illuminate your way as he guides you down the road. The two of you spent the day out, doing whatever you found interesting at the time. From movies to restaurants to casinos, you made sure to check out whatever you could find. At the end of the night, he takes you back home, but not for very long. He leads you to his car, and you drive off into the night. It could have been minutes or hours, you didn't know. Frankly, you didn't care either. All that mattered is that you're having fun, and he is too. According to him, the night is still young, and there is much more left to do. The two of you know that you have to go home eventually, but right now, all that you care about is this moment with him.

Leviathan

It was so predictable of him, and yet you couldn't imagine doing anything else with him. He's showing you one of his favorite anime. It's a romance, as he thought it would be appropriate for today. After a bit of convincing, he allowed you to cuddle up to him as you watched. He was initially flustered, as is expected of him, but he seems content, and so are you. Occasionally, he'll pause the anime and begin rambling to you about an important plot point or character dynamic. To anyone else, this would be annoying, but to you, it's perfect. Listening to him ramble on about something he cares about is so endearing, and you can't help but smile at his excitement. The marathon takes hours to get through, but it hardly feels like any time has passed when the ending theme plays for the final time. You stayed cuddled up together, and instead of starting another anime, he instead chooses to bask in your presence in silence.

Satan

His room is just as messy as ever. Books are littered about, and most of them are collecting dust. A couple of bags are placed at the end of the bed. He had taken you out to a bookstore, and you both decided to pick out a book for the other to read. You made sure to pick out a book you knew he'd like, and you knew he did the same. Now, in the present, the two of you sit side-by-side, each reading your own separate books. On occasion, you pause to give updates and thoughts on your books, but they never last for too long. The silence is much more comfortable, and you're both content to read quietly. He is a much faster reader than you, and it is inevitable that he'd finish his book before you. However, he is patient, and continues to sit in silence while you finish. Once you do, you're both able to sit down and fully discuss each other's books, discussing what you liked and disliked, and anything else on your mind. It's more fun than you thought it'd be, and you would definitely have to do it again.

Asmodeus

The day started off peacefully enough, but it would not stay that way. It never does with him. As soon as you were both awake, he invited you over to his room for a spa day. You spend time in his bath, laughing and gossiping. Then he takes you to his vanity, where he does your hair, makeup, and nails. He also lets you do the same to him, even if it isn't perfect. Lastly, he puts on a mock fashion show for you, showing off all of his possible outfits for the evening. He asks you to choose one for him, and he wears it with pride. Of course, he also picks out your outfit, making sure t perfectly matches your personality and style. Once both of you are ready, he takes you out to his favorite club. Usually, he would be floating around, talking to his fans and dancing, but not tonight. No, tonight, he stays with you, and does whatever you want. He does not leave your side once, and his eyes always remain on you. The two of you party until dawn, and when you finally leave, he takes you out to a local diner for some breakfast. A cute and simple way to end such a crazy night.

Beelzebub

No matter what you decide to do with him, it will always involve food. He will definitely take you out for brunch, and, yes, he will pay, so you can get whatever you like. Even if you feel self conscious about eating too much, he actively encourages you to eat anything you want to eat, and he doesn't mind ordering for you if you don't want to. Afterwards, he takes you back home. There, the two of you try baking some sweets. It does not matter if you are good or bad at baking; he just wants to have fun with you while attempting to bake. Expect to make a big mess that you will have to clean up after. There will also certainly be a flour fight at some point, but it's all in good fun. Whatever sweets you make, he will eat them. Nothing can ever taste bad when you make it, according to him at least. If you're feeling nice, he'd be willing to help you make sweets for his brothers as well, but there is no guarantee that he won't eat those as well.

Belphegor

Naps. Lots of napping. Specifically, napping in the planetarium. He tries to stay awake for as long as possible, telling you all about the stars. It's quite fascinating, especially since stars in the Devildom are much different from those in the human world. However, eventually, he tires out and begins to fall asleep. You can't help but run your fingers through his hair, admiring how soft it is despite him never taking care of it. Even in his sleep, he is still sensitive to your touch, and he pushes his hand up into your hand as he gets comfortable. Soon, you too start feeling tired, and he welcomes you into his arms for some cuddles. The two of you fall asleep in the planetarium together, and when you wake up, it is late at night. He only gets up with you so that he can drag you to the attic for more sleep. It may not be the definition of romance, but for you too, these naps are the best way to spend the day.

Just wanted to get a little thing out before the day was over. Apologies for any mistakes. I'm writing this while sick and it basically took me the whole day to write all of this lol. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, both single people (me) and couples!