#kind of an overly detailed premise here but bear with me

[voidedjuice]

NEW girlfailure! Girl who has firmly convinced herself that she's been struck with quantum immortality, and lives her life accordingly (reckless and stupid).

Ends up getting involved in a fight between two vampires and almost dies (but doesnt!!! immortality PROVEN!), and is rewarded by the winner with an opportunity to become her kin. However said vampire is kinda stinky and a heavy smoker (ew) so she just runs away instead, with her now questionably human body & cool new scars to chuuni out about

[thinkingisadangerouspastime]

(pt 1) i really enjoy all your atla analyses & you've done a great job breaking down the usual arguments re how eip shows that kataang shouldn't have happened. i'm curious about your take on one specific argument that i just saw today, in an analysis of the show by a zker that was otherwise quite good and respectful (i know you've already talked about eip a lot, so no problem if you don't feel like rehashing). the premise: aang didn't just pressure katara in eip, he threatened her.

(pt 2) they point to when katara joins aang & asks if he’s alright: “aang: no, i’m not! i hate this play! katara: i know it’s upsetting, but it sounds like you’re overreacting. aang: overreacting? if i hadn’t blocked my chakra, i’d probably be in the avatar state right now!” the suggestion is he’s threatening her when he says ‘i’d probably be in the avatar state right now’ to describe his anger. i think this take exaggerates and oversimplifies it, but interested in your thoughts on it.

Hello my friend!! It is true I am Old inside and don’t like rehashing dhdlksjslks BUT your comments on my posts are always incredibly kind and insightful so I am more than willing to do a bit of rehashing for you 🥰 Besides! I’ve seen this general take before a few times and it’s always irked me for the exact reason you point out - it simultaneously exaggerates and oversimplifies the situation (and honestly that’s an impressive duality since it’s seemingly contradictory, so hats off to them lmaooo) - and now is as good a time as any to address it. So, for starters, let’s go ahead and get the excerpt they love to focus on so much:

Cut to Aang standing alone on a balcony. Katara enters and walks up to him.

Katara: Are you all right?

Aang: [Angered.] No, I’m not! I hate this play! [Yanks his hat off and throws it on the ground.]

Katara: I know it’s upsetting, but it sounds like you’re overreacting.

Aang: Overreacting? If I hadn’t blocked my chakra, I’d probably be in the Avatar State right now!

Here’s the thing about so-called analyses of this excerpt: in a manner extremely convenient to the poster, they never seek to contextualize this moment. (I mean, to do so would deplatform their entire “argument” - perhaps that’s why they avoid performing a full analysis?) So let’s avoid that pitfall from the start.

Firstly, below are some links to related posts; I’m going to do my best to summarize the most relevant parts, but for anyone who desires greater detail, I gotchu 😤

This post explains why EIP (the play, lol) is imperialist propaganda and is intended to belittle the entire Gaang.

This post explains how Aang never acted “entitled” to Katara’s affections, particularly in regard to EIP.

This post breaks down the infamous EIP kiss like Snopes Fact Checker, covering common misconceptions, important perspectives to consider, etc.

Alright. With that out the way, it’s time for some context.

Aang and Katara have this conversation on the balcony after watching 95% of “The Boy in the Iceberg,” a play chock-full of Fire Nation propaganda that demeans the entire Gaang in order to prop up the Fire Nation as superior (hence why the play ends with Ozai’s victory). Here is my general breakdown of Aang and Katara’s treatment in particular from a previous post:

- katara, an indigenous woman, is highly sexualized and portrayed as overly dramatic and tearful, because the fire nation objectifies women not of their own people and views them as less intelligent and less emotionally stable

- aang, the avatar, the sole survivor of the fire nation’s genocide of the air nomads who is incredibly in-touch with his spirituality and femininity, is portrayed as an overly-airy and immature woman. the fire nation portrays him with a female actor to demean him (like, that’s classic imperialistic propagandist tactics) and furthermore writing his character as a childish airhead reinforces the fire nation sentiment that the air nomads were weak, foolish people who did not deserve to exist in their world

In other words, these kids have just watched almost an entire play that preys upon their insecurities and depicts them using racist and sexist stereotypes about their respective nations. It is completely understandable that tensions might run a little high and that their interactions would not be as balanced as usual (Katara and Aang have a great track record of communicating well with each other, as it happens!).

So we have to keep that in mind when examining the aforementioned excerpt. But there are other factors to consider, too! Namely: they are kids. Children. Teens. Aang is 12, Katara is 14.

If we want to be scientific, a person’s brain doesn’t finish developing until they are 25, lmao, and the preteen/teen years are when the prefrontal cortex that controls “rationality,” “judgement,” “forethought,” etc. is still developing. This doesn’t mean Aang and Katara are irrational and make poor decisions 24/7 (obviously not), but it does mean that in an intense, highly emotional situation, like after watching a play that intentionally demeans them and depicts them as inferior, they are more likely to overreact, more likely to be emotional, and more likely to make mistakes. Like, I’m serious, lol. “Teens process information with the amygdala.” That’s part of the brain that helps control emotions! It’s why teens sometimes struggle to articulate what we’re thinking, especially in situations that require instinct/impulse and quick decisions, because we’re really feeling whenever we make those choices. Acting more on emotion. Our brains simply haven’t finished developing the decision-making parts, lmao.

In sum: Aang and Katara are both kids, not adults, and should be interpreted as such. This doesn’t negate their intelligence, because they are both incredibly smart and Aang is arguably the wisest of the Gaang, but they are human. Young humans. They have emotions, and we should not be so cruel as to assume they’d never act on them.

So taking that all together, we can now acknowledge the high stress Aang and Katara are under, understand why they might be upset (*cough* imperialist propaganda is hurtful *cough*), and examine how their youth might play into their emotional reactions. And funny thing - all analyses that come to the conclusion of Aang “threatening” Katara here do not usually bother with this context. I can’t imagine why!

And you know what, let’s add one more piece of context: Sokka states that Aang left the theater “like, ten minutes ago,” which is what cues Katara to go look for him on the balcony. The reason I mention this line is because to me, it suggests Aang knew he was more worked up than usual! He chose to separate himself from his friends so he could process his frustration! He did not take his anger at the play out on them; instead, he purposefully took time and space to be alone.

With that in mind, I don’t understand at all how Aang’s Avatar state quote could be interpreted as a threat? Canonly, Aang is someone who was aware enough of his frustration to separate himself from the others - yet the logical next step is him threatening Katara as a result? He knew his intense emotions were because of the play (which he says himself), so the logical conclusion is that he then pinned the fault on Katara? What?? Sorry, that interpretation has no textual basis, lmao. But I digress!

Aang tells Katara, “If I hadn’t blocked my chakra, I’d probably be in the Avatar State right now!” As you said, this is the line people point to in an attempt to justify their (baseless) conclusion that Aang is “threatening” Katara. So let’s bring in the two key pieces of context: imperialist propaganda and age. Given that Aang is 12, and given that Aang has just watched almost a full play that demeans him and everything his people stood for (and let’s not forget it also mocks his and Katara’s love for each other)…

His reaction is understandable. An exaggeration and needlessly dramatic, but understandable. He feels vulnerable and insecure and Aang is human. He is human and flawed and he overreacts here and I love that A:TLA shows how even our heroes, even people who are truly good at heart and in soul, can get overly upset (especially given the aforementioned circumstances!). Would Aang actually be in the Avatar state at that moment, had it been possible? Of course not! He’s young and he’s hurt and as such he says something dramatic to convey his anxieties and frustrations. The line is not meant to be taken literally, and seeing people do so despite all the factors that should be taken into consideration when analyzing it… Cue a long, tired sigh from me and so many other A:TLA fans.

And to be honest? I cannot fathom how people watch this episode and come to the conclusion that Aang is “threatening” Katara. To me, this episode - besides being a recap episode - is one that humanizes our cast even further. Aang snaps at Katara, kisses her when he shouldn’t (which the story appropriately treats as wrong). Katara pushes down her true feelings and retreats into herself, afraid to start a relationship with the boy she loves because she’s already lost him once before and can’t bear to do so again. Zuko further confronts the hurt he’s enacted upon others, especially upon Iroh. Toph practices being vulnerable and accepting vulnerability from others by conversing with Zuko. Sokka witnesses how others have erased his contributions and labelled him as nothing more than the token nonbender in the group. Even Suki learns that she is not the only person who holds a place in Sokka’s heart and that she can never replace what he has lost.

To watch this episode where our heroes must come to terms with how the Fire Nation deems them inherently inferior, with how they have more fights to overcome in the future with the Fire Nation than a single war, and to come to the conclusion that… that what, Aang is abusive? A monster? Irredeemable? That he would threaten his best friend, someone he loves in every way?

Wow. That says more than enough about the viewer, doesn’t it?

[alliterative-albatross]

So, I sent you (@disgruntledspacedad) a pretty long ask a while ago (back when you had anon on) and I'm decently sure Tumblr ate it (or maybe you ignored it, in which case, feel free to ignore this one as well). But then I saw one of those "writers appreciate feedback no matter how long" posts, so I'm back here. Here is my mediocre attempt to rewrite my original review of your work. Bear in mind that English is not my first language, so if at any point my phrasing sounds weird to you, you know why. Mandatory disclaimer/apology: this might get a little too long 😅

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

I remember being SO mad at myself for not finding this sooner. I binge read it one afternoon with no thoughts for any real life responsibilities I might have had (and no regrets). Javiears is one hell of an unconventional relationship in the beginning, and I really love what you did with them. The whole premise of your story is quite refreshing, and you somehow manage to convey the trust and mutual respect there two feel for one another without explicitly showing us the beginning of their "entanglement".

Also, fuck you for what you did to poor Emilio, that man was a saint and he deserved better! I honestly can't believe that I got so attached to a character that appeared so little in the story, but it happened, and his death kind of broke my heart.

But the Javiears reunion + mild confession was lovely, and felt completely deserved. And of course the sex scene. I won't lie, I expected a bit better from Javi there, but I did like how utterly /human/ it was. Capturing that humanity, the imperfections in each character is something you're really good at (more on that later).

AFTERSHOCKS

Ah, my emotionally constipated babies who really need to work out their communication issues. I do love them, though. And this short series did a really good job of delving a bit deeper into Ears's and Javi's psyche. Kudos to you for dealing with the medical "aftershocks" of living through an explosion AND using that experience to move your emotional plot forward. These two need to grow a lot before they can get to a stable point in their relationship, and you really manage to convey their insecurity and fear of commitment/intimacy while making it clear that they're in it for the long run and that theirs is a relationship that WILL work out so help them God.

IF I FALL

Ouch. Punch me in the gut while you're at it, why don't you?

But seriously, "If I Fall" is SO FUCKING GOOD. Don't get me wrong, it's angstier than an image of Jesus on the cross (don't judge me, it's Holy Week and I just got home from accompanying my grandma to church), but it somehow works beautifully. You, my dear, play heartstrings like they're a fucking guitar and I AM HERE FOR IT.

You're doing an amazing job at making me feel everything these characters are feeling, which is both awful (bc pain) and impressive.

Also, if anything happens to Ana I will cry, because she is adorable and wonderful and has suffered way too much already and really deserves a break and some cookies.

Also also, if anything happens to Ears I will cry, because she is badass and wonderful and has suffered way too much already and really deserves a break and some cookies.

Also also also, if anything happens to Javi I will cry, because he is loving and wonderful and has suffered way too much already and really deserves a break and some cookies.

Basically, I am really invested in the well-being of these characters and can't wait until they're happy and safe again (please tell me they will be, my heart can't handle much more pain).

A quick note on the angst complaints: yes, this story is way angstier than most other fics out there and it can be a bit too much at times, especially considering how many chapters of pain it's been. BUT it's obvious that "If I Fall" NEEDS this amount of angst to get where it's going, to send the message it wants to and to properly develop its characters. The pain is as important to this story as flour is to bread. You may not like eating flour on its own (I don't think anyone does), but you love bread (because bread is amazing) and you must recognize that bread NEEDS flour to work. It wouldn't be bread otherwise. And eating the flour as part of the bread even makes you like the flour because the bread is just DELICIOUS.

I fully understand and sympathize with the people who have elected to table "If I Fall" until it's completed so they can binge read it knowing there's a happy ending in sight, but in case you're feeling a bit self conscious about all the angst, please know that your story is beautiful not in spite of the pain, but rather /because of it/.

PS: No, I'm not high/drunk, I just really like bread

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Silly thing to comment on, I know, but I do feel like it's important that you know how useful your ANs have been. There are many details in the story that I simply wouldn't fully get without reading your comments at the end of each chapter, and I appreciate your writing a hell of a lot more knowing how deeply you understand and care for each one of your characters. Plus, it is obvious how much work you've put into researching a country and a time period that are (from what I gather) unfamiliar to you, and I really do believe you've done an amazing job of it.

JAVIER PEÑA

My boy. I love your characterization of this complicated character, and I have eagerly read each and every one of your headcanons about him. I can't really say if your version is fully faithful to the source material because it's been a while since I saw Narcos, but your Javi most definitely reads like a real person. He's fairly consistent as a character, and I feel like everything he does is perfectly natural for him to do as a character. He makes for an unconventional yet deeply interesting romantic lead, and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed all his POV chapters/scenes.

OCs

I know you've gotten some flack for making her into an OC halfway into the story, and while I get why the sudden change may have felt like a disappointment for some, I don't share that sentiment. I firmly believe that this fandom is unfairly harsh towards Original Characters and their creators, and I don't really understand why. Listen, I love Reader fics, and consume many Reader fics. I have read dozens, maybe even hundreds, and I can safely say that I've only ever "inserted" myself in approximately 10% of those stories. Reader characters are not as blank as their writers may want them to be. They can't be. They're characters, and character have personalities and moral values and senses of humor and a bunch of other things. Reader characters may not have a backstory or a physical description attached (and even that's not guaranteed), but they're still characters.

And on a more personal note, pretending they're actual blank slates is naive at best and insensitive at worst. Reader characters are American coded 99% of the time, and white coded 95% of the time. Not every readers is white nor American, even if that's the predominant demographic on Tumblr. When I read a JavixReader fic about a woman who speaks exactly zero Spanish, I know she's not me. The story may be beautifully written and have an amazing plot and character development, but the Reader *isn't me*. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and some of my favorite xReader stories feature a "reader" who couldn't be more different from me, but it's something that enemies of OC fics should take into account. Particularly if they are white and/or American. But I digress.

HANNAH AARONS

Your character is amazing. She's strong, smart, confident, independent and an all-around badass. She gets kidnapped while pregnant and still focuses on problem solving and survival. But she's also overly guarded and mistrustful, and really needs to work on her communication skills. There are times when I absolutely love her and even admire her, and other times when I want to whack her with a slipper. She's no Mary Sue, but remains interesting and likeable throughout the story. She feels wholly human and real, and that's no easy task. I like her, I am invested in her, and I can't wait to see what's next for her. She's a compelling and three dimensional protagonist in a complex story who never fails to draw me in. I love her. She's your baby, and you should be proud of her.

Also, quick question about personality types: I know you've typed Javi as ESFP and Ears as ENTP (100% agree on both, btw), but have you given any thought to their enneagram types? I personally have always seen Ears as being somewhere on the thinking triad, maybe a 7 or even a 6w7, but I'm not too sure about Javi. 9w8 maybe? He could also be a 6w5 🤔

PARTING THOUGHTS

Basically, I love your story, your characters and your writing in general. You are a fantastic storyteller and wordsmith. You get into the heads of incredibly different characters personality-wise (Ears, Javi, Berna...) and manage to capture all of their complexities and quirks every single time. And it doesn't feel like it's something innate for you either. To me, it seems that you have put a lot of work and effort into understanding each and every one of your characters, who they are, why they do what they do and what they want. And let me tell you, all that effort has been more than worth it. "Better Love" is a fanfic, but it wouldn't be out of place in a regular bookstore, if I'm honest. I don't know what you do for a living or if you've ever considered writing professionally, but you clearly have the skills and the drive to create some masterpieces.

You are amazing and your writing is a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us, and have a nice day! ~ 🍪

~

My friend, I apologize for hoarding your first ask. I’ve been sitting on it because I’m not gonna lie, I enjoy going back and rereading it. It gave me a lot of comfort when I was in a pretty dark place, both personally and in regards to my writing, and I was reluctant to send it out into the the abyss of Tumblr where I might never see it again. 

That’s not fair, though. You put just as much effort into sending me that review as I put into my writing, and I apologize for never responding to you.

Okay, anyway, so twice now, you’ve made me cry. In a good way, I promise! 

I absolutely love your bread/flour metaphor. It made perfect sense. I want the emotional release of Javi and Hannah’s reunion to be earned, and in order to do that, the angst has to come first (there are also a few plot “ingredients” that have yet to make their appearances). Thank you very much for understanding that, and for voicing it so eloquently.

I appreciate your comments on my research and characterization. You’re correct that I’ve put a lot of time and effort into crafting a universe. In a lot of ways, I’m doing my best to stay true to the source material (regarding culture and timelines in particular), and in others, I’m branching into my own territory. 

On that note, I’ve never once regretted fully embracing Hannah Aarons’ identity as an OC. She’s stayed consistent in my mind from the beginning, and it was a relief to finally share my vision of her with the audience. And for the record, I totally agree with you regarding “reader” characters. Every reader insert echoes the perspective of their author, no matter how vague the physical description. I can only imagine how grating that must be from the perspective of a non-white, non-american reader. Thank you so much for sharing your insight! I will certainly keep it in mind the next time I write a “reader insert” fic.

Okay, enneagrams! I am much less familiar with enneagram than I am MBTI, but I agree 110% that Javi is a 9 with a strong 8 wing. I waffled back and forth on Ears a little, but eventually landed on 8w7 for her. It came down to the eight’s deepest fear, which is being controlled. That’s Ears all over, and the fact that she and Javi share that eight willfulness means that they might butt heads a little, which also seems very appropriate for them. Big thanks to @remusstark for her insight into the eight frame of mind - our conversations helped solidify my decision on this. :)

Anyway, I’m just rambling now. The big take-away point that I want you to get is that I am so, so grateful to you, both for your insightful feedback and your dedication in making sure that I actually saw it. You are an absolute gem and a deep thinker, Cookie-Anon, and if you ever feel like sliding into my DM’s, I’d welcome the opportunity to get to know you better.

Mad love and soft hugs, 

~ Jay

[btssavedmylifeblr]

hii i adore your writing and was wondering if you had any tips for people starting to write smut?

Thank you! 💕 First thing I’ll say is that writing smut is not all that different from writing anything else. Good smut writing has to be good writing, so any good writing tips will also improve your smut. Smut in particular tends to benefit from clear, uncomplicated prose that is easy to read.

I self-indulgently made this post as step-by-step smut recipe, mostly as a writing exercise for myself. It got long, so I am placing a cut here. Also, I wrote some example smut, so there’s mature content below. 

1. Basic Premise - So all smut starts with one of a few basic premises. The sex acts can change, but there are only so many possibilities. I’m working with a heterosexual example here, but these suggestions work for everything. 

He stuck his penis in her vagina, then ejaculated.

So there’s what actually happens, but that’s probably not doing a lot for you. Let’s see how we can improve it.

2. Terminology - Some words are sexier than others. This is just my personal preference, but “cock” seems to be the sexiest word for male genitalia. “Dick” feels a bit more like a joke to me like “he thrust his cock into her” vs. “he got his dick stuck in his zipper”. “Penis” feels appropriate for when its flaccid, but isn’t very sexy. “Erection” can be good, especially if it just happened and you want to draw attention to it, but can be weird if used repeatedly. “Manhood”, “length”, “member” and “shaft” are okay if you’re trying to be coy. Anything else is probably too much.

For female genitalia, again this is personal preference, but I think “cunt” is the best choice. “Cock” and “cunt” are both hard short words and I think that makes them work well. They punch you in the gut. “Vagina” is fine. “Entrance” or “inside me/you/her” are good for being coy. “Clitoris” is good. I will sometimes use “clit” or “pussy” but only in dialogue. They feel too conversational to use in the narration for me, but other people will disagree.

There’s no official “Elements of Style for Smut” but I feel strongly that “come” is a verb and “cum” is a noun. “I’m coming!” is exciting. “I’m cumming” is gross. “He came on her inner thigh. She then wiped the cum off with a towel.”

So if we return to the original sentence and change terminology, we get:

He thrust his cock into her cunt, then came inside her. 

That’s better. Still not terribly exciting.

3. Description - Description is a double-edged sword. You want the reader to imagine the scene in their head, but if you overdo it, the reader gets thrown out of the story because you end up sounding like a technical manual or harlequin romance novel. Avoid being overly specific and use analogy and metaphor very sparingly. You want the reader to see it clearly in their mind. Finicky details and dramatic analogies distract from the scene. 

Bad description: “His cock was seven and a half inches long with the head just a shade darker than shaft. It looked like an elongated mushroom plucked from the garden of her darkest fantasies.”

Try to focus more on describing emotions and sensations than on physical mechanics. It won’t be the same picture that you see in your mind and that’s okay.  It will turn them on more if they can project their own mental images onto your writing.

His cock was hard, leaking with his eagerness to be inside her. He thrust into her and felt her cunt clench around him. 

An improvement, still kind of boring.

4. Dialogue - Dialogue is potent. If the reader can hear the character’s voice in your head, it helps put them into the scene better. Some good dirty talk can take the steaminess of a scene way up. 

“Do you want me to fuck you?” His cock was hard, leaking with his eagerness to be inside her. 

“Yes,” she moaned, “yes, god, please.” 

He thrust into her and felt her cunt clench around him. “That’s a good girl.”

Okay, so, now we’re getting somewhere.  

5. Tension - This is an aspect that a lot of beginning smut writers miss. When I was starting out, I thought that just describing the act was sexy enough, but there needs to be something at stake, whether that be conflict or risk or emotional fallout. This is why people get so excited about tropes like enemies to lovers or forbidden fruit, because there is tension. 

“Do you want me to fuck you?” His cock was hard, leaking with his eagerness to be inside her.

“Yes,” she moaned, “yes, god, please.”

“Shh…” He clamped a hand down on her mouth. “You’ll wake her up.” 

She looked over at her sleeping roommate only a few feet away. Fuck. This was wrong. But she was so turned on, wet and aching for him. She couldn’t bear the thought of him leaving her alone and empty.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Think you can keep quiet for me?” She nodded and he pulled his hand away. He thrust into her and felt her cunt clench around him. She bit her lip hard to stifle her moan. 

“That’s a good girl.”

So that’s some pretty passable smut. Not the greatest by any stretch, but there’s a bit of a story there and I can picture what’s happening in my head. It would be better if they weren’t just nameless talking heads, which brings me to my last point.

6. Relatable Characters / Realism - Yes, smut is mostly fantasy, but the effectiveness of the smut is directly related to how well your reader can empathize with the characters. Nothing takes me out a story faster than if I’m sitting there going “I don’t understand why she is into this dude” or “use a condom! This fuckboi clearly has gonorrhea!” Making your characters relatable and allowing them to have some real struggles makes the whole story feel more real, which in turn makes it hotter. I’m not saying all smut has to be perfectly protected and responsible, all sex certainly isn’t. But acknowledging the risks can often up the tension and make your story more believable. 

I don’t have a great way to demonstrate that with this silly little mock story, but I’m happy to talk more about realism or character building in future asks. 

Hope that was helpful! My About Me page has a bunch more writing asks if you’re interested. 

[rollipolli-yoli]

Happy Birthday Keith!

(A little late, but) To celebrate I’ve decided to compile a list of my favorite Keith-centric fanfics! Full of well written Keith! 

Hound by Story_Monger

Chapters:11 Status: Complete Ships: None Rating: General Audiences

Tags: Horror, Team as Family, Past Child Abuse, Character Study, Platonic Relationships, Suspense, Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort

Summary: Keith has a lot of practice being alone; you might almost say he's good at it. When he finds himself seriously injured and stranded on an unknown planet, he knows he's not alone there. And here's the worst part: even after rescue and after things return to normal, Keith gets the distinct sense that whatever was on that planet has followed him. He doesn't have proof. But he knows it's there. He knows it's not going to stop until it gets what it wants.

Hound is incredible on all levels. It is an artistic, gorgeously written character study, full of suspense and horror that had me on the edge of my seat at all times. I loved the transitions between THEN (the sections of the story that take place the year Keith was alone in the desert) and the NOW. Keith’s backstory is a real mystery still, and this story uses it’s head cannons to the fullest, never feeling out of character or out of place. The wonderful platonic affection the paladins shower each other with is adorable and refreshing between the bits of heart wrenching angst and spine tingling horror, and all around this fanfic seems to know Keith even better than the show writers. It’s not only one of my favorite fanfics, it’s probably one of my favorite pieces of fiction I’ve ever read, period. 

WARNING mentions past child abuse but it stays away from graphic details.

Recoil/Release by Cheshyr 

Chapters: 13  Status: Complete  Ships: None Rating: Teen and Up

Tags: Team as family, Anxiety, Insecure Keith, Panic Attacks, Past Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Sketchy Science

Summary: When Keith is bitten by an alien creature with venom that causes your dominant emotions to be amplified, the team is ready for a day of dealing with an incredibly angry paladin.

Which means they're not ready at all for what actually happens.

As a person who suffers from panic attacks and anxiety, this one really hits close to home. Keith’s insecurities and fears, amplified to an impossible measure thanks to the alien creatures venom keeps the stakes high, and is backed up with solid writing, dialogue, and character interactions (seriously I LIVE for best friend Pidge&Keith). The angst is heartbreaking, the humor will have you laughing out loud, and the heart felt moments between our favorite space team will leave you feeling warm and cozy for days. It’s not always perfect, but it’s definitely a worthwhile read.                                        

WARNING: As someone who suffers from panic attacks and anxiety I did have to take a small break from time to time. The panic attacks and anxiety are very VERY well written. The child abuse is barely mentioned and more implied than anything  (never really described or shown ) but I’ll still put a warning. 

Running Flat by SKayLanphear 

Chapters: 2 Status: Complete Ships: Klance Rating: Mature

Tags: Romance, Thought-Sharing, Pining, Longing, Silly Boys

Summary: Lance, like all the other paladins, is finally getting used to the “mind meld” they all have to indulge in when controlling their lions. Until someone’s uncontrollable crush comes in and knocks them all back in surprise. It’s a crush that circles persistently through their thoughts and only gets stronger as time goes on, until they begin to realize this might be a bit more serious than the term “crush” implies.

Meanwhile, the unfortunate paladin behind it all is trying desperately to bury the feelings away, yet failing at every turn.

-I find SKayLanphear to be a master of character, and while this fic is not completely Keith-centric (since it’s sometimes told in Lance’s POV) I believe Skay has a wonderful grasp on Keith’s voice, and who he is as a person. I love the way this story takes the interesting concept of mind melding that was introduced in season 1 and fully explores it. Add in some angst and romance,and you got yourself a great fic. Skay’s A+ writing and interesting premise makes for a short and sweet story with a hefty emotional punch, and it will most definitely leave a mark on your heart.

You can also find @skaylanphear here on tumblr

Nothing Can Breathe in Space by Idrilka

Chapters: 4 Status: Complete Ships: Sheith Rating: Explicit

Tags: Backstory, Pre-Canon, Canon Era, Mutual Pining, Unresolved Tension, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Slow Burn, First Time, Friends to Lovers

Summary: The truth is: what Keith wants or doesn’t want won’t bring Shiro back.

The truth is: nothing can breathe in space. 

(Or: the story of how Keith and Shiro come together, come apart, and come together again.)

I desperately want to know about the back story of Keith and Shiro when they were at the Garrison and this fic is a good way to scratch that itch. While the story is obviously told through a more romantic lens then it probably will in canon, it doesn’t feel overly sappy or out of character. Filled to the brim with angst, this story of discovery, loss, and re-discovery (told in Idrilka’s fantastic interpretation of Keith’s voice) will probably make you cry. But it will also fill you with hope, and an excitement for the day we get to see Keith and Shiro’s actual backstory in canon. 

WARNING: There will be feels. Also, PTSD. And some adult shows of affection. All very tasteful in my opinion, but just be warned that it’s there. 

Call Me, Beep Me by Orphan_Account

Chapters: 10 Status: Complete Ships: Klance, Minor Shallura 

Rating: General Audiences

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Wrong Number AU, Texting

Summary: (00:31) Do you think she gave me the wrong number on purpose? (00:31) Or was it a genuine mistake? (00:32) Like maybe she writes funny and I misread it? (00:32) Some of the numbers do look a little dodgy... (00:33) Cause, you know, her threes could very easily be poorly formed eights? And maybe she writes her sevens like her ones? (00:45) What (00:46) The (00:46) Fuck??? (00:47) Oh good, you are awake!

Where Lance messages the wrong number and things kind of snowball from there

This fic is hilarious. Written almost completely as an epistolary novel (the chosen form text messages) this fic has as much fun with itself as you do reading it. It isn’t always easy to keep the essence of the characters the same when placing them in alternate universes with new alternate lives, but this fic does a fantastic job. The character dialogue is fast and smart, their interactions funny and relatable, the romance is adorable and slow-burning, and the plot is great with a satisfying conclusion. BONUS: If you love Pidge and Keith as best friends the way I do, you'll love them in this fic. It is one of my biggest disappointments that I will never know who actually wrote this.

WARNING: You may die of laughter

Fragile: Handle With Care by EchoResonance

Chapters: 7 Status: Complete Ships: Sheith Rating: Teen and Up

Tags: Abuse, Child Abuse, Physical Abuse, Past Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, Trauma, Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Angst, Heavy Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending

Summary: Shiro's heard all sorts of stories about soulmates. He's seen the stories in action. He's seen his father knock his hip against the corner of the counter and watched the bruise bloom on his mother's. He watched his friend get a tattoo and seen another friend with the fading remnants of that very same mark. It was a magical moment for some people.

Shiro and his soulmate were not those people.

An AU in which the marks that one person receives, the other also bears temporarily. And although Shiro has had few accidents and has never been struck a day in his life, it is very rare that his skin isn't a painting of reds, blues, and purples

Although this story is actually written mostly from Shiro’s point of view, Keith is just SO Keith in it, that I had to include it in the list. I have always had an interest in Soulmate au’s, and while marks from your skin appearing on your soulmates skin isn’t exactly new, the added feature of your soulmate feeling the pain you feel kind of is (at least to me). I wanted to know how someone as private as Keith would react to this, and this fic delivered. 

This fic is beautiful. Full of all kinds of emotions, beautiful writing, an interesting premise, and a good grasp on the characters. Seeing the characters we know and love play out in this new world they’ve been put in is an emotional roller coaster that I never want to get off of. 

WARNING: There is definitely sensitive and triggering material in this fic. Please read the tags carefully. While the abuse is never grossly graphic or shown in great detail, do not continue to read it if you feel it will have an effect on your mental/emotional well being.

A Horse To Water by SKayLanphear

Chapters: 3/? Status: In Progress Ships: Klance, Minor Shallura 

Rating: Mature

Tags: Romance, rivals to friends to lovers, cowboy keith, city-boy Lance, deals with controversial subjects, Racism, Homophobia, Horses, Angst, Violence, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings

Summary: Lance moves to the country and meets a hot-headed cowboy intent on being as difficult as possible. Despite his efforts, however, Keith merely inspires Lance to wonder at the pros of saving a horse and riding a cowboy.

If anyone was going to make it onto this list twice, it would be Skay. Back with another Klance fic (once again with rotating POV), but this time in it for the long haul. This fic is so much fun and drama so far. Great premise, fresh setting, excellent writing and grasp of character,  and horses. FREAKING. BEAUTIFUL. HORSES.  But don’t worry, the angst is there, bubbling just underneath the skin, and I can’t wait for it to come in full (which it will just you wait). I am really excited to read this fic as it continues, and see how the characters we know and love interact in these new (but fitting) roles they have been given.  Plus come on guys, it has cow-boy Keith. COW. BOY. KEITH!

WARNING: Although the fic is still in its early chapters, according to the authors tags it has been tagged mature for a reason. So all you guys who shouldn’t be meddling around in the mature tag...stay out of this fic. 

[kitchenwitchsuperwhovian]

Love the Way You Lie

Summary: The Reader thought they were friends but Sam was just using her as a way to get Dean to back off.

Rating: Mature

Square Filled: Fake Relationship with Soulless!Sam, Dean x Reader

Word Count: 3,5115

Tags: Unfounded rage, emotional ineptitude, mild violence, betrayal, despair, slight depression ending in some fluffy smut. A/N:  There is some slight canon divergence so bear with me for the sake of the fic. Beta’d by @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid

Written/Created for @spnkinkbingo

*GIFs not my own*

There was something different about the younger Winchester. He seemed a little off to you when interviewing the widow of the man who was drained of his blood at his mistress’ house. Maybe is was the fact that he and Dean had a falling out and are hunting separately but his behavior has Y/N looking at him differently.

“Sam, quick question? Why were you being a hardass with the widow? She just lost her husband, who might I add was found drained of blood in his mistress’ bed.” Y/N questioned him with a fierce stare.

“She knew more than she let on so I asked the questions you wouldn’t dare ask. And I think we should be focusing on asking her how she is involved. She knew about the mistress, why not the vamp?” Sam stated harshly to Y/N with a determined glare.

“I’m gonna grab some food and beer and we’ll talk about this when I get back.” Y/N grabs her keys and slams the door on her way out.

On the way to the market, she quickly dials Dean’s cell and waits for him to pick up. “This is Dean, if you caught this message, I’m out killing something. Leave your name, number, and reason why you’re calling me. Winchester out.” *Beep* “Dean, it’s Y/N. call me back. I’ve got questions that only you can answer. Number’s the same so call me.”

Y/N puts her phone away and starts shopping for basic snacks and premade sandwiches. A stop in the beer aisle and off to the checkout where an elderly lady is overly chatty with the clerk as she casually mentions another body that has Y/N on high alert.

“Ma’am, I hate to interrupt. I’m Agent Hardy and me and my partner are in town investigating a similar murder. Can you give me any details or information on who I can speak to about the recent victim?” Y/N states authoritatively while the clerk quickly processes her transaction.

“Well, it was the preacher, Agent. Him and his wife were out of town on a retreat and just got back yesterday. When she came home from work with their two kids, poor dears. I heard that she found him naked as the day he was born in the tub, drained of blood. Well, she collapsed right then and there and the little ones ran to the neighbor’s house for help.”’

Y/N grabs the groceries, thanks the woman for her time and for the information, and dials Sam. “What now, Y/N? Come to yell at me some more for doing my job?”

“Shut it, Winchester. We got another vic. This time it was the preacher. Blood drained and naked as a jaybird. I’m on my way back to you to drop the food and we’ll talk to the family next.” Y/N states while weaving through traffic as she hears shuffling from Sam’s end of the call.

“Drop the food, babe, but I’m already out the door. I’ll talk to them and report back. Have a sandwich and a cold one waiting for me when I get back, princess.” Sam growls before ending the call.

Y/N stares at the phone is shock and rising anger as she pushes harder on the gas, sending the car lurching forward at a dangerous speed. With a squeal of the brakes, Y/N parks the car and races to the motel door, the car door hanging wide open. She dials Sam’s phone again and jams the key angrily in the lock, forcing the door open with a slam against the wall. She hears his ringtone coming from the pile of clothes on his bed and with a curse, Y/N hurls it into the wall, breaking the screen with a steady stream of expletives.

Y/N dumps the food in the room and heads back out to the preacher’s place a couple of miles down the road. When she sees the cops leaving the premises, she cautiously drives past to see Sam sitting in the back of the cruiser. Y/N mutters curses under her breath as she drives to the local police station hoping to bail him out before he gets himself in any more trouble than he already is.

“Agent Hardy, your partner Agent Dixon was taken in on charges of harassment and resisting arrest. What do you have to say for your partner?” The cop at the front desk asked in a slightly angered tone.

“First off, I am so sorry for my partner. As soon as we finish this investigation, I will report him to our supervisor for discipline. Now, let’s let him sit in the cell for a bit while I talk to the preacher’s widow. I promise to stop if it becomes too much for her, okay?” Y/N pleads as the officer mumbles under his breath about pushy Feds.

“Fine but one wrong move and you’re sharing a cell with your partner, got it?” He states warily.

“Thank you so much officer and please, call me Y/N. Here’s my card so you can contact the latest victim’s wife so I don’t upset her more after what my partner put her through today. I’m staying at the motel off of Lincoln Ave and Central if I don’t answer my phone. And thank you again.” Y/N walks sedately back to the car, cursing Sam in her head for being a overall jackass.

She sighs wearily and starts to head back to the motel, frustrated with having to do the work of two hunters thanks to Sam’s antics. The rest of the night is filled with internet searches, mapping possible locations, and talking to the widow well into the early hours of the morning. The only correlation between the victims was the fact that they were naked, drained of all their blood, and had the same bank.

Y/N’s bleary, dry eyes kept wanting to close as she was making notes, narrowing down the possible hideouts to two. Upon spying the time on her phone as 6:43 a.m., Y/N closes her laptop, takes off her shoes as she flops dazedly onto the nearest bed, snoring softly seconds later.

Two hours later, she is rudely awakened by Sam slamming the door open in anger. “Why the ever-loving fuck did I spend the night in jail?! The asshole officer had the delight in telling me that I’ll be reported for misconduct and it was a good idea it was you had leaving me in the cell to cool off.” Sam yelled as he started packing his stuff.

“Allright Winchester, what crawled up your ass and died? Ever since you called me three days ago, you’ve been rude, hostile with the witnesses, and your empathy seems to have flown out the window. What happened exactly between you and Dean anyway to where you had to call me as backup?” Y/N asked with sleepy-eyed curiously.

“Just because we’ve been fuck buddies in the past doesn’t mean you have the right to know about me and my life now. If I was a hard ass, it was because it was called for, Y/N. So do your job talking to the locals and leave the hard work, like ganking the vamp, to the professional. It’s not like you haven’t done what I’ve commanded before. It seemed like you loved taking orders from me so be a good girl and go.” Sam ordered as he grabbed the keys to the car and prepared to head out.

The cocking of a gun has Sam turning around to face an irate Y/N, gun aimed at his chest. “Samuel Fucking Winchester, put your shit down and sit on the bed. I’m not done talking and if you think for one second I won’t shoot, try me fucker.” As Sam looks Y/N in the eyes, he debates on trying his luck. With his mind made up, he drops his gear and sits in the chair by the bed.

“Talk darlin’. Before I test my luck.” Sam states aggressively.  Y/N shoots him a death glare that warns him not to push it as she settles on the bed, gun still aimed at his chest.

“First off, yes we fucked in the past and I’m a Sub to your Dom ways but that is no way an excuse to treat me like shit now. I have been keeping quiet while you go Captain Commando on the locals, terrorizing the vic’s families, and being an overall asshole. Now what the hell happened between you and Dean to cause you to be like this?” Y/N asks heatedly.

Sam just stares at Y/N with an unreadable expression and a blank look in his eyes that sends chills down her spine. “He wanted to fix me. And I like being like this. No cares, no worries, no guilt, no sense of shame or duty to feel. For the first time in my fucked up life, I truly have no cares. Especially about you and Dean. Did you really think we were friends? I only tolerated you because you were warming my brother’s bed. All those ‘late night talks’ we had was just a way for me to amuse myself on how pathetic you were in seeking any kind of connection, no matter how small.”

Before Y/N has a chance to react, Sam is grabbing the gun from her hand, dismantling it, hurling it across the room where it lands with a dull thud. The momentary fear in Y/N’s eyes has Sam’s blood racing. Y/N tries to run but with Sam’s long legs, her cuts off her escape easily as he grabs her around the waist and throws her on the bed.

She is dazed as her head cracks hard against the wall and all she can see is a fuzzy outline of Sam hovering over her body before she blacks out. When she awakens some time later, she winces at the bright light coming from the blinds as the shrill notes of her ringtone has her head pounding. She tries to get up off the bed and finds that her arms are tied to the headboard. She rolls over quickly and has to shut her eyes in pain as the room spins and her stomach lurches. Y/n tentatively scoots closer to her hands and spies a complicated knot that will take hours to unravel. She rests her head on her hands and tries not to cry in despair. Sam did this to her. He left her alone, injured, and vulnerable when there is a vamp on the loose. What happened to my friend? Y/N thinks as she tries to figure a way out of the mess she got herself into.

When she hears someone trying to pick the lock on her motel door, she panics and unsuccessfully tries to get out of her bindings. Her head whips around as the door slams open and a large shadow is cast across the room.  Her eyes become teary and unfocused as she sees the panic and fear in Dean as his eyes search the room frantically.

He rushes to the bed and gently cradles Y/N’s head in his arms as she cries softly. “I’m gonna cut these ropes off and get your head checked out baby cause it’s matted with blood. Can you tell me what happened? How did you get like this?” Dean asks worriedly.

Y/N tiredly raises her head to look Dean in the eyes as she breaks down. “It was Sam…  Sam did this to me. What happened to him, Dean? Why would he attack me and leave me vulnerable when there’s a vamp on the loose?” When Dean stiffens in her arms and looks away in shame, Y/N pulls out of his arms and grabs his face to look her in the eyes.

She is shocked to see tears streaming down his face and the haunted, scared look in his eyes puts her on guard.

“Sam is…. He has no soul.  After jumping in the cage to keep us safe from Lucifer, he was rescued but his soul was left behind. We are trying to get it back but as you can tell, Sam doesn’t want it back. He sent me a message last night telling me where you were with a picture of you as I found you. Are you hurt anywhere else?” Dean asks softly as he brushes the hair out of her eyes.

“Not physically but Dean, I think I need a doctor. My vision keeps going fuzzy and the pain is making my hair hurt. I think I may need an MRI and stitches. I just can’t believe my friend did this to me.” Y/N murmurs as she lays her head back on Dean’s chest in comfort.  

Dean gently gathers her gear and ushers her quickly into Baby. He lays her gently on the seat and heads to the nearest hospital. She’s admitted overnight and she has a mild concussion and needed fifteen stitches. The doctor gave her some pain meds and told her that if her vision gets worse, or the pain meds stop working to go immediately to the hospital. They thank the doctor and sedately get in the Impala to head back to the motel.

Dean guides her towards their room and watches as she changes for bed. He wishes there was something he could do for her but with her injury, it limits his skills drastically. When she groans in pain and rubs the small of her back, Dean has an idea that will hopefully help keep her mind off of the pain. He whispers for her to lay on her stomach and Y/N gives him a questioning look.

“Just do it, baby. I’m gonna make you feel better, I promise. Now lay on your belly, baby.” Dean whispers into her hair as he makes small circles on the center of her back. Y/N gets comfortable by laying her head on her arms and closing her eyes, trusting Dean to take care of her.

He starts by making small, kneading circles on the small of her back with a slight pressure that has Y/N groaning in relief.  Slowly, he kneads up her spine and ending in a massage on the back of her neck. The knot of tension slowly fades as Dean uses his magic fingers to melt away the lingering soreness from being tied up for so long. At the thought of why she’s sore, Y/N’s muscles tense and Dean shushes her uneasiness with gentle kisses to her ears and neck.

At her soft sigh, Dean taps her cheek twice to get her attention. “Baby, take off your shirt and roll over for me.” She lazily removes her shirt and drops it dramatically to the side of the bed. She gives Dean a seductive wink and turns over onto her back. She holds her hands over her breasts and Dean makes a growl of approval when she drops her hands to her sides.  Dean leans over her chest and blows gently on her left nipple as his hands trace circles on her torso.

Y/N mewls in need as Dean licks her nipples quickly and alternatively blows across each nipple in turn. They harden in the cool air and her breathing becomes ragged as goosebumps race across her sensitive flesh. She gasps when Dean suddenly sucks her nipple into his mouth and flicks his talented tongue repeatedly. Y/N grasps his hair in fistfuls and guides him to her neglected nipple and she groans in approval as he shows it the same attention as the other had.

“Dean, please. I need you!” Y/N moans as she bucks her hips repeatedly into Dean’s jean covered erection.  With a final nip to each aroused peak, Dean pulls away and starts to remove his clothing. Without words, he gives her a look that says to strip. Clothes go flying everywhere and by the time both of them are naked, Dean is panting hard as Y/N’s hands glide gently over her skin towards her sensitive bud. With a quick flick of her nail across her clit, Y/N in coming hard, calling out for Dean. Dean grabs her legs and drags them to the end of the bed and descends on her sodden lips like a man starved. With a high-pitched squeak, Dean slips two fingers into her glistening lips, unerringly stroking her g-spot, hurling her into a second, more intense orgasm.

Dean’s groans and moans in her pussy while Y/N is scrambling to catch her breath. Her fingers ache as they are clenched tight in Dean’s hair, locking him in place as he ravages her cunt.  She can feel herself nearing the peak of another orgasm and tries to pull away from Dean’s talented mouth in fear of how earth-shattering it will be.  Dean growls and looks at her squarely in the eyes with lust-blown pupils. He grips her legs tighter and commands her to cum. Dean suctions around her clit and nips her hard and it’s the final piece needed to make her cum for the third time.

“DEAN! FUCK!” Y/N screams and her entire body shakes and shivers with her orgasm. Dean holds her hips down as he sloppily licks up the copious amounts of slick that pours forth. Y/N tries to get her breathing under control as Dean gives a final kiss to her clit and stares into her blissed-out gaze. He settles his taut frame over her quivering body and she lazily winds her arms around his neck while peppering his neck with kisses. She nips at the corded vein on his left side and he hisses in pleasure.

“Fuck me, baby.” Y/N whispers in his ear as she nibbles on his lobe. He gently guides himself into her still-pulsing walls slowly and they both groan in pleasure as he bottoms out. He takes a moment to stare at Y/N’s face and he thanks God for the day he met her. Y/N smiles shyly at Dean as he continues to stare at her face with a blissed-out and happy expression. She tightens her inner walls and is rewarded with a shallow thrust from Dean that has them both moaning.

“Fuck, Dean. You feel so good. Mmmmm…” Y/N moans as Dean lazily thrusts into her silken sheath. Y/N draws her legs in tight around Dean’s hips and grabs his shoulders for leverage as she meets him thrust for thrust.  Soon, the only sounds in their room is Dean’s grunts as the headboard bangs into the wall with the force of his thrusts. “Faster, baby. Almost there.” Y/N coos as his tip brushes her cervix with a jolt of pleasure-pain.

Dean raises her legs to his shoulders and puts more force using his legs that has Y/N screaming and squealing in ecstasy. “Make yourself cum baby. I wanna see you cum.” Dean growls as his pace starts to falter with his impending orgasm. Y/N rubs her clit furiously and it’s the last bit she needed to push her over the edge. With a scream of Dean’s name, Y/N’s walls pulse and release rapidly around Dean’s cock with such force that he immediately starts to cum hard. A new pressure builds in Y/N as Dean keeps thrusting through her orgasm and she breaks with a silent scream as a flood of slick bathes Dean’s cock in her release. Dean sloppily thrusts a couple of more times before stilling in her sheath, their combined release leaking out around his softening cock.

Dean crushes Y/N with his weight, causing her to gasp and giggle. He tiredly rolls off of Y/N and she hisses as his cock leaves her sensitive pussy. They both laugh and cuddle into each other as they try to regain their equilibrium. Y/N traces hearts around his nipple as Dean kisses her hair as they both start to drift slowly off to sleep. With a final yawn, Y/N promises Dean that they’ll get Sam’s soul back, no matter what it takes. “He’s family, Dean. It’s the least we can do.” Dean’s tired mind has one last thought before drifting into a deep and peaceful slumber. “I just wish that I could have some good in my life before it all goes to hell. Quite literally.”

[marlenekinnon]

Okay, here we go... This is the first chapter of one of my many crazy stories. (You can kill me if it's too big.) This one’s about a kingdom that lives in constant war with the so-called Druid Forest, considered inhabited by demonic creatures, and how a peace agreement will be implemented (And how ambitious families will take advantage of it). I hope you like the premise, but I don’t have enough words anyway to thank you for the help ♥ @narcissablk

MARK KARHAL

The snow was falling unceasingly on the windows of the hall, forming pretty figures in their corners, that would take time to melt. There was nothing to be seen except for the pale desert and a cloudy sky. He hated the cold almost as much as he hated waiting. He gritted his teeth, making an annoying sound, and his attempts to stop with the bad habit seemed to only make the sound more annoying. They scraped even more, causing a little pain terribly uncomfortable in his molars.

He didn’t use as many coats as Lord Bellavici, but also couldn’t mask his cold for much more than five minutes after his arrival to the freezing Hiberner.

Mark Karhal and two other lords were anxiously waiting the glorious and illustrious presence of the King and his council for about two hours. Perhaps not anxiously, but impatiently and hungry.

Lord Pensny and Lord Bellavici were whispering like two servants on the other end of the Great Table, that wasn’t so great anyway. The bad lighting prevented him from observing their faces, but their sporadic laughter indicated a relaxed conversation, or that was what they wanted him to think.

Lord Bellavici suddenly turned, catching him off guard while sidelong watching his conversation. His wife constantly warned him that his scolding look was so strong that echoed in waves to the respective targets.

Tyros Bellavici walked towards him with his impeccably erect posture and his pose of apparent kindness.

He was always immaculate, with overly detailed and well-sewn clothing, and was always ready for business. He was able to turn the simplest dinner into a handshake and some signatures, with his gentle lip, and the aid of one or another drink from his stock.

He was even more persuasive in his youth, with his naturally colored cheeks, silvery blond hair and air of innocence. Time, however, had not escaped his charm or intelligence.

“Well, Mark, time does not seem to make you more receptive.” he had a light way of pronouncing each word, and express them all with gestures “Always so reclusive and rude, my old friend.”

He wasn’t so sure about being friends, but they were too old for games of subtleties, and Mark had never had patience with those.

“I heard you put your name in the elections, Bellavici.”

The last Predestined died two weeks ago, and a new election was necessary, and it would be done by the Seasoners. For those elected, a month of confinement — or sometimes more, like the Long Stay that lasted about a year — so that there is no corruption. And for society a new Predestined, someone to be admired and respected, representative of the four Great Gods.

“Yes, you see.” he moved closer to his face, as if what he was about to tell him was an important secret. “I believe that as we grow older we must find our spiritual “me”, and redeem any sins of our youth with the Great Gods.”

The gods were merciful, for Tyros Bellavici had committed and still commits countless sins. He had always been a manipulative drunkard and an unfaithful husband.

He twisted his nose at the idea of ​​having him as Predestined, abusing of his powers and influence. The Seasoners would certainly know how to make the most appropriate choice, but unfortunately policies could be more complicated than that.

He was about to replicate Bellavici's opinion, when they heard footsteps approaching. The three lords stood ready to welcome the king. Tired as they were, they didn’t had the best of appearances, but would know how to behave properly as compensation.

The oak doors were opened unceremoniously, and Ymedor Snowyor, his King, entered the hall without bluntness. He had always been objective and dedicated to his people, without waiting for the blind devotion that most kings wish to obtain.

He wore a large, unadorned black coat the color of his hair, now also filled with silver wire. His blue eyes were intense, yet so clear that they were intimidating.

He observed each of the lords attentively, as they bowed in reverence, exclaimed in unison an audible “ Your Majesty.”

Too late they realized that the young prince was also accompanying his father this time, and they added hastily “Your Highness.”

Érodor Snowyor was frighteningly similar to his father as a boy. His black hair was wavy and lustrous, like a maiden’s, and reached his shoulders. He had the elongated face and the same blue eyes of his father, but these more expressive. He was also slender and strong for his age, and although his bearing was pure royalty, the same could not be said of his personality.

He slept in brothels, surrounded by prostitutes, and inebriated the daughter of one lord or another. It is also said that he spends most of his time drunk rather than sober, stifling his classes.

He would not tell if he saw him without knowing the rumors, but the scandals caused by the young man were public knowledge since long ago.

With a wave of the king's hand the three lords took their seats at the Great Table. The king sat on the edge, as tradition demanded. His son, for the first time accompanying him at an official meeting, sat to his right. The king's left was occupied by Lord Karhal, his other side occupied by Lord Pensny. Lord Bellavici sat beside the prince.

Mr. Salyor, a worn-looking old man with gray hair and curved backs, sat down beside Bellavici, and beside Pensny sat Mrs. Questen, the first woman to take a seat on the royal council.

She was about forty, and had a beautiful black skin like ebony, which made the white of his eyes exotically stand out. She was as muscular as any of the men in that room, and more intimidating than any of them.

Skyla Questen had always made a point of keeping her hair shaved, but even her muscles and this factor did not make her less feminine.

She greeted them all with a brief nod, which was more than Marcus Salyor could do, barely lifting his old head.

This was the pair that made up the king's private counsel, which meant that about ten sleek chairs were filled with dust on the Great Table.

“I have summoned you all today to deal with a subject which we have long despised” he alternated his gaze between each of those present, and when one has the privilege of being watched by the king, it is inevitable to feel less than special “It is past time to make a real and solid peace agreement with the creatures of the Druid Forest, and that is what we will do today.”

The three lords settled in their seats, especially Lord Karhal, who had his lands uncomfortably close to the Druid Forest.

“Y-Your M-Majesty, a peace agreement was already made by your grandfather, King Kendoyr Snowyor.”

“Yes, Lord Pensny, thank you for reminding me of my ancestor's name, but everyone knows that this agreement is a farce.”

Carter Pensny fell silent, bowing his head like a trapped animal. Ymedor moistened his lips with his tongue before continuing:

“I communicated with the creatures in the last month, through letters. I am willing to create a new peace agreement, just as they are willing to accept.”

Kendoyr Snowyor had, in the last ten years of his reign of forty, entered into a consensus with the creatures of the Druid Forest, which they liked to call peace. Such peace, however, had been terribly disappointing to the creatures.

It meant that their territory would no longer be attacked, but their borders would be watched day and night, and any attempt at integration with the Elrendor population would result in death.

Beautiful dreams and capricious words were sold ruthlessly to a race that did not believe in violence. It didn’t make Mark calm down.

“What are letters, Your Majesty? Even if they say they’re peaceful, how will we believe them?”

“The main question is how they will believe us after all they have had to go through”  he rubbed his forehead as if he was tired, or as if he had discussed such a matter countless times “They have a good heart, if they are able to forgive us, but I'm no fool. This is why we are meeting today. To receive the princess of the forest creatures, and settle our terms.”

There was a little commotion among those present. Even the counselors who had probably been informed in advance of the decision moved uncomfortably in their chairs, as if there were fire ants in them. Prince Érodor, Mark couldn’t help but notice, was flexing and closing his knuckles, and even the muscles in his neck denounced his tension.

Mark himself didn’t know how to react to that statement. Despite living so close to the Druid Forest, he had never seen any creature. Seeing their princess sounded like a dream — or perhaps nightmare suited better — distant and childlike, intangible.

“That's why I made you all wait for so long, the princess just arrived. Her name is Savaly, and she is surprisingly charming and insightful, so I expect the best composure and co-operation of my lords and counselors.” He glanced sideways at his son, who either really was too busy in the task of flexing the joints, or had not noticed the attention “And the prince of Elrendor.”

“You must have already discussed, then, how the agreement will be sealed” Lord Bellavici remarked as one who wants to extract information through the obvious.

“Yes, and as Lord Karhal pointed out, letters are only letters. We are here today to consolidate what has been agreed upon.”

Lord Bellavici opened his mouth again, but he was not given the time to gush out his ornate words. With an impatient gesture of his hand, Ymedor ordered the princess of the creatures to enter the hall.

All the lords gasped in exasperation. They would face the unknown, and apparently the king did not want to give them time to think too much.

The door opened a moment later, and Mark Karhal held his breath. He didn’t know what to expect, but he would never have expected anything so ... Pretty.

The creature had a slightly bluish skin, and a body as fit as a soldier's. She wore a fine white silk gown - despite the falling snow - that highlighted her fire-colored braided hair, like the hair of his eldest daughter. Her face was all angular, and her eyes gray as a storm.

She didn’t seem like an enemy. She didn’t seem dangerous. She was nothing like the demonic image that they had as a villain in children's books. Books that have taught them since childhood to fear the creatures of the forest.

There was no third eye on the young princess — who should not have been much older than fourteen — or a deformed arm hanging over her body, or any kind of monstrosity.

Still, he couldn’t contain the shiver that bristled the hairs on his arms, which had nothing to do with the cold. His fingers prickled wanting to wield a sword.

Curiosity puzzled him, but a crack in his mind screamed “danger!” He had been raised learning to fear and hate those creatures, he could not come to love them suddenly.

He was already old and probably would never do it.

She greeted them all with a graceful and impeccable reverence, even better than any lady of Elrendor.

The king, out of his majestic chair, greeted the princess with a fervor.

“I present my council and the lords of the Great Houses of Elrendor to you, Princess Savaly. And this” he pointed to the heir, who rose from his chair “is my son, Prince Érodor Snowyor, First of His Name, Heir of the Four Lands.”

"Delighted" he said after kissing the princess's hand.

The nervousness he had shown had almost completely dissipated. Perhaps because seducing young girls was something he was good at.

His blue eyes gleamed brightly as the corners of his lips curved into a smile:

“I am proud to recognize you as my future wife.”

The three lords exchanged a quick, stealthy look full of meanings. The princess of the creatures of the Druid Forest, creatures against whom they had been fighting from the beginnings of Elrendor, married with the prince of House Snowyor, established as their future Queen.

Sounded like madness.