#meg x ann

[cacxsh]

muak

[fnafhs-aesthetics]

Toddicangle aesthetic with their animals for anon.

-Mod Golden.

[askstevella]

Hercules AU - The Super Spouses

Steven Grant Rogers as Hercules (Herc)

Estella Romano-Strange as Megara (Meg)

Summary: Steve Rogers had been an outcast his whole life, he was always alone aside from a couple of friends here and there, until one day he's given the chance to show the world what he's got. But the question is, he is a zero or a hero in the eyes of a certain fair lady? 

Once Upon A Time/Fantasy AU

~~~~~

In the lower ends of the forests and the mountains stood the forsaken sandy beaches that led to a town filled with men and women of all different ages and sizes. 

In the town held way too many, players and rookies trying to seek like everyone else. Be heroes, lovers, challengers and the list goes on. Some of them just acted to the play the role of bullies.

Where stood Steven Grant Rogers on the other end of it all—no seriously! He was on the other hand of some dude’s fist for the 3rd week in a row for trying to help the baker but instead, he ended up making a mess due to not pulling his weight as he told some jerk to knock it off. Last week, he was trying to fight some larger guy for almost harming some women but his efforts ended with him having to nurse a sore arm that day.

Today, yet again he had his ass handed to him as he tried to fight back holding a makeshift shield. Which was actually a lid from some can, taking a few good licks towards the guy who was picking the fight. 

The guy backed off once his friends yelled for him, rubbing his face and glared at Rogers. 

Steve leaned against a wall, coughing and huffing wiping his nose checking for any blood stains on his face or clothes. He might in relief at being clean, deciding to head home soon.

Steve didn’t like bullies, he rather get beaten up trying to do something such a helping out than watching a person struggle in result of being helpless during a time of need. Only problem was that he was seen a outcast, some scrawny kid, but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he thinks is right.

It also helps that he would find himself looking at status of literal heroes at the fairs and museums wishing he could be seen as more than just what people saw physique.

When he was younger his mother was would get her own little troubles and end up feeling hurt in the end. 

He would ask, “Why don’t you just stand down, ma?”

Her response, “…you always stand up.”

His mother always knew he had a good heart and he would keep fighting until his last breath, as long as he always stands. 

~~~

That’s how he found himself at Phil’s stations. Plenty of men were ringing up to become knights and such for the wars, to fight monsters and possibly be heroes. Phil and his bosses was skeptical, especially when Steve showed up for the try outs, to train and become a hero.

His bosses didn’t believe this short skinny kid had something to prove. Hell, Phil stopped having tryouts once he saw how poor of a turnout there was. But was surprise Phil the most weeks later was the same short skinny kid showed up at his doorstep with such determination, heart and willingness to give it his all. 

He even brought a friend, James Barnes, with him as his support and fellow fighter. 

After a long hard stare, Phil deeply sighed and decided to give it a shot, but warned Steve that if he messed up or made a fool out him, there would be problems. He already had plenty of men do the same to him before, where they’re egos and pride got the best of them.

~~~~~

Weeks of training, grit and determination, along with hope of the gods themselves. It was as if he was given a transformation that seemed otherworldly on how he started out.

Steven Grant Rogers was taller, stronger, could run faster than he could before, quicker on his feet and had muscles to back him up. His friend wasn’t looking too bad either.

It was a grand improvement, and his skills showed it better than Phil expected. His pal, Howard came to help out every now, grinning at the show in front of his eyes. 

~~~~~~~~~

One afternoon, it was just Phil and Steve training in the forest, until the tall blonde got it right. Despite Phil’s best efforts, there was his spark of impact in the young man’s eyes wanting to help people and put his skills to the test.

See what else can he do. He was training, fighting beast within waters and trying to outsmart them. However he had his misfortune moments there too, where he would fall and misstep somewhere.

There were moments where Phil was too hard on him too.

Phil said, “With time, you will do so. Have patience, rookie.”

Steve just nodded. 

Until he heard it, the sounds of grunting and yelling. A few trees away at the same forest, stood a women trying to run away from some monster, a centaur named Nessus. 

“I swear, put me down! If my brothers hear about this—” Yelled the women, trying to be released from his grip.

“You’ll what? Call them to use their magic on me? I ain’t scared, call them, sweetheart.” Repiled Nessus with a smirk.

“Ugh! You’re breath stinks.”

“Heh I like ‘em fiery too, baby.”

“Ew! Let go of me, dimwit!”

Steve stood behind a few pills of tall grass and bushes, watching this all go down as his facial expressions were ones of disgust and distant for the blue centaur holding the women in his grasp. He didn’t like it one bit, hell he didn’t even hear Phil or Bucky’s soft shouts to talk him through on how to fight the dude, he just went for it.

He flipped his sword and grunted, stomping along the water grabbing the centaur’s attention, “Halt!

“Step aside, two legs.” The centaur snarled, still holding the women.”

“Pardon me my good…sir. I’ll have to ask you to release that young maiden at once.”

That was when the women finally face him. She whipped her head around, taking a deep breath pushing her long bangs, pushing herself from the centaur’s grip.

“Keep moving’, jolly steam.” She remarked, grunting.

He raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you a damsel in distress?”

“I’m a damsel, I’m in distress…I can handle this. Bye!”

“Ma’am, I think you may be too close to the situation.” 

The two started to bicker, but soon enough the big blue eye backed Steve onto the water. Phil rolled his eyes and Bucky whined wanting to help, Phil shook his head. Steve got up and snarled, overhearing Phil and Bucky’s shouts of encouragement that sounded like tough love to his ears. 

Steve thought for a moment flipping his sword and thought to use his head, as he swung and kicked the big blue guy  so hard he was went flying backwards. Hell, the women was left from his grasp and falling into the water, coughing and crawling to sit on a rock. 

Steve helped her off and onto the rock but before he can get more than two sentences out Nessus went up for round 2, as the blonde excuse himself to fight him.

The women ring her wet curls out and let out a light chuckle, “Is wonder boy for real?” “Yeah he’s real..a real punk.” Bucky muttered with a scoff then shouted, “Get his legs dummy!” 

“Friend of yours?”

“Yup.”

Eventually Steve got the upper hand, as Nessus went flying and Bucky took a final swing at the blue jerk. Both friends nodded and grinned.

“How was that Phil?” Steve asked, fully soaked.

“Not how I hoped it was good. You made mistakes, but people will catch onto it in the big leagues.” Phil repiled. 

“I beat him, didn’t I?” Steve said, 

Bucky remarked, “I helped!”

Phil groaned and yelled, “Next time, don’t let your guard down cause a of pair of big goo-goo eyes! Both of ya!” 

“Hey, he’s the one who didn’t listen! And I don’t crack under the pressure..” Bucky defended himself poorly.

“I know but you guys gotta stay focus! Especially Rogers.”

“I’ll talk to him, I promise—wait where did he go?”

Steve has walked off to check on the women he tried to save earlier, he wanted to make sure she was alright after all of that. This time he got a better look at her, as he found her to be rather pretty. She was standing up, wearing a long blush red dress, ringing out her curls into the stream of water beside them. She looked over to face him, catching a look at the wonder-boy’s soft blue eyes and brown clothes. 

He was handsome.

He half chuckled with a slight awkwardness and he carefully asked, “Are you alright, miss…?”

“Um, Estella..but mainly people call me Stella. I didn’t need you to save me back there, you know?” She asked in a hush yet sassy tone.

“I know, but you looked like you needed the help. You were stuck in his giant hand.”

“And?”

“And I couldn’t live with myself knowing I could’ve at least done something to get him away from you.”

“Wow..”

“Heh, ‘wow’ what?”

“You sounded very genuine with that line. Also you let me fall to the ground.”

“Again, I was trying to help. And I apologize  for the incident, it wasn’t my intention for that part to happen.”

Estella watched him for a moment, seeing how he was actually being genuine and doing his best here. It was pretty clear he was new to this, all of this for that matter.

The least she can do is cut him some slack.

“Alright. They give you a name with that whole look?” She asked, looking over her shoulder smiling.

He hummed returning the smile, “Heh, I uh—I’m um, uh..”

“Are you always this articulate?”

“Uh, no. And to answer your previous question, my name is Steve Rogers.”

“Steve Rogers? Hmm. It’s cute. But I think I prefer wonder-boy.”

Steve raised an eyebrow at her comment about to make a remark at her words but decided against it. Instead he asked, “So, if you mind me asking, how did you get mixed up with the big blue guy?”

“Pinhead with hooves?” She responded, “Things happened, I fell into the wrong crowd.”

“Really?”

“Well yeah, you know how some men are. They think no means yes and get lost means take me I’m yours.”

Bucky could be heard snorting in the background, trying to cover up his laughter. Phil scoffed not knowing to like this women or not at the moment. Steve half smiled as he watched Estella thank him for his efforts, walking away saving she had to head home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rogers spend the time couple of days training and trying to protect his craft, perfect his skills with Phil and Bucky. They traveled to different places within the cities and town looking for anyone who might need help.

They fought an ogres, a beast or two and taken out some jerk who infested a town by being greedy to the folks. It was nice, they were small fest of fights to keep of his strength and protect others from harm.

It’s what he wanted to always do. And he was more than glad to do so. 

And so did the women—Estella, who watched from afar nodding and smiling at his accomplishments along the way. She had to hand it to him, fighting off those beast and making sure some town folk were given the some peace. A piece of her melted seeing his smile and kindness towards the people, even if many didn’t really have an appetite or cared to give him the time of day. He kept doing what he could with his friends. 

She knew from stories, people needed to see the big moments to consider someone a hero, not a zero. At the moment, he was seen as zero to Estella despite all the things he’s done. She didn’t know his true motivations yet and wondered if he did for the power, the fame and glory. 

The girl was at odds.

Yeah sure he was strong, tall, blonde and nice, but most men can be like that one the surface.

She needed to see the real fight here. See if he was would run away and show his true self or stay to fight.

Not the small ones that prove nothing, but someone who was trying to hard.

It also didn’t help that her big boss was thinking of sending a challenger his way…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of weeks later, that answer comes as clear as day. 

In a quiet city within a kingdom, Steve was resting after a simple day of swimming and enjoying his afternoon at the market place. Him and Bucky had spent the day trying to familiar themselves with that side of the city, get to the people if possible, as the idea was suggested they moved there.

It was pretty much close to home and still far to travel around too.

Currently, Steve was taking in the light clouds that blew past the sunlight as it shinned upon his body. His week was rather odd to say the least, the basic training, traveling, talks with friends, and trying his best to make sure people were doing alright. 

But a small of him yearned for a fight. A true battle, like the one he can prove who he was and take a stand for others. He wasn’t asking for a war, just to look out for the little guy and show others that they can be helpers to anyone who need it.

He sighed wondering if maybe he was trying to hard, if he should just pack it up and go home for a while. It’s not like was looking for trouble to appear on his doorstep and neither did he want to see anything destroyed or hurt. 

Maybe he could see that fair lady again and—

He was suddenly taken out of his thoughts at the sound of screams and shouts, as he rushed onto his feet looking around for who that was. He followed the noise rushing to see was happened. Then he saw it, two kids stuck under wood and dry stonewall, hearing women crying and men shouting. 

He raced in to do his part, appearing underneath the collapsed temple yelling for the kids to hear their voice and make sure they were still alive. He heard some coughing and wheezing coming from their voices, as he rushed to lift up the wood and stone that collapsed over them. He held his breath lifting the items, urging both kids to try and move as he throw the stone to side, helping them out of there. 

Before the temple can take full force and collapsed any further, he got everyone out holding both children, who seemed to be around 7 years old, in his arms making sure they were okay. The kids nodded and thanked him, as they rushed off to their parents. 

Steve finding let out his breath at the sigh of both children safe and sound, that he didn’t even realized people were watching. He was more concerned with their health, looking over his shoulder to see the temple in pieces as dust and rumble surrounded behind him. He half smiled and waved at ‘your welcome’ to the parents who thanked him in grateful for their held, watching the kids who kept their gaze on him before looking back at their mothers.

Then he heard it, some clapping and shouting in the air for his act of bravery as he nodded and gave the few who noticed him a smile. Bucky rushed in just in time to see the motion and scoffed at his friend getting some recognition for his work, after all the weeks.

But it wasn’t over yet.

“Steve, look out!” Shouted Bucky who pointed at the what crawled out a crave near the temple.

A beast appeared more like a dragon with a long neck, sharp teeth and killer eyes snarling at Steve. The blonde’s eyes widen gulping as he realized he left his sword behind but thankfully Bucky found it and tossed it over to him.

The warring fight had began, as the dragon snarled and wicked his head around as Steve circled him with his sword throwing everything at the beast. This wasn’t something he ever fought before. Steve, along with Bucky’s help, trying to distract the dragon and knock it off balance to not eat them. 

At one point, the dragon wrapped his tongue around Steve’s ankle and threw him midway into the air, opening his mouth and swallowed him whole. Bucky looked away and groaned, battling the dragon in revenge for his friends but was knock into a wall. 

People watched, gasping and screaming at the sight. Estella was standing afar gasping, thinking Rogers was a goner. 

But to the dragon’s surpassing surprise and everyone else include, their breaths were held back. As inside the dragon’s throat was a rumbling noise and crawling tickle that confused the beast, as a sudden slice cut off his airway and his head went flying off. On the other side appeared Steve Rogers, holding his sword and grunting ever so loudly as his body slammed onto the ground alongside the dragon’s head.

People clapped and smiled, some sighed in relief. Bucky helped his friend up as Estella whined at the gross smell surrounded them. Steve got up on his feet, looking around and ordering Bucky to get other’s to safely as he figures out what to do with the dragon’s head.

Speaking of heads…one cut off, 3 other grew just like it. Once he turned around his eyes widen once again, grabbing his sword and giving Bucky a signal to join him.

Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were fighting The Hydra. 

It was brutal sight to see, as The Hydra snarled, growled and screamed in their direction as both men fought him. The crowd was running and yelling as rain showed over the land at the same time. Bucky fell to the ground, as Stella rolled her eyes dragging him up the bench before he could get killed muttering something under her breath, meanwhile it was left to Steve to finish him off.

The rain was pouring, the screams were engulfing everyone around, people gasped and ran for the heavens. But Steve Rogers maintain his breath, sword were on the other end of the ground as the HYDRA picked him up and threaten death in his eyes. In a last effort to think quick on his feet, Steve balled his fists and steady his shield slammed the wall of thick rock until it came crashing down.

The Hydra came crashing down and he went down with it.

Silence fell on the ground above, you could hear a pin drop as everyone fell their breaths. Stella gasped and looked over her shoulder watching her boss, Hades, sitting in the dark corners watching with a grin. 

Hades’s grin was clear as day watching Steve collapse with his challenger, betting all his coins he has fallen, snickering at Stella’s face toward horror and bitterness. A part of Estella reminded him of his only daughter, Luna, who started out kind and all so sweet then somehow she escape The Underworld, then he never saw her again. 

But with Stella, it was different, she was a slave to his deeds after some stupid deal to have her big brothers live while she went to find Hades whatever he needed in return that day, but she never reading the fine print. That she would stay under his thumb for as long as he liked…

However his grin slowly fell, as he leaned forward in his chair and saw movement from below, furrowing his eyebrows and grunted, “..no. He should be crippled or dead..”

Underneath the dust and stone, grunts and growls were heard, suddenly a large piece of stone was thrown to the side as below stood the blonde man, Steve Rogers, with a couple of cuts and bruises yet he was standing tall holding his shield taking a breath.

Hades screamed in his corner surprised, on how only a mere mortal could have so much strength and courage to stand after that battle, he should have fallen. 

He wasn’t even a god yet he had the looks, kindness and determination of one.

The people scream and shouted, clapping at the Rogers huge save and fight among the folks there. They loudly cheered and went to tell anyone who was standing next to them the news.

An old lady, named Frigga, who was watching the huge fight and seeing how Rogers came out on top despite the tough challenge, nicknamed him Hercules. 

Stella was leaning against the wall, in pure shock and scoffed as a soft grin took over her face and nodded at the sight.

Maybe there was still hope for Steve Rogers yet? Especially after a couple of voices called him a hero. 

She smirked looking over her shoulder watching Hades’s annoyed and practically about to blow a fuse with such a short temper. 

She was more than impressed by all of this.

~~~~~

That's all folks! Might do 'I Won't Say I'm In Love', ‘Zero to Hero’ or something next, who knows? Let me know what y'all think!

Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel l @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @cherrysft @parisparker269 @thechoooooosenone @luna-d-marsh @yetanotherwells

[xenocg]

Meganne Ritchi in Metro Park 🎵🌳

Yes, her name is just her parents' names combined. It was her father's idea and he was too proud of it.

[violentdelightsproductions]

"What's the matter with me? You'd think a girl would learn"

On this Valentine season, Ellie finds herself swooning over a certain Dean Winchester, but she stubbornly refuses to admit it even to herself. So the mus--- meddling supernatural entities, take it upon themselves to force her to face the facts: that she is madly and irreversibly in love!

"Oh, at least out loud, I won't say I'm in love"

Find our Dean x Ellie videos here! Check our Valentines 2023 edits here!

Ellie Spencer is an original character character created by @girlshunttoo - Faceclaim Deborah Ann Woll

Check us out on @ddriverpicksthemusic / @girlshunttoo ♥

[girljeremystrong]

books about dads and about family and about complicated feelings

FICTION

they're going to love you by meg howrey: carlisle goes back to greenwich village to her father's house and finds herself dealing with her complicated feelings towards her dad.

foster by claire keegan: a story about a young girl who's sent to live with another family and founds a love she wasn't familiar with before.

the namesake by jhumpa lahiri: most beautiful novel by our gratest author about the son of immigrants from calcutta growing up in america.

east of eden by john steinbeck: the nobel prize winning greatest story of a father growing two very different boys in california.

still life by sarah winman: ulysses finds himself with a child and chooses to become the best man he can for her (and they move to italy).

unlikely animals by annie hartnett: emma's dad has a mysterious brain disease so she drops out of med school and goes back home. it's a delightful story.

the family chao by lan samantha chang: a retelling of the brothers karamazov set in a modern day chinese restaurant in america.

the incredible winston browne by sean dietrich: sheriff browne recieves some bad news and suddenly he finds himself taking care of a runaway girl who doesn't speak.

we begin at the end by chris whitaker: duchess is only a kid but she takes care of her little brother with all she has even when circumstances keep getting worse and worse.

razorblade tears by s. a. crosby: two black men are killed and their fathers, who always had trouble accepting their sexualities, decide to get justice.

the sweetness of water by nathan harris: in the waning days of the civil war two brothers find refuge with a couple in a farm.

salvage the bones by jesmyn ward: esch's brothers and her dad in the 12 days before during and after hurricane katrina. a modern classic and one of the most beautiful books ever.

the patron saint of liars by ann patchett: in a kentucky home for unwed mothers, a woman meets a man and can't escape her past.

homeland elegies by ayad akhtar: a very personal story of a man and his father dealing with feelings of dispossession and belongings. again one of the best books in the world.

NON-FICTION

the three mothers by anna malaika tubbs: the story of the three women who raised and shaped martin luther king jr., malcolm x and james baldwin.

how to say babylon by safyia sinclair: a memoir of a childhood shaped by a volatile father.

beautiful country by qian julie wang: after moving from china to the usa young qian finds a place among books as her family struggles to adapt to their new home as undocumented immigrants.

between the world and me by ta-nehisi coates: a black father shares his fears for his son growing up in current day america.

[ricardian-werewolf]

Take Me to War.

Chapter 1: If not to heaven, then Hand in Hand to hell.

Gwayne Hightower X Original Female Character. (slow burn, Medieval perceptions of marriage and womanhood)

Sunne in Splendour x House of the Dragon.

Word count: 3.48k words.

AN| This is the first time the author has written for Gwayne Hightower, so please be kind! The author also only has a surface level knowledge of House of the Dragon/Game of Thrones, so please be courteous when making comments or suggestions. The Author is a history student with a special interest in the Wars of the Roses and Ricardian sources, so knowledge of that period will be largely correct.

Summary:

Reeling from the battle of Bosworth Field, fifteen year old Cecily-Anne is a princess without her throne, family, or hope. Forced to play her hand with both hands tied; a seemingly mystical intercession forces her into a world that is shockingly similar to the England she knows, yet also drastically different. It is there as a mere lady in waiting, that she is forced to pick a side in a war that has been played over in her England for decades. It remains to see as to whom will come out from this "Dance of Dragons," unscathed and whole.

Tws: Brutal violence, implied sexual violence, sexism of the medieval period, religious mention, brutality.

Taglist: @lordbettany, @rmelster, @portiaadams, @mihrsuri

If you liked it, please reblog and comment! Every kind word keeps more of them coming!

Blood flecked Cecily-Anne’s face, her skirts and hands. She stared down at her palms, running them together as if she wished to clear the mess. Raising her head, she could only stare in wide-eyed horror as Henry Tudor’s sword drove its tip into her father’s chest. The crunch caused her to flinch visibly. No one had bothered to remove her from the camp, to put her into sanctuary. All of the chaos of the battle had left her here. She was supposed to have only observed the preliminary actions and then been swiftly retired to the nearby Grayfriars priory in Leicester. 

But now she stood at the hands of the most likely man next to kill her.

Or wed her. He could wait, for certes. She was only ten-and-five years, not even yet showing signs of womanhood. But to a country teetering blindly towards anarchy, this was the only movement forward to solve so many problems. However, as she shifted uneasily from foot to foot. With her skirts turning soiled with the still-warm blood of her father, Cecily remembered Elizabeth Woodeville’s many daughters. Maybe he would choose one of them, and leave her well enough alone. Maybe clemency would work with this…. Bastard of a prince?

She would refuse to bend her knees and acknowledge him as the god-chosen king. No. The rite of the crown would go to Teddy. Or passing him, Meg. She would need to make arrangements, seek out Johnny and Kathryn. They would need to know of Richard’s death.

Suddenly, a hand clenched around her upper arm and she shrieked, blindly lashing out. 

“My lady, please!” A voice hissed. Female, french sounding. Véronique de Crécy. Cecily looked up into the lady-servant’s face and caught the tears forming on her lashes. “Do not cry out. You have been granted the right of sanctuary with the nearby nunnery. They are doing this out of the mercy of your womanhood, Chérie.”

“Mercy?” Cecily hissed as Véronique dragged her from the battlefield. She could only watch silently with doe-wide eyes as her father’s corpse was stripped to the flesh. Then, it was dumped over the back of a steed. “No-” She began to scream, thrashing in her mother’s servant's arms. Another hand clamped over her lips, silencing her.

“Do not make a sound, Princess. Keep very, very quiet.” Francis Lovell hissed. “It is horrific, yes, but this is what Tudor dictates, and we must bend the knee or be slaughtered.” He effortlessly dragged her through the leagues of white-tented campsites to a waiting horse and litter. Mistress Burgh, who had tended to her since infancy, examined her skirts silently. 

“By the holy mother-” She began, then looked into Cecily-Anne’s whitened face. “Come, lovely. We must be getting you home.” 

“My F-father-” Cecily jerked her head up as she watched the white rose being put to the torch. Suddenly, the fight drained from her and she fell to her knees, the veil of her hennin swimming about her face like gossamer wings. “No, please, No!” She sobbed, wrenching off her hennin and veil with a firm tug. Her hair fell from its pins, spilling about her face.

“What is the meaning of this?” A voice sneered. “I find it most…” Cecily looked up into the face of a man who she would forever remember. Standing over her, clad in plate armour of pure silver with work of ferns and ivy was Thomas Builder, retitled Thomas Melbourne. A minor lord, he had backed her father until the end, and then revealed his hand when Tudor had taken the advantage. His eyes gleamed like emeralds in the watery sunlight shimmering overhead, and he bent down to lift her chin. 

“Unfaithful to your late Father, Princess.” His voice was velvety, meant to be soothing. But it merely made Cecily more vicious, more angered. She whacked his hand aside and bared her teeth. She raised her hand, and formed a fist. Her father’s knights who had served him now formed a Testudo around her. 

“Ah, princess.” Melbourne sneered again. “These men are traitors. They ought not rush to thy defence.”

“They shall.” Cecily rose on unsteadily feet, but squared her shoulders. The moment of grief within her was pushed down deep inside her, and she shut it away. She would not allow herself to show how much she hurt. He would not see how much she longed to lie down in the blood-splattered grass where her father had fallen, and implore God and his saints to take her too.

Please, Holy Mother, protect me from this man’s aims and evils. She prayed silently, her fingers sliding to the crucifix around her neck. Suddenly, she gasped as Melbourne parted the Testudo around her, ignoring the pike-axes grazing his cheeks. His hand snaked up and grasped hers. His eyes blazed with pure hate, and he grabbed the crucifix in hand. It did not burn him, which Cecily hoped it would. She could only sob as Melbourne yanked the chain forward, dragging Cecily along with it. She was pulled from the safety of her knights and thrown roughly to the ground. 

Around her, a cheering and jeering group of Tudors’s soldiers had gathered. At their head was Margaret Beaufort, clad in mourner’s black. Briefly, Cecily was reminded of her mother’s poisoned words against the mother of Tudor. She flashed her teeth again, snatching out a hand to grab something. But her hand was pinned under the black-metal foot of Count Adhemar’s boot.

“There she is.” He crowed as Tudor pushed through his men and raised his visor to regard her. “What a wonderful wife she would make for you, Your grace.”

“You deem him your king?!” Cecily snarled, crying out as Melbourne grabbed her hair and pulled her head back with a sickening crack. Looking up at him from below, Cecily was able to see his lengthened canines, and she shuddered in horror. It seemed as though not only was Tudor ungodly in his mortal affairs, he consorted with demons to win him victories.

She crossed herself, murmuring the lord’s prayer under her breath.

“She should be killed, Henry.” Margaret cried. “If she is not, she is a threat to your legitimacy. Any son she bears and the blood of the Yorks remains stronger than ever.” 

“There is still the matter of those two boys. Tell me-” Tudor turned now to Cecily, and stepped over her so that his legs were on either side of her hips. She looked up at him even though she couldn’t look him in the eye. Her breaths came in heavy, rapid gasps as Tudor grabbed her by the chin and lifted her head.

“Did your father kill the princes, girl?”

“No!” Cecily cried instantly.

The smack of his ringed hand to her face made Cecily cry out again. Around her, even some of Tudor’s knights were making murmurs of discontent. No one struck a princess, or made a movement against her. Yet, Cecily knew easily how vulnerable she was. With no strong woman such as her grandmother to speak in her defence, she was powerless. Véronique’s words were as good as naught.

“Then where did he put them?”

“I have no knowledge of where-” Cecily sobbed again as Tudor rained down another blow. She was saved a third as Margaret’s hand reached out and pulled Henry’s fist back. “Please, no. Do not taint your victory with such sin. God will find it distasteful.” 

Please, Holy Mother, protect me from this man’s aims and evils. 

Tudor glared at his mother and then Cecily. His thumb stroked her thrumming pulse point, and then he spat in her face. “Be glad that my lady mother raised me to be merciful. If I was not, I ought to put you in your place as you deserve, wench.”

Cecily shuddered. 

She watched with widened, fear-filled eyes as Tudor’s men departed with their king at the head. Atop Tudor’s head was the crown of King Edward, the very crown that had been affixed to her father’s helmet. A sob burned through her lungs and she pressed her knuckles to her streaming eyes. Wrapped in the spanish silks she had been gifted as part of her engagement to Joanna of Portugal’s younger cousin, Cecily-Anne Isabel Plantagenet knew that without a doubt that she was a marked woman.

As she was helped into the litter by Véronique, Cecily watched as Tudor’s men took down the White Rose of York. Her breath hitched as the Whyte Boar of Gloucester was unpinned from her father’s command tent. His squires who’d survived the battle were lined up in order of age. She watched with wide eyes devoid of all emotion as a barber surgeon and priest went about taking confession. Then, they were beheaded in front of the spot where her father had taken mass just that morn.

The battle of Redmore Plain had lasted a scant few hours, but the impact would fester for weeks. As the wheels of the litter began to turn and Cecily’s few knights fell into step beside the litter, the princess pressed a hand to her mouth and wept without shame. She clung weakly to her mother’s crucifix and the ring on her finger that had been the coronation ring of her father’s. Tudor would forge another ring, another crown; another state.

All of the work her father had done would be ashes and cinders. The North would not go quietly, which brought her some level of comfort. But their refusal to bend the knee would bite them soon enough. Sin had come over England with the miasma of plague, and it would stay thus until either the Tudors were ousted, murdered or ran out of heirs.

Pressing her hand over her eyes again, Cecily sighed deeply. 

“Write to Manuel and please inform him that the wedding is…” She waved a hand in front of her face. “Annulled. Ensure the Church knows also. I am certain they will be flooded with requests of dispensations for Tudor and whomever he chooses as his lady wife.” She looked to Véronique, who gave a quiet nod of acknowledgement.

“And you, cherie?”

“I believe I shall take a night in that nunnery you inquired for me. In the morn, we shall see where I am going. Whether it be the Tower Greene or the wilds of Bruges, I shall be excited to know.” swirling the cup of wine handed to her, Cecily drank deeply. Grief and shock had made her caustic. She would not wish to be anything other than that. As she drank more, she turned to debating in her mind how she would subvert Tudor’s wills for her execution. 

She should be killed, Henry.

She is a threat to the crown!

Was that same thing not spoken of about her Aunt Elizabeth? The very woman who had seduced her uncle to the bedchamber and made him a father to several children of health and vigour? Had that not been said of her own mother, whose wealth of lands in the north along with Aunt Isabelle set up a bloodless war between her father and mad uncle George? Had the women not birthed two sickly children for both sets of parents? Had fate not delivered her brother to God’s embrace far sooner than expected? Then a scant half-year later her own mother? 

Cecily smacked her hand against the wooden screen, and screamed low in her throat. She was well and truly alone, left to shoulder the burdens of a crown cracking more with each passing hour. The lords of London would throw the gates wide to the invaders, burn Crosby Place and Baynard’s to the ground. She would be bereft of a husband to-be, left to rot in a Court that would not place her in a position of honour. She would have to bend the knee to play favour, but her actions a few hours earlier would drive that thought from Tudor’s mind with the swiftness of a spring breeze.

Compline found Cecily-Anne kneeling before the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her mother’s crucifix chain in her fingers. She had always found solace in prayer, not for the religious aspects, but the simple acts of running her fingers through the beads. The easy recitation of her prayers and catechisms soothed her. She always had a list in her mind of who to implore on behalf of the Father for His favour - the poor, sickly, needy. Her family members who suffered more than most came second. As part of her selfless devotion that some saw as frenetic, while others viewed it as a sign of true humility, Cecily wore a long veil and forgoed a prayer kneeler. Her heavy skirts of velvet and stiffened brocade did well enough. The order of Augustinian Canonesses had taken kindly to the young princess and put her at once into sanctuary. As an order of 1337 nuns confined to the limits of the priory’s property, they were over-delighted to have a guest. After supping in her rooms, Cecily had gone with the younger initiates to pray Compline before retiring. 

As she turned her face upwards to Mary’s figure with her arms spread out in a gesture of welcome and warmth, Cecily prayed to one woman only.

Her lady mother.

“Maman, I implore you. Please, let me know that I am not in vain to ask for you. Let me know that my pain is not all I shall feel. T-there is no way forward for me that I see. You always spoke to anyone who asked that I could solve my way out of any problem the Lord put before me, and now I find myself without.” Tears dripped down her face and she angrily shook her head, slamming her fist into the floor. The nuns who prayed quietly behind her stilled in their prayers at the sound of her fist. 

Cecily shot them a look and made the sign of the cross without breaking eye contact. Her devotion would be unshakable. The chapel at Middleham bore marks of her nails in the soft stone as she had poured out her grief in the days after Ned’s death. Now, she drew her nails once more down the expanse of stone. One scratch for her mother, one for her father, and another for Ned. 

“Please, Maman. I beg of you, do something. I cannot live in an England that is without the security of your light, of Father’s judgement. I can only implore the Lord for why he chooses to test me.” She bowed her head again. “I beg that Father is at peace, for some knowledge that he is safe, that he is happy to be reunited with you and Ned again. Please, do not worry for me. I am as well as I can be.” She wiped a tear from her eyes. Yet, they seemed to not stop, even as she forced herself desperately to not cry in the Lord’s house.

“Child…” The Mother Superior murmured. Cecily jerked her head away. She hated to be touched, to be perceived. She brought her hand up, to quieten the woman. The blood froze in her veins suddenly as the Mother Superior grabbed her hand, and then she heard a harsh voice that was her mother’s hiss; Open your eyes!

Cecily’s eyes flew open, and she recoiled. For where the statue of Mary had stood was now a cut. A cut in the space of the room, that through it showed… another space - a field with trees in the distance. It was unheard of. No miracle such as this had ever been written of in a canonical history or court romance. Cecily’s head jerked up and she looked at the Mother Superior. 

“D-do you see that?”

“Yes.” The Mother breathed, her hands clammy around Cecily’s. Her skin itched painfully and longed to tug her hand free. Yet Cecily stayed in that woman’s grasp as the Mother pulled herself up from a kneeling position. Cecily’s fingers instinctively closed tight around the crucifix chain and she ran it over her lips. 

“Speak to me again, Maman.” She whispered, her lips barely moving.

Go forward. The cut will not hurt you, child.

Cecily shuffled forward, her skirts swishing as she moved. Her skirts, the ones still caked with her father’s blood. The deep blue was stained a runny wine-dark purple and caked in a scent so foul that the other nearby nuns had their noses pinched. In the flickering candlelight, they looked like demons sent from the very brimstone and fires of Hell she feared. Somewhere deep in the back of her mind, Cecily was half conscious of the fact that her mother never called her “Child.” Yet, the grief of so much loss…. Made her feel the exhaustion within her more sharply.

Crossing the nave before the altar, she stared up at the cut with widened eyes, and reached a hand out to touch it. Instead of the pain of burning or the cold of snow on a winter’s night, she felt merely warmth. Through the ugly gash, she could see waving grasses in a stiff breeze, and squinting, making out the forms of men waiting amongst the trees. Some of them were on horses, and she wondered if they could see her. What a shock they’d get! 

The cut will not hurt you, child. She remembered her mother’s words spoken just moments before, and looked back at the nuns. They had gathered together in a small grouping at the back of the chapel, and amongst them she saw Véronique gripping Francis Lovell’s hand tight in hers. What stilled her suddenly was the expression on Véronique’s face - pure, unadulterated fear. 

Go! Go, and do not look back, child!

Cecily’s head turned to look back at the cut and she stared once more through it, her hand still stretched out in front of her. The crucifix dangling from her hand caught the sunlight filtering through the trees, and she smelled the scent of freshly hay. Distantly, she felt as though she was back at Middleham, playing with Ned and Kathyrn and Johnny. Tears filled her eyes again and she closed them as her mind wandered. 

Yes, child. Step through. You are almost home. Just another step-

Cecily could feel the sunlight on her hands; her face, and she turned her palms upwards towards the light and warmth. Yet, suddenly, the sounds of screams filled the air. Looking down, Cecily’s face turned to horror as she stepped not on freshly cut grass but blood-stained earth. An earth-shattering roar split the air as she looked up to the sight of a dragon armed with a rider opening its maw wide. A column of liquid fire flowed from its gaping jaws and set the forest before it ablaze. The men under it, clad in deep green tunics with a silver tower were swiftly enveloped in the flames and a horrific screaming sound met her ears. Throwing her hands over her ears, Cecily turned back to look for the cut.

She found it gone. 

“MAMAN!” She screamed. “What is the meaning of this?!”

A test, child. You implored for my judgement.

“A TEST?!” Cecily shrieked. 

I am the holy mother, all who worship me are tested in some way or another at some point. This is yours. Take with it what you will.

The warmth she’d felt turned shockingly cold, and Cecily cringed back, fear filling her veins with cold sand. Around her, men screamed, crossed swords and brutally massacred one another. Stumbling blindly, she turned whatever way was quietest, and began to stumble across the battlefield that would later be called Raven’s Rock. As she reached what she hoped was a line of tents consisting of faces who would be willing to listen to her tale, something sharp and long embedded itself in her leg.

The ground tilted dangerously under her, and Cecily’s face smashed into a jagged rock. Atop the rock’s surface she felt soft lichen caress her cheek, and barely had time to fist the crucifix more tightly into her fingers. The next moment, the darkness of injury and exhaustion washed over her with the strength of a tide, and she was dragged into its swell.

Over her head, two soldiers bearing the same uniforms she’d seen earlier discussed what to do with this princess in a tongue she didn’t know. After a few moments more, a knight with ginger hair and emerald green eyes came to survey her chaining up. He took his helmet from a squire and left at once to take up arms against a foe who was merely his sister’s closest friend and the supposed former heir of the Iron Throne. The false Queen Rhaenyra had made war against Alicent Hightower’s chosen son and it was unto this war that Princess Cecily-Anne was dragged unwillingly into. A war that was set to shape a generation and dynasty had merely changed time and space, but the rules were the same - a woman’s place was not upon the battlefield. 

End of Chapter 1.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

💜 Queer Book Releases Coming Out September 2023

🦇 Trying to read queer all year? Make sure to check out these queer September releases!

❤️ Forget I Told You This by Hilary Zaid 🧡 The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans 💛 The Lonely Book by Meg Grehan 💚 Every Star That Falls by Michael Thomas Ford 💙 Fly With Me by Andie Burke 💜 Wound by Oksana Vasyakina 🖤 Into the Bright Open by Cherie Dimaline ❤️ A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee 🧡 Straight Expectations by Callum McSwiggan 💛 Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson 💚 Deephaven by Ethan M. Aldridge 💙 The Mossheart’s Promise by Rebecca Mix

💜 Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson 🖤 The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars ❤️ Ryan and Avery by David Levithan 🧡 What Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowell 💛 Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass 💚 The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes 💙 A Hundred Vicious Turns by Lee Paige O’Brien 💜 Monstrous by Jessica Lewis 🖤 OKPsyche by Anya Johanna DeNiro ❤️ Cursebreakers by Madeleine Nakamura 🧡 The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu 💛 Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

💚 You, Again by Kate Goldbeck 💙 Godkiller by Hannah Kaner 💜 The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven 🖤 Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo ❤️ A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey 🧡 A Crown So Cursed by L.L. McKinney 💛 In the Ring by Sierra Isley 💚 How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok 💙 This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin 💜 The Free People’s Village by Sim Kern 🖤 Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas ❤️ Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in NYC by Elyssa Maxx Goodman

🧡 Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner 💛 Mall Goth by Kate Leth 💚 The Siren, the Song, and the Spy by Maggie Tokuda Hall 💙 This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson 💜 A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles 🖤 The Problem with Gravity by Michelle Mohrweis ❤️ Alex Wise vs. the End of the World by Terry J. Benton-Walker

[littlemissmentallyunstable]

‘she’s gonna save me, call me "baby", run her hands through my hair, she’ll know me crazy, soothe me daily, better yet she wouldn't care’

masterlist * to be written * ellowyn estate

reader. writer. actress. pianist. dancer. singer. hopeless romantic.

heyy, i’m bella ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡ ࣪

work too much. think too deep. dream too big. cry too soon. love too hard.

about me: I love to read and write, it’s literally become a personality trait . this is my first writing blog ever so I’m open to criticism and pointers on how to make my work better 🤍🤍 she/her, minor, 21+ DNI

my family on tumblr: as well as my beautiful and amazing moots I’m also part of the ellowyn dynasty!!

my fictional idols: avery kylie grambs, rory gilmore, jo march, katniss everdeen, juliette ferrars, mare barrow, annabeth chase, savannah grayson, paedyn gray, gigi grayson, tris prior, lyra kane, nazeera ibrahim, libby grambs, beth march, lorelai gilmore, thalia grace, meg march, emmaline sommers, hermione granger, amy march, lucy gray, adena, luna lovegood, reyna ramírez-arellano, anne shirley-cuthbert (is the shortened list)

my husbands: grayson hawthorne, kai azer, aaron warner, jameson hawthorne, kenji kishimoto, kitt azer, nash hawthorne, xander hawthorne, florian beck, laurie, percy jackson, makoto khitan, finnick odair, tobias eaton, peeta mellark, coriolanus snow, jason grace, gilbert blythe (just to name a few)

music: tom odell, hozier, arctic monkeys, the lumineers, hamilton, standing at the sky’s edge, månoskin, twenty one pilots, x-ambassadors, conan gray, olivia rodrigo, marina, florence + the machine, harry styles, sia, taylor swift & moreeee

currently reading: war storm

note: music, rain, cinnamon rolls, dance, gilmore girls, piano, iced tea and fiction are my therapy <3

masterlists:

- the inheritance games

- powerless

- shatter me

I’m currently closed for requests 🤍🤍 so sorry!!

I can write for most fandoms (I think) it’s not just limited to the ones I have listed!!

other blogs:

ellowyn family: @primabellarina

valencourt boyfriend: @eunspercy

tig rp: @xanderlovesscones

powerless rp: @ordinaryleena

shatter me rp: @emmal1nesommers

harry potter rp: @daphhatesyou

my tags:

bella blabs 🤍 - probably me spouting some random nonsense

bella writes 🤍 - my fics

bella’s chit chat 🤍- if you guys send me an ask

bella’s 🎧 - a song I’m screaming the lyrics to at the mo

bella’s questions 🎂- when I set up a poll

[untilnextchapter]

Monthly Fanfictions Recommandation: September'23

Here are my best discoveries from the last weeks

🍬 The Authors

@kquil : a gentle author, writing about the Marauders, her writing will bring you peace and the writings are so soft. I love seeing her theme on my computer and seeing her icon on my dash is always a sign that I will read something good.

@luveline : you don't know if you want to read an Aaron Hotchner story or a good Marauder one? You don't need to change to another page, here is the wonderful Jade. She's so talented and you won't be disappointed if you want to check her work.

@thatfanficstuff : when I discovered this blog, I didn't know where I should go first. So many fandoms I love, so many characters, so many stories... So many comfort shows and so, comforting times after work. And sometimes, it's all I need. A gentle person writing some sweet stories.

@luci-in-trenchcoats : I read a few stories a few months ago but, I recently re-discovered this amazing author. With her works, I was back into Supernatural. So many hours spent at reading about our favourite hunters, so many series. And the best of the best: the writing skills are so great and it's so easy to read... Waow, just waow.

@imagineteamfreewill : Fluffy Supernatural fics and a lot of good AUs, all I need after a hard day at work. Meg is an excellent writer and you will spend a good time, I promise. I haven't read everything yet but, I know I have a few a good escapes in perspective. Don't hesitate , you will enjoy your time reading, I hope as much as I'm doing.

@anika-ann : I'm in my Marvel phase, I'm weak, I know. And, I think I found someone that could quench my thirst with so many good stories and good writing skills. I could spend hours reading about Steve Rogers. And I know I've found an unique writer because I loved a crossover story. I usually hate that. But here I am, reading a Criminal Minds / Avengers story and loving it. Thank you for that.

@crazyunsexycool : Another "Val", it can only be someone nice, right? But really, a sweetheart, someone with so much imagination, and a way to write about children... And I know what I'm talking about, I'm working in a nursery. It's so great to read something accurate when it's a subject you know. And except for the children, she's always here to answer your questions, being nice and taking time for her followers. I hadn't asked to be add into a taglist for a story for a long time. You won't be disappointed if you want to make a stop here.

🍭 The Stories

* = Smut (Minors DNI) || 🦋 = Series || Beware of the TW please

Not so secret admirer || @kquil (Remus Lupin x Reader, you can't hide your adoration for remus lupin and often end up staring at him, good thing he thinks you're really cute)

A star between hands 🦋 || @luveline (James Potter x Reader, finding out you’re princess isn’t half as intimidating as your new bodyguard, James. mutual pining, fluff)

if things go bad || @/luveline (Aaron Hotchner x Reader, Hotch rushes to get to you when you call him during a home invasion. angst, hurt/comfort)

True Mate 🦋 || @thatfanficstuff (Peter Hale x Reader)

Remember me || @/thatfanficstuff (Thranduil x Reader)

I Know Your Brother || @luci-in-trenchcoats (Sam Winchester x Reader, The reader is pulled out of Hell accidentally by Sam Winchester who’s wondering where his brother is…)

A Safe Mistake 🦋 || @/luci-in-trenchcoats (Nanny!Dean x Single Parent!reader, Dean’s in need of some extra cash to help Sam pay for his tuition and gets a job working as a nanny for the reader’s young son. As Dean becomes ingrained in the reader’s life though, he soon becomes more than just the nanny to them both…)

Beauty and the Beast 🦋 || @imagineteamfreewill (Dean Winchester x Reader AU, Living in a village is nice, and even though you’d always longed for adventure, you weren’t expecting to go on an adventure of your own anytime soon. But as soon as you take your father’s place as the prisoner of a Beast who lives in an enchanted castle, you’re surprised that adventure isn’t all it’s cracked up to be—and neither are monsters)

Daisy || @/imagineteamfreewill (Sam Winchester x Deaf!Daughter!Reader, Sam breaks some bad news to his daughter, who’s deaf, and watches her start to grow up without her mother)

Love on the Brain 🦋 || @anika-ann (Steve Rogers x Reader / Crossover MCU-Criminal Minds, You found menacing pictures of you friend, colleague and neighbour Steve in your mailbox.   Someone might play it off as a bad joke, but you were an agent for the Avengers Initiative and a former FBI agent. You’ve seen cases like this and you were taking no chances. Not with Steve of all people. But you were going to need help; enter the BAU)

Hands Too Cold, but Heart of Gold 🦋 || @/anika-ann (Steve Rogers x Reader, Matt Murdock x Reader, You officially joined the Avengers only two months ago and you’re about to take off to yet another mission. Cap would like to have some extra help on this one – but the Avengers have approached the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen before and he made it pretty clear how he felt about it. Of course, this time it’s you who got stuck with trying to convince him once again. “I still don’t understand why it’s not you coming, oh Star Spangled Man with a Plan.” “I do have a plan. I have you.”)

Heart’s Munition 🦋 || @crazyunsexycool (Mob boss!Steve Rogers x Maid!Reader. I can't copy and paste all the resume but I swear, you'll love it. A bit of surprise but it's worth the world)

My little love * 🦋 || @/crazyunsexycool (Bucky Barnes x Enhanced!Reader. Really long resume but in short, Bucky, Reader, children, Papa and Mama bears, great scenario, you'll love it I promise!)

That's all, for now.

Don't hesitate to share the stories you liked and tell the writers you enjoy their works, it always means a lot to them ❤️

Have a good reading,

Val 🌸

[cacxsh]

muak

[fnafhs-aesthetics]

Ann, Meg, Mai and Maggie poly aesthetic for anon.

-Mod Golden.

[likeclarabow]

2024 Books Read

In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren (Jan 1)

The Long Games - Elena Armas (Jan 2)

The Seven Year Slip - Ashley Poston (Jan 3)

Something More - Jackie Kalilieh (Jan 3-Jan 4)

A Study in Drowning - Ava Reid (Jan 8-Jan 13)

Cockroach - Rawi Hage (Jan 17-Jan 24)

Confessions of an English Opium Eater - Thomas De Quincey (Jan 18-Jan 24)

The Night Circus (reread) - Erin Morgenstern (Jan 24-Jan 29)

Manfred - Lord Byron (Jan 29-Jan 31)

White Nights - Fyodor Dostoevsky (Jan 26-Feb 1)

Murder on the Links - Agatha Christie (Feb 1-Feb 5)

Fronteras Americanas: American Borders - Guillermo Verdecchia (Feb 8)

Total Chaos - Jean Claude Izzo (Feb 7-Feb 16)

I Was Their American Dream - Malaka Gharib (Feb 17-Feb 21)

Once in a Promised Land - Laila Halaby (Feb 26-Mar 1)

Babi Yar - Anatoly Kuznetsov (Feb 17-Mar 2)

Northanger Abbey (reread) - Jane Austen (Feb 27-Mar 3)

Delicious Monsters - Liselle Sambury (Mar 10-Mar 11)

The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary (Mar 12-Mar 13)

Divine Rivals - Rebecca Ross (Mar 13-Mar 14)

The Breakup Tour - Emily Wibberly + Austin Siegemund-Broka (Mar 14)

Foul Heart Huntsman - Chloe Gong (Mar 15-Mar 16)

I Hope This Doesn't Find You - Ann Liang (Mar 16-Mar 17)

Less - Andrew Sean Greer (Mar 17-Mar 18)

Night of Power - Anar Ali (Mar 20)

Winter in Sokcho - Elisa Shua Dusapin (Mar 20-Mar 22)

The Last Man - Mary Shelley (Mar 19-Mar 30)

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - Janice Hallett (Mar 30-Mar 31)

Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin - Timothy Snyder (Jan 10-Apr 4)

The Reappearance of Rachel Price - Holly Jackson (May 5-May 8)

Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah (May 14-May 16)

Conversations With Friends - Sally Rooney (May 17-May 28)

Biography of X - Catherine Lacey (May 30-June 9)

Her First Palestinian - Saeed Teebi (May 30-June 10)

Funny Story - Emily Henry (June 11-June 16)

November 1942 - Peter Englund (June 16-June 26)

Alone With You in the Ether - Olivie Blake (June 23-June 27)

A Man Called Ove - Fredrick Backman (June 27-June 29)

Giovanni's Room - James Baldwin (June 29-June 30)

The Girl in Question - Tess Sharpe (June 30-July 3)

The Girls I've Been (reread) - Tess Sharpe (July 4-July 5)

The Man in the High Castle - Phillip K Dick (July 6-July 12)

Ruthless Vows - Rebecca Ross (July 12-July 16)

Body Grammar - Jules Ohman (July 17-July 19)

Shanghailanders - Juli Min (July 19-July 23)

They're Going to Love You - Meg Howrey (July 24-July 26)

So Late in the Day - Claire Keegan (July 26)

That's Not My Name - Megan Lally (July 26)

The Blonde Identity - Ally Carter (July 27)

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands - Heather Fawcett (July 27-July 29)

The Sittaford Mystery - Agatha Christie (July 31-Aug 2)

Beautiful World Where Are You - Sally Rooney (Aug 3-Aug 8)

Mr Salary - Sally Rooney (Aug 9)

Penance - Eliza Clark (Aug 9-Aug 10)

Convenience Store Woman - Sayaka Murata (Aug 11)

Educated - Tara Westover (Aug 12-Aug 14)

The Couple at No. 9 - Claire Douglas (Aug 15-Aug 20)

A Curse for True Love - Stephanie Garber (Aug 17-Aug 19)

London - Edward Rutherford (Aug 20-Aug 28)

The Girls - Emma Cline (Aug 28-Aug 29)

The List - Yomi Adegoke (Aug 30)

Florida - Lauren Groff (Aug 30-Aug 31)

Less is Lost - Andrew Sean Greer (Aug 31-Sept 1)

Love in the Time of Serial Killers - Alicia Thompson (Sept 1)

Zoya - Danielle Steele (Sept 1-Sept 3)

Where Are You, Echo Blue - Hayley Krischer (Sept 4-Sept 7)

Bellies - Nicola Dinan (Sept 8-Sept 15)

A Contract With God - Will Eisner (Sept 17)

The Rachel Incident - Caroline O'Donoghue (Sept 19-Sept 21)

Richard II - William Shakespeare (Sept 15-Sept 22)

Maus I - Art Spiegelman (Sept 19-Sept 24)

This Ravenous Fate - Hayley Dennings (Sept 22-Sept 25)

The Unwomanly Face of War - Svetlana Alexievich (Sept 15-Sept 25)

Foster - Claire Keegan (Sept 26)

Anne of Windy Poplars (reread) - L.M. Montgomery (Sept 21-Sept 30)

The Pairing - Casey McQuiston (Sept 26-Oct 1)

Dept of Speculation - Jenny Offill (Oct 2)

Watchman - Alan Moore (Sept 29-Oct 4)

The Getaway List - Emma Lord (Oct 3-Oct 5)

Death at Morning House - Maureen Johnson (Oct 6-Oct 8)

The God of the Woods - Liz Moore (Oct 9-Oct 13)

Boy Parts - Eliza Clark (Oct 13-Oct 14)

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (Oct 19-Oct 22)

Bliss Montage - Ling Ma (Oct 23-Oct 26)

To the Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf (Oct 18-Oct 27)

Persepolis - Marjane Satrapi (Oct 24-Oct 28)

One for My Enemy - Olivie Blake (Oct 26-Oct 31)

Graveyard Shift - M.L. Rio (Nov 1-Nov 2)

Funny Boy - Shyam Selvadurai (Oct 26-Nov 4)

Rouge - Mona Awad (Nov 2-Nov 6)

Book Lovers (reread) - Emily Henry (Nov 9-Nov 10)

Macbeth (reread) - William Shakespeare (Nov 4-Nov 13)

Monty's Men - John Buckley (Nov 4-Nov 14)

The Starless Sea (reread) - Erin Morgenstern (Nov 12-Nov 18)

Truly Madly Deeply - Alexandria Bellefleur (Nov 19-Nov 21)

Six Times We Almost Kissed (and One Time We Did) - Tess Sharpe (Nov 22-Nov 25)

The Examiner - Janice Hallett (Nov 29-Dec 1)

The Salt Grows Heavy - Cassandra Khaw (Dec 1)

Othello - William Shakespeare (Nov 23-Dec 14)

Gender Failure - Ivan E Coyote, Rae Spoon (Dec 14-Dec 15)

A Novel Love Story - Ashley Poston (Dec 13-Dec 17)

King Lear - William Shakespeare (Dec 16-Dec 18)

Done and Dusted - Lyla Sage (Dec 17-Dec 21)

Blue Sisters - Coco Mellors (Dec 23-Dec 24)

The Christmas Appeal - Janice Hallett (Dec 25)

[violentdelightsproductions]

"What's the matter with me? You'd think a girl would learn"

On this Valentine season, Ellie finds herself swooning over a certain Dean Winchester, but she stubbornly refuses to admit it even to herself. So the mus--- meddling supernatural entities, take it upon themselves to force her to face the facts: that she is madly and irreversibly in love!

"Oh, at least out loud, I won't say I'm in love"

Find our Dean x Ellie videos here! Check our Valentines 2023 edits here!

Ellie Spencer is an original character character created by @girlshunttoo - Faceclaim Deborah Ann Woll

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[power-chords]

Gray suit, white shirt, Mr. Anonymous, moving with precision as he browses the engineering section and selects the book Hanna now holds in his hand. Self-contained, focused, alert. Neil flips pages back and forth. The camera angle shows electronic microphotography of various kinds of steel.

Michael Mann & Meg Gardiner, Heat 2, 2022

And how curious, what a distance he sought to travel from the grating sound of that c-h with its breadth of reference, its guttural history and culture, those heavy hallway smells and accents—from this to the unknown x, mark of mister anonymous.

Don DeLillo, Underworld: A Novel, 1997

Hanna was haunted by dreams, dead bodies at a long table looking at him. They didn’t say anything. Their look imposed obligations. (Mann & Gardiner)

Ever in search of the father who disappeared, Delmore bade everyone call him by his first name. His name was the first contradiction to engage his poetic sensibility; it was not the name of a "nice Jewish boy." [...] Lou Reed, his former student, may know the truth: the writer who wrote a timeless story framed as a movie was named after Frank Delmore, a dancer in silent films. Perfect, for Schwartz's consciousness danced through towering, flickering images. His name was emblematic of concerns he explored in his work: generational divides between immigrants and their American-born children, tensions between old-world values and American social aspirations, the old manners and a brash new culture that celebrated the breakdown of class divides and made a liberating religion of artistic endeavor. [...]

Words read for decades or centuries are never erased. Schwartz once said that his subject was "the wound of consciousness." He was a dazzling writer whose work captures the quicksilver mercury of time, the enormous weight of anguish, and the exaltation of finding meaning in what might have been lost sadness and desperate waste. Irving Howe said that Schwartz "found a language for his parents' grief," but the story transforms history, place, and character into primal truth.

Jayne Anne Phillips, "The Wound of Consciousness: An Introduction to 'In Dreams Begin Responsibilities,'" The Iowa Review, 2014