#or maggie enchanted forest posting

[spacexcowgirl]

I get on twitter. I see mtwt saying hcing lily as a lesbian is biphobic. I log out.

[randomfoggytiger]

X-Files Collector’s Edition: Creepy and Cozy Cabins

Cabins: the final destination of many, many fic tropes. For our intrepid heroes, cabins are a great setting for either great understandings of relationship-kind, or a temporary haven from their chaotic and bloodthirsty world. I like to keep an eclectic assortment of such fics and mix them all together like a crazy salad. 

Loose chronological order below~! 

(Edited: Added jordan’s Alligator Moon.)

Canon

aka Jake/ aka_Jake ’s (Gossamer) 14-Day Quarantine (Gossamer) 

““Mulder?" My name rasps from Scully's throat. 

Ignoring the nurses' scowls, I return to her bedside. 

She clears her throat, takes a shallow breath. "I'd've...preferred Bigfoot." 

Me, too, Scully. Me, too.”” 

Post Darkness Falls Scully-- not yet out of the woods-- is devastated at news of the ranger’s death. She slips back and forth between recovery and coma while Mulder tries to bolster hers, his, and Maggie’s spirits.

the_eternal_optimist’s Unheard Of

““The men barged right in, broke the lock on the door. I pulled my gun, told them I was FBI. They were on me before I could even move, Scully.” She winced. “A few of them had baseball bats. One of them had a—a rope, or something heavy like that. I lost my gun before I could even fire it. I think I took a bat to the back of the head.” He sighed heavily. “When I came to, I was like you found me—clothes gone, hands tied.”

“And they just stashed you there under the stairs?” she asked in horror.

He grimaced. “They, uh, they actually dragged me out to the tree line,” he stammered, suddenly sounding very small. “Threw me closer to the forest. Then they, uh, they took that rope to my back. Said something about beating the devil out of me. I think I passed out when it got too painful.””

Beginning in Chapter 3, Scully finds Mulder in the woods-- beaten to a pulp and covered in mud. She cleans him up in a nearby cabin; but his violent marauders return, not deterred by the protections of an enchanted house. 

Juliettt‘s Confusion

““A sudden flash of light momentarily blinded her and she dropped to a defensive crouch. 

<Silly.  That's Mulder's flashlight -- he burst through the back door at the same time that you. . . .> 

 And then the crushing pain in her skull, the brief moment of terror and surprise, and blankness. . . .””

S2-3 Mulder and Scully wake with amnesia in a cabin. With Scully’s barely-there memories, she becomes a believer while Mulder scoffs at her “tall tales.” Skinner, flummoxed with their disappearance, arrives too late for true answers. 

@discordantwords‘s (Ao3) Somewhere North of Fiji 

““Behind her, she heard the slosh of water and a furtive sound, a strange squelching that she couldn't place. She glanced back at the water, saw nothing, then looked over at Mulder. He had the phone to his ear and did not seem aware of anything amiss.

She became aware of a strong odor, the stench of rotting fish.

"Mul-" something grabbed her from behind, needle sharp teeth sinking into her ankle. She tipped backwards, and the last thing she saw was Mulder's startled face, staring on as something small and gray rushed straight for him.””

S4 Mulder and Scully are half-drowned, half-mauled by the Fiji Mermaid who just. Won’t. Die. No matter how many bullets are blasted in its gut. 

jordan’s Alligator Moon 

““As Scully ducked between trees, her arms out to ward off  branches, brushing spiderwebs and Spanish moss out of her way, a blind, unreasoning panic began to seize her. 

Before it could take hold, she summoned the last of her courage and reached back to the holster in the small of her back.  She tore back the velcro flap, grasped the butt of her weapon and drew it.  The motion slowed her, and she let herself come to a full stop, the gun in her hand, to face her pursuer defiantly. 

 Scully!  No!"  Mulder had slid in the leaves like a first base runner and reversed direction to run back to her.  He scooped an arm around her waist and dragged her backwards.  For one second she saw the shimmer of something in the air, something she could only comprehend as sheer power, and she felt its malevolent intent like foul breath in her face.  Then she was being half carried, half pulled  by Mulder into a sudden clearing.”” 

AU FTF? Mulder and Scully track their suspect into the woods. They instead find his mangled corpse and near death by Windigo. While tracked in a cabin surrounded by a circle of sugar, Mulder uses his childhood dreams to figure out the mystery while Scully silently fumes over his aborted moves and imposed distance.

@sarie-fairy‘s (Ao3) Skamania County 

““I’m okay. I landed on something soft, sort of.”

It was then she managed to roll over, move from where she had fallen as Mulder began to descend. As she did, a sharp pain tore at her torso, and her head throbbed.

“Hold on,” he assured.

It was pliable, yielded as she shoved away.

“I’m coming down there, Scully,” he soothed.

And … furry?””  

Post The Unnatural-- Scully-- while fumbling around the snowy woods with Mulder hunting for Sasquatch-- finds a dark hole, a dead man in a zip-up suit, and a serious injury to her side (in that order.) Mulder is left to half-panic, half-haul her to a cabin and stitch an emergency suture. 

Love this fic! Classic pull-together of humor balanced with knife’s edge danger, and softened with tender care. (Also, found @mondfuchs‘s art through this!) 

XP1′s Dire Straights 

““Good. Good. Okay. Just scratches then.”

“’Scratches!’ she says!”

“Well not…I mean it probably only cut the epidermis. You don’t see any fat do you?”

“On you? Never.”

“Mulder-”

“No I don’t see anything like that. Just a…a whole lotta red.””

Mulder and Scully escape a dire bear; but she is more seriously injured than he’d thought. What ensues is amazing banter to keep their minds off of their serious worries as the two clean Scully’s wounds and cheekily address their mutual unspoken interests. 

This is an amazing fic. Only dialogue-- but it’s so well-written that you can tell exactly when each character picks up an object or what the other person is doing simply by how they SPEAK WORDS. Great stuff. 

@suitablyaggrieved‘s (Ao3)

Unnamed

““Looks like they left in a hurry, their things are still here and there’s smoke here. It’s warm. They haven’t been gone long.” Scully stands up and dusts herself off. Mulder stands nearby, looking down at the topographical map he had with him.

“Two cabins near here, so where did they go?” Mulder hands the map over to Scully and scours the area for clues.””

Mulder and Scully question an eerie park ranger for directions. Their sixth senses tingle in fear over the snarling children behind him in the cabin. 

Unnamed 

““Mulder, are you sure that this is the right way?” Scully asked, removing her hood and wiping her brow from the rain. She looked up at him, her mood indifferent.

“Of course,” he said, not at all sure, and worried that he was leading them down a dangerous excursion.””

Mulder and Scully are lost in the woods due to his bad directions. And, because their lives aren’t hard enough, they hear an animal howl. 

Pairs well with-- 

@scully-loves-ruthie‘s “One time he made a bad joke about pms”

““Thump, Thump, Wack!  The pounding on the door growing more intense with each hurtle the beast’s body delivers.  Mulder's back is pressed firmly against the other side of the door, his dress shoes digging for stability in the burnt orange motel carpet.  Scully splayed against him her arms shoving into the door while adding her body weight against his to stop the impending break in.  Their foreheads touch as each breath shimmies out of their lips arduous, biting back panic.””

Mulder is just happy to battle werewolves with his gf, Scully. Sometimes it comes out in awkward jokes (that I love, fyi.) 

@leiascully‘s (Ao3)

““That was a sigh for the ages.  Penny for your thoughts.”

“I’m not sure they’re worth that.”

“I adjusted for inflation.  Humor me.”

“The world was wide enough, Scully.”

“For what?”

“For us and the Jersey Devil.””

Years and locations may change, but Mulder’s curiosity and empathy never abates for the cruelties of the universe and its victims. Gf Scully listening skills and logic never changes, either. 

@lotsoforangesoutside/lotzzoforanesoutside‘s (Ao3)

Conversation in the Very Very Late at Night -FOURTEEN-  

““Ah, don’t tell me you didn’t know how I felt about you, Scully.” He murmurs softly. “I’ve been in love with my best friend for a long time, and I’ve never done that before.”

“Because your best friends were always guys?” She speculates, suddenly thinking about the Lone Gunmen.

“No, because I’ve never had a best friend.” His eyes tell her that he is being sincere. “So I didn’t know the etiquette on being in love with a best friend.””

A rainy, cozy cabin is the perfect time for Mulder and Scully to reflect on their past best friends and current relationship.

The Cabin

““Mulder takes her to a cabin owned by his uncle. He speaks of Cousin Barry and Cousin Ira, the shenanigans in their youth, the movies they watched together, and the visits to the amusement parks.

Listening to him about his childhood with Ira and Barry, one would think he’s got the best childhood a boy could ever dream of.””

On-the-run Mulder and Scully take a break at his cousin’s cabin. His girl-cooties banter is the cherry on top of their ooey-gooey good times that they have soaking in this speck of normalcy.

@wexleresque​/hllsteeth‘s Fictober 2021 - Chapter 17  

““The news does not come as a surprise to either of them given the winter storm that rages outside, howling and covering everything in ice. It feels like the little cabin might topple over when a particularly strong wind hits it.

“At least we still have power.” Mulder says, looking up at the single bulb in the ceiling that bathes them in a yellow light. They dust off a chess board that looks like it's been sitting long-abandoned in the corner, settling in for a long night of waiting. They’re seasoned experts at being exiled together, a concept that is oxymoronic as it is true.””

Mulder and Scully are snowed-in; but he creates a cheery evening with roasted marshmallows and cheesy fireside stories. 

truthwebothknow1′s My December 

““Please tell me you are going to knock me out for this." Scully was shaking her head; his heart lurched painfully, feeling the bite of metal scoring his ribs.  He pulled his best-beaten spaniel look that he'd thought worthy of an Oscar. To his horror, a single tear slid like a dewdrop down her face. It was then he noticed the blood at the edge of her hair for the first time. He was gasping now. Suddenly he felt like every, meal he'd ever consumed were fighting on mass for an exodus up and out,of biblical proportions.”” 

S7? Mulder is victim to a horrific car accident, with barbed wire embedded in his flesh in crucial spots that necessitate immediate removal-- without meds-- by Scully and Skinner. Santa makes it all better, but not until he’s had his fill of hurtfic. 

Scullysfan’s Mileage 

““She didn't answer for a moment, and then gave a solemn nod. "Yeah. I guess... I feel like the walls are closing in." His stomach roiled and clenched when she crossed her arms over her chest as though seeking protection. He had to lean forward to catch her next words, she spoke them so softly. "Like I'm going nowhere."

He knew the feeling well. ...

That a similar weight would burden the woman standing before him became suddenly unacceptable. ...She started when he swung his feet off the desk and planted them on the floor. "Then let's blow this pop stand," he exclaimed. "Let's go somewhere.””

Pre-Requiem Scully has a nosebleed. Mulder convinces her to do a roadtrip through America to keep her mind off the impending results. They visit old haunts, new places, find a dead baby, visit a children’s hospital, and enjoy a few days in a treehouse cabin. 

@atths--twice/ATTHS_TWICE‘s (Alt. Ao3, FFN) Creature Comforts  

““Scully?” Mulder called, interrupting her thoughts.

Knocking twice, he opened the bathroom door as she opened her eyes and looked at him, the candle on the counter flickering. He grinned and she sighed with a small smile. “You good?”

She hummed in response, closing her eyes briefly and sighing.””

On-the-run Mulder rents a cabin; and Scully is delighted to have a real bath and watch a movie with him.

mmeadowlarkk’s Merry and Bright  

““A few more months here and there and we can… think of something.” He catches himself sounding like he’s making a promise. They have stayed loyal to focusing on the present. 

If not one day at a time they take it one week at a time, and if they feel safe enough, two weeks at a time. Like this cabin, somewhere in Duluth, Minnesota, they’ve been here for a week but decided to stay for another one. The town isn’t that far and they’re still isolated enough that no one has driven by or looked their way. 

“Did you make more coffee?” she asks like she didn’t neglect her first one. Half of it, anyway.”” 

On-the-run Mulder notices Scully’s new quirks and patterns while sidestepping her tepid hesitancies against decorating their rented cabin for Christmas. 

@aimmyarrowshigh‘s (Ao3) 047. Canada 

“The cabin is so far off the grid that the grid might as well by a figment of their imaginations.”

Mulder and Scully bunk out in a cabin... but not for good reasons. 

AUs 

theramblinrose’s 

The Lake House - Chapter 2 

"“Mulder,” Scully said after a moment of smearing a bit more of the strawberry jam on the newly acquired bit of toast, “can I—talk to you?”

Mulder smiled to himself. One of the main reasons for this trip was to give Scully the opportunity to talk about what she was feeling��something she’d already indicated that she desired to discuss with him at some point.””

Mulder and Scully are married and expecting a child. More importantly, they are shaken from the events of Irresistible, and rent a cabin getaway to recover. 

The Lake House - Chapter 3 

““This is the best baked potato I’ve had in years,” Mulder offered. “I’m serious. I don’t know why we’re ordering out as much as we do.”

Scully laughed to herself.

“Because we don’t usually have a whole afternoon to dedicate to preparing dinner,” Scully responded. 

Mulder hummed his agreement. “I’ve been thinking about that,” he said.”” 

The vacation continues; but this time Mulder wants to talk. 

LuvTheBeez’s (mulderscreek) Snow (Goss) 

““Scully paused for a moment at the entrance to the living room, watching as her husband carefully crumpled pieces of newspaper into intricate shapes. Some of the pieces were rolled carefully into long, tight wands, some barely crumpled, all arranged with exquisite care under the equally carefully-arranged pieces of wood. Scully could practically feel the concentration coming off him in waves.

"Mulder, it never really occurred to me before, and I certainly admire the skill with which you construct that masterpiece you've got going there, but I seem to recall a bit of a phobia you used to have about fire." She placed his mug down on the mantle. "How have you gone from fear to Master Fire Builder?"

"It's all about control, Scully." Mulder paused for a moment as he twisted the life out of another geometrically perfect square of newspaper. "This is our house. This fireplace is a perfect little contained area, inside our house, where one can have a controlled fire that *stays* in control. If I build the fire, I have control over it. I am its master. I *am* Fire Boy.”" 

S5 Mulder and Scully and baby’s last minute Christmas shopping is derailed by a grocery store stickup. Her contractions pick up as the body count rises; and soon the two are trying to quietly maintain equilibrium while they’re marched into a getaway car and driven into the mountains, hoping against hope that Skinner somehow bugged the vehicle. 

This is a beloved favorite of mine-- the dialogue, the synchrony, the mature banter and next-level “vibes” they have as a team between these two is unparalleled... and all the little details are important throughout, necessitating an almost immediate reread. GREAT stuff!! 

RebeccaRusnak/Anonymous‘s (mulderscreek) Small Blessings  

““She shook her head in understanding. Normal wasn’t something they did that often these days. In fact, she hadn’t felt normal in years. Mulder had probably been living in the Twilight Zone even longer. 

They fell silent for a second, each contemplating. He broke it first. “If you leave, I’m going to go, too.” 

She nodded slowly, not agreeing but acknowledging.””

FTF Scully and Mulder (huddled in their snocat) fantasize about the lives they could live if they left the FBI. She also doesn’t allow him to dodge a compliment.

Namarie/namarie24’s (mulderscreek) All I Will Remember (Goss)

““Mulder shifts in his seat, and says, "It just seems like a huge coincidence to me that Krycek appears and convinces us all that there's still something to be found in Bellefleur. And then someone breaks into the hospital records where Scully was admitted, and then leaves this warning for me to find as soon as Scully and I go back to work." 

Skinner's expression flickers at the mention of Krycek, but he waits for Mulder to finish speaking before he replies. "Not that I don't think he's capable of manipulation and breaking into confidential records," he says, "but if Krycek is responsible for it, why would he bother leaving you a warning? Why not just let things unfold?"

I give Mulder a significant look, and he shrugs. "That is the question, sir.””

Post Requiem Mulder and Scully wake in a vast forest, alone. She relays her pregnancy news as the two pick their way back to civilization (with the unexpected help from the owner of a cabin they squatted in.) After they’re picked up by Skinner, Krycek decides to claim credit for freeing them; and leaves them with a cryptic warning about future threats on her and the baby’s life. 

Karen Rasch’s By the Wind Grieved (Gossamer 1, 2)

““So you see, Mulder, even if I were to spend the holidays with my family, the chances of us having a old-fashioned Christmas are next to nil," she said, leaning towards him across the table. "I mean...I would love a big old tree, a fire burning in the fireplace, carolers at the front door.  But that just isn't who we are, not who we've been for a long time."

"Do you miss them, though?" he asked quietly, sitting forward in his seat now as well.  "Your family, I mean."

"I do," she confessed.  "Part of me misses not being able to see everybody.  But you know...given our track record, it's probably for the best." "What do you mean?"

"You've read the files," she said wryly.  "You know the kinds of things that happen to you and me this time of year.  All in all, I'd say we're safer here than we would be anywhere else.”"

S8 Mulder is returned in the late stages of Scully’s pregnancy with complete amnesia. After an attempt on his life, Skinner spirits the two of them (and interchanging guards) up to a cabin to winter until the assassins can be caught. The two grow closer as Christmas approaches, doing homey little crafts and bonding over the files; but Scully regrets not filling in all the blanks when Krycek shows up to hold them hostage until his backup arrives. The baby, of course, decides now is the perfect time to arrive.

@slippinmickeys‘s (Ao3, Gossamer) Three Part Harmony (8/?)

““I suppose one of us should go check it out,” Mulder sighed. He was run through with exhaustion and worn raw with nerves, but he leaned over Scully to open the glove compartment where they’d stashed the three guns. He grabbed the Glock, the closest one to hand, when Scully put a hand on his arm. 

“Let me,” she said. “I’ve at least gotten a bit of rest today.””

On-the-run Mulder and Scully are now being incessantly tracked after saving Will from the same fate as his dead parents. A kindly waitress gives them brief respite in her secluded cabin while the two catch their breath and decide on their next steps. 

Defnotmeyo’s (WBM, Alt. WBM) Choke Points

““And so there is Walter Skinner.

He’s blown people’s heads off in close quarters. Children, even. And when he dug himself from the swampy, stinking mass of Vietnam, and set to work repairing his head, after he met Sharon and decided she needed something better, something more than himself, he got down to the business of it. He set out for more. And so SSG Skinner, on his way to becoming a Gunny, became LT Skinner. The lowest of the low, yet more than that because he had his good conduct ribbon and people knew he’d been in the dirt. While the other Officers held the shrimp fork with ease, Walter tugged his collar and counted tongs.

And when, in the battlefield, the other LTs turned and evaded answering the big questions, LT Skinner stepped up and called the shots, sentenced people to life and death, his soldiers knew. He wasn’t some Academy rat. Walter has always been a Mustang. And he knows another when he sees one.””

My Struggle II/III Skinner reminisces on his impressions of early Scully and their subsequent friendship. He continues to be impressed as she whips everyone into shape-- dumping her ragtag group of misfits in one vehicle, snapping Einstein into place, and gunning it to find William in hopes of a cure. 

Wow, this was long! You guys are troopers if you made it through (or even a quarter of the way.) Hope you all-- 

Enjoy!

[schoolyardsage]

Hi, My Name is Sage

As the title says my name is Sage. Here's the basics: I'm 19 years old and a Scorpio. I'm a sophomore in college, and attend the University of Oregon. And I really suck at studying.

As I sit down to write this inaugural post, I find myself enveloped in a mixture of excitement and anticipation. From a young age, I've been captivated by the intricate tapestry of human cultures and the profound impact of our actions on the environment. My heritage has led to me developing a deep connection to the earth and a responsibility to contribute positively to the world around me. It's this sense of duty and curiosity that has led me to pursue a path toward becoming a climate scientist. I'm double majoring in anthropology, and climate sciences, and good lord do I wish I had considered the workload before signing up to double major, regardless I love the challenge.

My dream is to delve into the realm of climate data, comparing past records with present observations to unearth insights that can guide us toward sustainable solutions. I believe that by understanding our past, we can better navigate the challenges of the present and pave the way for a brighter future.

Beyond my academic pursuits, I am also drawn to the beauty of nature and the joys of creativity. Whether I'm swimming in the ocean, a river, lake, or pond, hiking through lush forests, or capturing the majesty I see around me through my camera lens, I find solace and inspiration in the world around me. And let's not forget the simple pleasures of baking delectable treats or riding horses with the wind in my hair – each activity is a cherished part of who I am.

My life would not be nearly as beautiful without my closest friends who add richness and depth to my days. My boyfriend, Ethan, whose unwavering support fuels my ambition; my beloved cat, Persia, whose playful antics bring laughter to even the darkest of days; and my best friend, Liliana who stands by me through thick and thin, she is so obsessed with me she even followed me from Portland to Eugene, if only to constantly reminding me of the power of love and friendship.

When it comes to entertainment, I enjoy the melodies of The 1975, the timeless classics of The Beatles, (my personal favorite is Let it Be), and the eclectic tunes of 10cc. My favorite book series is quite basic, but the enchanting world of Maggie Stiefvater's "The Raven Cycle" series holds a special place in my heart. I don't watch much TV unless I'm watching The Bachelor with Ethan, but I do watch my favorite movie, "Across the Universe" at least five times a year (My favorite scene is when Max goes to the Draft Office as it is both poetic and hilarious).

Yet amidst all these hobbies I am acutely aware of the need to hone my study skills, sharpen my mind, and deepen my understanding. And so, I've embarked on this blog not only as a means of sharing my journey and study methods but also as a platform for growth and self-discovery. How inspiring lol.

Sage M. (and Persia)

[acecademia]

What are your favorite books and who are your favorite authors? Do you have any tips for reader's advisory?

Hi, nonny!

Fiction-wise, I mainly read young adult. It's my jam. I occasionally branch out into middle grade (shocker) and sometimes I read books that should honestly be classified as "new adult" but that genre hasn't really been established enough yet. I also like comic books and graphic novels (though my comics advisory professor would be very disappointed in me for using that term, even though I like it) and have dabbled in manga in the past.

Some of my favorite books (that I can think of at the moment):

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (I'm a huge fan of the entire grishaverse, but SoC is my all-time fave. The Nikolai duology is also bomb af)

Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kahn (the first ace book I read with an explicitly ace protagonist--also biromantic! before I'd fully settled on that as a label for myself)

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (africanfuturism, sci-fi goodness)

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede (honestly, these should be considered classic children's lit, and it's a travesty that they're not)

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (Tiffany Aching is my girl)

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (kid lit murder mystery that I've reread at least a dozen times, and I catch new details and clues every time I read it. A masterclass in foreshadowing and mystery-writing)

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand (creepy and dark but also decidedly feminist and with an ace POV character)

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (need I say more? The reason I fell in love with portal fantasy)

The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson (another portal fantasy from my childhood)

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (wow, another portal fantasy? It's almost like I have a type)

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater (iconic, goddess, I want to be her when I grow up)

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang (lovely alternative history graphic novel with awesome fashion and a gnc/genderqueer (it's unclear) main character)

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (childhood favorite that stands the test of time. Ignore the movie. We pretend it doesn't exist)

Hazel's Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow (middle-grade novel with a protagonist who's questioning her identity and starting to understand being aroace)

That's all I got off the top of my head. I'm always open to giving recs especially if you're into YA (and even more so queer YA, especially ace stuff).

For reader's advisory, I mostly just rely on my knowledge of youth lit when that's the genre in question. I read voraciously as a kid and know a lot of (what I consider) classics. I also go to a lot of youth lit festivals, so I know what's coming out and what's popular.

For kids, especially, if they're not as into reading (I hate the phrase "reluctant reader"), I like to recommend comics or graphic novels or hybrid novels which combine prose and illustration or even comic sequences.

Another strategy I use with younger readers (though it also works for any age!) is to ask about interests that are not books. This is great for people who aren't really big on reading or books or have no idea where to start. This kid likes Minecraft? We've got Minecraft novels. That kid really loves soccer? Here's a book about a kid who plays soccer. You have to meet them halfway and emphasize the part of the book that you think will appeal to them.

I also like using tools like Goodreads (especially the "readers also enjoyed" section) and NoveList if you have access to it. Other, more specific databases and websites like LGBTQ Reads (and their tumblr), Good Comics for Kids, Queer Comics Database, and My Anime List (especially if you don't have a lot of anime/manga knowledge yourself) are all great as well. Awards lists can also be a great place to start. There are some great ones for kid lit (Caldecott, Newberry, etc.), queer fiction (the Lambda Literary Awards, in particular), and comics (Eisner). I wouldn't just trust anything you see with an award sticker on it (I will forever be salty about The 57 Bus winning a Stonewall), but they can be a great jumping-off point. If you're really in a bind, you can also "cheat" and google the name of a book the patron liked with "readalikes" or "libguide" and see what other people have posted 😉

[ninja-muse]

i’m trying to branch out and read outside my genre (fantasy) do you have any book recs for someone whose heart is in fantasy but needs to see what else is out there?

Hi anon! Thanks for the ask! Fantasy’s such a wide genre, and this is such an open ask, that I’m mostly going to be recommending books with similar feels or themes from other genres, to push you a little outside the fantasy bubble and introducing you to different genres and types of storytelling. If you have a favourite subgenre or trope or author, I can maybe get a little more specific or offer read-alikes.

Also, I don’t know if you knew this before asking, but fantasy is my favourite genre too, so some of these recs are books that pushed me out of the genre as well, or that I found familiar-but-different.

And this is getting long, so I’m going to throw it under a cut to save everyone scrolling.

Science fiction

the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold - This is space opera, which means it’ll have fairly familiar plots except with science-y things instead of magic. There’s an heir with something to prove, heists, cons, and mysteries, attempted coups and assassinations, long-suffering sidekicks, and a homeworld that’s basically turn-of-the-century Russia but with fewer serfs. It was one of the first adult sci-fi books I read and genuinely liked.

The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey - I finished this recently, and the second book of the trilogy just came out. This is post-apocalyptic sci-fi, but not grim or particularly complex. (Some SF gets really into the nuts and bolts of the science elements; this isn’t that.) Basically, Koli’s a teenager who wants more than his quasi-medieval life’s given him, and finds himself in conflict with his village (and then exile) because of it. I could see where the story was going pretty much from the start, but I loved the journey anyway.

The Martian by Andy Weir - This doesn’t have much in common with fantasy, but it’s my go-to rec for anyone who’s never read science fiction before, because it’s funny, explains the science well, and has a hero and a plot you get behind right away. In case you haven’t heard of it (or the film), it’s about an astronaut stranded on Mars, trying to survive long enough to be rescued.

Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh - This is an alien first contact story, about a colony of humans in permanent quarantine on an alien planet. The MC is the sole social liaison and translator, explaining his culture to the aliens and the aliens to the human, and working to keep the peace—until politics and assassins get involved. It’s been over a decade since I read this, so my memory’s blurred, but I remember the same sort of political intrigue vibes as the Daevabad trilogy, just with fewer POVs.

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor - One from my TBR. It looks like dark fiction about women, outcasts, and revenge, which sounds very fantastic and the MC can apparently do magic—but it’s post-apocalyptic Africa.

Speaking of political intrigue and sweeping epic plots, the Expanse series by James S.A. Corey has both in spades. Rebellions, alien technology, corrupt businesses, heroes doing good things and getting bad consequences, all that good stuff. It takes the science fairly seriously, without getting very dense with it, and will probably register as “more sci-fi” than my recs in the genre so far.

Oh, and Dune by Frank Herbert is such a classic chosen-one epic that it barely registers as science fiction at all.

Graphic novels

It’s technically fantasy, but assuming you’ve never picked up a graphic novel before, you should read Monstress by Marjorie Liu. Asian-inspired, with steampunk aesthetics, and rebellions and quests and so many female characters. It’s an absolutely fantastic graphic novel, if you want a taste of what those can do.

I’d highly recommend Saga by Brian K. Vaughan. It’s an epic science fiction story about a family caught between sides of a centuries-long war. (Dad’s from one side, Mom’s from the other, everyone wants to capture them, their kid is narrating.) It’s a blast to read, exciting and tense, with hard questions and gorgeous tender moments, and the world-building somehow manages to include weaponized magic, spaceship trees, ghosts, half-spider assassins, and all-important pulp romance novels without anything feeling out of place.

Historical fiction

Hild by Nicola Griffith - Very rich and detailed novel following a girl growing up in an early medieval English court. It’s very fantasy-esque, with battles and politics and changes of religion, and Hild gets positioned early on to be the king’s seer, so there’s “magic” of a sort as well.

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry - A widow goes to the Victorian seaside to heal and reawaken her interest in biology. Slow, gentle, lovely writing and atmosphere, interesting characters and turns of plot. Doesn’t actually deliver on the sea monster, but still has a lot to recommend it to fantasy readers, I think.

Yiddish for Pirates by Gary Barwin - The late-medieval Jewish pirate adventure you didn’t know you wanted. It’s funny and literary, full of tropes and set pieces like “small-town kid in the big city” and “jail break”, and features the Spanish Inquisition, Columbus, the Fountain of Youth, and talking parrots, among other things.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - A thousand pages about the building of a cathedral in England, mostly focusing on the master builder, the monk who spearheads the project, and a noblewoman who’s been kicked off her family’s land, but has several other plots going on, including a deacon with political ambitions, a war, and a boy who’s trying so hard to fit in and do right.

Sharon Kay Penman - This is an author on my TBR, who comes highly recommended for her novels about the War of the Roses and the Plantagenets. Should appeal to you if you liked Game of Thrones. I’m planning to start with The Sunne in Splendour.

Lady of the Forest by Jennifer Roberson - Either a Robin Hood retelling that’s also a romance, or a romance that’s also a Robin Hood retelling.

Hamnet & Judith by Maggie O’Farrell - A novel of the Shakespeare family, mostly focused on his wife and son. Lovely writing and a very gentle feel though it heads into dark and complex subjects fairly often. A good portrait of Early Modern family life.

Mystery

There’s not a lot of mystery that reads like high, epic, or even contemporary fantasy, but if you’re a fan of urban fantasy, which is basically mystery with magic in, then I’d rec:

Cozy mysteries as a general subgenre, especially if you like the Sookie Stackhouse end of urban fantasy, which has romance and quirky plots; there are plenty of series where the detective’s a witch or the sidekick’s a ghost but they’re solving non-magical mysteries, and the genre in general full of heroines who are good at solving crimes without formal training, and the plots feel very similar but with slightly lower stakes. Cozies have become one of my comfort-reading genres (along with UF) the last few years. My intros were the Royal Spyness novels by Rhys Bowen and the Fairy Tale Fatale books by Maia Chance.

If you like your urban fantasy darker and more serious, and your heroines more complicated, try Kathy Reichs and her Temperance Brennan novels. Brennan’s a forensic anthropologist, strong and complicated in the same ways of my fave UF heroines, and the mysteries are already interesting, with a good dash of thriller and a smidge of romance.

Two other recs:

Haunted Ground by Erin Hart - The first of four books about a forensic anthropologist in Ireland, who’s called in when the Garda find bodies in the peat bogs and need to know how long they’ve been there. They’re very atmospheric—I can almost smell the bog—and give great portraits of rural Ireland and small-town secrets, and since not all the bodies found in each book are recent, they also bring interesting slices of the past to life as well.

A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger - This is essentially a medieval thriller about a seditious book that’s turned up in London. I liked the mystery in it and that it’s much more focused on the lives of average people than the rich and famous (for all that recognizable people also show up).

Classics

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift - I swear this is actually one of the first fantasy novels but few people ever really class it as such. Basically, Gulliver’s a ship’s doctor who keeps getting shipwrecked—in a country of tiny people, a country of giants, a country of mad scientists, a country of talking horses, etc. It’s social satire and a spoof of travelogues from Swift’s time, but it’s easily enough read without that context.

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - Another, slightly later, fantasy and satire! Even more amusing situations than in Gulliver’s Travels and, while it’s been a while* since I read it, I think it’ll be a decent read-alike for authors like Jasper Fforde, Genevieve Cogman, and that brand of light British comic fantasy.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare - Also technically a fantasy! I mean, there are fairies and enchantments, for all it’s a romantic comedy written entirely in old-fashioned poetry. It’s a pretty good play to start you off on Shakespeare, if you’re interested in going that direction.

On the subject of Shakespeare, I would also recommend Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, and King Lear, the first because it’s my favourite comedy, the others because they’re fantasy read-alikes imo as well (witches! coups! drama!).

the Arthurian mythos. Le Morte D’arthur, Crétien de Troyes, The Once and Future King by T.H. White, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, etc. - I’ve read bits and pieces of the first two, am about 80% sure I read the third as a kid (or at least The Sword in the Stone), and have the last on my TBR. Basically, these stories are going to give you an exaggeratedly medieval setting, knights, quests, wizards, fairies, high drama, romantic entanglements, and monsters, and the medieval ones especially have different kinds of plots than you’ll be used to (and maybe open the door to more medieval lit?) **

Beowulf and/or The Odyssey - Two epics that inspired a lot of fiction that came later. (There’s an especial connection between Beowulf and Tolkien.) They’re not the easiest of reads because they’re in poetry and non-linear narratives, but both have a hero facing off against a series of monsters and/or magical creatures as their core story.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - The first real science fiction novel. It’s about the ethics of science and the consequences of one’s actions, and I loved seeing the Creature find himself and Frankenstein descend into … that. It’s also full of sweeping, gothic scenes and tension and doom and drama.

* 25 years, give or take

** There are plenty of more recent people using King Arthur and associated characters too, if this "subgenre” interests you.

Other fiction

Vicious by V.E. Schwab - I don’t know if you classify superheroes as science fiction or fantasy or its own genre (for me it depends on the day) but this is an excellent take on the subject, full of moral greyness and revenge.

David Mitchell - A literary fiction writer who has both a sense of humour and an interest in the fantastic and science fictional. He writes ordinary people and average lives marvelously well, keeps me turning pages, plays with form and timelines, and reliably throws in either recurring, possibly-immortal characters, good-vs-evil psychic battles, or other SF/F-y elements. I’d start with either Slade House, a ghost story, or Utopia Avenue, about a ‘60s rock band. Or possible The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, which I fully admit to not having read yet.

Devolution by Max Brooks - A horror movie in book form, full of tension and desperation and jump scares and the problems with relying on modern technology. The monsters are Bigfeet. Reccing this one in the same way I’m reccing The Martian—it’s an accessible intro to its genre.

Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson - Contemporary fiction with a slight literary bent, that doesn’t pull its punches about Indigenous life but also has a sense of humour about the same. Follows a teen dealing with poverty and a bad home life and drugs and hormones—and the fact that his bio-dad might actually be the trickster Raven. Also features witches, magic, and other spirit-beings, so I generally pitch this as magic realism.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones - Another Indigenous rec, this time a horror novel about ghosts and racism and trying to do the right thing. This’ll give you a taste of the more psychological end of the horror spectrum.

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia - A good example of contemporary YA and how it handles the complexities of life, love, and growing up. Follows the writer of a fantasy webcomic who makes a friend who turns out to write fic of her story and who suddenly has to really balance online and offline life, among other pressures. Realistic portrait of mental health problems.

Non-fiction

The Book of Margery Kempe - The first English-language autobiography. Margery was very devout but also very badass, in a medieval sort of way. She went on pilgrimages to Jerusalem, was possibly epileptic, frequently “saw” Christ and Mary and demons, basically became a nun in middle age while staying married to her husband, and wound up on trial for heresy, before talking a monk into writing down her life story. It’s a fascinating window into the time period.

The Hammer and the Cross by Robert Ferguson - A history of medieval Norse people and how their explorations and trade shaped both their culture and the world.

A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor - Travel writing that was recommended to me by someone who raved about the prose and was totally right. Fermor’s looking back, with the aid of journals, on a walking trip he took across Europe in the 1930s. It’s a fascinating look at the era and an old way of life, and pretty much every “entry” has something of interest in it. He met all sorts of people.

Tim Severin and/or Thor Heyerdahl - More travel writing, this time by people recreating historical voyages (or what they believe to be historical voyages, ymmv) in period ships. Severin focuses on mythology (I’ve read The Ulysses Voyage and The Jason Voyage) and Heyerdahl’s known for Kon-Tiki, which is him “proving” that Polynesians made contact with South America. They both go into the history of the sailing and areas they’re travelling through, while also describing their surroundings and daily life, and, yes, running into storms and things.

Hope this helps you!

[fanfictionfaberrycentral]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Supergirl (TV 2015) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor, Kara Danvers & Lena Luthor, Alex Danvers/Maggie Sawyer, Alex Danvers & Kara Danvers Characters: Lena Luthor, Kara Danvers, Alex Danvers, Eliza Danvers, Cat Grant Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Creatures & Monsters, Mystery, forest, Spells & Enchantments, Enemies to Lovers, Endgame Kara Danvers/Lena Luthor, Protective Lena Luthor, Kara Danvers Needs a Hug, Modern settings, Post-War, Flowers Summary:

Kara and her mother live together in a cabin deep in Midvale forest' surrounded by nothing but the vast trees and local fauna. Or so they thought, what happens when a usually quiet and peaceful forest shows them a more sinister darker side.

 Or

After a storm appears out of nowhere, Kara begins to suspect that something is wrong, and she can't shake the feeling that she is being watched.

 Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW show supergirl, all credit goes to them.

[winebrightruby]

Have you any fiction book recs? I hope that doesn't fall under the "no book rec" post from earlier which seemed just to be aimed at books to learn witchcraft from, I just think you'd have cool fun reading taste! Please ignore and excuse my misunderstanding if that post including fiction recs!!

I have a lot of books I like in a very narrow range lol. I read a lot of fantasy, especially YA fantasy, and I’ve only read like three new books in the past two years because the monster child takes up all my time.

At this point it’s probably easiest for me to just name the authors whose books I keep and reread and lend to my students: Tamora Pierce, Diane Duane, Fiona Patton, Tanya Huff, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Garth Nix, Neil Gaiman, Jacqueline Carey, Madeleine L’Engle, Phillip Pullman, Patricia C. Wrede’ Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising quintet, the Dune novels (but I haven’t read any of the spinoffs, just the core series), Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, and just a truly ridiculous amount of Star Wars novels. I also read and love all of the Ender’s Game series, but Orson Scott Card is a garbage person so I won’t buy his books anymore. I also read and have feelings about Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels novels, but they are not what I’d call good lol. (Same for Sarah J Maas’s novels, which are basically Anne Bishop fanfic anyway.) Oh, and Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Chronicles. I haven’t read her other books; I’m told they’re also enjoyable.

Darth Poeticus contributes Kevin J. Anderson, Brandon Sanderson, Karen Miller, N. K. Jemisin, and Brent Weeks.

I hope some of that’s helpful!

[deans-baby-momma]

Rebel Without A Cause-Ch 20

A/N: Here is it guys! The last chapter of Rebel Without A Cause. There is a 2 part epilogue that I am going to post over the weekend. So this story will officially be completed on Sunday (3/15). Also, the song in this chapter is not an actual song. It is one my beta, @lostinaseaoffictionalbliss​ and I wrote for this. 

As Maggie nears the door at the end of the hall, she can't help but recall the dream she had had; Dean cheating with a blonde named Suzie. She keeps reminding herself it had been a moment of self-doubt and uncertainty. 

After Mr. Singer had tried to task her with another month of plays and shows to attend, she had realized that Bob Singer was being manipulated by his step-daughter, Jo, to keep Maggie away from Dean. So, she had turned in her week's resignation and packed up her cubicle, leaving Ft. Garrison News behind. Maggie had uncovered the association between her boss and co-worker when she had heard Jo call the woman known as Mrs. Singer, Mom. It didn't take much to put the rest of the puzzle together to figure out that Jo was using her connections to thwart Maggie from seeing Dean.

Rayne had promised to keep Maggie's employment status a secret from Dean and had assured her that they would figure out something to do. Maggie had confided in Rayne about her family and their treatment of her and how she refused to go back there with her tail between her legs. Rayne had also influenced Maggie to come out 'on the road' with her and the band as they traveled to different cities and towns for gigs. 

So, here she is, standing outside Dean's door ready to knock and surprise him. She hadn't told him she was coming and had gotten a shock of her own to find out he had begun insisting on his own room and no longer shared a suite with the rest of the band. Apparently, he wanted nothing to do with the frequent routine of orgies and fraternizing that the band had with groupies and fans. More proof that his words were true, he did love her and didn't want to do anything to ruin that.

Raising her hand, she rapped her knuckles against the door. "Just a second!" She heard Dean say. Hearing the words in person  through a piece of pressed wood made her smile. Phone calls and Skype conversations just weren't enough. She wanted to feel the deep timbre of his voice wash over her, to be face to face with him when she told him. They had a lot to discuss, after all.

She hears the click of the lock and watches with trepidation as the knob turns and the door begins to open. What if he wasn't happy to see her? What if her arrival wasn't a surprise for him but a disappointment? Would he be happy to see her or would he be upset she was here? Maggie took a deep breath as the door came fully open to reveal her boyfriend. "Surprise!" She said smiling nervously, pausing for his reaction.

"Mags?" Dean questions, the look of shock evident on his face. "Wha-what are you doing here?"

His inquiry leaves her feeling concerned and anxious. She begins second-guessing herself but before she can get too far in her own insecurities, Dean tugs her to him, pulling her into the room and closing the door. He wraps his strong arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Baby. Goddamn, I've missed you!" Maggie can hear the delight in his voice. "Are you really here?! I'm not, like dreaming or something am I?"

Giggling, Maggie pulls back and takes him in. Deep forest green eyes with specks of hazel that reminds her of leaves after a rain, his square cheekbones that lead to a sharp jawline, plump pink lips that captivate her when they stretch into a smile over perfectly straight white teeth. When the tip of his tongue peeks through those ivories in amusement and contentment she is completely enchanted. This beautiful specimen of man should be a sin but she'd happily go to Hell to call him hers.

"Baby," Dean queries, pulling Maggie from her thoughts. "What are you doing here? I thought you were swamped with shows and plays for work?"

"Yea, about that…."

"And so I told him everything," Maggie finishes telling Rayne, explaining Dean's reaction to her resigning her position at the newspaper. 

After she and Dean had gotten reacquainted after two long weeks of being away from one another, Maggie calls Rayne to go get a bite to eat while the band rehearses and finishes setting up. The two best friends sat in a booth at a local bar and grill and caught up.

"So," Rayne says grabbing a fry and dipping it in ketchup. "The bitch got jealous and used her contacts to sabotage you. What did she think she would accomplish? That she'd have a chance with Dean? Psh, whatever. That man is madly in love with you," Rayne accidentally spills, not catching the admission right away. Not until the lack of response from Maggie does she look up to see her friend staring at her, eyes wide. "Oh come on! Maggie, you gotta know that man is head over heels in love with you." Rayne knows it's too late to try to retract anything but the truth is out now so she goes with it. "Maggie, Dean has practically become a recluse. He stays to himself before and after the shows. He just goes out there, does what is needed and comes back to sit to the side and stare at his phone, at the pictures of you on his phone. Girl, the man is smitten."

"He told me he loved me," Maggie says nonchalantly,  taking a bite of salad. 

"WHAT?!" Rayne yells, bringing everyone's attention to them. "WHEN? OH MY GOD! MAGGIE WHY HAVEN'T YOU TOLD ME?"

"Shhh!" Maggie's shushed Rayne and leans forward over her plate. "It was a lethargic statement. I doubt he even realizes he said it. Just don't say anything. Don't even tell Sam." Maggie sits back but can still see the glee on her friend’s face.  "Rayne, promise me you will keep your mouth shut. Please? He didn't mean it. It was right after we had Skype sex, he was just in the moment."

Rayne feels disappointment and defeat at Maggie's blatant disregard of Dean's profession. She spends the rest of the meal trying to figure out how to prove to Maggie that she is wrong in her assumption. 

Dean sits in his private suite, wishing Maggie was there. It's been almost three weeks since she has been able to be at any of his gigs and he misses her immensely. He misses the way her presence calms and soothes him. It didn't matter how many performances the Winchester Sex Bombs gave, Dean's nerves are always raging and on edge. He would usually drink them away but since Maggie Fitzgerald came into his life 8 months ago, he only needs to be in her embrace to get the feeling of peace and tranquility.  His performances seem to have improved with her in his life, too.

She is so much different than her step-sister. Dean thinks back to his younger days when he dated Lisa Braeden. He was so young and immature that he just shrugged off all the warning signs. Clues of her true nature should've had him running for the hills but in his juvenile brain, he overlooked all the flags in favor of getting his dick wet. Dean regretted ever giving that gift, his virginity, to such a vile human being.

Where Lisa is horrible and nasty, Maggie is the exact opposite. Maggie is good and kind, a gentle soul. Someone Dean can see spending the rest of his life with.  Dean rummages through his bag until his hand runs across the velvet box stored inside. He's had the ring for a week now, waiting for his love to return to him. He planned to propose to her in the same setting that brought her back into his life, one of his concerts but work has kept them apart. 

A knock on the door makes him jump and he takes one last look at the piece of jewelry before hiding it back in his bag. "Just a second."

Expecting to see Sam or one of his other bandmates, Dean unlocks the door and opens it. He knows the band has rehearsal but that wasn't until later. But knowing Sam, he wants to go over the revisions to their set one more time. He can't believe his eyes when he realizes who his visitor is. His heart skips a beat and he feels overjoyed. "Mags? What-what are you doing here?" He asks but all he wants to do is pull her to him and lavish her with all the love he has for her. And so he does. Pulling her body to his, he quickly closes the door and hugs her to him, his arms embrace her. He can smell her body wash, some minty aroma that drives his senses wild. He can't help but bury his nose in her hair and inhale. Dean can't believe she’s finally back in his arms. She is finally back where she belongs.

"Baby. Goddamn, I've missed you!" He doesn't even attempt to hide his glee. "Are you really here?! I'm not, like dreaming or something am I?" 

Her giggle is the sweetest sound on earth, followed closely by the moans she wails when he is deep inside her. His dick twitches at the thought. She pulls back and he takes the time to study the woman who has stolen his heart. Her dark brown eyes remind him of saccharine chocolate, her hair the light golden brown of chestnuts. Her face is the epitome of beauty. High cheekbones, full kissable lips, and a tiny button nose. He pecks her lips with a smile. She is here, in his arms; his heart feels like it is going to explode in bliss.

"Baby," he asks. "What are you doing here? I thought you were swamped with shows and plays for work?"

"Yea, about that…." Maggie sighs and pulls from his grasp. "I resigned." Dean quirks an eyebrow and she continues, beginning to pace in front of him. "Apparently Jo is Mr. Singer's step-daughter and she used him to keep us apart."

"What? Why? How?" Dean blasts, confused and perturbed. Someone was trying to sabotage her, them, their relationship? It pissed him off more than he could explain. He would fight tooth and nail for the woman before him.

"Jealousy," Maggie shrugs as she stops her stride. "She was jealous that you picked me. That you and I are sleeping together. Real childish bullshit. So as soon as I figured it out, I put in my resignation and left. So now I'm unemployed and have to look for a new job. It will probably mean more time apart for us but…. Dean, I just couldn't stay at Ft. Garrison. Not after that. I'm sorry."

Dean pulls her back to him and envelopes her in a hug. "Don't you dare apologize, Mags. I don't blame you a bit. Jo is a major bitch for doing that. We'll figure something out, I promise okay?"

Dean looks down to see a small smile on her face as he feels her relax in his arms. He vows to do whatever it takes to keep her exactly where she is.

Dean swears he will never get used to the feeling of Maggie's body taking him in. As he settles inside her hot, wet cavern he revels in the sense of intimacy, the closeness to another person. This isn't just a hookup to him, isn't just another way to get off.  To Dean, this is an intimate bond between him and the woman he loves. Between the push and pull of the dalliance, he bares his soul to Maggie. He lets her in more than he has ever done before.

He can feel her walls fluttering around his shaft and it enraptures him. His momentum increases and he reaches between their bodies to caress her swollen nub. He loves the fact that he can make her feel so good, can make her hit her peak so thoroughly.  He watches with his forehead lain against hers, as her eyes roll back and her mouth hangs agape, a silent cry of pleasure. 

Watching her climax is the highlight of his day. She is so beautiful in the throes of passion and his eyes well up when he thinks she is all his. It brings on his own end as he lets go and fills her with his release.

He knows that no matter what obstacles come their way, together they can conquer anything!

Dean decides during rehearsal to let the rest of the band in on his plans. He had teamed up with Sam and Meg and wrote a song for Maggie and with her being back, and the circumstances of her return, he decided tonight was the night to debut it.

"So, there's gonna be a little adjustment to the set tonight." Four sets of eyes look his way in confusion. 

"What're you talkin' 'bout there Chief?" Benny spoke up for the rest of them.

"Sam, Meg, and I have been working on a song and I want to sing it tonight," Dean explains. "It holds special meaning to me and it's time."

"Are you sure?" Sam asks, skeptical of why his brother wants to perform that particular number. "I mean, will she even hear it?"

"Mags is here," Dean tells his brother. "Showed up a couple of hours ago. She's out with Rayne right now. So yea it's time," Dean says knowing his younger brother understands the meaning behind his words. 

Dean turns to the other three. "So I was thinking in between 'Set Me Off' and ''Ex You Out'...."

The crowd is pumped. People are on the dance floor, dancing to the music while others sit at the tables or at the bar, nodding their heads or tapping their feet.  Dean feels alive; he feels as if everything is right in the world. His band is drawing bigger and bigger crowds every night; his girl, his lover and best friend is in the shadows observing; and tonight his life will hopefully change. With just one word. 

As the ending to 'Set Me Off' crescendos, he looks to Meg and she nods as she begins playing the soft notes on her keyboard.

.

🎶Someone call the police

This girl has stolen my heart

A crime of passion has been unleashed 

My heart is shackled to hers like a work of art

With only a glance I’m her prisoner for life. 

With one look of her dazzling eyes 

And one sway of her hips I was mesmerized 

She’s got me all up in a twist 

And I’m loving every bit of it

Feeling things I ain’t never felt before

Down deep in my core

Can’t shake this feeling although I tried 

She’s got me hypnotized 

Like a muppet on a string 

I give her the reins

To mould me and shape me

Into who she needs me to be.

With only a glance I’m her prisoner for life. 

With one look of her dazzling eyes 

And one sway of her hips I was mesmerized 

She’s got me all up in a twist 

And I’m loving every bit of it

Feeling things I ain’t never felt before

Down deep in my core

Can’t shake this feeling although I tried 

She’s got me hypnotized 

She's got me hypnotized 

She's got me stupefied 

She's got me, heart and soul

I give her my all.🎶

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming out tonight. The Winchester Sex Bombs deeply appreciate your support. Now if you don't mind, I want to take a minute to do something that's been years- I mean YEARS- in the making. Maggie, will you come out here?" Dean says as he looks toward the curtain he knows Maggie and Rayne are behind. He watches with laughter as Rayne pushes his girlfriend onto the stage. He can tell Maggie is nervous as hell on top of confused about why he called her out to join him.

As she nears center stage where he is, he removes his guitar and hands it off to Sam. The lights go out except for the spotlight that is shining right on them. Dean removes the microphone from its stand and grasps her hand in his free one.

"Margaret Eugenia Fitzgerald. I have known you since you were 14 years old and I have always felt this bond, this connection with you. Even when we went our separate ways, you would often cross my mind. Then one night, much like tonight. I saw you. I thought my eyes were deceiving me. I thought there was no way you were in the crowd at one of my concerts. But it was you. My life has become so much better since then and I know it will only get better." He lets go of her hand and pulls the ring from his pocket, then gets down on one knee.

Looking up at her, his angel, he asks the one question no one but Sam was anticipating. "Will you marry me?"

@pink1031​ @spnbaby-67​ @winecatsandpizza​ @joseyrw​ @kricketc29​ @tftumblin​ @markofdean79​ @sandlee44​ @michellethetvaddict​ @lyarr24​ @travelingriversideblues-x​

[lornaslibrary]

Animals

Last week I asked you to recommend books based on the prompt animals. Here are all the books you recommended!! Some of these books feature animals, some of them have animals in the titles.

Bold = the books I’ve read * = the books I personally would recommend + = want to read/on my TBR

Watership Down, by Richard Adams *

The Plague Dogs, by Richard Adams *

The Book of Three, by Lloyd Alexander

The Thing About Jellyfish, by Benjamin Ali

The Invasion (Animorphs #1), by K.A. Applegate

Raptor Red, by Robert T. Bakker

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1), by Leigh Bardugo *

Silverhair (Mammoth #1), by Stephen Baxter 

The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle +

Angels and Insects, by A. S. Byatt

A Horse Called Wonder (Thoroughbred #1), by Joanna Campbell

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll *

Moon Chosen (Tales of the New World #1), by P.C. Cast

The Sight, by David Clement-Davies 

Fire Bringer, by David Clement-Davies

Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl 

The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes #5), by Arthur Conan Doyle 

Krambambuli, by Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, by Karen Joy Fowler

The Skylark’s Song (The Skylark Saga #1), by J. M. Frey

Old Yeller, by Fred Gipson

The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge

The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame +

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah

Black Foxes, by Sonya Hartnett

The Lord God Made Them All, by James Herriot

If Only They Could Talk, by James Herriot

The Hunt of the Unicorn, by C. C. Humphreys

Into the Wild (Warriors #1), by Erin Hunter

Redwall (Redwall #1), by Brian Jacques

The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka

Pet Sematary, by Stephen King *

The Jungle Books, by Rudyard Kipling

The Wolves, by Hann Hellmut Kirst

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, by Elizabeth Kolbert  

Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1), by Jay Kristoff *

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis

Call of the Wild, by Jack London

The Mark of Zorro (Zorro #1), by Johnston McCulley

Deerskin, by Robin McKinley

Spindle’s End, by Robin McKinley

Chalice, by Robin McKinley

Blanca & Roja, by Anna-Marie McLemore

Birds Art Life: A Year of Observation, by Kyo Maclear

Daughter of the Forest, by Juliet Marillier

Life of Pi, by Yann Martel *

The Novice (Summoner #1), by Taran Matharu

Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh #1), by A. A. Milne

The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be, by Farley Mowat

Animal Farm, by George Orwell +

Here, There Be Dragons (The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica #1), by James A. Owen

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1), by Christopher Paolini

Flambards (Flambards #1), by K. M. Peyton

Fierce Kingdom, by Gin Phillips

Wild Magic (Immortals, #1), by Tamora Pierce

Trickster’s Choice (Daughter of the Lioness #1), by Tamora Pierce

The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter

The Unadulterated Cat, by Terry Pratchett

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1), by Philip Pullman *

An Enchantment of Ravens, by Margaret Rogerson

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5), by J. K. Rowling *

The Serpent’s Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3), by Rick Riordan

Bambi, by Felix Salten +

Far-Seer (Quintaglio Ascension #1), by Robert J. Sawyer

The Cricket in Times Square (Chester Cricket and His Friends #1), by George Selden

Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell

Feathers and Gifts: A Heartwarming True Story, by P. J. Sheldon

Babe: The Gallant Pig, by Dick King Smith

The 101 Dalmatians (The Hundred and One Dalmatians #1), by Dodie Smith +

The Green Ember (The Green Ember #1), by S.D. Smith

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1), by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dragonet Prophecy (Wings of Fire #1), by Tui T. Sutherland

The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1), by Jessica Townsend

The Book of the Dun Cow (Chauntecleer the Rooster #1), by Walter Wangerin Jr.

The Island of Dr Moreau, by H. G. Wells +

The Trumpet of the Swan, by E. B. White 

Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White *

Summer Lightning, by P. G. Wodehouse

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow (The Sinclair’s Mysteries series #1), by Katherine Woodfine

Elsewhere, by Gabrielle Zevin 

If you recommended books but don’t see your recommendations here, feel free to message me and let me know I missed your post!!

Other Chain Recs Masterposts

[queerastronauts]

book recs for international women’s day

I made one of these for pride month (and am planning another for next pride) so I figure I might as well. so these are some books by female authors that I love! bolded are my absolute all time favorite

sci-fi and fantasy

harry potter by j. k. rowling (I’m legally obligated to list it despite jkr being... jkr)

the raven cycle by maggie stiefvater

six of crows duo by leigh bardugo

the night circus by erin morgenstern

vassa in the night by sarah porter

the strange and beautiful sorrows of ava lavender by leslye walton

shades of magic by v. e. schwab

uprooted by naomi novak

the winnowing flame trilogy by jen williams

anything by diana wynne jones I’ve managed to get my hands on

ace of shades by amanda foody

the illuminae files by amie kaufman and jay kristoff

love in the time of global warming by francesca lia block

the darkest part of the forest by holly black

ella enchanted by gail carson levine

romance & contemporary

i’ll give you the sun by jandy nelson

most anything by rainbow rowell

to all the boys by jenny han

it’s not like it’s a secret by misa sugiura

we were liars by e. lockhart

all for the game by nora sakavic

anything by alice oseman

the miseducation of cameron post by emily m. danforth

girl made of stars by ashley herring blake

before i fall by lauren oliver

beauty queens by libba bray

historical fiction

the gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue by mackenzi lee

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by taylor jenkins reid

nonfiction

where am i now? by mara wilson

so much i want to tell you by anna akana

born with teeth by kate malgrew

furiously happy by jenny lawson

scrappy little nobody by anna kendrick

graphic novels and comics

nimona by noelle stevenson

lumberjanes by noelle stevenson

this one summer by mariko tamaki

check, please! by ngozi ukazu

runaways by rainbow rowell

ms. marvel by g. willow wilson

[faerytalesfromtheabyss]

Faerie Books For “Folk of the Air” Withdrawals

In my opinion, Holly Black is the gold standard for faerie books. She writes faeries in a way that draws on folklore, yet makes sense in the common day. She has concrete rules that her faeries never break (eg. aversion to salt and iron, their magic can’t work against charms, they can deceive but can’t lie, etc.) Faeries seem different than humans and we are constantly reminded that they are alien creatures (Eg. Performing monstrosities, their morality, the way they speak) 

When faeries use magic it seems so natural to the universe Black has created that it doesn’t really feel like magic. The one time someone uses a spectacular display of magic that could be perceived as overpowered (at the end of The Wicked King), it’s someone coming into his powers and truly accepting his role as a king.

I’ve already written a pretty extensive post about the other books in Holly Black’s faerie universe (Modern Faerie Tale Series, Darkest Part of the Forest, Spiderwick, etc). Check that out if you’re looking for more Holly Black books and want to learn about my suggested reading order.

Under the cut, I’ll talk about other YA faerie books and some resources if you want to learn more about faerie folklore. You should also take into account that I’m super picky about books. Even though I gave a lot of them low ratings, I don’t regret reading any of them. I’m just overly critical, and there are specific trends and tropes that really bug me. Definitely look on Goodreads for a more detailed summaries and other reviews.

Let’s address some of the most popular faerie books first:

The Dark Artifices by: Cassandra Clare

If you like Holly Black, you’ll probably like (and probably already know) Cassandra Clare. They both write urban fantasy and they're both part of the same writing group. They even went on tour together.

The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices have faeries in them, but faeries don’t become a central point in the Shadowhunter universe until The Dark Artifices.   

I’m still slowly trekking my way through Mortal Instruments Part II so I haven’t gotten to The Dark Artifices yet. And since events that happen in Mortal Instruments directly affect the characters in Dark Artifices, you can’t really skip directly to this series.

Throne of Glass by: Sarah J. Maas

I honestly can’t address the faeries in this series because I’ve only read the first 3 books, but I assume they’re going to be pretty similar to the fae in A Court of Thorns and Roses. Luckily, I heard this series picks up in book 4, so we’ll see. I honestly haven’t been very impressed with the first three books.

Okay, so here are some books I can give actually give insight into:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by: Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses (3/5 Stars)

A Court of Mist and Fury (5/5 Stars)

A Court of Mist and Fury (4/5 Stars)

A Court of Frost and Starlight 2/5 (Honestly, there was no plot in this novella)

This talking point doesn’t have to do with faeries, but it’s something I think people should be aware of before picking up this series:

There are a lot of issues with consent (or more accurately, the lack there of) in A Court of Thorns and Roses. I don’t want to go into that here so I’ll link to a Mostly YA Lit blog post that points out the issues I have with the first book. I think A Court of Mist and Fury started to broach the issues of consent in ACOTAR, but it didn’t explore this topic as thoroughly as I would have liked.

Personally, I wouldn’t call this a good faerie series. Most of the faeries act far too much like humans. So much so, that I sometimes forget that they’re fae. They just act like humans with super powers. Folk lore elements—like faeries not being able to lie and aversion to iron—are thrown right out the window. All the characters (especially in the later books) are way overpowered. For you writers out there, this book is a good example of how to not employ a soft magic system.

While I wouldn’t call this a good faerie series, I would still call this an alright series. A lot of people love this series.

SMJ’s strongest skills are writing characters and exploring characters’ emotions. Although I a ton of issues with this series, I would be lying if I didn’t say that A Court of Mist and Fury is one of the best YA fantasy books to explore PTSD, pain, and healing. 

The Scorpio Races: by Maggie Stiefvater (5/5 Stars)

Unlike the other books on this list, this book doesn’t focus on faery courts. The Scorpio Races focuses on one very specific type of faery, the eich uisce, a type of man-eating water horse from Celtic folklore. Every year on the island of Thisby, people capture and train these water horses in order to race them.

Like Holly Black’s books, Stiefvater incorporates folklore but adds her own twist. She’s very consistent with the magic rules she sets on water horses. (Eg. Bells and red ribbons can calm them, they have an aversion to iron, etc)

Now some less popular faerie books: An Enchantment of Ravens:  (3/5 Stars)

This book takes place in a fantasy world with humans and faeries.

Here’s the downside: The heroine and love interest are very typical YA characters. (It was written in 2017, but it feels like it was written in 2007). There really isn’t anything unique about the main charters, and they didn’t have much chemistry. 

Now, here’s the good stuff: The book has a very interesting interpretation of faeries. If faeries try to make anything (even cook), they will start to crumble away and die. The faeries find humans valuable because humans are able to make crafts. Humans can become fae... at a price—they have to give up their art. One of the interesting things though is that the heroine, an artist, is opposed to becoming immortal because she would have to give up her art.

The Wicked Lovely Series: Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely 2/5 

Ink Exchange 3/5

The Wicked Lovely Series is an urban fantasy series where the fae live invisible among humans. 

The first book is very preachy at some points. And there’s a disconnect between the feminist values that the author attempts to display and what is actually in the story (how the characters behave, the plot, etc). Also, the author breaks the rules she sets up in her universe. (Eg. Faeries aren’t supposed to be able to go near iron… Oh wait, the strong ones can. Oh wait, it looks like pretty much all of them can with little affect.) Both books have issues with consent and women being controlled by fae. 

Why do I continue to read this series? I like the world Marr created. It’s dark and intriguing so many authors forget the manevolent nature of faeries. Marr also has an interesting interpretation of how fae would live in cities. It reminds me a bit of Holly Black’s Modern Faerie Tale series. Also, I like that the endings of these books are different than most YA. To avoid spoilers, I’ll say there’s some subverting of tropes.

Wintersong by: S. Jae-Jones (2/5 Stars)

Wintersong takes place somewhere in Austria or Germany during the late 1700s. It’s like a combination of Pan’s Labyrinth, the poem Goblin Market, alderking folklore, and some Beauty and the Beast/Hades and Persephone thrown in. 

One of the things I like about this book is that the main character is ugly and that never changes. Seriously, YA has too many jaw-droopingly-beautiful heroines. Being pretty has nothing to do with your value as a person. Can I please have some average or ugly heroines with good self esteem or that achieve good self esteem? 

The goblins and their home are dark and twisted ( think Under the Mountain if you like SJM or unseelie court or )

While the writing is beautiful, this book is riddled with plot holes and things that don’t add up. The first half of the book is great and has to do with the main character saving her sister from the Goblin King/Alderking. Then it drifts off into never-never land. The plot diminishes. You can also tell that this book was originally going to be written for adults and was changed (seemingly at the last minute) to YA.

Also, there’s a lot of weird issues about sex. The main character is fixated on the idea that having sex will make her a woman. Also, it has that shitty misconception about women bleeding when they have sex for the first time. No, that shouldn’t happen. Fantasy books (especially YA which is aimed at young women) need to get rid of that trope. There’s also some shit that the heroine will die if she has sex with the Goblin King too often because it draws on her life-force or some shit.

Seriously, why is sex handled so poorly in so many of these books? How hard is it to have consensual sex that is handled normally. Hint: It’s not! 

I would like to take a moment to thank Holly Black for writing Jude as a character (and even Taryn) with agency in her sex life. 

The Iron Fey Series by: Julie Kagawa

I’m currently reading the first book in this series. Let me tell you, it feels very circa 2010 YA. A half-human-half-faerie girl goes to a magical land to save her brother from faeries. It leans a lot on characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Resources for Learning More About Faery Folklore 

Faeries by Brian Froud and Alan Lee

This is a really good, quick resource if you want to take a crash course in faerie lore. (Eg. Common types of fae, charms and protections against fae, the courts, faerie hills, etc)

An Encyclopedia of Fairies by: Katharine Briggs

If you want to know anything about the faeries of Ireland and the British isles, you can find it in this book. There’s a lot of fun stories about different fae, too. 

Abbey Lubbers, Banshees, & Boggarts by: Katharine Briggs

If you find Briggs’s other book overwhelming, try this one. It’s a lot of the same information but more condensed. 

The Lore Podcast by: Aaron Mahnke

This podcast talks about folklore and everything paranormal (from ghosts and clairvoyants to vampires and werewolves). I recommend the entire podcast but here are a few episodes with information about faeries:

Episode 5: "Under Construction”— Folklore about the huldufolk (elves) of Iceland

Episode 11: ”Black Stockings”— Folklore about changelings. I’m going to warn you, this episode is very done but very, very sad

Episode 14: "The Others” — Folklore about “little people” in various cultures, including púcas (one of my favorite fae)

Some YA Faerie Books I have on my TBR:

White Stag by: Kara Barbieri

The Perilous Gard by: Elizabeth Marie Pope

The Folk Keeper by: Franny Billingsley

The Goblin Emperor: Katherine Addison

Glimmerglass by: Jenna Black 

Wings by: Aprilynne Pike 

Bitter Frost by: Kailin Gow 

Tam Lin by: Pamela Dean

Fablehaven by: Brandon Mull

That was a long post, so I thank you for taking the time to read it! Please reblog and add your favorite faerie books (especially if they’re similar to Holly Black’s books)! And feel free to DM me or slip a message in my ask box if you have any questions or want book recs.

Hopefully something on this list will hold us over until Queen of Nothing comes out!

[swiftzeldas]

Fanfic Ask Game

Tagged by @trans-aziraphale thank u friend!!!!

At what age did you start writing fanfiction?

lol i was like 8. and it was handwritten harry potter and babysitters club fanfic. 

Who is your favorite author?

My favorite authors are Donna Tartt, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab. As far as classics go, I still love me some F. Scott Fitzgerald 

Favorite type of scene to write?

tension. emotional tension, specifically. i love writing arguments where people are really getting in each other’s heads, i love writing scenes where one character doesn’t realize how much they care about the other until that person is gone or in trouble or something. the best way i can describe the stuff i like to write is....listen to the bridge of cruel summer......That’s The Mood......!

What is your favorite fanfic?

this amazing post-apocalyptic hiddleswift fic based on Getaway Car called Us Traitors. ugh it still gives me all the feelings when i reread it. there’s also this awesome (long) barba/benson fic called Heartbreak Tally that i like a lot

What tags do you avoid like the plague?

i will read most things. but i won’t read a/b/o lol i don’t GET THE APPEAL AT ALL. i also tend to avoid major character death but there are exceptions

What AU do you wish to write but feel like you won’t manage?

i’m not big on writing elaborate AUs. i have a baseball rpf one i’m working on about ghosts and another about magic, but most of my AUs are more like.....what if character x met character y earlier than they did in canon? or what if this canon event happened differently?

What has been your favorite story to write so far?

it’s always my current WIP >_> i have about 4 WIPs that i’m actively working on and i love them all more than anything i have published previously. that said, my fic for the boys of summer fic-a-thon (so it goes) was really fun! i also had sooo much fun writing it’s not the years; it’s the mileage (enchanted forest chronicles). i think that one still might be my favorite fic i’ve posted this year so far.

Do you prefer to write one-shots or multi-chapters? Why?

all my fics are one-shots whether they’re 1000 words or 16000 words haha. i prefer that to multi-chapter fics because that’s what i prefer to read myself and also if i start doing chapters i just won’t finish writing it lol i know myself 

What is your favorite kind of comment?

i get so excited over ANY comment because i often write such niche fanfici’m like !!!!! OH MY GOD THERE’S AN AUDIENCE FOR THIS

Why did you start writing fanfiction? Why are you still writing it?

i don’t know if i could say why i started. like i said, i was 8, and it’s really kind of just a thing my brain started doing because i wanted to see other parts of the stories i was reading. i still write it because...i don’t know, it’s just fun. it’s less intimidating than trying to write original fiction, though i do that too. i have to worry less about my fanfic being perfect than i do my original fiction. i have a lot of love for both fanfic and original fiction and i just don’t see myself stopping either. i just like to write, man, i couldn’t stop myself even if i wanted

tagging: @incomprehensiblelentils @izzetboilerworks @saddestboner @lemahieus @cleoselene but only if y’all wanna do it no pressure! 

[shestillhasherquill]

At the Heart of Darkness (1/11)

Hoorayy! It's time for my Captain Swan Big Bang fic's grand reveal. I am soooo excited for every one to read this. But before that, I would be remiss if I do not thank the Mods for organising this event. Go check out the other great fics and artwork on their tumblr: @captainswanbigbang​ They were so understanding when I had to miss a check-in and gave me an extension. I never thought I'd finish this story after I lost my dad, because there is A LOT of Father-Daughter content in this, but I pushed through because I wanted to get this fic out there. I love the idea, and I know it might not appeal to some people, what with Alice in the fic. To those people, I say: 'I respect your likes and dislikes. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it. Respect that I do, and I don't want negative comments or drama. Thank you.'

I can't thank Maggie aka @accio-ambition​ enough. She was more than my Beta, she was my bae-ta. She pushed me and yelled at me and got stressed out for me, while I chilled out. She has made me question myself and correct myself and been the best GD cheerleader in the world. I LOVE YOU, MAN. Most of the fic was panic written and if it weren't for @accio-ambition​ and @sambethe​ this would be a mess.

A HUGE SHOUTOUT to @sambethe​ for being a second beta practically, on top of being my artist, who made a KICKASS BANNER and a bunch of art that I CANNOT wait for you all to see. She's just the best, most understanding and kind-of always put up with my anxiety rants. Thanks, babe. Check out her original artwork post!

ALSO @downeystarkjr​ made 2 VIDEOS OF THIS FIC WHAT I'm crying you guys. They are amazing, she's amazing and just asdfghjkl; time for fic guys.

Summary: Killian Jones lives in the Land without Magic, with no memories of his family. Until Emma Swan comes into his life like a whirlwind, reminding about everything he had lost. He embarks on an adventure to destroy the Darkness, only to discover that Emma might not be telling him the whole story.

Rating: M

Content Warning: Mentions of Miscarriage, Angst, Gothel

AO3/FF.net

Prologue

“Papa, are you listening to me?”

“Of course, starfish. When am I not?” Killian answered, turning from the book he was reading and toward his daughter. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her dangling from a wooden beam by just her fingertips. “Alice Jones, get down this instant.”

“Will you catch me, Papa?” she called out, giggling. Suddenly everything around them turned dark, and Killian could hardly see. His panic rose, as he called out to his daughter. “Alice? Alice, answer me, love!”

“Papa, catch me. Catch me, Papa.” That was all he heard, echoing around him. “Don’t let me fall, Papa. Don’t leave me!” Alice’s voice grew from playful to frightful, the echoes growing fainter and fainter by the minute. Killian tried walking through the darkness, but it seemed Alice was moving farther away from him in the endless night. He was surrounded by it, like he was lost at sea.

A moment later, he could not hear her voice at all. “Alice? Alice! Where are you, darling? ALICE!” he shouted, his voice breaking.

Killian gasped awake, eyes shooting wide and hands grabbing tight on his sheets. It was that dream again, about the girl - Alice. Papa, she called him, but he did not have a daughter that he knew of. He had been having these dreams for years, and they never made any sense. He always woke up filled with an inexplicable desperation, like he needed to get back to that strange girl.

Every doctor he had been to had said the same thing - they were just dreams. How else could he explain the strange surroundings he found himself in during these dreams. Most times it was with this young girl, Alice, in some kind of a room, high up in a tower. Sometimes, there was another blonde woman, but he has never seen her face. He could not pick her out of a line-up if he had to, in all honesty. But unlike the dreams with the girl, whenever he dreamed of that woman, he woke up crying and his chest hurting.

There were days that he cursed these dreams - they remind him just how truly alone he was in this world. He had a brother once, who he served with in the Navy, but that seemed like it was centuries ago. He did not have a daughter, nor did he know blonde woman like the one plaguing his dreams. He had no one. Why would his mind taunt him so? Show him this life, in this strange land - when all he had was a 20-year sober chip and a job that doesn’t necessarily require him to stay in one place. He’d been searching, going from city to city, town to town, looking for a place to call home.

He’d been in this seaside town for the past two months, and as much as he enjoyed how quaint it was, it just didn’t feel right. Not that he could tell anyone what was - all he knew was he would feel it the moment it was right - he would have found home. Whatever this town was, it was not that.

Killian sighed, trying to put the dream out of his mind, slipping out of bed, grabbing his phone on the way. He punched in his agent’s number, putting him on speaker as he went about starting his morning brew.

“Hello, Jones. Which part of the world are you calling from now?” came Will’s voice, an undertone of exasperation barely concealed.

“I’m still in England, Will,” Killian replied, rolling his eyes. “No need to be an arse so early in the morning.” He turned on the coffee maker, grabbing his phone off the countertop. “Did you get the new chapters I sent you a couple of days ago?”

“Ah, that. Yes, I did. Great work, man. They are great, just a few notes from your editor. I’m sending you an e-mail about it as we speak. But we are quite ahead of schedule so far.”

“Good, good,” Killian mumbled. “I might be leaving this town soon. It doesn’t seem right.”

“Colour me surprised. What is right, Jones? You’ve been travelling like a fucking hermit.” Will’s tone was starting to grate on Killian’s nerves.

“I don’t appreciate your tone, Sanders.” Killian scowled at the wall. He did not need yet another person questioning his decisions - he was doing enough of that himself.

There was a tense silence over the phone before Will finally spoke. “All right. I don’t have any rights to question how you live your life. Just remember that once you’re done with this book, you need to do at least some touring and book signings.”

Killian resisted the urge to groan. As much as he enjoyed the life of leisure being a published author offered, the public appearances and PR were his least favorite part of his job.

“Yes, I remember. There’s still time for that, is there not? I’ll be back stateside in three months.”

“For good? Or just for the book?”

“Well, it’s not to see your ugly mug, mate. I’ll talk to you soon, Will.” And with that dismissal, he hung up. He fixed himself a cup of coffee, carrying it over to his designated work station. He passed a mirror on the way, pausing to stare at his reflection. He stared at it long and hard, trying to find any change in it, but he didn’t. Not one grey hair, not one wrinkle. The same face he has been staring at for the past 20 years - nothing has changed. He realised this little fact about himself a few years ago. He has not aged a day in 20 years. He does not remember what triggered it - he does not remember much, if he was brave enough to admit it. His memory of the past 20 years are pristine, he could remember every single detail. But before that? It was all a blur, like a dream. One could only laugh at that irony: somehow his dreams seem more real than his past.

He shook his head, walking away from the mirror and sitting at his desk. Taking a long sip from his mug, he pulled his sketchpad towards him, grabbing a spare bit of charcoal and scratching out a rough portrait of the girl from his dreams, etching her image on paper, hoping to trigger something that would make him understand why he kept seeing her, why she called him ‘Papa’. And who the mysterious blonde was.

-/-

20 years ago : Enchanted Forest

Killian was woken from his slumber by soft murmuring around him. “Swan, settle down and go back to sleep, love,” he grumbled, reaching for his lady-love with an outstretched arm. They were finally able to convince Alice to stay the night with Smee while they stole a night to themselves.

When his arm met the sheets covering their bed at the inn where they’d spent the night, instead of Emma’s soft skin, his eyes flew open. He scrambled out of bed, reaching for his trousers when he heard her laughter. He turned around, pants hanging loosely around his hips, unlaced and held up with just his hand. There she sat, in one corner of the room, wearing his shirt - and naught else - a book in her hand. “You’re- you’re reading?”

“Don’t sound so surprised, Hook. I was brought up a princess, you know,” she teased, sliding out of her perch, the book landing on the floor with a thud.

He grabbed her when she was within arms’ reach, hand curling on her hip, lips grazing hers gently. “Aye, I know, Princess.” He pulled back before she could deepen their kiss. “I am a little hurt that you chose to read a book, when you could have woken me up. We could have engaged in more, ah..enjoyable activities.” When he noticed her hesitation, he felt his insecurities flare up - it had been a while since he’d been with a woman. In fact, that wretched witch was the last person he had been intimate with. He backed away a little from Emma, his arms dropping to his side. “Unless, of course it wasn’t enjoyable for you, love. I- it has been a while.”

“Oh, no, no. Killian, no,” Emma was quick to assure him, her hand coming up to rest on his chest, right over his heart. “No, last night was perfect. You were perfect, I promise.” Her cheeks tinted lightly at the boyish grin that took over his face. She turned back to grab the large tome before she faced him again. “I was reading this - a grimoire. I wanted to see if I could find some way to break Alice out of that tower. I’ve been doing my own research, but I did not want to tell you and Alice before I found something concrete. I couldn’t do that to you.”

Killian felt his throat close up, his heart clenching at her gesture. He had always known that Emma cared for his Alice almost as much as he did - it was because of his love for Alice that it took him almost a year to warm up to Emma’s presence in their lives. But knowing something and seeing proof of it were two very different things.

“I- I couldn’t give up. I know I promised I would be more careful with my magic, but I just...,” Emma shrugged, trialing off, having mistook his silence for anger.

He was quick to reassure her, pulling her into his arms in a tight embrace. “Thank you, Emma. I do not know what Alice and I would do without you in our lives,” he whispered, his voice breaking at the end.

He felt Emma’s smile against his chest, her arms clenched tight around the book. “You never have to find out.”

-/-

Present : Land without Magic

There were so many things Killian was grateful for, but the internet had to be the most important. It was much easier to find a great place to stay, that still afforded him the solitude that he craved, thanks to the wonder of AirBnB. He rubbed his hands together, warming them up as he walked down the small hill his lone house was on, his reusable shopping bag and notebook keeping him company. As much as he has moved around, he was still a creature of habit. He had made himself the same dinner every Saturday - a pot of hot stew and some marmalade sandwiches for a light snack later. And every Friday, like today, he would walk into town, hit up the local markets and do a spot of shopping. Then, he would spend the day people watching, sitting at the benches in the city center. He would describe everything he saw around him - from the changing weather, to the street musicians playing their tune. The sight of the fresh fruits and vegetables at the market; the ruckus created by students who had survived yet another week. All of it, he would note down - he would build his own stories, even.

He might fool everyone, sometimes even himself, into thinking all of this was for research. But he had been doing this for as long as he could remember, as if he was writing things for someone stuck in a prison, hoping that his writing would provide them with some semblance of the world outside. He couldn’t remember a time he hadn’t done this - but he had no one to share these stories with. So even as he filled notebook after notebook, each of various shape and size, some leather bound with parchment paper, some of them scraps of napkins bound together - even as he recorded everything, the only purpose it served was collecting dust at the house he had in Atlanta - the one and only residence he has had throughout his adult life. The same one he had bought twenty years ago, a quaint blue house with a wraparound porch and a white picket fence, waiting for the day it will be called ‘home’.

And so like clockwork, Killian sat at his usual bench, his view of the town unencumbered from this point, and observed the ongoings. Somehow, this time, his heart was not in it. His dreams had become more frequent recently, and he was loathe to go back on the pills he had been prescribed. They stopped the dreams completely, but that made him feel even worse, even more alone. As much as the dreams - and their characters - haunted him, their absence made it harder for him to survive his lonely existence.

Will had told him over the years that if only he would put himself out there, if only he would come out of his shell and interact, even if it was to simply make a friend, he would feel much better. But he never felt inclined to; he felt like he was supposed to be miserable. He was used to this feeling, and somehow, letting go of it seems unfathomable.

He snapped himself from where his thoughts drifted to, his gaze refocusing on what was in front of him. And the moment his vision became clear, the first thing he saw was the same head of blonde hair from his dreams, disappearing around the corner. He blinked, his breath caught in his throat. He stood immediately, squinting at the lane where he caught the glimpse of the blonde - hair the exact shade of spun gold as from his dreams. His bag and notebook forgotten, he took off in her direction.

For so long, he had been struggling with thoughts that maybe his dreams were more than just that, but had dismissed the thoughts almost as quickly as they had come. But something in his heart told him to follow the blonde, that maybe she might help - whether it was to break the illusion or to strengthen it, he wasn’t sure yet. He wasn’t sure what he wanted the outcome to be either.

He went around the corner he had seen her turn, which led him down a tiny alley. The only place that seemed to be open was an antiquities shop, with a single flickering light on at the display window. Alice and her ‘round the world Wonders, the sign read.

“Alice…” he whispered softly to himself, his incredulity evident. “It can’t be.” He pushed through the door, the bell above the door ringing through the empty shop.

“Hello?” he called out, suddenly feeling a little breathless, as if in anticipation. He waited with bated breath, but no one turned up for a whole two minutes. Just as he was about to call out again, someone pushed past the curtains, stepping through.

Killian felt disappointment settle in his chest when he saw the woman who walked into the room. She was definitely blonde, but she was not the woman from his dreams, of that he was certain. All the built up anticipation of the past few minutes drained out of him. He simple stared at her unable to do much more than force a smile in return to her smiling at him. He was certain the woman he’d seen turn down the alley had been her, but it was not the woman from the shop.

She was dressed plain enough, but her heavy array of braids gave her an air of eccentricity; and as friendly and welcoming as she seemed to think her smile was, it made the hair on the back of Killian’s neck stand up.

“Can I help you?” she asked him, approaching the counter.

As much as he wanted to bolt from this shop, and from this woman, he had a feeling she might have some answers for him. “Erm, no. I was simply looking around,” he replied after a long pause. He turned around, pretending to be interested in an old windmill, running his finger over the blades. “Curious name your shop’s got,” he commented. “Alice… is that you?” he asked, smiling and hoping that she wouldn’t suspect anything, before turning away.

He noticed her stiffen out of the corner of his eye, before she cleared her throat and plastered a smile back on her face. “Ah, no. I knew an Alice, a very long time ago. The name just felt fitting.” She waited a beat before adding, “I’m Eloise. And you’re Killian Jones.”

Hackles raised, he turned to face her again, his jaw clenching involuntarily. “How do you know my name?”

He could have sworn he saw her smirk, but he blinked and it was gone, replaced by a sheepish smile. “I’m a huge fan of your books - the life of a pirate captain and all that.”

Killian was not entirely convinced by her answer, but he had no real reason to doubt her, save for an odd gut feeling. “I did not realise you’d recognise me.”

“Yes, you do look a bit different with the beard,” Eloise commented. “But not unrecognisable.”

Something in the way she phrased it made Killian feel like he was under sharp scrutiny. Whatever he was looking for, this Eloise seemed to have a whole other agenda, one he was not going to wait around and watch play out. “I should get going. But it was nice to meet you Eloise.” Killian started retreating, but she stopped him.

“Wait! I would be really happy if you took a token of appreciation. Your stories mean a lot to me, especially the Princess you write about.”

“The Swan Princess?” he asked, unable to help himself. He felt a strong tug in his chest when he said those words, as if it recognised who he was talking about. But that was impossible: the Swan Princess was just a character that he had made up.

Instead of dwelling on those thoughts, he simply said,“I am really glad you like my work, lass. I appreciate it. But I must get going.”

“Of course. I don’t want to keep you long.” Eloise pulled a painting from under the counter, holding it out to Killian.

He stepped closer, looking at the painting of a ship in the middle of the ocean depicted in the calm before the storm. As mesmerising as the painting itself was, he was more concerned with the signature at the bottom - Alice.

“Who did this?” he demanded, his eyes snapping up to meet hers. “Who is Alice?”

Eloise brows furrowed in concern at his harsh tone. “Mr. Jones, I’m sorry if I did something to offend you. But I simply wanted to give you this painting because it reminds me of your stories. As for Alice...well, she did make this. But I’m afraid she’s not with us anymore.”

Rationally, Killian knew that there was no way that the Alice Eloise spoke of was the girl from his dreams. But his heart clenched just hearing that. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” he muttered, walking away from Eloise and her store, leaving the painting behind.

As soon as he was out of sight, Eloise’s startled expression slipped into a smirk. “Oh, I finally found you, Captain Hook,” she whispered. She flipped the ‘closed’ sign on the door, and headed into the backroom again.

-/-

20 years ago : Enchanted Forest

“Do you really think it is a good idea to keep this from Alice?” Emma asked, biting her lip. “She might want to know - she was vying for this.”

“As much as I want to shout from the mountain tops how much I care about you, Emma - and it is a lot, believe you me, lass - I just do not want her to think this is more than it is.” When he saw Emma’s face fall, he wanted to kick himself for how he phrased it. “I didn’t mean to sound so flippant, love. I don’t want any kind of pressure on you, and if we tell Alice, she might think that we are-”

“So let her,” Emma said, cutting him off. She stepped up to him, her eyes meeting his determinedly. “There’s no pressure here, but I’m in this for the long haul, Killian Jones. If that scares you, well, I-” She huffed, losing steam. “I’ll have to challenge you to a duel - and I will end up defeating you.”

Killian grinned widely at her, kissing her chastely. “Aye, I have no doubt you will, darling. I would gladly surrender to you, Your Highness.”

Emma flushed, slapping his arm lightly. “Are you ready to tell your daughter that she will soon be free?” Emma could swear that the smile that took over her pirate’s face rivaled even the bright rays of the sun.

-/-

Present : Land without Magic

“Ms. Swan? I think I found the man that you have been looking for.” Emma sat up straight at that. While she had hoped utilizing Mr. Castle’s private investigation services would come to fruition, she had not realised it would be quite this soon. If she had realised how efficient this land’s resources were, she would have relied on them much earlier.

“Are you sure? Killian Jones?” she asked, starting to pace.

“Ms. Swan, Killian Jones is quite a famous writer. I am not unfamiliar with who he is.” Emma could almost hear his condescension. “But he is elusive and an extremely private person, so he was a bit harder to track down.”

“But you did, did you not? Track him down?” Emma asked, irritated by Castle dragging the issue.

“Of course, as I assured you. He’s in a small town in south-eastern England. He is coming back to the United States in three months for a book tour.”

Emma’s elation was unparalleled to anything else in the world. She clutched the ring hanging around her neck tight, as tears pricked behind her eyelids. “Thank you, Mr. Castle. Do you have an address?”

Once she had hung up on the call with Castle, she let a few tears fall - tears of joy, of course, but of sorrow as well. She had to bring him back to all the chaos and pain that he had left. She had to bring him back before she had the cure she’d promised him. She absentmindedly rubbed at her chest, an echo of pain and frustration running parallel to her own emotions. It had been twenty years, but she would never get used to this connection she had with Killian - a curse and a blessing all in one; her life was tied to his in many ways, and being able to sense his feelings was the cruelest of it all.

She could still remember so clearly the day they had parted, could feel the flow of the energy as he linked their lives together; she was unable to age, just like all Dark Ones. Because of him, her light magic was forever corrupted now. She hated him for that: she hated him for leaving her with all the pain and the memories, while he walked into another world, without her, without Alice, and without his memories. But she could never hate him more than she loved him. Emma touched the ring again, her heart settling as she remembered his promise to her - the promise of a happy future, no matter how long it took them to get there. She had made him a promise in turn - to find a way to cure him of the darkness that plagued his soul - and to not come for him before then.

Unfortunately, Gothel had a more sinister plot in mind. After two decades, she had managed to break free of her bonds. Emma had no choice to come for him before that wretched witch found him. Killian was not the only reason Emma had come, of course. There was another person she needed to save, but she knew she had to find Killian Jones first. He would be the only one who could get Alice back.

-/-

Eloise waved at the back wall of her store, sparks of dark magic expelling from her hand. The wall shimmered before disappearing completely, revealing an elaborate garden on the other side, with a glass coffin in the middle, covered in vines. She walked up to it, her hand running over the vines, watching as they retreated at her touch.

“Oh, Alice, dear. You’ve been resting for quite a while, haven’t you?” she whispered, not a hint of remorse in her voice. She stared down at the slumbering girl, looking child-like and peaceful in her spell-struck state. “I just can’t have you meddling in my plans, dear. Your father can’t be compromised, not until I can get my hand on his dagger.”

[ao3feed-daredevil]

Light Perception

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2YrHQuC

by luthienne

Fisk gets put away again, and it feels like that should be the end of it, but it’s not. Of course it’s not. The FBI needs a win. Who better to take that out on than the lawyers who exposed their corruption.

I am not Daredevil, Matt says so many times in so many spaces that he almost believes it.

His ability to maintain a concept of self was difficult enough before this; this new judgment day, this thing that has fractured his concept of self beyond what he thought was possible.

He feels like he’s been dropped into the ocean, all his limbs weighted with stones, unable to find which way is up and which way is down, which way is surface and which way is gone. Surface feels like a fairy-story told to children at night, like enchanted forests.

Light as the breadcrumbs which lead the way up, which lead the way out.

Words: 17054, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Daredevil (TV), Daredevil (Comics)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Characters: Matt Murdock, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, Frank Castle, Karen Page, Stick (Marvel), Elektra Natchios, Wilson Fisk, Roscoe Sweeney, Father Lantom (Marvel), Jonathan "Jack" Murdock, Sister Maggie, Jessica Jones, Brett Mahoney, Danny Rand (Referenced)

Relationships: Matt Murdock & Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, Frank Castle & Matt Murdock, Wilson Fisk & Matt Murdock, Matt Murdock & Karen Page

Additional Tags: Matt Murdock & Foggy Nelson Friendship, Fix-It of Sorts, Character Study, Trauma, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Hurt/Comfort, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Angst, Recovery, Drama, Catholicism, Post-Season/Series 03, Matt Murdock Needs a Hug, Protective Foggy Nelson, Prison, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Date Rape Drug/Roofies

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2YrHQuC

[passiongracelb]

Bucket Full of Memories, Theme Parks around the United States

I love going to theme parks so here is a list of all the theme parks from around the United States

Alabama Alabama Splash Adventure, Bessemer Southern Adventures, Huntsville Spring Park, Tuscumbia Waterville USA, Gulf Shores Alaska Roadrunner Amusement Park, Anchorage ArizonaEdit Castles N' Coasters, Phoenix Enchanted Island, Phoenix Funtasticks Family Fun Park, Tucson Golf n' Stuff, Tucson Golfland Sunsplash, Mesa Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek Wildlife World, Litchfield Park Arkansas Fast Lane Entertainment, Lowell Funland Amusement Park, North Little Rock Magic Springs and Crystal Falls, Hot Springs California Northern California Blackbeard's Family Entertainment Center, Fresno Boomers, Fresno Funderland, Sacramento Fun Town at Micke Grove, Lodi Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy Golfland, Castro Valley, Milpitas, Roseville, San Jose, and Sunnyvale Kiwanis Kiddieland, Merced Roseville Golfland Sunsplash, Roseville Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz Scandia Amusements, Rohnert Park and Sacramento Sonoma TrainTown Railroad, Sonoma San Francisco California's Great America, Santa Clara Children's Fairyland, Oakland Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, San Jose Pixieland Amusement Park, Concord Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo Los Angeles Golf 'N' Stuff, Norwalk Mountasia Family Fun Center, Valencia Pacific Park, Santa Monica Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia SpeedZone Los Angeles Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City Orange County Adventure City, Anaheim Boomers, Fountain Valley Disneyland Resort Disney California Adventure, Anaheim Disneyland, Anaheim Golfland, Anaheim Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park Riverside County Castle Park, Riverside San Bernardino County Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, Big Bear Lake Boomers, Upland Fiesta Village Family Fun Park, Colton Scandia Amusement Park, Ontario and Victorville San Diego Belmont Park, San Diego Boomers, El Cajon Frasier's Frontier, El Cajon Legoland California, Carlsbad SeaWorld San Diego ColoradoEdit Elitch Gardens, Denver Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs Heritage Square, Golden Lakeside Amusement Park, Lakeside Mile High Flea Market, Henderson City Park, Pueblo Santa's Workshop, Cascade ConnecticutEdit Lake Compounce, Bristol Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury Delaware Funland, Rehoboth Beach Jungle Jim's Adventure World, Rehoboth Beach Florida North Florida Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Beach Big Kahuna's, Destin Cobra Adventure Park, Panama City Beach Fast Eddies Fun Center, Pensacola Race City PCB, Panama City Beach Sam's Fun City & Sam's Surf City, Pensacola Shipwreck Island, Panama City Beach Wild Willy's Adventure Zone, Fort Walton Beach Central Florida Andretti Thrill Park, Melbourne Boardwalk Amusements, Daytona Beach Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa Celebration Station, Clearwater Daytona Lagoon, Daytona Beach Dinosaur World, Plant City Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island Legoland Florida, Winter Haven Weeki Wachee Springs, Weeki Wachee Greater Orlando Fun Spot America - Kissimmee, Kissimmee Fun Spot America - Orlando, Orlando Gatorland, Orlando Give Kids the World Village, Kissimmee Holy Land Experience, Orlando Magical Midway, Orlando Old Town, Kissimmee SeaWorld Orlando Discovery Cove, Orlando SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida, Orlando Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake Disney's Hollywood Studios, Bay Lake Epcot, Bay Lake Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake South Florida Kidstar Park, Port Charlotte Santa's Enchanted Forest, Miami Uncle Bernie's Amusement Park, Fort Lauderdale Zoomers Family Amusement Park, Fort Myers Beach Georgia Adventure Crossing, Augusta All American Fun Park, Albany Alpine Park, Helen Black Mountain Alpine Coaster, Helen Fun Spot Atlanta, Fayetteville Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell Wild Adventures, Valdosta Hawaii Maui Golf and Sports Park, Wailuku Sea Life Park Hawaii, Oahu IdahoEdit Silverwood Theme Park, Athol Wahooz Family Fun Zone, Meridian Yellowstone Bear World, Rexburg Illinois Donley's Wild West Town, Union Enchanted Castle, Lombard Go Bananas, Norridge Grady's Family Fun Park, Bloomington Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort, Utica Haunted Trails, Burbank and Joliet Knight's Action Park, Springfield Odyssey Fun World, Tinley Park Pirates Cove, Elk Grove Village Safari Land, Villa Park Santa's Village AZoosment Park, Dundee Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Gurnee Indiana Team Combat, Tactical Laser Tag for Adults, Teens & 8-12 Year Olds, Hobart Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Santa Claus Indiana Beach, Monticello Iowa Adventureland, Altoona Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park Lost Island Amusement Park, Waterloo Kansas All Star Adventures, Wichita Kiddieland, Pittsburg Kentucky Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville Malibu Jack’s Indoor Theme Park, Lexington Louisiana Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin', Baton Rouge Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, New Orleans Celebration Station, Baton Rouge Maine Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach York's Wild Kingdom, York Beach Maryland Adventure Park USA, New Market Baja Amusements, Ocean City Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Ocean City Jolly Roger at the Pier, Ocean City Laugh Out Loud Stations, Greenbelt Six Flags America, Upper Marlboro Trimper's Rides, Ocean City Wisp Resort, McHenry Massachusetts Edaville USA, Carver Salem Willows, Salem Six Flags New England, Agawam Michigan A-Maze-N Mirrors, Mackinaw City Adventure Island Family Fun Park, Cadillac Arzo Sports & Fun Park, Alpena Cedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park, Comins CJ Barrymore's Family Entertainment Center, Clinton Township Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park, Pinconning Full Blast, Battle Creek Funland Amusement Park, Houghton Lake Jeepers, Sterling Heights Kokomo's Family Fun Center, Saginaw Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon Nelis' Dutch Village, Holland Minnesota Como Town, St. Paul Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington Paul Bunyan Land, Brainerd Spirit Mountain, Duluth Valleyfair, Shakopee Mississippi Brookhaven Exchange Club Park, Brookhaven Missouri Branson Coaster, Branson Branson Tracks, Branson Branson Mountain Adventure Park, Branson Hydro Adventures, Poplar Bluff Miner Mike's Adventure Town, Osage Beach Mountain Adventure Resort, Branson Silver Dollar City, Branson Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka Worlds of Fun, Kansas City MontanaEdit Amusement Park Drive In, Laurel Big Sky Water Park, Columbia Falls NebraskaEdit Fun-Plex, Omaha SkateDaze, Omaha Nevada Adventuredome, Las Vegas Akita Plaza, Las Vegas Buffalo Bill's, Primm Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix, Las Vegas Playland Park, Reno New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Stratosphere Las Vegas, Las Vegas Wild Island, Sparks New Hampshire Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett Candia Springs Adventure Park, Candia Canobie Lake Park, Salem Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park, North Conway Clark's Trading Post, Lincoln Fort Jefferson Fun Park, Jefferson Fun-World, Nashua Santa's Village, Jefferson Story Land, Glen New Jersey Action Park, Vernon Blackbeard's Cave, Bayville Bowcraft Playland, Scotch Plains Casino Pier, Seaside Heights Central Pier Arcade & Speedway, Atlantic City Clementon Amusement Park, Clementon Fantasy Island, Beach Haven Funplex, Mount Laurel Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Ocean City iPlay America, Freehold Jenkinson's Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach Keansburg Amusement Park, Keansburg Land of Make Believe, Hope Morey's Piers, Wildwood Playland's Castaway Cove, Ocean City Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Steel Pier, Atlantic City Wild West City [1], Byram Township, New Jersey Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Township New Mexico Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuquerque Western Playland, Sunland Park New York Downstate New York Adventureland, Farmingdale Adventurers Family Entertainment Center, Brooklyn Country Fair Entertainment Park, Medford Boomer's Family Fun Center, Medford Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Brooklyn Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel, Flushing Fantasy Shore Amusement Park, Staten Island Kids 'N Action, Brooklyn Luna Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn Playland, Rye Victorian Gardens, New York City Upstate New York Darien Lake, Darien Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Old Forge Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland Hoffman's Playland, Latham Holiday Valley, Ellicottville Huck Finn's Playland, Albany Magic Forest Park, Lake George Fantasy Island, Grand Island Midway State Park, Maple Springs Legoland New York, Goshen (starting construction in 2017, planned to open in 2019)[1] Party Zone USA, Middletown Santa's Workshop, Wilmington Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, Sylvan Beach North Carolina Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park, Carolina Beach Carowinds, Charlotte Deadwood, Williamston Ghost Town Village, Maggie Valley Great Wolf Lodge, Concord NASCAR Speedpark, Concord Santa's Land, Cherokee Tweetsie Railroad, Boone North Dakota Grand Forks Theme Park, Grand Forks[citation needed](Scheduled) Super Slide Amusement Park, Bismarck Ohio The Beach at Adventure Landing, Mason Cedar Point, Sandusky Cherry Valley Lodge, Newark Comfort Inn Splash Harbor, Bellville Coney Island, Cincinnati Coshocton Lake Park Recreational Complex, Coshocton Erieview Park, Geneva FunTimes Fun Park, Alliance Howard's Apples Farm Market, Bainbridge Jungle Jack's Landing, Powell Kings Island, Mason Lincoln Park Family Aquatic Center, Marion Long's Retreat Family Resort, Latham Memphis Kiddie Park, Brooklyn Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park, Chardon Richland Carrosuel Park, Mansfield Sluggers & Putters, Canal Fulton Stricker's Grove, Ross Swings-N-Things Family Fun Park, Olmsted Township Tuscora Park, New Philadelphia Oklahoma Bell's Kiddieland, Tulsa Eagle Park, Cache Frontier City, Oklahoma City Kiddy Park, Bartlesville Oregon Enchanted Forest, Turner Oaks Amusement Park, Portland Pennsylvania Brandywine Picnic Park, West Chester Carousel Village at Indian Walk, Wrightstown Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Tipton Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown (Dorneyville) Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster Fun Fore All, Cranberry Township Hersheypark, Hershey Idlewild and Soak Zone, Ligonier Kennywood, West Mifflin Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg Lakemont Park, Altoona Pocono Play Park, East Stroudsburg Sesame Place, Langhorne Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony Waldameer Park, Erie Rhode Island Adventureland, Narragansett Atlantic Beach Park, Westerly South Carolina Broadway Grand Prix, Myrtle Beach Carowinds, Fort Mill Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach O.D. Pavilion Amusement Park, North Myrtle Beach Pavilion Park, Myrtle Beach Pedroland, Dillon South Dakota Evan's Plunge, Hot Springs Flags & Wheels Indoor Racing, Rapid City Rush Mountain Adventure Park, Keystone Storybook Island, Rapid City Thunder Road Family Fun Park, Aberdeen Tennessee Anakeesta Gatlinburg Goats on the Roof, Pigeon Forge Dollywood, Pigeon Forge Fun Stop, Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, Gatlinburg Incredible Pizza Company, Cordova The Island in Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge NASCAR Speedpark, Sevierville Ober Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg Rockin' Raceway, Pigeon Forge Rowdy Bear Mountain Gatlinburg Sir Goony's Fun Zone, Chattanooga Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Pigeon Forge Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville Texas Adventure Kingdom, Lumberton Aquatica, San Antonio Austin's Park N Pizza, Pflugerville Downtown Aquarium, Houston Elise's Family Fun Center, Winnie Funtrackers, Corpus Christi Funplex, Houston Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston Grand Texas Theme Park, New Caney (planned, opening April 2020) Joyland Amusement Park, Lubbock Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah Kiddie Park Of San Antonio, San Antonio Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio NRH2O, North Richland Hills Sandy Lake Amusement Park, Carrollton SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington Tilt Studio, Katy (inside Katy Mills) Wonderland Park, Amarillo YesterLand Farm, Canton ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin Zuma Fun Center, Houston Utah Boondocks Fun Center, Kaysville-Draper Cherry Hill Resort, Kaysville Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington Vermont Bromley, Vermont's Summer Adventure, Peru Killington Resort, Killington Virginia Atlantic Fun Park, Virginia Beach Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg Central Park Fun-Land, Fredericksburg Go-Karts Plus, Williamsburg Kings Dominion, Doswell Motor World, Virginia Beach Washington Pier 57, Seattle Remlinger Farms, Carnation Riverfront Park, Spokane Washington State Fair, Puyallup Wild Waves Theme Park, Federal Way West VirginiaEdit Camden Park, Huntington Wisconsin Bay Beach Amusement Park, Green Bay Knucklehead's Bowling & Family Entertainment, Wisconsin Dells Little Amerricka, Marshall Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells Paul Bunyan's Adventure Golf, Wisconsin Dells Riverside Amusement Park, La Crosse Riverview Park & Waterworld, Wisconsin Dells Timbavatvi Wildlife Park/Storybook Gardens, Wisconsin Dells Timber Falls Adventure Park, Wisconsin Dells Wyoming Cowboy Carousel Center, Buffalo Puerto Rico Cayo Lobos Marine Park, Cayo Lobos Children's Dream Park, Añasco Fun Valley Park, Arecibo Jungle Park PR, Bayamón Parque de las Ciencias, Bayamón Villa Campestre, Guaynabo

[arianakristine]

Title: Relatives Summary: RH verse. They need to talk after this latest incident. Note: Post Keep Them On a Leash. So, I have no excuse. But we are finally moving the plot forward again! I know it won’t seem like it too much, but believe me. 

*

               Instead of staying in their room, Emma had dragged Graham out as soon as she saw his face.

               Henry was with Maggie in her room so he allowed it, even if the idea of being out of his comfort zone of their family was a little off-putting.

               She led him to the trees and dragged him near the spot he’d brought her when she’d needed to release her magic after Neal’s death. It was a small clearing, the tree canopy making the dusk seem darker.

               He said nothing when he finally collapsed onto a fallen log, his head in his hands. He took a moment to draw in a deep breath, and then reached out for her. She came easily, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face against the swell of her stomach.

               She wasn’t stiff, but he could tell she was holding back. Even when her hand came up, tugging through his hair soothingly, there was a hesitancy.

               He looked up, blinking when her face was blurred. “I’m sorry.”

               She sighed and shook her head.

               He grimaced and rested his cheek against her stomach again. The baby moved against him and he closed his eyes briefly. “I’m sorry,” he repeated, lowly, to their little one as well.

               She placed her hand on his cheek until he moved back. She sat next to him instead and gripped his hand. “I love you.”

               He kissed her forehead then rested his own against hers. “I love you.”

               She took their hands together, rings clinking as she twisted their fingers. She swallowed. “I know she was seeking you out. But I can’t explain how much I want to snap her neck whenever I hear she’s close to you.”

               “I know,” he replied quietly. Her voice was shaky, and he could hear the rage behind it.                

               She gave a pointed look. “Especially when I hear that you put yourself in harm’s way again.”

               He shook his head. “Maggie pulled a gun. I would have been happy to let her use it if I didn’t know that it would be meaningless.”

               She looked away. “Mags failed to mention that part,” she murmured. “And you’re right: Regina could have hurt her, killed her with her magic. But, Graham, you have no better defenses.”

               He pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth, getting her full attention from the images he could practically feel vibrating in her mind’s eye. “I at least know the risks. Maggie thought she had the upper hand. At least I knew I didn’t.”

               She shook her head. “And I told you. I can’t—“ her breath hitched and she looked down, two tears falling down her cheeks in a slow trickle. “I can’t lose you.”

               He hugged her to him, wrapping her close. Bile rose in his throat at the thought. “I’m not running towards the danger. I promise. But I will keep you all safe. I have to.”

               She grabbed his hand and pressed it over her belly button. “We need you safe, too,” she reminded.

               He cupped her stomach and nodded. His heart tugged. “I watched Henry growing up from afar. I promise I want to see this one grow up right up close.”

               She offered a sad smile. “You’d better,” she said gruffly, the threat of more tears behind her tone.

               He closed his eyes and thought through what had happened. “Regina only threatened. She didn’t touch me, physically or magically,” he reassured.

               She shuddered and leaned in to kiss him gently.

               He rubbed her shoulders soothingly as they broke apart, wishing they could just forget and leave. His head throbbed, the threat of a migraine once more. “She said that the Wicked Witch—it’s her sister. And Zelena wants to hurt anyone Regina ‘cares’ about, for lack of better motivation.” He shook his head, remembering Regina’s words. Anything I own. Rage piqued again. “Henry’ll be a target.”

               She shivered and buried herself into him. “We need to get back, then.” She made no move to get up, though her eyes turned to the old home peeking through the trees.

               He nodded. “I think he’ll be okay with Maggie. At least up in her room, with Granny and Red downstairs.”

               She nodded and pulled back to swipe at her cheeks.

               He leaned in. “Maggie, though … she’ll be yet another target since she’s in the way. I– having her here is great, really, but it makes me worry for her.”

               She sighed. “I know. It makes me worry, too,” she admitted. “She loves us all so much, and she’s … well, Maggie. She won’t stand idly by, especially when she doesn’t understand the real danger.”

               “Exactly,” he said, feeling relief that she understood. Maggie was family, and he couldn’t leave her ill-prepared. The only reason he’d agreed to leaving them alone now was that the Bed and Breakfast was still in plain view, and there was at least a werewolf and an armed and protective Grandmother to keep watch. “I might have told her the scar from when I was a kid was from Regina,” he said.

               She found the two worst sites even without looking, her hand covering his side and the other cupping at his neck. He pressed the hand on his stomach, answering her unspoken question. She focused on the area, thumb rubbing lightly. “At least it’ll get across what she’s like,” she murmured. “Though I’m worried these half-truths we’ve been giving her won’t hold up after a while.”

               He hesitated, and held her closer. “I might have also started to tell her about the other thing,” he said, his tongue feeling heavy. “The one she really did.”

               She looked up at him and let out a stuttered breath. She turned a pale sort of green, and swallowed thickly. Her skin started to flicker slightly. After a long beat, she said, “she’ll be fiercer, then.”

                He carefully turned her, directing her hands over the ground. A small shower of magic specks fell from her fingertips, glowing faintly before extinguishing. He nodded once, glad she was letting it out. “I didn’t even mean to,” he continued. “It just … I was trying to list her crimes in a real-world perspective and it just—it just came out.”

               “It’s not a small thing, Graham,” she said, and pressed a hand to his jaw. Her expression was stricken, tears swimming in her eyes.

               Her skin was still sparking, and he moved his hands over her arms to soothe her. His hair began to stand on end, like static electricity. Strangely, he wasn’t put off by the feeling. Ever since she’d healed him, there was something calming to the feel of her magic. At least when he knew it was coming and had time to deal with it like this, on his own terms. It was also a nice distraction from thinking beyond the words he’d told Maggie, from thinking about the years of Regina’s commands. “Being here just brings up all the past again,” he admitted, feeling the claw of it despite his attempts.

               “I should learn how to use this,” she said softly. “So I can protect Henry. The baby. You.”

               He swallowed thickly. “Please don’t try on my account. If you can use it safely, fine. But I won’t have you putting yourself or him on the line for me,” he demanded gruffly.

               She bit down on her lip, shook her head in denial. He relaxed, but she tensed further then pivoted out of his embrace to let a flare of electricity out of her veins into the ground, lighting the forest in a pale golden glow. The details came to light, and he suddenly found himself struck. He knew exactly where they were.

               “I think I buried someone out here,” he said suddenly and rose. Something familiar about this part of the woods, a flash of vision behind his eyes.

               “Huh?”

               He glanced side to side, fist clenching as he tried to remember one of the early days of the curse. “She snapped his neck. I thought she’d have me do it; she made me do everything else. But there was a man whose child got away from her grasp, so she snapped his neck and made me bury the body.”

               She shook her head and buried her face in her hands. She breathed heavily a few beats, trying to get under control. She darted out and grasped his hand, tugging him closer. “When?”

               He studied the trees, trying to recall. “Maybe a week or so into the curse. Very early on. They weren’t from the Enchanted Forest. I think it was a mistake that they were able to find this place.” He shook his head. “Unlucky for them.”

               “And the kid?” she asked. Her eyes were red-rimmed and hard.

               He shrugged helplessly and turned to her. “I never saw him again. He made it to the outside, past the town line, and disappeared after that. His name … I think it was Owen. The father was Kurt. Maybe we can look him up.”

               She nodded and rose to cross over to him before burying her face into his shoulder. “I am so sorry you have to relive these things,” she said thickly.

               His lashes flicked across his cheeks and he shook his head. “It’s better than it used to be,” he said.

               She brushed her lips against his bicep, an apology nonetheless. “Why?” she asked. It was obvious she was not referring to his state.

               He closed his eyes. He remembered greeting them, remembered the boy’s inquisitive look and the man’s sincere smile at his son. “She wanted the boy. To what end … I don’t know. But she was furious that he escaped, that he rejected her.”

               She shook her head. “She doesn’t do well with rejection,” she murmured, and pressed a hand over his heart. He shuddered, the reminder firm in his mind. If you ever disobey me, if you ever try to run away …. She placed a kiss on his chest, and he was brought back. “Not good for Henry, then.”

               “Exactly,” he said, and wrapped an arm around her. He kissed the crown of her head, idly wishing he could pull her closer to his body as the baby inhibited that. He placed his hand on her stomach again, rubbing absently. “I got the danger Regina poses over Henry across to Maggie, at least. She’ll keep him safe, too.”

               “As will David and Mary Margaret. And Killian. Red, Granny. And Belle, to an extent,” she said. She blinked a few times. “I suppose there is a good group here that will help, huh?”

               “No one threatens quite like Regina, though,” he mused.

               She nodded and rocked her forehead against him. “Zelena … she’s got enough self-preservation to hide away after she strikes. It makes it harder to defeat her and leave in a timely manner,” she said thoughtfully, a hint of bitterness to it.

               He pressed harder against her stomach. “It must have something to do with the twins. And your brother. Why else pose as a midwife?”

               “Not twins,” she said through a strained air of playfulness. She remained in his arms, thoughtful. “Mary Margaret and I looked through a bunch of books on spells including newborns. Mary … she thinks it has something to do with children of … well, the thing we are.”

               He warmed slightly at the thought, and then he had a wash of cold. “You are as magical as you are because of that. Our baby …,” he trailed off. They had talked about this new person often; what he’d look like, what traits he’d get, what they wished for. They never discussed the idea that this child of True Love, just like her, would have that boost of power. The truth of it had never really struck them, or perhaps they both ignored it. He knew that the baby made her powers grow, but only quietly considered that it was because of his potential for his own magic once he was born.

               Now he couldn’t help but acknowledge that even the potential for magic in either child was something these villains would strike at. He pictured Ashley a moment, and shuddered at the reminder that villains would trade for these little ones readily.  Zelena, Regina, any number of being they didn’t know about yet … they wouldn’t be as subtle about it.

               The part of him that was the man he was before reacted violently to the idea. It was everything he had grown learning of humans, their disregard for life if it brought them what they wanted. Defenses reared up within him, snarling from that place in his soul.

               He pulled her into him and breathed deeply, tempering to the smell of her.

               She nodded into his shoulder. “Mary Margaret … she’s due almost any time. My brother,” she winced at the term and then forged ahead. “He’s the one in the most danger right now.”

               “Agreed,” he said, and moved his hand soothingly. His little son moved with him, following him. He felt a spring of tears behind his eyes, how much he loved him already. “But we can’t be caught unprepared, just in case.”

               Her eyes snapped open and looked beyond him. “Like now?”

               He turned, whiplashing toward the direction she was looking and immediately pulling her behind him in the same action. His heart thundered even when he saw the flash of white and grey, the slow movement behind a bush. He chuckled in disbelief, realizing why he hadn’t picked up on another presence. “I think this ‘unprepared’ is more welcome,” he said as the wolf came into view.

               His brother moved around the green, red eye piercing through the darkness. He was silent as he cocked his head, examining the couple.

               “In laws,” Emma muttered.

               He smirked and crouched down, ducking his head slightly in deference. “’Bout time you had to deal with any,” he joked lightly. He smiled, awe collecting within him. He had missed this family. He was truly a reprieve from the dark worries, another protection against the evils of this town.

               The wolf padded forward, but stopped a few feet shy of approaching. He continued to appraise them, silent but not tense.

               Emma moved to press a hand between his shoulder blades. “I remember him from that night,” she said, voice strained.

               “He tried to help,” he said and held out a hand.

               His brother snorted and ducked his own head before bridging the distance. He pushed into his hand once then turned to Emma, whining slightly as he flattened to the ground in front of her, eyes trained up on her.

               He blinked in surprise. He had never been this submissive, even with him. “I think he recognizes the baby,” he said, and laughed in disbelief. “He knows you’re pregnant.”

               She smiled and crouched beside him, hand out cautiously. “Good to meet you, too,” she whispered.

               The wolf suddenly hopped to his feet and spun around, growling to the distance as he backed up into Emma. She let out a noise of surprise as he pressed into her.

               “Speaking of protection,” he murmured and grabbed for the gun at his hip.

               A flash of blonde drifted through the trees, and the ice cream shop owner finally turned into the clearing. She startled in surprise to see them, but did not tense at the sight of the wolf. She only smiled gently. “Oh, I am sorry to bother you. I didn’t realize anyone would be out here.”

               The wolf’s jowls peeled back, snapping towards the woman.

               “Ingrid, right?” Emma said, and reached out an uncertain hand towards his brother.

               He whistled low through his teeth, and the wolf steadied back into a low growl of disapproval. There was something about the woman that made him uneasy, but the reminder of how she could get Zelena to back down those days ago was fresh in his mind. “You startled us,” he finally said.

               Ingrid smiled thinly, chin raised as she glanced at the animal without a trace of fear. “Indeed. I can understand that. I was just out for a walk.”

               The light in the woods was strange at dusk, he decided, because he could have sworn her hands were blue just a second before. He shook his head.

               “You probably shouldn’t be out here like this. You know about the threat, right?” Emma asked, and then very delicately placed a hand on the wolf’s head. His brother licked his teeth and settled, ears dropping back and tongue lolling out as he stared up at her.

               “Magnificent animal,” she said, ignoring Emma’s question. “You are lucky to have his trust.”

               Graham stiffened. He wasn’t sure if it was just because any stranger would set him on edge right now. “He does well defending his family,” he said, barely concealing an idle threat.

               Ingrid raised smiling eyes to him. “I am sure that’s true,” she smoothed her hands over the hips of her trousers. She looked too immaculate for a walk in the woods. “I should let you be on your way?”

               Emma turned her eyes to him, brow furrowed in confusion. She gave a short, barely perceptible shake of her head, a refusal to push things. “Yes, we should head back,” she said simply.

               Henry. She’s right. Even if this woman was sketchy, the priority would be getting back to their son. The wolf trotted alongside Emma as she started walking, his good eye trained on the woman. Ingrid made no move toward them, and the wolf seemed to grudgingly accept that she wasn’t an immediate threat.

               “It was good to see you again, Emma,” Ingrid said, and there was a fair bit of warmth in her voice. “I hope there will be no further trouble for you.”

                Graham’s head shot up, meeting the icy blue of her gaze. He squeezed Emma’s hand in his, and shifted to cover her.

               Ingrid only smiled before turning her back on them. “There will be a free cone next time I see you,” she promised with a look over her shoulder. “I would be glad to see your family around again.”

               The wolf waited until she was gone and then turned dark eyes on them. His head bowed and he scampered away as lightly as he had come.

               He turned back to Emma, confusion and unease still filtering within him. Her brow was furrowed, but she seemed more puzzled. “She’s familiar,” she murmured, then shook herself. She looked back up at him. “Let’s go to Henry, okay? We can figure out the motives of all these shady characters later.”

               He nodded his agreement and leaned to press his forehead against hers. “Sounds like a plan.”

               He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he had missed something nonetheless.